I am an ex Jehovah's witness. AMA

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Not sure if this will be of interest to anyone! As per the title I am an ex Jehovah's witness that had been disfellowshipped from the religion. AMA

I do t think anyone suggest d tha governing body talk to god.

I did say god talks to them; that was a bit of lazy shorthand for they now claim they alone are the faithful and discreet slave through which god reveals his instruction and direction.

A group of what, ten or so middle aged or elderly men, almost entirely white, and sitting in America, are what god chooses to use to reveal what he wants the entirety of humanity to do, in convenient chunks as awkward questions arise about previously revealed revealed knowledge.

I’ll leave it to anyone who has any interest to take a quick google about their approach to child and domestic abuse ( must be two witnesses to anything) or to have a quick look at how the organisational finances work.

None of which means there are not genuine and nice people caught up in it by any means but it’s an apocalyptically fundamentalist sub denomination of Christianity which operates on creating paranoia among the vulnerable and as a result untold emotional damage.

Just because it’s good at paying tax and staying just on the right side of the law doesn’t change any of that.

In the past but I know of the son of an elder being disfellowshipped for liking punk rock.

I remember a Kingdom Hall meeting where 'boogey wonderland' was played on the crackly record player as an example of the 'music of the Devil'.

My DB was a heavy rocker and wouldn't get his hair cut. He kept being marked 'to work on' on his trainee speaker record under 'appearance'. The elders of the congregation called a meeting and told him he wouldn't pass until he got his hair cut (representative of Jehovah). He said 'Jesus had long hair'. He was disfellowshipped. My parents refused to disown him and so they were disfellowshipped. I got a free pass

You're right. It wasn't because of the parents, it was because off the attitude of the organisation as a whole.

Any any defend these practices is beyond belief.

We shouldn't have to keep repeating the awful travesties they call rules (under whatever guise) but those claiming its all ok because some people are really nice just doesn't wash.

Its gross neglect of safeguarding.

Who defends that shit?

Forced to wear gender skirts, ridicous and patriarchal. Where does god say 'women wear your skirts' oh and thry mustn't be short or you'll be cast out, or men your hair must be short, or you are evil.

Grow up!! We have all moved on,thankfully. I do feel sorey for those that haven't.

Ultimately, its patriarchal; sharing holiday decisions doesn't change that.

This, from today’s Telegraph, reminded me of you @Smotheroffive.

Listen to these words of C S Lewis, eerily apt to our present mood:
“Suppose one reads a story of filthy atrocities in the paper. Then suppose that something turns up suggesting that the story might not be quite true, or not quite so bad as it was made out. Is one’s first feeling, ‘Thank God, even they aren’t quite so bad as that,’ or is it a feeling of disappointment, and even a determination to cling to the first story for the sheer pleasure of thinking your enemies are as bad as possible? If it is the second then it is, I am afraid, the first step in a process which, if followed to the end, will make us into devils.”

Just stop your personal attacks also

I'm less than bothered about your posts now. I am certainly not interested in reading some quotes you have looked up to once again attempt to denigrate me.

Just stop. It's seems to be your entire purpose on this thread.

@Smotheroffive you don't need anyone to defend you as you are more than capable of it yourself, but I am sure I am not the only poster who thoroughly agrees with you.

From what CabbageKing says, it appears that each Kingdom Hall makes it up as they go along, doesn't it?

I thought being a JW meant this is allowed; that isn't, end of.

But apparently not! Someone else earlier said that 'the rules change' all the time to fit in with the latest Apocalypse Non-Arrival.

Still sounds like a patriarchy cult to me.

What is the nicest way possible of telling the JW at the door you aren’t interested in their religion?

I am a practising Satanist. I'd love to show you some of my books and my altar. Please come in. That will do it. Trust me.

@cabbageking I am getting lost in the sea of vitriol here, but I would take issue with your statements. There are very hard and fast rules and guidance. If some people do not adhere to the rules, they are not following JW doctrine, and if they are baptised, can be disfellowshipped or given 'guidance'. Once a person is baptised, they are expected to adhere to the rules.
Celebrating birthdays and Xmas are non negotiable.
The other points you make are correct about pay and contributions.

Children are DEFINITELY not supposed to attend collective worship.
I would say if members are bending the rules they aren't serious JWs, and I agree about the Williams sisters. I doubt very much they are baptised.
The line is that men and women are different and have different roles to play. Men make decisions , women potter about at home and keep the show on the road. That isn't equality.

@Alsohuman

I really don't understand your agenda, but you have to accept that others may have had different, far less positive experience than you have had. Respect that. Your tone is nasty and superior.

A group of what, ten or so middle aged or elderly men, almost entirely white, and sitting in America, are what god chooses to use to reveal what he wants the entirety of humanity to do, in convenient chunks as awkward questions arise about previously revealed revealed knowledge.

Yes, that's it exactly.

You become everything to all people.

