Posts by amac

95

Top STUPID criticisms of the WTS

by JanH in

jw
friends

there are certainly enough valid criticisms of the wts and the jw religion, but a significant number of often-repeated criticisms of the religion are, imnsho, just ludicruous and serves to take attention away from the real issues.

significant problems with the wts includes, but are not limited to, the shunning policy, the blood issue and of course the corporate policy of hiding child molestors.. here is a list of criticisms of the wts that i find particularly annoying to see:.

russell was a freemason (or, even worse, the wts is part of some other large-scale conspiracy like the illuminati).

amac

I would assume that "functional definition" means the way a word or term is used and understood in common language and use. This is not always the same as a dictionary's definition. For instance, one dictionary definition of "brainwashing" is "The application of a concentrated means of persuasion, such as an advertising campaign or repeated suggestion, in order to develop a specific belief or motivation. "

However, that is not what a person usually thinks of when someone uses the term brainwashing. So the functional defintion would be different than the dictionary's definition in this case.

Am I wrong?

95

Top STUPID criticisms of the WTS

by JanH in

jw
friends

there are certainly enough valid criticisms of the wts and the jw religion, but a significant number of often-repeated criticisms of the religion are, imnsho, just ludicruous and serves to take attention away from the real issues.

significant problems with the wts includes, but are not limited to, the shunning policy, the blood issue and of course the corporate policy of hiding child molestors.. here is a list of criticisms of the wts that i find particularly annoying to see:.

russell was a freemason (or, even worse, the wts is part of some other large-scale conspiracy like the illuminati).

amac

Stupid Criticism #57 - The WT and GB are evil!

To Farkel -

It is very important how people are criticized and what words are used. For instance, if someone was involved in a hit and run accident that involved injury to the victim, it would be erroneous to label the perpetrator as an evil person that drives around trying to hit and injure people when in actuality it may have been a little, old lady who was scared and made a very bad decision. Similarly, to label the WT and GB as an evil, brainwashing cult can be misleading to people due to the functional definition and use of these words (not the dictionary's definition.) That is my opinion, at least, but what do I know?

95

Top STUPID criticisms of the WTS

by JanH in

jw
friends

there are certainly enough valid criticisms of the wts and the jw religion, but a significant number of often-repeated criticisms of the religion are, imnsho, just ludicruous and serves to take attention away from the real issues.

significant problems with the wts includes, but are not limited to, the shunning policy, the blood issue and of course the corporate policy of hiding child molestors.. here is a list of criticisms of the wts that i find particularly annoying to see:.

russell was a freemason (or, even worse, the wts is part of some other large-scale conspiracy like the illuminati).

amac

Great thread! It's also encouraging to see so many others discussing and validating these points. There is not much I can say without being redundant, but as far as the use of words "brainwash" and "cult", since these are common buzz words I agree with Jan's response to Alan about the functional definition.

A reply to Alan's point about brainwashing...you stated:

mean something more like "influenced by an outside authority to such an extent that the reasoning facilities are turned off".

I agree with this. But I equate it to everyday "conclusions." Whenever the average person comes to a conclusion, they are usually influenced and upon reaching their conclusion, often turn off reasoning facilities and defend their conclusion. We have all done this at some time, so we have all been brainwashed to some degree. Using this as a negatory label is misleading. I do think that JW's use information control to help indoctrinate which some may call mind control, but I think brainwashing is a lazy term.

Lastly, if anyone is confused by this thread, you may want to reconsider ever criticizing a JW for anything.

BTTT!

amac

14

My Son is Going Back

by IslandWoman in

jw
friends

since he was 6 years old my son has been good friends with a boy in our hall, they are both in their teens now.

his friend has recently tried to ignite their friendship again.

i was happy for my son because this friend of his is really a great kid, a fine person.

amac

It sounds like you are handling it fine. I think it is better to let him pursue his interests as long as you are involved in what he is doing and thinking. At least to the point where you can help him see different view points and not just that of JWs. Friendships are valuable, it sounds like you already recognize this.

30

Were you chaperoned?

by writerpen in

jw
friends

now that i'm out of the borg and realizing that i've never dated, i think it's in the near future for me.

so i was thinking about my age of 30 and never being on a date.

but even worse, i was thinking of those of you who dated while in the borg and had to deal with an audience - actually i had to laugh when thinking about the absurdity of the scenario.

amac

My wife and I were seldom chaperoned. In fact, we often went out in service together alone. If anyone said anything (and a few did), I was quick to point out that the only advice the WT gave was to not be alone in private areas like a home or parked car on a dark road (i.e. areas where you could have sex.) In fact, the older pubs showed drawings of couples alone in public places. The whole chaperone rules thing is usually an exaggeration of local JWs.

32

ENGLAND ... make us proud !

by Simon in

.

the '66 world cup was before my time and black and white replays are great'n'all that but i'd really like a great sporting moment in my lifetime.. this is the best chance to win the cup that we have had in a long time.

a lot of top teams have gone and if we can get past brazil i think we stand a pretty good chance of lifting the cup.. we have the confidence - we beat argentina and thrashed norway - now it's time to finish the job.. c'mon england !

amac

...Jules Rimet still gleaming...

42

My daughter undergoing cancer surgery

by TheOldHippie in

jw
friends

right now, 4 hours this very minute, removing tumors, still no news - and i am one nervous father ...........

amac

I hope all goes well and a quick recovery!

32

ENGLAND ... make us proud !

by Simon in

.

the '66 world cup was before my time and black and white replays are great'n'all that but i'd really like a great sporting moment in my lifetime.. this is the best chance to win the cup that we have had in a long time.

a lot of top teams have gone and if we can get past brazil i think we stand a pretty good chance of lifting the cup.. we have the confidence - we beat argentina and thrashed norway - now it's time to finish the job.. c'mon england !

amac

...three lions on the shirt...

95

Treating the pioneers "Just So."

by LDH in

jw
friends

i was reading jjrizo's thread about elders who take advantage of the kh, and i had a memory i'd like to share.

all my life growing up i had heard about how "jehovah takes care of those who put kingdom interests first.

" and all of those experiences on the platform about getting an envelope "with the exact rent amount due the day before we were to be evicted" and so on.

amac

LDH, Thank you for clarifying that. Because the thread was titled "Treating the pioneers 'Just So.'" and your initial post stated:

All my life growing up I had heard about how "jehovah takes care of those who put Kingdom interests first." ...When I was regular pioneering (for almost four years) I thought for sure the congregation would be generous with me. I didn't necessarily *need* anything, but surely Jehovah would let me see how much the congregation "appreciated my efforts." T

It seemed that you were talking about restitution for your time and effort rather than confirmation that you were doing good. I'm glad to know otherwise.

amac

32

ENGLAND ... make us proud !

by Simon in

.

the '66 world cup was before my time and black and white replays are great'n'all that but i'd really like a great sporting moment in my lifetime.. this is the best chance to win the cup that we have had in a long time.

a lot of top teams have gone and if we can get past brazil i think we stand a pretty good chance of lifting the cup.. we have the confidence - we beat argentina and thrashed norway - now it's time to finish the job.. c'mon england !

amac

Football's comin' home!