blondie

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Posts by blondie

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  17

  "Everyone Wants To Leave"

  by NotFormer in

  1. watchtower
  2. beliefs

  a thread about steve hassan re-emerged and got me looking him up.

  his wikipedia entry had a point under "criticism" that there is an underlying assumption in his approach that all members of high control groups ultimately want to leave*.. while it is generally believed that there are a lot of pimos still attending, doing field service and giving lip service to the wt, i doubt that everyone within the congregations want to get out.

  it's not always internally and logically consistent, but it's been around long enough for enough workarounds to make it tolerable to emerge.. what do you think?

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  blondie

  In the past, I have mentioned my own "aha moment." Each person reacts at their own time, when the crap reaches your mouth and you have to start eating it; or straddling a picket fence until it gets high enough for the pickets to start causing pain in the crotch area, have to pick one side or the other. I took some time, about 10 years to finally realize that I had to either eat crap, or realize that the pain was too much. I was a PIMO, but I could not stay that way and support the lies and get others to join the BORG.

  Aha Moment:

  1. a moment of sudden insight or discovery.

     "it was one of those aha moments, when you know you have to risk it all"

     
     

     
     
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  16

  Do you recognize the Truth? Watchtower July, 2024

  by Listener in

  1. watchtower
  2. bible

  the stated focus of this study article is.

  focustraining ourselves to discern the difference between the truth we have learned from jehovah and the falsehoods promoted by satan and our opposers.. of course, the article goes on to claim that the truth is not only in the bible, but also from the watchtower organization.

  the first of two qualities needed to discern truth is -.

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  blondie

  When the "apostasy" presented itself in 1981 at Bethel, with private pre-study groups for meetings, the WTS had to change its "opinion" of what Acts 17:11 said, a 180 turn. Never again did they say it this way again.

  *** w81 2/15 p. 18 Do We Need Help to Understand the Bible? ***How shall we view the spiritual food provided by this “faithful and discreet slave”? Should it be viewed critically—‘Oh, well, it might be true but then again it might not be and so we have to scrutinize it very critically’? Some apparently have felt that way about it. To support their way of thinking they have quoted Acts 17:11, which says of newly interested persons at Beroea: “Now the latter were more noble-minded than those in Thessalonica, for they received the word with the greatest eagerness of mind, carefully examining the Scriptures daily as to whether these things were so.” But does this mean that those Beroeans were looking for flaws in the message they were hearing, or that their attitude was one of doubting? Does this set a precedent for regarding critically the publications brought forth by the “faithful and discreet slave,” with a view to finding fault? Not at all!
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  37

  s-395 Adjustments-to-handling-serious-wrongdoing-in-the-congregation

  by gavindlt in

  1. watchtower
  2. scandals

  this was posted on jw leaks.. my truth's | dad seeking truth.

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  blondie

  DOC, yes the WTS can turn on a dime (make a 180 turn from a previous policy/doctrine) because they have done it many times. It is all a show for the governmental arrangements to "think" the WTS has changed.
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  37

  Did you suffer from not saluting the flag in school as a kid?

  by Sea Breeze in

  1. watchtower
  2. beliefs

  what happened?.

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  blondie

  I grew up in a military family and it was not a big deal. We didn't even have to stand up, we could sit quietly while the others did it. My father (a non-jw military man) went to bat for us saying the country he fought for believed in freedom of religion, and said so much to the base commander. So no problem. A very unusual experience I know. Once we were at an event when the audience "asked" to stand up for the pledge, we did not, but my father did, the people behind us making nasty comments. My father (in uniform) stood up and turned to them and said, "this is my family, I have fought in 3 wars to protect their right to respectfully practice their beliefs." Well, those people sat down and shut up.
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  56

  Can God Change his Mind?

  by peacefulpete in

  1. watchtower
  2. bible

  is 31:yet he also is wise and will bring disaster and does not retract his words.. 1 sam 15: furthermore, the eternal one of israel does not lie or change his mind, for he is not man who changes his mind.. numbers 23: god is not a man who lies, or a son of man who changes his mind.

  does he speak and not act, or promise and not fulfill?.

  when the god you worship pronounces judgement, is he, really just issuing a warning or has the matter been determined through all the godly powers of insight, foresight and perfect judgement?

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  blondie

  I have thought about this many times. The WTS tries to show how the original language words meant something different (and we are not capable of understanding it seemingly since the WTS does not tell which word they are referring to.)

  "

  Doesn’t the Bible say that God never changes?

