Topics Started by FairMind

1
Higher Education / Double Speak
by FairMind in
1. watchtower
2. beliefs
as we all know several years ago the wts seemingly changed their stance on one going on to college and furthering their education.

it was acknowledged that "times have changed" and the ability to secure employment at a living wage might actually require a college degree.

in any event going to college supposedly became a conscience matter and no one had the right to question a jw who made the decision to further his/her education.
19
Entitled to Reach Out For Privileges?
by FairMind in
1. watchtower
2. bible
one of he paragraphs in yesterdays watchtower lesson spoke of brothers presumptuously reaching out for positions or privileges within the congregation to which they are not entitled.

the indication was that doing this shows arrogance and lack of humility.

no one commented on this wt statement when the paragraph was covered and my guess is because it made no sense.
11
The Right To Judge Others
by FairMind in
1. jw
2. friends
yesterday our visiting elder-public speaker, cautioned against judging others.

he made allowance though for elders to judge or analyze the non-elders in the congregation.

i have always felt that distinctions based on position in the congregation are wrong.
33
What is the Real Financial Cost of a Circuit Assembly?
by FairMind in
1. jw
2. friends
my congregation along with about thirty others attends circuit assemblies at a facility that is owned by the organization (a converted school).

this building also has a section that serves as a kh for three local congregations.

i have noticed that when the financial reports are read at the assemblies that the expense (which is not detailed) is always around $4,000.
13
Change in application to Luke 21:28?
by FairMind in
1. watchtower
2. beliefs
luke 21:28 tells us that christians living during the time of the fulfillment of the prophecies showing that the end of this system was near were to hold their heads erect as their deliverance was near.

or at least this is the way the wts has always explained this scriptural passage.

last night, our visiting co mentioned in that this is no longer the way we interpret this scripture and that our past understanding was incorrect.
14
My Wife Caught Me
by FairMind in
1. jw
2. friends
yep, i was at this website last night composing a reply to add to the comments on a question posed by a poster.

my wife tiptoed into the room and before i could hide what i was doing saw that i was on this website.

initially she lectured me on the danger of associating with apostates.
14
Blood Fractions and Your Conscience
by FairMind in
1. watchtower
2. beliefs
for arguments sake lets assume that the wts teachings that the bibles prohibition against blood is valid with regard to accepting a transfusion.

jws are now being told that while they cannot accept whole blood or whole blood components such as red blood cells, white blood cells and blood plasma, they can if their conscience permits accept blood fractions.

i have thought quite a bit about how and why the accepting of some blood fractions and not others is supposedly a conscience matter.
11
Back Stabbing Sneaky Letters
by FairMind in
1. jw
2. friends
i was reading the accounts and the reactions to minimus?

elder friend that was deleted because of a wts secret letter to the circuit overseers.

secret letters of this nature are part of what has led to my critical thinking regarding the wts.
1
Captives of a Concept Book
by FairMind in
1. watchtower
2. bible
recently on this website i learned of a book entitled "captives of a concept" and there was a link to a website where it could be purchased.

i purchased this book ($5.00 for a down load in pdf format) and have completed 128 of the 148 pages.

this is a fantastic book and i recommend it to all who want validation that the society is not god's organization.. the concept of course that holds all jw's captive is that those of the professed anointed (really the gb) comprise the faithful and discreet slave of jesus' illustration.
6
Thanking Jehovah through His organization
by FairMind in
1. jw
2. experiences
at the conclusion of the last day of our district convention just before the closing prayer the speaker (a member of the gb) said that we should give thanks to jehovah through his organization for all the wonderful things he had provided.

this comment floored me, as thanks to god is only to be given through his son jesus christ.

do you think the speakers comment was simply a slip of tongue or was he really putting the organization ahead of god's son in importance?