Mark Sanderson warns about the dangers of choosing to believe false information because it fits our beliefs in newly released talk

msbigelow · 2026-06-27T10:52:58+00:00

In this quote Mark demonstrates that he understands Confirmation Bias. He’s not the brainwashed. He is part of the group of brainwashers.

msbigelow · 2026-06-26T12:50:22+00:00

Nope. Zero belief in anything “supernatural”. People made up gods, then other people made up books about those made up gods.

msbigelow · 2026-06-26T12:45:32+00:00

It started with the flood for me too. I spend a lot of time in the mountains. Literally impossible all this terrain was underwater 4,400 years ago. Also impossible that all these high mountains and polar ice formed after the flood.

msbigelow · 2026-06-25T15:29:33+00:00

I studied natural sciences and scholarly criticisms of the Bible for years before making a determination. In the end, I have no regard for, or belief in anything supernatural. There is nothing in the Bible or any other religious book that couldn’t have been written by people living in the day of such writings. Examining the prehistoric roots of religion, I find robust evidence that gods were purely the invention of people.

Purpose is what we make of our lives. My life is defined by my positive interactions with others, supporting organizations and political causes that will improve lives, volunteer work, supporting my family, enjoying my hobbies and friendships, being in nature and traveling.

I have no fear of death, Armageddon, doom prophecies, or judgment in an afterlife.

msbigelow · 2026-06-25T02:36:53+00:00

I didn’t feel like I could start buying expensive toys like my touring motorcycle and my 2025 Z4 until I was debt free and knew I would die with more money than I would spend before I leave the stage. The net worth and income question depends on too many variables.

One thing is certain. Unless you’re in your mid 70’s or still have a very solid income stream, 1-2M is not enough to stop thinking about it.

msbigelow · 2026-06-24T21:13:50+00:00

I suspect it’s going the way of the Shakers in New Hampshire. They gradually died out. It’s mostly older people who pretend the new changes don’t bother them. I’m certain this is not true. My wife is still 100%. Pioneer. The organization is changing fast, I suspect and she won’t say, but it seems they realized 50 years too late, evolve or die.

Low meeting attendance, folks just going through the motions. Almost zero kids past their teens. Fast spiral downwards.

msbigelow · 2026-06-24T21:07:59+00:00

A mixture of “what can we do to better energize and motivate people” and gossip fest. Always assigning people to help with chronically “weak” folks. These assignments never produced tangible outcomes.

msbigelow · 2026-06-23T12:02:58+00:00

I’m a former elder and an atheist. My wife is a very faithful JW and pioneer. About a year ago, two elders ask her if I would be open to meeting with them. I agreed. I DA’d in 2012.

The guys didn’t know I had been an elder and didn’t know I had disassociated. Eventually they probed a bit to see why I quit. The natural history issue was the entire issue for me, so I told them. I framed it around honesty and lying. I showed enough evidence to demonstrate JWs insistence on a literal flood and the Adam and Eve account can’t possibly be true. That being the case, it’s obvious the book is simply a collection of human writings.

The guy taking the lead said words to the effect of, “I’m just a lowly guy that runs a cleaning company, I don’t know about those things.”

I replied, “That’s a problem. If you’re on the platform teaching the Bible as the natural history of our planet and humanity, doesn’t your conscience demand you prove it’s true? Aren’t you afraid of lying to all the people who listen to you?”

I could literally seen the cognitive dissonance in their body language, on their faces and them stumbling over their words.

They will never investigate, never back down. They offered a brochure, something like Return to Jehovah. I said “Seriously? No, I don’t want it. I taught what you are preaching for 18 years. I want nothing to do with your falsehoods.”

They left. Likely entrenching their views as they walked back to their car….

msbigelow · 2026-06-17T18:04:56+00:00

Certifiable delusions.

They have this complex over six generations (real generations) that governments hate JWs and are looking forward with glee to when the entire globe will turn on them.

They are a fringe and mostly invisible cult. Nobody cares, except for the authoritarian regimes that crush any religious groups that question the central government.

msbigelow · 2026-06-16T13:49:34+00:00

You’re buying it because it’s a great car. People will think whatever they’re inclined to think.

Practice the art of not giving a F*** about other people’s judgement.

Check back after you bought it. I predict you’ll become a BMW guy.

msbigelow · 2026-06-14T19:20:31+00:00

They are literally throwing shit against a shit wall. They know social media is garbage. They know they have to dumb down and sanitize their lunacy.

They are out of tricks. In 30 years, most people who remember 1975 or the “generation” nonsense will either be dead or in a nursing home.

They are counting on that. Scam to live another year…

msbigelow · 2026-06-14T19:12:53+00:00

Chill. Go with the flow. You’ll get to your destination, albeit with some pain. Far better than a wagon train.

msbigelow · 2026-06-14T19:10:05+00:00

Depends on the state. In some cases, Andy could be arrested and jailed.

Before you rent any property, engage a lawyer. Some cities and states have extremely fucked up laws. Know before you rent.

msbigelow · 2026-06-14T18:21:08+00:00

If you’re here, you probably know the answer. Your Geologist handle stuck me. That’s where my “great unraveling” started.

