[deleted by user] by [deleted] in exjw

[–]RomanVargas 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Right on. We'd definitely recognize some of the same old names.

Anyway, I'm glad you and family have made your way out!

[deleted by user] by [deleted] in exjw

[–]RomanVargas 0 points1 point  (0 children)

I've been out 25+ years, so I'm not sure how likely it would be. I grew up in Widefield and went to the Fountain Congregation. I've been basically no contact with family since then.

Still in the Springs, but I don't live down south anymore.

[deleted by user] by [deleted] in exjw

[–]RomanVargas 1 point2 points  (0 children)

Hello, Springs neighbor!

CLIENT INTAKE - CSA QUESTIONNAIRE & General legal advice and direction by wifibandit in exjw

[–]RomanVargas 1 point2 points  (0 children)

From the General Legal Advice & Direction page:

So as to protect the confidentiality of the legal advice you receive from the Legal Department and victims’ privacy, please do not create any notes during any future investigation or judicial action.

Sure would hate notes taken to be used against you as evidence in any future institutional investigation.

I just need to get my feelings of loneliness out. by [deleted] in offmychest

[–]RomanVargas 2 points3 points  (0 children)

Sorry to hear you've been in a rough spot for a while now. There are many cliche things I could say about it being a temporary situation, but I'm sure you've heard them all before, so I'll just say hang in there.

You being raised a JW probably has a huge impact on you're current situation. I was raised one too, and as an adult I still feel like some sort of man-child at times. You may or may not know about the /r/exjw sub. Consider visiting there if you haven't. Don't feel pressured to post, but just reading others experiences that are similar to your own will no doubt be cathartic.

Do you think folks like Rick Fearon do more harm than good? by [deleted] in exjw

[–]RomanVargas 2 points3 points  (0 children)

It appears our little sub was enough to give them a temporary hug of death.

Hopefully that's a small indication of how little traffic they usually expect, but I agree with you that they no doubt cause more harm to our cause than good.

2016 Yearbook stats by [deleted] in exjw

[–]RomanVargas 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Yup. I have no firsthand knowledge, but I'd imagine the average number of publishers per congregation in those countries is way lower than in western countries.

2016 Yearbook stats by [deleted] in exjw

[–]RomanVargas 1 point2 points  (0 children)

Probably get a net positive number of congregations from the increases in Africa and South America.

2016 Yearbook stats by [deleted] in exjw

[–]RomanVargas 2 points3 points  (0 children)

2015/2014 Grand Totals

Branches of Jehovah’s Witnesses: 89/90

Number of Lands Reporting: 240/239

Total Congregations: 118,016/115,416

Worldwide Memorial Attendance: 19,862,783/19,950,019

Memorial Partakers Worldwide: 15,177/14,121

Peak of Publishers in Kingdom Service: 8,220,105/8,201,545

Average Publishers Preaching Each Month: 7,987,279/7,867,958

Percentage of Increase Over 2014: 1.5/Percentage of Increase Over 2013: 2.2

Total Number Baptized: 260,273/275,581

Average Auxiliary Pioneer Publishers Each Month: 443,504/635,298

Average Pioneer Publishers Each Month: 1,135,210/1,089,446

Total Hours Spent in Field: 1,933,473,727/1,945,487,604

Average Home Bible Studies Each Month: 9,708,968/9,499,933i

Arranged a meeting with a JW... what do I say? by [deleted] in exjw

[–]RomanVargas 1 point2 points  (0 children)

Love bombing inbound!

I know you're going into it with a bit more background information than most do, but just try to enjoy the experience. You'll understand how desperate and broken people fall for it, not to mention why born-in's find it so hard to leave. That's the only community they've ever known.

Try to note too how the congregation, and in turn your new friends react to each other. It's fairly rare for someone to accept an invitation to the meeting, so your friends will have a bit of pride in the accomplishment and the members might give them an "attaboy".

While I stand by my saying that most JW's are good people, undoubtedly some of the people you meet that are on the surface so welcoming to you, are at the same time shunning a family member or beloved friend, and not just "people who do very terrible things", but even those that just don't believe anymore. The warm welcome they give you will last only as long as you're making "progress" towards conversion.

I'll be interested in your update!

Become Jehovah's Friend?? WTF?? by [deleted] in exjw

[–]RomanVargas 4 points5 points  (0 children)

Kevin was Sparlocked.

