Posts by amicus

19

New To this Forum

by RJB in

jw
friends

this is my first time on this board.

i have been a jw for over 40 years but currently am very discouraged and not very active.

i served at bethel for 4 years, 1963-67, spent most of my time at the kindom farms, s.lansing, ny.

amicus

(me)

Edited by - amicus on 18 January 2001 15:9:57

19

New To this Forum

by RJB in

jw
friends

this is my first time on this board.

i have been a jw for over 40 years but currently am very discouraged and not very active.

i served at bethel for 4 years, 1963-67, spent most of my time at the kindom farms, s.lansing, ny.

amicus

welcome

Edited by - amicus on 18 January 2001 4:3:13

Edited by - amicus on 18 January 2001 4:4:41

63

i've spent most of my web time over the last 2 years at another site full of ex-jdubs...i'd say about 50 people post there on occasion...many of that number regularly.. what struck me from the beginning, as i got to know the people posting there was...how many were now atheists...non-believers in god...the bible...pretty much anything they once held sacred as jw's!.

i dare say...90 some % do not consider themselves christian now!.

amicus

Warning! This attempt at a short answer turned into a sermon. It wasn't my intent. Sooooo...
I struggled with this reply for a while. I have always been spiritually inclined. I don't know why. I never really gave it any serious thought before I attemped to answer Joel's simple question. I just always accepted it. I've never discussed it before, either. It was no big deal, it's like, I'm shy, I like to read, I'm very independent, and I'm spiritual. Yawn. I've always been drawn to ideologys that were simple. I favor beliefs that allow the individual to examine and change themselves without undue influence from others. I think that's the only way to affect change, anything else is control.
I was drawn to the Witnesses, at 18 years of age, because they used the Bible. I had never read the Bible before! I was captivated by the simple, loving, and wise lessons presented by Jesus. I read passages that brought tears to my eyes (I know men don't cry, but no one ever saw me). I was in awe of an all powerful God that considered love to be all important.
I progressed rapidly but within a few years slipped away. It was an intuitive, not a conscious decision. I never doubted the "Witnesses's Jehovah". Who am I to question the creator? I tried a second time, much later, and then knew consciously that something was wrong with Jehovah's Witnesses. That left me in somewhat of an awkward position. I had no respect for the Christians that told me to "Believe" and be saved nor any of the other mindless drivel they spewed. I had by this time studied many of mankinds religions and found all of them lacking.
I decided to examine what I had been taught by JW's to sort fact from fiction, to attain a neutral point from which to begin anew. I started reading the NT. This time with no preconceived notions, just to understand what was really written. I didn't know if such a thing was possible, but at least I hoped to clear my mind of unscriptural dogma.
You know what? What I was reading started making sense to me! The NT isn't about Christian laws. It's not about blood, fornication, idols or preaching. It's about love. That's what Jesus tried to emphasize. Love of God and love of fellowman. It's about each individual trying to treat their fellowman as they would be treated. A Christian is supposed to try to be as loving as Christ! Period! duhhhhhh Well excuuuuuuse me for being easily misled. When one focuses on that, everything else falls into place. The writings that some of us take to be laws were meant to show how Christians interacted, how they solved troubling issues of their day (Read secular histories of their times, you think we have it rough?). They weren't laws that replaced or reinforced Mosaic laws. Laws don't work. Laws are too rigid. Laws are often unfair. A Christian makes decisions based upon a conscience that's guided by love. Groups of Christians sometimes restrict their behaviour out of consideration of other's feelings. There is a balance and a limit to this though. The balance is mutual consideration of others feelings and the limit is don't make a compromise into a law! It worked then and it works today. It's valid in a microcosm or a macrocosm.
So, the answer to Joel's question is, " I'm a budding Christian".
OK, I'm done and I'm clearin' outta here 'fore I git stoned. Uh, I mean, pelted with rocks.
Questions from the readers:
Should a true Christian ever shun an unbeliever, or one who questions the Way?
Answer:
Please examine what it means to be a true Christian. If this is incomprehensible we suggest you begin sacrificing to idols.

48

JW Preaching Work Ends in 20th Century ?

by Scorpion in

jw
friends

page 12 of the january 1,1989 wt original magazine paragraph 8 ends with the statement that the apostle paul's missionary activity laid a foundation for a work that would be completed in our 20th century.".

(a subtle prophecy that 'the end' will come by the year 2000 a.d.).

this sentence is changed in the bound volume reprint to read "a work that would be completed in our day.

amicus

ZazuWitts,
Thanks for providing the info. I'll turn it into a click for anyone else that want's to read this masterful attempt at diplomacy.
* http://watchtower.observer.org

48

JW Preaching Work Ends in 20th Century ?

by Scorpion in

jw
friends

page 12 of the january 1,1989 wt original magazine paragraph 8 ends with the statement that the apostle paul's missionary activity laid a foundation for a work that would be completed in our 20th century.".

