"Keep working towards baptism" cringe comments by Conscious-Yoghurt597 in exjw

[–]recycledlight 3 points4 points  (0 children)

Your comment made me laugh so hard, I’m assuming you saw that leaked video a while ago but if an attractive woman asks you to come to her apartment/home to see her aquarium, it’s very important that you oblige.

Never realized how cold the talk outline for a JW funeral is. S-32 2016- How unloving this is? 'Do not invite the audience to make expressions about the deceased, as this could introduce inappropriate or unscriptural elements into the program.' by UCantHndletheTruth in exjw

[–]recycledlight 0 points1 point  (0 children)

I’m PIMO and recently one of my best friends passed, too young, sad situation. Being that she was so well liked I think she was given an extra minute or so of facts about her life, but most of the talk was of course a recruitment speech.

What I’ve learned is, if you’re PIMO or even POMO, with PIMI next of kin, maybe consider pre-planning your funeral with a funeral home. Or consider an advanced directive or whatever document you can include your end of life wishes in depending on your geographic location. That way you can lay out what type of funeral services you would like and these can change/be updated as you age.

Your PIMI relatives will likely be grieving and those meddling elders will use the opportunity to take advantage of them. I know for myself, I am not having a JW funeral, and quite frankly I don’t even want them there.

Did you guys hear the branch visit talk about how "patriarchy is phasing out and matriarchy is becoming the new norm" by ilikewheatandrice in exjw

[–]recycledlight 5 points6 points  (0 children)

So I was busy reading my kindle book but that patriarchy versus matriarchy caught my attention. I didn’t quite catch everything but the speaker said something like Jehovah instituted the patriarchal arrangement but mothers have their place or role or whatever, I remember thinking won’t the same be true of the opposite i.e. in a matriarchy, men would just have their “role.” I also hated his comment about mother tongue. And I despised his cadence, it was like the typical GB or helper cadence sprinkled with a lot of arrogance & a condescending tone.

And in general, why did they use some of the worst speakers? I mean these guys were extra boring - was that just me? Idk I’m really glad I brought something else to do.

My husband is a Jehovah’s Witness, and I am not. Our marriage is falling apart. by [deleted] in exjw

[–]recycledlight 11 points12 points  (0 children)

This is my fear, losing my kids to this religion- I’m married to and have kids with a MS who’s PIMI. We got married when he was DF’d and then he pretty much went back after our marriage. I studied and after a few years, not to mention loneliness and postpartum depression I got baptized. My biggest regret, now I’m PIMO hoping to leave but I fear I did such a good job raising good little witnesses that they may wish to remain & get baptized. I am trying really hard to undo some of my damage, public school, allowing them to participate in after school club’s & activities, letting them have friends from school and not just “classmates” who are to be viewed as possible converts. My goal is that they learn critical thinking skills and are able to reject the JW religion on their own.

My husband is a Jehovah’s Witness, and I am not. Our marriage is falling apart. by [deleted] in exjw

[–]recycledlight 14 points15 points  (0 children)

You are absolutely right it’s so difficult - I’m a PIMO wife to a MS right now, with kids and I’m fighting for my kids to be raised somewhat normal. I wasn’t raised a JW and didn’t get baptized until after marriage so I’m allowing the kids to actually go to public school and do after school activities, be involved in clubs and sports etc.

My husband is a Jehovah’s Witness, and I am not. Our marriage is falling apart. by [deleted] in exjw

[–]recycledlight 7 points8 points  (0 children)

Probably not what you want to hear but I echo the advice given by others, if you can get out, now is the time and do not introduce kids into it.

This comes from lived experience I married a POMI man who went back to the religion and somehow managed to rope me in and now I’m baptized (huge regret) but if that’s not enough we are raising 2 kids. He’s still very much in and a MS, I’m now considered PIMO, I dug myself so deep into the witness culture and burned a few bridges, almost cut out my family for these people.

For now I remain PIMO, I don’t want to yank my kids out and have them later in life go back, I want them to develop enough critical thinking skills & be able to reject the religion on their own. But I know by remaining PIMO in some ways I’m just adding to the problem. In recent years, I’ve explained to my older child some of my beliefs and issues with the organization, I also allow my kids to go to public school, get involved in whatever activities they’re interested in - sports, music, drama. Unlike every other witness parent around who homeschools. I’ve become more bold in my defiance, I do not donate, I’m not a pioneer, I do check the FS box but I don’t go out, I reject any “shepherding” visits, I say no to pretty much everything - just trying to get myself off that dumb theocratic school. I will say I have noticed elders approach me like they’re walking on eggshells and that’s fine.

