Reading CoC didn't really do much for me, it just confirmed what I'd already thought for years as a jw. The book that really made me think was 'Combatting cult mind control' by Steve Hassan. It deals with his experiences as a moonie, and explains the psychological techniques used to recruit and retain members. Exit counselors claim that when cult members who receive an intervention showing how deceptive techniques have been used 90% go on to leave the group (M Langone, ed, Recovery from cults, 1995, pg163)
Posts by Gadget
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38Crisis of Conscience
by Kristofer ini just finished reading this book.
i've got to say, that last chapter was amazing and so inspiring.
i haven't felt that good after reading a book in a long time.
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3
Can anyone tell me who sings this Christian song?
by AK - Jeff insomewhere in the lyrics it says over and over "life is for living".
and also at one point it talks about 'not putting god in the box we made' - or to that effect.. i did a couple of searches on gospel music sites and could not find it - when i heard it i thought right away that i could have written it - it sounded so much like the mindset of a former witness.
the christian radio station did not mention the artist of the name of the song.. can anyone help me with this?.
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Gadget
Is it Andy Horace? The small sample I could download is a reggae song talking about god. His other song titles mention 'Jah' and 'Armageddon' too.http://www.artistdirect.com/nad/store/artist/album/0,,222092,00.html
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7
Watchtower (UK) Data Protection registry entry.
by nicolaou infinancial organisations and advisers.
financial organisations and advisers.
financial organisations and advisers.
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Gadget
PURPOSE 5
Trading / Sharing in Personal Information Purpose Description:
The sale, hire or exchange of personal information.
Data subjects are:
Staff including volunteers, agents, temporary and casual workers
Suppliers
Members or supporters
Complainants, correspondents and enquirers
Advisers, consultants and other professional experts
Donors and LendersData classes are:
Personal Details
Family, Lifestyle and Social Circumstances
Financial Details
Goods or Services Provided
Religious or Other Beliefs Of A Similar Nature
Membership DetailsSources (S) and Disclosures (D) (1984 Act). Recipients (1998 Act):
Data subjects themselves
Employees and agents of the data controller
Suppliers, providers of goods or services
Persons making an enquiry or complaint
Traders in personal dataVoluntary and charitable organisations
Members including shareholders
Transfers:Worldwide
Anybody know what personal information the Watchtower sells?
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43
How Dodgy Are You?
by misspeaches in.
the maximum penalty for my crimes is 8 years and a potential fine of 5000 pounds!
(must have been evil miss peaches)
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Gadget
I'm worse than I thought!!!!!
Scoundrel
More than a bit naughty - you're heading for a spot of bother at this rate - that is if you're not already inside. You don't have to be perfect, but if no one says you're a bad person, they're wrong. You are.
Based on your answers, we have calculated the maximum penalty for your crimes*:
Years in prison: 121 Potential fine: £7000
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9
Been a while.........
by ScoobySnax inwell well well............signed off from these boards a while ago!
what happened to slippys?
can i remind everyone the memorial is coming up, and also i gave up smoking 17 days now.....what an achievement!!!
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Gadget
also I gave up smoking 17 days now.....What an achievement!!!
Good for you!
I hope things are going well for you.
Paul
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37
ORANGEFATCAT and the best news.
by orangefatcat inwow, what an amazing group of beautiful loving friends.
i can't begin to tell, all of you, how much your prayers, vibes, reiki, and so many beautiful cards.
branda you have brought me so many smiles with all the kitten pictures it lifted my sprits during some rather dismal days.
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Gadget
(((OFC)))
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21
Worst experiences with ex spouses
by greendawn inwhat were some of the worst experiences you had with ex spouses or ex boyfriends/girlfriends?
one of my ex girlfriends just left me suddenly without ever saying anything in advance and i never saw her again for a long time and that happened by coincidence.
her disappearence was totally unexpected.
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31
Just checking in: Life is GREAT and I'm SO HAPPY
by berylblue inas an ex-jw.. for those of you who are wondering if there is life beyond the wtbts -.
yes, there is.. a very fulfilling, exciting, satisfying life.. i am now a store manager candidate for a national pharmacy chain - will have my own store within 6 months - .
my grandson is beautiful and both my children are in constant contact.. i will be getting married to a wonderful man in a few months - and.
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Gadget
I'm glad things are going so well for you.
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78
SETTING THE RECORD STRAIGHT re: Riley Trust Tobacco Compan Stock & WTS
by Oroborus21 ini have no interest in pontificating on this matter which to me seems so straightforward.
however, since i continue to see newbies and others periodically post in error stating that the wts "owns" tobacco company stock i believe that this should be corrected and the matter put to rest, hopefully for good.. .
facts:.
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Gadget
From your comments & reading though other threads , there does appear to be a spectrum of ex-witness viewpoint & conduct with individuals putting themselves into various camps.....
(1) Classic "apostate" - Prepared to promote any allegation or claim (true or false) against the WTS. Bitter and obsessed with organisation even though he/she may have been "out" for years. Stands at assembly gates with placards and / or develops website & spam witnessing program.
(2) Passive "apostate" - Believes most (but not all) allegations. Not an active promoter.
(3) Neutral "ex-witness" - Reasonable , open to debate & occasionally wishes to speak positively about some aspects of JWs , but would never return. More likely to be a "fader" than DF.
(4) Reform "ex-witness" - Generally positive - disillusioned about certain aspects and disagrees with one or two doctrines / processes (eg Blood , 607 . shunning , UN).
This is a very simplistic way of looking at it, and polarises the issue. Some people do fit neatly into some of those groups, but some people do not. What about a person who is reasonable, open to debate, see's some positive aspects of jws, but feels the good points are outweighed by the bad points they see and campaigns to make sure people can see both sides of the story and make their own informed choice? But then, is this thread a debate about what sort of people ex-jws are, or a discussion about what relevance a connection between the wbts and tobaco company shares may or may not have?
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Kool - Aid
by dozy ini was puzzled by the numerous references to this as we don't have this product in the uk , but realise (after googling) that it refers to the jonestown massacre.
the implication presumably being that jws are so dumb , they will do anything that those in authority ask them to do.
(shame this doesn't apply when i am looking for volunteers to stand in for the tms.
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Gadget
The implication presumably being that JWs are so dumb
I disagree. The peoples temple is a well known cultic group. The reference to the kool-aid is an example of how powerful the forces of influence in the groups can be, that a person may be willing to do something harmful to themselves just because they are told to by a leader in such a group. A person can be influenced to make them think there is only one logical path forward, and so be controlled by the person influencing them. Research was carried out on this by Robert Lifton, and also Margaret Singer, if you want to find more information from google.
These groups are normally focus driven, and so somebody that is 'dumb', or anything else that may impede the momentum of the group, is not recruited. 'The more creative a mind a person has, the more his imagination can be used to control him.'(Steve Hassan, 2000). This would be the exact opposite of your statement.