Posts by formerout

69

The Kingdom of God (The "Good News" will be preached)

by Ray of Light in

my alias is "ray of light" and i have some information to post regarding the kingdom of god.

i will present some scriptures along with some reasonings to ponder over.

jehovah, the god of abraham is a loving god, and humans are created in his image.

formerout

Shamus,

Was that comment meant to be disrespectful to FMZ? It seemed to be to me, but I may have misunderstood. I personally think that FMZ's belief is true. I don't necessarily say that God IS love. I just think that Love is Love. Nice is Nice. Positive is Positive. The opposite of these, all attributed to Satan, are simply the opposite, inevitable possibilities of the BETTER thoughts/actions.

Seems to me that neither God nor Satan truly exist in how most religions teach it. They are all available as choices for us to take each and every day, however, it seems that humans have found it easier to just give them entire personas, separate from our own psyche, in order to more easily judge others and ourselves.

That's kind of why I dislike the JW religion and other high-control religions the most...... they condemn themselves, first and foremost.... sure they are not aware of it, but to have the opinion that 99% of the world is evil does not allow yourself too much self-respect does it?

Brad

14

How do the people who run the WTBTS Society view the Org.?

by formerout in

quite often when reading some of the topics and posts i see comments about how all the big-wigs at the wtbts care only about the printing company, etc.

i have been accused of being a little too naive or trusting in the past, but i tend to think that even a lot of the higher-ups in the kh's and even at bethel believe that it is in fact the one true religion.

i tend to believe that a very small percentage of them figure that it's just a way to make money, etc.. what do you think?

formerout

Quite often when reading some of the topics and posts I see comments about how all the Big-Wigs at the WTBTS care only about the printing company, etc. I have been accused of being a little too naive or trusting in the past, but I tend to think that even a lot of the higher-ups in the KH's and even at Bethel believe that it is in fact the one true religion. I tend to believe that a very small percentage of them figure that it's just a way to make money, etc.

What do you think?

Brad

26

I Really, Really, Really Need Yall's Opinions on this.....

by Frannie Banannie in

i opened this email (call me crazy) on a whim last night..........i haven't told another soul about this, cause i'm afraid it isn't real.

scroll down for their response to my response...k?.

from:the desk of the managing director .

formerout

LOL @ Bendrr,

Good idea to send it to the WTBTS. Although I must admit that them falling for it is only my wishful thinking.

Brad

31

Non-JW teacher needing advice

by Teacher in

hi there, i'm new to the board and have turned here for advice.

i am a new teacher and have a child in my class who is a jw.

as i know nothing about the religion i thought i would ask here.. i am aware that he will not be able to take part in re or religious assemblies or christmas activities.

formerout

Teacher,

It's great to see you taking that much interest in your students. I applaud you.

You've received some great advice already. What Abaddon said hit home for me. His advice, (on just presenting thoughts to the child in a genearl way, since, despite JW's being the most active preachers in the world, they won't listen to anybody else preaching to them), was great.

One or two things that came to mind was the fact that as recently as twenty years ago JW's preached that the universe was created in 42,000 years. I know because in '78, (grade 4) I did an in-front-of-the-class essay boldly refuting all the scientific evidence otherwise and based my entire thesis on the JWs' own, (NOW tossed aside, but current at the time), Bible.

If you see any JW children saying really stupid things like I was back then, it's not their fault. Be patient and politely expose it as POSSIBLY not being true. Believe it or not this memory (and I am over the embarrassment.. ) and how my teacher dealt with it was one of the things that started me to doubt that cult.

I know the word cult may seem strong form myself and others here, but it is a fair assessment of it. You'll find that almost all X-JW's are very loving and have no animosity to the people in that religion. It is kind of like mob mentality.... otherwise good people can get caught up in bad things and lose their usual good judgement...... that's what the people are like in that religion, IMO.

Brad

77

THE WATCHTOWER HOW LONG DO YOU GIVE IT ????????????

by vitty in

jw
friends

now wishful thinking is different from the facts, but in our age of technology, which is pretty new!.

how long do you think the wts got before the "truth" is out ?

( i hope its soon).

formerout

We all know about how when the JW's are banned they look at is as even greater proof that they are the chosen ones and are spurned on to preach even more and attract even more psychologically messed up people into their ranks.

So as much as I have hoped that if they lost their "official religion" status and tax breaks etc., it would put a damper on them, it may have the opposite effect, should it ever happen.

