Pete Zahut

Joined

• started 56 topics
• posted 3,252 times   see topics posted on
• send a message

Posts by Pete Zahut

• 
  39

  received revealing "witness" in parking lot

  by Magnum in

  1. watchtower
  2. beliefs

  a few weeks ago i was working out of my home state and was in a grocery store parking lot when i received my first jw witness since leaving jwdom.

  a youngish-looking lady was sitting in an suv parked next to my car and i was about to get in my car to leave.

  she opened the door and asked whether she could give me something to read (had a tract in her hand)..

  1. 
  2. 
  3. 
• 

  Pete Zahut

  Those of us who's parents became JW's back in the 60's or before, had no idea of the changes that had occurred in the religion before their time, back in 1930's and 40's. They knew nothing of the failed prophecies, miracle wheat or Bethsarim for example. We, their children, were indoctrinated before we knew anything about these things either. We were too young to do anything other than go along with what our parents told us to do. 1975 came and went but we were in it up to our ears before we started seeing the flaws in what we were taught.  That's how the religion has grown and taken on a life of it's own over the decades. There's been a long history where  a revolving door of people have been coming and going, each group having no knowledge of the other.
  

  It's the same today but the difference is, the younger generation have been taught a dumbed down version of what it is to be a good JW.  We didn't really know about the history of the religion but at least we could defend it's current beliefs. The young ones now have neither knowledge of the JW history or the skills that it once took to be a considered an good JW.  Because of this, it wouldn't take much to knock them off the JW treadmill. That's where the internet comes in but the thing is, these days, you can be a "good JW" with very little effort or understanding of the bible or even the ability to teach or defend your beliefs. There's a feeble premise of wanting to save others but first and foremost, today's JW wants something to assuage their inner sense of mortality, even if doesn't make sense. In fact, the less they look into things the easier it is to maintain the notion that they have the truth. They enjoy the virtuous "I'm saved" feeling that can now be had by simply handing out a few tracts or reciting a few pat phrases. Those who are able, leave or have already left the organization. The others are choosing to ignore the evidence out there that is readily accessible. It's much easier to be comfortable and feel safe by not doing much, than it is to leave and have to face reality that you've been raised in a Cult.
  
• 
  109

  Happy at Bethel. Can't believe what I'm seeing.

  by Pubsinger in

  1. watchtower
  2. beliefs

  apologies if this has already been posted but i am speechless.. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nnbmyudrwgs&x-yt-ts=1422327029&x-yt-cl=84838260#t=72.

  1. 
  2. 
  3. 
• 

  Pete Zahut

  I try not to harbor resentment as much as possible because in the end, it's me who suffers.

  Despite having said that, it's difficult not to be resentful when I view this video. I'm all for people having fun and the Society lightening up a little when it comes to music and dancing but when I think my younger years and the admonishment from the platform not to emulate the world, I can't help but be resentful.

  We weren't supposed to even like worldly music let alone dance to it or include it in any JW activity,  Non society sanctioned music was said to be from people who didn't love or know Jehovah, performers who live immoral lifestyles and modern dance moves were suggestive and promoted the world's immoral ways.

  So far in recent months we've seen dancing and worldly music in the Kingdom Halls and now they've allowed this video of Bethel to include the very dance moves and worldly music that was vilified not so long ago. We weren't supposed to emulate the world in any way. They emphasized that young ones should be serious minded and held up as examples those who lived austere lives in order to serve Jehovah. When Bethel service was promoted, hard work and dedication was the thing they highlighted. You weren't supposed to come there expecting to have fun or to see the big City.

  This kind of thing in a way, makes a mockery of my growing up years. It confirms my resolve that anyone who was a JW in the recent past and has seen these changes yet continues to alter their lives around this organization, deserves whatever future regret and disappointment that's in store for them.

   

   
• 
  56

  Lets pretend jw's disappeared

  by atheist_R_stupid in

  1. watchtower
  2. bible

  and joined your ranks.... this means...youre talking about a people, that currently are pushing no sex till marriage.

  that would end and join into the messages you currently push regarding youths and sex.

  that would be sex, with condoms.

  1. 
  2. 
  3. 
• 

  Pete Zahut

  2 hours ago

  The Witnesses, on the whole, are truly a positive force in their communities

  They are a positive force within their own community but take full advantage of the charitable acts and charitable programs made available by others from outside their own organization.
  