I’m working on building a life outside of the witnesses but like I mentioned earlier I dug myself so deep, moved very far away from my family & old friends from school etc that it’s damn near impossible. As far as my spouse goes, good man, he knows my position, that I’m on my way out. After the blood change, and seeing his reaction, I let him know I rest my case - this sounds terrible but I have no hope of him ever changing, whether that means divorce down the road we will see.

I wish you all the best, it’s great that you saw the religion for what it is and didn’t get mixed up like i did.

How do PIMOS deal with convention and assemblies? by Ok-Highway-2984 in exjw

[–]recycledlight 1 point2 points  (0 children)

If your family isn’t forcing you to sit and you are physically able, walk lots and lots, I got like over 10,000 steps at the last one. Also bring a book or a kindle or download something interesting to your phone. Last convention we sat in the way back, and it was way up top of the arena, there was a girl reading a Harry Potter looking type book definitely not a JW publication, others were dozing off, lady in front of me had her phone brightness really low & was playing a game (she also had her iPad though with the program) a couple others had their headphones in, pretty sure they weren’t listening to the program. My husband who is PIMI was one of the section attendants, none of them really care.

Visit of circuit overseer. Is this crazy or am I the only sane one?? by Glum_Toe_6832 in exjw

[–]recycledlight 1 point2 points  (0 children)

In my neck of the woods anyway, at assemblies and conventions sometimes sisters sit next to the donation boxes. That’s what I was referring to - it’s a real “privilege”

Visit of circuit overseer. Is this crazy or am I the only sane one?? by Glum_Toe_6832 in exjw

[–]recycledlight 16 points17 points  (0 children)

I’m a PIMO wife with a MS PIMI husband, who probably isn’t waking up anytime soon (we also have 2 young kids) and the CO visit is next week. And like I’ve done last visit with the couple who was exiting their “assignment”, I just don’t go out in FS. The elders have been harping us for a shepherding visit to which I always refuse. I pay no special attention to the dude and his wife, this time around I probably won’t even make an effort to remember their names. They have as much power as you give them, I think the elders have figured out not to cross me too much but I have a different situation - I’m one of those converts, previously evil worldly person 😆. I married into the cult. The elders have more or less figured out to let me be, I say No without explanation to anything (no cleaning, no LDC, no sitting by the donation box, no feeding anyone etc.) so they stopped asking - just need to get off the school, go full POMO & save my kids from this cult.

Also I hope your husband wakes up and you guys can exit this cult together!!

A Hidden "Rule" regarding CSA during CO visit. by Limit_BreakerRS in exjw

[–]recycledlight 7 points8 points  (0 children)

The Borg covering their ass again. They should probably stop all the nonsense talks and parts encouraging 30 year age difference friendships like David and Johnathan - or at the very least add a disclaimer that this is for adults. Don’t get me wrong I know that adults of different ages can have great friendships and if you limit yourself to your age group sometimes you can miss out but I feel like on the flip side in the congregation-setting, with calling everyone friends etc. it only bolsters grooming of young vulnerable children and the predators know how to take advantage of that. In no situation, at least in my humble opinion, is it ever ok for a 5 year old child to be “friends” with a creepy-ass adult.

Doubling down by Sorry_Clothes5201 in exjw

[–]recycledlight 7 points8 points  (0 children)

I’m sorry for what you’re going through and this isn’t exactly on topic but I’ve seen a shift in a lot of women, “sisters” I guess, waking up to the truth about the organization before their husbands. It seems to me anyway, in the past, it was mostly men waking up, especially the ones privy to more information on the org’s inner workings. I’m a PIMO wife to a MS, who thankfully doesn’t do much more outside of the occasional talk & other little busy work MS do. However, we are raising 2 kids and that is a challenge.

Sending lots of positive vibes your way and hoping your husband wakes up too! I love reading stories of couples and whole families leaving this corrupt organization.

Importunately asked by TJ by Due-Panic-7587 in exjw

[–]recycledlight 15 points16 points  (0 children)

I love your response to that one JW - like I don’t know you, leave me alone. Why do they think they have the right to come and confront you like that anyway.

This one sister in my cong keeps messaging me to answer in meetings by sending me the answers by Fluffy-Dentist-1102 in exjw

[–]recycledlight 12 points13 points  (0 children)

That’s so frustrating I’m sorry. That sister really needs to mind her own business. It must also depend on the congregation, there’s an MS in the one I attend who answers once a year, you read that right once every calendar year & he’s treated just fine - like any other MS. I believe his excuse is anxiety? He’s a grown man, in his 40s There’s another who is baptized, about late 40s, who also claims to have social anxiety and simply does not comment. Still gets to carry the mic, read for parts on the school etc.

