family_man

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Posts by family_man

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  51

  "The Four Presidents of the Watchtower Society"

  by RR in

  1. jw
  2. friends

  this is the new book edited by edmund gruss.

  i just finished reading it and must say a one word description would be "disturbing".

  the book focuses of course on the characters and motivations of the first four presidents of the watchtower society.

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  family_man

  I've been scanning this forum for over a week now trying to soak up as much info as I can about the WT.

  Do you really think JWs are simply the "salespeople" of the Society? I don't.

  Although I am fully convinced this is a cult and the doctrine's a sham I tend to agree with minimus ... Why go through all this trouble to turn a profit via publishing. Cheap labor and a volunteer sales force aside there's got to be more to it than this ... It seems Gary's statements all lead to the obvious - brainwahing to sell "literature" (for lack of a better word). But there's still something missing in the big picture as to who is actually profiting. I've seen other posts that say to follow the money trail ... so in following the money who is profiting? WTS is profiting. But who exactly - the GB? If so why haven't DF'd former GB's exposed this [or have they and I just haven't heard] wouldn't this be the nail in the coffin?... the only profiteering I've read about is of Rutherford's exploits at Beth Sarim ... I'm on the fence here: 1) In theory the cult for profit would be the only reason anyone would go through this But 2) Who is getting rich off of this. And off donations? If analyzing the costs vs revenues I can see that your going to get a good margin and profit greatly. But the fact that WT is profiting is probably just a happy coincidence if not one is really reaping the benefits personally. It appears that their wealth is simply used to propogate their agenda - not buy some big wig a yacht. Gind the person(s) getting rich (if they exist) and Im sold..otherwise I agree with the idea that WTS is just a borg ... a Frankenstein who got out of controll over the last century and is now unstoppable ... imbeded in our social structure like a virus which we can never cure ... like so many that have come and gone... unwanted bacteria whose only job is to help those of us who manage to see the truth apreciate the bible's true mesage and enjoy the free will which we often take for granted ... unfortunately at the cost of the happiness of so many poor souls ... MAny of you have given me great advice which has helped me show my wife the truth ... I think things are going to be all right. I think I'm going to be able to get her out of that f*****g matrix ... Many thanks from my familiy to all of you ...
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  13

  Man marries dog!

  by ozziepost in

  1. social
  2. current

  this news item is now appearing in oz:.

  21:12 aedt wed 4 feb 2004. nepalese man marries dog.

  afp - a 75-year-old man in nepal married a dog in a local custom to ensure good luck only to die three days later, a newspaper reported.

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  family_man

  That's one sure way to lose a best friend ...
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  16

  Letter to all congregations Feb 18, 2004

  by Puternut in

  1. forum
  2. announcements

  to all congregations of jehovah's witnesses feb 18, 2004. .

  re: important changes and announcements.

  dear brothers,.

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  family_man

  What is a dub? And how do I sign up? I'm tired of relying on television to avoid independent thought ...
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  52

  Which One Lie Hurt You The Most About Jehovahs Witnesses?

  by shamus in

  1. jw
  2. friends

  which one teaching really hurt you when you found out that it was not true?

  my number one thing is finding out that the name "jehovah" was not in the bible like it was in the new world translation (tm).

  christians did not call god "jehover" "jehovah" or by his first name, no more than you would call your father by his first name when you were a child.

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  family_man

  Please elaborate on a couple of things. I am trying to rescue my wife...

  ...that Jesus was "only an angel".

  Once the lid was blown on that one, a whole heap of other stuff fell apart at the seams.
  I don't believe I retain anything, of what I previously held true, for I found even the most innocuous beliefs to be tainted (images of "leaven" flashing up).

  How do I blow the lid of of this? It's tough when they quote nothing scripture which says that Jesus is the son of god. As the angles, hence Jesus is an angle. I know this is not true - but am having a hard time showing it in the scripture... I never thought I wouldI have to prove this logically thats what faith is for ...

  #1. Lack of love and patience.. and three elders walking in with "shoot to kill"..on their minds carrying shotguns. (I do not believe that all elders are like this....but these 3 were)..Power gone wild.

  #4. Malawi vs Mexico, Beth Sarim- which was a eye opener,

  #3. The U.N. thing really upset my bucket this year..

  I have not heard of these ... I am kind of ignorant to some of this as I have never been a JW but need to learn so to improve my chances of getting her out...
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  38

  Does the Watchtower Doctrine exist?

  by family_man in

  1. watchtower
  2. bible

  i am trying to learn as much as i can for my wife's sake.

  she has started to attend a kingdom hall.

  it's a spanish one.

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  family_man

  Pete

  Can't help but feel there is nothing I can do to warn her. What did you do right or wrong to get her to start thinking? Learning from others mistakes/triumphs willhelp.

  Last night I attended a study at someones house. It was about marriage. I asked her sister (active JW) about using other bibles - I brought a KJV. She said they encourage people to use their version but welcome others to read different versions.

  Ia lso asked about who started the JWá. My wife responded that Russell did. Her sister interceded that actually it was started by a small group of people of which Russell was part.

  I can't help but think that some of what I read here is exagerrated, but my gut says otherwise. How do I reveal them for what they are when they are contrdicting that which they practice and makes them a cult. I feel like showing my wife the board but have been advised not to.

  It is hard to gauge how deep she is in it. Last night I casually showed her Jn 1:1 and inquired her thoughts on JC's diety - of course she denied it and said she is reading it as that JC was a god. Then she withdrew.

  On the other hand today she is going to help prepare for an upcoming birthday. Sat we are doing some Valentine's Day activities. I feel like taking the risk she'll snap out of it If reveal now what I know... but the worst case scenario scares me...