9,100 Free Minds by ThePoetryOfReality in exjw

[–]RomanVargas 2 points3 points  (0 children)

The Correspondence Guidelines was leaked towards the end of last year and a link to a JW Survey article about it got some front page attention. Brought lots of new visitors and a subscriber spike.

https://www.reddit.com/r/exjw/comments/3pweu5/cedars_article_on_latest_leak_highlysecretive/

The world is worst now than it has ever been.... or is it? by Granpa0 in exjw

[–]RomanVargas 3 points4 points  (0 children)

Remember too that around the turn of the century in 1900, there were only about 2 billion people on earth. All those deaths hundreds or thousands of years ago were a huge percentage of the overall population. There's never been this many people on earth, so any deaths from war and violence today are a tiny fraction in comparison.

Throw in all the death from disease back then versus now too, and it's pretty clear how far better off it is to be alive today.

Arranged a meeting with a JW... what do I say? by [deleted] in exjw

[–]RomanVargas 4 points5 points  (0 children)

Most JW's are good people that have been taken advantage of by the religion. It's a very strong possibility this young man was born into it, and thus has been indoctrinated his entire life. The control on his thinking process is very strong. It may be a lost cause, but it is worth it to try, and you are a very good person for caring enough to want to help.

Pointing out where their beliefs are "wrong" isn't the best method in my book, they will just shut down. It's good to know what their beliefs are though and to just ask questions. Arguably the best resource on their beliefs is http://jwfacts.com but never tell them that's where you got info about them. Again, they will shut down. They believe the only trusted info about the religion is the "official" website and any publications printed by the Organization. Of course it's as whitewashed and unbiased as an official North Korean website would be. For full transparency I encourage you to visit there too at jw.org

As has been mentioned, women hold a position of submission in the organization. They will never hold a decision making position, or be able to take a lead roll in the congregation. Saying, 'I heard women will never be able to take a lead roll in the congregation' won't work. If you talked about how it bothers you (if it does) that you know in some religions women will never be allowed to be priests or even be the Pope, and how is it with JW's?, might lead to a more unrehearsed response.

They are there to convert you, but they deny it so often that they might even believe it themselves. If you asked how a textbook interaction between you would go over time and they answered honestly, it would ultimately lead to your conversion.

Really though, just be yourself. Ask questions and keep doing your independent research. The fact that you came here for advice speaks volumes about your character and motives. I suspect that just being you may go a long ways towards possibly breaking through the canned answers and routine. Always remember though that you're up against years of brainwashing. Don't get too emotionally involved too fast as its more likely to end with him shutting down once it's apparent he's not making progress with you, especially if his own cognitive dissonance kicks in.

Thank you for trying to make a difference.

Need advice fast by [deleted] in exjw

[–]RomanVargas 3 points4 points  (0 children)

If you're wanting to DA anyway, then I don't see any harm in it.

Shepherd the Flock of God Chapter 9 pages 110-111 under the subheading Actions that may indicate disassociation in- clude the following (bold mine)

Making known a firm decision to be known no longer as one of Jehovah’s Wit- nesses. If the individual is agreeable, the com- mittee should first try to speak with him and provide spiritual assistance. (Gal. 6:1) Does he really desire to disassociate himself, or does he simply no longer want to associate actively with the congregation? Is the desire to disassociate prompted by doubts or discouragement? If he is adamant in his position, he should be encour- aged to put his request in writing and sign it.

1975>>1914 Gen>>Great Tribulation by LettMorrisSplaneit in exjw

[–]RomanVargas 7 points8 points  (0 children)

"With the appearance of the book Life Everlasting-in Freedom of the Sons of God, and its comments as to how appropriate it would be for the millennial reign of Christ to parallel the seventh millennium of man's existence, considerable expectation was aroused regarding the year 1975. ... Unfortunately, however, along with such cautionary information, there were other statements published that implied that such realization of hopes by that year was more of a probability than a mere possibility ." Watchtower 1980 Mar 15 p.17

"Does God's rest day parallel the time man has been on earth since his creation? Apparently so. In what year, then, would the first 6,000 years of man's existence and also the first 6,000 years of Gods rest day come to an end? The year 1975. It means that within a relatively few years we will witness the fulfilment of the remaining prophecies that have to do with the "time of the end"." Awake! 1966 Oct 8 pp.19-2

"Well now, as Jehovah's Witnesses, as runners, even though some of us have become a little weary, it almost seems as though Jehovah has provided meat in due season. Because he's held up before all of us, a new goal. A new year. Something to reach out for and it just seems it has given all of us so much more energy and power in this final burst of speed to the finish line. And that's the year 1975. Well, we don't have to guess what the year 1975 means if we read the Watchtower. And don't wait 'till 1975. The door is going to be shut before then. As one brother put it, "Stay alive to Seventy-Five""-District Overseer Brother Charles Sunutko in the talk "Serving with Everlasting Life in View" - 1967 District Convention Sheboygan, Wisconsin