(a subtle prophecy that 'the end' will come by the year 2000 a.d.).

this sentence is changed in the bound volume reprint to read "a work that would be completed in our day.

amicus

Gozz,
I'll look up and forward the info to you (give me a day or two).
Waiting pretty much sums up the subject, I'll add just a few more thoughts. The jews were already being persecuted by the Nazi's when the WTBTS took this stand. They took action because the Nazis seized the branch office in Germany which was full of expensive printing equiptment. The letter and proclamation made it very clear that the WTBTS didn't like the Jews or their US allies either, that they understood and supported the German government's (read Hitler) position, and posed no threat to Germany.

22

Visiting a KH...

by ianao in

jw
friends

a 'friend' of mine keeps telling me that everything i am reading here on this board is a packload of lies from people who have no respect for god.. he also tells me that if i would just go to the kh for once, that i would see for myself that jws are not the bad people that they are portrayed to be.. while i have my own convictions about this subject, i was curious to know what others' opinions would be on the fruitfullness of taking up this man's offer and going to the kh to see for myself.

so, what do you think?

what should i watch out for?

amicus

ianao

LOOK AT WHAT THE SOCIETY HAS DONE TO THEM!!! THEY DON'T EVEN BELIEVE IN THE BIBLE FOR GOODNESS' SAKE!

Naw, not all of us. I just don't believe that the Bible's message is accurately represented by the apostate, Pharisaical WTBTS. If that statement sounds harsh to anyone who chances to read this, I intended it to be. I'm willing to defend my choice of adjectives. I'm rereading the NT again. This time with an open mind. It's interesting to begin to understand what true "Christianity" really is.
I have JW friends that I respect and miss. I have thought about going back to a meeting. I would go to the Sunday Meeting. I'd arrive early and possibly stay late. My sole purpose in going would be to say goodby to some of the people that I still care about.
I think you should take your JW friend up on his offer to attend a meeting. Why not? Thinking you'll be trapped into something you'll always regret is like saying that a faithful JW will become an apostate by visiting this site. I don't mean to challenge or offend those who have offered contrary advice. You have spent a lot of time investigating this religion. Spend a little more and satisfy any curiosity you have. If you decide to, please share your observations with us. I suspect most of us will grin, and nod our heads knowingly, as we read your commentary.

48

JW Preaching Work Ends in 20th Century ?

by Scorpion in

jw
friends

page 12 of the january 1,1989 wt original magazine paragraph 8 ends with the statement that the apostle paul's missionary activity laid a foundation for a work that would be completed in our 20th century.".

(a subtle prophecy that 'the end' will come by the year 2000 a.d.).

this sentence is changed in the bound volume reprint to read "a work that would be completed in our day.

amicus

Gozz,

was there a statement to the effect that there was a change in the wording of that sentence in the bound volume?

No, there was no comment anywhere, that the text had been edited.

isn't it dangerous

Yea, but they have to weigh the risks. People like me, and possibly you, see these misreprentations and leave disillusioned. The rank and file look the other way, they are indoctrinated to not question.
If you really want a good laugh, read the societies spin on the position they took towards the Nazis prior to WWII and then read the actual letter sent to the Government and the proclamation that was read at the next JW convention supporting that letter.
If a were a Jew and knew what the society really did, I think the next JW I met would be in danger of a good ass kicking.

58

Living A Lie

by MoodyBlue in

jw
friends

i am sick of living a lie, yet afraid to change it.

married to a man who refuses to listen, who would rather plug his ears and shout "nooooooo" is taking it's tole.

i am afraid to speak my mind about my doubt, my thoughts, and what i'm learning, as i'm not ready to cross that point of no return.

amicus

I've attempted suicide twice

MoodyBlue,
I'll quit clowning around. You got my attention. I'm sorry, sometimes I'm just a goof.
You need to be able to express how you feel. We want to know what you are feeling. You may be offered good, bad or no advice on this board. That's not really important. What is important is that you know that you are welcome here. Any time, and in any mood. Just think of us as your virtual family and know that we'll accept you any way you are.
Your big bro,
amicus

58

Living A Lie

by MoodyBlue in

jw
friends

i am sick of living a lie, yet afraid to change it.

married to a man who refuses to listen, who would rather plug his ears and shout "nooooooo" is taking it's tole.

i am afraid to speak my mind about my doubt, my thoughts, and what i'm learning, as i'm not ready to cross that point of no return.

amicus

MoodyBlue,
I am sooooooo glad I'm not standing next to you. I hate getting struck by lightning!

Go ahead and vent though, a lot of us here feel for you.

48

JW Preaching Work Ends in 20th Century ?

by Scorpion in

jw
friends

page 12 of the january 1,1989 wt original magazine paragraph 8 ends with the statement that the apostle paul's missionary activity laid a foundation for a work that would be completed in our 20th century.".

(a subtle prophecy that 'the end' will come by the year 2000 a.d.).

this sentence is changed in the bound volume reprint to read "a work that would be completed in our day.

amicus

Gozz,
Naw, it's not illegal. Unethical maybe, usually editing is limited to typo's. But in this case it can be based upon letter's or call's received. If you have touched upon too sensitive of a topic or just blew it, edit the orig.
Remember when we could buy binders for our old mags. and the bound volumes weren't necessary? Isn't that economically feasible today? Sure, but they can't allow that today. It dosen't allow them to change the past. And they are very fond of rewriting their history.