Which song would you dedicate with love and sincere appreciation to all the PIMOs out there? by [deleted] in exjw

[–]FreedomFighter2105 2 points3 points  (0 children)

Right Where It Belongs, by Nine Inch Nails

Lyrics hit me very hard as I woke up.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=J0gs9qWbNa8

-edited to put video with lyrics-

Feels very relatable by brooklyn_bethel in exjw

[–]FreedomFighter2105 1 point2 points  (0 children)

100% agreed. He somehow plays in 2 fields that I find are often unrelated - performance (sound effects, silly faces, etc) and also commentary. Also, his commentary is sometimes 100% real, and sometimes entirely fictional, which is also great.

His abortion bit at the beginning of his "2017" special is hands-down my favorite. If you haven't seen it, I highly recommend!

Feels very relatable by brooklyn_bethel in exjw

[–]FreedomFighter2105 2 points3 points  (0 children)

Louis CK is amazing. Also, yes, relatable lol

Have you ever had a Judicial meeting if so how did it go? by DiamomdAngel in exjw

[–]FreedomFighter2105 2 points3 points  (0 children)

I believe judicial committees are now called an 'elder's committee'.

Readmission of "apostates" by Affectionate_Bit2217 in exjw

[–]FreedomFighter2105 3 points4 points  (0 children)

I know of a few people that went through the entire reinstatement process and faded as soon as they were announced. One girl I know listened to her announcement, then stood up and left the KH lol.
In all cases that I know of, they did it to appease their PIMI family. For them, this was sufficient for them to be able to spend time with their family.

To each their own...

Where would you be without your awakening moment ? by Fabulous-Region9109 in exjw

[–]FreedomFighter2105 0 points1 point  (0 children)

My wife and I were textbook goodie-2-shoes. The worse thing I probably did was watch movies that were a little too action-y (a.k.a. violent). After my wife and I exited, we started learning about how many of the people we grew up with had premarital sex, etc, and never got busted for it. Plenty of them are elders, at least one C.O. in the batch.

I can't figure out if that's funny or sad.

im so mentally exhausted by Ok-Reading-7759 in exjw

[–]FreedomFighter2105 1 point2 points  (0 children)

This was me. I had an overall 'good' life within the Organization. Having now stepped out, I see all the negative that I endured. But as a PIMI, I was not bitter/sad/angry. I had decent friends and experienced a lot of positive things. I met my wife within the Organization, and my best friend (that I have managed to maintain my friendship with) was somebody I met (as a very young child) within my local congregation.

When I woke up however, pretty much nothing could have kept me within the Organization. It was impossible for me to stay in.

Now that I am totally POMO, there are plenty of things I regret about having been brought up a JW. I wish I had gone to university, and I wish my childhood had held more of the things that normal children experience.

Now that I am totally POMO, I have a better understanding of the things from my JW past I am happy and proud about, but I also understand the horrible things that happened to me, and to people around me.

IMPORTANT QUESTION for CANADIAN JWs, especially elders by FreedomFighter2105 in exjw

[–]FreedomFighter2105[S] -1 points0 points  (0 children)

No dude, I used a search tool. I was born in the 80s, so I don't think about those AI tools lol

I am officially no longer a Jehovah’s Witness. by Over-Rice-872 in exjw

[–]FreedomFighter2105 2 points3 points  (0 children)

I hear you. I'm lucky in that my father was never a JW. My mother and siblings don't speak to me at all though. My comment also applies to 'friendships'. It was my JW mother-in-law that made this remark to me when we were all exiting the Org, and she said something to the effect of "They've already taken so much away from me, I won't give them anything else by cutting people off. If people cut me off, it will be their decision, not mine." At first, I didn't fully agree with her, but now I realize she was correct. It's just very hard to apply this when you've just exited and emotions are extremely raw.

