Posts by Bang

12

Sheep and Goats

by KistByQpid in

i am familiar with the parable, as found in matthew.

however, i don't understand the jw take on this one.

jw's like to think of themselves as "sheep" and perhaps someone slamming the door in thier face a "goat.

The sheep are provided with what they need (food from the Spirit) and they pretty much know right from wrong. They are sometimes herded with the staff (Authority/Spirit within) - i.e. they do sometimes make concious choices in regard to right and wrong and in their heart they are influenced by the Spirit - so it is with people all over the world in various religions. They chew on what is eatable before them, and move along to a bit more. Sometimes they can stray along way and get into a lot of danger/trouble, and the shepherd goes to get them.

The goats also have the food (Spiritual) they need, but aren't satisfied with what they have inside - then they take all the food that the sheep have. Then there doesn't seem to be any food - even for the sheep. The goats climb mountains, where they can find some higher food, and from where they look down - and the sheep move on to another field when the shepherd shows them.

The angels, i.e. the plain speaking humble ("we will sleep in the street"), the oppressed and handicapped, the innocent of mind, etc, sort out sheep from goats for the Lord, the Shepherd.

So who are the goats? Is it that hard to figure ?
Who chews away on the low ground, and who "eats upon the mountains"?

Bang

13

the end of this system

by rnovello in

so when do the jws tell now that the end is to come since the other dates were wrong, anyone know?

Bang

I'm not sure about the JWs, but scientists studying the sun figure around about 5 billion years I think. Could be sooner, but who knows.
I don't think I'll be asking the JWs though - doesn't seem sensible, and it's not for me to worry about anyway - isn't that christianity?

Bang

21

Who am I?

by Nicolas in

this might appear as a stupid question but i still find it hard to find my real personality.

often, i try to appear as someone else and the result is that i am shy because i have the fear of the judgement of the other people.

how did you redefined yourself when you got out of the org?.

Bang

We become more attuned to the human condition when we recognize that God is not going to fix our problems.

How can you say that ? Your not in the "truth" anymore. Wasn't it God's Spirit that influenced your yes to be yes and your no to be no, regardless of those around you ?

Bang

26

Who ARE These People?

by Farkel in

it bears reminding people that there are a number of very high ranking men in brooklyn who are quite aware that the practice of disfellowshiping for just-about-anything is totally unscriptural.

they are aware of stories like the young girl who committed suicide did so because her sister caught her smoking a cigarette and threatened to turn her in.

they are aware that their blood transfusion policy is not supported by scripture and that approximately 10,000 jws were not given a chance to save their lives as a result.

Bang

How can they go to their graves knowing that they have and will sacrifice the lives of so many people just so they can themselves have a few more years of living in comfort?

I think that's one of the implications of the 'no hell' doctrine. It assists evil deeds to believe there's no real price to pay.
Even so, the waste of life while rejecting God's love is a strong punishment, once realised.

Bang

31

Disfellowshipped For Being Raped...

by Anne Marie in

dear post reader.... i was that young and pretty sister you may have seen...the one with "all those kids".

the one who stuggled to raise her children alone.

the one who was rarely considered as "wife material" because she was "damaged goods".

Bang

Anne Marie,
I'm happy and peaceful to know that you have left from that place.
What an abomination.
God has blessed you with the childlike simplicity to see the situation.

It seems that 'elders' minds have become so stopped as to not even see their roles as 'the pharisees with the woman caught in adultery'.
Almost indescribable (indecent scribe bable?).

Bang

28

Jehovah witnesses DESTROY happy families!

by D wiltshire in

jw
friends

jehovah witnesses destroy many otherwise happy families by their cruel and inhumane shunning.. the bryant families(ca.& or) are a very real example of how shunning as enforced by elders and the watchtower really messes up what could otherwise be happy families.. will those fat heads on the governing body ever stop and think about how their sad and tragic misuse of shunning has led to untold suffering for so so many people,.. people who they owe,... no, people who they should feel love and compassion for because they have trusted them with their lives.. there is all kinds of wickedness in this world and i think the governing body is right up there close the the most wicked by their use of manipulation though lies and guilt.

one day i'm sure they will be held accountable.. oh god please bring their own wickedness crashing back on their own heads, because they keep tearing your people to pieces with their lies and the shunning of innocent people, please bring their own form of wickedness crashing back on their own heads.. .

join the watchtower or you will die.. only jehovah's witnesses have the truth all other religions evil and from the devil.. you must beleive the watchtower or you're going to die a painful death forever, isn't that really good news?.

