Posts by Faithful Witness

One thing I find ironic in the JW world: If you leave your church to become a JW, you are "Brave." If you leave the JW's for ANY reason, you are now an apostate working for Satan.

valkyrie: That thought crossed my mind, too. Maybe they will keep coming around... but it's hard to hold out hope for anyone who regularly attends meetings. The indoctrination language is so strong.

Joe: I believe that they never told him about the details he didn't need to know about the JW's. I studied on and off for more than 3 years (we had long spells without studying, then would go back to it)... They never once told us about the faithful and discreet slave. NOT once. We heard comments about the slave at meetings, and just thought, "WTH is that? That's not in the paragraph..."

problemaddict: Our BS conductor cornered my husband one time, while I was putting our babies to bed. He tried the "tough guy" act on my husband (an Army veteran with 2 college degrees). He said, "Make some progress, or the blood of your family is on your hands..." or something very similar to what you described. I had his wife one time, whining about how she would have "blood guilt" if she didn't help me.

There were red flags from our teachers, but people are quirky sometimes... I really gave them the benefit of the doubt, UNTIL I asked some serious questions and they refused to answer.

To this day, NOT A SINGLE JW that I have seen, has EVER asked me WHY we stopped attending the meetings! ??? For 2 years, I waited for that question to arise... NO one. I saw my "friend" that I still dearly love, last May. I said, "Don't you want to know why we stopped coming?" She said,"I heard some stories, but I don't know the whole story. If you want to tell me sometime, I'm glad to listen..." but she quickly changed the subject. At the time, she was GLOWING with excitement over the New Light that was being revealed in the July 2013 Watchtower. I was so shocked by her cult response, I didn't know what to do at that moment.

I have run into JW's from the KH we attended for over a year, at least 20 times, either AT my door (racking up service time by "checking in on me") or crossing paths in public (like at the grocery store, where I literally have to touch them to get them to look at me - their blinders are very thick in public). We get the same line every time... "We miss you at the meetings." Never once, "What happened? Are you ok? Why don't you come back?" I have gone through so many emotions in recovering from the whole JW affair... I am finally at the point now, where I just feel sorry for them and wish I could help them wake them up. Too bad there isn't a pill that would take scales off eyes! :)

137

3 years of study, Just found out!

by impala63rag in

jw
friends

hello friends, .

i would like some advice from those that are inpartial, and are familiar with the teachings of jw.

i studied with a wonderful jw couple weekly for 3 years.

Faithful Witness

Impala: What are your intentions at this point? Would you like to continue your Bible study?

If so, you can simply tell them you were concerned about some comments made to you at the meeting. You could tell them you read the Watchtower lesson, and that it raised some red flags for you.

Pick 1 question from the current Watchtower, one that bothers you most... get them to examine the Bible with you, and show you a scriptural basis for the thing that is bothering you most.

Don't allow them to cherry pick verses out of context to justify their beliefs. I would NOT tell them you have been looking things up online, nor that you were communicating with ex-JW's. It sounds like you have a good relationship with these folks. Exposing the fact that you've looked at apostate information, will ruin your standing with them. You will no longer be one they can trust.

137

3 years of study, Just found out!

by impala63rag in

jw
friends

hello friends, .

i would like some advice from those that are inpartial, and are familiar with the teachings of jw.

i studied with a wonderful jw couple weekly for 3 years.

Faithful Witness

Blues Brother: That is exactly what I noticed about this week's WT lesson. The scriptures they were reading aloud, 3 passages from Thessalonians, all mentioning "letters from US." Since the JW's are so used to getting letters and instructions, and "adjustments" to their understanding of what the Bible "really" means to us today, instructions that come down from the slave, they are going to make the consicous or subconcious connection regarding these letters. The slave does claim to speak for God, so why WOULDN'T their letter be equal to those of Paul to Thessalonica??

Also, after visits to the meetings last September, when they were reinventing the truth again (July Watchtower, revising 1914 and definition of the slave class), it REALLY seemed like some of the comments were planted.

There were phrases inserted from the podium, which definitely seemed forced. "Jehovah will unite us." "We need to stick together on this." My husband remarked that he heard expressions like this a few times, and upon reviewing our digital recording (!! yes we did !!) of the meeting and comments, there were clearly scripted comments from the Watchtower conductor.

We had not been to a meeting in a couple of years. We were dressed like JW's, the best we could. NO ONE greeted us. No one spoke to us after the meeting. It was a strange and dark atmosphere. The air was heavy and even the WT reader was shifting in his seat.

137

3 years of study, Just found out!

by impala63rag in

jw
friends

hello friends, .

i would like some advice from those that are inpartial, and are familiar with the teachings of jw.

i studied with a wonderful jw couple weekly for 3 years.

Faithful Witness

rebel8: Our teachers NEVER once mentioned the slave to us in our home Bible study. Not once, and we actually had a few different sets of people guiding us through the "Teach" book. We heard people make comments about it at the meetings, and I was always baffled. I thought to myself, "What are they TALKING about? What is this faithful and discreet slave?"

