by lavendar 44 Replies latest jw friends
lavendar
your family member will be expected to know or know how to go to the literature to find out. If they were raised with a parent in then little leeway will be given in asking questions they should know the answers to.
If they are newly converted a little leeway may be given. Continuous questions may be seen as a sign of rebellion and an unwillingness to submit to the organizational structure
Out of interest how many organisation give you history lessons on joining then?
Would the catholics tell you they commited Genocide on certain races in the name of their religion, or that they once had a believe or die policy? Or they once subjected rulers to their power? Would mormons tell you the book of mormon once had racist remarks in it and they instituted polygamy so their leader could have a few women? Or will the scientologists tell you that their leader made up their religion to make money? All religions have history and thats were I find this forum is very blinkered it accepts in other religions what it condemns in Jws! the bias shows a lot, it's a magnifying glass understandable because it is a Jw forum but people should understand this predjudice when reading bait threads like this one.
Witnesses have a history well documented they haven't hidden the watchtowers you all pour over so avidly but they do make a person aware of the commitment they make towards baptism that I do not see other churches doing!
My sister brought up a witness but left young before baptism. She met her current husband who is in the church of england, she got nostalgic so 2 church visits and a baptism later inc one small talk with vicar while they handed over £500, she got her church wedding and is officially C of E, she probs won't go into a church again unless it is for christenings/funerals/ or more weddings.
Is this sort of baptism to be more admired?
This book should be required reading for anyone that has received more than two return visits.
Apocalypse Delayed: The Story of Jehovah's Witnesses
http://www.amazon.com/Apocalypse-Delayed-Story-Jehovahs-Witnesses/dp/0802079733/
Or, a simpler way of handling it would be to add the following question to the baptism questions...
"Do you agree to remain an active and obedient JW, even if you PROVE to yourself from the Bible that this is not God's organization?"
That should do it.
-LWT
RENIAA- The Jehovah's Witnesses don't tell you that Rutherford promised in their publications in the early 1920's that " millions now living will never die . " Reality check - they are all dead. And the witnesses now living will die as well. They've been lied to about future dates, ie. 1975 being " the end " and that a generation is now considered an unlimited amount of time , or 70 to 80 years - if you check your dictionary it is about 30 years to possibly 40 years. Not much. And the witnesses don't tell you that C.T. Russell claimed that if they had to " beg for funds and donations " to keep the WT magazine going they would know " God's spirit " wasn't backing them. Every fall the WT society has discussed openly at meetings how people can give the WT society their estates, life insurance policies, family wills, property , even going to the extent of saying that jewelry can be donated. I guess like Russell said - " God's spirit isn't backing them ". So their baptisms are useless- just a freaking waste of their time and their lives living for a fantasy which will never come
I was raised by Witness parents. When I was 12, my mother informed me that my protection under family merit had expired and that god would murder me unless I went to a Jehovah's Witness convention and took a bath in public
I know it's serious but man that's the funniest thing I have read in a while.
I was raised by Witness parents. When I was 12, my mother informed me that my protection under family merit had expired and that god would murder me unless I went to a Jehovah's Witness convention and took a bath in public.
Peter Gregerson once said on a television program in Vancouver, B.C. that being raised a Jehovah's Witness was like being raised in an insane asylum with retarded parents. (Jim Penton May 14, 1996)
Gary's comment was funny enough to quote twice. Is there anything that escapes your wit? GAWD, I love to read your comments!
They don't tell you about the 1975 fiasco!!
Out of interest how many organisation give you history lessons on joining then?
Reniaa, answering your arguments is like shooting fish in a barrell. To answer your question with a question; how many organizations pressure youngsters or otherwise vulnerable people to make a life changing decision such as baptism and then promptly estrange them from their family and friends when they learn the true nature and history of such organization?