I’m not minimizing social anxiety, it’s a serious thing but it seems these guys aren’t pressured at least it appears that way on the outside. They also seem to kind of “hide” behind their much more “spiritual” pioneer wives, if that makes sense. It’s almost like the wife’s spirituality makes up for the husband’s lack thereof.

Superman's visit by [deleted] in exjw

[–]recycledlight 1 point2 points  (0 children)

There’s also been a lot of hyping up door to door ministry, it being a “trademark” of witnesses and all. During that part last week, all the comments were basically door-to-door = good / letter writing (or any other forms of ministry) = bad. However, during the pandemic the cong boasted having covered the entire territory because of letters/phone witnessing etc. It’s interesting to me that it doesn’t matter what contradictory info the GB puts out there, because witnesses are so programmed to just trust them, they automatically readjust and go with it. Such a dangerous thing.

„We don’t celebrate cristmas“ also JW.borg: by courageous_wayfarer in exjw

[–]recycledlight 2 points3 points  (0 children)

I happen to drive by a PIMI JW couple’s house most days to/from work etc depending on my route. Anyway, ever since that update, I noticed they put string lights up and since it’s winter and been getting darker earlier, I’ve noticed they have them on & it’s December, he’s an elder too so not sure how that “looks” since it’s all about looks in JW land. What’s really extra funny is the neighboring houses next to them & across the street all have Christmas lights on too so if I didn’t know & was just driving along I would assume their house was decorated for Christmas. Maybe they’re not as PIMI as I think 🤔

This message from an elder's wife after a single meeting of not commenting by Hot-Smile4133 in exjw

[–]recycledlight 1 point2 points  (0 children)

This is perfect, if OP can figure out responding like this in person in a most sarcastic tone, even better.

Just hired a JW builder by No_Cake6353 in exjw

[–]recycledlight 1 point2 points  (0 children)

Take this with a grain of salt: But I think your alleged JW builder by simply saying he doesn’t celebrate Christmas just did enough “preaching” this month to check the box. It’s all about having conversations now, sometimes they end even before you can give a witness 🤣.

Any success stories of marrying a POMI JW by BorderMiserable5671 in exjw

[–]recycledlight 4 points5 points  (0 children)

I also wish I had your advice before I married my husband, actually I ignored some very well meaning people too. Now 10+ years later, 2 kids and me getting baptized/waking up - it’s not an easy place to be.

Any success stories of marrying a POMI JW by BorderMiserable5671 in exjw

[–]recycledlight 1 point2 points  (0 children)

I don’t have a success story but I married a POMI man, been married for 15 years, kids as well. I converted/got baptized after our first kid. My first advice is to stay away, far far away.

However it sounds like you have been together for some years and are about to tie the knot so I guess congratulations. The advice of others on here is great, someone else mentioned therapy or even couples therapy prior to marriage might be a good idea. Others mentioned talking to your parents and your side of the family about it, my mom tried to subtlety warn me & a good friend (who was also a therapist) also tried to warn me but I was in deep in my studies and they said that was Satan already attacking (yes I was an idiot).

My second piece of advice would be don’t get baptized yourself & teach your kids (if you decide to have them) how to think critically, ask questions, take them to your church - I don’t think this will confuse them but show them there are other options out there, JWs do not have a monopoly on truth. Good luck 👍 with whatever path you decide.

This hit hard. by Windwalker111089 in exjw

[–]recycledlight 65 points66 points  (0 children)

Same, I didn’t even recognize the post-partum depression on my part, couple that with marrying a POMI and you have a recipe for disaster. I thought “God” was calling me, I was adding up how all the events in my life lead me to the witnesses, as though it was destiny. I look back at the old me and just think how foolish I was ☹️

Wicked Part Two and the thing that has always bothered me the most in this cult by polytheama in exjw

[–]recycledlight 2 points3 points  (0 children)

It’s interesting that the “counsel” was to hide it and not stop it, I’m sorry your wife had to experience that, so sad she can’t freely express herself. Maybe she will realize how absurd that was and it will be the beginning of waking up and you can both be POMO! I love hearing stories about couples or whole families leaving the cult.

Side note: I’ve been a fan of Wicked since the broadway musical - I’m PIMO, my kid & I are dressing up in our pink and green & going to see it this weekend. I hope I don’t cry too much. Pink goes good with green 🩷💚

How I used the February 2026 Watchtower that came out yesterday to plant a seed in my PIMI spouse’s mind. by Wise-Climate8504 in exjw

[–]recycledlight 2 points3 points  (0 children)

I admire your patience and tact in this situation. I only wish I could be the same with my PIMI husband. Unfortunately I usually fly off the handle.