I'm finally FREE!

[Anime Nerd]

So this last Thursday, I had a talk that I was supposed to give. It was just a reading, but I told my mom that I wasn't going to the meeting. I told her that I wasn't going to call the Elder in charge of the school, to let him know I wasn't giving the talk. She thought this was horrible of me. I told her I didn't owe this religion anything. She went to the meeting by herself. I feel a great deal of satisfaction, burning the Dubs, on my way out!

When she came back from the meeting, I dropped the final bombshell, and told her that I will never go to another meeting again. My mom started crying. The kind of crying where you'd think that I had told her I had terminal cancer or something. I really felt like a piece of sh*t. But I held my ground. I told her that I felt bad for her, but that I had to live my life. That I couldn't stay in a religion that I knew was wrong, just to make her happy. My mom said she was all alone now. I repeatedly hugged her and told her that I love her. I told her that I was the same person that I was before and that I'm happier than I've ever been in my life. After a long time, I finally got her to stop crying. I promised to help her on her errands the next day and take her out to lunch. This really brightened her up. I did what I said the next day and took her out to a pretty nice restaurant. She seems much better now. She still thinks I'm making a mistake, though.

Sunday, most of my family came over for dinner; like they usually do. I had an epic debate with my older brother, Saul. Saul is full of himself. He really thinks highly of his own intelligence. Saul also thinks that the rules for JWs are different than what they actually are. Saul likes to go on websites and debate with other people about the JWs. In my next post, I'll present my brother Saul's lame reasonings.

[Anime Nerd]

I showed Saul a printout from the United Nations, showing that they were an NGO for 9 years. Saul said he already knew about that. He said that it was done just to access the UN Library. And that the UN changed their rules, and once they changed their rules, the Governing Body left as an NGO. I told him that they had to RENEW their membership each year, and that there was no way they could have been unaware of the fact that they're being a member meant they were part of the Wild Beast. After debating the point back and forth for awhile, Saul simply said that the Society is made up of imperfect men who make mistakes. He would use this response over and over every time I would point out a major flaw. I showed him, from the Watchtower and Awake Bound Volumes, how the Governing Body created a false hope for 1975, that Armageddon would start then. He split hairs, and said that the Society didn't come right out a specifically say that Armageddon would start then. But I got his to eventually agree that the Society started the fire, put gasoline on the fire, and then didn't mention it until 5 years later. But once again, they're imperfect.

He also knew about 1799, 1874, 1878, 1914, 1918, 1919, 1920, and 1925. None of this fazed him. The Light gets brighter. So I showed him how the light can also flicker on and off. I brought up how the society taught that the "Superior Authorities" were world governments. Then they taught that they were Jesus and Jehovah. Then they taught that they were the world governments. He already knew about this. They are imperfect. (I'm thinking in my head, "Are you f*cking kiddding me?!") I said that the GB (Governing Body) were false prophets and told lies that mislead millions of people. That God would only let them be imperfect in their personal lives, not in what they preached in his name. He said that 1975 was a good thing, because it weeded out the ones who were, "spiritually weak." I laughed right in his face. I told him that the ones who left in 1975, left because they saw the JWs for what they really were: A CULT!

The word cult didn't faze him. I showed him the book, Combating Cult Mind Control. He had already read it to show someone on the internet, that their religion was a cult. He explained away all the ways that JWs were similar to a cult, as being necessary to protect God's people from contamination.

I'll continue the rest in a 3rd post later. But feel free to comment now.

[Anime Nerd]

I showed Saul a printout showing the changes in the definition of the word "Generation." The light gets brighter. I told him that they HAD to change the definition because too many people of that generation had died of old age, and it was becoming less and less believable that we're living in the last days. He felt strongly that we're living in the last days. He mentioned earth quakes. I told him that our ABILITY to DETECT earthquakes had increased, and that people were living in denser population centers, and thus more affected by them. He asserted in a smug, know it all kind of way, that the earth's axis had been fundamentally shifted. He then mentioned this F*cking retarded peak oil website:http://www.lifeaftertheoilcrash.net/ He tells me that I should read up on it and that I need to "educate" myself on this. He then tells me how some gases or bacteria are going to kill all life on this planet in a matter of decades. He believes that the world is ending, one way or another. That if God doesn't step in soon, all life will end on Earth. I ask him if this is all true, and so scientifically sound information, why isn't it on the news? He gets that stupid smug look again and says that's a very good question. I tell him these are conspiracy theories. He says its because the news wouldn't know how to spin this information and that their advertisers wouldn't want them to run these stories. I told him that the GB has programed him to live in fear. That he already thinks he knows the final outcome, and thus only believes in data that supports that final outcome. I also told him that if the stuff on the peak oil site or this crap about gases or bacteria killing us were true, the news stations would love to run it. That the fear would garner huge ratings.