It is code language, JW lingo... it piqued my curiosity, and made me realize that I was not really a JW. Cult-speak is only used at meetings. It actually made something in my mind want to learn more and yes, draw closer to "Jehovah." At the same time, it was unsettling and weird. I never directly asked anyone about it, because I guess I was embarassed to confess that I did not know what it meant. I was barely able to keep up with studying the weekly Watchtower lesson, let alone do any extra credit.

We did attend the Ministry School twice, but it was just ridiculous, and too late in the evening to be taking our little ones out to a meeting.

Impala63rag: I'm sure that they realized you were not likely to ever submit to the rules of the organization. It's no wonder they didn't offer much encouraged or enthusiasm about your statement. It's possible that they were just "racking up hours," as you said. I know that our family was a jackpot for their time cards. Our weekly Bible study sessions would regularly last 2 or more hours.

You are not an impossible recruit, however. My brother in law, for example, was a self-professed racist. He shaved his head bald, and has multiple tattoos. He was punching a punching bag in his basement, because he was so angry about his life, when the JW's came knocking on his door. One thing led to another, and he is now the most devout JW I know. He and my sister have decided to shun me, because we came to a different conclusion when we examined the scriptures. The JW's convinced him to grow his hair to a conservative business-like length. He quit smoking marijuana, so he would be allowed to go out in field service. He got rid of his beloved pet Pit Bull, after brief rebellion against being "judged" by his "brothers." Needless to say, he is quite the prize in his congregation! He also used my niece to blackmail both my parents into joining the religion. Our family's experience with the JW's is quite the "trip!"

Thanks for this most engaging conversation!

137

3 years of study, Just found out!

by impala63rag in

jw
friends

hello friends, .

i would like some advice from those that are inpartial, and are familiar with the teachings of jw.

i studied with a wonderful jw couple weekly for 3 years.

Faithful Witness

I'm still curious how they reacted to your visit. Did you wear a suit and tie?

To all you JW's out there, how did you feel when your congregation was visited by such a "worldly" appearing person?

We did our best to "dress the part," with our babies in tow... They love-bombed us incessantly. We were like a shiny new toy to them. The congregation here had a few young families in it, and we all enjoyed coffee and cookies in the coat room after the meetings.

It was a great way to get the kids to sit and behave... "If you want a cookie at the end, you'd better be quiet!"

impala63rag, I am so glad you visited this site! Thanks for posting your questions and sharing your experience. It's great to see you stop by!

137

3 years of study, Just found out!

by impala63rag in

jw
friends

hello friends, .

i would like some advice from those that are inpartial, and are familiar with the teachings of jw.

i studied with a wonderful jw couple weekly for 3 years.

Faithful Witness

Your friends are also keeping track of every minute they spend with you, whether it is in Bible discussion or otherwise. They fill out a "field service report" each month, where they keep track of every good deed they do in support of the organization. Their status or "standing" within the congregation, depends on how much work they do. (this is the meaning in today's article, about those "unwilling to work.") How many times did you hear comments from the congregation, about their "preaching" efforts?

They are told to believe (and do believe) that the fact that they go out in the door-to-door preaching work, is proof that they are Jehovah's chosen people.

They claim to be the only ones "following Christ's commands," yet they do not feed the poor or love their neighbor (unless he is a JW or interested in listening to a JW... every minute you speak with a JW is tracked, so they can get their recognition from men. Read Matthew 6:1-6, to see what Jesus warned about this practice).

I am curious... how did the people at the KH react to you, when you visited last week? Men are not allowed to have long hair or beards.

Did you experience "love-bombing" as a new-comer, or did they treat you with suspicion?

137

3 years of study, Just found out!

by impala63rag in

jw
friends

hello friends, .

i would like some advice from those that are inpartial, and are familiar with the teachings of jw.

i studied with a wonderful jw couple weekly for 3 years.

Faithful Witness

Someone just asked me for this link, regarding a comment I made in my post above. Not trying to hijack this post, but here is some evidence you might want to review. The "faithful and discreet slave" is a parable, found in Matthew 24:45-51. I will let you read it yourself and decide what it means.

The Watchtower tells the JWs that the Faitful and Discreet Slave (used to be defined as all annointed 144,000 Christians) is actually the 8 men who make up the Governing Body of the religion. The GB tells them what to believe, what to do, and constantly reminds them to "work harder" in their door-to-door preaching work (keeping them busy, and away from worldly influence and indedpent thought).

These instructions that come down to the JW people from New York, are the "meat in due season, the spiritual food" that Jehovah's people need, in order to survive in this time of the end.

Here is one example of the "lies" that the governing body is warning their people to ignore (this week) about Jehovah's chosen people:

http://jwsurvey.org/child-abuse-2/governing-body-stands-accused-by-district-attorney-in-oklahoma-child-abuse-case

You are clearly a smart and reasonable individual. I am like you, in that we no longer could go to the KH, after we knew the truth about the truth. We were attending the meetings to please our "friends," hoping it would start to make more sense. Instead, it turned out to be an organization founded on lies. We were not able to go back in good conscience... lying to our friends was not an option.

