Posts by Illuminated

70

If you could name the theme of an assembly what would it be???

by karter in

jw
friends

divine boredom.

Please, share your abuse story.

by Aprostate Exam in

greetings to all, i am new to this site and am enjoying the topics.

briefly, my family suffered my older/deceased brother's molestation when he was 13, in the congregation.

to this day, my mother still defends the elders that dealt with this situation.

Illuminated

Aprostate Exam, thank you for sharing your heartbreaking story. It hits home. How did your brother pass?

truthseekriam It is because of your love for your daughter in standing up for her, that's saved her from further traumatization. Thank you for being an excellent mother.

26

Buddhism Anyone?

by LaurenM in

so, i have recently been delving in buddhism and i must say it all makes sense!

like, the philosophies and ideas are what i've always believed but could never put a name to.

for example, they don't believe in god, they teach acceptance of all faiths, that peace can be achieved - not by changing other people - but by changing yourself, that everyone has goodness in themselves, that happiness can be gained internally (not externally as a gift from god), and that life is temporary so we should enjoy it!

Illuminated

If you want to believe in it, believe in it, yet read Combatting Cult Mind Control before you choose to fully step into a belief system as any beliefs can be taken and a mind control cult formed out of it.

If you want to believe what resonates with you and discard the rest, then do so. There are different levels of Buddhism, mixed in with certain aspects left out. Even then take different beliefs that make sense to you and create your own, for yourself. You don't have to squeeze yourself in a rigid box.

71

What went through your mind when you saw this Picture?

by John Aquila in

.

Illuminated

That they look like JW's/paradise, but it's another cult?

30

Women going topless in NYC.

by Fisherman in

within the past couple of days, women in nyc are going around topless in public.

i read in a news article, that in new york city, there are no laws against women going topless in public.the article says that family people are getting offended and they want to stop topless women in public.

in europe women show their breasts on on tv, the beach, and breast feeding in public.

Illuminated

This is only an issue as religion and men in society have made it an issue.

It's the norm for women to run around topless in tribal cultures.

19

have you been moved by something you have read.

by Sabin in

i found this book by carmel reilly, it`s called dear god.

childrens letters to god from around the world.

i promise you that if you are having a bad day this book what ever your believes will lift your spirits.

Illuminated

Yes, "The Alchemist".

Writings by Kahlil Gabran and Rumi.

As well as anytime a person has let down the barriers that guard their heart and genuinely expressed themselves.

69

Why Me?

by John Aquila in

do you ever wonder why out of all the witnesses, you are the one that woke up?

i wonder many times why me.

i know many men and women that are much, much better persons than me; either they are much smarter, more humble, kinder, more successful, or just better persons all around.

Illuminated

This has crossed my mind as well, why some JW's wake up and others remain trapped. I think it goes deeper. The question of destiny/life path comes into play. Do I believe it? I'm not sure, yet I toy with the idea. Then comes, the idea of freewill and darker forces. I'm sure many of you have had the experience of being hit with ttat at one point or another, enough to push you out. I don't believe it was a coincidence. Maybe it was "God"/universe, what ever you want to call it attempting to wake you up and show you the truth by working through a vessel, be it a book, a person, or many other ways. Yet either freewill or darker forces kept you in until you were open enough to accept the message being sent.

49

Phone call straight after the Royal Commission

by umbertoecho in

straight after the commission ended today within minutes, the phone rang.

it was one of the people who are working on it.

firstly she established if i was alright and did i want to talk.. i said i was too tired and unhappy that geoffrey jackson managed to do some preaching....she said they were aware of that.

Illuminated

I personally think Brother Jacksons testimony was the best thing that has ever happened in relation to the issue of child abuse within our organisation.

Many JW's are so incredibly naive it's frightening. It's not surprising and it's clear for anyone on the outside I've spoken to about the RC and it's findings that the leaders intentionally covered it up.

