Faithful Witness

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Posts by Faithful Witness

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  33

  getting away from hurtfull public speaking...

  by arimatthewdavies in

  1. watchtower
  2. beliefs

  my name is ari matthew davies, i am a christian, i was baptised back in 1974 at a jehovahs wittnes convention.. i am now 53 years old.

  i no longer go to a kingdom hall or publish written litterature.

  simply for the reason that.

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  Faithful Witness

  This is an interesting plea. I'm not familiar with your story, but it would caution you about painting people with such a broad brush.

  Although most of the people who post here on JWN are not in agreement with JW doctrine, I see only rare personal attacks or outbursts.

  There are a lot of people who have been injured by the policies of the Watchtower Society. Cut them some slack, and forgive them when they act like human beings.

  Perhaps you can give some specific example of the "hurtful public speaking" that is offending you, so it can be discussed. It really seems like a communication gap. I hope no one has attacked you with hurtful comments.

  From what I gather, Christians, ex-JW's and non-believers are all welcome to comment here. I find this discussion board is a good place to talk about the ways the WTS has really wrecked my family and so many others here.
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  25

  Went to SAD

  by leaving_quietly in

  1. watchtower
  2. beliefs

  b.o.r.i.n.g.. same ol' stuff.

  highlights:.

  - reading the bible "must be more than an intellectual experience".

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  Faithful Witness

  Thanks for sharing this. Sorry you had to sit through that!
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  10

  For newbies Lurkers especially , and would appreciate Oldies comments..

  by smiddy in

  1. watchtower
  2. beliefs
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  Faithful Witness

  I never even joined, and I still feel myself struggling to let go of their false teachings on some things. It wasn't until I was about 1/2 way through my intensive study of the book of Matthew, that I began to realize how much damage had been done to me... Not only my beliefs, but the way my mind works has been altered, if that makes sense.

  I am still trying to hold onto my faith, but have suddenly hit another wall. It is very difficult to trust anything people tell me about the bible now.

  Great post, Smiddy. Thanks for starting this thread.

  The scandals and evidence against this ridiculous organization continue to pile higher and higher. I wonder at what point their system will finally collapse. The writing is ALL over the walls of the watchtower. More and more people are waking up and seeing it.
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  35

  Confused?

  by nomorepain13 in

  1. watchtower
  2. beliefs

  i have been going to meetings since i was a child, long story short only recently i've started taking the truth seriously, i am not baptized but just an unbaptized publisher.

  truth is i am so lonely in the congregation.

  the other young people in the cong don't like me because they dont think i am going to "stay" for long, i've even worked on the ministry with an older brother and asked her am i giving the wrong impression to people?

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  Faithful Witness

  What Kate said.

  This is the site for you. Keep asking questions. You are not stupid.

  We don't care who you date, how many hours you put in last month, or even if you've watched an "R" rated movie. (gasp!!)

  You will find a lot of people here, who are hurting for various reasons because of their experiences with the JW's. Sometimes they seem unkind, but don't take it personally. Your questions are welcome here.
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  35

  Confused?

  by nomorepain13 in

  1. watchtower
  2. beliefs

  i have been going to meetings since i was a child, long story short only recently i've started taking the truth seriously, i am not baptized but just an unbaptized publisher.

  truth is i am so lonely in the congregation.

  the other young people in the cong don't like me because they dont think i am going to "stay" for long, i've even worked on the ministry with an older brother and asked her am i giving the wrong impression to people?

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  Faithful Witness

  Your loneliness will not subside, even if you were baptized. By committing yourself to the society, you would only be limiting yourself to a very small social network. There are a lot more good people and good friends to be had, outside the walls of Watchtower.

  Have you noticed any pattern from your friends at the KH? You will never be good enough.

  If you are a publisher, they have already started reinforcing this idea with you. They are requiring you to put it in writing.

  Why do they require field service reports?

  This requirement is a direct contradiction to the commands given by Christ in Matthew 6:1-5. I encourage you to read this entire chapter of Matthew and ask yourself, why are they requiring you to record every effort you make? Who is really in charge of keeping track of you? Your Father in Heaven, or a group of men?

