Posts by talesin

40

Narcissistic personality disorder and the dubs

by purrpurr in

jw
friends

i've recently started to research npd.

having identified several of my family members as having it ( no wonder we're such a ¿***#@**!!!!

up family)there's huge similarities between the borg and individual members of the cong as well i've noticed.the over whelming love of self, the need to believe in a grandiose fictional version of themselves, always striving for more power and wealth, being unable to stand any criticism, and then there's the manipulation of the victims too.i could be wrong i guess but what thoughts do you guys have about it?

talesin

WP, for sure. I copied this list from Psychology Today. Article is titled "6 Signs of Narcissism You May Not Know About". [bold is mine]

url: https://www.psychologytoday.com/blog/evolution-the-self/201311/6-signs-narcissism-you-may-not-know-about

1. Has a grandiose sense of self-importance.
2. Is preoccupied with fantasies of unlimited success, power, brilliance, beauty, or ideal love.
3. Believes that he or she is "special" and unique and can only be understood by, or should associate with, other special or high-status people (or institutions).
4. Requires excessive admiration [regularly fishes for compliments, and is highly susceptible to flattery].
5. Has a sense of entitlement.
6. Is interpersonally exploitative.
7. Lacks empathy: is unwilling [or, I would add, unable] to recognize or identify with the feelings and needs of others.
8. Is often envious of others or believes that others are envious of him or her.
9. Shows arrogant, haughty [rude and abusive] behaviors or attitudes.

56

Why Do Intelligent People Believe in God?

by cantleave in

jw
friends

one of the most common thing thrown at atheists is - lots of intelligent people believe in god.

this darkmatter 2525's video is an excellent explanation as to why very logical people possess religious belief systems.. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=y201qzddzbg.

talesin

Faith is largely an emotional choice, based on feelings, and supported by cultural lore and religion-based power structures. You can't argue with that And, imho, you shouldn't. It's a lose-lose proposition, and the old adage is true 'you get more flies with honey, than you do with vinegar'. Present facts when appropriate, and let people come to their own reality.

Until someone is emotionally ready to consider the evidence, arguing with them is as productive as 'talking to a wall'.

41

Why the Deficit at the Circuit Assembly?

by JT-LadyC in

have you ever wondered why there is always a deficit at the circuit assembly?

did you realize that before the program begins, the circuit is already in the red?

many of the friends thought they were paying for the use of the building and covering the costs of the utilities, etc.

talesin

I remember not long ago, one of the ex- or serving elders on the DB, said that they *always* announce a deficit on Sunday, because many of the R&F wait to give their contribution as they are leaving. This is not meant to take away from the huge import of the OP. It just emphasizes how cleverly they manipulate their charges.

To the OP, thank you for sharing this, very enlightening. I feel at once, angry, sad, and a bit queasy.

"The Truth (tm)"

41

Why the Deficit at the Circuit Assembly?

by JT-LadyC in

have you ever wondered why there is always a deficit at the circuit assembly?

did you realize that before the program begins, the circuit is already in the red?

many of the friends thought they were paying for the use of the building and covering the costs of the utilities, etc.

talesin

JT-LadyC , I just realized, Lady Cee, that I watched some of your vids on youtube on the same channel, *just yesterday*. They are great, and I wondered if JT is the one I was privileged to see here, years ago. Coolest car EVER, for an avatar, and his words were wise. No matter. : )

All the best to you, Lady. You are a true role model. Intelligence & class is a winning combination.

11

All JWs need to watch this great documentary...it may give them pause for thought.

by deanxxx in

i know how hard it is to awaken people still inside the cult bubble.

there are many reasons for this, chief among them the unwillingness to read or watch anything critical of their religion.

on the other hand, jws love few things more than hearing bad stuff about other faith groups.

talesin

Good stuff! I have a busy morning, but will spend the next couple of days resting, so will watch those two docs.

.

I love the CBC, glad you're a fan, too. Marketplace is a fav, and of course, the Doc Zone and The Passionate Eye. There *is* good TV (though I don't own one) to be found, and I like the British and Australian public channels as well. The only show I really miss is Jeopardy. Yes, I'm a nerd. : P

Thanks for the heads-up, and Happy Friday.

