Posts by apostrate

9

The Emperor with No Clothes On Decries Tight Pants.

by steve2 in

jw
friends

for a religious group that has become more and more reader's digest vapid across recent decades, whose ability to defend its doctrines and policies depends on punishing independent thinking and whose meetings are sleep inducing snooze-fests, a talk about sexy clothes is about as desperately arousing as it can get without unzipping one's pants.. but among those who know the religious organization behind tony morris's attention-grabbing address to the faithful, this is anything but surprising.

when you've harped on for long, unforgiving decades about the nearness of the end, whilst simultaneously shoring up treasures on earth - some ear-marked for completion in 2017 - expect even your more loyal followers to shuffle their tired, bedraggled feet and barely stifle forceful yawns.

hell, they may even contemplate tighter fitting clothes because all else is miserably bland - except for the razzle-dazzle of an alluring, colorful world intent on arousing you out of your sad slumber.. so these self-appointed emperors or governing body member focus on anything that threatens a straying spirit.

apostrate

Way, way back in a time called the 70's, I used to dress in a most unconventional fashion when attending KH meetings, much to the dismay of all the other JW's. I was in my teens then, and I figured as long as I don't have a part on the platform, then why should I wear an uncomfortable suit and tie just to fit in with the crowd. I'm not talking just colored socks and tight trousers either! I wore paisley print trousers and lightning bolt tennis shoes (really!!)

I had my own crisis of conscience. One part of me wanted to go to the meetings and be liked by everyone. But, there was another part of me that wanted desperately to hang on to some shred of individuality.

I am in my 60's now and, believe me, I dress very conservatively, but there are people, some relatives, who still refer to me as that guy who dresses so weird! Of course, I quit attending meetings years ago, so I don't have that same internal conflict going on within.

2

Christianity vs. Churchianity/Spiritual Buffets

by apostrate in

from zion's watch tower, september, 1883:.

"we are living in an age of shams and counterfeits.

satan seems to have abandoned the hope of crushing out the christian church by a process of undisguised hostility, and now seeks to destroy her efficiency by stealthily draining off her vitality, and robbing her of every supernatural element.

apostrate

From Zion's Watch Tower, September, 1883:

"We are living in an age of shams and counterfeits. Satan seems to have abandoned the hope of crushing out the Christian Church by a process of undisguised hostility, and now seeks to destroy her efficiency by stealthily draining off her vitality, and robbing her of every supernatural element. He "transforms himself into an angel of light," and often assumes to be the special friend and guardian of the Church. Craftily he infuses his deadly virus and inculcates his plausible philosophy, until the moral perception is obscured, the conscience is distorted, and policy runs nearly the whole ecclesiastical machinery."

WOW! Sound familiar?? But wait, listen to this, from the same article:

"Much of the current worship is done by proxy. Lazy religionists surrender their sacred rights to others. They take it for granted that the preacher is on the right track, and readily swallow whatever may be doled out from the pulpit, without using their own brains in searching for the hidden treasures of truth."

Contrast what was printed then, by Jehovahs Faithful and Discreet Slave, with what they are telling their people today. Here is what I heard one elder teach from the platform some ten years ago, and his voice was raised and he was as animated as an old time Baptist preacher:

"WE ARE NOT A BUFFET!!! YOU DO NOT GET TO PICK AND CHOOSE WHAT YOU WISH TO BELIEVE! YOU WILL BELIEVE EVERYTHING THAT WE TELL YOU!!"

And I know that it wasn't just this elders opinion because I heard others from other congregations repeating these same sentiments!

Yes, the Watchtower is not a buffet, I agree. And, it is not a restaurant that I choose to dine at!!!

54

Is the WTS effectively 'pimping out' sisters?

by Simon in

i can't remember the topic with the discussion about the talk where they suggested that sisters should only consider ministerial servants as potential marriage partners but think about the implications more.. are they trying to use the potential affections of sisters to enourage brothers to do more and work harder?.

isn't this a form of 'pimping out' the sisters by limiting their attention to the people contributing to them?.

it seems to cross a line to me but i guess it's not vastly different to "only marry another jw".. what do you think?.

apostrate

This is a bit of Deja Vu for me. Maybe the GB didn't come out and say so back in the day, in as many words, but that idea of marrying a MS or better was very much prevalent back in the 70's.

And I personally knew several HOT sisters who married nerdy guys just because of their position at the KH.

It's a recycled idea.

35

Prince on Saturday Night Live

by designs in

did you catch it.. http://theconcourse.deadspin.com/watch-princes-electric-prformance-from-tonights-saturd-1653735759.