  Matthew 6:1-5 (NWT)

  “Take care not to practice your righteousness in front of men to be noticed by them; otherwise you will have no reward with your Father who is in the heavens. So when you make gifts of mercy, do not blow a trumpet ahead of you, as the hypocrites do in the synagogues and in the streets, so that they may be glorified by men. Truly I say to you, they have their reward in full. But you, when making gifts of mercy, do not let your left hand know what your right hand is doing, so that your gifts of mercy may be in secret. Then your Father who looks on in secret will repay you. “Also, when you pray, do not act like the hypocrites, for they like to pray standing in the synagogues and on the corners of the main streets to be seen by men. Truly I say to you, they have their reward in full."
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  35

  Confused?

  by nomorepain13 in

  1. watchtower
  2. beliefs

  i have been going to meetings since i was a child, long story short only recently i've started taking the truth seriously, i am not baptized but just an unbaptized publisher.

  truth is i am so lonely in the congregation.

  the other young people in the cong don't like me because they dont think i am going to "stay" for long, i've even worked on the ministry with an older brother and asked her am i giving the wrong impression to people?

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  Faithful Witness

  nomorepain: Thanks for sharing your story. You will find lots of support here. I can relate to your feelings, and I'm glad you are here.

  Stay awake! You are brave to share your observations, and you are smart to realize the truth about the people around you. I think your exit plan is a good one.

  My story is also different from yours, but I will share with you that I am glad that I decided to never become a JW. I was only an adult bible student for about 4 years (on and off, as we were never quite convinced).

  I can also relate to your feelings of being "left out." I have experienced this since childhood, although mostly in the real world. I am now a mother of two young children, and this peception has not changed for me. I am different, and I have come to realize that I do not fit in. Sometimes it hurts, especially since I am now in my 40's and still long for a "BFF."

  You are human, and your feelings are normal.

  You are too smart for this group. Do not get baptized. You do not belong to them. You do not have to report your actions or plans to them. I don't think it is the business of the elders or anyone else, what your plans are for your life.

  I don't mean to be harsh, but it sounds like you have realized the truth of your situation. Their only interest in you, is to add you to their numbers and get you to serve the organization.

  They have no interest in your personal happiness. Neither does the Governing Body.

  The "friends" at the KH are manipulating you. They are putting social pressure on you to make a serious commitment to an organization that does not have truth or love within its walls. Follow your instincts here.
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  16

  Is the Russian action in the Crimea prophetic gold for the GB?

  by konceptual99 in

  1. jw
  2. friends

  so chatter on the net and in coffee shops suggests lots of speculation about the re-emergence of russia as the king of the north.

  does this political situation give the gb a golden opportunity to simply let speculation about prophecy fly and keep people distracted from the fact that nothing they have prophecied has actually come true?.

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  Faithful Witness

  Wait a minute. I thought JW's were not supposed to be reading or listening to the lies of the news media.
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  31

  Was There Anything A JW Said That Made You Raise Your Eyebrows?

  by minimus in

  1. jw
  2. friends

  we had an elderly pioneer/ms in our hall and he used to like to rattle the elders.

  he liked using the "n" word in his comments.

  he one time started to comment about the "ni##er pool" that he would observe among the poorer blacks.

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  Faithful Witness

  sarahsmile: That is horrible! I'm so sorry to hear about your father, and the way you were treated by the "shepherds" who were supposed to be caring for you and your family.
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  64

  I'm not trying to brag, but being an EXJW is awesome!!! Status Update-

  by Coffee House Girl in

  1. jw
  2. friends

  hello jwn!

  i don't get to check in here or comment as often as i would like because i have been working so hard at school...but i just have to share my news in hopes that newbees can see that taking the leap to enroll in higher education is worth it-.

  i am graduating this spring with a bachelor degree in art history, minor anthropology...many people (including nonjw's have given me flack for choosing a "dead end" career path) but since leaving the watchtower organization's group-think mentality and "leaning on my own understanding" instead... i decided to say fuck everyone else's opinion...i am going to pursue my passion to work in a museum as a curator or archivist-.

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  Faithful Witness

  That is a great accomplishment! I liked the way you even recognized the fact that you took some value from your JW education: good study habits and discipline, and applied that discipline to something YOU are passionate about. You have not only defeated the mind-control attempts of the WTS, but you have beaten them at their own game.

  Way to use your talents and passions, to achieve your goals and dreams. I wish you much success and happiness. Good luck in your decision!
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  11

  Are book studies still going on outside the USA?

  by L3G in

  1. jw
  2. friends

  truthseeker's fine thread got me thinking.

  there are plenty of forum members from europe, australia, and latin america here.

  did the book study in publishers' homes end a few years ago at the time, or near the time, that it did in america?

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  Faithful Witness

  Yes, be mindful to use the correct and most current terminology.

  You don't want to be accused of apostasy.