To JW's, you mean to tell me that over 1,000 pedophiles were not reported and covered up since the 50's/60's in the country of Australia alone and it was by outside authorities putting your beloved cult leader on the spot that forced him into partial confession, and somehow he's looking out for you guys? Ummmm, what?! What about all those decades of secrecy, why didn't he come forward then? What about all the other countries currently with pedophile database's? Why aren't your leaders coming forward in those cases? Your dictator wouldn't have mentioned a thing about pedophilia in the organization or uttered a phony apology for the victims if it weren't for "Satan's" organizations looking out for your children.

If he was truly sincere, they would have plastered the Royal Commission live hearing and further information on the WT website. Time to wake up.

12

Something that's bugging me. Why didn't the ARC ask Jackson..

by defender of truth in

..about child molesters being reappointed to positions of trust?

also, whether they would consider using 'worldly' expertise when assessing potential risk?.

why was spinks questioned as to whether the organisation should use professionals to assess whether a pedophile is fit to rejoin the jw community (or whether they are still a danger), let alone be reappointed.. and yet jackson, one of the policy makers in the org, was not even spoken to about pedophiles being judged as 'repentant' and even safe to be reappointed, by incompetent elders??.

Illuminated

This was the main point that crossed my mind as well, why wasn't the letter to the elder about pedophiles being appointed brought up? That's a huge in your face red flag right there and places children in serious danger and I don't recall anything about it being discussed throughout the RC.

It appeared like the Counsel had a game plan and that time constraints did not allow for all lines of questioning to be persued and it didn't help that Jackson launched into a sermon whenever he was given half a chance. Jackson's bibble pontificating consumed lots of clock time.

As I was watching him being questioned, I thought to myself, is this guy buying and killing time by going on and on about his interpretations of the Bible, just so he won't be questioned in depth?

39

Are There Good People Out There?

by LaurenM in

even though i'm no longer mentally a jw (i still technically am) i do recognize that there are some benefits to being raised one.

for example, the first (and only so far) wordly guy i was involved with had to smoke weed every day and got drunk all the time and that was his idea of fun.

i couldn't help but feel bad for him.

Illuminated

When you're raised with all aspects of your life controlled and sheltered, along with constant propaganda, you're bound to fall into experiences confirming the propaganda in your mind if you haven't full woken up and broken free.

I often mention in my comments that I've never been a JW, hoping sharing well rounded experiences on this board will be of benefit as well.

You said,

Even though I'm no longer mentally a JW (I still technically am) I do recognize that there are some benefits to being raised one.

There are countless other organizations/religions that offer the same benefits, if not better, and without the harmful undertone. A pedophile offers benefits when "grooming" their victim with promises, yet the abuse is the end result.

For example, the first (and only so far) wordly guy I was involved with had to smoke weed every day and got drunk all the time and that was his idea of fun. I couldn't help but feel bad for him. Just because I'm not a witness, I still think using drugs and alcohol as the only means to enjoy yourself is unnecessary and sad. Isn't it better to have a good time without mind altering substances?

I'm "worldly", Agnostic/open to and question all types of possibilities besides intentionally misleading mind control cults or anything that tries to strip one of their inner power. What you stated here left me laughing because it's what I've always felt word by word. Pretty open minded,yet not into drugs, weed, cigarettes, being promiscuous and rarely ever drink. None of it is my cup of tea, and I prefer getting "high" through life or being in the company of someone with a great sense of humor.

Also, he was super obsessed with his job. I can't help but still believe that money and career aren't the key to happiness..friends, family and adventures are!

True, money and career will not give you happiness. They simply make life easier to navigate through and a career enjoyed causes a ripple effect in all areas of life by means of stress reduction and some fulfillment as you're using your gifts.. Family, friends and life experiences are icings on the cake. True happiness comes from within, and only then, all else is fully enjoyed consistently.

Gotta get yourself out there and start meeting and experiencing different aspects of life. There will be good and bad in all types of people. The reality however, is that there are far more genuinely nicer. loving, healthy, well rounded people with good values out in the real world then within the JW's, and it's not with the aim of gaining "everlasting life".