Posts by Faithful Witness

My mother claimed that they had to call 10 hotels, before they could find rooms for the Detroit convention. She claimed they are expecting 45,000 people to attend.

She was also curious to tell me about the letter they read at their meeting on Thursday night. "We don't want to make the Witnesses look bad! I don't understand why they are having this problem."

8

My JW mom is coming for her 2nd visit this year!

by Faithful Witness in

my kids are so excited to see grandma again, after just a month.

she canceled her visit scheduled for 2 weeks ago, when she realized it was the weekend of the circuit assembly.

(they drive 75 miles, to go to the assembly hall, which is 3 miles from my house... we still wonder if they take the long way, or just hold their breath as they go driving by our property unnoticed).

She has gone, and we did have a good time together. We didn't talk JW until yesterday afternoon. I'm always interested to see what she tells me about her KH or things she has heard. A few of the gossip items that she was interested in:

Our congregation seems to be getting smaller and smaller! They moved a couple of our best people to another KH.
There have been at least 3 people disfellowshipped recently. She shared what she knew, along with her confusion about the policy.
They read a "BIG LONG" letter to us, about how not enough people are booking their hotels for the Detroit convention in June. "We don't want to make them look bad!" She claims there will be 45,000 people there.
I have not been out in service in "SO long!"
I have not read the current Awake or Watchtower magazines. (I had copies that were given to me by a friend).
My brother in law is a ministerial servant, and is privy to some information she is not. (She did not know if there were FS hour requirements for this title).
My 11-year old niece was interviewed on stage in front of the congregation. (!!!!) She was asked what her "goals" were. She said she wanted to be baptized, and that she wanted to travel (I read: run away from home). The interviewer chuckled and said, "You mean, Move to Where the Need is Greater. haha." My mom also made the comment, "I think they are going to have trouble with her." (I hope they do. I think my niece could be the catalyst that shakes up this JW movement that has divided our family).

We had a long discussion, and jokingly I asked her if she would count the time. She said, "Oh yes!" We laughed, but I told her it made more sense to count time you are actually talking to someone who is interested, as opposed to the time you spend running around in cars and knocking on doors of people who not at home. She told me how she told the man she reports to, that she had not done any field service in February. He said, "Surely, you've talked to SOMEONE!" Then he coached her on how she can count time talking to coworkers and giving magazines to friends. So she got credit for 3 hours, even though she never had to go out on a single indoctrination cruise with the friends.

Some thoughts I hope she took with her:

Child sexual abuse is not reported to the authorities in the JW religion. She knows this already, and brought up the question, "Do the Catholics report it?" I asked her, "So the JW's are trying to be like the Catholics now?" I asked her if she realized how hard it is to be a child, reporting abuse by an adult. I can only imagine it is a lot harder as a JW.
When did Christ tell his disciples to cast out people who did not agree with Him? She said she was going to look it up. She does not agree with my sister, but will not address the questions I ask about why she is acting this way. (Is it my brother in law, the JW's, or ?? I don't know what I did wrong! Unfair.)
We talked about the disfellowshipping she has seen recently. I tried to suggest that she look at situations from both sides, especially when it is a young person being cast out.
She made the comment that she wished they would allow questions during the WT study. She admitted that she is often confused by the articles. I asked her who she could ask these questions to... Her bible study has ended, since she is baptized. She has questions, but does not seem to feel comfortable asking them.

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As a JW, What statements made you "stop thinking?"

by Faithful Witness in

thought-stopping platitudes, like "we are in the last days!

"jehovah's witnesses are the only ones with the truth...".

what statements or claims did you use, or hear, that made you feel comforted by the fact that you were part of jehovah's organization?.

Faithful Witness

Vidiot: I am also unable to stop thinking. My independent thinking kept me from "progressing" with the JW's, and ultimately my mind rescued me from the grips of their control.

Like I tried to explain to my JW father and sister (when asked):

Do you agree that joining a different religion, especially one such as the JW's, is a very serious commitment? Your life could depend on it! ("Yes, it does!")

Here is another analogy. If you were going to change employers, and go to work for another company, that would also have a big impact on your life. (He is a salesman). If a new company came to you, and wanted you to leave your old boss and commit to working for them, you would be smart to do some research about that company. ("Of course.") You would want to know about how the company started, what business they have conducted in the past, and maybe talk to some past customers. People who have dealt with this company before, can give you a lot of insight into how they do business, and help you to decide if you want to uproot your career and go start selling their products.

We did take a serious look at the JW religion, and we thought about joining. We listened to them for a long time, and "did our own research," as they suggested. When we discovered questionable things about their origins and history, they refused to answer our concerns. This was a huge red flag. (Here, my sister piped in with, "Do you mean 1975?"... to which I replied, "There were the false prophecies and some pretty serious scandals that you have probably never heard about.")