I showed him the book Crisis of Conscience. He said that Ray Franz was bitter and probably made up most of the stuff in the book. I told him that if he read it, he would see that Ray's tone was not bitter at all. Saul said that people can disguise their bitterness, by saying the right words in a book. I did get him to borrow the book; and he said he'd read it. I showed him the book, Captives of a Concept. And I told him how it doesn't matter what the JWs believe now, only what they believed and had been teaching up till 1919, when Jesus supposedly appointed them as the faithful and discreet slave. I told him that in 1919, Jesus wouldn't have judged the JWs based on what they would believe in 2010. I pointed out all the wrong beliefs that the dubs had in 1919. Saul said that the Apostles made mistakes too. I said that the apostles weren't a Governing Body. He read the stupid scripture about the apostle Paul going to the older men and then telling the other congregations that circumcision isn't required. I told him that it was the Jews who were trying to enforce circumcision, were the ones trying to be a governing body. And that Paul and the older men stopped those Jews from acting as a Governing Body. Saul didn't like my idea, still thinks that this one f*cking scripture gives the Governing Body all the authority it needs to control every aspect of his life. He then read me a scripture about how the older men told Paul to do something and how it upset the congregation and almost got Paul killed. This, according to Saul, was proof that God's Governing Body, back then, made mistakes, even though they had God's holy spirit. I wish I could remember what the stupid scripture was where Paul almost got killed because of the older men. (In my head I was super frustrated. I was thinking how I would like to go back in time and punch the apostle Paul in the face.) I thought I had done my homework. I thought I was prepared. Apparently not enough to defeat all of my brother Saul's points.

Continued in another post. (This was truly an epic battle.)

[Anime Nerd]

I brought up the blood issue. I told him how the Orthodox Jews won't eat meat with dairy products because of the scripture saying not to eat a calf that was boiled in it's mother's milk. I told him how this scripture actually refers to not following a pagan practice of the time. And that the command on not drinking blood was also to avoid pagan practices, not blood transfusions. He said that blood symbolized Christ's shed blood. And that it was worth dying for that symbol. I asked him what he would do if his 8 year old son was in a car accident and had lost so much blood, that he needed a blood transfusion to survive. He dodged the question by saying that there is no way to know that his son would die without a blood transfusion. He then said that he didn't know anyone in our hall that had died because they didn't have a transfusion. I told him that just because he didn't know someone, didn't mean that it didn't happen. I mentioned that many people died before the blood expanders and blood alternative were allowed. He responded that that's what the Apostate sites would like you to believe.

I then brought up how the society doesn't allow it's member's to believe anything differently than what they tell them to believe. Saul disagreed. He said that he could believe something different, as long as he didn't actively preach it to others on the stage. (I should point out here, that, a couple of years ago, my brother wrote, and published a book, that contradicts what the society teaches on a sort of minor belief. I won't mention what that belief is though, because it would make it too easy to figure out who my brother is. If you want to know what the belief is and what the title of the book is, feel free to PM me.) I brought out that his book directly contradicts what the society teaches. He said that it's OK because he doesn't talk about his belief on stage and has only mentioned the book's existence to family members. I told Saul that if the Elders knew about his book they would have a shepherding call with him. I told him that they would force him to recant the belief that he stats in his book. He said he wouldn't recant his belief. I told him that he would then be disfellowshiped. He was certain that that would never happen because the society will eventually change their viewpoint to match his. I told him that all it would take, is for me to mail his book to the Governing Body, with a letter in the form of a Questions from the Readers, in which I would ask if it's ok to publish a book that disagrees with the society on such and such belief. (If I really wanted to be malicious, I could say that i was "stumbled" by Saul's book.) Saul said that nothing would happen if I did that.

We'll see about that. I'm going to give Saul some time to read Crisis of Conscience, but if that doesn't create any new cracks in his brainwashed thinking, then I'll force the issue, and mail his book to the Governing Body.

