You have no idea how timely your post was for me. Thank You! I'll add these to my things to learn in 2003.
Happy New Year to you too!
Posts by Gig
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810 Things I learned in 2002
by CBeMe in10 things i learned in 2002
1. sometimes life just sucks, take it and move on.. 2. scarlett was right, some things are best left until tomorrow.. 3. never count on someone else to look out for your best interests, if its important follow through yourself.. 4. home is where you lay your head down at night, wherever that is.. 5. dont even think this is the worst day of my life, it can get worse and you dont want to know how.. 6. keep your greatest treasures in your heart, youll never run out of storage space.. 7. give more love than you think you can, broken hearts do heal and heal stronger.. 8. everyone has two families, one they were born to and one they chose.
9. you can always make friends, start with hi.. 10. the greatest measure is not what you have, its what you are willing to give.. happy new year!!.
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LETTING GO
by Gig insome of you might remember that i fell in love with a jw.
that was two years ago and now i've decided to let her go.
i've done everything i know to do including trying to apply most every good thing i learned since meeting her.
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Gig
Some of you might remember that I fell in love with a JW. That was two years ago and now I've decided to let her go. I've done everything I know to do including trying to apply most every good thing I learned since meeting her. I tell you friends I gave it my best. I read as many of their books and mags as I could, I studied with a bunch of witnesses...mostly elders, and I attended the meetings.
At the same time I was researching the WT history, the bare-bones WT doctrine (in present form), a zillion hours pouring through their "proof texts", and a zillion more just trying to figure out where in hell they got some of their foolish ideas.
Then I looked at the full on anti and ex witness environment. And finally the whole cult/mind control thing. I don't regret taking on the job of learning, but I do wish I could've condensed it into a few months instead of two years. I feel like so much of my time has been wasted, but I guess I should look forward to the next witness at my door...maybe I can make some use of the truth I have.
I wish there was a point to make, but since I don't have one I had to start this thread. Even if you don't post I appreciate you reading and caring. I figure now is a good time to let it go, give it to God, and start fresh with a new year. I could use a boost if you have one to offer.
I'm one of those guys that really tries NOT to use anger to get over a bad situation so my recovery will take longer than it might should. Although some of the crap the WT forces the JW's to so carelessly spew really plucks my butt hairs. The irresponsibility, the unaccountability, the unfounded authority, and of all things the deceit that hurts and even kills too many people.
It's gotten unhealthy for me to continue studying them, it's taking away too much of my life. I care about them but I'm no match for the WTS, one of Satan's better works. They really do have an answer for everything, however untrue, and they are simply good at doing bad. I wish it stopped there but JW's RELY on their identities as JW's.
I know the Bible speaks about hate but I've always felt that my little pea-brain shouldn't ever think I had the ability or understanding enough to hate. At this point I think I graduated. I hate what the WT does to what would otherwise be really good people. It makes them distrustful, it makes them elevate themselves above others, it makes them try to shoe-box God's love into what only they are worthy of having, it makes them deny their own God given talents and abilities, it keeps them from doing what the Bible says to do: love. I hate that they aren't taught Christian love. That hurts more than anything. The "one true religion" is the ONE that believes, has faith and trust in God, obeys Him, and understands and submits to the perfect system of grace and eternal life through Jesus. He is God in the flesh and our example to follow. And that the Holy Spirit is our comforter and counselor. That's IT! There's nothing to add. I understand people worship and praise differently but who am I, any man for that matter, to judge what is acceptable and pleasing to God? I can't even judge JW's...but I do judge the WTS to be the leaders of a false religion...no, not completely, I agree with most of their teachings...but what they are wrong about is monstrous, dangerous, and evil...mainly because they knowingly do wrong. Repentance not required of the GB? How about an apology...just one? I've never seen a truly compassionate WT article, they're always about fear. Joy my ass, they make 'em say it enough times and they believe it, just like so many other misrepresentations.
