this was posted on another thread (http://www.jehovahs-witness.com/topic/6040010839031808/christmas-tree-word-appreciation), but wondered about how others here would see this with one experience i had as an elder now as ex-jws.. when we were jw's we had to be extremely careful with what we said around the brotherhood.
if someone said anything out of the ordinary, relationships among the involved were halted immediately, or were never the same afterwards.
in this place, one can say almost anything without the fear of having a truck run over us.
There is always one or two bros. sitting near the speaker at District (now Regional) Conventions, who are assigned to make sure the "model" is followed. You will be reminded that if you get a note from the Chairman's Office delivered to you while speaking, you are to exit the stage. While that almost never happens, it is intimidating. Bethel Brothers are given much more freedom depending on their position there in Brooklyn.
Those assigned brothers would go bonkers if Fred Franz reappeared.
just got my annual advertisement from illinois international travel (apparently run by jws).
for $1,199 i can take a tour from september 17-25. why are they printing so much bible literature if the witnesses are supposed to be using tablets?.
saturday: first stop at new yorks newark airport, then transferred to a marriott hotel.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pbb8rt2bem8.
some crazy cult language in this talk.. some highlights:.
18:15 - obey.
How do you think a "normal" JW would react if they somehow were told by a RV or Study, that their church..possibly LDS, SDA, Scientologist, Children of God, or even more mainstream, gave a similar talk to the congregation because they were aware of one of their members visiting or studying with JWs? Aha...Satan's craftiness is at it again! Or ask them to imagine themselves being at one of those meetings and hearing a talk using different concepts. Yeah...I know what you're going to say.
This really strikes home. I was there for my unexpected marking talk. From that time on, I've been treated like a germ when I run into friends and family. They soak that stuff up and never think that this is common among religions with high control. If they had been born into the LDS religion, they would accept that council as coming from God.
Thought I better add to the tally. Elder for 39 years. Likely because I was a pioneer for about 10 years. Always thought it was a responsibility if you were qualified. I really believed it and felt responsible before Jah. Had a difficult time dealing with some of the traveling overseers who were on power trips or had extreme opinions that felled many a MS or Elder. However did what I could to help all to remain in the "truth" by being good students and balanced. Would still be doing that, if I hadn't started to look for answers so I could understand and teach better. That's when the wheels came off. Have paid an awful price. Lifelong friends and family all shun even though not DFd. My conscience just wouldn't let me go through the motions anymore.
i thought the undenable proof was pretty evident in the watchtower study this past weekend.
no war, preaching work, disfellowshipping....yeah, that's pretty convincing evidence.. .
no war?
SOP: Well thought out and well stated.
i am here for the first time ...but have enjoyed reading others experiences that i feel i can relate too.
i used to be an elder for more than 20 years .
i have successfully faded with my wife and children.
Long time elder here with lots of merit badges. I agree with jwfacts as to the types you will run into. Huge family of JWs for us. My wife and I have been left out (not invited) to some recent family events, we're hurt but understand their reasoning..which is why I would advise not to get in their face about things. Try to remember how you might have handled it when you were in.
If no one has mustered up the courage to ask you about your present beliefs or what bothers you, events like weddings or other functions/events would not be a good place to start with explanations.
There's usually folks from several congs. attending those things, and they will feel awkward because you were once one of them (an exemplary one at that) and now you're an unbeliever or worse yet, have apostate leanings.
Remember, to JWs, Satan lurks under every rock and behind every tree. They're afraid to converse about your new situation, because Satan is sooo clever. Thank our "friends" in Brooklyn for that. Now that you have looked behind the curtain, their attitude will frustrate and infuriate you. Stay calm, and remember what it was like.
that is the conclusion you must accept if you are a jehovah's witness as my wife tries to explain to me that even if what they are teaching today contradicts what they were previously teaching, they had the truth then and they have the truth now.
the difference is, they (the witnesses and the governing body) simply believed that what they were teaching at the time was the truth but when they discovered new information they adjusted their thinking.
so since they formerly believed it to be the truth, they were in the truth.. an example she gave involved people who once believed the earth was flat.
Strange how people will rationalize and make it work so as to hold onto what otherwise would be complete nonsense. A fellow elder once told me (this is when I was starting to figure things out).."we're still human and make mistakes, but unlike the churches, we correct our mistakes". I've since thought about that. Some of the teachings could get away with that rationale (like nonbelievers dying before Armageddon being resurrected), but when it affects one's health (life or death), financial welfare (no long term plan), parenting (stifiling education or talent) and general credibility in the community and workforce, it won't bail you out, especially when the replacement(s) is even less credible.
Oh well, we all make mistakes......said the trapeze catcher.
grrrrrrrrrrrrr!.
check out website for dunedin, nzs newspaper www.odt.co.nz re the 9yr old that got baptised at the convention in dunedin this last weekend... can't you just hear everyone there gushing about it??.
as i said grrrrrrrrrrrrr .
As the Study Conductor in the mid 80s, I was asked by the parents of a 9 year old if it their child should get baptised. I responded, "whats the rush"? These dear deluded parents were responding to a recent article in the literature that seemed to encourage any quite young, but sincere children, to allow them to be baptised. He was a bit different, liked going in service and read well. I still discouraged it. To no avail. Later, after baptism, the father took me aside after a book study and asked why I didn't call on him to read or pray. I told him that I didn't feel that the adults in the group would want to be instructed or prayed for by a very inexperienced child even if he appeared to be exceptional, and that even if he is a male, that does not automatically quallify him. He reluctantly accepted that, mostly due to our relationship. Later the boy, at about 19, drifted and left.
I really wonder how many times thats been repeated, and why the wbts still encourages this. I'm sure there's exceptions, but surely those exceptions, if sincere, wouldn't change there attitude after a few more years of experience in life.
faders: why do we bother staying in?.
we cling to some false hope that people we love will accept us despite our not believing, even though its as much a fairytale as the dogmas based on untruths.. ive never been anything but a good friend and human being and would do anything for the people i love; i couldnt dream of shutting out someone i care about.
and its not like theyd revel in the idea of doing it either, yet its seen as not just the only choice, but also as undoubtedly the right thing to do.
marked
wife says she always thought the wt said that anyone alive at armageddon that did not get a chance to hear kingdom message may survive?
true?
references?.
objectivetruth: Interesting analysis!