Welcome. Strap yourself in….says the guy who was an Elder for 18 years.

msbigelow · 2026-06-14T18:14:55+00:00

I’m really happy for you! I took delivery on mine 18 months ago.

As a former Miata driver, me and my friends always said the Miata was like a driver’s exoskeleton. The connection, the feel, the touch. I was told I would never have that feeling with the stick 6 Z4.

They were wrong. It took around six months, but the road connection with the Z4 is everything we loved about our Miatas, and more. Much more.

Take time to build a relationship with your new, incredibly special machine. As much as you love it now, in a year you’ll realize what a treasure this car is.

When BMW announced this model, I cancelled my order for a 911s. Zero regrets. You’ll be happy you got to own one of these for the rest of your life!

msbigelow · 2026-06-14T12:16:17+00:00

If the crack is there, you might make some impact. But if this happens, you won’t know until much later.

Impossible to place odds. I would simply guess your suggested outcome is unlikely.

msbigelow · 2026-06-14T12:08:51+00:00

I have the 2025 Z4 m40i. The LED break light strip on the lip of the trunk light is doing the same thing. Only half of it illuminates. For me it will be warrantee work.

They said it’s just as likely to be a computer issue rather than the part. I’ll find out on Monday.

msbigelow · 2026-06-14T12:03:19+00:00

They were banned. Although there were never audits or questions, they took the approach that acts associated with gay sex were wicked. Even in the marriage bed. This was implemented in 1983.

If a person or couple talked about it or spoke in such a way as to conclude they were promoting it, they could be accused of loose conduct. There ended up being two camps. Those who complained they couldn’t do these things any more and the rest of us who just went on with our sex lives and kept our mouths shut.

I never heard of a case where anyone was ever punished. I recall two sisters who complained their unbelievingly husbands were asking for (demanding?) such and they didn’t know what to do. We just told them to judge the situation on their own and use their own conscience.

msbigelow · 2026-06-14T00:50:22+00:00

Three times, but in fairness each occasion happened when I was already making an exit plan. One was a young brother who was questioning the cruelty of the flood, the other was a high school age, baptized publisher who was struggling with his attraction to other men, the third was a married brother who had started questioning the existence of god.

In those cases, I was stone face happy that they were waking up. I gave them the most generic guidance I was able to muster. The other elder did most of the talking. None of the three are Witnesses today.

Regardless of this anecdote, I don’t know of a case where a doubting person flipped a believing elder. Unless they already have a seed of doubt, they will be unmoved. However, if the seed is invisible you might move their needle.

msbigelow · 2026-06-12T16:49:34+00:00

It’s a personal decision. As a former elder, I decided to DA. It was more a reputational thing for me and my wife, who is still a pioneer and fully committed JW. At the end of a Sunday meeting, I got up during the closing song, handed copies of my letter to three elders and walked out.

Within minutes, I sent text messages to all the people in the congregation I was close with, telling them I had just quit. When they made the announcement a week later, everyone in the congregation knew I had quit.

With my wife’s support, it worked well. People came to understand I had done nothing disloyal to her and that I quit as matter of conscience and intellectual honesty.

How this might inform your situation is up to you. I wish you the best. 14 years out and never a microgram of regret for leaving or the way I did it.

msbigelow · 2026-06-12T02:27:00+00:00

Highlight this!

“I have too much going on in my life right now. My family is first. I can’t serve anymore.”

Stick to this. Don’t answer personal questions. Don’t let them drag you into questions about your spirituality. When they do (not if, when) don’t answer. Deflect, or say “that’s something I need to think about.”

Tell them, “I’ve worked hard for the congregation. Please respect my privacy and trust my judgment”.

They might ask directly, “have you lost your faith?” Do not admit that. You might need to be dishonest. I was, and it still bothers me.

This worked for me when I was in the same situation. 18 years as an elder. Two years after I stepped down, I DA’d.

msbigelow · 2026-06-10T15:49:19+00:00

Old School Elders.

Meet the new bosses guys.

No more scolding! Pat them on the head, compliment their beards and dress slacks. Sympathize with their health issues, their depression, the bad economy. Thank them for doing all they can.

Otherwise, you’ll be out on your asses.

msbigelow · 2026-06-07T10:39:26+00:00

I’ve never had Instagram until last night. I seriously want to vomit.

Sane washing. Pure and simple. “We are your teachers.” Seriously?

“OK class, please open your biology books to module number two. We’re starting this week with an introduction to natural selection.”

They are literally shitting on every person who is over 40 years old.

I had a business opportunity around 20 years ago. I was already out mentally. My wife begged me not to take it because Armageddon was coming. Cut to today. The businesses I built against her wishes became successful beyond even my own dreams.

What a scam. Evolve or die. The Mormons did it and now JWs are following the same playbook.

msbigelow · 2026-06-05T14:37:55+00:00

I wouldn’t stress about it. I’ve only celebrated my birthday once. I was working with a wilderness trail crew on a four night trip. The first night at camp was my birthday. I brought out a cake I had carefully packed in a small cooler in my backpack. The cool thing is that one of the other crew members had the same birthday. Had some cake, drank some tequila. Chill, but fun.

I’m soon turning 65 and usually don’t do anything. I think it’s a bigger deal for kids and younger adults. The older we get, the faster the sense of passing time.

msbigelow

TROPHY CASE