Posts by Divergent

27

I think this is an important question...

by The Rebel in

jw
friends

when i first met my wife and on that so important first date i was 21 years old and sadly broke, she was an 18 year old au pair.

any way i treated her to mcdonald's but she had to pay for the meal.

now over 20 years later and still together, i realize how lucky i was she didn't say on that first date " if you can't afford to pay "our" mcdonald's meal f...off" .

Divergent

The Rebel:

When I first met my wife and on that so important first date I was 21 years old and sadly broke

Sounds like a typical young JW pioneer... LOL

Glad you made it out & have a better life now!

26

Does anyone else squirm uncomfortably in disbelief?

by stuckinarut2 in

as we know, every month on the "official broadcasting" presentation, a new "music video" is presented.. can these possibly be any more cringe-worthy??.

the words, music, singing are so, so bad....i mean, so bad!.

surely witnesses are not so stupid that they don't harbor secret feelings of awkwardness when they see these?.

Divergent

As a music fan, I am appalled at the quality of "kingdom songs". I can relate better to "worldly" Christian music anytime!

Some samples:

Hillsong:

https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=wZ3KIXadMoY

Bethel Music:

https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=byEUIzfVLAs

20

The Governing Body - your thoughts?

by pale.emperor in

im no medical professional, but i have my own opinions of the gb members.

i'd be interested to get yours.. no jokes please, im gonna be 100% serious and would like you to be too.. anthony morris iii - narcissist, controlling, possibly psychopath.

knows full well it's all bullshit but loves the power.. stephen lett - mentally ill, fantasist, liar who genuinely believes the lies he tells.. samuel hird - deluded, likely actually believes he actually is anointed by god.

Divergent

The Searcher:

Samuel Herd - my instincts tell me he knows that the org is corrupt and self-serving and he's just going through the motions. He has a wife and family to consider, so he will bite his tongue. He doesn't appear to act as self-righteous and "glorious" as the rest of his fellow "priests" at Brooklyn. I reckon he could be mentally "out" already.

Sorry Searcher, but I strongly disagree with you. I've heard quite a number of Samuel Herd's talks and it looks like he's also deluded to the highest degree!

Here's the transcript of one of his talks. Have a read-through yourself and see his true nature. I have the audio recording too if you like

http://www.freeminds.org/psych/areready_herd2005.htm

28

Why the story of Noah's ark is scientifically impossible: Minimum Viable Population

by ILoveTTATT2 in

jw
friends

i didn't know this but there is a way to calculate the minimum population required for a certain species to survive over the next 100 to 1000 years.

this is called the "minimum viable population".. genesis states that 2 (or 7) of each "kind" went into the ark.

supposing that each "kind" means each "species", and they all could fit in the ark, and they came out safely, most of the species would have died, because it is impossible to survive, long-term, with a starting population of 2.this is interesting:"an mvp of 500 to 1,000 has often been given as an average for terrestrial vertebrates when inbreeding or genetic variability is ignored.

Divergent

How did the kangaroos go to Australia? The same way that they went to the Middle East to board the ark!

12

Today's Text - Sacrifice To God!

by Divergent in

jw
friends

sunday, august 14. if she cannot afford a sheep, she must then take two turtledoves or two young pigeons.—lev.

12:8.. according to the mosaic law, the israelites were to offer specific sacrifices.

(lev.

Divergent

Talking about principles, I always wondered what the heck is the principle of Deuteronomy 22: 28 & 29???

12

Today's Text - Sacrifice To God!

by Divergent in

jw
friends

sunday, august 14. if she cannot afford a sheep, she must then take two turtledoves or two young pigeons.—lev.

12:8.. according to the mosaic law, the israelites were to offer specific sacrifices.

(lev.

Divergent

Sunday, August 14
If she cannot afford a sheep, she must then take two turtledoves or two young pigeons.—Lev. 12:8.

According to the Mosaic Law, the Israelites were to offer specific sacrifices. (Lev. 9:1-4, 15-21) The sacrifices were to be unblemished because they pointed to Jesus’ perfect sacrifice. Moreover, with each type of offering, or sacrifice, a specific procedure was to be followed. For example, consider what was required of the mother of a newborn child. Leviticus 12:6 states: “When the days of her purification for a son or a daughter are completed, she will bring a young ram in its first year for a burnt offering and a young pigeon or a turtledove for a sin offering to the entrance of the tent of meeting, to the priest.” God’s requirements were specific, but his loving reasonableness shines radiantly in the Law, as shown in today’s text. Though poor, this worshipper was loved and appreciated just as much as the one bringing a more costly offering. w14 11/15 3:11

10 IMPORTANT points that I thought about:

1. Read the preceding verses of the text. If the child is a male, the mother would be proclaimed for 7 days. If the child is a female, she will be unclean for 14 days. Who created sexism? God did!

