Posts by myelaine

75

FORGIVENESS ... You owe it to your health

by ABibleStudent in

i'm cleaning up my home of unnecessary magazines/newsletters that i have accumulated over the years.

while i was working as an employee i did not feel like i had the time to read them.

now that i'm not working as an employee but work as a volunteer to network and maintain workplace skills, i seem to have more time to read.. after reading many threads by former jws, i thought that the following article might help some to heal.

myelaine

Is it possible that some ex JW's have been so twisted that they don't know how to "be" healthy. what would they "be" if they didn't wear their victimization as a badge of honour?...

I'm only wondering this because I have heard it said that I couldn't possibly "understand what we've gone through"...well, I can certainly understand some of your experiences. I've noticed also that a few have been very dramatic in expressing their experiences. I'll be honest, as much as I'd like to validate your experience like a peep...spiritual abuse is not like sexual abuse, it's not like being raped to have your mind and your "rights" violated. Is there a cachet involved in being the most abused out of everyone...ever?

unlike BOTR my free-flowing thoughts will, no doubt, go over like a lead balloon.

anyhoo...

love michelle

37

Is it kind of funny that JWs don't give Jesus resurrection day any notice?

by Comatose in

jw
friends

if you think about it, for a die hard christian the day jesus was supposed to be resurrected and back in heaven, thereby fulfilling his earthly mission, is a very big day.

all the jws i know never even thought about it.

in fact if i had mentioned it, i bet they would have looked me at strangely.

myelaine

Interesting article about the resurrection of Jesus Christ...

http://www.charismamag.com/blogs/standing-with-israel/20189-reality-yeshua-rose-from-the-dead-on-a-jewish-holiday

love michelle

75

FORGIVENESS ... You owe it to your health

by ABibleStudent in

i'm cleaning up my home of unnecessary magazines/newsletters that i have accumulated over the years.

while i was working as an employee i did not feel like i had the time to read them.

now that i'm not working as an employee but work as a volunteer to network and maintain workplace skills, i seem to have more time to read.. after reading many threads by former jws, i thought that the following article might help some to heal.

myelaine

dear Magnum...

I advocate a balance of TRUTH and LOVE as a means of reaching FORGIVENESS. Jesus spoke the truth of God and that truth wasn't received as kumbaya. It was divisive. Jesus spoke the truth because He loved people and He desired to save them from sin that is the result of following after forces who had swayed the world contrary to the real and abiding love (which isn't fickle as dependant on the desires of men). To forgive people who hurt you requires a heart 'like' God, imo.

people respond to a gentle spirit that speaks truth, love and forgiveness. Out of the abundance of the heart the mouth speaks so, be "angry" but do not sin.

love michelle

75

FORGIVENESS ... You owe it to your health

by ABibleStudent in

i'm cleaning up my home of unnecessary magazines/newsletters that i have accumulated over the years.

while i was working as an employee i did not feel like i had the time to read them.

now that i'm not working as an employee but work as a volunteer to network and maintain workplace skills, i seem to have more time to read.. after reading many threads by former jws, i thought that the following article might help some to heal.

myelaine

dear Band...

the fact that the WTBTS is made up of family and friends ensures that the means of "abolition" is altered. The dynamics are completely different than other historical movements. If the WTBTS leaders are taking on and perpetuating a greater siege mentality then sustained anger and hateful words toward them will lead to even more isolationist behaviour. It wont ever encourage dialogue (which would be the most obvious path to change). Compassion, love and belief in something better is a powerful means of change, in yourself and for others. Jesus practiced this truth the bible never portrays Him as expecting His anger to change people...likewise, the Father ceased using angry words to bring change in peoples hearts (that is where change begins to happen, not the mind) and sent His beloved Son.

love michelle

2

Why am I not able to reply to posts?

by BlackJesus in

i received this error "sorry, an error occurred while processing your request.

".

myelaine

Are you clicking on the pencil icon at the top right of the post? That will give you the "sorry" message. You respond to a post at the bottom of the page. I hope you get it figured out :)

75

FORGIVENESS ... You owe it to your health

by ABibleStudent in

i'm cleaning up my home of unnecessary magazines/newsletters that i have accumulated over the years.

while i was working as an employee i did not feel like i had the time to read them.

now that i'm not working as an employee but work as a volunteer to network and maintain workplace skills, i seem to have more time to read.. after reading many threads by former jws, i thought that the following article might help some to heal.

myelaine

Those are strong and beautiful sentiments, lisaB

xoxo

15

'Obey the organization like Moses'--why this is wrong

by sd-7 in

i was just thinking about how the watchtower often compares the organization's position to that of moses.

challenging moses, in their retelling of the biblical account, equated challenging god's authority, as korah, dathan, and abiram did, to their own peril.

the conclusion we are to gain from this is not to challenge, question, or disagree with the watchtower society's teachings even in our private thoughts.

myelaine

sd-7 said, " the Governing Body takes credit for providing spiritual 'food at the proper time', asserting that its Watchtower literature is from God and that those who seek to study even the Bible by itself are 'testing God' by saying 'his provisions' aren't enough. But God did not say he would provide additional books beyond the scriptures that would help people understand them better"...

the two-edged sword: the bible + the watchtower magazine.

Haven't they read that the word of God is sharper than any two edged sword that's why it's the go to reference for christian apologists, ex-JW and agnostics when trying to defeat WT doctrines and dogmas.

love michelle

30

A MESSAGE to the Governing Body and others like them through human history

by Terry in

there is something all too familiar about it, something that sickens the stomach and reminds us how low and prejudiced evil minds can go.. those who divide humans up in order to weaken and conquer them will stop at nothing if not counterfeit reasoning to justify their evil.. .

the arguments made in the past and the arguments made in the present have a familiar ring to them and the false clanger is a note of warning!.

