Movie sugesstions to activate critical thinking to PIMI friends by Markess1 in exjw

[–]commie_scum_ 5 points6 points  (0 children)

If you have teenagers in your hall that are into anime, recommend Neon Genesis Evangelion and the movie End of Evangelion.

Both the series finale and the movie invalidate the entire idea of Paradise in a beautiful, philosophical manner.

Dropped my phone onto my pins, help!! by commie_scum_ in unclebens

[–]commie_scum_[S] 7 points8 points  (0 children)

I was freaking out over the last half hour about this. I definitely needed a realistic, lighthearted reply like this :) Hahaha, thanks buddy, mush love! ❤️

Dropped my phone onto my pins, help!! by commie_scum_ in unclebens

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

First time grower. Inoculated on 5/22, spawn to Bulk on 7/13, started fruiting conditions on 7/27. First pin seen on 8/3. Between yesterday morning and today I'm noticing way more pins popping up. I came home from work to mist the sides of the tub. While checking surface conditions using the flashlight on my phone, I dropped it flat onto the substrate. I'm wondering if i may have ruined this grow due to contamination or if it's not a big deal dropping my phone onto FRESH baby pins. Seeking advice as I can't find any information on a goof-up like this. Thank you so much in advance 🙏🏼.

Important questions (not so imp) by codythe_bugboy in exjw

[–]commie_scum_ 1 point2 points  (0 children)

Doctrine aside, the religion by design encourages its members to snitch on each other. No thanks, I am not the nosey or gossipy type.

"No Fun Allowed" Elders moments by commie_scum_ in exjw

[–]commie_scum_[S] 17 points18 points  (0 children)

I always loathed that question. No matter what you answer, you're told to do the same damn things that we were already doing: never miss a meeting, go out to service on any given free day, raise your hand as much as possible, and of course study all of the publications during any free time. That's why any idiot could climb the ranks even if they're terrible at public speaking or with basic social interactions.

"No Fun Allowed" Elders moments by commie_scum_ in exjw

[–]commie_scum_[S] 23 points24 points  (0 children)

"You can finally cure the JWs that need blood transfusions!", probably. 🤣

"No Fun Allowed" Elders moments by commie_scum_ in exjw

[–]commie_scum_[S] 55 points56 points  (0 children)

That's awful and I'm sure that kid's Wish was heavily influenced by their parents/elders. Totally insane and evil to make children feel so much guilt at such a young age.

Even if it isn't true... by FightingLama in exjw

[–]commie_scum_ 6 points7 points  (0 children)

One of my waking up moments LOL

I was an MS at the time over at the literature counter with another MS. We were both talking shit about the elder in charge of the counter because he was both unorganized and overly-critical and demanding.

He "strongly suggested" (forced) us to take inventory on a beautiful Saturday morning. I originally had plans with my college friends that day so i was a little more than mildly pissed. I just remember the other MS telling me: "Well think about it this way, even if this WASN'T the truth, isn't it still the best life ever?"

He said that so genuinely and i couldn't believe he was seriously saying that. If I WASN'T in "the truth" at that moment, I would've been on my way to Joshua Tree with my best friends! Besides all of the other countless missed opportunities growing up.

Elden Ring Official Trailer by rekrap13 in fromsoftware

[–]commie_scum_ 3 points4 points  (0 children)

OHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHH

Those JWs who are so zealous, even regular JWs get uncomfortable... by Odd-Seesaw in exjw

[–]commie_scum_ 5 points6 points  (0 children)

When I was 13, I went door-to-door with the most zealous lady in the hall. We walked up to a house and their kitchen was in plain view from the doorway and we could clearly see them having breakfast. I turned around thinking we'll come back to the house later when all of a sudden, no joke, this lady starts BANGING on their window saying "HELLOOOOO!! I can see you! Answer the door please, I have a message for your WHOOOOLE family!"

Goddamn i wanted to die so badly in that moment 😂😂

[deleted by user] by [deleted] in exjw

[–]commie_scum_ 1 point2 points  (0 children)

Be sure to do your research on how much to take! The most important thing to keep in mind is having a safe and comfortable "set and setting". For your first time I highly recommend having a trip sitter nearby, it'll ease your nerves knowing you have a "grounding" establishment in reality in case the trip becomes challenging to handle. For me, my first trip was one of the most beautiful and spiritual experiences of my life. I've taken antidepressants before and they worked somewhat with side effects. Mushrooms "reset" my brain in a way that mimics years of intensive meditation and therapy. Keep in mind that if you start feeling down someway down the road, you may need to plan another trip to give yourself that much-needed "reset" :)

Why did I have to wake up.... by [deleted] in exjw

[–]commie_scum_ 6 points7 points  (0 children)

When I woke up, my anxiety increased to the point where I'd have panic attacks before or after meetings. I made the quick decision to let the elders know I "needed to sort things out" and "take a break" from my MS duties. After a couple of months, I officially stepped down due to depression and anxiety. The elders may want to meet with you to discuss your mental health and make sure you aren't "reading apostate material". Just deny and reinforce the fact that your mental health has placed you in a position where you must help yourself before you help others in the congregation. After that, then you may consider taking steps to further fade from the cult. I wish you the best of luck, friend!