Although I'm not too optimistic about Saul waking up; I think I had far better success planting seeds of doubt in the minds of my other family members. My other brother (let's call him Job), who's an adult, eavesdropped on the whole conversation. Job made a few attempts to refute what I was saying, but his efforts seemed half hearted. My 2 nephews, ages 8 and 6, eavesdropped on the conversation also. Muwahahahah!

On the other side of the coin, was my sister; lets call her Kim. Kim arrived late to dinner, and missed the first half of the debate, but participated a little in the second half. when I showed her the book, Crisis of Conscience, she said, "Where did you get this GARBAGE?!!!" I proudly told her that I bought it off the internet. She looked disgusted. Her 19 year old son (my nephew), who I'll call Ramon, was standing behind her. (Ramon still lives at home, but has been missing meetings due to his job. ) I said, "Hey Ramon, check out this cool book." Kim snatched the book from my hand as I way attempting to hand it to Ramon. I told Ramon, "Your mom will make your reading decisions for you. I guess you're not an adult after all."

I should also point out that my brother Kyle was with me, helping me debate Saul. It was an epic tag team battle. I really should have recorded the whole thing. Kyle really had my back. I can't thank him enough.

I can't describe how great it feels to know that I'll never have to go to another meeting again. I'm finally free. And no family members are shunning me. God (Who may or may not exist), I'm glad I never got baptized! Now I just need to work on my family members. I don't think I'll bring up the subject with them, but if they bring it up, I'll be ready. I probably forgot some points that I debated with Saul. If I remember them, I'll be sure to post them here.

[Anime Nerd]

Just remembered something else I had discussed with my brother Saul, in our debate. I had mentioned to him how there was no archeological evidence to support the date 607 BCE, for Jerusalem's destruction. (607 BCE is a key date, used to justify 1914 as the date Jesus returned, invisibly. ) Saul said he knew about all the Cuneiform tablets that have been discovered, pointing towards the date 587 BCE. He said that those Cuneiform tablets don't say the year 587 BCE; they would say something like, "Jerusalem was destroyed in the blank year of the rule of King So and So." Saul said that there must be an error with the progression of kings. He said that the Bible says that the date is 607 BCE and that every time the Bible and archeology contradict, the archeology will eventually vindicate the Bible's version of events, years later. I don't think my brother should hold his breath waiting for this to happen. It's such a stupid attitude. I mean, he's basically saying, "When reality contradicts the Bible, I"ll just wait for reality to sort it self out."

[Ebed_Abodah]

Sounds awesome. Good job. I can guarantee you that those things he knows and has "refuted" are driving him crazy. I know that when I knew all those things that you mentioned (and I knew them for about two years before I left) and "refuted" them, they still drove me nuts. Don't worry, you probably affected him more then you know.

[Apostapler]

Holy cow you did so well! That is fantastic. At the very least, the cognitive dissonance you've caused within him will stay with him. I wouldn't be surprised if he started questioning things more on his own. But even if not, you've stood up for yourself and broken free! Congratulations!

[alanv]

I'm really impressed the way you handled yourself in this. Your brother 'Saul seems very knowledgable about the org. which is good as you gave him so much to think about things for him to think about.
Most witnesses haven't a clue about a lot of the things you mentioned.
It's great if he reads CoC as it is very, very hard not to see the hypocrisy and double standards of the society after reading the book
Keep us all imformed of any progress. But well done to you for taking a stand for the truth about the untruth.

[pixiesticks]

An epic battle indeed! Well done you for being so brave about telling your mother and so kind to her afterwards. Also for holding your ground so well against someone that was clearly pretty well informed on many subjects. You really did your research well! But your brother's response is typical of most reasonably intelligent Witnesses unfortunately. They have an answer for everything and no matter how ridiculous that answer is, they stick with it! I think someone described debating with a Witness like trying to keep hold of a greased-up toad! Every time you think you've got a grip, they wriggle away!

In my head I was super frustrated. I was thinking how I would like to go back in time and punch the apostle Paul in the face.

I had to lol at this! I've thought the exact same thing sooo many times!

[leavingwt]

Your brother's mind is closed. As such, facts will bounce right off of him. However, if he decides to open his mind, he has more than enough ammo to slay the cult lies.

Good job.