Rivergang, I would agree that Bible Students would vehemently disagree that Russell founded Jehovah's witnesses and that Rutherford did in 1931 when he renamed Bible Students as Jehovah's Witnesses. I had talked to many and attended their meetings and had meals with them. Jws today do not know the WT history, despite the Proclaimers book which artfully peppers their history in many places, so jws don't make the connections. But the Bible Students do publish Russell's teachings still.
Posts by blondie
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62
Ten reasons Jehovah’s Witnesses have the true religion (plus a bonus one)
by slimboyfat inthinking back when i was a true believer these are probably the top ten reasons why i believed jws are the true religion.
1. they show love among themselves by not going to war.
not killing your fellow believers in any circumstances, including war, would seem to be a very basic requirement for true christianity.
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A jury acquits Jehovah’s Witness in PA.
by was a new boy intrial of lancaster city jehovah’s witness member accused of molestation begins.
jose antonio serrano.
lancaster county prison.
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blondie
Actually, the government can find a jw sexual predator guilty, give them a long prison sentence; and the congregation elders will let that person stay in the congregation if they admit their "sin" and "repent" as if sexual predators won't prey again. I have seen it happen in several occasions in the media when the WTS is asked why they stay approved in the congregation. Scary, right! The WTS says they only regulate sins, not "crimes." Just recently the WTS said this in the August 2024 WT pages 29,30: " In certain circumstances the elders need to be especially careful before reinstating someone. For example, if a person was guilty of child abuse or apostasy or if he schemed to end a marriage, the elders would want to be sure that he is truly repentant. (Mal. 2:14; 2 Tim. 3:6) They must protect the flock. At the same time, we need to realize that Jehovah will accept back any wrongdoer who shows genuine repentance and stops engaging in wrong conduct. So although the elders exercise due caution with those who have dealt treacherously with others, they should not go so far as to say that certain types of sinners can never receive Jehovah’s mercy.c—1 Pet. 2:10.
(How does the WTS think they can determine if a pedophile jw has stopped engaging in child sexual abuse?!) (pardon the links, try to find a way to stop them) -
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Thank goodness for the org's insights!
by BoogerMan inw52 2/1 p. 78 par.
7 jehovah’s theocratic organization today "when christ came for judgment in 1918 (1) he found some associated with this group that thought the lord had delayed his coming and they were oppressing their fellow slaves in christ.
these were cast off as the “evil slave” class.
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blondie
Is that called self-confirming?
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35
Serious sinner?
by Gorb inwith the statement in the study watchtower this sunday, that stop serving jehovah is a serious sin, the following:.
- can i conclude now, that we, (i, wife and 2 children), since 2008 pomo and no longer active in any religious activity, are serious sinners for jehovahs witnesses?.
writing this in a watchtower, a statement like that, could have big implications.. it makes me so sad.
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blondie
3rdgen, that elder misapplied the scripture from Hebrews 10:24,25 about missing meetings to verses 26 through 29 improperly as being the unforgivable sin. So many jws personally applied this, the WTS had to print an answer to question is missing meetings the unforgivable sin. It is not per the finally parts of the Questions from Readers in the November 1, 1980 Watchtower p. 30-31. Yes,1980. I have found that too many jws disregard or don't notice the correction and continue to apply, deadly if an elder does and makes it a point to be disfellowshipped for.
Watchtower 11/1/1980 p. 30-31
● Does the missing of Christian meetings in itself constitute an unforgivable sin, since, at Hebrews 10:24-29, the apostle Paul speaks of this sin right after discussing the importance of meetings?
Failure to heed the command to attend Christian meetings is serious and could lead to disastrous consequences for a servant of Jehovah. However, more is involved in committing the unforgivable sin…
Failure to heed the command to attend Christian meetings is serious and could lead to disastrous consequences for a servant of Jehovah. However, more is involved in committing the unforgivable sin...