Well, you can see by now why I have to let her go, you can see why I have to let it all go. I don't remember a single day in the past two years that I didn't pull up some sort of WT/JW site or read some related book. I've gotta be done, please give me a push or a prayer.
I want you all to know that I feel you. I've read so many posts from people with bigger losses than mine and I really do identify with you in my own small way. You don't have to have been a witness to feel it, that unbearable ache on the subject of God. I've been a fool to try and do so much all on my own, I gotta get humble and start anew.
I hate the message not the messenger...I hate the WTS................you know, that wasn't so bad, maybe I will try a little anger, I might even deserve to be mad. Even Jesus got mad........hmmmm.
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Which one?
by Gig ini'm considering hiring an intervention specialist.
i've read about randy at freeminds, steve hassan, rick ross, etc.
i belive they offer services to personally assist with jws.
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Gig
I'm considering hiring an intervention specialist. I've read about Randy at Freeminds, Steve Hassan, Rick Ross, etc. I belive they offer services to personally assist with JWs. Does anyone here know anything about their work or others. Any intervention experience here? My JW friend hasn't been one for long, and really doesn't know the doctrines much less the history etc. I believe this might work. My friend's mom is willing to help. She seems to want the JW socially more so than religiously.
I wish I could get Randy, Steve, Rick, and Ray Franz all in a room with my friend. Think that would do it?
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When is it not worth helping JW's out of the org?
by sleepy in.
being an ex-jw who would love to see my friends and other out of the jehovahs witness organisation i face a dilemma, is it always in a persons best interests to know the truth about the truth?.
when i first decided to leave the organisation, i was happy to speak to my family about why i disagreed with the organisation.then about 6 months ago my father was diagnosed with terminal cancer of the lungs (due to asbestos poisioning.if you think the governing body are corupt they are nothing compared to the people who produced this stuff).i have desided it best not to mention anything about the organisation untill my family recovers from my fathers death.. so since then i have not said a word about the "truth".that would be so counter productive to my fathers mental health, his and the rest of the families happiness can be only be found in the hope of a resurection , no matter how unfounded that hope is.. i have bumped into some elders from time to time who are in their late 70's and spent all their adult lives in the truth, how about them?there are many in the congregations suffering from depression and other mental problems, what would our knowledge do to them?should we be taking the intiative to help these out, or could we do more harm than good to them?of course i can't know how knowing what know about the truth will effect some people.will it make their lives better or worse.will it free some to fufill their ambitions and desires living a full and happy life or will others be full of regret , deprestion and sadness, maybe even some would comit suicide.. what part will i have played if its me that persuades them?should i wait to be asked about the organiasion, or should i take the initative, is it really up to me to judge who can "take" it and who can't?
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Gig
This is a very timely question for me. I have gotten to the point with my JW friend that I wonder if she's better off not knowing than to go through what it would take to leave. Everyone, as opposed to what the WT teaches, deserves the truth. I believe God will forgive ignorance but I have shared enough things with her for her to search for herself, so I don't know where she stands in His eyes... not my call anyway. My hope has been for a long time that I could open her eyes and then really be there for her when it all starts falling apart. I also hoped that any resentment and anger would be directed at the WT, where it belongs, helping her to get through it. For myself, the truth is the only thing. It disturbs me to no end how they continually represent themselves as having the truth, even calling themselves "in" the truth. The big picture suggests that it would be better, no matter how hard, to get away from the WT. I just wish I knew the method.
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'Puter wizards...how can you tell?
by Gig ini suspect i'm getting e-mails from someone i know but from a different e-addy.
is there any way to figure out if a message from msn hotmail is coming from the same computer as a yahoo e-addy?.
make it simple, if i were computer savvy, i wouldn't have to ask.
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Gig
I suspect I'm getting e-mails from someone I know but from a different e-addy. Is there any way to figure out if a message from MSN Hotmail is coming from the same computer as a Yahoo e-addy?
Make it simple, if I were computer savvy, I wouldn't have to ask. Thanks!
