Posts by SeventhSojourn

47

calling all elders - what goes on at the week long elders school?

by not bitter in

my dad is currently attending a week long elders school.

dad is in his 70's and not in great health at the moment so this is adding to my anger that he is having to leave the house at 7am and doesn't return until 6pm and then has to lock himself away to study further in preparation for the next day.. he has also been told he is not to discuss anything about the school with other elders until they have all attended.

what are they learning about that isnt' already out there for all to read anyway.. they can't be learning more bible stuff as the bible is there to be read by the general public so i can only assume that its all top secret stuff that the rest of the congregation can't know about.

SeventhSojourn

ApostateChick -"Do they also teach you to ask horrifying questions which involve women/girls and sexual acts?"

First of all, I'm sorry you were put through that. I haven't been to any recent Elder Schools but I will say this, and it might sound a little sick. They didn't really "teach" us to ask such sensitive questions but we were advised of the need to get enough detail to determine things like the context, nature, and degree of any acts under investigation. The point being that if you can't effectively isolate and identify the actual problem and it's associated behaviors, you can't address the issue and help the person properly (And file a proper report according to their guidelines).

For example, under the broader terms of "porneia" or "loose conduct" there can be a range of different offenses or sins within their context that become evident during questioning. Certain lines may have been crossed triggering the required method of procedure as set forth by the WTS, and which are contained in the elder's book and other literature. Elders will drill down to determine if those those lines were crossed. Oftentimes imo, to the detriment of innocent parties. Sensitive matters, especially involving minors is not the place for the WTS to inject itself. The whole business really just turns my stomach.

In the quest to gather the facts and build the case the GB has no shame and no limits. And deluded elders (like I used to be), will want to do as they are instructed. Big problem though - Elders are not qualified to handle such matters. As to how some elders conduct themselves in this capacity and interpret how best to administer the WTS instruction, it seems there is no program of oversight to monitor their behavior. Outrageous, isn't it?

SeventhSojourn

47

calling all elders - what goes on at the week long elders school?

by not bitter in

my dad is currently attending a week long elders school.

dad is in his 70's and not in great health at the moment so this is adding to my anger that he is having to leave the house at 7am and doesn't return until 6pm and then has to lock himself away to study further in preparation for the next day.. he has also been told he is not to discuss anything about the school with other elders until they have all attended.

what are they learning about that isnt' already out there for all to read anyway.. they can't be learning more bible stuff as the bible is there to be read by the general public so i can only assume that its all top secret stuff that the rest of the congregation can't know about.

SeventhSojourn

I attended several of these things. About 90% of the instruction is the same old information available to any publisher, just served on different color plates. The rest was just some org stuff and corporate matters. I always felt it was a waste of time and an unnecessary expense.

SeventhSojourn

38

Too sick or injured but still made it to the meeting!

by RULES & REGULATIONS in

i once attended a two day special assembly with my gums bleeding after having 4 widom teeth pulled the day before.

i managed the two days by rinsing out my mouth all day long and placing cotton in my mouth.. one brother had back surgery the week before but attended a two day assembly by laying on a matress in the back of the assembly hall.

why he needed to be there i'll never understand!.

SeventhSojourn

To get to a meeting I once stumbled my way through the thick of a dense jungle, treaded across a raging river, hopscotched over hungry alligators, fended off wild animals and biting insects, and finally crawled my way into the kindom hall. All of this in a driving storm while fighting a fever of 105. I was a stinking, bloody stump when I arrived. But hey, I was there!

Of course, I dragged myself to the back room because I was a little late and didn't want to disturb the meeting. I was so encouraged by the talk "Now That You're Here, Lets Go Over What You Already Know." I was even rewarded with a part on the DC relating my experience before thousands of people. No one can call me a spiritual wimp!

SeventhSojourn

33

Human Apostates and the Power of the Internet

by SeventhSojourn in

SeventhSojourn

SD-7 - Thank you for expressing yourself. You have furthered my appreciation and understanding of the personal conflicts and emotional agonies inflicted without cause or merit on innocent people like you. All the unnecessary pain and crap heaped upon you, and the manipulation of your loved ones.

...she is literally being trained to view me, her husband that she has vowed to love and cherish, as Satan's MasterChef, to put it simply, and somehow I should be completely unaffected by it? ...she must view me as this monster because that's what came down from the platform and blared out of the speakers to 6,000 people.

The flip side to this is that their character assassination doesn't always ring true with those that really know you. Eventually they may become uncomfortable with the unchristian-like public attack, and deep down see it for what it really is - reckless speech and outright lies. This could plant doubts and concerns that grow over time. We've seen this happen. I think the GB is moving closer to the expiration date of this strategy.

But I reached a point where I no longer cared. I felt like...if they're willing to shun me, then I have no room in my heart for them ever again. Emotional overload in the end just forced me to become a cold person and empty out as many of my emotional attachments as possible.

