When I left the Jehovah’s Witnesses in 1985 there was nothing for those who left. No internet. Very few books, and very few opportunities to get in touch with other people in our area who had also left and would have benefited from some support. Things have changed. The internet has thousands of websites that provide emotional support and information and sometimes both. A few years ago someone had the brilliant idea to create a way where people with common interests could meet other people with similar interests. And yes there is one for ex-Jehovah’s Witnesses (exJW.meetup.com).
Nils and I arrived at Bethel in 1966, not long after Ray and Cynthia Franz. Since Cynthia and I were both assigned as housekeepers, we became friends, and it was through her that I came to know Ray. Cynthia always spoke of her husband with profound love and respect. One time when she became extremely ill and the doctors were unable to accurately diagnose her condition, Ray devoted himself to her care, researching her symptoms until he was instrumental in discovering the problem. During her lengthy illness, his love, patience, and tender care for her were obvious to all of us. A man's character is often defined by the way he treats his wife.
Shawn Michael ('Zen') Dean, a former 6-year Bethelite and now an advocate of choice for blood healthcare among Jehovah's Witnesses speaks out about AJWRB's plans for 2012: To advertise that Jehovah's Witnesses regularly transfuse blood - so what is the beef?
It seems that a lot of us still have family members in the Watchtower religion and have frequent arguments with them about some of their controversial beliefs and practices. From my own experience and what I've heard others say, when these arguments come up, they will inevitably say something like "the bible tells us we have to preach door to door" or "where is this 'proof' that Jerusalem wasn't destroyed in 607 BCE?" or "we know Jesus did not die on a cross". There's so much information out there that you don't know where to begin. If you say "let me click on the internet to show you what I've found out", the thought stoppers implanted in their brains are triggered. After all the Internet is run by Satan himself, isn't it?. And so they decline your offer. The aim of my project is to solve this problem.
There is a group of people that practice hate. This hate is not toward infidels as some religion’s practice. It is not toward sin. It is not toward Satan or in any way as evil is defined. This group of haters chooses to practice hatred toward their family. This includes mothers, fathers, children, sisters, brothers, aunts, uncles, cousins etc…
Why is it considered ok to be hateful to your own flesh and blood?
How do you respond to someone who believes all Jehovah’s Witnesses are good people, and all I want to do is tear them down? I’ve met a few people like this over the years. My answer has always been the same. When a person is just getting to know the Witnesses they will be on the receiving end of a lot of love and kindness. What they don’t know is that Witnesses are taught to make sure all new people are treated with extra kindness. The hope, of course, is that they person will join them. That is how they treat new people. It is called "love bombing" and its sole purpose is to get the person to believe how wonderful they are. And as long as they follow the rules they will be welcomed.
There are a number of religious groups claiming to be Christian that deny the celebration of holidays to their members, including Christmas, Easter, birthdays, Mother's Day, etc. This is especially the case with Jehovah's Witnesses. While there are some Witnesses who celebrate these holidays secretly for fear of being caught, most take pride in this prohibition. Parents are willing to allow their children to suffer much peer pressure and isolation, and are perfectly willing to isolate themselves from their families during holiday times, even taking the opportunity to go door-to-door during these seasons of celebration. What are the reasons given for this stand against holidays? Is it wrong to celebrate holidays?
What medical professionals need to realize is that Jehovah’s Witness blood policy is both complex and ever-changing. What is allowed or forbidden is difficult for everyone, including followers, to understand.
Currently, Jehovah’s Witnesses are not allowed to have a whole blood transfusion (or at least not one that is a whole unit’s volume), whole red blood cells, whole platelets, or whole plasma. They are not allowed to store their own blood in anticipation of surgery.
But, as of October 15, 2000, followers are allowed to choose to take whole blood transfusions of their own blood as part of “current therapy.”
Nils and I arrived at Bethel in 1966, not long after Ray and Cynthia Franz. Since Cynthia and I were both assigned as housekeepers, we became friends, and it was through her that I came to know Ray. Cynthia always spoke of her husband with profound love and respect. One time when she became extremely ill and the doctors were unable to accurately diagnose her condition, Ray devoted himself to her care, researching her symptoms until he was instrumental in discovering the problem. During her lengthy illness, his love, patience, and tender care for her were obvious to all of us. A man's character is often defined by the way he treats his wife.
It seems that a lot of us still have family members in the Watchtower religion and have frequent arguments with them about some of their controversial beliefs and practices. From my own experience and what I've heard others say, when these arguments come up, they will inevitably say something like "the bible tells us we have to preach door to door" or "where is this 'proof' that Jerusalem wasn't destroyed in 607 BCE?" or "we know Jesus did not die on a cross". There's so much information out there that you don't know where to begin. If you say "let me click on the internet to show you what I've found out", the thought stoppers implanted in their brains are triggered. After all the Internet is run by Satan himself, isn't it?. And so they decline your offer. The aim of my project is to solve this problem.
There are a number of religious groups claiming to be Christian that deny the celebration of holidays to their members, including Christmas, Easter, birthdays, Mother's Day, etc. This is especially the case with Jehovah's Witnesses. While there are some Witnesses who celebrate these holidays secretly for fear of being caught, most take pride in this prohibition. Parents are willing to allow their children to suffer much peer pressure and isolation, and are perfectly willing to isolate themselves from their families during holiday times, even taking the opportunity to go door-to-door during these seasons of celebration. What are the reasons given for this stand against holidays? Is it wrong to celebrate holidays?