Posts by AnnOMaly

56

JWs: not creationists but believe in creation...

by TheStumbler in

i've been having a bit of an email exchange with elder dad and i need some advice.

i thought i was getting through to him but i think my criticism and tone became a bit too strident in my last email and now he thinks that i am attacking him personally.

i think he has dismissed everything i said because he perceived me as 'overally critical, and rude.. .

AnnOMaly

Suggestion for future discussions with your dad. Ask questions. Get your dad to explain himself. Questions can be less threatening. And keep a sense of humor.

E.g. something like this:

"How can it be that JWs believe in creation but they deny they are creationists?"

"Ah creationists believe God created everything in 6 24-hour days and JWs don't believe that."

"But you're describing Young Earth creationists. Are you aware other types of creationists exist? Can't JWs be classified as Old Earth creationists?"

"No. JWs are not creationists."

"I don't understand. The dictionary and encyclopedia definitions say creationism means [blah, blah]. JW beliefs fall within that description, don't they?"

"The dictionaries and encyclopedias have it wrong."

"ROFL! Really? What do you think the proper definition should be?"

[Allow response.]

"LOL. Maybe you should write in and correct them, dad. You're a hoot. Hey, let's meet up for lunch."

56

JWs: not creationists but believe in creation...

by TheStumbler in

i've been having a bit of an email exchange with elder dad and i need some advice.

i thought i was getting through to him but i think my criticism and tone became a bit too strident in my last email and now he thinks that i am attacking him personally.

i think he has dismissed everything i said because he perceived me as 'overally critical, and rude.. .

AnnOMaly

It's classic Orwellian double-think.

JWs say they abstain from blood, but they take from blood (in fractionated form);

JWs say they don't follow human leaders, but they follow the Governing Body's lead (w.10, 9/15, pp. 21, 23);

JWs say they are not creationists, but they believe the universe was created.

Your dad can't back down even on this no-brainer, trivial matter. If he admits he's wrong on this, he'll also have to admit the Org's wrong on this and he senses where that could lead. You've more than adequately made your point. Having been confronted with the glaringly obvious, once your JW insists that black is white, you've gone as far as you can for the present. It's time to smile knowingly and change the subject.

43

On A Scale of 1 to 10 How Would You Rate Your Looks?

by minimus in

jw
friends

1 is undesirable.

AnnOMaly

Depends on the lighting, the time of day, which way the wind's blowing and how many glasses of wine I've had before looking in the mirror and assessing myself, but I'd say anywhere between 3 and 11.

34

Indianapolis Assembly Hall Chorus AMAZING!

by NoMoreHustle in

jw
friends

this is what wt has been producing, this had my bottom jaw on the carpet while i was watching (like the footloose one).

and they say there different from other religions yeah right!!.

i hope this link works https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1vahglagd2i.

AnnOMaly

Now THAT was classy! And it was more appropriate for a JW place of worship (bearing in mind the past JW mindset about 'entertainment' and music in the KH, etc.).

It's sad in a way: a factor in prompting me to join a 'worldly' choir before fully leaving was the new songbook which ruined many of the older songs and where the pre-recorded piano arrangements had become so bland, so robotic. These Indianapolis guys breathe life and passion into the songs. The sad thing is, this is likely a one-off.

Blondie says she remembers the time many decades ago when the older songbooks had SATB notation to allow bringing more color and depth to the songs. But they cut that out and it has long been one of the deficiencies in JW services - taking a pride in the music, using it creatively and expressively to stir the soul, and having the songs sung well or led by a choir.

------

As an aside, there's a recent and interesting article on JW music and its development over the years:

THE JEHOVAH’S WITNESSES’ CHANGING HYMNODY
by George D. Chryssides, University of Birmingham UK
A paper presented at the CESNUR 2013

38

Paul - GB Member (W 9/15/14)

by pixel in

ok, is this a "new understanding" or what?

up until this point i thought that the borg refered paul as a co or do, but never gb member:.

p. 12 now, why would paul a spiritual giant who likely was a member of the first-century governing bodycall himself a miserable man?.

