Posts by Bluegrass Tom

17

Did the Watchtower Society Cause Mental or Emotional Damage?

by The wanderer in

jw
friends

did the watchtower society cause mental or emotional damage?the argument is the watchtower caused one, the other, or a combination .

in my particular case, it was emotional damage because individuals consider me .

to be fairly intelligent and clear minded.. what is your perspective about this matter?did the watchtower cause mental or emotional damage?

Bluegrass Tom

It certainly did cause damage to many people. Being and adherent to the religion places a person under a level of stress that is man induced and way beyond the performance criteria that God outlines for worship in the Bible. To describe this stress would be a thread in itself. If you dutifully follow the teachings of the WB&TS you will become isolated from the world in general, perhaps even blood relatives, and will not be able to have any meaningful relationships with other co-inhabiters of the planet. You will be deprived of taking advantage of getting a higher education that would enhanse your life in numerous ways and allow you to earn a living that would provide a basis for an adequate life-style. If you lived through the 1975 episode like many of us did, that is entirely another discussion. Just ask the people that come from that period of time who listened and followed what they were told. They pioneered or did some equivalent service, became professional office cleaners for support and now are looking at the back end of their life living in an apartment, with no pension, real estate or other means to sustain reitrement. The "Generation" understanding that they all banked on went up in smoke. Where really are we in the stream of time? What will we be told next? "Keep on hanging in there.....the end is close. We really mean it this time!"

13

Has anyone seen this research on 607 and the Watchtower?

by lurker in

jw
friends

i was recently searching the web for information on 607 to discuss with my wife and i came up with this.

http://www.jehovahsjudgment.co.uk/607/default.html these people say that they are proving the watchtowers 607 date correct.

i am convinced that the watchtower is wrong because of all the other things that i have researched but i would welcome any feedback.

Bluegrass Tom

Check this out.

http://www.jehovahs-witness.com/10/82648/1350945/post.ashx#1350945

22

How did you tell old distant friends that you faded? Or do you?

by cab1000 in

jw
friends

you all have been so helpful in the past with these things...and i have another "how to deal" question.... ok, we have been faded for a while now.

we have pumkins out for halloween, as well as fun decorations...the problem is..we got an anniversary card today in the mail from some old witness friends where we used to live...they wish they could visit...they are prone to drop by un announced...so..have any of you had any sucess of "warning" old witness friends that you have changed?.

we are still trying not to get disfellowshiped for family reasons.

Bluegrass Tom

It is true that if they visit there will probably be some fallout over your personal choices in life. One thing that you might consider doing is that since they sent you a card, you can send them back a note thanking them for the card and telling them that for personal reasons you do not want any visitors.

This is our approach. We tell the Friends not to stop by unless invited. It works pretty well. They don't have to bother, and legally they are exposed if they stop by because you were specific with them before hand. None of the Brothers want to be exposed legally.

9

Douglas Walsh Case

by Bluegrass Tom in

.

i am trying to obtain a copy of the douglas walsh case -scotland 1954, or other court transcripts where gb members took the stand and testimony was given pertaining to being the "channel", "1914", the ability to translate ancient languages or other salient topics.

i think there was a trial in nyc about the same period where some of these topics were covered.. if any one can direct me where i can obtain copies of these i would appreciat it.

Bluegrass Tom

Thanks everyone for the leads.

9

Douglas Walsh Case

by Bluegrass Tom in

.

i am trying to obtain a copy of the douglas walsh case -scotland 1954, or other court transcripts where gb members took the stand and testimony was given pertaining to being the "channel", "1914", the ability to translate ancient languages or other salient topics.

i think there was a trial in nyc about the same period where some of these topics were covered.. if any one can direct me where i can obtain copies of these i would appreciat it.

Bluegrass Tom

I am trying to obtain a copy of the Douglas Walsh Case -Scotland 1954, or other court transcripts where GB Members took the stand and testimony was given pertaining to being the "Channel", "1914", the ability to translate ancient languages or other salient topics. I think there was a trial in NYC about the same period where some of these topics were covered.

If any one can direct me where I can obtain copies of these I would appreciat it.

