My youngest son is a bit older than the ones mentioned. He doesn't think much of it either. He also knows I didn't treat the DF/DA'd like most do, even after the hardening of attitude mandated in 1981. It just seemed a little too rude to me to act as if they didn't exist. Even if I didn't say anything, I usually nodded an acknowledgment that I'd seen them. I know from some who were later reinstated that they appreciated that little bit of humanity on my part. But then, I knew what it was like to be on the recieving end of that kind of behavior, despite never having been offically DF'd.
Forscher
Forscher
JoinedPosts by Forscher
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17
What do your kids say about shunning? Let's get a list going
by AlmostAtheist ini talked to zachary (my 7-year-old) about shunning.
i brought it up out of the blue, in the hopes of getting his real thoughts and not leading him into anything.. me: "hey zach.
if god told you to never talk to me again, what would you do?".
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Forscher
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68
My husband had a heart attack
by MsMcDucket inhello all, the last 24+ hours, i've been at the hospital.
i took my husband in because he was having chest pains.
come to find out his cardiac enzymes were elevated and his ekg was abnormal.
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Forscher
MsMcDucket
My best wishes to your husband for a swift recovery. A few years back I was almost taken out by a pumonary embolism. My wife was at my side for days before the doctors were sure I would make it. So I know just what it means to your husband that you were there! I also have a pretty good Idea just how worried you are. Hang in there kid! And be assured that we are thinking of you and wishing you the best!
Forscher -
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Does the new "Bible Teach" book mention the "Faithful and Discreet Slave?"
by truthseeker indoes anyone know if this new publication teaches the "faithful and discreet slave doctrine" and if so, does it pertain only to jehovah's witnesses?
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Forscher
It appears they are taking the FDS teaching out of the books for public consumption. The new organized book now has a chapter devoted to the subject where the older OM book didn't. So it looks like they may be waiting longer before formally introducing newbies to the doctrine. I wonder why.
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Call someone who shuns you and tell them you love them.
by joelbear in.
fight shunning with real heartfelt love.. i think it would be cool to let as many people as possible know that their behavior has not.
stopped us from loving them.
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Forscher
It sure wouldn't hurt! But then, if the possibility that there attitude might turn it into a hurtful episode for you is there, then you are better off leaving well enough alone.
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JWs are very much unlike early christians!
by greendawn indo you think the jws are really modelled on the early church as they like to claim?
i don't think they come close to it in terms of doctrine, authority structure, or mindset.
eg they know nothing about charity towards their own or fellow humans in general, they have a very centralised power structure, they kick against any advice given to the fds, they never celebrate the eucharist, they are jehovah rather than christ centred.
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Forscher
Let's put it this way, GD, if Jesus was to walk into a KH today, he would soon be shunned and disfellowshipped for his views. 'Nuff said.
I agree Jeff! Forscher
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21
Are apostates bitter?
by KW13 infor anyone out there who think apostates are bitter, let me tell you...no they are not, and they're not apostates.
that is a label from jw's.. firstly, my story.
http://stjohnsmossley.org/karltestimony.htm.
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Forscher
Bitter? Not really. Pissed at times over some of the things I let them do to me. But in the end, I let them do it. Then to, I remember that I wouldn't have the lovely wife I do if I hadn't been in that Org.. She is worth it! One day, though, I may well tell the part of the story that is the worst. It is a story that needs to be told one day for many reasons. It is not just about the DUBS!
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Which massacres did Jehovah sanction?
by Spectrum inthe ones i'm familiar with are from the repercussion of the rape and murder of the levites concubine.
judges 19-21 .
about 100,000 died in battle then all the towns of benjamin were put to the sword as were the people that didn't join in against the benjamites.
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Forscher
What about rape? Incest? What about severely deformed fetuses that will have to endure painful suffering their entire lives?
You've got a point there Kid-A that I won't argue with. I don't think a woman should be forced to bear a baby concieved through rape. But I also don't think that abortion should be held out as the only option. She should be imformed of the options available to her and allowed to make an informed decision. I might not like it that most will choose to abort in that instance, but I'll live with it.
Incest, that's a hard one. I'll admit that there are a number of considerations with that one. I think the if genetic testing shows the baby to be deformity free, and the woman is old enough to make a mature decision in the matter, then she should keep it if she wants, my point is that an abortion shouldn't be forced in that situation. If she is not mature enough, then the state will have to step in. Niether should be forced to bring the baby to term in that situation. Again, I don't like abortion, but that only seems fair.
Severely deformed Fetuses? Give the mother the information to make an informed decision, and stand by that decision. I am troubled by the thought that any deformity might be used as an excuse fo an abortion. Some, such as Down's Syndrome, don't suffer painfully throughout their lives, so I would want to be careful tredding down that road.
I realize that the issue is not a black or white issue as both the Fundies and the radical liberals potray it. Uncomfortable compromises need to be struck. But what I object to is abortion being just another method of birth control as some are demanding today. People should be resposible in their actions. And I agree that the medical proffession needs to provide effective options, though the 97% effectivness of the pill when properly done is pretty hard to beat. I also think that an effective male contraceptive should be provided as well so that the onus is not just on the woman and the man can play his part as well in avoiding an unwanted preganncy.
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Is this Bible warning a valid one?
by scout575 inat hebrews 10: 26,27 the bible warns those who would consider leaving christianity: "for if we sin wilfully after that we have received the knowledge of the truth, there remaineth no more sacrifice for sins, but a certain fearful looking for of judgement and a fiery indignation, which shall devour the adversaries.
" is the bible trustworthy in saying that those who leave christianity are certain to experience a dread of judgement by god?
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Forscher
>If I'd really "known" Jehovah I'd be shaking in my boots, but as I never did I have nothing to fear.
Now that is a thought Fullofdoubtnow!
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Who is more powerful? A leader that convinces people, or threatens/kills?
by DavidChristopher inwhich do you think is the most powerful leader?.
the leader that can convince his people to follow his example, and trust him.. or the leader that threatens his people, and carries a big gun.
any thoughts?
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Forscher
I am going to bring in another George, George Washington. I know that is a fad these days to paint him as a racist etc., but think about him for just a bit. George Washington was just such a charismatic leader as being asked about here. He was so well liked, that the Army plotted at one point to make him Emperor of the Colonies! Yet, he stopped them form doing it, and the only reason our federation has lasted so long without the troubles that others like it (Argentina, whose Constitution was mirrored on our own) is because George set the precedent which our military follows to this day of the military staying out of the political arena. He set the precedents which pretty much govern the best of how U.S. presidents conduct their affairs in office. Yes, George Washington was so well liked by his contemporaries that he was not only idolized by our nation, but his influence continues to this day!
The same can be said of Napoleon. He was a charismatic leader who's soldiers would follow him to their deaths, as thousands did during his disasterous Russian campain. He was so well liked by those he convinced, that his influence continues through the law system he set in place throughout Europe, and one State (Louisianna) in the U.S.A..
Dictators, like Hitler, Pol Pot, Stalin, and many others in history, usually have to watch their backs. When they are gone, people usually try to out them behind them. Their power may appear great, but it is shaky and when they grow weak, they get over thrown or conquered.
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Which massacres did Jehovah sanction?
by Spectrum inthe ones i'm familiar with are from the repercussion of the rape and murder of the levites concubine.
judges 19-21 .
about 100,000 died in battle then all the towns of benjamin were put to the sword as were the people that didn't join in against the benjamites.
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Forscher
Tetrapod.
I happen to agree with you there.
Forscher