berrygerry

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Posts by berrygerry

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  28

  Disfellowshipping and reinstatement

  by Lynnie in

  1. watchtower
  2. beliefs

  so i was visiting my older cousin who has been out of the jw's for many years but is still favorable.

  to the whole nonsense and seems to be on the fence still after 35 years and she asked me "have you ever.

  thought about going back?

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  berrygerry

  Re: Oubliette's comments.

  It seems like a religious group that self-flagelates.

  If the group feels that you're not flagelating yourself enough, then the group needs to start flagelating you instead.
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  22

  My logic and emotions are in a turmoil. Need specific help please

  by stuckinarut2 in

  1. jw
  2. experiences

  i am still in, and as my name says "stuckinarut"...now i know it is not the truth, i know it for a fact...but im so messed up with a wash of hundreds of thoughts that i cant seem to get my head in order.. i thought i had my head clear and my 'sh1t together' so to speak....but ..... im sure you know what i mean?

  when there are so many reasons and facts proving ttatt, but if asked to make a list in bullet points now, i would get so overwhelmed....i just dont know where to start.

  i feel like i would be like a balloon let go flying around the room in all directions trying to 'spew' out the facts!.

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  berrygerry

  I am not an artist and have a hard time drawing a straight line with a ruler. However, I can distinguish a work of art from otherwise.

  Likewise, I still do not know everything spiritually the way I would like. However, I can distinguish a lie from truth. The Bible says God CANNOT lie. I therefore find it absurd that He would then turn around and encourage HIS earthly organization to lie, lie, lie.
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  14

  Return to the Kingdom Hall!

  by One Last Kiss in

  1. jw
  2. experiences

  i recently did just that and had an unexpectedly uplifting experience.

  whilst on vacay i was informed by my jw friend (only dimly aware of my faded status) that wed be visiting the local kh .

  so there i was, far from home, not been to a kh in over a year and heading to the sunday meeting.

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  berrygerry

  Justvisiting - it seemed this set of witnesses is at the stage where just using a tablet gains them spiritual brownie points, once someone figures out the highlighting trick they'll have to step it up!

  Someone should create an app that auto-highlights for you.
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  37

  What words has the WT redefined?

  by Splash in

  1. watchtower
  2. beliefs

  these days, virtually every public talk speaker thinks it's interesting and intellectual to include a dictionary definition of some word.

  often the word is in common use and needs no explanation, such as 'exercise', or 'knowledge', or whatever.. now contrast that to all of the words that the wt has it's own meaning for, and referencing a dictionary for the common understanding of it would be viewed unfavourably.. words like 'generation' or 'men' (as in jesus is mediator between god and 'men' - 1tim 2:5-6).. what words have the wt redefined that you know about?

  - i'd like to compile a list if possible.. splash.

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  berrygerry

  LOVE. (Also beat).
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  34

  Disfellowshipping - The 10 year rule?

  by Gembean in

  1. watchtower
  2. beliefs

  is it true there is a 10 year rule?

  i was reading on here when i saw someone quote it?

  i've never heard of it before!.

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  berrygerry

  Just for clarity, the Shepherd book rule applies to SERVING elders only.

  So, if a serving elder commits fornication, he needs to hide it for 3 years.

  If, during those 3 years, he obviously has Jehovah's blessing (??? - extra zeal for the Corp.), and is then repentant, he need not be removed.

  No such provision for rank and file (watch Marc and Cora's video).
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  16

  Elderly sister (married) says rumor is that RC talk says resurrected will be with thier mates! Poor thing.

  by Wasanelder Once in

  1. watchtower
  2. beliefs

  87 year old sister (who's current husband, a total nazi one foot in the grave) was excited to relate that (she heard) a talk at the regional convention said a wife would be happy to meet her ressurected husband and grab him in her arms!

  she reads that as reunion of the married kind.

  she is pooping skittles she's so happy.

