JWN, 23 years posting Blondie (page 5)

MeanMrMustard

When Ray Franz left the WT, he was deeply religious. All of the former WT members of that time considered themselves Christians, 'in search of Christian Freedom'.

I don't mind the religious topics, just like I don't mind the political. You choose what you want to read.

It definitely is a drag if someone is just posting long cut/paste fragments from articles. Or just pages of links to article after article, video after video. But that's not a function of the topic - that's a general behavior. I've seen those threads where it turns into more of a spamming than an interaction.

LeeMerk

I don't believe this forum should be used to promote beliefs either. Meaning specific christian beliefs, buddhist, hindu or any other philosophy humanist, atheist or otherwise. We should share information and share where we are at this point in time as part of our journey out but not in a promoting way.

However, too often on this forum people are simply disrespectful and have an agenda as to why they are posting. The only agenda here should be support to those leaving to find their own way, sharing the history of Jehovahs Witnesses and updates on current Jehovahs witness activity/beliefs.

StephaneLaliberte

Some of the posts are soo long that I sometimes find myself using chat gpt to resume the text.

peacefulpete

Leaving a cult includes learning other opinions and how they have been arrived at. Learning to learn. Honestly, I pity someone attempting to start over. The internet is a wonderful repository of religious information, most of which is objectively wrong, but don't think it is our role to screen out the noise. That starts to sound like censorship. I feel our role is to assist sorting it out by encouraging critical thinking.

I'm sure many have the view that my critical research is offensive, even harmful. So far no one has asked me to leave but I can imagine it has been considered. I have valued the input of others with contrary views, it has pulled me back from the fringe a few times. lol.

Discussion boards are different than other formats like Reddit. There is supposed to be an exchange, and reasoning and that means sometimes topics get mired down. That's not a problem, it's a reflection of how scholarship works. If a topic reaches an impasse, that suggests a new approach is necessary.

The bottom line is always, civility.

ps. I'll also add that mental health must be a factor. Someone with the opinion that angels/demons exist is one thing but someone who talks to them is another.

Simon

For those who get confused with the idea that we want to be welcoming and tolerant while also occasionally booting people ...

This is intended to be a discussion forum. It's to share ideas, opinions, debate, cajole, support, all the things that give us different insights into the world and the people we share it with.

But that doesn't mean that we will tolerate and welcome people who just see it as a free dumping ground for their copy-paste preaching, who just want back-links to their videos, and free hosting for their delusions, for people who don't want to hear any other opinion, who don't want to listen or engage in any discussion but just want to talk. Especially when what they want to say is the same meaningless and endless drivel and bible-quotes regurgitated over and over.

The inevitable characteristic is also that they are unable to self-regulate. Shared your opinion on a subject? Great ... still have topics or posts available that day? Share it again, and again, and again ... (seems to be how their brains function)

If that's you, know that we hate you and so does Jesus and his dad ;)

For those who can't grasp nuance, it doesn't mean that people can't discuss religion, belief, the bible, or whatever else - as long as it's a discussion, and not a sermon or recruitment drive.

TonusOH

Simon: If that's you, know that we hate you and so does Jesus and his dad

Damn. Even Joseph hates those people!

Ron.W.

Being honest, I now feel quite bad about how preachy I was on the ministry as a regular pioneer etc.

Without invitation I used every trick in the book to dismantle innocent householders religious beliefs.

I now feel really, really bad about that -

I also cannot take any overbearing preachy sermons here, or anywhere.

The bible is words written on a page - it may or may not be true - I don't know - more words can't convince me.

So, in conclusion, I feel really guilty for haranguing people on their doorstep, businesses, street work, shop work.

I am trying to work on being more tolerant of people of all beliefs. But, I am very weary of entering any overly serious debate with anyone about religion, politics and possibly even football!

Drearyweather3 days ago

FreetheMasons (previous username - EasyPrompt)

thank you for that--i was racking my brain cell to remember her previous username.

JWN, 23 years posting Blondie