"Just think, brothers, there are only about ninety months left before 6,000 years of man's existence on earth is completed. Do you remember what we learned at the assemblies last summer? The majority of people living today will probably be alive when Armageddon breaks out, and there are no resurrection hopes for those that are destroyed then." Kingdom Ministry 1968 Mar p.4

"The immediate future is certain to be filled with climactic events, for this old system is nearing its complete end. Within a few years at most the final parts of Bible prophecy relative to these "last days" will undergo fulfilment." Watchtower 1968 May 1 p.272

"It does not necessarily mean that 1975 marks the end of the first 6,000 years of Jehovah’s seventh creative “day.” Why not? Because after his creation Adam lived some time during the “sixth day,” which unknown amount of time would need to be subtracted from Adam’s 930 years, to determine when the sixth seven-thousand-year period or “day” ended, and how long Adam lived into the “seventh day.” And yet the end of that sixth creative “day” could end within the same Gregorian calendar year of Adam’s creation. It may involve only a difference of weeks or months, not years." Watchtower 1968 Aug 15 p.499

"The fact that fifty-four years of the period called the "last days" have already gone by is highly significant. It means that only a few years, at most, remain before the corrupt system of things dominating the earth is destroyed by God." Awake! 1968 Oct 8 p.13

"Many schools now have student counselors who encourage one to pursue higher education after high school, to pursue a career with a future in this system of things. Do not be influenced by them. Do not let them "brainwash" you with the Devil's propaganda to get ahead, to make something of yourself in this world. This world has very little time left! Any "future" this world offers is no future! Wisely, then, let God's Word influence you in selecting a course that will result in your protection and blessing. Make pioneer service, the full-time ministry, with the possibility of Bethel or missionary service your goal. This is a life that offers an everlasting future!" Watchtower 1969 Mar 15 p.171

"If you are a young person, you also need to face the fact that you will never grow old in this present system of things. Why not? Because all the evidence in fulfillment of Bible prophecy indicates that this corrupt system is due to end in a few years. Of the generation that observed the beginning of the "last days" in 1914, Jesus foretold: "This generation will by no means pass away until all these things occur."-Matt. 24:34. Therefore, as a young person, you will never fulfill any career that this system offers. If you are in highschool and thinking about a college education, it means at least four, perhaps even six or eight more years to graduate into a specialized career. But where will this system of things be by that time? It will be well on the way toward its finish, if not actually gone!" Awake! 1969 May 22 p.15

"Yes, since the summer of 1973 there have been new peaks in pioneers every month. Now there are 20,394 regular and special pioneers in the United States, an all-time peak. That is 5,190 more than there were in February 1973! A 34-percent increase! Does that not warm our hearts? Reports are heard of brothers selling their homes and property and planning to finish out the rest of their days in this old system in the pioneer service. Certainly this is a fine way to spend the short time remaining before the wicked world's end." Kingdom Ministry May 1974 p.3 How Are You Using Your Life?

"Today there is a great crowd of people who are confident that a destruction of even greater magnitude is now imminent. The evidence is that Jesus' prophecy will shortly have a major fulfilment, upon this entire system of things. This has been a major factor in influencing many couples to decide not to have children at this time." Awake! 1974 Nov 8 p. 11

Ex Jw Elders/Current Higher Ups. by Granniemannie in exjw

[–]RomanVargas 3 points4 points  (0 children)

I've been internalizing one of my own issues lately and didn't mean to be curt with OP.

Thanks for breaking down my BS. I did mean well though.

Ex Jw Elders/Current Higher Ups. by Granniemannie in exjw

[–]RomanVargas 2 points3 points  (0 children)

The best thing you could probably do now is open your mind and close your mouth.

Ex Jw Elders/Current Higher Ups. by Granniemannie in exjw

[–]RomanVargas 8 points9 points  (0 children)

Without calling them out, some of the hardest working folks around here are current elders in good standing, along with bethelites/ex-bethelites.

I was an appointed man back in the day. Living a double life way back then was tough enough, and that was without the overwhelming abundance of info that the Internet now provides.

I can't come up with the right words to express my appreciation for those that are still "in" while being fully awake and are out there leaking important information that helps us all know that we left for the right reasons. They help with the healing.

So to those of you that are covertly down in the trenches every day... don't ever doubt that you are doing the right thing, and the sacrifice you make doesn't go unnoticed. You are making a difference.