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35
Serious sinner?
by Gorb inwith the statement in the study watchtower this sunday, that stop serving jehovah is a serious sin, the following:.
- can i conclude now, that we, (i, wife and 2 children), since 2008 pomo and no longer active in any religious activity, are serious sinners for jehovahs witnesses?.
writing this in a watchtower, a statement like that, could have big implications.. it makes me so sad.
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blondie
the WTS makes it clear that thinking that shows that not being fully loyal to the WTS thinking is the sin.
Independent thinking
The Creator progressively reveals the truth to his people. Hence, our understanding of the Scriptures is bound to be refined from time to time. The vast majority of Jehovah’s people rejoice over such refinements. A few become “righteous overmuch” and resent the changes. Pride may play a role, and some fall into the trap of independent thinking. Whatever the reason, such murmuring is hazardous, since it can draw us back into the world and its ways.
Such thinking is an evidence of pride. And the Bible says: “Pride is before a crash, and a haughty spirit before stumbling.”) If we get to thinking that we know better than the organization, we should ask ourselves: “Where did we learn Bible truth in the first place? Would we know the way of the truth if it had not been for guidance from the organization? Really, can we get along without the direction of God’s organization?” No, we cannot!—.
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98
Blood Fractions
by alice.in.wonderland insomeone is pressing me about blood fractions on an unrelated thread, so i just moved the topic to an appropriate location.. "the point for me in every thread you touch is your sickening dishonesty and nauseating apologies for the old men in brooklyn who tell you what to do.. they have told you that products made from blood don't use blood, and you are so corrupt and gullible you just accept it.".
i accept any bible-based religion that adheres to the bible as its authority.. the purpose of this magazine, the watchtower, is to honor jehovah god, the supreme ruler of the universe.
just as watchtowers in ancient times enabled a person to observe developments from afar, so this magazine shows us the significance of world events in the light of bible prophecies.
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blondie
Some jws when calling WTS headquarters regarding transfusion policies have found there are invisible policies that are more allowing but not in print....wow! One elder was stunned and realized that jws had died not knowing this invisible policy. No I will not give the details, I am sure they have changed. BTW, look up info on the use of hemoglobin-based products in the Watchtower Online Library if it won't trigger you. (The WTS makes this a long "medical" discussion but I put the comments that directly quote their reason for changing this to a conscientious matter rather df'ing)
August 2006 Awake p.10-12
What Are Hemoglobin-Based Oxygen Carriers?
Note that this is made from human or bovine red blood cells. Then the WTS says it is processed changing into some other than the original hemoglobin. But is that true, can blood be modified and acceptable. The WTS considers it another type of blood fraction. But says using it is a conscience matter (but in reality saying the WTS would not choose to take it which would cause many jws to reject it)
Some manufacturers now process hemoglobin, releasing it from human or bovine red blood cells. The extracted hemoglobin is then filtered to remove impurities, chemically modified and purified, mixed with a solution, and packaged. The end product—not yet approved for use in most lands—is called a hemoglobin-based oxygen carrier, or HBOC. Since the heme is responsible for the rich red color of blood, a unit of HBOC looks just like a unit of red blood cells, the primary component from which it is taken...
As long as the HBOC is derived from blood, there are two objections that may be raised. One, the HBOC carries out the key function of a primary component of blood, the red cells. Two, hemoglobin, from which the HBOC is derived, makes up a significant portion of that component...Unlike red blood cells, which must be refrigerated and discarded after a few weeks, the HBOC can be stored at room temperature and used months later. And since the cell membrane with its unique antigens is gone, severe reactions due to mismatched blood types pose no threat.
However, compared with other blood fractions, the HBOC presents more challenges to conscientious Christians, who seek to obey God’s law on blood. Why? As long as the HBOC is derived from blood, there are two objections that may be raised. One, the HBOC carries out the key function of a primary component of blood, the red cells. Two, hemoglobin, from which the HBOC is derived, makes up a significant portion of that component. Regarding this and similar products, then, Christians face a very serious decision. They must carefully and prayerfully meditate on Bible principles concerning the sacredness of blood. With a keen desire to maintain a good relationship with Jehovah, each must be guided by his Bible-trained conscience.—Galatians 6:5.