  Thoughts anyone?
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  38

  Does the Watchtower Doctrine exist?

  by family_man in

  1. watchtower
  2. bible

  i am trying to learn as much as i can for my wife's sake.

  she has started to attend a kingdom hall.

  it's a spanish one.

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  family_man

  Joker - I see right through you. I am sorry you are in this situation. Read the bible by yourself and without Awake. Pray to god for guidance.

  Avishai - what does Df'd mean?

  Peaceful Pete yours seems to be the consensus of a lot of people in this forum. I've already tried putting my foot down - resulting in fights. The kind path is the path I will take - it seems the most biblical.

  I'm going to KH tonight to be with my wife - the whole time I'll be praying she snap out of it soon...

  Wish me luck... I guess I am going to be in this for a the long haul.

  Everyone else thanks for the advice I'll take it all to heart and keep continue to communicate through this forum ...
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  38

  Does the Watchtower Doctrine exist?

  by family_man in

  1. watchtower
  2. bible

  i am trying to learn as much as i can for my wife's sake.

  she has started to attend a kingdom hall.

  it's a spanish one.

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  family_man

  I just thought of something else. Is the WTBS a corporation or privately held? How do you find out who the governing body is and what are their credentials? How much do they profit? [I hear about Beth Sarim on a free christian website. So other JW's know about this?]

  My wife was told they are a group of scholars who have interpreted the bible to it's fullest meaning.

  After Baptism is there a quota on mags to "hawk off". How much are they? Right now everything's been donated but someone had to pay. Who?
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  38

  Does the Watchtower Doctrine exist?

  by family_man in

  1. watchtower
  2. bible

  i am trying to learn as much as i can for my wife's sake.

  she has started to attend a kingdom hall.

  it's a spanish one.

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  family_man

  Everyone thanks for your responses. So what got you all out?

  As for my wife - you've given me some good advice about how to deal with it over time.

  What if I show her this board - do you think this will help? I understand that the more I try to pry away the more she will embrace - rendering me powerless. But if I bring up all of these negatives now [i.e. the mandatory meetings, logging hours, diassociaiton of our daughter with non JW's, thier motive is to sell more mags] and they come to pass will this not help her get out eventually.

  I think that my only hope is:

  1) I have accepted Jesus in my life and made sure to read only the book and involve muself in a non invasive church.

  2) She is still not practicing the extremism I see them practice - we are planning my daughter's first birthday right now without any conflict.

  I am going to Kingdom Hall with her tonight to keep an I on her and learn more. I feel strong enough in bodymind and spirit to do so.

  Any more advise would be helpful in helping me contain myself tonight - I feel like bringin up these points you raise about what WTS becomes after baptism.

  Thanks to everyone for your advice. It is hard to do this at home (I don't want to reveal myself yet) and at work.
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  38

  Does the Watchtower Doctrine exist?

  by family_man in

  1. watchtower
  2. bible

  i am trying to learn as much as i can for my wife's sake.

  she has started to attend a kingdom hall.

  it's a spanish one.

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  family_man

  I am trying to learn as much as I can for my wife's sake. She has started to attend a Kingdom Hall. It's a Spanish one. Are they different than English ones, or is all the extreme controll and deceit mentioned on the forum something that only comes out when it's too late.

  What is the WT doctrine? I have heard this before and seen it mentioned on this website. Why when I asked my wife's sister about it [JW of course] why did she act as it did not exist.

  Why hasn't my wife mentioned the door to door and the logging of hours yet?

  Right now it seems harmless but something wicked is brewing and I can feel'our familiy unravelling. On the surface all is calm, but deep down there is something eirie behind theri suits and dresses and wide grins.

  For now Birthday's are still safe, but I'm worried the brainwashing will work. Is the WT as dangerous as you all say? What do they gain from their control? I obviously am not a JW nor desire to become one, but I will fight to keep my wife from faling into this organization. I need to win her back to keep my family toghether.

  Sorry for the rambling but I don't know where to begin to understand their motives and methods.
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  47

  Feelings of an active JW

  by XBEHERE in

  1. jw
  2. friends

  i have been lurking on this board ever since the may 2002 broadcast of that dateline on the subject of child molestation.

  that show made me realize that the wt may not be speaking for god.

  well naturally i discovered the truth about the "truth" over the past 21 months.

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  family_man

  Guys,

  For the last couple of days I have been reading your testimonies in sheer stark terror. The reason being that for the past few months my wife has been attending a Kingdom Hall. I am not a JW, I am seeking god through other avenues b/c a long time ago I accepted Juses in my life. At the time I was youang and immature so did not pursue service to god, but years later after marriage and a baby he is back in my life.

  I attended a few meetings at the Kingdom Hall and felt something inherently wrong with what was going on. But my wife won't hear it. It is difficult to argue with what I can only assume "on the surface" is a religion devoted to the bible and God. I am in a state of shock to hear this is a cult. They walk around holier thatn thou which makes them martyrs when I argue with my wife.

  Anyone reading this please tell me more on what happens to JW's when the "honeymoon is over" so to speak and the real constrictive coersive face of the WTS comes out. I suspect this is the SOP of the WTS and my wife will only get sucked into this more and more as time passes. She is at a stage where they are courting her with good works and examples, she needs to know the truth of what comes later.

  Or is all this testimony something only characteristic of American JW's - my wife is hispanic and goes to the Spanish services. Anyone out there AMerican or Hispanic alike please shed some light and tell me what to expect so I can arm myself with knowledge ... I need to win for my wife's and infant's sake ....