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apostrate

I have no idea on the specifics of Michael Jackson's disfellowshipping, but I do know this. Just as ADCMS says, there simply is no such thing as Rank & File outcry in the Watchtower World. If Rank & File JW's were to raise their voices about anything, they would immediately be squelched by the LEADERS. "We Rule from the Top Down!"

15

I HATE vets

by Xanthippe in

jw
friends

took one of my cats to the vet two weeks ago, she gets dermatitis from flea bites and although she gats flea treatment every four weeks the skin problem flares up about every two years.

so i asked for her usual steroid tablets which clear it up in about a week but no this young vet about 25 thought she should have a steroid injection and an antibiotic.

didn't work and she's much worse.. went back today and another vet said can't give you the tablets because the injection is still in her system and lasts 6 weeks.

apostrate

I live in a small town. I grew up being a "dog" person, but now I guess I'm a "cat" person as feral cats seem to find their way to my house and I have a soft spot in my heart for all animals. (All cats that stay here get fixed, by the way). When one of my cats get sick I take them to the vet here, an old fashioned country vet who does things the old fashioned way, and he will give them a shot and usually the cat gets well.

But, a few years ago I moved back into the city and took my cats with me. It was my experience in the city that if you take a cat to a city vet, first thing they ask you is "where you got the cat". When you tell them that the cat just found its way to your home, unless you are willing to give them a blank check to save the cat at any cost, they will pressure you to put the cat to sleep. I guess this is just their way of dealing with the cat over-population.

After moving back to the small town, I mentioned this to the country vet here, and while not wanting to speak negatively of those in his profession, he basically confirmed my suspicions. Many vets would just rather put a cat to sleep than try to heal them, unless, like I said, you are willing to pay thousands of dollars with no guarantee of them getting better.

118

Christian Pastors ORDERED to Marry Gays or Face JAIL TIME & FINES $$$

by oneyeopen in

o.k just worked out how to start a new post/thread, just came across this and wanted to share with anyone that may be interested.. http://www.washingtontimes.com/news/2014/oct/20/idaho-citys-ordinance-tells-pastors-to-marry-gays-/.

coeur dalene, idaho, city officials have laid down the law to christian pastors within their community, telling them bluntly via an ordinance that if they refuse to marry homosexuals, they will face jail time and fines.. read more: http://www.washingtontimes.com/news/2014/oct/20/idaho-citys-ordinance-tells-pastors-to-marry-gays-/#ixzz3ibe4kyvq follow us: @washtimes on twitter.

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apostrate

LisaRose,

Quite alright! I wasn't sure if your statement was directed at me, so I just wanted to clarify myself.

A very good example of what you say could be found last night watching the election coverage! FOX News relishing the victory of the Republican party. Switch over to MSNBC and watch Rachel Maddow selecting the few Democrat victories, and presenting them as though it was the Democrats who were on top last night.

Now, for the benefit of anyone else reading this post, this was not a criticism of Rachel Maddow, MSNBC, or the Democrat party. It is just an observation of how the media portrays their story in the most favorable light!

118

Christian Pastors ORDERED to Marry Gays or Face JAIL TIME & FINES $$$

by oneyeopen in

o.k just worked out how to start a new post/thread, just came across this and wanted to share with anyone that may be interested.. http://www.washingtontimes.com/news/2014/oct/20/idaho-citys-ordinance-tells-pastors-to-marry-gays-/.

coeur dalene, idaho, city officials have laid down the law to christian pastors within their community, telling them bluntly via an ordinance that if they refuse to marry homosexuals, they will face jail time and fines.. read more: http://www.washingtontimes.com/news/2014/oct/20/idaho-citys-ordinance-tells-pastors-to-marry-gays-/#ixzz3ibe4kyvq follow us: @washtimes on twitter.

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apostrate

redvip200,

Thanks for your response! I get your point, DULY NOTED!

DJS,

Thank you, I really do a-p-p-r-e-c-i-a-t-e your input!

LisaRose,

I did not swallow Rush Limbaugh's "ear candy" whole, and I don't know how I could have made that point any clearer. I plainly stated that each time I posted. I merely threw that out there to get other peoples thoughts on the subject. But I do thank you for your comment!

118

Christian Pastors ORDERED to Marry Gays or Face JAIL TIME & FINES $$$

by oneyeopen in

o.k just worked out how to start a new post/thread, just came across this and wanted to share with anyone that may be interested.. http://www.washingtontimes.com/news/2014/oct/20/idaho-citys-ordinance-tells-pastors-to-marry-gays-/.

coeur dalene, idaho, city officials have laid down the law to christian pastors within their community, telling them bluntly via an ordinance that if they refuse to marry homosexuals, they will face jail time and fines.. read more: http://www.washingtontimes.com/news/2014/oct/20/idaho-citys-ordinance-tells-pastors-to-marry-gays-/#ixzz3ibe4kyvq follow us: @washtimes on twitter.