Our BS conductor came back and called us bad seeds, too busy chasing riches to seek Jehovah... nothing was farther from the truth. Sadly, his 77 years of indoctrination control his every thought, word and deed. He is such a kind and gentle man (except that one time he cornered my husband and told him to "start making some progress here, or sentence your entire family to death at Armageddon... there was THAT ... )

Good luck to you! (JWs are also not allowed to have good luck!! haha) ;)

137

3 years of study, Just found out!

by impala63rag in

jw
friends

hello friends, .

i would like some advice from those that are inpartial, and are familiar with the teachings of jw.

i studied with a wonderful jw couple weekly for 3 years.

Faithful Witness

I might add that you picked a perfect article to start reading exactly WHAT the JW's are instructed to believe.

I was also drawn into Bible reading by the JW's. Like me, I believe you have been rescued by divine intervention. Your decision to go to the meeting, after 3 years of Bible study... and to get involved in a conversation that shook you enough to do some independent research. Amazing timing!

How many times has your friend had to "do some research and get back to you?"

To this day, I give credit to the JW's for leading me to a better way of life. My experience with them was enlightening and really challenged my views on the world. I *almost* became indoctrinated, but luckily my academic husband was here to protect me from my naive desire to please my new friends. I still think highly of them, and really have a compassion for them, as they do not realize their eyes are covered in scales.

Like you, my journey with the JW's has led me to a path of better understanding, and a closer relationship with God then ever before. I am sending you a private message. This is a personal journey, and I congratulate you for remaining AWAKE! Bravo and Praise God!

Another soul escapes indoctrination!!

137

3 years of study, Just found out!

by impala63rag in

jw
friends

hello friends, .

i would like some advice from those that are inpartial, and are familiar with the teachings of jw.

i studied with a wonderful jw couple weekly for 3 years.

Faithful Witness

Welcome impala63reg! Finally, someone like me!

I also studied with the JWs for years, and discovered the "truth about the truth" before joining. My husband and I discovered facts about them in a slightly different way (by stumbling upon a revealing TV show made in the 80's by John Ankerberg). Our BS *bible study* conductor went into a strange fit-like response, when we posed questions to him that came from *gasp* apostates. Ex-JWs are the absolute worst people you can talk to or llisten to... if you bring anything you have read here back to your "friend," you can be sure that friendship will end abruptly.

That is why they want you to use their Bible Teach book... very early in the process, you are warned about listening to people outside the organization. This week's Watchtower article reminds JWs not to listen to "outsiders," or even insiders who might question the absolute authority of the governing body. Ask your teacher about the "faithful and discreet slave," and what that means. Who is the slave? What if you don't agree with something the slave tells you to do?

Paragraph 17 of this week's article (that you have read) will have the congregation read aloud from 1 Thessalonians. It will contain a sentence, reminding the people to OBEY. This is a follow-up from an article they discussed about a month ago, in which the faithful and discreet slave has told the JW's to get ready to "obey instructions we give you, whether they make sense from a human standpoint or not." Go to jw.org, read Watchtower November 15, 2013 study edition. I think it is page 20, paragraph 17.

There is recent news coming out of the GOVERNING BODY facing criminal charges in Pennsylvania, for their involvement in covering up child sexual abuse. This has been happening for decades in this organization. They have a 2-witness rule for any sin that is committed. If 2 people didn't see it, it didn't happen... they protect pedofiles. They treat child sexual abuse as a sin, not a CRIME. Google the name Candace Conti and Jehovah's Witnesses. She has been awarded over $20 million to be paid by the Watchtower Society for its policies that led to her repeated abuse being covered up and allowed to continue. These child abuse cases are getting more publicity, which explains why they are warning you NOT to listen to the news media.

Satan is on the attack!

I'm sure your JW is a very nice person, and you have formed a wonderful friendship with them. I did the same. I was heartbroken to find out that this organization is run by a small group of controlling men in New York. If you do not obey them and agree with them 100%, you can not join. Once you join, you are not allowed to question any edict that comes down from the Watchtower.

I didn't mean to reply to your post, sounding like a raving lunatic. I really feel for you.

I would ask your friend the simple question about who is the faithful and discreet slave?

Ask them if they would really obey instructions that don't make sense from a human standpoint?

Does your relationship with God depend on the direction of the governing body?

Can you interpret the bible without the aid of the Watchtower publications? Why not?

By the way... you are not going to heaven, unless you are part of the 144,000 annointed Christians. Each year at Easter time, they have a "memorial," where they all REFUSE to drink from the cup or eat the bread. They pass around a tray and DENY that Christ's sacrifice was for them.

Click on my name and choose "posts started" and you can read some of my story... it is similar to yours.