Troubled will you e-mail me? Guaranteed confidential. No hidden agenda, just concerned.
Posts by anon
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23JW's - Do You Willingly Obey The Slave?
by TR in.
the only thing necessary for the triumph of evil is for good men to do nothing.
edmund burke
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36
Evolution vs Creation and spontaneous generation
by MrMoe inplease read it all, i know it's a bit long, but you need to read it all to see where i am coming from.
i beleive in creation in the sense that the big bang and spontaneous generation don't make logical sense to me.
i am sure funkyderek and jan will have some fun with me on this one.
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anon
I would still suggest reading it. I point out that Denton is a biologist who did (does?) believe in evolution. Correct me if I am wrong, but I do not believe gravity is subject to the same kind of disputes swirling around evolution.
I know there are discussions about the old Creation book. Are there any on the newer Creator book? Not just misuse of sources but actual analysis of arguments presented in favor of creation? -
36
Evolution vs Creation and spontaneous generation
by MrMoe inplease read it all, i know it's a bit long, but you need to read it all to see where i am coming from.
i beleive in creation in the sense that the big bang and spontaneous generation don't make logical sense to me.
i am sure funkyderek and jan will have some fun with me on this one.
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anon
I suggest reading the book Evolution: a Theory in Crisis by Michael Denton.
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anon
I have seen a couple of parts. Is the whole thing at any site?
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22
Should you write to the society?
by sleepy inwhen someone comes across something in the "truth" that disterbs them should they write to the society or is this pointless?.
i think they should write for several reasons.. 1.you must give them at least a chance to present their side of the story.it is no good just relying for others for your information you can not be shure what the society really belive until you hear it from them yourself.. wasn't just relying on the judgement of others part of what got you in in the first place.. its good for us to try and advance in our way of thinking during life and part of this involves doing our own research which is not complete until we go to the source of our conflict.. also if you bring up the point with someone it gives more weight to your argument if mention you wrote to the society and this was their answer.. 2. the more poeple that write in with the same points the more difficult it will be for them to hold to an erroneous stand.. the more different people that write the more ways of expresing the point will be heared different ways will make sence to different people.. remember its not just the same person answering all letters but different people who will have to do research an answer your point, which could make them think.. (this assumes that the society is genuinely mistaken and not corupt, although it could be a bit of both).
of cource if you do not want hassle off your elders dont tell the society you are a brother/sister or just give a different name ,prehaps you could give the address of your place of work or somewhere else if you don't want to be traced easily.. in my case i just made it sound like i was an intrested person.. or you could make out that you need some help in presenting the societies case to an intrested person who has quetions.
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anon
You could preface your questions with this quotation:
*** w98 8/15 20 Strengthening Our Confidence in God's Righteousness ***
19 Jehovah’s organization does not discourage sincere, timely questions, as some opposers mistakenly claim. (1 Peter 1:10-12) However, the Bible counsels that we avoid foolish, speculative questions. (Titus 3:9) Asking reasonable questions and searching God’s Word and Christian publications to find Scriptural answers can increase our accurate knowledge and can thus strengthen our confidence in Jehovah. The organization follows the example of Jesus. He refrained from commenting on questions for which the proper time for answering had not arrived. He explained: “I have many things yet to say to you, but you are not able to bear them at present.” (John 16:12) He also admitted that some things he himself did not know at that point.—Matthew 24:36. -
9
confidential confession
by anon inthis is a story appearing on abc's news website.. " http://abcnews.go.com/sections/us/dailynews/religionconfession_010802.html.
i post it here since it relates to what elders could/should do in child abuse cases.. .
aa confession ruled confidential.
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anon
This is a story appearing on abc's news website.
" http://abcnews.go.com/sections/us/DailyNews/religionconfession_010802.html
I post it here since it relates to what elders could/should do in child abuse cases.
AA Confession Ruled Confidential
Federal Judge Overturns Manslaughter ConvictionBy David Ruppe
Aug. 2 — A man's confession at an Alcoholics Anonymous meeting to two killings was constitutionally protected and shouldn't have been used against him, a federal judge in New York ruled in overturning a 1995 manslaughter verdict.
The judge ruled, as had previous New York appellate decisions, that Alcoholics Anonymous — a self-described "spiritual" fellowship dedicated to helping members stop drinking and recover from alcoholism — engages in constitutionally protected religious activity.
The man, 33-year-old Paul Cox, was sentenced to a minimum of 16 years in prison for the killings of two people in their home in 1988. Cox's arrest and conviction resulted from his confessions to fellow Alcoholics Anonymous members, according to Tuesday's ruling by U.S. District Court Judge Charles Brieant.
Such confessions are an important of AA's famous "12 Step" program for recovery, which AA says has helped more than 2 million people stop drinking.
The group encourages confessions and identities of members to remain anonymous, so as not to discourage others from joining and following the program.
AA Ruled Religious
Brieant's judgment hinged on his finding that Alcoholics Anonymous members engage in religious activity as part of the program.
"The record before this Court shows that in addition to the numerous religious references in the Twelve Steps, meetings of AA are closed with a recitation of The Lord's Prayer," he wrote.
Brieant also cites as precedent, an earlier Court of Appeals ruling that AA "is a religion," and so courts couldn't compel persons to attend the meetings.