But what about a lot of the other SLOW changes that are coming about? In my case, the Judge ordered that my children are no longer allowed to attend the JW meetings. I know of other cases where Judges seem to be realizing that a NON-JW parent almost automatically looks out for the kids' best interests and grants them custody.

I admit that it may just be wishful thinking on my part because I truly believe that it would be best for humankind if JW's, Mormons, Scientologists (as religions, not individual people) , etc. were wiped away from society, but do you think these threats of losing children and other rights and joys with it will persuade a great number to leave and also prevent others from joining, since some of these cases are getting a fair amount of exposure?

Brad

14

Best to worst...... as far as religions go.

by formerout in

jw
friends

i have spent a fair amount of time in court lately.

lawyers and their so-called absolute "logic" is interesting.

they lie and call it "justified reasoning" in order to comply with their most important oath of doing the best for their client, axe murderer or not.

formerout

Mark,

You seem to be missing my point. I'm not asking the question in order to condemn. I'm asking it in order to understand condemnation more myself.

I will say that if you're concerned with numbers and converting people, rather than recognizing that each mature individual has responsibility for themselves, then the way is open for a religion to get fat. .

What are you actually trying to suggest with that comment? You are taking a quote from me..."while still being less than perfect in their teachings, [the better religions] teach people to accept responsibility for their own actions" and then suggesting that your exact same theory is right and mine is wrong.... what's up with that? We make accusations and judgements every day. It is part of human nature. My point is that they can be to help or just to accuse. It's kind of like the schools have had up lately..."are you a tattle-tale or just trying to help?"... a tattle-tale tries to get people into trouble... but somenoe trying to help tries to get them OUT of trouble.

Mark, correct me if I have seen it in a light different from your own, but yours doesn't seem too bright...

Brad

45

Is there new light on disfellowshipping?

by Chasity in

jw
friends

i had no idea there were so many ex jw's.

i have been out since 1998. officially booted in feb. 2001. i am not sure on what grounds though because i never went to my meeting.

all i heard is that accusations had been made.

formerout

Shit, I was hoping your question would be answered with someone saying that us shunned, chastised, spit on, useless specimens of society are beginning to be somewhat accepted. Unfortunately that doesn't seem to be the case. BUMMER!

I of course don't look at myself in such harsh terms but I was hoping that the WTBTS would lessen the the actions of their condemnation of us. Oh well. Back to me trusting in myself instead of God... at least any God I have been taught to respect.

Brad

14

Best to worst...... as far as religions go.

by formerout in

jw
friends

i have spent a fair amount of time in court lately.

lawyers and their so-called absolute "logic" is interesting.

they lie and call it "justified reasoning" in order to comply with their most important oath of doing the best for their client, axe murderer or not.

formerout

I have spent a fair amount of time in court lately. Lawyers and their so-called absolute "logic" is interesting. They lie and call it "justified reasoning" in order to comply with their most important oath of doing the best for their client, axe murderer or not. It's a lot like "Theocratic Warfare Strategy".

That having been said, it proves a point that people can justify anything. IMO, some religions exonerate completely dysfunctional people that are a severe threat to others. Others, while still being less than perfect in their teachings, teach people to accept responsibility for their own actions and not only condemn these dysfunctional people but more importantly help to heal them as well.

Based on that, what do you think are the best and worst religions? Feel free to name as few or as many as you feel appropriate.

Brad

28

Giving account to God

by JH in

jw
friends

if one day, you had to give account to god for your spiritual inactivity, what would you say?

formerout

If one day, you had to give account to God for your spiritual inactivity, what would you say?

I'd say, "God what are you talking about? Spiritual inactivity? What is that? You haven't even told me what "spiritual activity" is, so how can you accuse me of being INactive? I'm just trying to treat all of your other beings and objects in this world nicely. That's good enough for me. By the way, can you turn this water in my water cooler into wine, please? Thanks!!!"

Brad

77

THE WATCHTOWER HOW LONG DO YOU GIVE IT ????????????

by vitty in

jw
friends

now wishful thinking is different from the facts, but in our age of technology, which is pretty new!.

how long do you think the wts got before the "truth" is out ?

( i hope its soon).

formerout

When you look at what happened with the "generation alive in 1914" teaching and how many people accepted that major change without batting an eye, it becomes pretty evident that people will continue to hold onto delusional thoughts forever.

But, right or wrong (and most here know it's almost all wrong ;) ), they exert great control over their followers and it's either you're in or out. Most people are too scared to accept the "out" part that they know is inevitable if they leave.

Brad