Victorian sky

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Posts by Victorian sky

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  14

  How do you explain to a jw...

  by Gadget in

  1. jw
  2. friends

  how do you explain to a jw why you don't believe the jw teachings anymore?

  you can explain what you believe and why, but if they're deeply in they can just pass it off as 'needing faith' etc.

  so without going into deep deep issues(i prefer the keep it simple, sweetie approach), what points do you use to make jws think about things?

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  Victorian sky

  I've been thinking about this too. I do have an interest in helping my family who are still in and my few JW friends but I'm not sure how. I agree that getting into a debate would be futile. I try to think of when I was a JW and what could have possibly reached me? Dotrinal agruments would not have. Maybe something emotional. I would try not to say anything negative about the borg 'cause they'll get defensive. What I've said so far to those who've asked was, 'Being a JW may work for you but it didn't work for me.' I get a blank stare, a long pause then a 'What do you mean?' then I say, 'I was bored out of my mind, depressed, felt like I was suffocating, I'm much happier now, if you wanna know why I'll tell you." They either drop the subject or let me explain. I think the advice of a previous poster was excellent, I just tell them my experience if they'll listen, the trick is not to bash the crazy religion while doing so. - V Sky
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  62

  "We Miss You".....

  by minimus in

  1. jw
  2. friends

  that's what i'm starting to hear.

  my mother has had a number of people asking her where our family has been.

  "have they been attending another hall?

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  Victorian sky

  Min, I've been there. I hadn't stepped foot in the KH for 3 months before I got a call from a 'concerned' sister. She said 'We miss your comments, they were so encouraging, I miss my field service buddy, where are you?' I said, 'I've been busy', then she says, 'Well you must belong in the new system because God will keep you very busy then in his service'. After I stopped gagging I said, 'Thank you for your call," She said, 'The C.O is coming this week.' She paused, I said nothing. Then she said 'Well I hope I see you there.' I told her 'I really have to go." She never called again. It's been 6 months now and not one of the elders came to visit or call (lucky me!). That's how much these people really care. I do believe that a few are sincere but the majority want your butt in that KH seat because misery loves company. Well they can forget it. Hang tough Min, and good for your wife for telling her sister the truth. - V Sky
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  105

  My two week consulting trip to Bethel (the beginning of the end) Part 5

  by seven006 in

  1. jw
  2. friends

  i knew i had a bright mind, i had been told that my whole life.

  she hated going out in service but since i hated it myself we didn't go do the door to door work much.

  i look back now and i can't believe how controlling and un-loving that religion had made me.

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  Victorian sky

  Seven, damn it you made me cry at work.Please tell me, how are your sons now? Are they okay? Are they happy? I don't know what Panda's problem is but I was blown away by all that you went through, very moving story. And as a woman, I'm impressed by your candor and how you accept responsibility for your role in your marriages. Lord, it all sounded so painful. I felt so sorry for your first wife, do you know whatever happened to her? Love the question your friend Kurt asked, I laughed out loud (co-workers looked at me like I've lost it, first tears now laughing, yep it's monday, I'll be okay on Friday) Even though I believe in God, loved Kurt's question. I'm printing your experience for my brother to read (he's 18 and inactive as well) what you shared will really help a lot of people to work through their own doubts and hopefully have the courage to be honest with themselves and leave. Hope you write that book. - V Sky
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  42

  Past lives?

  by Lutece in

  1. watchtower
  2. beliefs

  anyone here ever try past life regression hypnotism?

  i'm curious and wondering what my "imagination" will come up with.

  maybe it's true.

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  Victorian sky

  Dear Anne, no I don't believe in reincarnation. What would be the point? But I do think deja vu is unexplained. I was in an area of Georgia once that I know I've never been to but it felt as if I had. Maybe it just reminded me of someplace else. - V Sky
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  83

  My two week consulting trip to Bethel (the beginning of the end) Part 4

  by seven006 in

  1. jw
  2. friends

  the next day was going to be tough.

  i had to do kind of a portfolio check session with the illustrators and work on some photo retouching for an up coming italian awake magazine and work with someone from the graphics department on the miniaturization issue.

  as i walked around a little bit i noticed a large hell scanner sitting in a room with a plastic tarp over it.

