Posts by wheelwithinwheel

When we were fading they were grappling with the dying “generation”. Their ensuing explanations made our diminishing meeting attendance and service easily explainable. We just told everyone that sitting through studies and talks that could change at a moment’s notice was no longer our thing. And going from door-to-door and teaching people ‘truths’ that turn out to be not quite true, well…we just were no longer comfortable doing this. Probably we were labelled spiritually weak, and classified as having been stumbled over the generation fiasco, but…frankly we didn’t care, they couldn’t call us apostates and it was actually part of our reason for leaving.

So to all you faders, why claim burn-out and depression and move to a new congo? Just use the changes in the latest WTs, and let the brothers, your relatives and your friends know you no longer feel comfortable learning about and preaching something that could very well turn out to be a false truth.

That is unless you want to put Christmas lights on the outside of your house. Then I totally understand your need to move.

32

Would you call JW HQ???

by DATA-DOG in

i have a friend who is still in.

this friend is a partaker, but has serious doubts about the org.

this friend wants to stand up as a man, and wants to call wtbts hq.

wheelwithinwheel

Your friend missed the new light.

Partakers are now domestics just like everyone else. David Splane 'esplained' it.

The only partakers who get a say on policy now are the GB.

Any other opinions are irrelevant.

48

May’s ‘study WT’ admits having taught “far-fetched” ideas

by wheelwithinwheel in

not on the front page, not in the study articles, but carefully camouflaged in the questions from readers on page 18 (watchtower march 15, 2015).

you can bet most jws wont even read it..

there is no apology...just the usual excuses..

wheelwithinwheel

FayeDunaway

March 15, 2015 Questions from Readers:

In the past, our publications often mentioned types

and antitypes, but in recent years they have seldom

done so. Why is that?

QUESTIONS FROM READERS

48

May’s ‘study WT’ admits having taught “far-fetched” ideas

by wheelwithinwheel in

not on the front page, not in the study articles, but carefully camouflaged in the questions from readers on page 18 (watchtower march 15, 2015).

you can bet most jws wont even read it..

there is no apology...just the usual excuses..

wheelwithinwheel

Not on the front page, not in the study articles, but carefully camouflaged in the “questions from readers” on page 18 (Watchtower March 15, 2015). You can bet most JW’s won’t even read it.

There is no apology…just the usual excuses.

First, they situate their error “in the past”, “many years ago”. Then they minimize their wrongdoing by using the term our publications “mentioned” types and antitypes. Next they explain their falling into the trap of “seeing types everywhere” by telling us they weren’t the only ones who did. Finally they let us know the ‘others’ were worse. The ‘others’ had much more outlandish ideas. And that brothers, is why they aren’t apologizing.

Here are some things to think about:

For decades talks were given, books were published and book studies were conducted for months on end discussing divine types and antitypes. Missionaries were subjected to special insight into deep Watchtower type/antitype doctrine by GB members. If the missionary didn’t grasp just who the modern day Elijah and Elisha was, he was deemed unfit to represent the organization. Finally, in the ministry, these antitypical applications were touted as the revealed truth to anyone studying with the Witnesses. Can this type and antitype indoctrination be truthfully termed “mentioning”?
The Watchtower points out that for good reason it has seldom mentioned types and antitypes in recent years. Doesn’t this indicate that the GB has actually known for years that their explanations were erroneous and “far-fetched”?
The Watchtower’s new rule is “The clearest course is this: Where the Scriptures teach that an individual, an event, or an object is typical of something else, we accept it as such. Otherwise, we ought to be reluctant to assign an antitypical application to a certain person or account if there is no specific Scriptural basis for doing so.” What about Ezekiel and Revelation. If we follow the rule the Society’s explanations of these books are now automatically classified “far-fetched”?

And what about ‘crazy Nebuchadnezzar’ + the banded tree + the 7 times + the 2520 years = 1914 idea? Shouldn’t it now be designated “far-fetched” nonsense?

22

"Jehovah clearly answered my prayer!"

by stuckinarut2 in

so the fade is progressing well.... however, it has been noticed by the 'hounders', who i know will be "following up" with us soon i'm sure.. so i have thought of a way of shutting down the questions etc.... if they ask about things like meeting attendance and field activity, i am going to say something like:.

"oh, thanks for your interest and concern brothers.

this means a lot.

wheelwithinwheel

My wife learned a lesson early on. Our C.O. visited and she opened up to him somewhat. He gave her council and prayed with her. She didn’t attend his talk that week. He used his time on stage to talk about her. He classified her as more or less dead before Armageddon. One of her close friends phoned her and told her everything that she had said to the C.O had been repeated on the stage. She was livid and wrote the C.O telling him he hadn’t helped at all. He wrote back and apologized. From that time on she has used the phrase “I’m just don’t feel comfortable sharing my thoughts” which has worked very well for her. She’ll even repeat it if necessary. It’s her version of taking the Fifth.

