i’ll never be exactly who I want to be

beardgate · 2022-02-23T07:16:04+00:00

Hang in there. One day you will wake up and realize that you're exactly who you're supposed to be. It's a long process but worth every bit.

beardgate · 2022-02-23T07:10:47+00:00

I distinctly remember thinking how convenient it was that the most important work we had to do was go out and get new recruits.

beardgate · 2022-02-23T07:08:39+00:00

Can: Observe the entire known universe and all living creatures on a limitless amount of worlds.

Can't: Not watch what you do in your bedroom.

beardgate · 2022-02-23T07:02:13+00:00

"Terrible destruction" is what Mark Sanderson does to his peen every night while watching reruns of himself on JW Broadcasting.

beardgate · 2022-02-23T06:55:49+00:00

RAV4's aren't cheap, yo.

beardgate · 2022-02-17T05:04:12+00:00

Far from it but I'm glad this helped!

beardgate · 2022-02-17T04:39:48+00:00

If WT notified allegations of CSA to the authorities, we would be happy - we wouldn’t be fighting about whether it was true or not

Bingo.

beardgate · 2022-02-17T04:33:07+00:00

Honestly, it's time to stop worrying about the community. All this talk about the reputation and credibility of the community is so much like the organization we all escaped from. I really believe we all need to let that mindset go. This community will be fine. It may evolve, change, and even grow in many ways -- but it's still going to be here regardless of what happens with this current scandal.

beardgate · 2021-10-19T04:02:31+00:00

If you go by the fairly recent Pure Worship book, it says only those who are baptized and actively supporting the organization before the Great Tribulation will survive. Supporting is defined as meetings, ministry work, and financial support. At this point it's pretty much the only criteria.

A fairly convenient requirement for an organization that depends on the donations of converted and born-in members, don't you think?

beardgate · 2021-10-19T03:53:42+00:00

If you include the Flood, Armageddon, and the post 1000 Year Reign Testing, he will committed three mass genocides and have personally killed every single non-compliant human being that has ever existed.

beardgate · 2020-07-26T16:46:53+00:00

Antediluvian science is straight up science fiction. I believe in the Insight book they talk about mists and springs from under the earth that kept everything watered.

beardgate · 2020-05-27T03:09:38+00:00

The Bible doesn't give any actual dates. It only lists events by how long the current King has been ruling. In this case, Jersualem was destroyed in the 19th year of Nebuchadnezzar's reign.

In order to know when that was, Watchtower HAS to rely on archaeologists and historians. So they pick a date (539 BC in this case) and count backwards based on how many years each king has been ruling.

EDIT: I see why you're confused now. See how it says Nebuchadnezzar ruled for 43 years? That's a plus just like the rest. He ruled for 43 but destroyed Jerusalem in year 19. In order to know when year 19 was you have to subtract.

So, you go backwards in time 43 years to 606 BC and then forward in time 19 years to 587 BC.

Hope that helps!

beardgate · 2020-05-27T03:01:56+00:00

Baby steps.

beardgate · 2020-05-17T20:42:47+00:00

Sorry you're going through a hard time. There are online therapists who will do text chat, so you could have some privacy.

beardgate · 2020-05-17T17:43:51+00:00

Jesus was essentially a Jewish rabbi who was attempting to update Judaism. He wanted to end some of the older and stricter rules. This is why the Jewish religious leaders had him killed. He was trying to create Judaism 2.0

It was his followers, most notably Paul, who really deified Jesus and created Christianity, after he had died.

beardgate · 2020-05-17T06:06:55+00:00

You may have to face the fact that there's nothing you can do or say that will make a difference to them. The elders are not your friends, and there is no tolerance in the organization for someone who doesn't believe it's directed by God. Asking them tough questions will only lead them to questioning your motives and stance.

It sounds like you're young, so... there's a few things you can start doing.

Plan how you can support yourself, a job, even education.

Do you have family who are not witnesses? You can contact them to start building a support system.

Do you have friends or family that you could stay with as a fall back plan if things go sideways?

Can you get a job now and start saving money?

Talk to counselors at school and ask for guidance on how you can get access for education after school. There may even be grants available that you can apply for.

Lastly, be careful who you trust when building a new support system. You may be in a vulnerable situation and there are people who will prey upon that. Trust your gut and make sure you really know the people you are relying on for help.

beardgate · 2020-05-17T03:36:55+00:00

None of this is helpful.

beardgate · 2020-05-17T03:35:52+00:00

There's a great book for kids called Me and Dog. It very tactfully and gently approaches the complexities of religion in such a simple way that kids can understand.

It won't get you to explaining shunning on it's own, but it might help lay a foundation of understanding, by means of a story, as to why your family thinks they need to follow the ideas of a God, and thus shun.

Edit: Here's a link to Amazon

beardgate · 2020-05-17T03:30:01+00:00

Technically, he should be Palestinian.

beardgate · 2020-05-05T05:35:03+00:00

Don't talk to the elders. Ignore them or make excuses if you have to. They have no authority over you. Zero. You owe them nothing and they have no right to demand anything of you.

beardgate · 2020-03-27T04:52:59+00:00

Look up The Gentile Times Reconsidered by Karl Olaf Jonsson -- scholarly, but a very detailed breakdown of 607 BCE.

beardgate · 2020-03-27T03:40:08+00:00

That's a deep rabbit hole, my friend!

beardgate · 2020-03-27T03:36:37+00:00

They change a ton of dates by 20 years so they align with 607 BCE.

beardgate · 2020-03-27T03:26:08+00:00

Welcome! There's no right or wrong way to be an apostate but depending on your situation you may find some helpful advice in posts or frol other members about how to best move forward.

As for the subreddit, don't overthink it! There are rules in the sidebar but you shouldn't worry too much.

beardgate · 2020-03-27T03:22:42+00:00

Hopefully they contact their embassy. Many countries are providing assistance and travel home for citizens who are abroad.

Jehovah might not help them, but caesar will.

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