I can't wait to hear your story, so please don't forget to share!!! This is a great board to be on, and anytime you need advice or suggestions, you will recieve all the help you can imagine. Glad to have you!!!
My regards,
Joanne
AngelofMuZiC
JoinedPosts by AngelofMuZiC
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new to this db
by exodus ini'm new on this board.
i hope to share my own experience on how i'm exiting out of this org.
pls stay tune for more.
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AngelofMuZiC
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THIS IS UNBELIEVABLE!!!
by AngelofMuZiC inthe following are excerpts from the offical office of public affaris of jehovah's witnesses website:.
do you believe that you are the only ones who will be saved?.
many millions who have lived in centuries past and who were not jehovah's witnesses will come back in a resurrection and have an opportunity for life.
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AngelofMuZiC
THE FOLLOWING ARE EXCERPTS FROM THE OFFICAL OFFICE OF PUBLIC AFFARIS OF JEHOVAH'S WITNESSES WEBSITE:
Do you believe that you are the only ones who will be saved?
No. Many millions who have lived in centuries past and who were not Jehovah's Witnesses will come back in a resurrection and have an opportunity for life. Many now living may yet take a stand for truth and righteousness before God's time of judgment, and they will gain salvation. Moreover, Jesus said that we should not be judging one another. Humans look at the outward appearance; God looks at the heart. He sees accurately and judges mercifully. God has committed judgment into Jesus' hands, not ours.—Matthew 7:1-5; John 5:22, 27.
Do you shun former members?
Those who simply cease to be involved in the faith are not shunned. In compliance with the Scriptures, however, members can be expelled for serious unchristian conduct, such as stealing, drunkenness, or adultery, if they do not repent and cease such actions. Disfellowshipping does not sever family ties. Disfellowshipped members may continue to attend religious services, and if they wish, they may receive pastoral visits. They are always welcome to return to the faith.—1 Corinthians 5:11-13.COMMENTS, PLEASE!!!!!!
Joanne -
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WT May 1 & June 15, 2001
by Defender inthe may 1 and june 15, 2001 watchtower issues have reading articles about helping widows through their trials and look after orphans and widows in their tribulation.
both articles contain very healthful counsel, tips and recommendations to the grieving and needy and to those around them on how, and when to offer help and support.. the problem with these articles is not that the average jw or local congregation elders are not doing their part in helping out the needy.
in fact, most individual jws are as compassionate and supportive as the average person.
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AngelofMuZiC
Excellent!!!Very Excellent!!! I don't think Siskel and Ebert could have done a better commentary!!! If you could, I'd like you to check out my post on the July 1 '01 WT, and let me know what you think.
My regards,
Joanne -
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Regarding the JULY 1 2001 Watchtower Article
by AngelofMuZiC inwatchtower-july 1, 2001 article "do not let doubt destroy your faith".
this article is stunning!!!
the "spiritual gems" found in this article are in my opinion priceless.
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AngelofMuZiC
Watchtower-July 1, 2001 Article "Do Not Let Doubt Destroy Your Faith"
This article is stunning!!! The "spiritual gems" found in this article are in my opinion priceless. Here is my commentary:
In the first three paragraphs, the Society uses an example of bacterial infection that takes over the body causing severe sickness and possible death, comparing it with the effects of doubt. (A little extreme, don't you think?)
Doubt-Is It Always Bad?
Paragraph 4 quote:
"At times, you suspend acceptance of something till you are sure of the facts. Religious exhortations to the effect that you should just believe and doubt nothing are dangerous and deceptive."--Whoa, put on the brakes!!! Isn't that exactly what the WTS does, or are they changing their mind again?! Well, wait a minute. As I recall, whatever doubts you have, you're supposed to bring them to the attention of an Elder or MS, so they can direct you to a book OTHER than the bible, and correct your view by the Society's interpretation of the scripture.
The paragraph further points out the Scriptures found in Proverbs 14:15 about putting faith in every word, and Proverbs 26:24,25 which speaks about the deceptive talker making his voice gracious. According to my experience, and that of many others, if you don't put the upmost faith in every word of the WTS, then you are spiritually weak, and need immediate counsel. And JW seem pretty "gracious" at the door, wouldn't you agree?Paragraph 5 quotes the scriptures found in 1 John 4:1 that exhorts us to test the inspired expressions to see whether they originate from God. I brought that to the attention of an elder once, and I had the scriptures about not testing God thrown in my face!
