Posts by TheListener

23

'great crowd' are in the temple (naos) but not in the new covenant???

by fukitol in

in one of the biggest about-faces in watchtower history, in a 2002 question from readers it was admitted that the great crowd is indeed in the temple itself (naos) in revelation 7. .

but notice the statement bolded below from that article comparing the great crowd to the proselytes in ancient israel.

the statement is made that the proselytes "submitted to the law covenant.

TheListener

I think in the typical witnesses mind the order goes publisher - governing body - jehovah. Jesus is someone that lived a life on earth that we should imitate and he will be used by jehovah to accomplish his will but he isn't really viewed as the active head of the congregation. The gb knowledge and guidance comes from jehovah through his holy spirit.

I don't believe the gb will ever do anything to jeopardize their power over the rank and file. That includes promoting jesus and his role in christianity. I saw the 2015 regional convention program on another thread and completely believe that all the jesus talks are a smokescreen for actually talking about jehovah.

23

'great crowd' are in the temple (naos) but not in the new covenant???

by fukitol in

in one of the biggest about-faces in watchtower history, in a 2002 question from readers it was admitted that the great crowd is indeed in the temple itself (naos) in revelation 7. .

but notice the statement bolded below from that article comparing the great crowd to the proselytes in ancient israel.

the statement is made that the proselytes "submitted to the law covenant.

TheListener

I know from experience that dubs talk about Jesus but not about actually having a relationship with him. They talk s lot about his earthly life and his coming in the near future but not Jesus in the present as the head of Christianity.

When I was a dub and heard songs about Jesus or praise Jesus this or that I chalked it up to the trinity and falsehood.

I think that when dubs hear Christians talk about having a relationship with Jesus they automatically put that person in the born again category. And most experienced dubs will tell you that it is near impossible to convert a born again.

Imho

91

Setback

by EdenOne in

i saw this coming since my mother-in-law's funeral .... the congregation's "love-bombing" over my wife had its impact.

i watched her drawing closer and closer to her friends in the congregation.

then she decided she would attend the memorial.

TheListener

Wow, a lot of great feedback on this thread.

Dubs seem to swing back and forth like a clock pendulum. From hot to cold and back again. From my own experience I know it's hard but if you can keep being patient she may very well swing back again and this time be more convinced that it's not the truth. Being a dub takes a lot of effort and unless she is 100% convinced it's the truth she will tire out. IMHO.

But, I just want you to know that I understand the feeling of loss and frustration that you have right now. It can eat you up and make you act very differently from your normal personality if you let it. Please keep posting here and venting here because there are a lot of great posters who will listen and reply.

9

Conti Verdict - what will this mean for congregation?

by sparrowdown in

will the outcome of this case translate into any major changes for the way congregations are run?.

what do you think?.

TheListener

Although I feel that the average witness will have no idea why any of the changes have occurred.

26

Wife wants a Family Study after the special talk...but initially refuses Bible only study.

by garyneal in

my wife asked me to attend the special talk with her because she wants to attend something like this as a family and feels that she "enjoys worshipping together" as a family.

i have not been to church for at least a year and have pretty much abandoned the practicing of my faith but i can remember how i used to want to have a church going family so i obliged.

i feel kind of apprehensive about doing these things because she wants the kids and i to be on our best behavior and has even fussed at me for playing tablet games during other talks.

TheListener

Garneal, my wife could not tell you what the current WTS teaching is on most subjects other than trinity, blood, hellfire, heaven and the end is soon soon soon, but she believes everything and attends regularly.

We have come to an unspoken agreement where we basically don't discuss witness stuff in our home. I can't imagine what stress trying to do a regular reading of the bible together would cause.

I have found that in the past when I have made what I think is a great point with her and that maybe just maybe she agreed, it only lasted until the conversation was over and then she forgets all of it and continues on as if no discussion happened.

Good luck with your bible reading but don't hold out too much hope that it will magically help her see TTATT. The 'wait on Jehovah' or 'we'll understand it in the new system' is their ultimate fallback no matter what they hear or learn.

13

The "great crowd" before 1935 and since

by Doug Mason in

jw
friends

what was the seismic shift in thinking that rutherford required when he created the great multitude in 1935?

when did the great multitude, or the great crowd as it is now known, become jehovahs witnesses?.

http://www.jwstudies.com/the_great_crowd_before_1935_and_since.pdf.

TheListener

Man it's so embarrassing to say I believed in their nonsense. It's even more frustrating that my wife still does.

7

Old Hat

by Phaedra in

jw
friends

15 years ago i joined this forum under a generic alias.. if it weren't for the fact that i have close family weaved into this tapestry of a religion i think i could have moved on long ago.. when you're connected, you're connected.. to those in the same boat, you're not alone.. we get it, and you.. hugs,.

phae.

TheListener

I get it too. My wife and family are still in but I've saved my kids, I think. I read here to stay informed on the latest WTS information. I would love to find the one argument or idea that would save my wife.

The stress level caused by raising kids with one witness parent and one who faded is really really high. At each stage of your kids lives there are decisions to be made and each parent has a completely different view on most of them. It feels like if anything goes wrong with the raising of the kids it's the non-dub parents fault.

16

Crisis of Conscience

by WasOnceBlind in

wow, what a great book.

i started reading it today and have not been able stop.

im already 80 pages in!

TheListener

I've always wondered how Cynthia felt about Rays crisis of conscience. Did she follow him out right away or did she still believe everything even as he was mentally free.

4

Discussion with my wife

by New day in

jw
friends

i had an interesting conversation with my wife today.

she revealed that she had been deeply hurt by bros and sis reactions to her as she has not been to meetings for a while due to physical and emotional probs.

when she meets jws in the street they cannot cope with her and are often very cool towards her.

TheListener

Great conversation. Maybe your wife is a lot like mine, doctrine doesn't matter, it's a social club. That may be the best way for you to reach her real personality. Imho the more supportive and loving you are the more contrast she will see between the dubs and you.

26

why report more partakers?

by rebel8 in

jw
friends

of all the threads here about the number of partakers increasing, i don't recall theories as to why they report this.

they could stop reporting numbers altogether or lie.

instead they say, in essence, "our teachings about end times and heavenly hope are still wrong"..

TheListener

I think the witnesses have always had a more than average share of crazies. So why are so many people partaking the last few years? Why the increase? You'd think that the elders would kindly talk to some of the partakers and explain things to them and the number would go back down.

Each year the GB are probably praying that this will be the year of a decrease in partakers. I'd love to see a huge partaker increase. That would really freak the dubs out.