Posts by OneEyedJoe

6

Unity: the theme for the monthly TV program

by leaving_quietly in

there's been numerous discussions about the singing cart thing in this month's video.

i decided to watch at least a portion of the rest of the program though because sometimes things are said that are interesting to pick up on.

this one started off on the topic of unity, and, unbelievably, herd talked about brainwashing and how we like to have our brains cleaned.

OneEyedJoe

You know, somehow I'd never really applied that scripture to JWs, but you're absolutely right - they do just as the nations do. Though a JW would tell you that they show love to everyone by waking them up on saturday and trying to force their cult on them.

The comment about brainwashing is one I've heard before at a meeting. It's the stock way of twisting a word to redefine it as a good thing, part of the loaded language of a cult. It is telling that they're willing to admit that the common perception of JWs it that they're brainwashed, though.

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Jesus died for US...technically

by enigma1863 in

for god so loved the world he gave his only begotten son and then took him back.

that's not love, its a big legal loophole.

people have technically died in the past, and by the standards of diagnosing death in bible times you could definitely beat 48 hrs and return.

OneEyedJoe

Yeah, that always irritated me to. They'd always say oh how horrible it must've been for got to watch his son tortured and killed. A) if he'd wanted to he could've stopped the torture and had him die painlessly and B) it's not quite the same as a parent watching their child die because he knew he'd be back. Anyone who thinks that god had it rough watching Jesus die must go through horrible trauma every time they watch their child fall asleep!

Taking your point a little further, why is it that if someone is technically dead for a couple days that they don't come back perfect? Death is the price of sin, and they've paid to the same standard as Jesus, so when they come back they should have been raised to perfection and live forever!

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Mom says, "CO says there's only 15 years left!"

by Separation of Powers in

i don't typically hear from my mom often, but i tell you, over the past couple of weeks, i have heard from her several times.

you heard the comment about "our way of worship will be altered" and thank you for your posts by the way....but yesterday, she calls and is asking about the kids and then, in typical jw fashion mind you, says:.

"you know, you should really get back to meetings.

OneEyedJoe

I was told in the 1960's that I would never finish high school. Well let's see...I finished high school, my children finished high school and some of my grandchildren have finished high school.

What they meant was that your overlapping generation wouldn't finish highschool!

The comment from the CO was probably the standard "It sure doesn't seem possible that this system can go on for another 15 years!" I think I've heard some comment like that in every CO talk since I was an infant. Noncommittal but still does the job.

11

"Laughter trumps fear every time" - another method to chip away at WT's authority?

by sir82 in

jw
friends

saw this article on slate.. it got me thinking - the wts are certainly providing lots of ammunition for spoofing.

talks about tight pants, singing trolleys, rubber faced buffoonery from lett...... what if we start encouraging jws to laugh at their leadership, instead of kowtowing in reverential awe?.

from the article:.

OneEyedJoe

Interesting article, and I think there's something to it, while the situations are somewhat different. The average JW doesn't realize that they're trapped by fear, and they often aren't consciously disenfranchised with the leadership the way people were with Milosevic.

I think one thing that really helped me think, though, was stand-up comedians like Ricky Gervais, Louie CK, Bill Burr and countless others that would incorporate bits about how absurd religious beliefs were when viewed objectively.

I also love to use the bit from the movie Office Space, where someone says to Peter "I've noticed you've been missing work a lot lately" and his reply was "well, I wouldn't say I've been missing it, bob." This has become my stock response anytime someone notices that I've "missed" a meeting and it's quite enjoyable to watch their reactions. Usually it's a sort of uncomfortable laughter as they recognize the reference while simultaneously trying to figure out why I'm not acting like the miserable wretch that I am and giving an excuse for my terrible behavior.

Another fun one is if someone observes something relating to multiple generations (this works at family gatherings, or just when people talk about the next generation of iPhone) I like to correct them that it's one "overlapping generation."

31

The WT is making a broadway musical about a cart, no joke!

by EndofMysteries in

i'm literally speechless on this.

mixed between a big wth, rofl, dumbest thing ever made, and shock that wt actually made this and is taking it seriously!

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lxvnn04xd3u.

OneEyedJoe

While it's obviously never that absurd, I've heard experiences like that all the time. They usually go something like this:

Andre's parents always encouraged him to do well in school. Because of this, he got good grades and excelled. In highschool, his teachers saw this and began to question him about his plans for the future. His school counselor also encouraged him to seek out <menacing voice> higher education </menacing voice> even offering to spend extra time with him in order to help Andre with his college applications. What did this faithful servant of jehovah do in this situation? Andre explained to his teachers and school counselor that he would not be applying to college and instead he would be attending a trade school that would prepare him for a career in a few months, while allowing him to take part in the most important work ever - pioneering. How did all this turn out for him? After attending trade school while pioneering, Andre was able to find a part-time job that would allow him to continue his full-time service. Interestingly, Andre relates that the pay in his new job is actually higher than he would have expected to receive after attending a 4-year college! We can see clearly from Andre's example of faithfully serving Jehovah that putting kingdom interests first truly brings Jehovah's blessing on all that we do.

Ugh it's sickening how easily that drivel just rolls effortlessly out of my brain. Maybe I shouldn't post this, I wouldn't be surprised if they use that on their next convention.

31

The WT is making a broadway musical about a cart, no joke!

by EndofMysteries in

i'm literally speechless on this.

mixed between a big wth, rofl, dumbest thing ever made, and shock that wt actually made this and is taking it seriously!

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lxvnn04xd3u.

OneEyedJoe

I just noticed this, look at the beginning of the video. That's a BIG nice house. Probably 300k to 500k. Nice neighborhood.

This was the first thing I noticed, actually. It immediately reminded me of the DVD they released at the convention this year - the elder in that lived in a HUGE house.

There's no way that this isn't intentional. Firstly it creates a subliminal message "Do more for the cult and you'll be able to live like this.' There's also the less subtle message for anyone who might be a little disenfranchised with the cult due to lost opportunities - people who are doing cart witnessing day-in and day-out are living in huge houses with 3 car garages. It's not our fault that you don't live like this.

It's a similar strategy to what I think is a very calculated move to have all the GB members wearing an excess of gold rings/watches, etc. They relatively subtly (I know we go to great lengths analyzing it here, but the average JW probably doesn't notices consciously) convey an image of success, wealth and power. Again, the message is "I'm successful because of the cult, you can be too!"

45

At the meeting... And I have #3 Talk

by cappytan in

wife ended up sick this evening.

so i'm by myself because i have talk #3 and i didn't know she would be sick.

buzzing on 4 beers and 1 bourbon and coke.

OneEyedJoe

I understand the individuals disdain for the cult and that once awake there's no real reason to play by their rules, but I think it is selfish to not show some consideration for others there who do take it seriously. Why not just stay home instead? you are going to quit anyway right?

You have to know it's not that simple. At least not for everyone.

45

At the meeting... And I have #3 Talk

by cappytan in

wife ended up sick this evening.

so i'm by myself because i have talk #3 and i didn't know she would be sick.

buzzing on 4 beers and 1 bourbon and coke.

OneEyedJoe

Damn...this thread got all serious all of a sudden.

Welcome to the morning after

WMF - I don't get your reasoning. It's a cult and doesn't deserve to be treated with dignity. Turning up drunk for a talk is about the level of respect that is warranted. Plus, it sounds like cappytan had the same experience I've had - I give way better talks when I'm a couple bourbons deep.

Now I'll agree that there's nothing great about being an alcoholic, but you don't have to be an alcoholic to feel like you need a drink before a cult meeting.

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