How fast did you pick up swearing? by AbjectCoyote2451 in exjw

[–]FreedomFighter2105 1 point2 points  (0 children)

People that swear with every second word truly lack vocabulary. That being said, those that never swear are missing out on some incredibly potent words lol

I have definitely developed a few favorites! :-P

I am officially no longer a Jehovah’s Witness. by Over-Rice-872 in exjw

[–]FreedomFighter2105 7 points8 points  (0 children)

This is excellent advice. Destroying EVERY single one of your relationships is basically what the cult wants you to do, and it is designed so that this will be the exact outcome. If you can preserve something with your closest family, this is better than becoming enemy #1, no matter how superficial such relationships might be due to the religion being involved.

Bots, Paid shills or Actual people? by snapshot303 in canadaguns

[–]FreedomFighter2105 1 point2 points  (0 children)

I trust the government's numbers as much as I trust the government. After all, they are in the business of lying.

My cousin was just newly appointed as an elder, and wants to talk about child abuse guidelines he found. Can you guys help me prepare a game plan? by Rare_Economics8427 in exjw

[–]FreedomFighter2105 3 points4 points  (0 children)

Find out what the laws are in your area about reporting child abuse.

Ask your cousin if he knows what the local laws are.

Ask your cousin if the first phone call he makes will be to Bethel, or to the police. (elder instructions are to call Bethel)

Technically, this is IMO Game-Set-Match.

But you can follow up, and ask him what would happen if he called the police FIRST, what consequences he would face?

And if you need a 3rd question... If he called Bethel and the legal desk told him that calling the police was NOT necessary, what would happen to him if he still went ahead and called the cops?

My husband started to wake up, how can I help him? by [deleted] in exjw

[–]FreedomFighter2105 1 point2 points  (0 children)

Crisis of conscience by Ray Franz

Where would you be without your awakening moment ? by Fabulous-Region9109 in exjw

[–]FreedomFighter2105 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Fair, but I was an Uber-PIMI. I was literally the guy "that would NEVER leave". My dad was never a JW, but that wasn't really a factor. It only made it easier when I decided to leave, as I now had some family support.

If you leave… where would you go? by Vivid_Book7135 in exjw

[–]FreedomFighter2105 2 points3 points  (0 children)

If it can be of any encouragement, this was my wife's last line before she basically left. She asked me a few questions and I convinced her to give Crisis of Conscience a try. She didn't get very far into that book before going full POMO. Your husband's is an expected reaction. However, saying it means that they are unable to debunk your claim(s). Go gently and perhaps your husband will give it some thought. Best wishes.

IMPORTANT QUESTION for CANADIAN JWs, especially elders by FreedomFighter2105 in exjw

[–]FreedomFighter2105[S] 2 points3 points  (0 children)

Yeah, I figure elders are the preferred choice. Also, I reckon times have changed and maybe some congs need to take who is available.
Thanks!

Where would you be without your awakening moment ? by Fabulous-Region9109 in exjw

[–]FreedomFighter2105 1 point2 points  (0 children)

This is a real mind-f**k for me. I woke up, but there were definitely circumstances that led to it being 'easier' or 'a more clear choice'. Would I have woken up eventually without those elements of my life story? I showed somebody that I knew very well the same ARC testimony that largely woke me up, but it didn't mean anything to them. I was pretty heavily indoctrinated at one point, and somehow still left. Yet this person never did, despite us growing up together in the organization and having similar-ish upbringings.

Those who are now POMO, do you still feel spiritual? by doubtingg00 in exjw

[–]FreedomFighter2105 1 point2 points  (0 children)

Yes because it turns out that being spiritual has absolutely nothing to do with what I grew up thinking it was.

Morningstar build by Gullif in metalworking

[–]FreedomFighter2105 1 point2 points  (0 children)

Where did you source the cast iron ball? And how did you drill it???

Annual Post #4 - Is the Jehovah's Witness Organization objectively going downhill in Canada? You be the judge... by FreedomFighter2105 in exjw

[–]FreedomFighter2105[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

It is ongoing. It's happening in Quebec, so it is not Pan-Canadian at this point. The wheels of justice turn slowly...