This just kills me that it would come to that for you. I read your story and noticed you've contributed a lot to the community here. You've proven yourself a sensitive and caring person. One thing though, if I may - Keep fighting for control of yourself and your life. Don't let the GB/Org shape who you are or want to be, even if by proxy through j-bot friends and family. Thanks again for your comments.

SeventhSojourn

33

Human Apostates and the Power of the Internet

by SeventhSojourn in

SeventhSojourn

Greetings ApostateChick and welcome to the boards. I' told you this video would do some good. And this is just the begining. Keep up your effort against the borg, we are glad to have you. And, we are free thinkers here - so have at it! By the way, your blog looks very promising. Well done!

SeventhSojourn

33

Human Apostates and the Power of the Internet

by SeventhSojourn in

SeventhSojourn

Sorry, messed up topic post!

Since the 2013 conventions started I've noticed some uptick on the web lately showing more vocalized resistance to the "Apostate" label being slapped on ex jdubs and the name calling that goes with it. One example is the video below. I was so impressed with this video that I contacted this young lady and requested her permission to post it. She approved whole heartedly. Her words and feelings really reveal the growing scope and reach of this evil practice by the WTS. It's about 18 minutes long but I recommend viewing the whole thing because she does cover some ground. I don't know if any of you have already seen it, according to her blog it was just posted about eight days ago.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?feature=player_detailpage&v=8DbfC4RcLAY

Here's the link to her post as promised. - http://jehovahs-witness-cult-control.blogspot.com

SeventhSojourn

33

Human Apostates and the Power of the Internet

by SeventhSojourn in

SeventhSojourn

49

Time for this Newbie to say - Hello everyone!

by SeventhSojourn in

in just the several months i've been lurking here, i have benefited from many of the posters comments and viewpoints.

this is truly a special place for the unique community that has been created here.. after years of holding off my exit from the org (that may be another post) i recently became officially out (by letter of da), but it was a very difficult process as many of you know.

thankfully, i now have my wife (was also a witness) onboard and we support each other.

SeventhSojourn

Hey there! Thanks everyone for your greetings.

flipper - A Moodies fan! Do you have a favorite? Yes. My user name is from the Moody Blues album.

mouthie - Who is Anghard?

49

Time for this Newbie to say - Hello everyone!

by SeventhSojourn in

in just the several months i've been lurking here, i have benefited from many of the posters comments and viewpoints.

this is truly a special place for the unique community that has been created here.. after years of holding off my exit from the org (that may be another post) i recently became officially out (by letter of da), but it was a very difficult process as many of you know.

thankfully, i now have my wife (was also a witness) onboard and we support each other.

SeventhSojourn

WOW - This is way better than walking into a kingdom hall!

fakesmile - Right back at ya neighbor!

Simon - I don't know how you do it but I'm glad you do.

thinking_not_believing - You sound so much like me!

Xanthippe - I'd like to hear your story. I see if it's posted.

Julia Orwell - Yes, this drone has collected much data.

Terry - It's an awkward work in progress.

Oubliette - So true, and I do intend to share.

steve2 - Coffee? You've got my attention.

JW GoneBad, Comatose, clarity, ABibleStudent, sspo, LLL for Superman,
krejames, lost, happy@last, sarahsmile, irondork, 2+2=5, GromitSK, mouthy,
gorgia2, Pickler, Truth seeker 674, GoneAwol, designs, Adventurousone, HarryMac...

THANK YOU EVERYBODY FOR THE WARM WELCOME!

SeventhSojourn

49

Time for this Newbie to say - Hello everyone!

by SeventhSojourn in

in just the several months i've been lurking here, i have benefited from many of the posters comments and viewpoints.

this is truly a special place for the unique community that has been created here.. after years of holding off my exit from the org (that may be another post) i recently became officially out (by letter of da), but it was a very difficult process as many of you know.

thankfully, i now have my wife (was also a witness) onboard and we support each other.

SeventhSojourn

In just the several months I've been lurking here, I have benefited from many of the posters comments and viewpoints. This is truly a special place for the unique community that has been created here.

After years of holding off my exit from the org (that may be another post) I recently became officially out (by letter of DA), but it was a very difficult process as many of you know. Thankfully, I now have my wife (was also a witness) onboard and we support each other. I wore many hats in the org, was in deep, a good J-bot I was. Although none of my family members are witnesses (with exception of a distant stepchild and in-laws I never see), when the trigger was pulled on the shun gun I lost a close friend (so I thought) of over 20 years. I drank a lot of kool-aid over my 30+ years in the bubble. So now, like many here, I'm going through the phases of the WTS detox and the adjustment process. I think the longer and deeper your in the org the harder it must be to recover. But to be free again, to think again, to find myself again, to maybe help others - priceless!

The insights and support found here can seem like an oasis in the desert. So my greetings and thanks to Simon, those who help keep this site functioning, and all you forum members who bring it to life. I have already bookmarked several threads to read and post on. You can get addicted to this place - but in a good way!

SeventhSojourn