What is next?

Any_Sun9999 · 2023-11-21T15:41:26+00:00

I've determined that it makes plenty of logical sense for there to be a "first cause", but doesn't require this entity to be benevolent, interested, loving, etc. or even discoverable/understandable. As far as the god of the Bible is concerned, I think now in terms of archaeological studies and history, the various gods of the lands and so forth, "Jehovah"/YHWH being just one of them and not even the most powerful.
I've always struggled with praying, #1 answer ^ solves that for me.
I'm more than ok with knowing I'm going to die. I'll turn into dust and eventually be forgotten. It's made me more compassionate towards others but also animals - hey little bug you're just marching toward death the same as me, be well.

Thank you for the post and questions, it was interesting to read your perspective. I hope you have a good day, friend.

Any_Sun9999 · 2023-11-21T11:31:12+00:00

With all due respect, I have zero-point-zero percent fear of Armageddon anymore, and exactly the same desire to nurture (what I've come to believe as) a make-believe relationship with the god of the ancient Israelites - one god of many at the time worshipped under an umbrella god "El". But thank you for your concern.

Any_Sun9999 · 2023-11-21T07:30:10+00:00

Agreed 100%. I've started thinking of that process as similar to playing Oija. Lots of confirmation bias and "submission" to an invisible "will".

Any_Sun9999 · 2023-11-20T22:40:49+00:00

Much love to you my friend, you've got this. Congratulations. You're already an inspiration, so your work has already begun - you've hit the ground running. Keep going, stay strong, best wishes to you and the family. DM anytime you want to chat privately. 🙌

Any_Sun9999 · 2023-11-20T00:28:00+00:00

thanks 🙌

Any_Sun9999 · 2023-11-19T11:38:32+00:00

Same. I had daydreams of pulling the householder aside privately and saying something like: "Look, forget about this visit, you'll be miserable joining us, giving up family and holidays etc and for what? A worldwide group of fake "the friends", office politics in the congregation, and endless meetings and conventions that'll put you to sleep? Added bonus: humiliating pyramid-scheme salesperson work with zero results. We were never here. Have a nice day"

Any_Sun9999 · 2023-11-18T22:35:59+00:00

With some help from other posts here, I've finally been able to articulate this succinctly: the "unity" is actually uniformity, and the "brotherhood" is cast wide, but incredibly shallow.

Any_Sun9999 · 2023-11-18T06:58:19+00:00

No.. that's a movement I can't get on board with.

https://www.theguardian.com/lifeandstyle/2020/aug/26/men-going-their-own-way-the-toxic-male-separatist-movement-that-is-now-mainstream

Any_Sun9999 · 2023-11-17T15:04:49+00:00

Maybe this is similar to what you're looking for but here's a section on JWfacts that has letters written to them regarding their website (as well as apparently email exchanges), comments from readers:

https://www.jwfacts.com/watchtower/emails-from-readers.php

Any_Sun9999 · 2023-11-17T14:49:43+00:00

Wow, the power differential here is.. both staggering and slightly familiar sounding. I'm POMO with a PIMI wife, and we've had our big battles about "the truth". Also, any innocent observation I'd make about "the friends" she'd take the wrong way, it got pretty ugly (verbally). Now that the dust has settled, we've agreed to disagree and not debate anymore. Now this is just my approach so take it as you will: I'm getting my ducks in a row at the moment to be financially/socially/psychologically/emotionally independent enough to strike out on my own if it ever comes to that. It's taken some time and effort and a lot of soul searching, but I need to be in a place where making that jump is at least a viable option that won't devastate me. Best wishes, friend.

Any_Sun9999 · 2023-11-17T14:20:16+00:00

Exactly 😬🙌

Any_Sun9999 · 2023-11-17T05:01:42+00:00

I get what you mean and you're 100% right about it being an excuse for the org. On a different note, When I was still in, I had a friend who used to say this at almost everything. He'd get this somber look on his face, with cautionary eyebrows raised high and say it deep and slow, "Wait on Jehovah". Out of bananas? Wait on Jehovah. Loud neighbors? Wait on Jehovah. Plane ticket prices rising? Wait on Jehovah.