"He's bound by that other case," said Father Robert Drinan, a Georgetown University Law School professor.
Brieant said in his ruling that while AA may not traditionally be called a religion, the group engages in religious communications that should be protected by the First Amendment.
The First Amendment reads: "Congress shall make no law respecting an establishment of religion, or prohibiting the free exercise thereof; or abridging the freedom of speech …."
"Clearly it is possible as a matter of Constitutional law to have and to practice a religion without having a clergyman as such," Brieant wrote. "[I]f the state is treating AA meetings with less protection than any other form of religious communication which carries assurances of confidentiality, a Constitutional violation exists."
Not a Religion
Lawyers representing New York state argued the contrary: "There was no evidence whatsoever that Alcoholics Anonymous is a religious organization as required by statute, or that another member is a clergyman or other member of any religion or duly accredited Christian Science practitioner."
Brieant "is creating by judicial fiat an additional privilege that is outside of the scope of the state Legislature," said David Hebert, the executive assistant district attorney for Westchester County, where the case was prosecuted.
Hebert contends AA confessions should not be considered confidential because AA says it is not a religion and is a nonprofessional organization, whose members are not, like doctors, lawyers or priests, trained to hear confessions or other privileged information.
Further, he says Cox's confessions were made outside of AA meetings.
"The intent of privileges appears to apply almost exclusively, with the possible exception of the spousal privilege, to individuals who have some kind of professional duty, obligation, knowledge," Hebert said. "This is not the case in an Alcoholics Anonymous setting."
The district attorney's office will appeal the decision, he said. Cox will be held at least until that ruling.
What's a Religious Communication?
Brieant noted New York law states the Constitution protects confessions to a clergyman or "other minister of any religion or duly accredited Christian Science practitioner."
And, he wrote, previous rulings by the New York federal Court of Appeals found separately that, to avoid prejudice of one religion over another, the protection would apply to confessions to all spiritual advisers.
"Doctrinally and as actually practiced in the Twelve Step methodology, adherence to the AA fellowship entails engagement in religious activity and religious proselytization," said a 1996 decision.
AA Says It's Not a Religion
For its part, Alcoholics Anonymous, in a fact sheet posted on its national Web site, says it is not a religion: "No. Nor is it allied with any religious organization."
A spokesperson for the organization, however, said AA "considers ourselves a spiritual organization."
That spiritual quality is apparent in the 12 Step program. Step 2, for instance, reads members have "made a decision to turn our will and lives over to the care of God as we understood Him." For Step 5, members "admitted to God, to ourselves and to another human being the exact nature of our wrongs." Step 6 says members "were entirely ready to remove all these defects of character."
The AA spokesperson, who requested anonymity in the organization's tradition, said AA had no opinion on the court ruling.
It is group's policy not to comment on "outside issues; hence the AA name ought never be drawn into public controversy," said another brochure.
"AA should be happy with this, because this vindicates the fact that if you do confess and somebody squeals that can't be used against you," says Drinan. "That's an added incentive for these people to confess to each other."
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63
GB Admits It Has No Answers, Blood
by Maximus in"in contrast with humans, who have a limited life span, jehovah never feels pressured by time to reveal his secrets prematurely.
this fact should prevent us from becoming impatient when certain bible questions cannot presently be explained to our satisfaction.
"modesty on the part of the faithful and discreet slave class, commissioned to provide the christian household with food at the proper time, prevents it from presumptuously running ahead and wildly speculating about things that are still unclear.
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anon
Another question -
Interesting info about twin transfusion. Has Society ever commented on this? Has anyone brought this to their attention?
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63
GB Admits It Has No Answers, Blood
by Maximus in"in contrast with humans, who have a limited life span, jehovah never feels pressured by time to reveal his secrets prematurely.
this fact should prevent us from becoming impatient when certain bible questions cannot presently be explained to our satisfaction.
"modesty on the part of the faithful and discreet slave class, commissioned to provide the christian household with food at the proper time, prevents it from presumptuously running ahead and wildly speculating about things that are still unclear.
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anon
In another thread Anchor said:
"Now just who can I talk to? I may have some good persons in my congregation with whom I can let down my hair, but even that is hazardous. I have not seen for a very long time a circuit or district overseer with whom I would dare talk, although friends may pinpoint a particular person as being more "understanding." Who would you dare tell that you do not believe the Bible prohibits saving a pregnant mother's life when she is bleeding to death and TWO lives are at stake? Happened. Blood was secretly given."
Anchor - Who was aware blood was given? What transpired afterwards? Judicial action? Guilty conscience? Still JW's?
Anyone else have experiences where elders did not take action despite knowing prohibited parts of blood were accepted?
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29
To Active COs/DOs
by Maximus ina major news organization is in final process of preparing a tv program addressing the issues raised by silentlambs.
its producers and investigator reporters wish to be fair and unbiased, and are seeking broad input and insight.. another such organization has been attracted to the child abuse issue but does not wish to duplicate what's covered.
they are in the initial stages of examining the blood issue and that of enforced shunning and its consequences, in the light of human rights issues globally.
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anon
Maximus - Any possibility of mentioning general drift of responses?
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2
F. Franz comments on personal opinions
by anon ini found this transcript on another site.
can anyone verify accuracy?.
if genuine, does this represent typical thinking of those in responsible positions, such as gb, traveling overseers?.
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