Unfounded Doubts-
Paragraph 6 quote:
"Yes, an honest, humble examination of the facts to establish the truth is often called for." Who are they to judge what is honest and humble?! "This, however, is not the same as allowing doubts to develop in out mind and hearts-doubts that can wreck our firmly established beliefs and relationships." (Doubts that can blow their cover, and wreck our firmly established membership in the borg?) "This doubt is defined as an "uncertainty of belief or opinion that often interferes with decision-making." (And Webster's gives specifics on doubt classification? I DON'T THINK SO!) The paragraph then tells the story of Eve, when Satan put doubt in her head about God's absolute power.Paragraph 7 talks about James' exhortation to keep on asking in faith, not doubting at all; and then goes on to warn that when we start to develop an uncertainty of belief, that we leave ourself vunerable to demonic teachings.
(Doubting the WTS, leaves us open to the REAL TRUTH!)Maintaing Good Spiritual Health-
Paragraph 9 gives a quote from a doctor about how the bod reacts when starved of food, and tries to tie this in with Matthew 4:4, "Man must live not on bread alone, but on every utterance coming forth from Jehovah's mouth." I don't recall it being written in the bible that in 2,000 years Jehovah was writing a monthly bible guide called the Watchtower. Did you? Didn't think so.
Paragraph 10 quote:
"How did we build faith in the first place? "Faith follows the thing heard," writes the Apostle Paul. (Romans 10:17) He means that we initially built our faith and confidence in Jehovah, his promises, and his organization by feeding on God's Word." Now you tell me...where in the world did Paul ever mention building faith in the WTS? Paul always mentioned the Christian congregation, not an organization or religion, OR THE WTS!!!! Looks like the Society is guilty of adding to the scriptures, something forbidden in Revelation 21, which makes it quite clear that they are not God's ordained people. The paragraph goes on, citing the example of the Beroeans. What they fail to leave out is that the student has to examine the scriptures under the supervision of another witness, using their publications as a “guide”, and any understanding of the scriptures that differs from what the WTS says, are immediately “readjusted”.Aviod Spiritual Starvation-
Paragraph 11 quote:
“Now the challenge is to maintain our faith…” (in false beliefs)…”and to avoid any uncertainty of belief…”(ideas other than what the WTS says)”…that can weaken our confidence in Jehovah and his organization. The Apostle Paul warns that some…will fall away from the faith, paying attention to misleading inspired utterances and teachings of demons.” It seems that the Societ keeps mixing up the usages of faith. Faith means belief. Faith can mean religion, depending on the context of the paragraph. But they just keep throwing the two together.Paragraph 14 quote:
“Likely, they neglected personal study, and became spiritually weak.” Where does it mention a big Watchtower Study on Sunday? If it’s personal why do JW’s have to tell elders what kind of study they do when they get a sheparding call?Paragraph 16 quote:
“Hence, keep up your personal study. Fight doubts vigorously.” Why such urgency with that statement? Because the Watchtower Society is beginning to see that mass numbers of people are becoming un-brainwashed and are realizing the truth behind their organization. Further down in the paragraph, it gives examples of doubtful questions…”Are we really living in the last days? Can you believe everything the bible says? Is this really Jehovah’s organization?” Notice how they carefully slide that last question in there.Paragraph 19 is the final paragraph, and this one packs a really whollop of guilt. “Take the danger of doubts seriously. Satan engages in what might be called spiritual bacteriologic warfare. If you neglect to take in good spiritual food through personal study of the Bible and through attendance at Christian meetings, you lay yourself wide open for attacks…..Make good use of the generous and timely supply of spiritual food provided by the faithful and discreet slave.”
When Paul wrote Hebrews 10:24, 25..I don’t think he mentioned meetings at the kingdom Hall 3 times a week. He said “Do not forsake the gathering of yourselves together…” I believe he was talking about a general gathering of the Christian congregation. But please feel free to correct me if I am mistaken. And where are we told get our spiritual food from another source besides the bible?
I hope my dissection of this article will be useful to you all in witnessing to other witnesses.
My Deepest Regards,
Joanne -
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latest WT thoughts for the day
by truman inthe august 1 wt arrived in my mailbox today.
i eagerly ripped off the wrapper in anticipation of fresh spiritual gems.
i was not disappointed.