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The Thread that "kills" the WTS
by eyeslice inmany opinions have been expressed on this board as to what is killing the society today.
i am positive that issues such as the un scandal, the pedophile issue, etc.
are having a negative effect and contributing to a general slackening off and sense of malaise amongst the rank and file.
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Gig
Maybe we should prophesy to as many JW's as possible the end of the 1914 teaching. We saw, far in advance, the coming new light. Making sure we remind them that their "one true religion" claim is based mostly on 1914/1919. We might also add that we expect the identity of Christ as Michael the Archangel to change as well. The newer books are evasive of this teaching too. Tell them when it happens, whether sooner or later, that they have your number if they'd like any more light. In the meantime gather all the quotations that spoke so confidently about 1914 and their "appointment" in 1919.
This is far and away the best feeling I get about the WTS, their tragic end.
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the bible making sense
by jurs inbefore i had started studying with the jw's i had tried to read the bible.
it didn't make sense to me.
(in all honesty, i didn't try real hard nor did i put forth alot of time into my readings).
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Gig
Lefty, can you call yourself a lover of the truth? If so, why are you still promoting the WT as a capable (truthful) leader of the so-called one true religion? They have made more mistakes, mistakes plainly described in the Bible, than any religion out there. Yet they still claim to be God's ONLY representative?
It goes like this, Chuck tried hard to make a good way. Instead he made mistakes, GROSS errors. An abusive drunk takes over and with the "gift" of a lying tongue tried to salvage what he saw to be a profit center. A few more false teachings and false prophesies later, it's only an org that has had to escalate their claims or actually admit the truth and deminish. It's self-preservation, pure and simple. Why shouldn't any of us expect GREAT things from the ONE TRUE religion?
Wolves in sheep's clothing who deceive many...about 6 million at last count. Any good thing they've ever done is duplicated ten fold in God fearing churches everywhere.
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I have a question about Jesus :)
by Rockmangames ini need a scripture of the bible that prove jesus's hair is not a long hair but a short hair.
and also a scripture of jesus has 5 brothers (if i remembered correct), please ?
two scriptues that .
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Gig
It's fine to study JW's, but you need to know going in that their "Bible studies" are always using a WT book that has a few scriptures cited. In other words, they use the Bible to support THEIR teachings instead of using their teachings to support the Bible. BIG difference. Their history is chock full of going beyond what is written. A "good" witness is expected, no required, to believe everything that comes from the WT comes from Jehovah. If this were true, then you would expect to see a far better history than what their so-called "one true religion" has demonstrated. A good start would be to look at the Bible's teaching regarding the return of Jesus. The WT waives all that off as figurative, in fact, they'll try to tell you that he ALREADY returned and that all but JW's missed it. Moreover, they've said he would return before, first visibly, then invisibly, then a new date...the world was supposed to end so many times I lost count according to the WT.
People here have lived it, I've only studied it for the last 2 years. Like I said, it's fine you want to study them and their teachings, spend EXACTLY the same amount of time studying the opposing viewpoint and you will arrive at the truth. Be advised that their literature, the books and mags, are all very deceiving. They sound very convincing and are easy to believe.
My own personal opinion after a zillion hours of research, study, meetings, and prayers is that the WTS is a dangerous thing. The wolf in sheeps clothing the Bible speaks of that deceives many.
Accept only the truth, and you'll be fine, but make sure it's the truth. The work will be rewarding. You have no idea what a blessing it is that you stumbled accross this site. There are thousands of years experience with the WTS in here. You should give them as much attention as you do the JW's, take note of how much they will discourage you, even condemn you for researching here. BOTH sides of a story give you the big picture. Be careful!
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Help for a friend
by Happy ini am not a witness, and i have never been one, but i have a very close friend who is a witness, and have done a lot of reading about the wt and i am well aware of the many evils of their teachings.
but i am not posting to insult the boys in brooklyn.
my friend that i mentioned earlier is currently a witness, and i am wondering if anybody has any idea how i can help her deal with her situation.
