Posts by Illuminated

21

Did You Ever Hear a Non-Witness Opinion After They'd Attended Their first Meeting?

by snugglebunny in

i was about 12. i took a friend along to a meeting and he said he didn't mind learning stuff but it was a shame it was so boring.. i was about 14. i had my very own bible study and took him along.

he just kept whispering about the girls there that he fancied.. i was in my early 20's.

i took along a lady that i knew.

Illuminated

Before knowing much about the cult, my first thought was how suppressed the collective feel of the people/room (kingdom hall) felt. It literally felt like something heavy was weighing it down. The experience was very shallow, fake, rigid, controlled in every aspect without anything free flowing, and boring to the point where I caught myself tuning out.

As for the material they presented along with the magazines, major red flags went off. The writings gave an air of manipulation, talking down on you as though you're stupid, along with a tone of control. It reminded me of abusive personalities right away. I bailed not too long after.

23

Help me Out Here

by vinman in

i've been out about 9 months.

and yes i am still obsessed with anti-watchtower material.

i've been married 23 years.

Illuminated

Try a bunch of new things. Explore, experiment and you'll find your way and a passion awakened.

70

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

by karter in

jw
friends

divine boredom.

Illuminated

The Guardians of the D$$$ctrine.

10

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.