Posts by GrreatTeacher

22

Similarities between the Governing Body and an abusive spouse

by Zoos in

i was looking at a list of methods used by abusive spouses to manipulate and control their "domain" and was struck by how similar the mentality is to the governing body's approach to the flock.

obviously not everything on the list applies as there is no sexual component in the congregation and there is no physical contact, but the similarities were shocking.. http://www.helpguide.org/articles/abuse/domestic-violence-and-abuse.htm.

abusers use a variety of tactics to manipulate you and exert their power:.

GrreatTeacher

Mad, I don't think the point is to focus on the intensity of abuse. Your experience sounds pretty horrific and may objectively be "worse."

What's truly interesting about this post is the idea that the tactics used are similar. The Watchtower as abuser and the member as codependent is a useful way to conceptualize cult involvement that is ultimately not in the member's best interest. So, why do they stay even as they suffer? The OP is suggesting that we can gain more insight into that reason by comparing abusive / codependent relationships since there is much that we do know about those kind of relationships as studied in the domestic sphere.

22

Similarities between the Governing Body and an abusive spouse

by Zoos in

i was looking at a list of methods used by abusive spouses to manipulate and control their "domain" and was struck by how similar the mentality is to the governing body's approach to the flock.

obviously not everything on the list applies as there is no sexual component in the congregation and there is no physical contact, but the similarities were shocking.. http://www.helpguide.org/articles/abuse/domestic-violence-and-abuse.htm.

abusers use a variety of tactics to manipulate you and exert their power:.

GrreatTeacher

Mad Irishman, looking at your empty post above, I see you changed your mind about your post.

And, that's a good thing. Thinking before you speak is always smart.

101

My mom passed away yesterday....

by minimus in

jw
friends

thank you all for your sincere encouragement during these last few weeks.

finally, she is at peace.

i was with her , holding her hand when she died.

GrreatTeacher

Sorry to hear this.

28

Not on a WTS Cover - Famine Continues to Decline

by berrygerry in

that darn satan keeps confusing those horsies in apocalypse - they seem to be going in reverse.. http://www.cnsnews.com/news/article/global-hunger-calamitous-famine-eradicated-last-50-years.

GrreatTeacher

Dummheit, so interesting the comparison to East Germany.

The Berlin wall fell in my senior year of high school. I was shocked because this seemed to contradict the Watchtower. You see, the Cold War was proof that the world was wicked and we were so very close to Armageddon.

When the wall fell, I didn't know what to think since the Watchtower's King of the North (Russia) and King of the South (the United States) were no longer at war. That was supposed to be a sign that we were in the Last Days!

So interesting that you compare the fall of East Germany to the fall of the Watchtower. Thanks for this unique perspective.

13

Same sex attraction, as a behaviour can be predicted.

by fulltimestudent in

jw
friends

being ever ready to note information that demonstrates christian idiocy in general and jw idiocy in particular, i was interested in news of this particular research that has been doing the rounds of science oriented news sources this week.. christianity in general and jwism in particular, have viciously persecuted same sex attracted people, thus demonstrating their peculiar hypocrisy.

most christians (the jw brand and other brands) squeal like a speared pig when they suffer any treatment that they call persecution, but are always willing to persecute same sex attracted people (and anyone else that stands outside their narrow-minded vision of the world).. most same sex attracted people will testify that their romantic attraction to the same sex was not a clear cut choice, but was something they grew up with.

(gay by nature).

GrreatTeacher

Epigenetic changes happen over time in reaction to the environment, so a fetal genotype would give you no information in that regard.

18

Watchtower Converts City Centre Office Block In Chelmsford UK

by Petraglyph in

the international property development corporation moves into chelmsford:.

jehovah's witnesses open 500k church in the heart of chelmsford.

"the new kingdom hall is a visible presence right in the city centre.".

GrreatTeacher

So...they really are now meeting in a basement.

They have a little literature display shop at street level. So, people can come in, get some literature, and then get an invitation to go down to the basement.

Charming.

13

Same sex attraction, as a behaviour can be predicted.

by fulltimestudent in

jw
friends

being ever ready to note information that demonstrates christian idiocy in general and jw idiocy in particular, i was interested in news of this particular research that has been doing the rounds of science oriented news sources this week.. christianity in general and jwism in particular, have viciously persecuted same sex attracted people, thus demonstrating their peculiar hypocrisy.

most christians (the jw brand and other brands) squeal like a speared pig when they suffer any treatment that they call persecution, but are always willing to persecute same sex attracted people (and anyone else that stands outside their narrow-minded vision of the world).. most same sex attracted people will testify that their romantic attraction to the same sex was not a clear cut choice, but was something they grew up with.

(gay by nature).

GrreatTeacher

Very cool. Epigenetics opens up a whole new way of understanding genetics.

Looking at identical twins with different sexual orientations is a great idea. Obviously their genes are the same! But some genes showed methylation, an epigenetic change, that happened to be very significant on 9 genes. As in nine! So, a great portion of their work was data analysis.

Math is so important! Don't forget to brush your teeth, take your vitamins and do a little math everyday. :)

15

I got up yesterday morning (Saturday) and enjoyed the watchtower work

by Zoos in

reaching the fire watchtower on top of wayah bald overlooking the smokey mountains can be a difficult hike from nantahala lake up the bartram and appalachian trails where they straddle each other passing through this area.

the most enjoyable watchtower work i've ever participated in.. the views from the tower are spectacular.. .

looking across nantahala forest to the smoky mountains, described poetically as the most elevated peak; from whence i beheld with rapture and astonishment, a sublimely awful scene of power and magnificence, a world of mountains piled upon mountains.

GrreatTeacher

My son has a youtube channel called GearedProductions that has videos of trains, mostly steamers, around the Mid-Atlantic region.

He has really improved his film-making skills through time and is doing a great job, I think, for a 14 year old kid. He has not edited and uploaded our most recent adventure to western Maryland, but please check out his Strasburg Railroad videos from their Vintage Cars Alongside Vintage Trains event. It's a cool event where antique cars race steam trains. The railroad was so impressed that they asked him for permission to use some of his footage in their promotional materials!

He'll probably edit and upload yesterday's great train race by this weekend. Check back next week if you're interested.

Did I mention I was proud of him?

https://www.youtube.com/user/Geardproductions

12

I had a melt down with my Father over my Mom and Sister not coming to my daughter's Birthday Party.

by adjusted knowledge in

last year my daughter had her first birthday and all my wife's family and friends were there.

my family didn't attend.

my mother and sister still believe in the jw teachings even though they are both considered inactive.

GrreatTeacher

Good lord, borgifiizes??

Maybe "borgifies" was more in line with what I really meant.

Sorry!

12

I had a melt down with my Father over my Mom and Sister not coming to my daughter's Birthday Party.

by adjusted knowledge in

last year my daughter had her first birthday and all my wife's family and friends were there.

my family didn't attend.

my mother and sister still believe in the jw teachings even though they are both considered inactive.

GrreatTeacher

You don't realize it if you grow up without it, but denying birthdays is a way of denying the self. It denies the self as a legitimate, independent person. Not having birthdays borgifiizes one into the collective.