so for the first time ever i went to a church service at my local church (coe) and i have to say it was awful!
it was just like a ritual.
the vicar would say something and then the congregation would all say a phrase in unison back to him.
You could even be ...
... spiritual without being religious.
... believe in a higher power, god without any organised religion.
... pray and have a personal relationship to god without following any manmade rituals or set of rules.
... free to explore all kind of religions / churches until you find the one you feel good in (if you need organised religion).
But the best is, you are free to live a happy and satisfying life according to your conscience.
the reason i ask is because while watching the "dateline" episode about ralph candelario, the claim was made that only jw men could file for divorce, not women.
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i had never thought about this before.. also, how does this apply in cases where a husband is "apostate" while the wife is faithful to wt?
A JW woman can file for divorce.
She will be counselled though. If there is no adultery she just won't be free to marry again.
But she will not be disfellowshipped.
It's exactly as Sir82 said.
share your thoughts ?
After I left I consider myself spiritual but not religious.
I lost my trust and belief in organized religion, the bible and the god of the bible. But I still believe in a personal god.
It feels good to be free to explore different religious views.
after hubby skipped out on the memorial his parents and close friends started getting more assertive with him.
before they took on the role of the concerned let me rescue you from your apostate wife's clutches.
it's 100% my fault he stopped being a witness according to the inlaws.
Hey atacrossroads
First I think it is great, that you 2 are together on this journey out of the cult.
I was asked the loyalty questions many times during my fade, especially from elders.
Here is a thread where I describe how I answered the loyalty questions. There you find also some ideas how others answered them.
I recommend for the relationship with your family to not talk about religion and just show respect for their religious feelings.
I wish you good luck.
i have been wondering why your organization cannot accept evolution?
(when i say "cannot accept" i mean: you see it as anti christian) the reason i'm so curious about this is because by putting this here i hope to get smarter answers than i usually get, and also because you don't seem to put things like quantum theory, string theory, under the "evil scary scientific stuff label", also many religions have accepted evolution as most likely possible, or as something that is ok to believe since god could have used evolution to create mankind, in fact evolution isn't a "religion" and automatically doesn't get you labeled as an atheist, unless you are talking to the wrong person.
i am by no means trying to make you believe in evolution, i will respect you views, i believe every man has free will, well it kind of says it in the bible.
Welcome.
Good that you left at such a young age.
I liked that you asked your questions in a very respectful way.
A JW forum is JWTALK. But I doubt that they will allow a controversial discussion there.
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install an ad blocker then watch "colonia dignidad" an uncanny realization of the wt's new world 0rganization.. http://projectfreetv.so/movies/watch/?aff_id=383539.
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I saw it in cinema not long ago.
A very good movie.
i am so bad at being worldly, it's not like i gave it a good try, we are just not good at it my husband and i, i see him light up as he has started to read the bible again.
i'm good at being a witness, i am accepted, and hold the same beliefs, i have tried to find somewhere else, if there is a place, why hav'n't jehovah and the angels directed me to it?
thank you for all the loving posts, some of them have been just what i needed.
To categorize people and to look down on one category is what dictatorships and cults do.
So calling someone "worldly" or on the other side "brother" is something very dangerous.
If you need organized religion, look for one that fulfills your needs.
You can however also be very spiritual without organized religion. Spiritual as a moral person and free individual.
the problem is i have a baptized witness going out on service door to door giveing comments at kh who for the last 4 years has had sex with at least 10 prostitutes and regularly takes drugs ie speed the cong has no idea he's doing this he says he will never go to elders for fear his family will shun him if df so he continues i know because he tells me everything should i tell the elders or not.
Poopie, you are already mentally out... you know that WT rules, especially shunning is cruel and against human rights.
So why would you want to solve this problem the WT way?
If you told the elders, you would be supporting WT provisions. Wouldn't that be a little hypocritical.
OK, you don't like and you don't find it OK for this man to go to prostitutes and taking drugs.
So talk to him in private about it and tell him why you find he should change his behaviour. Show him some ideas how he can stop with the drugs, maybe special therapy.
But don't hound the elders on him.
And 60 cans of beer in one night. This guy had to pee a lot that night. Maybe he had a party with the 10 prostitutes (did you count them). According to my math skills everyone would have been drinking a little less than 6 beers, which would sound more realistic ;-)
following on from another op who brought to our attention the new draconian blood card policy .i'm planning on visiting my dr to discuss this issue in advance.
i'm planning on telling her how jw's and possibly me will be blackmailed into signing this but really won't want the hlc involved and may want blood if needed.. i'm thinking about writing a letter that could be kept on file for future reference outling these issues, what do you think i should say in it?
ideas gratefully received thanks x.
It's good to talk to the doctor. But it's also good to not fill in the blood card. This is a personal matter concerning only yourself.
Remember....
.... they don't have any power over you, except you give it to them.
Train it many times (not only for this blood card matter but for all the matters concerning elders).
Elder: "We need a copy of your blood card." or "We need to talk to you in the backroom."
Awake JW: "My dear brother, Thank you so much for your concern/help/personal interest. I appreciate it very much that you care for me. BUT NO. I DON'T SEE IT NECESSARY THAT YOU HAVE A COPY OF MY BLOOD CARD! / NO, I DON'T NEED YOUR VISIT RIGHT NOW. If ever I see the need (for having my bloodcard / visit) I will let you know."
Train it often so that you can say it in your sleep. Then enjoy the reaction on their faces.
They might ask further but you need to stick to it.
there was a recent leak of a letter to congregations regarding a new dpa no blood card.
part of the letter reads as follows:.
as a reminder, you should provide copies of your completed advance decision document to (1) those who served as witnesses, (2) your general practitioner (doctor), and (3) your congregation secretary.
Remember....
.... they don't have any power over you, except you give it to them.
Train it many times (not only for this blood card matter but for all the matters concerning elders).
Elder: "We need a copy of your blood card." or "We need to talk to you in the backroom."
Awake JW: "My dear brother, Thank you so much for your concern/help/personal interest. I appreciate it very much that you care for me. BUT NO. I DON'T SEE IT NECESSARY THAT YOU HAVE A COPY OF MY BLOOD CARD! / NO, I DON'T NEED YOUR VISIT RIGHT NOW. If ever I see the need (for having my bloodcard / visit) I will let you know."
Train it often so that you can say it in your sleep. Then enjoy the reaction on their faces.
They might ask further but you need to stick to it.