"if you give women the right to vote, you're just doubling the vote of their husband.".

myelaine

dear Terry...

this is what you said, "The families who read the Governing Body's distortions about Blood stand beside their own dying children deliberately made a party to the death of their own flesh and blood! They'd NEVER have done so had they stuck with their own Bible and prayerful reflection. No--they got it from the murderous minds of JW leaders. I say HOLD THEM ACCOUNTABLE--don't let them off as self-deceived leaders just as confused as the others."...

i think there is a difference between being deceived and confused, don't you? Besides, I mentioned them being deceived by something other than themselves...something that hold them with fear. NOT confusion.

so, it doesn't matter how heartlessly or unconscionable a person acts if they aren't on the GB it's just following orders? Interesting that you mention only this one specific doctrine in your arguement. Not to ever downplay the significance of the harm and loss of life as a result of this doctrine but, it hasn't been the reason for most people leaving the WTBTS. my point being there are people that did other harmful things that were just following orders but you don't suggest that they should be held accountable in anyway. I guess that's where your views fall short of the actual definition of justice and accountability.

You can say I miss the point but I actually spoke about the notion of real accountability while you move to call into question my motive, empathy and ability to understand. Hey, if you want pick at your scab every month or so and then scream cuz it hurts, fine. If you have found an audience who likes that kind of thing too, fine. But don't kid yourself, why talk holding the GB accountable...they feel they aren't accountable to you or anyone else on here and you can scream until you blue in the face. Nothing is going to happen until they are made to feel accountable to God. incedentally, why would they be inclined to listen to your foul mouth if they haven't listened to loving, caring people who make an effort to teach from the bible? James 5:19-20

love michelle

30

A MESSAGE to the Governing Body and others like them through human history

by Terry in

there is something all too familiar about it, something that sickens the stomach and reminds us how low and prejudiced evil minds can go.. those who divide humans up in order to weaken and conquer them will stop at nothing if not counterfeit reasoning to justify their evil.. .

the arguments made in the past and the arguments made in the present have a familiar ring to them and the false clanger is a note of warning!.

"if you give women the right to vote, you're just doubling the vote of their husband.".

myelaine

Jonh-Mann said if you are in a leader position your DUTY...

true but, these people also admit to gaining insight into the scriptures from some authority HIGHER than themselves. their DUTY is to THAT authority, not the r&f. (the fear of consequence of disobedience comes from the higher authority ultimately if you're unsure or convinced your peers aren't "with you") and I'm not saying that they can put that forward as their excuse like they've been doing, only that that kind of inability to act in the leadership role can be a result of heeding the WRONG higher authority. I know many of you don't put any stock in the existance of "spirit forces" that sway the thoughts of men but, those of us who DO, will...(because we're free to) acknowledge the reason for their course.

throwing away a piece or two of the puzzle doesn't produce a complete view of the picture...

love michelle

30

A MESSAGE to the Governing Body and others like them through human history

by Terry in

there is something all too familiar about it, something that sickens the stomach and reminds us how low and prejudiced evil minds can go.. those who divide humans up in order to weaken and conquer them will stop at nothing if not counterfeit reasoning to justify their evil.. .

the arguments made in the past and the arguments made in the present have a familiar ring to them and the false clanger is a note of warning!.

"if you give women the right to vote, you're just doubling the vote of their husband.".

myelaine

dear Terry...

you said, "While some of us sit all smug and forgiving at the misfortune of others because it is seen to be virtuous to purr when beaten, I disagree and say so. To sit there and say the Governing Body of Jehovah's Witnesses may be "just as deceived and bound" as the rank and file--well, it flabbergasts me!"...

several things I'd like to address. Indeed the GB appear to be bound to J.Rutherfords personal "doctrine" and that is my point...he's died yet rules after the fact to the point of instilling fear of reprisals into grown men. I see many of you have your own opinion of the GB but the fact is Ray Franz knew that some had tender hearts.

Yes, Terry, you want people who injure others held accountable for their actions regardless of why they did it. Your convicting eye falls close to home with that uncharitable standard that you've set. The parent that made the decision to withhold life blood and instead held the lifeless body of their child...Beloved Grace, bringing her family and others into the religion...The elders here, the HLC members...ANYONE here that has made a wrong choice that's injured others as a JW must, in your economy, be held accountable. which begs the question, accountable to whom?...you see, in your muddled thinking there really ISN'T anyone who can HOLD these people (leaders or not) to account for their actions...no justice...no recompense. That's why, no doubt, you fully expect to be railing against the WTBTS until someone closes your casket. That is what no hope looks like...

I mentioned redeeming negative experiences. God can and will do that. He redeems past experiences so that you can minister to actual needs of people who are in need of empathy, understanding AND forgiveness. Nobody leaving the WTBTS needs to have their anger, vengeful hatred, guilt or helplessness stirred up. You portray a man without real hope to give. I look forward to and pray for the day when most if not all the people of JWN move quickly past your festering personal negative experience and reach out for healing...because like many have said before, this place is and can be like a hospital...it shouldn't be like a sanitarium where people find encouragement from others who have nursed their own bitterness for 30+ yrs. AND in so doing now, stir up "the misfortunes of others".

btw... I haven't said even once that people should purr when beaten nor have I said that bitterness isn't a consequence stemming from the hospitality of brooklyn.

love michelle