  
  I guess we disagree, Finklestein. Maybe I've known too many really bad people who are actual threats to those around them. But the Witnesses are no such threat.

  JW's like to compare themselves to the worst of the worst out there, in order to feel good about themselves and refuse to acknowledge the millions who do good and are good on their own without ever having heard of Jehovah's Witnesses. The way they highlight the bad in the world and brag about themselves in comparison, is a real turn-off.
  
• 
  56

  Lets pretend jw's disappeared

  by atheist_R_stupid in

  1. watchtower
  2. bible

  and joined your ranks.... this means...youre talking about a people, that currently are pushing no sex till marriage.

  that would end and join into the messages you currently push regarding youths and sex.

  that would be sex, with condoms.

  1. 
  2. 
  3. 
• 

  Pete Zahut

  Lets pretend jw's disappeared

  Your JW based logic is nothing we haven't heard before, may have even though ourselves in the past, is full of holes and is easily countered once you dare to look at things from both sides.

  However, since you've asked us to pretend , let's also pretend that you as an individual are free to be open and honest with other JW's and admit to them that you've been frequenting  this site and engaging in the discussions. Let's also pretend they won't severely reprimand you if you continue to do so. (so far you have 23 posts)

  P.S  Despite the demands for religious freedom you claim JW's have made, the username you've chosen and the tone of your post, reflect the harsh judgmental closed mindedness that is so prevalent among JW's themselves.
  
• 
  16

  Just in from France!

  by Atlantis in

  1. watchtower
  2. bible

  just came in from france... .. .

  .. .. atlantis!.

  1. 
  2. 
  3. 
• 

  Pete Zahut

  We've all seen how the GB uses creative reasoning to justify whatever it is they want to do. I wonder if they'll ever get to the point where they'll reason that "supporting the work" in a monetary way is as important as going from door to door and begin letting contributors "count" the on-the-job hours they spent earning the money ? Don't they already allow some individuals to count time when working at quick builds etc?
• 
  14

  No Mans Land.........The Void..........Whatever........

  by Night Owl in

  1. jw
  2. friends

  having a believing spouse, but no longer having any desire to go to the meetings, or service, this is what i've come to call this space i'm in, and i'm sure a few others are in this same space.. nightowl .

  1. 
  2. 
  3. 
• 

  Pete Zahut

  And that seems like a bad thing until you realize that in "no man's land" the regular rules no longer apply and you as an individual are the one who'll  decide what's what and who's who.
  
• 
  6

  Avatar upload fixes

  by Simon in

  1. forum
  2. announcements

  i've applied some fixes to the avatar uploading to make it cope better with larger images.

  if you've been trying to update yours and it hasn't been working, maybe give it another try..

  1. 
  2. 
  3. 
• 

  Pete Zahut

  Simon,

  Thanks for all the time and work you put into this forum. Just curious why my new avatar shows up when I make a new comment but didn't change in my old posts or comments. Not a big deal but the old avatar is still in use there. Is it supposed to be that way?
  

  Thanks !
  
• 
  12

  One of these days I'm going to get a new look

  by stillin in

  1. jw
  2. friends

  i mean, just look at me!

  i'm disgusting!

  1. 
  2. 
  3. 
• 

  Pete Zahut

  Never mind....problem solved.
  
• 
  12

  One of these days I'm going to get a new look

  by stillin in

  1. jw
  2. friends

  i mean, just look at me!

  i'm disgusting!

  1. 
  2. 
  3. 
• 

  Pete Zahut

  I followed the instructions on the "update profile" page, successfully downloaded a new avatar shown below and verified my email address via the email that was sent to me. Instead of changing my avatar to the one that was downloaded, I got the new avatar you see now. I tried several other combinations of going about this but I can't seem to get the avatar I downloaded, to show up.

  Can someone give me step by step instructions?  Thanks !

  

  
  
• 
  26

  JWs say, "They don't judge"

  by skeeter1 in

  1. jw
  2. experiences

  what is up with jws?

  lately, i've heard this line, "we don't judge .

  but, doesn't everyone judge?

  1. 
  2. 
  3. 
• 

  Pete Zahut

  Godsend - oh yes there are some judgy old sisters who pull the "cat's bottom face" whenever they see me.

  Around here it's know as the "Judgie Face " ( gotten it a few times since we've walked away from the org.)

  The religion is not about simply teaching the Bible (as they understand it) and letting individuals apply it in their lives as they see fit. It's about enforcement of rules, making judgements and handing out serious punishments.