by Finkelstein 57 Replies latest watchtower beliefs
Men feel powerful and important to represent a large company/organization that has authority.
Yep, thats what I was implying on the opening post . TTATTelder
Thedog1, tried to contravene or sugar coat that statement by calling it instead an offering of
the Christian message.
Its an element of power for men who probably would never have that statue of power on their own.
I am currently an elder and am getting to the point that I just can't stomach it anymore.
It's true about the enforcer stuff..The elders' meetings are 90% about deciphering what the "arrangement" is.
In other words "what are the rules?"...TTATTelder
At least your honest about it..
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...OUTLAW
" How can you tell if someone has been brainwashed "____Finkelstein
They can't comprehend sound reason
you know, I came on this forum as somebody who was honestly trying to sort out my own mind in relation to things I have been learning over the past few months, and questions that came up in my mind in relation to teachings I find hard to accept, like the overlapping generation. But the vitriol in the last few posts alone on this thread have really put me off. Finkelstein asserts that this is some sort of power trip. I don't know what your story is, but you cannot seem to accept that people can do something out of a good motive, even if the org they are representing is something you do not believe in. There seems to be no allowance on the part of some posters for somebody who is honestly trying to work their way through this whole situation. It descends to the level of 'you are brainwashed by a publishing company,' ' you are on a power trip' and so on. Can you give people a little credit for coming to an awareness of the fact that things they may have believed in for a long time are not what they seem? What happened to a little charity (Christian or otherwise)? The very things you decry as missing in the congregations of Witnesses, tolerance, understanding, and fellow feeling for other individuals who are trying to find their way, seems to be sorely lacking!!!
Isn't religion (spiritual divination) really about power and control though, an assertive intensional
means to empower people over others.
Long ago the ancient Hebrews had their embellished stories of their god YHWH to create power and
control for themselves, just like today with the men of the Watchtower Corporation have cultivated
their own stories for self empowerment.
I don't know if that is true or not, I always assumed that even if some people were misguided in their devotion to religion, that the motive in at least some cases was to find some meaning outside of their own personal existence, not to justify their existence necessarily, but simply a desire to see a bigger picture, not for self-promotion, but to find, if possible, a greater meaning.
It should be obvious that there are other needs that religion meets -- social, philosophical and emotional needs. It comforts us when we're afraid of the vicissitudes of life. Religion is also a useful way to promote social order. Yes, there are also individuals who like having that power over others, but I am pretty sure most men don't go into seminaries so they can one day rule a church with an iron fist.
Edit: Cross-posted, I was talking to Finkelstein.
The very things you decry as missing in the congregations of Witnesses, tolerance, understanding, and fellow feeling for other individuals who are trying to find their way, seems to be sorely lacking!!!
Actually Thedog1 since most people here were once JWS including myself, we are trying to open people's eyes and minds
to the truth about what they are involved in.
The WTS. is really a dangerous fraud that lures people into it so that these ones also become its newly exploited victims
of its own inherent corruption.
There is nothing Christian about that, its just simply the truth.
Unfortunately this can at times make people a bit snappy and coarse but the intension remains the same.
The WTS. is just another example of Americanized Charlatanism started by a lawyer who took over a publish house
owned by a previous religious charlatan, C T Russell.
People such as myself have come here to warn the general public about this organization of its potential dangers and of
its corruption as well.
I used to drink the kool-aid, but it could never shield me from the reality that is the organization. The organization is not a well-intentioned group with just a few bad apples. There are some good elders with good intentions but they are not the majority.
It's ok to think that you can make a difference. Many elders that I have known believe this but have never made a difference. The organization is a haven for immodest, deluded individuals who take Christ's simple message and turn it into a 'faith based on works' religion.
You cannot be an elder and not play by their rules. Performance and some optics will always be more important than sincere reverance.
" But the vitriol in the last few post alone has put me off "____the dog1
your initial reply could also be seen of as if to belittle Finkelstein for what he expressed
.
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" Control. ha ! "______thedog1
You seem to imply that Fink didn't know what he was talkin' about
Is that the so-called " Nice " way you shepherd the sheep ?
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