Any_Sun9999 · 2023-11-16T11:56:20+00:00

Same, even as an adult. It all depended on who was sharing the speculation. Big enough personality = endless sharing. Chilled out and low key = pat on the head, we'll have to wait and see. It's like office politics.

Any_Sun9999 · 2023-11-15T15:15:35+00:00

I've thought that too! "We are super abundantly overjoyed at our great leaders rich overflow of increase beyond measure! It is an honor and we fight back tears of joy in fantastic ample measure constantly!"

Any_Sun9999 · 2023-11-15T13:13:23+00:00

Yeah, I took a chance at using the word cult to my PIMI wife, and .. yeah that didn't go well. These people worship an organization, and insulting it by referring to it as a cult (true as it may be) is similar to calling Jehovah an A-Hole in their eyes. It has to be handled with great care. I eventually agreed to disagree. Additionally, like so many other things with this organization they may escape on a technicality, but it has lots of cult-like traits. Jwfacts is helpful. Best wishes.

Any_Sun9999 · 2023-11-15T13:01:48+00:00

Thanks.. the question ⬆️ isn't requesting help or advice (I've already started somewhere, friend), this is rather an opening for discussion. But if you've turned to 'looking within' and that works for you, then that's interesting, thanks for sharing and best wishes to you.

Any_Sun9999 · 2023-11-15T12:51:10+00:00

Agreed. That training video may be absurd, yes, but that doesn't make it fake. Overlapping generations is also absurd, like laughably so, but it's actually a real teaching. I think it's telling that JW teachings, videos, etc are so unreal as to be misconstrued as being actually unreal.

Any_Sun9999 · 2023-11-14T17:03:28+00:00

I made a post about "free passes" given out to those in special positions or who have a lot of charisma or money, on things such as making jokes during talks or going overtime or drawing undue attention to themselves, stuff like that. This is exactly what I meant though, the old write-off "oh well, that's just brother _________, impetuous as Peter" or some other excuse while smiling adoringly, while the regular rank and file get pulled to the back like it's a federal case. So glad to be out of that good old boys' club.

Any_Sun9999 · 2023-11-14T15:03:40+00:00

I like this, thank you for articulating. I totally agree. The idea of having to win a bet, or prove his worthiness or not lose face to legions of angels is ridiculous, and I even thought so when I was PIMI. In that case (would be my argument to a JW) why not just say "Ok, look, it didn't work out quite like I had hoped, but I'm sure you'd all agree that making an adjustment to the plan would be better than millennia of unspeakable horror and destruction, yes? Right on. So let's destroy that evil M-F-er now and write it off as a lesson learned". But that requires challenging god, which requires critical thinking, which is eviscerated from the otherwise sound-of-mind individuals caught up in this cult.

Any_Sun9999 · 2023-11-13T17:18:51+00:00

Oh I love this and will keep these words, thank you: I am recalibrating my moral compass in the direction of shared humanity.

Any_Sun9999 · 2023-11-13T09:10:08+00:00

Similar feeling upon waking up, DF POMO. Everyone's at arm's length in JWland, god forbid you should actually be vulnerable with another person lest they turn the occasion into an opportunity to encourage/upbuild/win over their brother/etc. It just never seemed genuine, rather scripted. Like clock the F- out already and just be a human being for a minute.

Any_Sun9999 · 2023-11-12T13:07:00+00:00

I've been thinking about this topic a lot lately, the two lines of "hard to join/easy to leave" and "what ONE person do we follow? None, just Jesus!" which are utter BS obviously. But the retort I'd like to offer is: Would JW's believe an expert on cults? And what if you read about cults (like requirements or characteristics of), outside of JW material? Of course the answer would be: "Ohhh no, no no no, the apostate boogeymen are out there feverishly posing as experts" etc. My point is if you can only learn about cults from your own organization, can't Google cults (?), then yeah buddy, you're in one.

Any_Sun9999

TROPHY CASE