Posts by StrongHaiku

27

Spock is dead

by hoser in

jw
friends

leonard nimoy is no longer with us

He was such a big part of making me feel ok when I was growing up, coming to a new country, and leaving the JWs. His character of Spock was such a fine calibration during difficult times. And, he made logic and science a wonderful thing to aspire to. And, his character resonated with me as the outcast trying to understand the people and world around him. I think he will live in many of us for years to come. What a fine legacy.

When I heard about it this morning, I wrote this Haiku in his honor:

"Star Trek gave me hope

Mankind would someday grow up

And reach for the stars"

Live long and prosper, fellow travelers...

22

The Watchtower organization's crime against humanity

by TerryWalstrom in

who are the real heroes of society?.

are they not the people who are doctors and nurses and teachers and firemen and policemen and counselors and humanitarians?.

because of the watchtower organization, we are missing generations of those kinds of heroes who will not exist (but could have) because jehovah's witnesses destroyed them by convincing millions of it's members those professions are meaningless and unimportant for them to pursue.

StrongHaiku

Also, one noted "crime" against humanity that is not often mention, is the rampant Welfare fraud in the JWs. When I left I knew a large number of JWs who were claiming "disability" so that they could get government assistance. Typically these were fully able-bodied pioneers who would get "disability" (or some other assistance) while still going door to door. They would often brag about it and share their strategies. And, would do it all with the excuse of "theocratic warfare" and using "unrighteous riches". I know that in my family many of them have learned to work the system to their advantage. To me, that is a crime as that money could better serve other people who really need and it is fraud against tax payers.

22

The Watchtower organization's crime against humanity

by TerryWalstrom in

who are the real heroes of society?.

are they not the people who are doctors and nurses and teachers and firemen and policemen and counselors and humanitarians?.

because of the watchtower organization, we are missing generations of those kinds of heroes who will not exist (but could have) because jehovah's witnesses destroyed them by convincing millions of it's members those professions are meaningless and unimportant for them to pursue.

StrongHaiku

My brother is a Fireman/Paramedic and a JW. I think initially there was a bit of pressure on him from the Elders because, before you even start, you have to put in A LOT of time in training, education, etc. Also, when you start out your schedule will not make it easy to do the JW regiment. However, he has been doing it for over 20 years so he has more flexibility and has privileges.

Regardless, my impression has always been that religious organizations often have a very parasitic relationship with the rest of the world. They most definitely benefit from the hard work, sacrifice, brains, energy, and modernity while giving little to nothing back. The JWs probably being one of the most parasitic groups of all.

13

It's turning out our religion is one of the worst offenders when it comes to child abuse

by My Name is of No Consequence in

remember when we pointed out how bad child abuse was among christendom?

over the last few years, i haven't heard anything about the rampant abuse claims in christendom.

it's turning out that we have our own to deal with, a lot to deal with.

StrongHaiku

How long till the watchtower admits their mistakes and do everything possible to rectify them?"

Those are actually two separate good questions:

"How long till the Watchtower admits their mistakes?" - If past history is any indication of pattern: Never. They may change policies under the radar and ret-con their history. But admitting that they made a mistake? Never. Never. Never.

"How long till Watchtower...do everything possible to rectify them?": I imagine like any company the GB consults with a professional Actuary that provides the financial risks of maintaining any one position/doctrine (e.g. pedophilia, blood, etc.). This is no different than when a company evaluates a safety feature and computes the cost of implementing it vs. the possible wrongful-death lawsuits. They go with whatever number is lower. The GB almost certainly has done a similar calculation with their insurance actuaries and attorneys. I can imagine they weighed the perception/image cost of changing their doctrine (and admitting mistakes) vs. the possibility of lawsuits. Very sang-froid...So until the lawsuit costs are higher than the change in policy, it is likely that nothing will change. And, changing now would be to admit a major mistake which is a pretty high cost for them. We shall see...

78

Governing Body Member Stephan Lett Lies On JW.TV

by Finkelstein in

i thought it would be important to clearly point in the recent talk by governing body member stephan lett, that he did in fact deliberately lie concerning what he described as lies and false information by apostates, concerning the organization being permissive toward people in the organization who had been involved in pedophilia.

the truth of the matter is thats exactly what the organization has been doing and perhaps for a long time.

the recent candace conti law suit where she was awarded 28 million dollars was levied against the wts for its irresponsible behavior by the elders who gave no notification of the accused jonathan kendrick that he had been charged with pedophilia and spent months in jail for his actions .

