StarTrekAngel

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Posts by StarTrekAngel

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  94

  What other Shenanigans can we expect to see in the next 2 years?

  by John Aquila in

  1. watchtower
  2. beliefs

  its been a little over 2 years since i left the watchtower.

  in that time the magazines have been cut, the birth of jwtv, jw-org.

  carts for preaching, removed district overseers, cut assemblies, demand all the money from the congregations, stop construction and layoff bethelites, change the format of the tmschool .

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  StarTrekAngel

  The credit card thing already exists.
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  225

  Cult or Religion

  by Richard C B in

  1. watchtower
  2. beliefs

  what is a cult and what is a religion?

  its open to debate.

  who has the authority to say for certain what is a cult and what is a religion?

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  StarTrekAngel

  Sorry. I feel the need to clarify. When I said that using the word "High Control Group" instead of cult was an attempt to political correctness that undermines the efforts of those trying to fight cults back, I meant to say the references in books and other official statements. The general population may not be aware that cults exists and how many of them. Hassan's book states that between corporations and religions, there are thousands of "high control groups" in America. Most publications would like you to think they look like heavens gate. That is why I think that if somewhere somebody suggested that in order to get a book published or an article on a newspaper you need to use the politically correct words, the image of the cult gets softened and the point does not come across as strongly.

  Obviously the other can apply to interpersonal relationships. Like John well stated it, a granny can run faster than a 747 on take off if you say cult. This will actually undermine any efforts to wake up a loved one. Ironically I just used the word cult with my wife today, but I am at a different situation.
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  94

  What other Shenanigans can we expect to see in the next 2 years?

  by John Aquila in

  1. watchtower
  2. beliefs

  its been a little over 2 years since i left the watchtower.

  in that time the magazines have been cut, the birth of jwtv, jw-org.

  carts for preaching, removed district overseers, cut assemblies, demand all the money from the congregations, stop construction and layoff bethelites, change the format of the tmschool .

  1. 
  2. 
  3. 
• 

  StarTrekAngel

  Well, the conversation was surrounded around my very first therapy session that just happened last Monday. She was more open to whatever I had to say because she just realized shit is getting real. I told the therapist and had already told her before that I believe I am having symptoms of PTSD. She asked why and we went over the same arguments again. Lies, deception, the fact that she is accepting lies from a stranger (namely the GB), etc etc

  I think she has flashes of awakening but so far has a hard time accepting that there are less and less differences between this religion and any other.

  Trust me, I don't have it as a bad as others. My wife is cool. If you gave her some space she could probably rant against the GB (I've heard her a couple of times) But I just wish we could be on the same page because the real part that troubles me the most are my kids (ages 7 and 11) which are growing up believing a fairy tale. My wife wants them to have some sort of spirituality. I am not against that. The problem is that this level of indoctrination will eventually, if and when they wake up, have them severely disappointed with their upbringing, with the resulting consequences (depression, self steem, etc) and could include resentment against parents.
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  28

  CO just confirmed worldwide construction halt and possible JW.ORG news of it

  by LevelThePlayingField in

  1. watchtower
  2. scandals

  just had the co visit tonight.

  i asked him if he had heard about the worldwide halt of construction besides warwick and to my surprise he said he heard the same thing.

  then he went on and add that also some branches are closing and some bethelites going into pioneering but, "all because of the preaching work now.

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  StarTrekAngel

  Don't spread it. Wait until it comes out on JW news

  That is the line for "keep your shit to yourself". I seriously doubt they will ever announce such a thing officially. Unofficial rumors will be quashed in the same fashion as above. If the rumor grows too big to the point that they have to do damage control, they will spin it somehow.

  As it is, a JW broadcast was put together to clarify that even when the loans were forgiven, donations were still necessary, what do you think would happen if they officially announced the halting of construction?
• 
  94

  What other Shenanigans can we expect to see in the next 2 years?

  by John Aquila in

  1. watchtower
  2. beliefs

  its been a little over 2 years since i left the watchtower.

  in that time the magazines have been cut, the birth of jwtv, jw-org.

  carts for preaching, removed district overseers, cut assemblies, demand all the money from the congregations, stop construction and layoff bethelites, change the format of the tmschool .

  1. 
  2. 
  3. 
• 

  StarTrekAngel

  lol. I know. It seems impossible at times. I just had a conversation with my wife during lunch. This is the first time I straight out tell her I believe JWs are a cult. I have hinted it to her but never had used the word cult and JW in the same phrase when talking to her.
• 
  225

  Cult or Religion

  by Richard C B in

  1. watchtower
  2. beliefs

  what is a cult and what is a religion?

  its open to debate.

  who has the authority to say for certain what is a cult and what is a religion?

  1. 
  2. 
  3. 
• 

  StarTrekAngel

  Is true but I think the name change (from cult to high control group) is an attempt to political correctness that undermines the effort to save people from cults. Such change may have an influence from the cults themselves. Softening or changing the name or definition of a word when the common understanding of the old name is well understood is a tactic of cults.
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  225

  Cult or Religion

  by Richard C B in

  1. watchtower
  2. beliefs

  what is a cult and what is a religion?

  its open to debate.

  who has the authority to say for certain what is a cult and what is a religion?

  1. 
  2. 
  3. 
• 

  StarTrekAngel

  Agree with Londo111. The level of danger of a cult can not be measured in the absolute. At least ISIS tells you up front they hate you and they want to kill you. It should be no surprise when and if you see them come towards you with a sword.

  In the other hand, a cult that appeals to your better nature to potentially set you up in a trap like this, is much more heinous of a crime. Much more especially when they delight themselves on children (child baptism)
• 
  94

  What other Shenanigans can we expect to see in the next 2 years?

  by John Aquila in

  1. watchtower
  2. beliefs

  its been a little over 2 years since i left the watchtower.

  in that time the magazines have been cut, the birth of jwtv, jw-org.

  carts for preaching, removed district overseers, cut assemblies, demand all the money from the congregations, stop construction and layoff bethelites, change the format of the tmschool .

  1. 
  2. 
  3. 
• 

  StarTrekAngel

  Wishfully thinking here... I do believe what you say, but I wish there was a way to show JWs the evidence that this is what goes on.

  I agree with OnTheWayOut as far as cramming people into assemblies. However, in some areas it may be the contrary. I think that being the business people that they are, they know where they need to do that. In our circuit, we actually just got divided further and our assemblies are now smaller. This just happened in 2015. I think the reason for that is the opposite to what you are saying, while the goal is the same. Less people means more assemblies. More assemblies mean more money. If they fielded it and think they can actually squeeze more money out of the brothers, then they will divide.
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  225

  Cult or Religion

  by Richard C B in

  1. watchtower
  2. beliefs

  what is a cult and what is a religion?

  its open to debate.

  who has the authority to say for certain what is a cult and what is a religion?

  1. 
  2. 
  3. 
• 

  StarTrekAngel

  I thought you said the "cult" status was just our ex-member resentful perception, not something that could be substantiated thru research.
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  225

  Cult or Religion

  by Richard C B in

  1. watchtower
  2. beliefs

  what is a cult and what is a religion?

  its open to debate.

  who has the authority to say for certain what is a cult and what is a religion?

  1. 
  2. 
  3. 
• 

  StarTrekAngel

  Richard,

  I am all for playing devil's advocate as a way of learning. However, rather than triaging the subject using the definitions of the WT (the very source of the information you are testing) you need to go look for other sources as well.