TheListener

Joined

• started 210 topics
• posted 3,839 times   see topics posted on
• send a message

Posts by TheListener

• 
  20

  Every study article is an exercise in the BITE method

  by Mickey mouse in

  1. watchtower
  2. bible

  10-20 years ago you would get a mix of different types of wt study articles.

  they generally fell into one of a number of categories: prophecy, bible characters, facets of the fruitages of the holy spirit, aspects of jehovah's personality, creation, the new system etc.. now it goes like this:.

  obey the faithful slave, stay of the internet, do more, obey the faithful slave, stay of the internet, do more.....rinse and repeat.. it's no wonder the dubs have all become brain dead.

  1. 
  2. 
  3. 
• 

  TheListener

  Well, if GB2.0 really believes they have the truth (and I believe they do believe so) then they probably figure Jehovah will take care of it. If they grow, great, Jehovah is blessing them. If they shrink, ok, Jehovah is sifting them in preparation for the end; cleaning out his congregation.

  It's always win win with them regardless of what occurs. That's because their mindset is that they are 100% without question.

  It's like the end of the system. If things get bad then the end is around the corner; if things get good then the end is around the corner (peace & security). It's win win.

  Interpretating the facts to fit a preconceived idea - what's the official term for that?
• 
  4

  Have you ever read "Please Understand Me" Book?

  by Iamallcool in

  1. jw
  2. friends

  i do not read books, but i was told it is a very good book.

  if you have read the book before, tell me about it.

  thanks!.

  1. 
  2. 
  3. 
• 

  TheListener

  Yes. PM me if you like.
• 
  48

  Waking Up From a 34 Year Slumber.

  by alg1052 in

  1. jw
  2. experiences

  july 11, 2011 will be 34 years since i was baptised as one of jw's.

  the sleeping pill i took was in the form of them providing the information that made the bible come alive with the truth and insisting that they go by the bible not adding or taking away from it.

  i had negative experiences from local brothers from time to time, however i excused them as part of being imperfect.

  1. 
  2. 
  3. 
• 

  TheListener

  Welcome Alg1052. I hear ya man. I am glad you found the board and posted. You are spot on about following the rules of men versus the Bible. I see my witness relatives and friends as the Pharisees of Jesus day more and more.

  It's dificult to sit at meeting after meeting getting frustrated and sometimes irritated with the crap that is spewed from the platform and the friends comments. Try not to let it get you down.

  You may need some down time but once you're ready you may find a nice small Bible study group just the thing you're looking for.

  Also, it would be good if you read the books others have suggested.
• 
  94

  Another Elder

  by burnedout in

  1. jw
  2. experiences
  1. 
  2. 
  3. 
• 

  TheListener

  Welcome BurnedOut. I'm glad you found this site. I also felt burned out and had to take a step back to regain perspective. I still have my wonderful family but it can be tough at times. If your wife is like mine she will be loyal to you but not truly understand/agree with your position on things. Don't push her too much too fast.

  I wish you the best on your journey.
• 
  160

  Your best one sentence JW comeback contest

  by moshe in

  1. jw
  2. friends

  i am looking for your best jw comeback- the kind that makes a jw's jaw drop.

  ok, even two pithy sentences will do.. here's one i have used before on jws,.

  moshe: " do you know what an oxymoron is?

  1. 
  2. 
  3. 
• 

  TheListener

  I like Godrulz one about the Pharisees. I've said something similar.

  I really think that when you tell a witness that you see them as Jesus saw the Pharisees there is a delayed 'wow' moment later. But, again, maybe nothing gets through.
• 
  144

  1st Cen. Christianity - One Organization

  by StandFirm in

  1. watchtower
  2. beliefs

  here is the promised debate.

  the subject is whether or not god has an organization.

  i'll start things simply:.

  1. 
  2. 
  3. 
• 

  TheListener

  There is a lot of posts and a lot of text in this thread.

  I didn't see anyone mention the fact that Paul knew of the injunction not to eat things strangled or sacrificed to idols. However, several times in his teachings at a later point he says it is a conscience matter and acceptable.

  If this was discussed already please forgive.
• 
  132

  Hello

  by Chariklo in

  1. jw
  2. experiences

  i am new to this site, just finding my way around.. i've been studying with jw's for about 15 months.

  i'm an unbaptised publisher, and until recently never missed a meeting, have been out "on the service" quite a lot.

  i've been having difficulties with one of the jw's studying with me and something happened which was just unacceptable.

  1. 
  2. 
  3. 
• 

  TheListener

  Welcome Chariklo,

  I loved your smoking analogy. You summed up exactly how I felt as I left the witnesses.
• 
  71

  Sex at 14?

  by headisspinning in

  1. jw
  2. friends

  hello all.... some of you have been following our story from the beginning - and even those of you who haven't should be able to relate to my quandary.... last week my 14 year old son told me he no longer wants to be a jw.

  we laboured over telling his jw dad all week.

  well, on friday night he finally came clean.. but in a bizarre and unexpected twist, after having sex with his girlfriend for the very first time - in his father's home that very afternoon.

  1. 
  2. 
  3. 
• 

  TheListener

  It's clear that you love your son and have his best interests in your heart. ((((((hugs)))))

  I know it's not easy but keep up your great efforts.
• 
  16

  An Interesting Turn of Events

  by headisspinning in

  1. jw
  2. friends

  big development.... i got a text message from my sister at 1:45 am that said: "i just told (my other sister) that i am disassociating myself.".

  we have been texting back and forth and i guess she told my mother the same thing.. memorial night seems to have been the clincher for her - she was very upset about three interactions with the elders and i guess she just had it.. we did talk a little bit that night and i very carefully mentioned some research i've been doing.

  i didn't get into it too much.. but she basically agreed that like me, she believes in god, jesus and the bible but not so much the 'organization'.. she is going to be talking to my family more today.

  1. 
  2. 
  3. 
• 

  TheListener

  Yes HIS, I think the advice you've received from Leaving and Yan is spot on. Not saying anything is the hardest part of leaving while trying to maintain family and friends.

  I wish you and your family all the best.
• 
  2

  did they talk about jesus at your memorial?

  by Evidently Apostate in

  1. jw
  2. friends

  ours might have spent 10 minutes on the sacrifice of jesus.

  he must have spent 15 minutes on how we have almost no hope of being chosen and gave the same stats other threads are mentioning 18 mil 11k eating blah, blah.

  i am thinking they are in damage control with the increasing numbers of partakers.

  1. 
  2. 
• 

  TheListener

  The bulk of the outline is who partakes and who doesn't. With a pinch of making fun of other churches thrown into the mix.