At this point, when they were both shifting in their seats (and it was just starting to get good... haha), our conversation was interrupted by other family members walking in the door. My JW sister quickly left with her children. I can't be 100% sure, but I'm going to assume that this was one of those "encounters" that affected her emotions, and convinced her to go further with her avoidance of me.

Not only do you have to stop thinking, but you are not allowed to talk to people who think, and "Know too much." The seeds I have planted, could germinate some day... although her mind is pretty barren right now.

I'm pretty sure that I make her doubt, and she does not feel equipped to think for herself. Even before the JW's took over her mind, she struggled with making her own decisions. I think she finds a lot of comfort in being "led" by the society.

She has not used the term "apostate" to describe me to my face, but that is most likely her opinion... "Smart big sister is a hungry wolf in sheep's clothing!"

I have a big concern about the definition of "apostate information." Does that only apply to someone who "knows" about Jehovah's organization, or would news reports or even Bible verses that contradict the Watchtower be apostate information? Old (and current) publications can also be considered apostate, if you are not obedient in your interpretation of them. Any independent thought is apostate.

Why did Jehovah give us "free will?"

8

My JW mom is coming for her 2nd visit this year!

by Faithful Witness in

my kids are so excited to see grandma again, after just a month.

she canceled her visit scheduled for 2 weeks ago, when she realized it was the weekend of the circuit assembly.

(they drive 75 miles, to go to the assembly hall, which is 3 miles from my house... we still wonder if they take the long way, or just hold their breath as they go driving by our property unnoticed).

Faithful Witness

My kids are so excited to see Grandma again, after just a month. She canceled her visit scheduled for 2 weeks ago, when she realized it was the weekend of the circuit assembly. (They drive 75 miles, to go to the assembly hall, which is 3 miles from my house... We still wonder if they take the long way, or just hold their breath as they go driving by our property unnoticed).

My husband and I are going out for a rare evening together without the kids. The kids will have fun with her in charge, and they have been fully armed against JW indoctrination. They can't wait to play Mario Kart, make homemade pizza and have a fun time with the real Grandma.

At her last visit, she promised to bring me some magazines. I have not had a chance to do my homework, as I really am focusing more on real life and my own family. We will see how it goes. It won't be the focus of our time together, but I'm sure some JW issues will come up. I do plan to address the situation with my sister again, as I know it really bothers her.

I hope she has a good time away from her usual Saturday drudgery, and we can create some more fun memories. Since I have agreed to accept her magazines, I can remind her that she can count her time here.

Here's hoping for a fun time! She will be sleeping here for the night... first time in over a year. Yay! Maybe I have not completely lost her after all.

30

100 Years of Rule and the 1/15 WT

by Bob_NC in

first, i cannot believe how dumbed-down and simplistic the writing is now.

we used to have study articles with substance.

the writing style now is for people with slow minds or at the level of junior high students with learning disabilities.

Faithful Witness

The Searcher: "Can any fellow Witness explain to me how we end up having THREE kings ruling over us at the same time????????"

Great question, Searcher! I like your references.

Maybe they are about to adjust their understanding.

9

Do you know the difference between the words of GOD vs the GB?

by bruh2012 in

circuit overseer said to the congregation last night:.

some are having problems going to detroit for the convention- some say it's too far, some say it's dangerous, some say i never been there before- why are you disobeying jehovah since "he said" you should go to detroit to worship me!!

huh!!!

Faithful Witness

My parents are going to Detroit for the "International Convention." My mom was very excited to tell me about it.

I think she said it is the weekend of June 7-8.

30

100 Years of Rule and the 1/15 WT

by Bob_NC in

first, i cannot believe how dumbed-down and simplistic the writing is now.

we used to have study articles with substance.

the writing style now is for people with slow minds or at the level of junior high students with learning disabilities.

Faithful Witness

Bob: Was your grandmother a JW her whole life?

4

Makes me sad :(

by elder-schmelder in

jw
friends

what do you think of this picture?

a friend of mine posted this on her facebook page.

she is not a jw and has never been one.

Faithful Witness

Most churches have separate programs for kids that are this age, and a lot of kids really think it is fun. My daughter used to love her Sunday School class when she was that little.

I would actually be asking questions about who is tending the children while I'm in church service. They could just have a mean teacher, or there could be a bully in class. My son freaked out about his Sunday School class once, and we figured out it was because he was just scared of his teacher. She was very big and even though she really is a kind and loving lady, she intimidated him.

I was pretty worried when he had this reaction about going to his class. (WHAT are they doing to him???) He and I went to talk in private, and were able to let the other teacher know about his worries. "She's just so BIG!!" (I was so embarrassed but also wanted to laugh out loud from relief).

About this drawing: Who is Bibi & why is Bibi crying? Could the child just be sad to leave a friend?