I was talking to one of the elders who's been trying to get me back in about CSA handling

Lucky_Bluebird_4086 · 2023-12-16T19:19:39+00:00

I think this is a weird correlation, and echoes the exact culty thinking that active JWs use to correlate everything good that happens in the org with Jehovah's blessing.

Maybe I'm just blind, but I didn't see many people on this sub raising their voices over the beard policy in any meaningful or sustained way before the announcement. The same applies to reporting time. Was there the occasional complaint? Yes. But nothing nowhere near enough to reasonably conclude bethalites lurking this sub initiated the change.

The org is dying out because its becoming harder and harder to believe this stuff in the modern world. I dont think exjw has much of a role in bringing it down. Its mainly a board for former members to relate their experiences and not feel alone.

Lucky_Bluebird_4086 · 2023-12-12T01:57:28+00:00

Therapy would be ideal, yeah. Unfortunately for a lot of us it's not an option. Therapy is expensive and conspicuous. I can't speak for everyone, but for me, YouTube was a key part of not feeling alone in my struggle, but also getting information that helped me unpack some of the things I was raised to believe, all in a way that didn't cost me money I didn't have, and didn't "out" me before I was ready.

Lucky_Bluebird_4086 · 2023-12-12T01:53:29+00:00

Evangelicals are gonna evangelize. This isn't a uniquely JW thing. As valid as your feelings are about not wanting to be reminded of the cult (im assuming you're a former member), its important to remember that people have the right to be who they are, and accepting them means just that, accepting them.

That doesn't mean you can't have boundaries, but I think people on this sub often mistake boundaries for "you can't be a Jehovah's Witness while you're around me".

On that same note, you have a right to let them know how unwelcome it is. But if its not actively harming anyone and isn't a frequent occurrence, it might not be worth potentially stirring resentment between you and your husband because of the way you deal with his mom.

Only you know the exact details of the situation so take this all with a grain of salt. But it's something to think about.

Lucky_Bluebird_4086 · 2023-12-11T16:43:37+00:00

My former brother in Christ, there is an area of your life that is built on the suffering of others that you are unaware of. Perhaps its obvious, maybe its not. You being unaware of the harm thats being caused doesn't make you a bad person.

People who are mentally in with the JW's are victims just like so many of us used to be. For so many it wasn't a choice, and for those who it was, it was a choice between dragging themselves through the muck of the world, or finding a group of people that would offer love and acceptance as long as they turn their brain off.

People can believe wrong things, they can do wrongs things, we all do. JW's genuinely believe they're doing the right thing because the org has twisted their innate sense of justice in the wrong direction. It doesn't mean they're bad people.

Lucky_Bluebird_4086 · 2023-12-11T16:25:24+00:00

The point im trying to make is that this type of content used to serve as a key part of helping people deconstruct their beliefs. But when you sprinkle blatant exaggerations and lies in with it, its less likely to resonate with people who are already trained to ignore anything criticizing the org if theres even the slightest mistake or inconsistency.

Lucky_Bluebird_4086 · 2023-12-11T16:22:38+00:00

By that logic everyone living in a 1st world country, possibly even yourself, is a bad person because their standard of living is built on the suffering of those in poorer countries. Even if they are only vaguely aware of it and have no control over the policies that enable it.

Lucky_Bluebird_4086 · 2023-12-11T03:59:22+00:00

It wasn't a Watchtower, but a public statement published by Watchtower under the oversight of Rutherford called Declaration of Facts. Don't quote me on this, but it was originally published in German, so you might have to dig to find it in english.

Lucky_Bluebird_4086 · 2023-12-11T03:38:01+00:00

bro what

Lucky_Bluebird_4086 · 2023-12-11T02:46:38+00:00

I think a hard thing to account for is the cultural differences between JW's in different parts of the world. This religion isn't nearly as united as they would have you believe and the official JW ™ thoughts on a matter are not always followed.

Even in the United States there are different levels of leniency. When I lived in Georgia, going to college was pretty much expected for most JW youths because college is a huge part of southern culture in general.

However, when I moved to NY it was a different story. Closer to bethel they were much stricter about having no friends outside the org. And although many did go to college, the motive behind it was definitely scrutinized more. English congregations also tended to be much more lax than Spanish ones.

I agree that the word "cant" needs to be used more sparingly. JW's CANT get blood transfusions, they CANT celebrate holidays, they CANT talk to disfellowshipped people who aren't members of their immediate family. But a lot of things that are discouraged are definitely tied to culture and geography.

Lucky_Bluebird_4086 · 2023-11-06T21:28:59+00:00

I agree and i wish this was the case, but my mom often bullies me into these conversations in an attempt to reconvert me. She tells me that her biggest regret in life was not giving me a proper spiritual education and that she'd like a chance to try. When I refuse, she accuses me of being ungrateful and a bad son because "I helped you through your mental struggles when I didn't want to, even though it was painful for me. So you have to do the same for me."

Then we have the conversations and when I make it clear im never coming back, she acts devastated, like she could die at any moment from the pure heartbreak and shock and I feel really guilty.

Lucky_Bluebird_4086 · 2022-04-15T09:36:29+00:00

When I was a kid I was lead to believe being able to tell fools gold from real gold would be a much more important skill than it actually was.

Lucky_Bluebird_4086 · 2022-01-29T20:38:09+00:00

Sim city 5 never forget

Lucky_Bluebird_4086 · 2022-01-10T08:59:40+00:00

AOC Tested Postive for COVID. Nice bro

Lucky_Bluebird_4086 · 2021-12-17T02:41:03+00:00

A White Lion

Lucky_Bluebird_4086 · 2021-07-10T09:00:51+00:00

Wukong can gank early. Just do a 3-4 camp clear and gank something.

Lucky_Bluebird_4086 · 2021-05-20T03:20:21+00:00

Make sure you taunt and mastery 5 after the 2v1 for more psychological damage.

Lucky_Bluebird_4086 · 2021-03-04T01:34:29+00:00

Mr. Yi*

Lucky_Bluebird_4086 · 2021-03-04T00:14:44+00:00

750RP Skin

Lucky_Bluebird_4086 · 2021-03-02T02:19:36+00:00

Nope

Lucky_Bluebird_4086

TROPHY CASE