Posts by TheListener

21

Joel P. Engardio's article on JWs (Washington Post)

by behemot in

jw
friends

jehovah's witnesses: a model for church and state begin blogger thumbs end blogger thumbs by joel p. engardio.

if i'm ever allowed to legally marry, my mother won't attend my wedding.. i'm a gay man and my mom is one of jehovah's witnesses.

to remain true to her faith, she can't in good conscience be part of a same-sex marriage celebration.

TheListener

I take exception to this sentence: "So while I'm left with a mom who believes being gay is a sin, I also know she isn't doing anything to block gay people from seeking their fundamental right to marry."

I disagree. She is supporting an organization, and most likely preaching herself, that considers being gay is a serious sin and that God will destroy all individuals living that "choice". She doesn't need to block his right to marry now - she believes he and all the other homosexuals will be dead very soon - all by the hand of God.

7

Times are changin' could the Watchtower change too ?

by wasblind in

5. news vendors, street vendors and door-to-door salesmen .

although street vendors are more common in big cities, the times of people trying to sell you things on the sidewalk are passing.

these days, every sales pitch comes with an ad or marketing campaign.

TheListener

I agree with the previous posters. The d2d work is ineffective. It is a control mechanism.

Another point, imho, that shows this is the pioneer school and textbook. If your main concern is reaching as many people as possible with the most effective message why would you only let the elite go to the special training school and receive the special training manual? How does that help the worldly people?

Also, District Convention releases. The releases at the DCs are touted as the new great thing to bring people into the truth. No one is to know what's being released before their Convention and the Conventions around the world go one for months and months. If the whole point was to reach as many people as possible with the newest and best information the WTS would send the publications out with some information as soon as they were ready.

The above instances aren't designed for the field - they are designed to motivate and emotionally control the members.

34

A Textual Commentary on the Greek New Testament, by BRUCE M. METZGER

by possible-san in

a textual commentary on the greek new testament, by bruce m. metzger.

chm file (e book), 1.25mb.

http://anonym-to.com/?http://rapidshare.com/files/100421737/textual_commentary-greek_new_testament.rar.

TheListener

The Emphatic Diaglott (which is what witnesses used before the KIT came out and could be ordered still in the 90s; it may even be available now, not sure) says this:

John 14:14

English:

"If you ask *anything in my name, this I will do"

"*Ask me anything in my name, this I will do."

Greek

"If anything you may ask in the name of me, I will do."

9

For Those of You who Believe in Heaven...

by dssynergy in

i'm a 5th generation jw - and i have to admit a lot of it doesn't make sense to me.. question: if when a person dies, they go to heaven, what is the point?

question: if jesus is a perfect competent ruler, why would he need "assistants"?

discuss.

TheListener

I would just add that Witnesses believe that when people die they go to heaven - they just limit the number.

Witnesses also believe that the New Testament was written for the 144,000 which is why it so clearly shows a heavenly hope for its readers.

They also believe that the great crowd can learn from the NT and they should follow it's advice but the promises therein are not for them - that is also why they can state Christ is not the great crowd's mediator - the great crowd aren't in the covenant. The great crowd are participant bystanders (oxymoron).

46

Lady Lee (Lee Marsh) could use help

by Dogpatch in

jw
friends

she can't read this now because her computer has been broken for several days.

lee is not a complainer now would dare ask for help, but though she can even build computers, she has ancient equipment and if you know her, little funds.. bottom line: she needs a $500+ cpu box to get updated to the 21st century.

if you are interested in helping her (don't email her because she won't get it, and don't call her and embarrass her yet) but this girl needs a "working car" to get back on the road, if you know what i mean.. email me at [email protected].

TheListener

I wish I would have seen this earlier. Lady Lee is a gem and her needs must be met. If it wasn't for Lady Lee and a few others on this site and Freeminds I'd still be in the cult. How do you put a price tag on that?

Although I would like to ensure everyone has food for their families I can't. I can however help ensure that one person has a computer and can then help thousands (maybe more) become free of mind control.

In my humble opinion, if you haven't been around long enough to know how valuable Lady Lee is - then you probably shouldn't comment on the subject.

12

Former Jehovah's Witness hanging on hooks! ..... Why would he do this?

by koolaid-man in

jw
friends

with his split tongue, a tattooed scalp and earlobe piercings the size of hockey pucks, it's easy to mistake richard ivey iii for a sinister character with angry, boiling insides - or a chap as peculiar as queequeg, the doomed polynesian whaler from "moby dick.

" ........... notice the word apostate tattooed on fingers.

read more: http://www.newsobserver.com/2010/09/27/704975/nose-stud-controversy-draws-attention.html#ixzz11108dr1n.

TheListener

RichieRich stood up to his family and the congregation elders. He wanted to be his own person. He obtained a copy of the elders manual, with handwritten notes, and provided it to this forum.

He posted his feelings, thoughts and actions as he went through the situation of leaving the witnesses and all that entails. I give him a lot of credit for opening up and sharing. Also for moving on.

Hi Richie.

33

Has anyone successfully faded without moving out of the territory?

by NiceDream in

jw
friends

so far i've managed to avoid speaking to the elders who drop by.

just wondering if they'll eventually give up in a couple years.

anyone have experience with this?.

TheListener

For a hassle free fade - I'll repeat what Gregor said - When talking to JW's "Bite your Tongue!"

8

Casa Grande AZ Assembly Hall video - picture of girl baptized @:37 secs

by Gayle in

http://www.jwbrothers.org/videos/2481/casa-grande-az-assembly-hall-of-jehovah's-witnesses.

how old would you say she is 7-10 yrs old?.

assembly hall just opened aug. 28.

TheListener

Did anyone scroll down after the AZ video and listen to the Prince interview? He sounds crazy. I can't imagine the WTS is happy having him be an unofficial JW spokesman.

33

Has anyone successfully faded without moving out of the territory?

by NiceDream in

jw
friends

so far i've managed to avoid speaking to the elders who drop by.

just wondering if they'll eventually give up in a couple years.

anyone have experience with this?.

TheListener

I did so.

44

Thousands of people have come and gone from this site....is this part of the healing process???

by Witness 007 in

i see alot of new names here lately and if you look at the log on names here there are thousands who have moved on....every 2 years the posters change.....some vent and leave, others stay on for years.

i guess moving on with your life is a good thing, i think this site helps...any thoughts?.

TheListener

I enjoy reading the experiences of new ones here and lending a hand where possible.

I don't know if I'll ever be over my JWness since my immediate family are all active witnesses. The religion thing is sort of a constant undercurrent in our household.

Funny thing is though, as long as I've posted on here I've only become good friends with a handful of posters. I believe there are a lot of posters like me who stick around awhile but aren't particularly well known or popular. Perhaps it is the need to remain ultra confidential due to active family members? I don't know. I do know I love hearing other peoples perspectives on being a witness.