Posts by back2dafront

41

Any Brooklyn Bethelites from '93 - '98?

by back2dafront in

i guess i should introduce myself for i am a new poster-boy :-) my name is jason howard and i currently reside in santa cruz, california.

i spent the first 24 years of my life as a jw, starting in danbury, ct, then to fayetteville & charlotte, nc, and finally brooklyn, bethel, where finally all of my negative inner thoughts and feelings were confirmed.

(from the ages of 14-24 i always felt something just didn't add up with the organization, but i could never quite put a finger on it) i spent my career at bethel in the brooklyn warehouse/purchasing departments and worked with some really great individuals.

back2dafront

David Powers, David Powers...that name definitely rings a bell because I worked a lot w/ Rooming because we serviced the Guest Rooms....

is he tall and skinny?? I just can't seem to place the face....ugh....

4

Any comments on this book??

by back2dafront in

http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/tg/stores/detail/-/books/0932813747/reviews/104-5948469-4626333#09328137475000

if that link doesn't work for some reason, the title of the book is "the christ conspiracy: the greatest story ever sold" - ck it out on amazon.com.. anyone read this book?

are the claims that the story of jesus is derived from "earlier savior-gods krishna and horus" credible?

back2dafront

http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/tg/stores/detail/-/books/0932813747/reviews/104-5948469-4626333#09328137475000

If that link doesn't work for some reason, the title of the book is "The Christ Conspiracy: The Greatest Story Ever Sold" - ck it out on Amazon.com.

Anyone read this book? Are the claims that the story of Jesus is derived from "earlier savior-gods Krishna and Horus" credible? This has definitely struck my curiosity....

comments?

24

Woman Dragged Out Of Window By Demon!!!!

by SYN in

oh dear.

jwzone never fails to deliver, and the only thing that can make me laugh when i have a hangover this bad (sucky thing is, i don't even drink!

) is a post like the following from that haven of dubiness:"size matters not," to borrow a phrase.

back2dafront

I sorry, and i do not mean to offend anyones belief, but DEMONS???? I deal in spiritism, I work with those troubled by spirits, but I have never ran into a demon. I have ran in to some real troublesome spirits, but never a demon.

What exactly is the difference between a demon a "troublesome spirit"?? Please enlighten me...

thanks,

jason

16

Matthew 23 and the WTS

by Lady Lee in

the following is a beginning to something i have been thinking about for a long time.

any ideas or additional thoughts would be appreciated.

lee.

back2dafront

23 "Woe to you, teachers of the law and Pharisees, you hypocrites! You give a tenth of your spices--mint, dill and cummin. But you have neglected the more important matters of the law--justice, mercy and faithfulness. You should have practiced the latter, without neglecting the former.

The "more important matters of the law" have been forgotten. People are judged based on hard and fast rules with little or no consideration for personal circumstances. Instead they follow petty rules - beards, shirt colors, skirt lengths, hairstyles etc.
SHIRT COLORS!!! I totally forgot about that! I vaguely remember someone at Bethel talking about how brothers should wear white shirts when giving talks. I remember looking at him and thinking "who the heck really cares?" So many senseless RULES - I mean, what is it, a Board of Directors meeting at a National Bank or something? The wardrobe advice always cracked me up too - "We want to make sure we stay separate from the world, which means we don't want to resemble the way they dress" however their are NUMEROUS worldly people that dress the SAME WAY THEY DO. I've never be the sort to dress in extreme garb, but when my parents didn't want me to wear a necklace, I thought that was taking things a little TOO FAR. I've known people to size up anothers spirituality based on the necklace he had on.
Most of the men in Biblical times had beards. Go figure. If I understand correctly, Witnesses used to be able to wear beards - I don't know what changed that. It's still just as popular now to have a beard as it's ever been.
Very nice review Mt 23 - thanks!
-jay

7

Is the bible God's Word?

by WTLies in

i posted this in "friends" forum:.

author topic: is the bible god's word?

read 2 timesbe the 1st to rate this threadwtlies.

back2dafront

Can't help but think of the woman in Africa that may be stoned for having a baby out of wedlock.

Is the Bible the only source of these strict laws? It seems like things like this would be recorded in other publications/scripts/what-have-you....???

In regards to the screaming, maybe the original intent was to indicate "resistance." Besides, just because nobody heard her scream didn't mean she didn't. If a man holds his hand over her mouth or gags her, her screams will not be heard outside a home unless someone is directly outside the window. (I'm *not* speaking from experience here, just a logical conclusion). Surely a loving God would not want to stone an innocent virgin girl unneccesarily, so assuming this passage is God-inspired, one would logically have to conclude that He was referring to resistance in this passsage.

The reality of this though is really shocking. Can't help but wonder how many innocent women were put to death because of this. It must really pain the Almighty to witness injustices done to innocent people supposedly performed in His honor. Ugh. Really makes me think....

29

Saintly Sluttiness?

by patio34 in

i ran across this this morning at lucianne.com and thought it really had a different perspective than the usual bible-based values in a lot of our world today (that aren't really adhered to anyway).

i highlighted the pertinent parts, imo.

i put it in bible research because it contradicts the bible and is based on evolutionary science.

back2dafront

No matter how you attempt to justify it, multiple sex partners outside of a marriage is not a heathly practice for the individual or society. And without a moral compass there is no way to determine what type of behavior is "responsible". The moral compass provided by Christianity establishes values that promote the sanctity of marriage, that values committment, that encourages family security, and protects children. These values will never be enhanced by a society that promotes promiscuity. Nor with they be replaced by science.