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  Victorian sky

  Dave, again this is fantastic reading, can't wait for part 5. I was in a cong with many bethalites and nobody partied as hard as they did. Good memories. I'm also thankful that my dream of getting in was never realized. I was one of those sisters that had a medical skill Bethal wanted, I met the head of the infirmary, they gave me a private tour and I met one of the ol' GB (forget which one) my application was sent directly to head of the dept. I cried when I didn't get in. One of my friend's did and she told me that sisters there were popping prozac like candy. (She works on the side as well, it's no secret though, she makes triple what they would get in a month for 8 hours of work, such a shame.) So I'm relieved I didn't get in, all those rules would have suffocated me and I have a feeling I would have been kicked out 'cause I would've told people like the b**ch in the art department to go screw herself. - V Sky
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  34

  Throwing the baby out with the bath water?

  by Steve Lowry in

  1. jw
  2. friends

  sometimes i think that because we jws were so deceived, tricked and flat out lied to by an organization that claims to be the sole representative of god, when we take the step to leave the group we (may) have a tendency to discard god as well, in the process.

  i realize also there are those who by their nature (perhaps) and their point of view and ideology, that its just a natural personal kind of evolution that brings them to the point that god doesnt exist.

  or, that if he does, it doesnt really play any kind of a roll in their lives.

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  Victorian sky

  Steve, I understand what you're saying. When I realized that this was just another religion and all the pain I went through and saw others go through I was angry for a long time. My rage wasn't directed at the GB, it was God I hated and I let him know it! I felt abandoned. I questioned whether there is a God and if so if he gave a damn about me or the human race. (the whole permission of suffering never sat well with me) then the anger gave way to grief. It was a rollercoaster I don't wish on anyone but I suspect most here know what that's like. Now, call it weak mind (I think I''m a tough cookie) or call it uneducated (think I'm damn smart) I do believe in God. I'm a Christian, I go to church, I pray, I love God. I don't believe that he uses any one religion and I don't believe that he's going to wipe out billions of people at Armageddon. I accept the fact that I don't have all the answers, there are so many things that don't make sense to me, that I don't know and that's where faith comes in. Not blind faith, but faith nonetheless. This works for me. I'm happier than I ever thought I could be. I find peace and freedom in my faith and that's something I never felt for a second as a JW - V Sky
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  93

  My two week consulting trip to Bethel (the beginning of the end) part 2

  by seven006 in

  1. jw
  2. friends

  as we entered a door of the administration building we did not head to the elevator to take us up the eight floors to the main administration floor.

  i looked around the room and asked, "what's up with her?

  i was going to work with the elder from hell who ran the photography department.

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  Victorian sky

  Dave, Fantastic reading. You're a great story teller. Jeez, I never knew that about Lee Greenless, the perv, amazing how us lowly publishers would get df'ed for that and he gets New Orleans and the status of being one of the GB - wonder how the R&F would react to that tid bit? Can't wait for part 4 - V Sky
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  51

  Hi, my introduction.....finally.

  by MonkeyPrincess in

  1. jw
  2. experiences

  i have been reading posts for a while, but everytime i try and post my intro, i dont know what to say, so i suppose i will just write what comes to me.

  lets see, i was born and raised in the "truth", i have never known anything else my whole life, so this is weird for me to think differently.

  i was df'd about 4 years ago when i met my "worldly" husband, i have tried for the past 2 years to be reinstated, but i guess that i have not tried hard enough, according to the elders (who btw have not been very nice or loving toward me).

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  Victorian sky

  MP, welcome!!! It's great to have you. You'll find genuine love, support and freedom here. - V Sky
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  65

  I've heard all about you!

  by SM62 in

  1. jw
  2. friends

  i have heard about this forum from someone, but i won't say who as i don't want to expose them.

  i am in the process of evaluating my life as a jw.

  it has been a pretty sad life - without a real feeling of 'belonging'.

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  Victorian sky

  Terri, welcome girl! You'll find kind and helpful people here. We really do know how you feel many of us have been there, done that. I tried to force myself to fit in but after I started having doubts, my brain rebelled against the nonsence I was hearing from the platform and reading in the mags. I understand why you're scared buy I promise, you're going to be better than okay once the dust settles. Give yourself time. When I became inactive 6 months ago, I felt so isolated, like I didn't fit in with the borg or the world. Now I'm a happy and free, you will be too. - V Sky
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  3

  ..marriage relationship and normal family affections .... can continue

  by core in

  1. jw
  2. friends

  those who formally say they do not want to be part of the organization any more are also avoided.

  what of a man who is disfellowshipped but whose wife and children are still jehovah's witnesses?

  the spiritual ties he had with his family change, but blood ties remain.

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  Victorian sky

  Are these lies they tell themselves? or just the public? I met a JW after shopping for groceries and she was all sugary sweet. I asked her point blank why her religion attacks families with their shunning policy. She looked me in the eye and with a straight face said, 'Oh you mean disfellowishipping? It only affects the spiritual relationship' I wanted to scream bullsh**t, I lived it, I know how cruel it is and what it does to people. My 'worldy' family told me that after the way my mom was treated by our JW family for over a decade they were turned off by the religion, they thought it was sick and cruel.And I hate how they lie, just tell people the truth, disfellowshiping is emotional blackmail, like a freakin' hostage situation either stay in the borg or we've got your family and friends. Wonder how many converts they'd get with that! - V Sky