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Gig
You would think that approaching a JW with some truth would be fairly simple. Obviously they spend an inordinate amount of time talking about it. You care about her, that's great, but the odds are overwhelmingly against you. With her family in it you've got little chance. BUT, there's no reason not to promote yourself as a lover of the truth. Share when you're able to share, shut up when you know what's coming. Don't argue, they're trained for that. Study a bit on cognitive dissonance and then find a way to create it for your friend. You'll find lots of help here. Plant and water, let God give the increase.
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Love & Dating
by stefanieroe ini need someones advice on dating a jw when im not a believer.
i've just recently met him, lets call him chad, and he was the most amazing person ive ever met.
he was easy to talk to and funny, sweet, gorgeous.
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Gig
I also fell in love with a JW. That was almost two years ago and we still love one another. I never knew much about JW's until I met her and began to study them and their doctrines. I have to tell you that you MUST study their teachings if you really want to be with him. I also have to tell you that having done so myself, there is NO WAY to accept them as truthful, and certainly not the "one true religion". Now let me back up, I'm not saying that JW's are untruthful, most all of them I've met and studied with are genuinely good people. They do the best they can to serve God in the way they are taught...that's what's wrong. What they are taught comes strait from the governing body of the WTS in New York, I am entirely convinced, after thousands of hours of research, that they are corrupt, greedy, unloving, dishonest men. Their teachings, which JW's are REQUIRED to believe as if they come from God himself, have far too often hurt people...even killed them. False teachings abound and there never comes an apology, and wrongdoing is blamed on the average witness. There are plenty of web-sites and books that describe WT history, teachings, and errors. Take the time to do this YOURSELF. Your man will tell you NOT to do this because JW's aren't allowed to read or study ANYTHING that isn't written by the WTS. It's intellectually dishonest to disallow opposing viewpoints, and extremely controlling, which is the best description of the WT world.
My advice is to study the WT for yourself and by yourself, then bring some of what you learn to your man for his consideration. If he refuses to accept what is plainly the truth, then you haven't a chance at happiness with him anytime soon. I can tell you that the WT and JW's seem to have an answer for everything, I can also tell you that the majority of those answers are wrong and it takes a tremendous effort to understand just what it is they want you to believe and how you have to act on that belief. DO NOT ALLOW YOURSELF TO BE FOOLED. Make sure you are aware of how much your emotions are influencing your decisions. The Bible says that false teachers are like wolves in sheeps clothing, this is the WT in a nutshell. They seem nice and caring, but disagree with them and you will be rejected. Stay honest, tell them how much you hate deceit, that it has no place in the christian life, ESPECIALLY in the so-called one true religion. Tell them after you study their history that you have to expect more from "Jehovah's channel, organization, and arrangement. They will give you excellent arguement, they are TRAINED for this.
Because I have spent so much time researching them and studying with them, I can promise you that they are misled. I care more about this than you can possibly imagine, again, I love a JW too.
E-mail me if you want some help. The fact that they claim that Jesus already returned and we all missed it should be enough to create caution for you. At your age you may not have much Bible study time under your belt, this is dangerous for you at this point, you are vulnerable to their deceit. I promise you that if you become a JW your life will change significantly for the worse.
Honestly, after having gone through what I have, I encourage you to simply tell your man that you will NEVER, EVER be a JW, and refuse to study with him using WT books and mags. His obligation as a JW is to get you to believe EXACTLY as they do, otherwise you are unsaved. The problem is the WT, they are anything but Christian, and as a JW you will be REQUIRED to do exactly as they say, even when they reverse and change their requirements, all the while condemning you for not having faith in God. You cannot be happy as a JW, although you will go around telling everyone that you couldn't be happier.
Please be careful. Their writings are very crafty and clever and can easily confuse you.
Be an unwavering lover of the truth and you will be fine, though not likely with this man.