RMC, my question is this: What is morally wrong with a couple agreeing to have sex outside of their marraige simultaneously? (a.k.a. swinging) If they practice safe sex with another partner or partners in an effort to add more fire to their own sex life, is this wrong? A major factor to infidelity is one's desire to have a new sexual "conquest" sort to speak, and bringing another into the relationship for some helps thwart the desire to have sex with another outside the marital arrangement. I definitely agree that being committed to one in the sense of a life-time partner is indeed a very good, healthy arrangement, but I'm just not sure that sex *has* to be limited to that one person in order to maintain this healthy relationship. I've never met anyone that has had more than one sex partner say they wish they'd only had one partner - point being sex with multiple partners can be quite enjoyable if done in a healthy, responsible manner. Although I respect the reasoning behind only having sex w/ a mate, I also see disadvantages in waiting to have sex until marraige:

Incompatibility. Anyone who has had an incompatible experience(s) with a person can relate to this. I can only imagine how rough it would be on a marraige upon finding out how incompatible you are w/ your partner after tying the knot. On one hand, most don't realize how incompatible they are until they experience a fresh relationship w/ someone else, at which point they realize what they've been missing. At any rate, being married to someone that doesn't fulfill your sexual needs cannot be healthy - no doubt it can lead to infidelity, which opens up a whole new can of worms.

It stunts sexual maturity. Sex with the same person over and over and over again will, after awhile, loose it's passion, and then interest will die down and eventually fade away. Unless, of course, the couple is truly compatible and seeks ways to keep the flame alive, but this is probably a rare occasion, especially among Witnesses who think oral and anal sex should not be done. Sexual release is physically, mentally and psychologically healthy, and learning how to behave in a responsible way sexually is also a step to ones maturity. Just as a kid becomes an adult by taking on new responsibilities effectively, so too we progress into sexual maturity by having more sex - with more than one partner. (this point is probaly highly debatable, but it's how I feel nonetheless. :-) ) Also, it just seems plain instinctual almost - how many people have you been sexually attracted to in your life? Imagine if every instance of mutual attraction ended up in sex! My numbers would definitely be a LOT higher, that's for sure. It's only natural to be sexually attracted to those we find...sexy, yet there have been laws drilled into our minds that make this prospect seem absurd - animalistic almost. Just something to think about - I'm not suggesting this is the way it should be, it's just an interesting way to view the situation.

I just feel that sex can be had outside the marital arrangement in a responsible way without detrimental effects on an individual or society. I think it's bad karma to cheat on a mate - if you've committed yourself to an individual you've made a promise and that should not be broken. However if there is a mutual understanding as to sexual practices outside the relationship, whether it be together or seperately, and these practices are performed responsibly and carefully without having a guilty conscience, then the couple should have the freedom to do so.

Just my two cents worth - I've enjoyed this thread immensely....

cheers,

back2dafront

2

Ruin those ruining the earth

by back2dafront in

i do not have my bible on hand so i do not remember the exact scripture that says "jehovah will ruin those ruining the earth..." (isaiah something...) .

if witnesses took this scripture as literal as "abstain from blood" there wouldn't be very many survivors of armegeddon.

turning the key to your automobile ruins the atmosphere - we've all contributed to the ruin of our earth unfortunately - not because we intend to really, it's just the way it goes due to modern technology.

back2dafront

I do not have my Bible on hand so I do not remember the exact scripture that says "Jehovah will ruin those ruining the earth..." (Isaiah something...)

If Witnesses took this scripture as literal as "Abstain from blood" there wouldn't be very many survivors of Armegeddon. Turning the key to your automobile ruins the atmosphere - we've all contributed to the ruin of our earth unfortunately - not because we intend to really, it's just the way it goes due to modern technology. In all my years I never once remember hearing or seeing a satisfactory answer in regards to the interpretation of this scripture.

Go figure.

23

1000 leaving Bethel - Why?

by spider in

jw
friends

bill said something in his "disfellowshiped" post which i found very interesting.

well, a change occurred at the end of april much like what happened in china.the conservatives used silentlambs as an excuse to squash the liberals and any chance of reform in the organization.why do you think they are asking for 1,000 to leave bethel?

it is the liberals, they are being kicked out wholesale and by doing so the last chance for the organization to save itself.the battle is over, jaracz won.. i had heard about the 1000 people leaving bethel but it was spoken of as "downsizing".

back2dafront

i wonder how many of the booted bethelites will stay active once they return home.

i was outta there 3 months after returning home. :-P

41

Any Brooklyn Bethelites from '93 - '98?

by back2dafront in

i guess i should introduce myself for i am a new poster-boy :-) my name is jason howard and i currently reside in santa cruz, california.

i spent the first 24 years of my life as a jw, starting in danbury, ct, then to fayetteville & charlotte, nc, and finally brooklyn, bethel, where finally all of my negative inner thoughts and feelings were confirmed.

(from the ages of 14-24 i always felt something just didn't add up with the organization, but i could never quite put a finger on it) i spent my career at bethel in the brooklyn warehouse/purchasing departments and worked with some really great individuals.

back2dafront

hahah pwhipped...LOL

i'd probably recognize him if I saw him.

Larc, thanx for the reference link, I'll ck it out.

-jay

3

Salinas CA. and surrounding areas/$1,000.00 reward

by RubyTuesday in

sept.7th is next ex-jw meet up in salinas ca...please ...if you live anywhere in the area (monterey..watsonville...ect..ect..).

please attend.. we are looking for my niece rosie magellen .she may now be living in your area.this is very important..even if you don't think you know anything please attend...we need to talk to you.. if you lead us to her we will give you $1,000.00 dollar reward.

(she is worth millions...but that is all we have).

back2dafront

Hi,

I live in Santa Cruz and will definitely try to make it. Only problem is I work from 6am - 6pm, so I wouldn't get there until 7 or more than likely.

I probably don't know her seeing that I've only been to one meeting since I lived in Santa Cruz. Good luck though.