#disfellowshipping

[changingpathsresources]

State funding removed from Norwegian JWs

In Norway, subject to rules about not being coercive or oppressive, all religious groups can apply for state funding. Due to the JWs’ practice of disfellowshipping and shunning people who leave, including children, the Norwegian government has removed their funding. Friendly Atheist: Norwegian court upholds ban on state funding of Jehovah’s Witnesses

[in-sightpublishing]

Concluding Thoughts

Publisher: In-Sight Publishing Publisher Founding: March 1, 2014 Web Domain: http://www.in-sightpublishing.com Location: Fort Langley, Township of Langley, British Columbia, Canada Journal: In-Sight: Independent Interview-Based Journal Journal Founding: August 2, 2012 Frequency: Three (3) Times Per Year Review Status: Non-Peer-Reviewed Access: Electronic/Digital & Open Access Fees: None…

[cleverclovers]

My older brother only ever used a straight razor to shave, because it got the cleanest shave with the least complications, and brothers in the Jehovah's Witnesses were, at the time, required to be clean shaven.

When he started having his mental health crisis, he stopped shaving, to prevent himself from making what he believed was a selfish decision. It led to him being ostracized at the Kingdom Hall of Jehovah's Witnesses, because the dress code is strict, and mental health isn't considered an excuse.

He took his life in October after more than three years of struggling with his mental health, with not just 'no support' from his religion, but active condemnation. He left behind a wife, two sons, a mother, a sister, three brothers, and a cousin. His birthday was December 15th, he would have been 44.

On that day the Governing Body of Jehovah's Witnesses announced a dress code change. Beards were now allowed. To show it, a member of the Governing Body announced it, personally, on video, to be shown on the weekly broadcast. They said "there is no scriptural evidence that supports the previous ban on beards". The ban was made to set Witnesses apart from the "world", in a time where facial hair was becoming so popular it was the norm

This was not a change made from compassion, rather, a change made arbitrarily, because the elders were tired of shaving, I'm sure. I doubt the GB even knows who my brother was, or how many Kingdom Halls he helped build, that he installed the HVAC systems, and helped with welding and wiring. I have doubt they'd even care. Announcing it on his birthday was a coincidence, plain and simple. There is still no support available for Witnesses struggling with their mental health, or any other life struggle they may be facing. That doesn't stop the people in my family who are still among the witnesses seeing this as compassion for my brother. I can't convince them otherwise.

This dress code change was reiterated at the yearly Kingdom Hall convention this past weekend.

The Jehovah's Witnesses are a cult, not a religion. They have no compassion for their members, and allow the mistreatment of those suffering mental health issues, including children. Avoid them at all costs, and if you have family among them and you're trying to get them to see reason? Good luck to you.

[theres-whump-in-that-nebula]

I am fuming

[batemanofficial]

im afraid my grandma is gonna make me go to church on sunday (it's her birthday) so im debating smuggling in a bottle of strawberry sundae syrup and excusing myself to the bathroom during communion so i can stage a stigmata incident and burst in screaming through the doors waving my "bloody" hands around

[sluttish-armchair]

If I had a quarter for every time a PIMO Bethelite on the exJW subreddit said living in Bethel was like 1984, I’d be roughly ten dollars richer.

[deeisace]

Alright. Train home.

I've run out of tags so I best shut up before I cry (again)

[p1nkparader]

I die a little inside whenever I post from my side blog something I meant to say on main!! Specially cuz the logistics and lore of the blog has yet to be decided. Anyway if you wanna see stuff from someone pretending to be abed nadir + the occasional time i post on the wrong account! Go head over to @inspectorabed

[phinnneganawake]

This clip from Doctor Who played a big part in my life, I feel

I was always The Weird Kid. Maybe one too many head injuries (I had a penchant for bouncing my face off of things) or maybe growing up in a cult, maybe genes, idk. I was weird. I didn't fit in anywhere and I still kinda don't

But I am, despite my mum's best efforts and thanks to my dad's genetics, autistic and I fixate on the number 4. I have since I was a small child. I like things to be in multiples of 4. I don't know why. But my entire life, inside my head, constantly counting, 1234, 1234, 1234