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AngelofMuZiC
I did the same as you, recieved it today, and ripped off the cover, in total anticipation of the contents. I noticed all of the same things you did. But something is a little different. It seems to me that the BORG is feeling the heat on their backs. They seem a little scared that they are being found out. Or maybe they have read some things from this website, haha.
Joanne -
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I'd like to tell you all my unique story...
by AngelofMuZiC inmy name is joanne, and i'm 19. my earliest memory is of the kingdom hall.
it all started when my mother, who is now 62, was walking down the street and some witnesses stopped her while they were street witnessing.
my mom had a really tough life, and was looking for answers and a solution to her problems.
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AngelofMuZiC
Thank you all for your welcome and your support. I am trying desperately to help my mother see the truth behind the org. Once their inside your head, its so hard to get them out!!! So I'm listening for all the suggestions you can give me, and whatever research you've got. (She likes proof) Thanx again.
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WT June 1, 2001 (part II)
by Defender inthe second article of discussion in this issue is titled: "moving ahead to final victory!".
the article starts to talk about christs enthronement as king and in paragraph one, along with an illustration of crowned jesus riding on a white horse, it states: "we today, have clear evidence that this foretold enthronement took place in 1914.. since watchtower article discussions are always a one way dialogue, where the society speaks and the rank and file just listens, it is easy to make assertions.
in a normal two way dialogue, when one says "i have clear evidence" for something, the other party will not just nod his head in agreement, but would rather demand to know and see what this clear evidence is and would want to proceed and examine it thoroughly.
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AngelofMuZiC
to Amnesian:
You can find part one in the main category, at the bottom of the first page, or top of the second, but you have to go into MAIN category.
To Defender:
Thanx a mil for the commentaries. They are so helpful. KEEP'EM COMING MAN!!! :) -
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WT June 1, 2001
by Defender inthe wt june 1, 2001 issue contains the article "if god is for us who will be against us?".
in this article the wt talks about identifying the marks of those having god's backing.
in paragraph 6 it quotes jesus words found in mathew 7:15,16 where he says that "be on the watch for false prophets that come to you in sheep's covering, but inside they are ravenous wolves.
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AngelofMuZiC
I would like to say that this article discussion was most delightful. I found it last night at work and decided to print it and take it home, because I don't have internet access at home. I asked my mother, still a borg memeber, for a copy of this issue, and read it along with your article, just to make sure that your information was accurate according to what they actually teach. (some people try to debate, but have all the wrong answers) Well let me tell you. You have dissected their religion right from the core, and all of your statements are biblical. It thought it was very well written, and I would appreciate if you could post anything else you have written about other articles, because its helping me understand the true psychology behind this cult
Thanx so much!!!
Joanne -
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Song Parody: Happy Days
by TR insunday, monday, service days, .
tuesday, wednesday, service days, .
thursday, friday, service days, .
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AngelofMuZiC
**********-TEN MILLION STARZ!!! :) :) :)
That is the just about the funniest thing I ever read!!! Keep writing!! -
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I'd like to tell you all my unique story...
by AngelofMuZiC inmy name is joanne, and i'm 19. my earliest memory is of the kingdom hall.
it all started when my mother, who is now 62, was walking down the street and some witnesses stopped her while they were street witnessing.
my mom had a really tough life, and was looking for answers and a solution to her problems.