I use a different strategy. I make it clear I don’t have problems with local brothers or the local congregation. I’m not depressed or suffering from a guilty conscience. I have issues with the Watchtower…the Society…the Governing Body. Issues with their unapologetic and dismissive attitude toward the mistakes they made that affected people’s lives, that we now jokingly call “old light”. If they need examples I furnish them. There are plenty to choose from. But it’s batshit crazy WT history, not ‘apostasy’. So my phrase is “I have issues with the Watchtower”.

JW.ORG and YouTube have opened up whole new dimension of reasons to longer trust their direction. Teepee’s, vehicles and fiddling in Assembly Hall lobbies, line dancing and teaching the hustle on the KH stage, while crowing about Jehovah blessing on all this. Promotional buttons, key chains, umbrellas and Frisbees. Even a video of ‘Psy’ dancing around Bethel to the tune of Pharrell Williams (Goggle his songs and lyrics, you may ‘cringe’… as one sister told me she did). I tell JW’s I’m shocked. I even rub it in a little. I’ve said it’s the only positive aspect of my parents both suffering from dementia. They didn’t get to see how far down-hill the brothers have gone.

Because of family situations we are careful. We don’t hide our point of view but we don’t advertise it either. And we will never answer questions destined to df us.

32

Seeking support during confusing and stressful 'cognitive dissonance'

by LHS123 in

jw
friends

sorry for the long post but i need help.

ive been a jw for 20 years - still active and attending meetings, baptised at 18, i have recently become very dissillusioned.

a few reasons: ill treatment of my kids by a prominent 'assembly speaker' elder, then my son left the truth at 15 (not baptised) and was 'dropped' instantly, despite this community having been his whole life for 15 years.

wheelwithinwheel

Sorry to hear about you situation LHS

Keep in mind that truth does not change and cannot be challenged. ‘Real truth’ that is. Think about it. So keep reading anything you feel inclined to read. If “the truth” is ‘real truth’ it will stand up to any challenge, including apostate ideas. The fact that the GB forbids reading “apostate literature” and is against pursuing education is actually a waving red flag.

Reciprocate the love of your loving and wonderful but 'worldly' family. And keep reading. Cultivate friendships with 'worldly' people. There are great people out there who God isn’t going to destroy. And keep reading. Look out for your kids. Love them. They are your most precious possession. And keep reading.

Don’t take a month off cold turkey. But keep reading. Begin missing meetings and slow your service. Keep reading and you will eventually understand more and more of TTATT. It will take time, lots of time. Share your experience here. Take things slow. Its called fading. Take your time to think about how to do what you need to do. There is no rush. Armageddon isn’t coming tomorrow.

The other option is ripping the Band-Aid off. Many regret having taken drastic measures too quickly. Unfortunately there isn’t often a ‘take 2’ option.

Take care.

“Wheels” – from a family completely destroyed by “the truth” with a mother who ruined her mental health following the WT’s disfellowshipping policy.

12

My best friend - Helping him wake up?

by Garrett in

jw
friends

so, first off, after my learning ttatt i've been feeling so much better!

my depression is gone, i'm so much more motivated, i can do everything i've always wanted to do but was forbidden from doing.

now, my best friend is still in, however, i feel that he may have a chance at waking up.

wheelwithinwheel

I faded, but was always open about the reason. No personal grudges, no secret sin…just issues with the Watchtower. I don’t volunteer “to spill my issues” but I don’t refuse to share them either. I always joked about stuff like donation money, counting time, the rising number of anointed and the ever-stretching generation. Now JW.ORG is really cooperating. Recently I’ve commented on convention trinkets, the Mexican wave, JW.ORG’s Broadway effort and Sam’s new Rolex for JW.TV. I was thrilled when they did the Bethel “Happy” video (told some there was a positive side to dad having Alzheimer’s. He’s unable to grasp the Watchtower’s desperation). Carts have been good (told one JW “better dress well and not bring a coffee cup” so passerby’s don’t mistake you for a homeless person). Now they’re even better to mock ‘cause they “have a heart” and ‘sing’. I’ve tried Bible argument and humor. Humor is definitely more effective.

Although some snubbed me completely, many are very pleasant when I meet them. I have discovered over time that some stay smiling with the hope of enticing me back. Others however, like myself, have big problems with the organization, are even open to talking or joking about them, but have managed to separate the organization from Jehovah. One commented recently “If it wasn’t for Jehovah I don’t think I’d still be a JW.”

So go for it. Tell your friend you miss him. And see where it goes. Don’t renew your friendship with the goal of “taking him out” and things may work out.