Posts by TheListener

52

What were you disfellowshipped for?

by Kristofer in

i recently had a discussion with a witness friend (i'm a secret) and she claimed that witnesses only get disfellowshipped for being unrepentant for immoral acts.

i am curious to know from those who have been disfellowshipped, what was it for?

TheListener

I'm fading.

If I get df'd it will be for apostasy. If so, I'll be proud to stand up for my beliefs.

44

Hello Everyone, My First Time

by butterfliorchids in

hi, i just got registered and am looking forward to getting to know others who have escaped from the controlled environment that i was so faithful to for so long.

i hope to meet others with similar backgrounds.

i've been out about 4yrs and love the feel of it, but to be honest, as much as a definiate decision it was on my part, there was still a long time of adjustment.

TheListener

Welcome to the forum.

I'm glad you signed up and I look forward to hearing your story.

Yes, it's good to be free. Oh wait, I'm not free, I'm fading - damn!

82

Division between soul and spirit

by M.J. in

hebrews 4:12

for the word of god is living and active.

sharper than any double-edged sword, it penetrates even to dividing soul and spirit, joints and marrow; it judges the thoughts and attitudes of the heart.

TheListener

I think my head is gonna explode.

But, I'll keep reading and rereading these posts anyway.

14

The missing link to understand the Bible...this will help you.

by Trojan in

after having a nice conversation with a friend about some interesting points in the bible we never get to understand, i did a little research and found the simple answer to all of my questions.

http://www.thebricktestament.com/the_law/index.html.

http://www.thebricktestament.com/the_law/beastiality/lv18_23a.html.

TheListener

I would like to just say that I do love the Bible and consider it the word of God.

But, I can't stop laughing at some of the stuff on that website. I mean, wow, I had tears running down my face over some of those comments.

Excellent excellent thread Trojan.

82

Division between soul and spirit

by M.J. in

hebrews 4:12

for the word of god is living and active.

sharper than any double-edged sword, it penetrates even to dividing soul and spirit, joints and marrow; it judges the thoughts and attitudes of the heart.

TheListener

I would love to see a more detailed post with references regarding the beliefs of the after-life by Hebrews. I would really like to understand the OT view of this.

I knew some Jewish people when I was a diehard dub and we had discussions on this.

I assumed that Judaism and JWs had the same theology concerning an everlasting soul. They would tell me I was wrong, but I would use the old standby OT scriptures to prove I was right. Frankly I couldn't believe that anyone who claimed to know the OT so well believed in an afterlife. I assumed that either they were wrong about what Judaism taught or were following later teachers and rabbi's and discounting the actual scriptures on the matter.

They made one statement that has stuck with me (paraphrased): "God condemned speaking with the dead, fortune telling, astrology, etc. God never said those things weren't possible, just that we shouldn't do them."

It fell on deaf ears back then, but since my spiritual awakening (or whatever it's called) I have been rethinking this subject. Some time ago on this board there was a discussion about Saul and whether or not the witch of Endor actually called up a dead spirit or if a demon was imitating a dead spirit. That was another eye opener for me.

29

Circuit Overseer Pensions and the Implications

by AlanF in

i just learned that the watchtower society has instituted a pension plan of sorts for circuit overseers.

this is a big change.. previous to this new plan, the various kinds of "traveling overseers" were pretty much on their own when they retired from the traveling work.

in a few cases, such men were invited to live out their lives in bethel, but in most cases they simply went back to being normal rank and file members who had to fend for themselves financially.. i can only speculate that the reason for this change was that the society has been having difficulty getting elders to become circuit overseers.

TheListener

I agree with SilentWatcher but, my guess is that they won't specifically mention the cost of the pension but will increase the per publisher amount for the circuit overseers insurance and auto lease.

It would seem logical that they'll include district overseers in this too

9

"Ways to Mention the Donation Arrangement" Plus: Did you keep it instead?

by stillAwitness in

jw
friends

taken from january 2006 km:

donation today toward our worldwide.

worldwide work.

TheListener

I was hardcore and I didn't ask for a donation more than a handful of times. I contributed when I picked up and that was that. If someone contributed anything to me (did happen once in awhile) I put it in the box.

I also didn't like the double contribution thing but I didn't let it bother me since I rarely received any money from the householders.

11

Linkin' Park - Numb - hits home

by TheListener in

jw
friends

i really love this song and have been meaning to post the lyrics for some time.

everytime i hear this song it hits home for me.

for those of us who have family in the truth but have chosen our own separate path - this is for us.

TheListener

I really love this song and have been meaning to post the lyrics for some time. Everytime I hear this song it hits home for me. For those of us who have family in the truth but have chosen our own separate path - this is for us. If you can find the song online to hear it you should definitely do it.

i'm tired of being what you want me to be
feeling so faithless
lost under the surface
i don't know what you're expecting of me
put under the pressure
of walking in your shoes
[caught in the undertow / just caught in the undertow]
every step that i take is another mistake to you

i've
become so numb
i can't feel you there
become so tired
so much more aware
i'm becoming this
all i want to do
is be more like me
and be less like you

can't you see that you're smothering me
holding too tightly
afraid to lose control
cause everything that you thought i would be
has fallen apart right in front of you

[caught in the undertow / just caught in the undertow]
every step that i take is another mistake to you
[caught in the undertow / just caught in the undertow]
and every second i waste is more than i can take

but i know
i may end up failing too
but i know
you were just like me
with someone disappointed in you

2

Weekly WTS Bible Reading Jan. 23 - 29, 2006

by TheListener in

the reading this week is ezra chapters 6 - 10.. this is the last week in ezra.

next week we start nehemiah.. i found nothing highlightable in this weeks reading.

if you have any comments please share.

TheListener

The reading this week is Ezra chapters 6 - 10.

This is the last week in Ezra. Next week we start Nehemiah.

I found nothing highlightable in this weeks reading. If you have any comments please share.

99

Many Questions

by urstruly in

hi i'm new to this forum.

i've looked at other websites to and i see all this about the jw's, now i'm not one, i was raised a jw but made my own decision and my parents respected that.

i've read so many horror stories, but my life wasn't like that at all, as a matter of fact, when they first knocked on our door and my mother accepted a study our life changed for ever, it was for the best in many ways.

TheListener

I appreciate your posts urstruly, but I have to say this:

Anybody who can post this

If you decide to have a blood transfusion after being a JW and you DF'd what's the big deal then?

doesn't understand the devastating effects the disfellowshipping and shunning policies have on families, friends and the emotional stability of those involved.

Good luck in your life and may God continue to bless you.