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AngelofMuZiC
My name is Joanne, and I'm 19. My earliest memory is of the Kingdom Hall. It all started when my mother, who is now 62, was walking down the street and some Witnesses stopped her while they were street witnessing. My mom had a really tough life, and was looking for answers and a solution to her problems. Number one, she is mentally handicapped (she operates intellectually as a 10 yr. old, and emotionally as a 14 yr. old). She had survived being tossed around in foster care until she was 20, constantly being abused by her foster parents. Then, she survived three marriages, all of which resulted in her being abused verbally, physically, and sexually, and ended in divorce because she feared for her life. She had six children all together, I being the youngest (she was not married to my father). One child was killed in a car accident while in protective custody because the father had threatened to kill both my mother and the baby. The other four (two girls and two boys) were taken from her by their father to be raised by him, and never to be heard from again. She listened keenly to what the Witnesses were telling her, and you all can imagine how amazed she was to learn about the paradise, and the reason for wickness. When she tried to tell some members of her family what she had been told, they tried to have her put in an assylum. That plan failed, and she stayed away from the Witnesses for a long while. Then one day she met my grandmother at the grocery store, while she was standing out front with the magazines. My mother immediately recognized the literature and decided to talk to her. At this point, my mother was homeless and wandering from shelter to shelter. After a few meetings with this woman, my mother began going to the Kingdom Hall. The woman began feeling really sorry for my mothers horrible condition, and so she offered my mother a room in their house. This is where she met my father, and my "anointed" great aunt and uncle. My father basically took advantage of her condition unbeknowst to my grandparents. My mother got pregnant with me, and her and my father moved out on their own. My father also was an abusive alcoholic, but not as bad as the others. When it came time to give birth to me, my father split, and my grandparents had died. But my mom figured she could always count on people at the Kingdom Hall. She went off and on for a few years, and starting teaching me all about Jehovah and the bible. I always had a story out of the "My Book of Bible Stories" read to me before bed. Soon my mother was out on the street again, because her mental condition did not enable her to hold a job. Some witnesses who had gotten to know her, set her up in the apartment that we still live in. They paid the security and first months rent, set up all the utilities, stocked our fridge, and even gave her clothes for us. And they also decided to pick her and I up for meetings. My mom tried very hard to learn to read and be able to study the bible. She had several different teachers, because not everyone had the patience to deal with her slowness, or me-a bratty smart-mouthed kid. Eventually she was baptized, and I was made to study the bible also. At first I liked studying. I loved to raise my hand high and answer at the meetings. But as I got older, I noticed things that I didn't like. I didn't like other people bossing me around. That was my mother's job, no one else's. And I didn't like the fact that we had to make time requirements. Then little by little, I was feeling put out. People stopped inviting us places, they stopped caring for my mother, and I was left to do it, at the age of 10!!!! But they were always there to make sure she went to a meeting. And despite my mother's severe arthritis, they were there to make sure she went in service, even in the dead of winter, which is the most painful time of year for arthritic patients. When I was in middle school, I really began hating my mother for dragging me into this religion. It seemed to me that she was becoming a robot, doing whatever they said. I started smoking, drinking and doing drugs at the tender age of 13, in rebellion. I even tried to run away from home, because I felt like I didn't belong in a house where your parents don't listen to you. When the police found me and brought me home, the first thing my mother said when I walked in the door...was not "oh god i was worried sick about you", or no hug or kiss, not even "if you ever do that again...." All she said is..."the elders will be waiting for you when you get back from school. You have some explaining to do to them." She wasn't even my mother anymore!!!! After awhile, I stopped the whole silly rebellion/fitting-in-with-the-crowd thing, and tried to live according to the bible. I stopped my drug usage, drinking, got good grades in school. But I couldn't stop smoking. I lied so many times to the elders because I was taught to be afraid of them. Eventually, that all faded, and I was back to being the obnoxious, loudmouth I was before. I stopped going to class, fell into a depression and even dabbled in Wicca. I didn't really know what to do with myself. The Witnesses are always preaching about accurate knowledge...Well where did all that knowledge get me? I had all of this knowlegde from countless hours of meetings and bookstudies, and conventions and research. Sure, I could debate anybody about the bible, and usually win. I impressed people twice my age because I knew twice as much as they did about bible history, linguistics of the bible, terminolgy, bible characters, the book of Revelation. I pretty much knew it all. Because I lacked enough credits to graduate, I dropped out of school and started working. My mother is still faithfully attending meetings every week, but she always comes home in a depressed mood. When I ask her what is wrong, she tells me no one talks to her, someone told her a rumor about me, or something like that. I dissassociated myself almost two yrs. ago, because I didn't feel right belonging to an organization that I wasn't sure was correct. Sometimes I miss going to the Hall, but usually those feelings dissapate when I think of all the backstabbing. I'll have you know that the very woman who first helped my mother get her apartment, told her that she felt sorry for her, because she had such a horrible daughter that Jehovah was going to destroy at Armaggedon!!! Because of my experiances, I suffer from depression, and I am completely turned off by all religions. I do believe in the bible, and I do believe in God. But I want NOTHING to do with a religious organization, especially any that proclaim to be the truth...because NO ONE KNOWS THE TRUTH!!!
Thank you for reading my story.
Joanne, NJ