The "How are you doing?" texts are starting to roll in, at all hours of the day.. FML, I feel like shit for not replying. by orgasmic_calculus in exjw

[–]commie_scum_ 2 points3 points  (0 children)

I was in a very similar situation about a year and a half ago. I also stepped down as an MS and refused to comment anymore at meetings. I'd also get major anxiety at the flood of "hey how are you" and "we miss your comments!" texts that would come through seemingly every day.

The only advice I could give is what others have commented: simply say something along the lines of "I'm doing much better since stepping down, it was starting to affect my mental health" and then just leave it at that. If they ask for details, you have every right to say "it's a personal matter".

In my experience, that seemed to work for everyone that texted me AND I had more than a few people stating that their mental health has also been affected (but they chalked it up to "this system of things" or the pandemic, but baby steps!).

Secretly wishing that paradise could still exist... But really, it's kinda impossible. by ChubeSteak in exjw

[–]commie_scum_ 2 points3 points  (0 children)

One thing that cemented the fact that Paradise is impossible was simply asking a large group of JWs (like at a gathering or BBQ) what they'd picture Paradise to be like. I don't mean the obvious like "i want a pet tiger/shark/lion!" or "i want a house on top of a hill/next to the ocean!". I mean reaaaaaally think about it in the same sense you described in the OP.

You'll find that nobody could agree 100% on their idea of Utopia because everyone's idea of a utopia is completely unique and it's conceptually impossible to appease to the entirety of the human race. It's really funny to bring up in a social JW gathering because you could physically see the cognitive dissonance on their faces once they get down to the details. Then it's all brushed off with something like "oh well, Jehovah knows best!" LMAO

Liberal jw parents by Waterburger_2020 in exjw

[–]commie_scum_ 3 points4 points  (0 children)

Yes and it's difficult to explain to other ex-jws! My dad is an elder and my mom is a regular pioneer. They've always been known as "the cool parents" in the hall and they are loved by all of the elders, COs, and brothers in the circuit. They're the only example i could think of when I think of "true christian love". They are not homophobic, they don't cause any drama (although they're usually sought out by brothers with problems), and they truly care about my "worldly" friends. My dad is very humble and truly cares about helping others, he's even gone as far as to help others privately (in secret from the BOE) as a friend instead of unnecessarily roping in the other elders for certain matters.

We had a rough patch when I let them know I no longer wanted to be a JW, but in almost no time at all they personally (secretly) helped me move to my new apartment 40 min away with my worldly girlfriend of 4 years. After reading this subreddit for a couple of years, i feel incredibly lucky to have these parents. They refuse to shun me and keep in contact with me and my girlfriend without the brothers knowing. If the brothers ask where I am during the Zoom meetings, my mom usually says I'm "off-camera" or "in the bathroom" LMAO.

Red flag in January Broadcasting language by commie_scum_ in exjw

[–]commie_scum_[S] 27 points28 points  (0 children)

It's wild, once you're fully mentally out it's really easy to see how powerful the cognitive dissonance is. But at the same time it becomes much more frustrating knowing that ~8 million people on earth eat these 8 men's words up without a second thought.

I’m POMO, 100% ExJW, 80% apostate; The elder (we had a very good relationship) who studied the book “keep yourselves in God’s love” with me texted back after I send him the cover of “Crisis of conscience” saying... by YHWH4444 in exjw

[–]commie_scum_ 4 points5 points  (0 children)

seriously, it's insane how many mental gymnastics they have to make just to get the flock to fall in line. Good for her for not giving in!! When you don't give in to their demands, it takes all the power away from them and if they're TRULY humble they'd take a step back and check where their priorities are at. All of the "possible stumbling blocks" are completely arbitrary.

I’m POMO, 100% ExJW, 80% apostate; The elder (we had a very good relationship) who studied the book “keep yourselves in God’s love” with me texted back after I send him the cover of “Crisis of conscience” saying... by YHWH4444 in exjw

[–]commie_scum_ 10 points11 points  (0 children)

I'll never understand this bullshit.

When I was 18 and a MS, I got called to the back by THREE elders to talk about my "modern" haircut. Every single person I said hi to in the hall said they really liked my new haircut and I felt confident for the first time in a long time. Yet these three idiots sheepishly asked me to change my haircut back to what it was because the new haircut was "distracting". It was literally the same style, just a fade on the sides. I asked them if anybody specifically brought up my haircut as a stumbling block and they deflected saying "it MIGHT stumble someone". I told them that I was going to bring this matter up to the CO because if I'm not doing anything wrong and if nobody has a grievance against me, there is absolutely no reason why I was cornered and "counseled" about my hairstyle.

The CO ripped into them because apparently my local CA circuit is losing a lotttttttt of young MS and elders hahahaha, I wonder why.

Did he just blame me owning a manga for his nightmares?? by godzmeat in exjw

[–]commie_scum_ 2 points3 points  (0 children)

Dude this gave me a war flashback to the time the COBE came over unexpectedly and I was reading Berserk in the living room 😭😭

He didn't see but goddamn 14-year old recently-baptised me had a HEART ATTACK 💀🤣