In some countries to not wear a beard would be an issue.
In another the gentlemen wear clothes that might include a sarong.
Indian ladies might wear trousers. There are cultural differences.
You would always wish to respect Jehovah and wear something modest to reflect his standards. If you can see through it, down it or up it then it probable does not reflect Gods standard.
You would never ask school to alter a play or change how they worship.
Each kingdom doesn't make up their own rules, Perhaps my explanation could have been better. To what extent a bible principle is taken varies.
One person would not take dialyse and another person would. One person finds it acceptable within the principle and another does not

It is left to each persons conscience how little or how far you take that principal.

If a child is being abused you contact the police asap. No judicial review is needed to do so. The law has been broken and they answer to the law of the land.

You might sort out a minor issue around business perhaps between yourselves first perhaps, but again if it is fraud or theft rather than a misunderstanding you refer it to the Police. Some would refer it more slower than others and make more attempts to sort the problem.

So some difference in the execution of the principle.

Entertainment should be wholesome and one person might view a film another would not. There is personal choice and even with non JW some films do not appeal to everyone.

Did everyone read or watch 50 shades of grey? It just didn't appeal to everyone for whatever reason.

Hope that helps

I really don't understand your agenda, but you have to accept that others may have had different, far less positive experience than you have had. Respect that. Your tone is nasty and superior.

Throughout this thread I have said repeatedly that other people’s experience has clearly been different to mine. I absolutely respect that. No pp with direct personal experience that differs from mine has received any challenge at all from me. I completely accept that different people have different experience.

What I have no respect for is posters claiming that my different experience is invalid or somehow negates what other pp have said. Different experiences can coexist.

My agenda is to provide some perspective and nuance. We are allowed to do that, surely? As to my tone, I tend to use formal language, it’s how I roll. At no time have I been “nasty”. Not once.

@RoseQuartzGlow thanks

I’ve not only lived through this so know exactly what they are, I’ve read a fair bit about the organisation behind it (as opposed to the teachings, so fact which cannot be denied about business operations and legal interactions as opposed to belief or conscience).

Instructions have been to report allegations of child abuse to the organisation and not the authorities. There is a centrally held database of allegations which they are refusing to turn over to the police in America. There are outstanding lawsuits in several countries and an award of £275k which was made to a UK victim in 2015.

This is all a matter of public record and does not negate whether individual members are kind to others or not.

Yeh ive noticed recently in the last few years they seem to be doing the stall in the street thing much more than door knocking. They must have had a change in policy. I suspect loads are leaving the cult and dying off

i think it probably has a lot to do with safety issues for JWs and people not being in. Also more infirm members don't have to climb stairs in flats. I imagine if someone slips and breaks their leg the organisation may be liable. I have noticed though that they just stand there chatting in the street. There is absolutely no attempt to engage with the public, so I wonder how this is affecting their conversion rates.
I long for a huge scandal to break which will challenge the organisation. My mother is so smug and denigrating of other religions . She honestly thinks the JWs are perfect. I don't think in over 50 years she has ever had a questioning thought.

They are also now targeting businesses . I guess a lot of people don't answer their door , or aren't in during the week so businesses are what they would call sitting ducks.
My mother tried to convert the guests at my engagement party. That gives you a flavour of how intrusive they can be, and the desperation to convert others.

There have been scandals involving JWs. Quite a few I think.

@RoseQuartzGlow. Similarly at the funeral of my cousin who’d been murderes my mother tried To witness to my aunt in her grief. My aunt knew full well what they think as her mum was a JW. Thankfully one of my cousins went out and I’m got my uncle and he made her stop. She probably thought she was being caring or maybe not, but it was so manipulative and gave us all an awful feeling .

Re the abuse. It happens everywhere. Another of my cousins was groomed in her congregation and tried to kill herself several times after it came out. I asked her mum why they didn’t go to the police and she said she didn’t want to go through a trial etc... so this pervert is still out there able to carry on in the same vein. Cousin is now fully immersed into the religion again and raising her kids in it. I was gobsmacked to be honest

instructions given out at all meetings in great detail, was to inform the police. I think previously that processes where not in place to protect the vulnerable. This has changed.

If on the trolley you don't approach anyone. They must come to you if they are interested. Business territory has been in place for many years and you continue to visit homes at least yearly.

If you don't want them to call just let them know and they can block any future visits for a year. They will call again in a year to check you have not moved and everything is the same.

Numbers are rising but you are correct I don't believe they keep track of those leaving? I am not sure of this. But there is a count on the memorial day which includes visitors.

I believe there are scandals in all religions. Sadly these people taint it for all.

Your mother was out of order trying to witness to someone in grief.

These are her actions and not one that is promoted sorry.

If anyone would like to see the advice given re domestic abuse in DECEMBER 2018 here’s a link

www.jw.org/en/library/magazines/watchtower-study-december-2018/honor-what-god-has-yoked-together/

Paragraphs 11,17 and 18 if you don’t have time to read the full thing. That’s their own website and study publication.

There’s a 6 year investigation by the charity commission in England still under way re the child abuse .

I cannot stand apologists, sorry the rest of you.

My daughter had a friend who died in. A tragic climbing accident. My mother got her sister in law to write to my daughter to tell her that her friend would be seen again in the New System. Not it’s sure how as the friend was not a JW. My daughter doesn’t know the sister in law. Crass isn’t the word.
@HerRoyalNotness that is awful!