AnnOMaly

Not new.

*** w85 12/1 p. 31 Questions From Readers ***

Was the apostle Paul part of the Christian governing body?

It is reasonable to conclude that Paul was a part of the Christian governing body in the first century. ... ...

59

BBC Radio 4 reference to 607 Babylonian conquest?

by 88JM in

was listening to bbc radio 4 late sunday night, and in a programme about migration, they referenced the "babylonian conquest of jerusalem in 607 b.c.

" which caught my attention.. did they not mean 587 b.c., or did i understand it wrong?.

the link to the programme is below - sorry if you're not in the u.k. as you probably won't be able to listen to bbc programmes.

AnnOMaly

Good one, Londo!

29

THAT "Resurrection" Video

by rory-ks in

jw
friends

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aqr51qsvf2o.

AnnOMaly

It looks like I killed this thread as well the other one!

32

AN ALTERNATIVE CONVERSATION WITH A NEIGHBOR - Watchtower, October 2014

by AnnOMaly in

the contrived and unrealistic conversation that one of jehovahs witnesses imagined having with a neighbor in the october 2014 watchtower will not be reproduced here.

instead let us imagine another conversation another witness named andre (ahem, sorry) cameron has at the home of another man who is also named jon.keep searching for a suckercameron: jon, ive really enjoyed the regular discussions weve been having about the bible.

* the last time we spoke, you raised a question about gods kingdom.

AnnOMaly

LOLOL @ Ding!

29

THAT "Resurrection" Video

by rory-ks in

jw
friends

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aqr51qsvf2o.

AnnOMaly

TheOldHippie,

The IC talks - at least the ones I listened to - remained wooden, insincere-sounding and soporific - even accounting for adapting their delivery to minimize speaker system echo.

The only genuine emotions shown were in the youtubes of IC delegates partying in the KH!

On the other hand, the emotions shown in the 'resurrection' video are acted/artificial and are designed to manipulate an emotive response from the audience - subtext: 'You really miss your deceased loved ones, don't you? Look at all your tears. Stick it out with us; don't think about leaving us; and you will see your loved ones again very, very soon.' The collective emotional effect is maxed out when being among several thousands who also miss their dead relatives and friends.

Even being aware of what the game was and being on my own when I watched, the 'resurrection' video pressed all my buttons and I cried too. I was mad with them for reaching into my soul and making me relive the acute grief that time had dulled. I think it's a cynical stunt to pull, especially in an auditorium containing many similarly bereaved people.

32

AN ALTERNATIVE CONVERSATION WITH A NEIGHBOR - Watchtower, October 2014

by AnnOMaly in

the contrived and unrealistic conversation that one of jehovahs witnesses imagined having with a neighbor in the october 2014 watchtower will not be reproduced here.

instead let us imagine another conversation another witness named andre (ahem, sorry) cameron has at the home of another man who is also named jon.keep searching for a suckercameron: jon, ive really enjoyed the regular discussions weve been having about the bible.

* the last time we spoke, you raised a question about gods kingdom.

AnnOMaly

Thanks again, everyone :-)

3rdgen:

I remember using the same diversion tactics trying to turn an honest hearted Bible student into a brain dead dub. Sad to say it worked a few times. I think the cookies did the trick.

LOL. Trouble is, I don't think we knew we were doing it - the diversion tactics. One of my JW relatives I sometimes have discussions with does it often, mentally flitting here and there, and I have to keep pulling him back.

Dagney:

Seriously, can they be anymore condescending to the flock?

And can they be any more condescending to the public? It's meant for the public!

But curiously, the contents page has this:

When Did God’s Kingdom Begin Ruling? (Part 1)

If you know the answer, could you explain it to someone else from the Bible?

So is the article's focus group the public or is it JWs?