5

Proposal for Annulment of Dedication and Baptism

by Bluegrass Tom in

i was baptized in the mid-1960's.

this is 40 years ago.

things have changed doctrinally since then.

Bluegrass Tom

I was baptized in the mid-1960's. This is 40 years ago. Things have changed doctrinally since then. I am contemplating creating a document that lists all the differences in WTB&TS doctrine from the 1960's and today. Such things as the questions asked at baptism are different today (this is what a person verbally agreed to), 1975, the generation, blood, organ transplants, education, voting, membership in the UN as an NGO, the light getting brighter, etc. The basis of my position is that the doctrine of the religion is substantially different than what I was initialy taught and agreed to. Therefore there are changed conditions by the WTB&TS, not by me. This should allow the relationship to be terminated (annulled) without disassociation. As a matter of fairness the WTB&TS should institute a process that allows annulment under certain circumstances because they keep changin their positions on many areas of doctrine. This impacts peoples lives and feelings.

I intend to develop this document, and take it to a lawyer that specializes in this type of religious litigation. There are several I have found. My goal is to try and institute a process and policy of a negotiated annulment for any who can justify annulment in lieu of disassociation. If this has to be litigated, so be it. Disassociation is too self-serving to the WTB&TS, and only socially damages the one who disassociates themselves. The practice of disassociation is unfair in this instance, since they changed, not me.This could possibly apply to others who are in this situation (being associated for a substantial period of time) and didn't sign-on for the doctrinal point of view that exists today on the part of the WTB&TS.

If anyone can assist with references from the publications, give ideas in the changes in doctrine from the 1960's to today, or input on this general philosophy of mine, I appreciate your help. I don't want to exclude any changes that were made. I want to have a comprehensive listing with examples and references.

I know that this will be a difficult undertaking, but I feel that I may have to try.

8

Need Help on 1967 Baptism Questions

by Bluegrass Tom in

i have some good researching capablity, but i am caught-up short on this one.

i need any help that i can get.. i was baptized in 1967. i am trying to find out the questions that were asked at baptism.

this is before the"lamp" book was released.

Bluegrass Tom

Blondie:

Thanks. You are great!. Yes I did mean the questions that were asked at the Assembly when baptized.

Thanks again.

8

Need Help on 1967 Baptism Questions

by Bluegrass Tom in

i have some good researching capablity, but i am caught-up short on this one.

i need any help that i can get.. i was baptized in 1967. i am trying to find out the questions that were asked at baptism.

this is before the"lamp" book was released.

Bluegrass Tom

I have some good researching capablity, but I am caught-up short on this one. I need any help that I can get.

I was baptized in 1967. I am trying to find out the questions that were asked at baptism. This is before the"Lamp" book was released. The Lamp book was released in the late summer during the district assembly. I was baptized before this.

I also am trying to find out the questions that are presently asked today at baptisms.

Any help is appreciated.

40

About to get df'd(?) need suggestions.

by Insomniac in

jw
friends

so, here's the skinny:.

i haven't been to a meeting in over two years.

i haven't been in service since i can't remember when.

Bluegrass Tom

Insomniac:

My suggestion is that if they call you to meet with them tell them you will not meet with them but will be happy to answer all their questions but will do so only in writting through your lawyer. Then give them the name and address of your Lawyer. This will bring things to and end. They will leave sleeping dogs lay since you have been gone for so long. They are told to avoid lawsuits, and will do so.

24

Them thinking that pioneering is equal to my full time job!

by LongHairGal in

this was a topic that annoyed me and i got into a bit of an argument years ago over this.. some sister (who never worked a day in her life i might add) with the cushy life, affluent husband thought that because she pioneered it was equal to me having a full time secular job.

there were others there who naively thought the same thing.

somehow i gave them an inferiority complex because i worked so they had to dream this up to make themselves feel better.. while i agree that someone who pioneers may be physically tired at the end of the day, there is no comparison to what i have to deal with in going to and from and being on a full time job.

Bluegrass Tom

Scully, I think you are right-on!

I personally know Elders where their only Field Service time is what they count talking to the unbaptized. This includes their children and/or grandchildren. Several haven't seen a door in years. They put in the 10 hours per month to keep the CO off their back, and give Service Meeting parts about the need to preach. It is unbelievable.