Posts by BlackSwan of Memphis

31

Trying to annul your baptism, WT says forget about it.

by cattails in

jw
friends

the koolaid wt issue for february has an interesting article about when your baptism can be considered invalid.but the main thrust of the article is aimed at making it super clear that if you were present at your bapt.

talk and answered the two questions then forget about it, elders are put on notice to not let anyone off the hook.but... if you were committing a serious sin and hid it at the time of your baptism, then it was invalid, and point is, they'd still announce you not being "one of j.w.s" so if you plead your case to walk away from the wt saying you didn't know what you were getting into, it will do no good, but it will be grounds for an announcement.just ol' mother wt tightening up loose ends.

BlackSwan of Memphis

This is where I wonder if its' necssary for elected officials to step in.... but it's a sticky situation, I admit what with freedom of religion here in the states.

I know kids who were baptized before they even hit the mark of ten years old. How the f*** can a ten year old even begin to comprehend what he's being asked to do?

The fact is, they can't. A baptism in the eyes of the JWs is so completely different than what the rest of the world thinks of. A baptism in the eyes of the GB is more like a contract between a person and a legal corporation.

In that sense how can they possibly be allowed to let children enter into a legal contract without the protection of someone who can make sure they aren't going to be exploited or harmed?

Blows me away....

40

My Resignation Letter

by AllTimeJeff in

jw
friends

i never did post this here.

i am posting it now for posterity's sake.

its been a few years, but, its good food for thought.

BlackSwan of Memphis

That was really well written.

15

How do elders step down?

by BlackSwan of Memphis in

catching up on some of the posts a thought came to mind..... .

if an elder or ms wants to step down, what is the process?

can it be as simple as saying "i need to step down" without having to supply an explanation?.

BlackSwan of Memphis

@ Ada

Yeah isn't that the truth! (truth....heh)

15

How do elders step down?

by BlackSwan of Memphis in

catching up on some of the posts a thought came to mind..... .

if an elder or ms wants to step down, what is the process?

can it be as simple as saying "i need to step down" without having to supply an explanation?.

BlackSwan of Memphis

Thanks for all the responses and the link as well.

Pretty much what I expected.

Elders and ms cannot just walk away. There is that further element of control that the Organization has.

Because even if it's a matter of the people just wanting to know or the other members of the BOE, there is still that mindset of tattling on others and turning them in.

It's seriously like the idea of Big Brother watching you and your every move.

And if it were really the truth, the absolute only truth that blows all other truths away, it should shine in the darkness and not be afraid of the light.

15

How do elders step down?

by BlackSwan of Memphis in

catching up on some of the posts a thought came to mind..... .

if an elder or ms wants to step down, what is the process?

can it be as simple as saying "i need to step down" without having to supply an explanation?.

BlackSwan of Memphis

Catching up on some of the posts a thought came to mind....

If an elder or ms wants to step down, what is the process? Can it be as simple as saying "I need to step down" without having to supply an explanation?

I realize that family and friends would wonder WHY would anyone step down from such a privilege!? I'm thinking more from the pov of the control of the GB and BOE in the congregation.

24

The fine art of refusing a Shepherding Call

by Open mind in

i'm pretty sure the forseeable future will include numerous attempts to "shepherd" my family.

my elder status is either already gone or soon to be gone.. .

does anyone know of specific rules when it comes to refusing a shepherding call?

BlackSwan of Memphis

Hey there OM. Long time no see :)

I let them come.

It was really awkward. They asked the usual questions, I evaded them as best as I could.

If you stay in the area, and don't move, it's probably going to be a long time hun. One of those things where it just takes time.

Damn, I didn't realize you are still fading!!! Been thinking about you much lately.

hugs to you

18

The Trinity: God the Father and God The Son

by BlackSwan of Memphis in

i had been discussing the trinity with someone the other day (hence the topic on i am) and this person alluded to the idea that jesus was saying he himself was jehovah.. well, it occurred to me last night:.

in the doctrine of the trinity, isn't jehovah considered god the father and jesus is god the son?

or am i not understanding the doctrine properly?.

BlackSwan of Memphis

Okay well first of all I'll go look at the thread Narkissos posted.

Second: Huh??? So Jesus IS Jah.

So if Jesus IS Jah, then why does Jesus say Authority was given to him? Shouldn't he just Have authority??

18

The Trinity: God the Father and God The Son

by BlackSwan of Memphis in

i had been discussing the trinity with someone the other day (hence the topic on i am) and this person alluded to the idea that jesus was saying he himself was jehovah.. well, it occurred to me last night:.

in the doctrine of the trinity, isn't jehovah considered god the father and jesus is god the son?

or am i not understanding the doctrine properly?.

BlackSwan of Memphis

I had been discussing the trinity with someone the other day (hence the topic on I AM) and this person alluded to the idea that Jesus was saying HE himself was Jehovah.

Well, it occurred to me last night:

In the doctrine of the Trinity, isn't Jehovah considered God The Father and Jesus is God The Son? Or am I not understanding the doctrine properly?

Thoughts to clarify this??

Thanks

Meagan

28

Question re "I AM" in the gospels

by BlackSwan of Memphis in

hey there:.

the other day i was discussing the topic of the verse where jesus apparently uses the term i am in reference to himself.. this claim obviously referring to his being god.. i could swear that i have read somewhere that this term ego emi (sp) was used elsewhere in the nt by someone other than jesus.. i am wondering if anyone here would have any information on this topic.. thx in advance..

BlackSwan of Memphis

Omg this is making my head hurt.

I **think** I see what is being said for the most part. Don't take my lack of response as lack of interest or not reading the posts.

I read and reread and reread much of what was posted yesterday and am wrapping my head around what is being said.

Let me see if I get the first page of the thread properly (Correct me where I'm wrong)

The ego emi HAS been used by other people, but not in the same context as the way Jesus used it in John. However, that being said, there is much more to the context itself to understand what thought is actually being conveyed. So much so that it could be taken as Jesus was saying I am the messenger of God (?) and not necessarily him saying that he is indeed God himself.

How am I doing?

11

If I'm gonna read a book about the bible.....

by BlackSwan of Memphis in

i finished rereading bart ehrman's misquoting jesus and found that it is a pretty good book.. i just checked out another by him, lost christianities, and am just beginning to read that.. what other books might you suggest to someone interested in topics such as: the history of the bible, the history of religion and christianity and even further reading on textual criticism?.

thanks.

meagan.

BlackSwan of Memphis

Holy crap, ask and thou shall receive!

I really appreciate the diversity on this thread. Was a bit under the weather yesterday, so wasn't up to talking much.

This list is going to take quite a while to get through. But I think it's a great list to start with.

wtwizard: I have actually read the God Delusion and really liked it. It is indeed a serious rant, but I really understand a bit more the perspective of the author and so it didn't bother me much.

**Hi Ruth, I did indeed get your email btw. I have been So ridiculously busy it's not even funny. I barely get much downtime anymore. I Shall indeed respond soon and have thought about you a great deal and hope you are well. **

thanks everyone~meagan