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  berrygerry

  Who said that there will not be parallel universes with different spouses in each?
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  44

  I Need Help Getting My Head Straight.......

  by TTATTelder in

  1. watchtower
  2. beliefs

  one of the things i have been wresting with mentally is unraveling the "us vs. them" mentality that has been driven into my skull in the organization.. i am starting this thread seeking advice on how others have come to grip with this.. this is what i struggle with:.

  i like the feeling/thought of being among people that live, or try to live, or at least know they ought to live by higher standards of conduct (maybe it is just what i'm used to...).

  when you walk out of a convention of people dressed up, clean-cut, shaven, non-smoking, less-profanity-speaking, fairly orderly etc and see what greets you in the streets outside, it is a big contrast.. i am also still trying to understand how a religion that has conned people (so is morally wrong) could also be so well organized and have a lot of truly decent folks among their ranks.

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  berrygerry

  I very much like Tal's comment (what is MI?).

  I am freshly out, although having struggled with things for many years.

  LOVE has always been the factor that bothered me the most.

  There was a WT (certainly not the first) that re-emphasized that if we love people, the most important (and only) thing that we could be doing is to be in the ministry.

  Five weeks ago, outside a fast food restaurant, I was about to drive away, and a man stopped me.

  He said, don't worry, I'm not going to ask you for money.

  All I want is a ride to a church that is not too far away. I said sure.

  He was from out-of-province, had just moved here with his wife and child. His truck had broken down, and he was worried about losing his new-found job as a result.

  He said "a church" (didn't say 'his church') back home arranged for "a church" out here to help him (the churches were different denominations).

  The priest met him when I dropped him off.

  Friday at the same place, a not-so-well off man approached, I braced for the ...

  So, I bought him a burger instead of just giving him money. He told his story in line.

  Had shattered his left arm in a work accident - employer tried to have him not report it. He got some workers' comp, but had been cut off. His left arm was at 20% functionality. In spring, he slipped on ice, and broke his right arm badly, and was sent to another city for surgery. His right arm was still in a cast. Because of Workers' Comp cutting him off, he shamefully went for Social Assistance but it would be 2 weeks before any payments.

  An earth angel nearby finished her food, walked past us, and put something in his hand. He said, No, he's already buying me food, and she said, "You'll need to eat tomorrow."

  She scampered away, and said "God bless you"

  (It was $20 + ).

  I helped out 2 other strangers in modest ways in the past 2 weeks.

  You know what the JW answer would have been, "Here, read this, and God will take care of you."
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  21

  Wearing a wire

  by Hairtrigger in

  1. forum
  2. suggestions

  hye folks-just wanted some info.

  is wearing a wire to a jc or any other meeting an easy-to-do thing.

  how do you go about trying to find to an agency that hires out equipment?

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  berrygerry

  Tal:

  Correct me if I'm wrong, but my understanding for Canada was that if there are only 2 people conversing privately, then the recording needs to be disclosed to make it a legal recording, but if there are more than 2 people conversing, disclosure is not required.

  (Hence, elders in pairs or more, whether in person or on speakerphone. )
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  11

  No more free water for Brooklyn Assemby Hall since 2008

  by Rattigan350 in

  1. watchtower
  2. scandals

  http://caselaw.findlaw.com/ny-court-of-appeals/1181065.html.

  new york city gives religious buildings water exemptions if the building is entirely used for religious purposes and if there is a caretaker's apartment, there can be only one.

  that assembly hall had 2. the water dept denied their application for exemption on that basis.

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  berrygerry

  "He summarized what had happened in 1991, and pointed out that a recent inspection had revealed guest rooms on the building's fourth floor, or balcony level, which were not disclosed in the Church's 2002 application."

  Acts 5:29

  God keeps telling us what to disclose and not disclose to you agents of Satan - why don't you get it?
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  25

  Sebastian Ramos and his campaing in Brazil; how can they claim a right to shun you?

  by dgp in

  1. watchtower
  2. beliefs

  i suppose everyone on this board knows now about sebastian ramos and his campaign in brazil.

  he has filed a claim agains religious discrimination, to the effect that shunning (not disfellowshipping or disassociation) is forbidden, on the grounds that it amounts to religious discrimination.. this is a very easy point to see for someone who is out.

  it sort of extends the meaning of "religious discrimination", however, as it is usually understood.

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  berrygerry

  Does anyone have information on the outcome as well as documentation somewhere online?