There are a few things not in the Bible Teach book that ought to be there. The chapter on Jesus does not mention anything about him being Michael before he was born as a man, or after his death. That seems to be such a key doctrine. My study conductor was unhappy with me that I found that notion to be nonsensical, but if it is of any importance then why is it left out of the Bible Teach book? I felt deceived after reading that chapter. That book also mentions nothing about the governing body. There is vague mention of true worship and associating with an organization. It gives no hint that your life is micromanaged by ten or so men who do not know you and show no evidence that they care about you.
Reniaa
Out of interest how many organisation give you history lessons on joining then?
They might not give a history lesson but they wouldn't tell you NOT to read their old literature so you can find out for yourself or forbid you from reading what others have to say.
Would the catholics tell you they commited Genocide on certain races in the name of their religion, or that they once had a believe or die policy? Or they once subjected rulers to their power?
Most people know about the Crusades and that it was an atrocity. The history of the Catholic church is pretty well documented and is studied in most universities that offer a Religion program. Plus you can go to any library and discover this. No one tells you that you can't.
Would mormons tell you the book of mormon once had racist remarks in it and they instituted polygamy so their leader could have a few women?
Considered a cult so no they probably wouldn't tell you that (if that is the reason they think they held that belief).
Or will the scientologists tell you that their leader made up their religion to make money?
Also considered a cult so no they would not disclose any real motives if in fact they believed them. BTW did you know Rutherford was clear about his intent to create the world's largest publishing company? $$$ was at the bottom of that idea. Russell had no problem selling books to people - books that he changed the title of and a few words here and there and then told his colporteurs to LIE and if people asked if it was the same book tell them NO. Honest? Nope. Intent to make a person a true Christian Nope Intent to make money? You betcha
You aren't doing too well here reniaa. The two points you have scored are both on issues where most people consider the group a cult
All religions have history and that's were I find this forum is very blinkered it accepts in other religions what it condemns in Jws!
Just as JWs are biased with their very selectively positive spin this board mainly speaks to the other side. But you will find us hard pressed to be supportive of ANY religion. I can't say I have ever seen even one post here that all-out supports any religion in a "blinkered" fashion. I would suggest you read the board more carefully
the bias shows a lot, it's a magnifying glass understandable because it is a Jw forum but people should understand this predjudice when reading bait threads like this one.
My dear. YOUR bias shows far more. We aren't running around posting rumors as if they were true. There are plenty of us who quickly as for the facts.
Do we place a magnifying glass on the WTS? Absolutely. A well-needed one.
You may perceive this as a "bait" thread but it is that only to you reniaa. To others it serves as a warning for susceptible people who might get taken in with the squeaky-clean reputation the WTS puts out to hide its own atrocities (if you wonder what those are go read the Hitler thread
http://www.jehovahs-witness.net/jw/friends/174162/1/WBTS-A-MODERN-DAY-NAZI-PARTY
Witnesses have a history well documented they haven't hidden the watchtowers you all pour over so avidly
OK let's be honest here. The WTS does not want you to read the old literature. They doctor new publications that are sometimes just a few years old. WTs in the bound volumes have been altered. The WTS has published less than a hand-full of "history" books which are so slanted it isn't even funny
but they do make a person aware of the commitment they make towards baptism that I do not see other churches doing!
How on earth do you know what "other churches" are doing. Both my daughters studied for 6 months before NOT making a choice to join. No pressure on them at all. They weren't dropped like a hot potato so her "teachers" could move on to other people. They weren't warned Armageddon could come before they set themselves right with a publishing company or die.
My sister brought up a witness but left young before baptism. She met her current husband who is in the church of england, she got nostalgic so 2 church visits and a baptism later inc one small talk with vicar while they handed over £500, she got her church wedding and is officially C of E, she probs won't go into a church again unless it is for christenings/funerals/ or more weddings.
Is this sort of baptism to be more admired?
So. You have one example and this one example is supposed to represent all other churches and somehow exempt the WTS
Sorry reniaa No one here is buying this. And frankly reniaa you shouldn't either. You deserve better