2. If the child dies after the sacrifice is made, the parents would suffer double loss - that of their child and the value of the offering. God does not provide refunds

3. God does not accept sacrifices of animals with defects, but allows children to be born with defects. Go figure!

4. I could never understand why God ordered the killing of animals to be offered up as sacrifices to him. Totally pointless, unloving, and utterly wasteful!

5. I never understood the need for a ransom sacrifice either. Or for the need of the tree that produced forbidden fruit in the Garden of Eden and allowing a powerful spirit creature who has existed for aeons to tempt an immature human couple in the first place!

6. Adam lost his perfect human body AND his life PERMANENTLY. Jesus sacrificed his human body BUT retained his life. If God requires a commensurate sacrifice, how could this unequal "sacrifice" be deemed equal???

7. If Jesus's sacrifice has ALREADY been made and the "ransom" PAID, why is human suffering still prolonged unnecessarily???

8. How meaningful can sacrifices be when they are COMPULSORY and FORCED???

9. "God's... loving reasonableness shines radiantly in the Law"

Can't help laughing when I read this. It sounds exactly like something from a North Korean propaganda article praising the "Dear Leader" who is in actual fact a ruthless dictator and tyrant

10. "Though poor, this worshipper was loved and appreciated just as much as the one bringing a more costly offering"

TRUE love would mean NOT burdening people to make unnecessary sacrifices which involve the killing of innocent & defenceless creatures!

63

I've had enough..

by raven in

so last night, after thinking "wow those pesky elders have finally left me alone, maybe since i skipped out on their jc invitation back on august 1st they've given up" wrong.. i go to check the mail and there's an envelope at my front door- lo and behold, another letter from from these elders.. why won't they leave me alone already?

i'll attach a picture of the letter.. again, same letter as the first one inviting me to a judicial committee on august 15th - and signed by all three elders.. should i just continue to ignore?

quite frankly i don't give a rats arse i've been enjoying life free from the mind control of the organization, and i just wish they would drop it and let me live life.. like i mentioned before, i am moving to a new home next week, the only reason these elders have my current address ( which happens to be over 100 miles away from the cong ) is because my mother gave it to them, after i gave it to her in confidence to forward me my mail.. so lets just say she won't be getting my new address... i don't have any contact with ones from this congregation (i'm an ex pioneer, so i'm sure if they've gotten word on what i'm doing, i must be satan himself!

Divergent

Raven, I was just wondering if by any chance your mother could have in her possession any evidence of you confessing your "sin", in the form of writings / text messages / e-mails / recorded phone calls?

63

I've had enough..

by raven in

so last night, after thinking "wow those pesky elders have finally left me alone, maybe since i skipped out on their jc invitation back on august 1st they've given up" wrong.. i go to check the mail and there's an envelope at my front door- lo and behold, another letter from from these elders.. why won't they leave me alone already?

i'll attach a picture of the letter.. again, same letter as the first one inviting me to a judicial committee on august 15th - and signed by all three elders.. should i just continue to ignore?

quite frankly i don't give a rats arse i've been enjoying life free from the mind control of the organization, and i just wish they would drop it and let me live life.. like i mentioned before, i am moving to a new home next week, the only reason these elders have my current address ( which happens to be over 100 miles away from the cong ) is because my mother gave it to them, after i gave it to her in confidence to forward me my mail.. so lets just say she won't be getting my new address... i don't have any contact with ones from this congregation (i'm an ex pioneer, so i'm sure if they've gotten word on what i'm doing, i must be satan himself!

Divergent

Raven:

Do you think that since their 1 witness is my mother ( apparently they claim they have 2, but the second is anonymous,- I don't buy it since I live over an hour away in a different town than where the congregation is located.. I've asked others about this on the forum and they think that the anonymous tipper was my mother, so then she claimed that they have 2 witnesses to trick me into turning myself in. ) Why do you think they're calling me in for a second JC? Since I skipped the last one I was invited to on August 1st? I assumed they would have made their decision after I didn't show on the first.. Why are they inviting me to a second? Is it because there really is no anonymous tipper? So they're trying to get me to confess on my own?

