Posts by tom64kat

5

How I was raised as a JW versus how I have raised my children. . .

by drahcir yarrum in

jw
friends

the topic of losing our history, because of being raised as jw's got me to thinking about how i've raised my own children.

i have a son 17 years old, a son 15 years old and a daughter 13 years old.

needless to say they have only stepped into a kingdom hall once in their lives to attend my niece's wedding.

tom64kat

I envy your kids too! Being raised a JW my upbringing was the basically the same as yours. My son is 10 years old and I had been indoctrinating him until I stopped going a year and a half ago.

My similar goal is to raise my son to be happy and to treat religion as personal thing, not group oriented. He never enjoyed going to meetings or service and seems to be adjusting quite well. I also intend to ensure he is college or trade school educated, whatever he prefers.

It never ceases to amaze me how similar the experiences of former JW's are! All the things I thought and felt but could never say aloud, let alone discuss with anyone. I'm glad I found this wonderful place!

3

Why the need for a Faithful and Discreet Slave?

by tom64kat in

i was thinking recently about a fundamental scripture that jw's base their religion on, matthew 24:45-51. although i now know this is basically a parable they have interpreted as a prophecy, a more interesting question came to mind that i'm going to ask the elders if they ever show up again (they promised to investigate the un situation and get back to me - that was about 3 months ago).

if jesus is really the ruling over the christian congregation since 1914 and matthew 28:20 is true, why does he need to turn over all his belongings (i.e.

authority) to men.

tom64kat

I was thinking recently about a fundamental scripture that JW's base their religion on, Matthew 24:45-51. Although I now know this is basically a parable they have interpreted as a prophecy, a more interesting question came to mind that I'm going to ask the elders if they ever show up again (they promised to investigate the UN situation and get back to me - that was about 3 months ago).

If Jesus is really the ruling over the christian congregation since 1914 and Matthew 28:20 is true, WHY does he need to turn over all his belongings (i.e. authority) to men. What was he going to be doing that he couldn't do it himself? Does the fact that he is invisible mean he needs to leave something visible for us to follow? One scripture the elders kept using was John 4:24, that god is looking for ones who worship him in spirit and truth. They emphasized truth (meaning they are the only ones who have it) but why would we need to worship in spirit if we were going to have something visible to look to.

I was just wondering if anyone else has ever thought about this?

33

What Is The Most Effective Brainwashing Technique The Society Uses?

by minimus in

jw
friends

it seems that for well over a century, the watchtower society has subtly controlled the minds of "thinking persons".

what ways do you think that they are most effective?

tom64kat

once a person accepts in their own mind the idea that the GB speaks for GOD the rest is childsplay...what won't a person do or what treatment they won't accept if they think it has gods approval?

first the best foot is put forward, everlasting life, paradise earth, peace, etc...then after you've committed-(baptism)-slowly the skeletons come out of the closet...tom64kat

38

For those of you raise in the "truth" a Question

by obiwan in

jw
friends

i myself was raised in the "truth" til i was df'd at the age of 21. i have often wondered that if i were allowed to grow up just as every other child did in the u.s. would i have been interested in looking at the organization and taking interest?

do any of you think and wonder the same thing?

tom64kat

when i was a jw i used to wonder if i would have accepted it if i hadn't been raised in it...now that i'm out i wonder what in the world would draw a person to that organization who aren't raised in it and have a choice...since most religions teach you go to heaven, what would make a person trade that belief in to stay here on the earth since that is the concept they mainly use to draw people in to study...tom64kat

2

WTS line in the sand= where/when?

by happysunshine in

has anyone asked this question of their family:.

"what would the wts have to say or do to make you leave?

where would you draw the line?".

tom64kat

hi sunshine...my mother told me she would never leave even if the GB turns out to be false prohets because she would still have to thank them for giving her the best way of life...i think it's because she's pioneered for about 30 years and has only seen the 'good' side of the org because her and my father have always been high performers and despite having questions over the years they always accept the org's explanation of matters...at this point i don't even press the issue with them anymore because i think the disappointment they would face would just be too great to handle...tom64kat

14

How bad is the Society hurting?

by dmouse in

jw
friends

it seems clear that the gb are hurting.

recent media attacks over pedophilia, combined with revelations of hypocrisy over the un and even personal accusations against members of the gb themselves has meant that those at the top of the ivory tower are feeling more vulnerable than ever before.

the law is increasingly being used to bring these monsters to book.. .

tom64kat

hi to all,

my name is kim and although i've been enjoying this site for awhile now, i felt moved to respond to this subject.

i was raised a jw, i'm now 38, and i have to agree with paduan, it was the old (and not so old) jw literature that was the deciding factor for me in leaving the org.

also, the personal life stories i've read at many different sites also convinced me. so many of those stories put into words how i felt being apart of that oppressive, superficial and unloving org.

thanks to all who willingly share their life experiences, you have no idea how many people you help.....perhaps you do...bless you all