Bang

I think under certain conditions, shunning can be used to good purpose.
When someone will simple not hear what is already known at heart (a down to earth, humble truth), to persist in a proud hatred and dumb scoffing, as found with JWs, what else can you do but refrain from speaking more about it - they're gonna do the evil their intent on - it'll be a teaching for them.

However, JWs have realised that shunning is a tool, just like scriptures, and so they've used this tool to perpetrate a pride, saying with a high hand that which comes from doubt, to the extent of sacrificing their own family members for their own gain.

I'll have to admit that I shun and have shunned, because I'm not sure how else to deal with the hatred of some JWs and others I've encountered. I know that Christ also came to a point with some people whereby He didn't speak further but suffered the evil they were intent on.

With JWs, I shun their ways. I simply won't go along with them and I let them know it.

Bang

38

What - if any - Religon are you now practicing?

by lydia in

jw
friends

i know this seems like a dumb subject.. but i often wonder if many of us still believe and feel the need to worship - and not the borg either .

so here is a poll.... what religious orginization - if any - are you affiliated ( this does not mean you had to join it)?.

or - do you feel that everything is wrong due to the borg..and will you ever consider going to an organized religon again??.

Bang

"Religion that is pure and undefiled before God and the Father is this: to visit orphans and widows in their affliction, and to keep oneself unstained from the world."

49

Patriotic Baptists -- Crazy!

by Yadirf in

jw
friends

this is the web site of a certain bethel baptist church: http://www.bethelmac.org/.

notice the two waving american flags at the bottom of their home page.. .

certainly a nationalistic bunch, aren't they!.

Bang

The Bible reads:
<< Soldiers also asked him, "And we, what shall we do?" And he said to them, "Rob no one by violence or by false accusation, and be content with your wages." >>

Yardif and JW Bible interpretation:
"If you display a flag your obviously destruction fodder, and don't be a soldier either. This is the 'troof' straight from God's mouthpiece."
- bullSHit it is.

6

How do I know when God is helping me?

by Tin Man in

i have needed his help for a long time but i do not seem to comprehend anymore when he is helping me or even if he is, cause i have been through too much emotional upsets for too long.. tin man

Bang

How do you know when?
When your breathing an' all.

If 'bad' things happen it's just part of your Adventure. He gives life, and it's an Adventure. Good and bad - He's there anyway, and a real Adventure isn't just talked about, it's experienced.
I know He's with you in the Adventure because your here. The Good News is that He's here too.

Just go with God and live, the good and bad. The WT teaches it's adherents not to risk the 'talent', to keep it for the future and fear people and demons etc., but remember to kiss His ass so then you won't fear Him, knowing Him as a "hard man".

Be in awe of the Adventure and go along - check it all out, help people along the road, you know how, His Spirit tells you.

God can use bad for good. If you loose everything material, then great.
Here's a typical bad thing I'm very pleased to report - some JWs moved in next to people I know and proceeded to do many irritating things to them because they're Catholic, upsetting them no end.
HOWEVER, the good thing is that no matter how much preaching is done around that street, no one will ever become a JW, so by being meek and copping it their suffering has benefitted many and won out.

Bang

33

Who remembers Cake Nights?

by 2SYN in

<fluff> .

at the book studies?

they were the highlight of the month.. thing is, all the sisters would try to outdo each other making nice food, which amused me no end, and also kept my stomach filled up, but drove me nuts, because my mother would spend the entire afternoon making a giant racket in the kitchen and screaming @ my sister whilst doing it, just to bake a cool cake for the book study.. also, remember those last ~15 minutes before the end of cake night book studies?

Bang

with all that bible study goin on, you'd think they'd be bakin cakes to give away.