recent developments make me think they might be.
the problems they are facing are not just lack of funds but also draining authority, and the two could be a heady and explosive mix.
one of the best analyses ever written of the watchtower was a book called "trumpet of prophecy" by sociologist james beckford in the 1970s.
I tried to read all of this, having a hard time because of work, but...
Has anyone thought of this idea?
WT is selling K Halls, taking extra congregation accounts, closing Bethels, letting people go, selling property......... are they getting ready to act like they are bankrupt? (Maybe they are trying to do what the Catholic Church did? 'Sorry Australia, we have no money')
Maybe the guys in the backround are getting ready to split?
so, all of us have probably heard a lot of urban miracle legends over the years in the org.here's one from outside the org.years ago, i worked with this lady.
she was my supervisor.
we liked having discussions on god and the bible.
hello, this is my first post, i would like to introduce myself and say thank you to every one on this forum, you have been a lifeline to me these last few years.. i had been a jw for 30 years when i walked away a few years ago disgusted by the treatment victims of child abuse, domestic abuse and rape receive from the wtbts.. at first i thought it was a local problem, elders personal opinions, the way they handled the situations, imperfect men etc., until i checked out jehovahs witnesses and child abuse/domestic abuse online.
that's when i realized they had the same modus operandi worldwide.
that led me here, tbuo this forum, and then to crisis of conscience, jw facts, watchtower documents, jw survey, old watchtower literature and cd s, reading a couple of steve hassans books, and more recently exiting the jw cult.. the feelings of shock, betrayal, anger at the wtbts, angry with myself for being so gullible, depression, reflection, loneliness, have taken their toll.
NoraLee, you have to know how happy you have made so many of us feel.... You too, redpilltwice!
It seems the grip of WT is getting weaker and weaker, thanks for joining and giving us hope of even more to come! This forum is great to express yourself on, explore new ideas, seek help.
Congratulations & hugs to both of you!
in about 1980 i came to know of and meet one time with lawrence onoda, ph.d., a jehovah's witness psychologist [also i think elder] in southern california.
i was shocked to know there was such a thing in view of the wts traditional stance against jws consulting such a person!
he had been one of jws for six years at that time, i recall.
Thx AudeSapere, that is an interesting insight... "Dang! Now I have to report it!"...... Not, "Ahhhh, poor child, how can I help?"
Yes, it helps see the priorities the Borg has programmed into the loyal ones.
hello people.. i'm tired and a bit sick at the moment but i can't let anyone think that this is going to go away.... i am able to tell you a few things in order to prevent any confusion in the minds of those who are thinking that nothing will come of this arc;that nothing will effect the wtbts in america and other places.. i have been there and given my testimony.
helen milroy and her assistants were there along with another group of people who are there to lend assistance if you crack up at any time during or after the hearing.
i did not crack up but can see how this happens.. security is tight and anonymity is sacred to them as they want to protect all who come forward.
Thank you Umber... evil cannot be allowed to grow!
Your courage, the strength and love of justice for 'mere righteousness sake' from those awesome judges and legal staff there in Australia, we all have to be thankful for!
thank you again, and thanks for updating us all.
many hugs, well wishes,
cha ching
i left the watchtower in the winter of 2008. my first year out was by far the most difficult.
i had every intention of returning to the watchtower for the very purpose of being able to speak with my friends and family.
i had already concluded that the teachings were not the "truth" [after reading crisis of conscience] so coming back was more emotional then anything.
Very good reasons to not return, it is like complying with blackmail.
If I can quote a person from the Borean Pickets web page:
"Duplicity is not a quality that identifies a heart filled with holy spirit." If the WT is duplicitous, it cannot be filled, as it claims to be, with holy spirit.
i was working on my car in the factory {bld.
1} on friday oct. 31 1973, when all hell broke loose, the fire alarm in bld.
4 went off at about 9:30. the night watchman could find nothing.
"He served at Bethel", people say with great pride, not knowing or caring about their children's real lives. Where is reality? Where is love?
It is so sad that so many good hearted people went into this 'alternative Nazi boot camp'. Even if you didn't have a mental condition, the sad reality, the rejection, the loss of hope, the "keep your mouth shut so you don't defame Jehovah's name" crap, the "If you gossip and tell you will be DF'd" garbage, the realization that nobody (even your parents) care about you could be overwhelming to many.
3rdgen I knew that family, had always heard a very different, "limited" story of his death, now 53 years later I learn the sad reality.
Thank you for bumping this, Bob. These people deserve a pause of thought, they deserve to be reconsidered.
i have been lurking on this site for 3 years and this is my fist post.
i would like to thank everyone for helping me wake up.
i was baptized at 24, married at 25, ms for 18 years mentally in for 24 years but started to wake up 3 years ago doing research to give public talks, and the actions of arrogant and narcissistic brothers and sisters did not help.
i will be sending a letter to all my siblings in the next couple of weeks, and wanted everyone's take on it.
the primary purpose of this letter is to pave the way for a limited relationship.
i want to invite them to my son's celebration for finishing his leukemia treatment.
I think writing a letter, expressing your feelings as a human being and not being repressed by restrictions the WT has tried to ingrain into our brains is a good thing.
That is what the WT does... it tries to take humanity away from people. It is comforting to hear that you have chosen conscience over relationships... that is what truly improves the world... people like you.
You will never have to wonder, "I wonder what would happen if?" You did it, you wrote the letter! Good for you! They will have no excuses.
Very nice letter,
Cha Ching
i thought the writer here did a good job comparing the faqs of several high control groups.
hopefully this will be useful to someone out there.. http://thoughtsonthingsandstuff.com/we-are-not-a-cult/.
Thx Londo! That Jonestown quote is eerily reminiscent of JWtown, right?!