  Yes, the Bible records God as saying: “I am Jehovah; I do not change.” (Malachi 3:6) Similarly, the Bible says that God “does not vary or change like the shifting shadows.” (James 1:​17) This, however, does not contradict what the Bible says about God changing his mind. God is unchangeable in that his personality and standards of love and justice never alter. (Deuteronomy 32:4; 1 John 4:8) Still, he can give different instructions to people at different times. For instance, God gave opposite instructions to King David for fighting two consecutive battles, yet both methods succeeded.​—2 Samuel 5:​18-​25. (Found at ijwbq article 86 in the WT Online Library, no link not to make someone uncomfortable going directly to the site, remember just reporting, not supporting)
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  44

  The org. Came out with a Christmas song!!!!

  by nowwhat? in

  1. watchtower
  2. beliefs

  holy nativity batman!

  on jw broadcasting.

  final song for this year's convention.

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  blondie

  No scripture supporting "no birthdays," in fact the WTS celebrate birthdays back in the day. No a df'ing offense either. Song might work, not associated with December celebration. Now, not counting time, that is amazing; I'm sure it is a combination of the WTS fighting back regarding negative comments about it in court cases and no real scriptural reason for "counting time." (I know the WTS has work-arounds that issue). I wonder if the day will come if men can skip the ties? The WTS also celebrated Christmas until about 1926, even photos showing a Xmas celebration at Bethel. Place for keeping record of birthdays in the equivalent of the examining the scriptures. It is just putting frosting on a turd.
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  28

  Waiting On Jehovah First Mentioned?

  by Ron.W. in

  1. watchtower
  2. beliefs

  yes, waiting on jehovah for him to handle a problem/ doctrine etc.. when did the jw's first start saying that?

  they've been saying it as long as i can remember.. what scriptures do they trot out to back that teaching up?

  ?.

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  blondie

  The phrase comes from the NWT at Psalm 31:24. Earliest I found was a 1962 WT.
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  85

  Disaster preparedness

  by ElderBerry in

  1. jw
  2. experiences

  as your family considers its disaster preparedness plan, please ensure that the secretary has up-to-date contact information for you and your emergency contact.

  also, we have re- peatedly seen good results when brothers and sisters are prepared with go bags and are ready to obey direction when they face various kinds of disasters.

  please be sure you have a go bag, and review its contents at least once a year.

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  blondie

  Preparedness became a thing during Hurricane Katrina, when many jws info was lost, and hard to track them. The WTS realized that was a mistake. Katrina 2005: 2007 Kingdom Ministry "Bodies of elders should review the July 6, 2006, letter regarding disaster preparedness and ensure that they have up-to-date contact information for each publisher. In disaster-prone areas, additional emergency contact information should be obtained. Of course, in addition to emergency situations, it is helpful when publishers communicate with their Congregation Book Study overseer or another elder if they will be away for extended periods, such as when traveling on vacation or business, during a hospital stay, and so forth." "Bodies of elders should review the July 6, 2006, letter regarding disaster preparedness and ensure that they have up-to-date contact information for each publisher."
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  20

  Spiritual Paradise? Jehovah's Witness cons JW seniors out of life savings.

  by Balaamsass2 in

  1. watchtower
  2. scandals

  3/28/2024 central california coast.

  found guilty of $1.2 million scam targeting seniors.

  ex-insurance agent brett e. lovett convicted of fraud, elder abuse, grand theft, and money laundering".

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  blondie

  (Reporting not supporting) What does the WTS say about fraud: "Discernment can safeguard us from taking action that may put the congregation in a bad light. Paul advised fellow Christians to let themselves be wronged and even defrauded instead of taking a brother to court.—1 Cor. 6:7 " let us use discernment when money is lost in business ventures involving fellow believers. If we are thinking about taking legal action, we should consider the possible effects on us personally, on the other person or persons, on the congregation, and on outsiders. Pursuing compensation could consume much of our time, energy, and other resources. It might result only in enriching attorneys and other professionals. Sadly, some Christians have sacrificed theocratic privileges because of becoming overly absorbed in these things. Our being sidetracked in this manner must make Satan happy, but we want to make Jehovah’s heart rejoice. (Proverbs 27:11) On the other hand, accepting a loss may spare us heartaches and save much time for us and for the elders. It will help to preserve the congregation’s peace and will enable us to keep on seeking first the Kingdom." See WT 1997 3/15 p. 17-22 (Barf material)
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  86

  Prediction: no more changes for a long while

  by slimboyfat in

  1. watchtower
  2. beliefs

  i’ve noticed a pattern where things don’t go the way i expect them to go and/or whenever i realise there is a trend and, i mentally adjust for the idea that the trend will continue, the trend stops in its tracks.

  so on that basis, and given many people, including myself, and active jws, have been asking ‘what changes will the governing body make next?’ perhaps the (disappointing) answer is: ‘nothing much for a while to come’.

  maybe they’ve made the changes they want for now, and will wait a while and see how it’s received.

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  blondie