Posts by StrongHaiku

58

Governing body deceiving members on purpose?

by wwjdnwt in

i was born into this religion.

i was a jw for well over 30 years.

i did much research before i had internet, i compared bibles and prayed deeply to help me to know if this was the truth.

StrongHaiku

The OP's question keeps popping up and I think it is possible that the latest scandal (e.g. the hearings in Australia) may be able to provide a clue as to whether the GB is delusional or con men. If the history of cults is any indication, and If they are delusional, they are likely to become more draconian, insular and settle for a smaller number of JWs that are COMPLETELY committed no matter what and will follow the "God Inspired" GB to the very end. If, however, they are con men, I can imagine that they are likely to bend and flex a bit more to accommodate the authorities and keep the game running.

However, no matter which path they choose, they will suffer. If they become more draconian, insular, etc. they will likely loose a younger demographic. If they flex and bend to accommodate the authorities, they risk loosing the older demographic which may see this as a weakness that maybe shake their confidence in the GB.

Can't wait to see how the GB counter-punches this last scandal. That should say a lot.

34

FMF Rant on Abuse and JW Apologists: The Single Root of the Whole Issue(s)

by freemindfade in

for the jw apologists, they debate certain factors to down play all the recent sex abuse information in the jehovah's witness organization.

and there is so much focus on "two witness rule" and "parents can report" the "elders aren't legal authorities" and many other smoke screen issues.

a lot of these issues and discussion are down stream from what i believe to be the root of the issue.

StrongHaiku

freemindfade - I may send a softer version of this post to my wife. Im sick of the in apologists brushing it off as nothing...

How about you edit the information as if it is a "Catholic Church" or other religion involved in the scandal and send it to her first? And, if she has any humanity left in her, get her sense of outrage. Then maybe reveal to her that this is actually about the JWs. Just a thought...

34

FMF Rant on Abuse and JW Apologists: The Single Root of the Whole Issue(s)

by freemindfade in

for the jw apologists, they debate certain factors to down play all the recent sex abuse information in the jehovah's witness organization.

and there is so much focus on "two witness rule" and "parents can report" the "elders aren't legal authorities" and many other smoke screen issues.

a lot of these issues and discussion are down stream from what i believe to be the root of the issue.

StrongHaiku

You summarized a lot of what I have been writing, thinking, and reading from others. Nothing I can add. Nicely done.

17

Would the discovery of EXTRATERRESTRIAL LIFE completely debunk the bible and religion?

by Black Man in

jw
friends

i think it would.

instantly.

in fact, i hope one day soon that we somehow encounter extraterrestrial life because i think there would be a wholesale rejection of the bible and any/all religious institutions.

StrongHaiku

I can think of a realistic situation. It is possible we could find very fundamental life (e.g. bacteria) on Mars or some moon in the Solar System (e.g. Europa, Titan). If we were to find life, whatever way the JWs will try to spin it, should be supremely amusing.

39

Horrible Bosses

by John Aquila in

i just heard this a few minutes ago by a jw friend who is still an elder in my old hall.

the kingdom hall i used to attend and my mom still attends was paid off many years ago and serves about 6 congregations.

one of the english congregations has a lot of financially well of members.

StrongHaiku

Maybe the Elders, COs, and DOs can unionize and go on strike.

34

Witnesses and anxiety disorder

by mana11 in

i saw this on a public user group for jw's .

the librarian [email protected].

the caption reads:.

StrongHaiku

This is one of the few times the Bible may have gotten it right..."Expectation postponed makes the heart sick.” (Proverbs 13:12)

The JW life...No end in sight and sooooo many disappointments.

39

Child Abuse - "I don't care. I haven't got any children".

by cofty in

earlier this week i bumped into a couple of jws who i recognised from the cult cart.

a few months ago i had a long conversation with him one of them and found him to be quite friendly.

he is new to the area in the years since i left.. this time he was very defensive and said he wasn't allowed to talk to me.

StrongHaiku

"I don't care..." pretty much sums up the attitude of the GB, many of the JWs, and the God of the Bible. None of them seem concerned enough about child rape to lift a finger to prevent it.

12

How do jw's explain vestigial organs in humans?

by purrpurr in

jw
friends

i only recently became aware of cases of people being born with tails.

having looked into it this is a evolutionary leftover and we have many other examples within each one of us like the appendix, wisdom teeth, and muscles to move the ears.

plus many more, this seems to me to prove evolution completely.

StrongHaiku

I remember my mother and a number of people around me postulating that these were "side-effects" of imperfection (Adamic sin). Ah, the stuff you swallow when you are scientific illiterate.

DarioKehl - How'd I do? Feel like barfing yet? My teeth feel gritty from just writing that.

I threw up in my mouth a little. Mission accomplished. Nicely done.

38

Whatever Happened to the Remnant?

by snugglebunny in

jw
friends

back in the 50's, when i was just a skinny kid, my father became po of a new congregation.

he'd only been baptised for around 4 years, so his rise was quite remarkable.just one of his flock in the new cachement area was of the "remnant".

this lady was well into her 60's, childless but married.

StrongHaiku

My mother is "anointed" and has been partaking since the mid-eighties. When she started partaking, there was the usual murmurs from everyone which varied in tone between disapproval to suspicion, with a very minority of approval. I know that it was heartburn for the elders. All of our family suffered for it. Remember? New partakers were not supposed to happen and their diminishing number was supposed to be proof that the end was near. So, you can imagine, sometimes, I think we were being treated like it was my mother's fault that Armageddon had not happened yet.

It was only until she talked/socialized with the more "revered"/older remnant, that the congregation (and the elders) seem to treat her as one. I sat through so many dinners and get-togethers surrounded by the "anointed". All I can say is that they all seemed ernest, sincere, and completely 100% delusional.

26

Recent Observation: "Even if it's true..."

by freemindfade in

has anyone else heard this said more frequently lately?

"even if it's true..." i have seen it said on here a few times in quotes from in family or friends responding the negative things about the org.. i heard it tuesday night again.

in a pioneer sisters comment.

StrongHaiku

"Even if it's true..." is typically followed by that old classic "Where would we go?"

Cognitive dissonance at its best...