And then add in the niche trauma of growing up in a cult. For years, for most of my life, it was normal. I was just The Weird Kid. That was my role. It was just me and everyone else was so very normal

But the years went on. And the trauma got worse. And the autism went untreated. And it started to hurt. It hurt so bad. But it wasn't real. Nothing but a symptom of my own insanity. Nothing I couldn't cover up and smile through

Until it wasn't. It hurt too much. It was destroying me

And then I met someone. Someone who is now a very good friend. One of my best friends. She was the first person I told the whole story to. And she listened. Like actually listened

She heard it. And at first, she looked at me the same way the Doctor looks at the Master. But I could only react the way the Master does. Whatever it may be bringing, it's real! It's real! It's not just me.

Bear in mind TEOT aired in 2010 (I was 13) and I met this friend in maybe 2018? (I was like 21). I watched it a lot (yay for vhs taping off the telly) but not enough for it to live rent free in my head the way other episodes I've watched far less have (see Turn Left, that one holds and lot of real estate and I've watched it maybe 3x). I didn't even really think about that episode until like last year after like 2015 (and even before that I was more in other things)

My point being, that episode, that 2 or 3 minutes, really encapsulated what it's like to feel validated. Even though it's horrible news for everyone in the Doctor Who universe, it's literally the end of time itself, it's the worst thing the Doctor could have found....

An incredibly traumatised man finds his incredibly (differently) traumatised peer and is validated. A man who had spent his whole life thinking he was insane has been proved sane, it was never his fault, he was always just a pawn in a greater game, the pain was caused by someone else

And I had that moment. She could hear it. It wasn't just inside my head. It was real. The beat of 4 that has punctuated every second of my life has counted my pain and my healing. And the relief. It's real. It's not just my own insanity. It's real

Just listen. Really listen. It's always there

[nectarink]

Ex Jehovahs Witnesses you will make it through this. I’m 10 years out and the holidays are still very emotional for me but it is so much better to live authentically than anything else. Do whatever you need to to feel some joy and contentment and comfort in your heart. The first holidays I spent alone I got my favorite foods, wore my comfiest outfit, and watched my favorite movies. Give yourself a hug(literally). There is so much more love and life ahead of you.

[boarself]

My mom is so POMI it hurts

[conschintz]

If your family left watchtower would you forgive/speak to them?

honestly, i don't know? right now, with the exception of my little brother, it's a hard no. if i got disfellowshipped for the reason i think i got disfellowshipped, and my dad became an elder for the reason i think he became an elder, then definitely not. but if that's just conclusions i've just jumped to, then i think i'd eventually be willing to speak to them at the very least. it'd never go back to how it was, of course, but i think that's for the best

[neil-gaiman]

Good Omens question. Was the whole thing with Heaven inspired by Jehovah's Witnesses? I kind of think as Crowley as being disfellowshipped, an "apostate"

I think everyone can find an analogy in their past or their world.

[theres-whump-in-that-nebula]

Live footage of me reading Part 6, Chapter 7:

[dannydehek]

Ex-Jehovah's Witnesses "Kim & Mikey" - The Dangerous Deception of Religious Cults and Ponzi Schemes

