Posts by TheListener

56

BirthdaysSimple Deconstruction of the JW Rationale

by AuldSoul in

to deconstruct the jw rationale surrounding birthdays, a few simple guidelines should be followed.. (1): don't waste any energy trying to convince a jw that birthdays are not pagan, if they suggest that, readily agree.

whether or not the celebrations are pagan turns out to be a non-issue that distracts from the main point.. (2): stay focused on the fact that jws disfellowship people for celebrating birthdays.. (3): stress the point that there should always be clear scriptural reason for disfellowshipping someone.

ask them often throughout the discussion whether this is the case, get them to reinforce this need to themselves.. (4): remember, the first goal is deconstructing their rationale, not giving them a new rationale, not convincing them that celebrating birthdays is a good thing.. once you have these well in mind, the deconstruction can begin.. jw rationale, in brief:.

TheListener

Welcome back AuldSoul. yipeee!

Now, here is what I have said to many people who asked me what was different between birthdays and anniversaries:

"an anniversary celebration is a celebration of the marriage arrangement. Birthdays are a celebration of the individual - as if he/she accomplished something. It is inappropriate to bring honor to an individual for something God accomplished - his birth."

-ok that answer is crap but no one ever challenged me on it. That's because they didn't really want to discuss the matter with me. I sounded crazy and cult-like and they just wanted to get away. Little did I know that one day I'd be here on the other side of the fence.

My simple question now is:

At an anniversary party - who gets the gifts? the couple or God?

At a baby shower - who gets the gifts? the couple/baby or God?

70

Most Ex-JWs R Not Active in the Anti-JW Community. Maybe 1%? Any thoughts?

by Seeker4 in

yesterday i called a family on the west coast that were in my congregation 18 years ago.

between parents, kids and marriage partners, there were six of them who had been witnesses.

they have all faded, and have had nothing to do with the witnesses for at least 15 year or more.. yet, none of them is in any way active even in looking at the ex-jw sites online.

TheListener

I know many individuals who are no longer active. One of them held rather responsible positions in the org. and would have a lot to share with this "community". However, he has no interest in discussing the dubs or his personal thoughts on the matter.

We are all different. I remain active here because I am hopeful my wife will eventually see the light. Until then I want to remain up to date on dub news and goings on. I get no information from my wife. I am always looking to arm myself with theocratic knowledge to weaken the WTBTS hold on my family.

I, and I'm sure many others like me, can only be as active as our fade permits.

37

A Bible Question, please comment

by restrangled in

there will have to be assumptions involved here.....that god exists, the bible is the word of god and creation is as stated in genesis, etc.

etc.. in the old testament, god seemed pretty straight forward, let certain people know (and not by osmosis) his intent.

backed certain kings, and showed power through physical occurrences over and over again.. along comes his son, who died for the entire race as a ransom for adam's sin.

TheListener

I hear your question loud and clear. I have been thinking about the fact that I don't understand why Jesus didn't just speak plainly. Yes, he spoke in parables so the common man would understand - didn't God know that we wouldn't understand? Why wasn't the Bible written like the book "life's little instruction book"?

There should simply be no room for misunderstanding or interpreting things in a different way. We shouldn't be able to fight over the translation of specific words or their tense. It gets ridiculous at times.

The law code was cumbersome and just too plain much but it did provide God's specific instructions for everyday situations.

My conclusion, to myself of course, is that since God didn't make the NT as clear as the law code; he intended it that way. I won't let anyone's interpretation of the Bible come between me and loving Christ. I will love Christ and strive to be a morally upright person (what is that you say? Hmmm...I guess it means not doing anything that will get me thrown into jail or divorced - hahahahahaha).

One day I hope it will all come clear - if not, I'll die a satisfied person anyway.

17

Mom is fed up, about to leave Dad......

by R.F. in

my mom is fed up now and wants to leave my dad now.

the interesting thing is i was planning on moving out in a few months, but mom seems to be planning on leaving way before then.

so im going to just move with her to help her with bills for a little while.

TheListener

ROFLMAO at Dawg's post.

R.F. - sounds like you've thought it through for quite some time. Help your mom and be a good son. That's cool. Just don't become too involved in her life. Make sure to keep your separate identity (psychologically speaking).

112

30 Minute Public Talk-CONFIRMED

by stillajwexelder in

i can confirm (as there seems to be some doubt) at the service meeting last night during the item about the new watchtower, a letter was read by the po.

the public talk is to be 30 minutes long.

this is to allow for more association and ministry.. lengthy negative introductions about the state of the system of things/deep last days etc are to be heavily curtailed.

TheListener

Maybe allowing birthdays is next. You know, for the kids.

62

Core88 - Here's the latest

by Mum in

jw
friends

tatiana pm'd me core's phone #.

i called the # and got his answering machine.

the message included his last name.

TheListener

I'm proud to be associated with this board. I was really worried about Core.

Great job!!

Core, if you read this thread - we're here for you. Vent your frustations - we'll always listen

88

James Penton claims big Watchtower revelations to come...

by slimboyfat in

jw
friends

he commented on another site:.

oh, i must mention: when barbara and rud publish, they will shake the foundations of the watchtower society, and i will have to rewrite many parts of apocalypse delayed to fit with the newly revealed information.

no one knows the dry rot that has existed in that organization as do they.

TheListener

The big news regarding blood failed to do much of anything.

The big news regarding the child abuse settlements failed to do much of anything.

I hope, truly hope, that this time the information will sizzle and not fizzle.

Barb - I really appreciate all the time and effort you have put into this. Keep up the great work!

45

Who would still be a Jehovah's Witness if it wasn't for the INTERNET???

by What-A-Coincidence in

raises hand.

i thank auldsoul/blodie for helping me out...they stick out in my mind when i first lurked on jwd.

wac - bethelite for 10 years and elder for 1.

TheListener

I wouldn't be a witness.

But, I'd probably still believe it was the truth - or close to it. I'd still lie awake at night waiting for Armageddon to come and kill me.

74

Public talk will be reduced to 30 minutes

by martinjw7 in

have you heard about a letter for all congregations announced next new change in wts politics?.

in letter is information that the time for the public talk will be reduced to 30 minutes.. does anyone have a copy?

.

TheListener

Oh no! The brothers won't get to count a full 45 minutes of service time for their talks - now they'll only get a measly 30 minutes. What ever will they do?

Let's see - you count time for public talks at the KH but not talks at the DC. Yes, that makes sense.

61

Hello.

by emilyblue in

i posted here a couple of months ago, or less.

my home computer crashed and they cracked down on messageboard sites at my work, so the work laptop was out.

plus, i just felt emotionally burned out and just didn't want to think about it anymore.

TheListener

Emily,

I'm no psychologist but you appear to be a classic case of co-dependency. Read a book called co-dependent no more. It may give you the courge and knowledge to do the right thing.

PM me if you'd like to talk more.