StrongHaiku

Anyone watch "Lie to me"? Care to analyze this expression?

Looks like he's rebooting..."File Not Found: Abort, Retry, Fail..."

50

Lett briefly addresses the child abuse issues in new JW.org video

by Richard_I in

jw
friends

i just read about this on the ex-jw subreddit.

link to the video (10m06s).. skip to 7:35 where he says: "another way we can contribute to the oneness - rejecting false stories that are designed to separate us from jehovah's organization.

as an example, think about the apostate-driven lies and 'dishonesties' that jehovah's organization is permissive toward pedophiles.

StrongHaiku

I grow tired of being the whipping-boy for anything that goes wrong within the "Organization". The "Organization" set the policies, they set the rules, they enforce them. Apostates didn't cause this problem, the GB did! I am tired of the "Organization" placing the blame for their own mistakes on Christendom, Satan, "The World", ex-JWs, and any other conspiracy/group they make up.

I grow tired of JW apologists, when finally confronting the facts, saying "we'll, they are after all imperfect men". If the GB are imperfect men, then they need to ACT like they are. You know what an adult does when they make a mistake? They accept responsibility, apologize, show up in court to give an accounting, and do everything their power to fix the problem. You know what a child does? They hide it, justify it, blame someone else, and lie.

The GB are like the kid from that "Twilight Zone" episode "It's a Good Life"... They have the power of a "god" with the impulses of a child. Frightening.

23

Where did this picture of GB singing come from?

by Esse quam videri in

sorry.

i see it is on jw survey and from one of their earth shaking, mind bending, nausea producing jw.org broadcasts.. .

StrongHaiku

When I was a growning up as a JW (~30 years ago) we were encouraged to sing without the use of the song book. To learn them all by heart. The idea was because someday the governments would confiscate all our material during the GT. Anyone else remember that? No need for a songbook...we were REAL Jehovah's Witnesses ;-)

And Lett looks like a muppet. Just saying.

1

Something I would like to see if anyone has time

by freemindfade in

i am absolutely swamped right now or i would take this on as a project, i would love to see a 3 column table.

jehovahs witnesses mormons scientology.

as i think these are some of the largest mainstream if you will cults.

StrongHaiku

This may or may not be what you have in mind, but here is a link to an interesting source - http://www.patheos.com/Library/Lenses/Side-By-Side?path1=x528&path2=x1853&path3=x621

Gotta love the Internet...always serving well-oiled dishes at the proper time ;-)

51

CO has been coming to my door. Would like 1 or 2 solid and easy arguments.

by The Laser Viking in

i am 6th generation.

i have been out for a few years.. back story on the situation:.

i had a co come by while going door-to-door in the neighborhood.

StrongHaiku

Not sure if this will help but sometimes it is better to sidestep a doctrinal issue and come at it in a way that hits at whatever is left of their humanity (I know, a small target).

Some have already noted the pedophile situation. And, that can be addressed outside of the minefield of doctrine. However, here is another example:

I once asked my mother "If Jehovah (through his spirit direct organization) asked you to kill me, would you do it?" She said "Yes". That is the only appropriate answer for a JW. An answer of "No" means that they have set boundaries. If they have set limits on what they will or won't do for the "Organization" then maybe they have boundaries in other areas that can be explored. Just a thought.

52

The beginning of the end for shunning?

by Saltheart Foamfollower in

the borg seem to prepare for changes by missing explanations out for a while then presenting a "new understanding" which doesn't contradict the most recent discussion.check out the most recent references to gog - no identification as satan.. in today's wt study, paragraph 15 concerning benefitting from the prodigal son stated "if we meet a person who has strayed from the congregation, will we offer loving and practical help to assist him to return?

" there is no footnote or other qualifier saying not to go to disfellowshipped ones (who are definitely the ones being talked about) which is still the official policy.

i know this isn't an ending to shunning, but it may signal the start of the preparation for a change.

StrongHaiku

steve2 - Very powerfully stated StrongHaiku. You da man, in my book.

Lol! Thanks for the kind words, steve2. You made my day.

On a somewhat related note, for the past 25 years or so, my family would never contact me unless they needed money. A couple of years ago I told them that my money came with a condition - "that they openly have a relationship with me". Have not heard from them since.

I don't think I am alone here. Many exJWs I would bet are much more successful than the families they left behind. It is sometimes good to remember that they may need us more than we need them. Hey, "theocratic warfare" works both ways.