I had the privilege of interviewing two of the most respected EX Jehovah's Witnesses on the Internet, Kim and Mike. I needed some content so I used a new service called OpenAI and wrote this blog asking it for a parallel between Ponzi schemes and religious cults. This is going to be used as my show notes. If you're not used to using AI, would you believe it wrote this content in three minutes. It may not be 100% factual and it does repeat itself however, if you're Dyslexic like me it's a godsend. Religious cults and Ponzi schemes are both forms of manipulation and exploitation that can cause significant harm to those involved. Both rely on persuasion, deception, and manipulation to recruit and retain members or victims, and both may use tactics such as secrecy, isolation, propaganda, and financial incentives to maintain control. Both may also use charismatic leaders to gain followers or victims, and both may exploit the trust and loyalty of those involved for personal gain. Both may cause significant harm to members or victims, including financial ruin and emotional trauma. It is important to be aware of the warning signs of these types of groups or schemes and to protect oneself from becoming a victim. There are several parallels between religious cults and people who run Ponzi schemes: Both rely on persuasion and manipulation to recruit and retain members/victims. Both often use charismatic leaders to gain followers/victims. Both may use secrecy and isolation to control members/victims and prevent them from leaving or speaking out. Both may use propaganda and misinformation to maintain the loyalty of members/victims. Both may use financial incentives to recruit and retain members/victims. Both may use threats and intimidation to silence dissent and maintain control. Both may prey on vulnerable individuals, such as those who are financially or emotionally distressed. Both may use a sense of community or belonging to keep members/victims committed. Both may exploit the trust and loyalty of members/victims for personal gain. Both may cause significant harm to members/victims, including financial ruin and emotional trauma. Both may use the guise of a legitimate organisation or cause to mask their true intentions. Both may use techniques such as hypnosis or brainwashing to control members/victims. Both may use group pressure and peer influence to coerce members/victims into compliance. Both may use rewards and punishments to control behaviour and maintain loyalty. Both may use emotional appeals and appeals to higher ideals to justify their actions. Both may use the promise of a better future or a utopian vision to attract and retain members/victims. Both may use fear and anxiety to control and manipulate members/victims. Both may use legal and financial tactics to intimidate and silence dissent. Both may use deceptive and manipulative language to mislead and deceive members/victims. Both may engage in unethical and illegal activities to further their goals and protect their interests. There are several modern day cults that have gained significant attention in recent years, including the Jehovah's Witnesses. Jehovah's Witnesses are a religious group known for their strict adherence to the teachings of the Bible and their aggressive evangelising efforts. While they are considered a mainstream religion by some, others have criticised their practices as being cult-like and abusive. Some of the controversial practices of the Jehovah's Witnesses include: Shunning: Members who leave the organisation or who are deemed to have committed serious sins may be ostracised and shunned by other members of the group. This can cause significant emotional harm and isolation for those who are shunned. Control of information: Jehovah's Witnesses are encouraged to only read literature published by the organisation and to avoid outside sources of information. This can create a closed-off and isolated environment within the group. Expectations of members: Jehovah's Witnesses are expected to devote significant amounts of time and resources to evangelising and spreading their beliefs. This can be financially and emotionally taxing for members and can cause conflict with non-member family and friends. Disciplinary practices: Members who are deemed to have violated the group's rules may be subjected to disciplinary measures, including disfellowshipping, which is similar to excommunication. Overall, while the Jehovah's Witnesses may not meet all the criteria for a cult, their practices have been criticised for being overly controlling and abusive to members. It is important for individuals to be aware of the potential risks and challenges associated with joining any organisation, including religious groups. In conclusion, religious cults and Ponzi schemes are both forms of manipulation and exploitation that can cause significant harm to those involved. Both rely on persuasion, deception, and manipulation to recruit and retain members or victims, and both may use tactics such as secrecy, isolation, propaganda, and financial incentives to maintain control. Both may also use charismatic leaders to gain followers or victims, and both may exploit the trust and loyalty of those involved for personal gain. Both may cause significant harm to members or victims, including financial ruin and emotional trauma. There are many parallels between the two, including: Relying on persuasion and manipulation to recruit and retain members/victims Using charismatic leaders to gain followers/victims Using secrecy and isolation to control members/victims Using propaganda and misinformation to maintain loyalty Using financial incentives to recruit and retain members/victims Using threats and intimidation to silence dissent and maintain control Preying on vulnerable individuals Using a sense of community or belonging to keep members/victims committed Exploiting the trust and loyalty of members/victims for personal gain Causing significant harm to members/victims, including financial ruin and emotional trauma It is important to be aware of the warning signs of these types of groups or schemes and to protect oneself from becoming a victim. P.S. If you like this article, please click “like” or provide comment, as that will motivate me to publish more. Share and inspire. Thank you.  Read the full article

[sluttish-armchair]

So I got a shitload of work done on the corridor scene. I’m still not onto the next part of it; but I am closer.