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39
THE PROBLEM WITH THESE 2 NEW GB MEMBERS APPOINTMENTS
by raymond frantz inhttps://youtu.be/rjr0ugtu6zu?si=d3zsz20ee33gytxi.
these new appointments are troubling, to say the least, especially considering the factors surrounding their selection.
these appointments raise key concerns about leadership, experience, and what is happening behind the scenes at the organization's headquarters.
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blondie
The GB picks people who have been carefully conditioned to do whatever the GB says. And some of those people where did not claim to be anointed till later in their life, and some at a very young age, and demonstrated blind obedience to the WTS. I have lived through almost 70 years of the WTS propaganda and back to 1920 my family were Bible Students, then jws. Jws follow men whether they realize it or not. Some feel they conduit to Jesus and God is the WTS. Sad!
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30
Experiences After Leaving
by Freeatlast2024 ini am writing to ask if anyone cares to share their experience and/or offer advice for people leaving.
i was raised in the religion, and both my parents died when i was very young.
i recently stopped associating because my conscience no longer allows me to preach or support the organization.
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blondie
DOC, both of those books Crisis of Conscience (Ray Franz), of course.
I also strongly encourage reading Combating Cult Mind Control (Steven Hassan). I put it off and once I started it I couldn't put it down. I was moved to contact Ray Franz and have some delightful conversations with him while I was a PIMO. All his words confirmed by thoughts and feelings. I late read Steven Hassan's book and called him and asked why Jehovah's Witnesses were not listed. I wrote to him and showed how the WTS matched up many his signs of a cult. And finally convinced him to add to his list of cults, and provide direct help to members.
Over the years, I made it a point to visit Ray and his wonderful wife, Cynthia at their home and have nice informal chats, see what Ray was doing online and at in-person talks when invited to do so. I met the ex-elder that Ray had lunch with that led to the WTS considering he had associated with a disassociated person so was labeled as having disassociated himself. But not Cynthia although she too had associated with that same disassociated person.
There are so many wonderful people that have books, online podcasts and Youtube presentations that help and the wonderful Barbara Anderson and others who have given their time and energy to help lawyers combat the WTS child abuse policy.
Thanks to all of you that in your own way have supported others hurt by the WTS.
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2024*S*147**A&R
by Atlantis ina&r means announcements and reminders.. 2024**s*147. here:.
https://pdfhost.io/v/diikuykdl_untitled_1 .
petra!
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blondie
Thanks, Drearyweather for that comprehensive description. Some of I knew from my days long ago, but some are new to me. Thanks again, Blondie
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JWN, 23 years posting Blondie
by blondie incan i call you friends, i think so after 23 years posting here.
i am dismayed how jwn is being "dominated" or taken over by a few posters, peppering the comments.
in the past, the admin did not approve of this and did remove some posters from jwn.
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blondie
Thanks almost everybody, for sharing their same concerns. This is not a place to promote religious beliefs. Starting your own discussion board might be more productive. I have not reported anyone ever even at the KH. Simon, sorry for what happened, illness in the family deserves quality time. But sharing experiences, asking for help dealing with the hurtful words and actions from the WTS and its members, is very helpful. This board helped me so much to heal and go forward. I would like it to still be the same way for people reading and/or commenting here. And to Ozziepost, my long-time buddy on JWN, I'm sorry with the loss of your wife. You two were always so loving and an example to us. There have been jws that have gone onto a religious group that supports them. Others have left the WTS and chosen not to reassociate with another group. Each choice is the one that works for them. I have progressed through several stages and changes in my choices in this area. We should treat each other with the respect and love we were not shown in the WTS. Love, Blondie