11

All JWs need to watch this great documentary...it may give them pause for thought.

by deanxxx in

i know how hard it is to awaken people still inside the cult bubble.

there are many reasons for this, chief among them the unwillingness to read or watch anything critical of their religion.

on the other hand, jws love few things more than hearing bad stuff about other faith groups.

talesin

I see it is on Putlocker, so I shall watch it on the w/end. Bookmarked, and thanks!

Will check out Spotlight as well - is it new? I always have to check, I've watched as many as I could find. The CBC archives has some good stuff. xx

81

Your feelings for the former travelling overseers

by Hecce in

during our wt life we met a good number of friends involved in the circuit and district work.

i am sure that we share the same experience and that we remember fondly some that we caring, loving and generally interested in the brothers.

at the same time we might remember others that were arrogant, selfish, abusive and oppressive.

talesin

I can only go with my gut as a child/teen, but the name Grant Suiter (sp?) makes me kinda nauseous. THen there was Levi. *shivers* There was a Wally Drury, either he or his brother was a CO or DO at one time, he seemed a good person. Owned a large cleaning business, and employed some of us by contract - well paid. I was making about $20 / hour (by contract, but I was a good and fast worker) as a young teen - a small piece of a large contract he had, which was an hour after school, then in the evenings once school was no longer part of my life, and gave me some economic freedom, after my educational freedom was taken away.

They weren't all bad people, but I would hazard to guess that the 'middle management' has grown more harsh and bitter since the early 1970s. After all, $h*t rolls downhill, and before it reaches the congo, it splats all over the COs and DOs. Pathetic, but it's their choice. *shrugs* I really feel bad for anyone who is staying in for family, children; it's a hard row to hoe, and I understand why. Chin up, you have lots of support here. xx

3

We want to be Catholics too!!!

by pbrow in

https://www.revealnews.org/blog/jehovahs-fight-law-requiring-child-sex-abuse-be-reported-to-police/.

pretty pathetic... as usual .

pbrow.

talesin

3 Cheers for Reveal, CIR, and Trey Bundy!

But as for the Tower,

,

.A Reveal investigation last year found that since 1989, Jehovah’s Witnesses leaders have instructed elders in the U.S. not to report child abuse by members of their congregations.
The Watchtower currently is facing more than a dozen lawsuits brought by alleged child abuse victims in the U.S. The Delaware case is a rare instance in which a state agency is suing a religious organization over its handling of child abuse.

27

For those of us creationists who don't know anything about evolution

by truth doubter in

jw
friends

cofty- perhaps you would like to teach us the "first thing about evolution".. truth doubter .

talesin

Evolution: a primer. This is written as a basic introduction. Especially if you did not learn in school (home schooling being one sometimes-abused JW method), this will speak to the basics (including some elementary science lessons). If you are finding Cofty's series a bit difficult - lots to digest - having an overall look at the basics of evolution may lay a good foundation, and you could enjoy the more detailed terminology and excellent explanations of Cofty's pieces. I also copied the introductory para. and list of topics. Each topic is a direct link, and clickable.

http://ncse.com/evolution/science/evolution-primers

October 17th, 2008
Evolution is a vast subject and there are many books and websites that offer introductions as well as more advanced discussions to its many subtopics and related fields. Our purpose here is to provide answers to questions about evolution that frequently arise in connection with creationism. Some resources here are short, quick answers; others delve into college-level material. See also Kevin Padian's testimony in the Kitzmiller trial for a lively introduction to the science of paleontology.
Deep Time
Defining Evolution
Definitions of Fact, Theory, and Law in Scientific Work
Earliest Evidence of Life
Entropy in Muffins
Evolution and the Origin of Races
Geology of the Cambrian Explosion
How Old is the Earth?
Locations of Oldest Rocks
Species Concepts in Modern Literature
The Age of the Universe — Measuring Cosmic Time
The De-riving Force of Cladogenesis
The Evolution of Biological Complexity
What is Homology?
What is Paleontology?
What is Science?

56

A fresh start

by FormerlySandL in

after the worst introduction i could ever make on the forum i would like to reintroduce myself and make a fresh start on the forum and hopefully over time i will be able to redeem myself.

i have changed my user name which was over dramatic and ridiculous in the cold light of day but for transparency and to show i am not trying to hide anything i have adapted the original name and it now has a more positive feel.

after reading a lot of posts on this forum i am feeling more optimistic about my future.

talesin

Pull up a chair, and set a spell. You'll have lots of support here. Don't let the system get you down. There *is* life after the Watchtower. It only gets better! xx