Posts by 4thgen

36

How Were YOU Treated In Your Hall?

by minimus in

jw
friends

were you a fish out of water?.

were you popular in your congregation?.

were you a "marked" person?.

4thgen

I've seen life on both sides. As being the in family of an elder, I think some were intimidated by us at times. We had a nice house and some disposable income. Yet we were very hospitable to everyone not just the so-called: elite. We had book study in our home for years and always invited those to stay after for coffee, etc.

Things changed when I took a stand against my husband’s abuse. He was dealt with (somewhat) judicially, but when I divorced him because of his continued behavior and withholding means of support, I was viewed as Jezebel with a bad case of leprosy. Very often when I walked in the hall I felt I should have a stick in front of me beating the ground while yelling "Unclean! Unclean!" That's how much people scattered from me.

The elders told me that some of the brothers were afraid that I was going to rally the wives in some sort of revolt. If I kept quiet I would not be 'dealt with'. Well, I did keep quiet and yet I was marked privately anyway. Some turned with a vengeance and those who were afraid of a massive uprising warned their wives against associating with me. It was a terrible time. There were a few brave, loyal friends that stuck by me in private, but few acknowledged me publically or invited me anywhere.

Although this has been tough, I would not make a different decision. I only would have divorced the bum sooner. (Maybe I should have rallied the sisters! What fun that would have been!)

3

Identifying a cult - what is it's purpose?

by 4thgen in

there was an interesting statement on a cult recovery site: the first is to look at its purpose which should be centered on the people it serves rather than on the ones that are providing the service.. well, that leaves out jws, as its now all about the gb.. 'its not what they say, its what they do!".

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http://www.choosehelp.com/experts/counseling/counseling-christopher-smith/religious-recovery-site-or-a-cult.

4thgen

There was an interesting statement on a cult recovery site: “The first is to look at its purpose which should be centered on the people it serves rather than on the ones that are providing the service.’

Well, that leaves out JW’s, as it’s now all about the GB.

'It’s not what they say, it’s what they do!"

http://www.choosehelp.com/experts/counseling/counseling-christopher-smith/religious-recovery-site-or-a-cult

7

JW encounters.... How about you?

by dazed but not confused in

looking back, were there witnesses that you secretly hoped would never learn ttatt, never wake up?.

i had two polar opposite encounters this weekend.

the first was a sweet sister that saw me and my wife at the grocery store and gave us both big hugs and asked how we were doing.

4thgen

The only person I would wish never finds out ttatt is my mother. She is very old and I believe if she found out she would die of a broken beart.

2

Official reason vs real reason

by Rattigan350 in

jw
friends

there has been many changes in the past decade, but there is a difference between the stated reason and what we perceive as the real reason.. those who have access to the letters can fill in some of the stated reasons or benefits.

it is like they are afraid of telling the truth.

stating that they are making business decisions for monetary reasons.

4thgen

2010: WTS begins closing/merging Branch facilities and selling branch properties

No reason stated but possibly to get cash and cut expenses.

[]POSSIBLY TO GET CASH FOR THE ABUSE LAWSUITS

2011: Drop to 30 hours in required auxiliary hours

Stated reason: more can have meeting with CO

Reason: To get more 10,20,30 hour publishers to give more time and think they are doing something great

[]When a product is not selling, businesses mark it down. It generates excitment for the product and gets a wider distribution.

38

I want my donations back!

by Hortenzie in

i want to ask wt for my donations back.

i live in canada and i have income tax receipts from them so i can prove how much i gave them.... anybody ever tried something like that or heard about somebody doing it?

what approach should i take?.

4thgen

Hello Hortenzie, I wish you well with this, but I doubt you will see a penny. After all it was a 'voluntary contribution'. What may happen is that a letter maybe sent to the local conregation about your request and you may end up with more trouble than the donation was worth. Best to you...4thgen

52

What is the deal with the "this is the last memorial" comments from my JW?

by jambon1 in

jw
friends

the guy i know was saying this the other day.. "it's been suggested this may be the last one", or words to that effect.. where & by whom?.

is this doing the rounds?.

4thgen

You could reply: "Well, if this is the last memorial, I guess they will be halting the buyilding program at Warwick. Have you heard anything about that?"

10

The Internet: Where religions come to die. Why the WTS knows this. Excellent Video.

by whereami in

jw
friends

worth watching all the way through.. .

.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0rqw4krmoug.

4thgen

I just watched this today. Very interesting take on religion and the internet, especially with reference to children and indoctrination.

36

Why JW assemblies NEED to change

by kneehighmiah in

jw
friends

the assemblies would be get better results and get more people to come and be inspired if they were more encouraging.

instead the assemblies are a giant guilt trip.

don't go to college, don't get a good job, dont buy things even if you can afford them, don't play violent games, don't flirt.

4thgen

giordano 67% leaving? Very interesting. Where did you get that number?

5

Current 2 day assembly U.S.

by 4thgen in

does anyone have any comments on the current u.s. 2 day assembly (or whatever they are calling it now) ?

my child will be attending soon and i want to be prepared to deprogram.

.

4thgen

Thanks all!

5

Current 2 day assembly U.S.

by 4thgen in

does anyone have any comments on the current u.s. 2 day assembly (or whatever they are calling it now) ?

my child will be attending soon and i want to be prepared to deprogram.

.

4thgen

Does anyone have any comments on the current U.S. 2 day assembly (or whatever they are calling it now) ? My child will be attending soon and I want to be prepared to deprogram.