I am missing the rc completely this year, although my family is there right now. Over the last couple of years I have been able to reduce attendance a day at a time. I doubt anyone in the congo will notice since I have been absent since memorial. My better half would rather not be there either. Not as far as me in the fade but making progress. There are some elderly ones (elders) at the local hall who have stayed home this year and have been given "special access" to view the event online. lol Prostrates have had access for weeks!
RichardHaley
JoinedPosts by RichardHaley
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43
At a regional convention today....
by Nobodyspecial init really stands out to me just how phoney the bonds of forced brotherhood are.
the smiles are paper thin when they see each other in hotels.
the laughs forced.
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List of "pagan" things JW's allow
by problemaddict 2 inwhat i'm looking for specifically is things that are "pagan" in the sense they predate christianity (or i guess judiasm to cover the ole mosaic code), that jw's allow or do.
the ones that come to mind are below.. rings - rings seem to originate in egypt.
for wedding ceremonies it became a symbol of "ownership" in rome.. pinatas - looks like possibly it originated in china as a part of the new year and a request for luck, and catholics later turned it into a beating of temptation type thing.. anything else?.
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RichardHaley
An elder standing on my front porch told me that my wind chime (made it myself) was of pagan origin and was used to keep evil spirits away. I looked him up and down and said "obviously doesn't work, guess I will have to make another."
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Jehovah's Terrorist?
by TerryWalstrom injehovah’s terrorist?.
(a personal memoir).
john f. kennedy's brother, robert (bobby) was assassinated in 1968 shortly after he won the california democratic presidential primary.
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RichardHaley
The above link is broken?PDF of Los Angeles News Dispatch article:http://jfk.hood.edu/Collection/Weisberg%20Subject%20Index%20Files/K%20Disk/Kennedy%20Robert%20F%20Assassination%20Clips/Item%20062.pdf)
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Jehovah Witness vs Jehovah's Witness
by Simon inbeing brought up as a jehovah's witness means you are so used to the term that you rarely stop to think about it.. one thing i've noticed is that people unfamiliar with the religion will say "jehovah witness" (no 's) instead which i always found a bit grating.. but watching the us election, something struck me.
people are often referred to as "trump supporters", not "trump's supporters" and so on.
thinking about other things, people would say they were "united fan's", not "united's fans" and so on.. it seems weird that a group would refer to themselves as though it was someone else talking about them (in the 3rd person, if i have that right).. what do you think?
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RichardHaley
When I was growing up being called a "jw" was considered an insult. I was "One of Jehovah's Witnesses." So while I was active it always bothered me when other jws would say they were "a Jehovah witness." I would even correct them. Now I could care less. And it does amaze me that the term JW is now being promoted by the borg. The almighty God being reduced to a "J." Not much of a witness if you ask me. -
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Question about baptism around 1973- can anyone answer for me?
by Virgochik ini am hoping someone will take a look at this and be able to help me with my question.. i was baptized in 1973, you know, because i was a teenager and old enough to stand on my own when armageddon descended in 1975. .
perhaps elders, or any former elders especially, but anyone who was around then could help me with this question, because i honestly don't recall, and really need to know.. what were the baptismal questions the candidates responded to back then?
were we still asked if we repented of our sins, turned around, and were being baptized in the name of the father, the son and the holy spirit?.
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RichardHaley
I was baptized in '73 myself!
Baptismal questions from the May 1, 1973 Watchtower, p. 280:
(1) Have you repented of your sins and turned around, recognizing yourself before Jehovah God as a condemned sinner who needs salvation, and have you acknowledged to him that this salvation proceeds from him, the Father, through his Son Jesus Christ?
(2) On the basis of this faith in God and in his provision for salvation, have you dedicated yourself unreservedly to God to do his will henceforth as he reveals it to you through Jesus Christ and through the Bible under the enlightening power of the holy spirit?
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The humorous thread...pros cons and all....
by The Rebel inlet's face it when we find ourselfs in a tight corner, if we can be quick witted, and come up with a quick as a flash " quick witted" reply, we can defuse a controversial an embarrassing situation instantly.
for example oscar wilds wit is legendary and these comments could defuse any situation:-.
" i dislike arguments of any kind.
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RichardHaley
Purple and rides a beast?
Babylon the grape.
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The humorous thread...pros cons and all....
by The Rebel inlet's face it when we find ourselfs in a tight corner, if we can be quick witted, and come up with a quick as a flash " quick witted" reply, we can defuse a controversial an embarrassing situation instantly.
for example oscar wilds wit is legendary and these comments could defuse any situation:-.
" i dislike arguments of any kind.
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RichardHaley
The 3 smallest people in the bible...
Samuel read the law in the kings ear.
Peter slept on his watch.
Knee-hi-amiah
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Waking up - introduction
by Dreamerdude ini am a male, born into the jw cult(ure), baptized as a teen, now mid fifties.
most of my life i dreamed of hugging pandas and lions, punctuated at times by nightmares of armageddon or jw drama and politics.
still going through the motions for still-in wife.
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RichardHaley
Welcome Dreamerdude and wish you the best.
Our situations are similar, my wife is still in but is starting to see much of the cult for what it is. I have been up front with her from the beginning but didn't push any issues with her unless she starts the conversation. Like most women the child abuse is a hot issue for her. She didn't have much trust in the elders as it was but knowing they wont warn members who the predators are in the cong really pisses her off. She feels being vague with local needs or marking talks is bs in this area. We have a df daughter and some have told her that she needs to treat her as if she was dead. She is not buying that whatsoever. The stupid way members and even the gb are acting is doing more to wake her up than I could ever do.
Just take your time and move at your own pace and things will work out. Become a ghost in the cong if you still have to go. When you go show up late, leave early, don't comment... it doesn't take long and no one will even notice. There is always grand-standers waiting to move into the void left by you.
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Any thought behind your " Avatar"
by The Rebel ini think that's the correct phrase?
anyway when i first came here, that little picture that "the rebel" hides behind, was a self portrait of a very sad man, who simply had too much knowledge.
now i feel after 7 months here, i should repaint that " avetor" give some happiness to the eyes, and a contented smile to the lips.. in short my " avetor" was a self portrait of a man with too much knowledge.
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RichardHaley
Fading so have to remain anonymous... the invisible man seemed fitting. -
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I think my Sunday speaker is awake
by Yondaime inhi guys and gals,.
its been a long time since i've posted here, i've been caught up with school and work so i've never had the time to post on the forum, but i've still been reading through some articles on here.
now that finals are over i have some time to breath.
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RichardHaley
Not an existing outline for Sunday public talk for sure!