Hiya
Ya I need to re think my approach with her. You have PM.
Thank You!
BSOs on the Daniel book
by IP_SEC 36 Replies latest watchtower beliefs
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TheEdge
I think it's great what you're doing IP_SEC, Willy and doin - God gave us the ability to reason and question, the ''Society'' have taken that from us.
often these would reveal how flimsy their thinking was, or how much it had changed
Sadly, though, I don't believe the average JW will notice anything amiss - because they accept what is printed in the literature, they don't have to give it any 'thought' - it's God's Word. Any changes they MAY notice, are just perceived as 'amendment'.
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TheListener
Conducting the study while not really believing the information presented is really difficult. I conducted the daniel book and the two isaiah books on the last go round. I am so relieved that I won't have to do it again.
The line between honesty to ourselves and integrity within and not losing our family or rocking the boat too much can become very fine indeed. I want all those who are still conducting to know that I for one empathize with you.
A nearby congregation had the CO in the last two months and he said that the society thought that bookstudy attendance would go up with the know jehovah book. Since it didn't they are going to redo the Daniel book to show everyone how close the end really is. How loving of them. I really don't think they realize that by pushing a book that was so unpopular they run the risk of further attendance erosion. I only say the book was unpopular because of discussing it with other friends around the circuit at the time. Although I will say that the daniel book was more popular than the isaiah books. But a second time through? My god what is next the isaiah books again????!!!!!
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Midget-Sasquatch
IP_SEC
I feel for you and I don't doubt your motives at all. I've felt like a hyprocrite just doing alot of small parts in the TMS like talks #1 and 4 and the highlights. Even then I tried to push some small outside source on things - and later got questioned on them. But I couldn't imagine having to conduct!
Hope this tip will work for you. Sure its a little embarrasing but know how to work the systema dn the system wil work for you. Even though I was made an MS, I've never been made an elder because of my obviously mediocre (even by dub standards) effort at assignments. They gave me a part in the KM ONCE...it was so flat and boring and mechanical that I was never given one of those parts again. They mostly used me for paper work for the secretary, mags, accounts from there on in with occasional announcements and bible highlights. If you keep up the lame @$$ approach I'm pretty sure the BOE will be relieved if you tell them you want to step down.
Take care and keep sane.
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wannaexit
Meanwhile, it's true I am focusing on my family - but little do they know that instead I am focusing on trying to help my wife see the falsehoods in the organization subtley, by just asking questions
NEVER give up doing this. Keep trying and trying. My hubby did the same thing for years until I finally saw it.
Hubby also has to conduct book studies. Usually if the material is too sticky he declines and pretends he is sick.
wanna
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proplog2
If you are creative you should be able to engage the groups sense of curiosity. As a good teacher that should be your aim. If you can't nudge people into using their brains a little then you ought to step down from your responsibility.
People need to learn that the questions at the bottom of the page are not REALLY questions. They are commands masquerading as questions. They really are saying "Repeat what paragraph 6 says about the identity of the King of the North!!!"
You need to become skilled in asking two simple questions. What do you (they) mean? How do we (they) know?
And if you really want to take a few risks you can ask a question like "How would you answer someone who asked this question...
When you approach it with real questions you will get the group to actually think.
Good luck!!
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FreedomFrog
Hey IP
I was just thinking...if she "knows" how you feel and said she's not going to tell. Then it seems that she has some doubts herself. I think that this is a good thing.
My parents are still hard core JW's. They would have told on me the day they found out.
This might help...(you may already have read this)
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BluesBrother
How can you conduct a study knowing what you know?
I did that for a whle . I conducted the Watchtower too. Some started to complain that it was getting 'flat'. I am not surprised.
I felt awful. I knew I was acting as the worst kind of person, a hypocrite. I was also passing on what I knew to be untruths to those sincere people. Why? . Well, I felt that I had to allow some time to pass and prepare those around me for my withdrawal. To be straight up about it would have caused too many awkward questions as to why. Although I knew that i had to "Come Off" the teaching role , it had to be approached gradually .
Thankfully I did accomplish that and I have been contentedly "Inactive" for some years now
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AlmostAtheist
I like the idea of a conductor asking the group, "How would you respond if a householder/new student asked...", especially if put in the form of "homework" for the group. It wouldn't even need to be discussed at the next meeting, just bring it up as a field service point.
"If someone tried to compare blood transfusions to liver transplants, to side-step the 'eating of blood' issue, how would you respond?"
Maybe that's too overt, and I'm speaking out of school here, since I've never been in that position. But it's a thought.
Dave
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Sheri
I am also researching the 607BCE date and finding a lot of information from history website searches, just put in destruction of Jerusalem, as well as going to Jewishvirtuallibrary.org and look at the timeline as well as history. Since these are not "apostate" sites there is much information. However, the best information is on freeminds.org, under leftside column "Click and Go", then select Watchtower Doctrines, then select various options: Change of 606 to 607, Dates & Watchtower, Gentile Times, etc. especially read the letters under Gentile Times site. Look at afcministry.com, Jehovah's Witness section, and article on 586 or 607 BCE.
The search of WT CD under Jerusalem and 607 brings up only couple WT and basically admits everyone is saying 586/587BCE but WT only takes the bible not other sources. Ray Franz book Crisis of Conscience explains why he wrote the Aid Book on Chronology as a defense which does not support the 607 date just manipulates why everyone else is wrong.
Looks like a dog, barks like a dog, smells like a dog, wags tail like a dog, but it is a cat (per the society).
No matter how much you read you see the dates are correct( 586/587 BCE) but you are told it is 607BCE so just accept it because it is from the GB as Gods Word. Like the rest of the JW's on this site it is not easy but education is wonderful, read and reason with your mind and heart, and trust in Jehovah and keep in prayer for guidance, as it gets easier each day to accept that you do have a mind guided by God.
To the brothers worried how spouse will react, keep it open that you too love God Jehovah and are in prayer for direction and that your love is growing all the more for God and your spouse, this will keep in their minds that you love Jehovah and them as well and help overcome their fears that you dont. Keep Jehovah alive in your discussion and that you are still very interested in a relationship with God. I know we are all told to stay away from apostate literature but the two Ray Franz books are a must, there is so much love expressed and not trying to tear down JWs. Please get copies, hide them if you must, but read them, you will find you are not crazy for thinking like you are. My prayers are with you all.
Peace,
Sheri