BINGO!

DOC has a point... BUT if they REALLY did have 2 witnesses, then WHY did they NOT proceed with the JC on 1st Aug as planned? Unless they DON'T, of course

16

Today's Text - Show Appreciation For Elders! LOL

by Divergent in

jw
friends

wednesday, august 10. holy spirit has appointed you overseers, to shepherd the congregation of god.—acts 20:28.. it is important that we show appreciation for god’s arrangement for shepherding his flock.

christian elders are a provision from jehovah, who always acts in our best interests.

the elders are “like a hiding place from the wind, a place of concealment from the rainstorm, like streams of water in a waterless land, like the shadow of a massive crag in a parched land.” (isa.

Divergent

Wednesday, August 10

Holy spirit has appointed you overseers, to shepherd the congregation of God.—Acts 20:28.

It is important that we show appreciation for God’s arrangement for shepherding his flock. Christian elders are a provision from Jehovah, who always acts in our best interests. The elders are “like a hiding place from the wind, a place of concealment from the rainstorm, like streams of water in a waterless land, like the shadow of a massive crag in a parched land.” (Isa. 32:1, 2) How we appreciate a shelter from a strong wind or from a chilling rainstorm! When the hot sun is beating down on us, we are grateful for the shade provided by a crag. These figures of speech help us to see that the elders provide needed spiritual help and refreshment. By obeying those taking the lead among us, we show how much we appreciate these “gifts in men” and give evidence of our love for God and for Christ, the Head of the congregation.—Eph. 4:8; 5:23; Heb. 13:17. w14 6/15 1:19

10 IMPORTANT questions that need to be considered:

1. If elders are REALLY appointed by holy spirit, then why are there so many among them who commit GROSS misdeeds?

2. If the answer for the above is "they are imperfect men", then shouldn't the holy spirit which is PERFECT guide such ones in a better way? After all, God wants what is BEST for his people, does he not?

3. If elders are REALLY appointed by holy spirit, shouldn't the holy spirit who KNOWS ALL THINGS alert the other elders IMMEDIATELY when an elder is doing wrong? How is it even possible that elders can get away with committing gross wrongdoing UNDETECTED for YEARS?

4. What EVIDENCE is there that elders are appointed by holy spirit? Hint: none

5. Elders provide "needed spiritual help and refreshment"? Then why are there so many JW's suffering from depression?

6. Elders are "gifts in men"? Tell that to abuse victims who have suffered at the hands of elders!

7. Elders are "loving shepherds"? Watch all the elders testify at the ARC proceedings and ask yourself HONESTLY whether they can be called "loving shepherds"!

8. We are told in the text to "obey those taking the lead among us." Should we BLINDLY obey those "taking the lead", like the Israelites who got killed after worshipping the golden calf made by Aaron? (who was ironically taking the lead)

9. If the shepherds DO NOT care for the sheep properly, are the sheep to be blamed if they wander off? (NO, so this is why I do not fear being destroyed by God if JW's turn out to have the truth against all odds)

10. What do shepherds ultimately DO wih the sheep which they shepherd? (see why this illustration sucks???)

63

I've had enough..

by raven in

so last night, after thinking "wow those pesky elders have finally left me alone, maybe since i skipped out on their jc invitation back on august 1st they've given up" wrong.. i go to check the mail and there's an envelope at my front door- lo and behold, another letter from from these elders.. why won't they leave me alone already?

i'll attach a picture of the letter.. again, same letter as the first one inviting me to a judicial committee on august 15th - and signed by all three elders.. should i just continue to ignore?

quite frankly i don't give a rats arse i've been enjoying life free from the mind control of the organization, and i just wish they would drop it and let me live life.. like i mentioned before, i am moving to a new home next week, the only reason these elders have my current address ( which happens to be over 100 miles away from the cong ) is because my mother gave it to them, after i gave it to her in confidence to forward me my mail.. so lets just say she won't be getting my new address... i don't have any contact with ones from this congregation (i'm an ex pioneer, so i'm sure if they've gotten word on what i'm doing, i must be satan himself!

Divergent

They can't disfellowship you if there is only one witness (your mother). That's why the first JC scheduled on Aug 1st COULDN'T proceed as planned, hence the need for a 2nd one. Unless you go and confess (which they are hoping you would do), there is nothing they can do about it