the 'r' word

[evil monkey]

would like to say, i'm not asking this to start an argument, its more of an "anyone else..?" thing

question is if anyone whos been influenced by it, thought religion has been a negative thing for them

Not wanting to start a yes/no or bash anyones thoughts, but it's been a destructive force for me, i've become pretty clear in my mind about a lot of the info i've been told (christian) and made some definite conclusions about what it means and does and what i can expect from it. but could have done with these conclusions a few years back.

basically, if its been a positive for people and offered a way to feel better, thats good and i wouldnt want to affect that.

if it's been bad for people and caused the problems, (theres probably different ways it could be bad -- i know what applies to me), might feel better knowing its not just me.

if its been bad would be happy to chat about ideas (basically splurge my ideas out lol. dunno, pvt might be better). PS usernames got nothing to do with this, its a FG thing. :)

[paula lynne]

After 6 years studying with jehovah witnessess, Ive recently realised they have successfully isolated me from all my previous friends, but telling me they were "in the world (satans world)" and I was eventually and subtley encouraged to just associate with them.

I enjoyed the study however, as Im quite cerebral.

It did help me to be a better wife, and more respectful to hubby and others.
However, initially I was encouraged to read and research...now Im only supposed to read their literature.
Also the "no blood" issue has recently become a sore point. Breast milk contains luekocytes, basically white blood cells. They do breastfeed however...I questioned this and have now been labelled as trouble, and only see a few people in a month. They are also nagging nagging nagging for me to make meetings etc, and think I cant love God enough...when in reality its my agoraphobia and panic.

In the beginning it was WE LOVE YOU ANYWAY
6 years later it WE LOVE YOU IF YOU BECOME LIKE US !!

THE KINGDOM HALL - a factory where jehovahs witnessess are made...
God loves me, and I maintain my faith my way...I consider myself a Christian still...but doing it my way!!:noangel:

[evil monkey]

i can identify with that (saying some things had helped u as a person) - some of the basics are sensible (dont kill, makes sense). i did make decisions based on things i was told that affected life in a bad way later on. brainwashing does come to mind

[paula lynne]

Thanks for the PM, but I really dont mind talking about it on here...
Two weeks ago, I asked for a bible for my son, because Im supposed to "train him up"....I was basically told "the elders have decided that you need to come to meetings before things go further...."
How very dare they...blackmail!
Im still spiritaul, still pray...but with so many inconsistances in their teaching, I felt in my heart something wasnt right.
Basic bible verses bring me peace and joy...so not all bad really.
As you said....brainwashing seems to be a good word......x

[evil monkey]

not to speak for yours but possibly a bit sinister yeah maybe

had some time to think about what prayer actually is, i've got some theories on that too, based on the way things have actually happened, and they completely make sense. i don't think anyone would be able to say "no thats not what prayer is". wouldnt necessarily want to put them here because it might bash some peoples trust.

[paula lynne]

Whatever prayer means to you is right, your opinion is right..its your opinion after all. Can you elaborate? Im not about to tell you youre doing it wrong dont worry, just interested! x

[oneofus]

if its been bad would be happy to chat about ideas (basically splurge my ideas out lol. dunno, pvt might be better). PS usernames got nothing to do with this, its a FG thing. :)

Evil Monkey, I'm not gifted in writing to correct others wrongs, but I'm guessing it sounds like you've a problem with church rather than with it's "founder" Jesus Christ. Knock one on the head, but don't let go of the other. I'll let you decide which is which, but I've posted a few MP3's I hope you find helpful

https://files.me.com/nwalton/c1y591.mp3
https://files.me.com/nwalton/76hgbk.mp3
https://files.me.com/nwalton/kxhbds.mp3
https://files.me.com/nwalton/6ev4e3.mp3

They may be in reverse order.

one of us

[pauline]

I was a Jehovahs wittness for 27 years, now i am trying my best to get out of it, been easier said than done. I might have stopped going to meetings but there doctures are inbuilt in my brain. I have always maintained that i would not be this anxiety/ fear filled person if i had never been a JW. Being a JW affects your whole life and totally messes you up. I still want to be a Christian as i believe in God.

I read my bible most nights and pray daily i need to do that. I feel that like being addicted to a drug i have got to wean myself of being a JW.

[paula lynne]

Hi Pauline its SO GOOD to meet you....I found a website called surviving jehovahs witnesses...lots of stories of people who managed to escape.
I feel like you do, and Ive only been studying for 6 years...yes its so hard...like you say...the thinking becomes inbuilt. I do believe in our Creator, and have strong faith, but I realise I cant risk my eternal self by trusting 8 men in Bethel USA...Im putting my trust in God now, not man....feel free to PM me anytime if you want to talk ok. xxxx:hugs:

[evil monkey]

Evil Monkey, I'm not gifted in writing to correct others wrongs, but I'm guessing it sounds like you've a problem with church rather than with it's "founder" Jesus Christ. Knock one on the head, but don't let go of the other. I'll let you decide which is which, but I've posted a few MP3's I hope you find helpful

https://files.me.com/nwalton/c1y591.mp3
https://files.me.com/nwalton/76hgbk.mp3
https://files.me.com/nwalton/kxhbds.mp3
https://files.me.com/nwalton/6ev4e3.mp3

They may be in reverse order.

one of us

can you youtube those ? appreciate links but not going to download a few hundred meg of things I've probably already heard. don't mind having them on in the background. do you know who gives the talks ?

And i appreciate the answer but again here what i'm reading is being told what to do. I know whats being offered (it's also about acceptable failures), and i know it's impossible for someone to say "no thats not it".

As far as Jc goes, that more ties in with the 10c's. Which more or less make sense

(btw, I'm definitely not asking for anyone to convert me. But I'd welcome opinions of the conclusions I've made). I do feel that a lot of the time it's mentioned, religion is 'making the most of a bad job'

[oneofus]

Hi Evil Monkey,

Thanks for the reply I'll see what I can do about putting them out over youtube, but never having done such before I don't know if they'll be too long since each talk is around 50 minutes, though you can listen in snippets.

The talks are by Donald English at the Keswick Convention back in 1981 IIRC.

There is another short excerpt from a Keswick talk that you might like to have a look it, if you want to hear authentic christianity http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8qGHSBZph3g&feature=related.

one of us