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apostrate

"Coeur d‘Alene, Idaho, city officials have laid down the law to Christian pastors within their community, telling them bluntly via an ordinance that if they refuse to marry homosexuals, they will face jail time and fines." First of, I believe that gay and lesbian people should most definitely have every right that any other citizen of this country is allowed. I mentioned what I heard on Rush Limbaughs show because I thought it was pertinent to this discussion. I never said that I endorsed it! But JeffT says that I shouldn't comment when I don't know what Rush Limbaugh said. Tell me Jeff, just what did Rush Limbaugh say?

Viviane tells me that no one is being forced to do anything that is against their religion. Now, I am not an intellectual, I didn't even graduate from high school (why bother, Armeggedon is going to be here any day now). I am told that the article in question only applies to The Hitching Post. They are a business, NOT a religion.

But, read this line again, the very first paragraph of the article in discussion:

"Coeur d‘Alene, Idaho, city officials have laid down the law to Christian pastors within their community, telling them bluntly via an ordinance that if they refuse to marry homosexuals, they will face jail time and fines." Okay, I'm a dumbass, I admit it, but doesn't that article plainly say, "Christian Pastors within their community"? Indicating religions/churches beyond The Hitching Post?

Aren't they using The Hitching Post as an example to send a message to churches that they better fall in line, or else?

I know Viviane will say, "So what? What if they do?"

Well, if they do, they do. Then churches and pastors will simply use clandestine techniques in order to skirt the law. If churches don't know how to go about that, they should contact the Watchtower Society. WT knows all about those little tricks!

118

Christian Pastors ORDERED to Marry Gays or Face JAIL TIME & FINES $$$

by oneyeopen in

o.k just worked out how to start a new post/thread, just came across this and wanted to share with anyone that may be interested.. http://www.washingtontimes.com/news/2014/oct/20/idaho-citys-ordinance-tells-pastors-to-marry-gays-/.

coeur dalene, idaho, city officials have laid down the law to christian pastors within their community, telling them bluntly via an ordinance that if they refuse to marry homosexuals, they will face jail time and fines.. read more: http://www.washingtontimes.com/news/2014/oct/20/idaho-citys-ordinance-tells-pastors-to-marry-gays-/#ixzz3ibe4kyvq follow us: @washtimes on twitter.

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apostrate

Viviane,

"As far as I know. Do you have any evidence of a church being forced to marry a gay couple? If not, then that point is irrelevant to a public business having to follow the law."

Nope. I do not have any evidence of a church being forced to marry a gay couple. The original discussion was about if churches will soon be forced to marry gay couples.

Since the discussion has now deteriorated into name calling, I have said all I'm going to. Good luck! As Dennis Miller would say, I am outta here!

118

Christian Pastors ORDERED to Marry Gays or Face JAIL TIME & FINES $$$

by oneyeopen in

o.k just worked out how to start a new post/thread, just came across this and wanted to share with anyone that may be interested.. http://www.washingtontimes.com/news/2014/oct/20/idaho-citys-ordinance-tells-pastors-to-marry-gays-/.

coeur dalene, idaho, city officials have laid down the law to christian pastors within their community, telling them bluntly via an ordinance that if they refuse to marry homosexuals, they will face jail time and fines.. read more: http://www.washingtontimes.com/news/2014/oct/20/idaho-citys-ordinance-tells-pastors-to-marry-gays-/#ixzz3ibe4kyvq follow us: @washtimes on twitter.

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apostrate

Viviane,

You make some valid points. Please remember that I am just relaying what I heard on the radio. It's no big secret, it was Rush Limbaughs show. I heard that a couple of months ago, and as I do not have a photographic memory, I wasn't quoting verbatim. Those may not have been the exact words Limbaugh used but the meaning was the same. I should note that I am NOT a ditto-head, I do not listen to him very often and I do not agree with everything the man says.

Again, I am neutral in this battle, but please let me ask you this, you are right, churches are not (supposedly) a business. So, not being a business, don't they have a right to decide whom they choose to wed? If a couple of Catholics ask a Jehovahs Witness to perform their wedding ceremony in the Kingdom Hall, I'd be willing to bet that the elder would graciously decline (not before offering them some literature and a free Bible Study, of course!)

Is that actually discrimination? Don't most religions cater to those of their own faith? (I know JW's are not really a religion, they are a book publishing business) but c'mon, play along here for the sake of the discusion!