Absolutely, Metatron! I likened us in another thread a while back to a sort of watchdog group. I'm glad you ennumerated the changes that have been brought about. These changes would never have even crossed the minds of the powers that be if not for dissenters. Amnesty International stands up with mere words from ordinary world citizens against the harshest regimes--and they respond. My mother (who's still a witness) told me not too long ago, somewhat cautiously, "you know, the brothers monitor those internet sites." And all I could think and said was "good, I love the thought of speaking for those who have no voices--esp the women and children who are still in". I think secretly she is proud of me. I shudder to think of what this religion would do if given the right political environment in which to operate. That's another reason the UN thing kind of chilled me (their cozying up to world powers--it's a tad scary what some would do with a little clout and live ammunition to back them).
In fact, if I still believed in the bible, I'd take it a step further than watchdog group. I'd say we're God's spokespeople. Look at all the prophets who stood up to the religious status quo OUT OF THEIR OWN RANKS and called the pharisees on their B.S. Jesus was the biggest religious dissident the Jews ever saw. But the Jews of his time simply could not admit to even minute mistakes on their part.
Anyway, I don't believe. But if I did...
Pax,
B.
Bridgette
JoinedPosts by Bridgette
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We Change the Organization!
by metatron inwho brings about moral change in the organization?.
we, who are called "apostates", "opposers" and the .
"embittered".
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Bridgette
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British JWs ignoring the GB.
by dmouse inwhen we have american jw relatives visit they are frequently shocked at the difference between how they live their lives and how jws over here live.
its almost as if we are from two different religions.. that divide seems to be getting wider.
i have noticed in the past two or three years a noticeable relaxation among british jws.
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Bridgette
Rex,
No bubbles burst here. I suppose time and the history books will tell. One thing, I think you'll agree with me on, I would like to see an end to cults. And I'm glad to see the chokehold of the WTBTS relaxing in Europe.
Love and Peace,
Bridgette -
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MAJOR REQUEST ON THE WTS/UN SCANDAL
by hawkaw inhello all.. i was hoping a few of you would do me a favour.
a local news editor has asked me a question.
he has asked why is this un/wts story important to the local community?.
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Bridgette
The UN scandal matters to me for several reasons. One: if one of the lay people had allied themselves with a governmental agency for any reason (even to save their own life i.e., the brothers of Malawi), they would have been disfellowshipped. That is a blatant double standard.
Two: why were the lay people not informed of their alliance with the UN? We can only guess that it is because they have, for years, since its inception decried the UN as the Beast of Revelation. Any religious organization using the UN to further their agendas was likened to a harlot on the back of said beast. However, this does not apply to the Watchtower Bible and Tract Society? Why? How can that be?
Three: They just lied. Or at least witheld information. Lay people have been disfellowshipped for "covering over sin" or not revealing wrong doing. Should the corporation be held to different standards? If so, why? This organization demands total obedience from its adherants, even to death if called for. Should an organization who has been caught in dishonesty be entrusted with yours or your children's life?
Four: I simply want the UN and governments to know how they are being portrayed in the literature of Jehovah's Witnesses. I have no problem with them existing as a religion, a corporation or a group. I DO, however wish to see them kept honest. Their lay people are HIGHLY discouraged from asking questions or becoming educated about anything outside the organization. I would like to see the media pick this up, so that these silent prisoners of conscience can privately obtain this information. What each one does with it, would be their choice, but please, let a little light in on it.
My two cents,
B. -
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Anyone Remember The Chaperone Thing?
by Englishman inback when i was a lusty young lad of 17, a certain sister caught my eye - i swear that she could make her eyelashes beckon - and i duly decided to pay court to said sister.. however, it was not to be so simple.
round about that time, it would have been mid-60's, the wtbts were having a real downer on anyone who wore a short skirt (not me), danced the twist or grew their hair (me) over their ears.. but, the worse thing was still to come.
folks, i am talking about chaperoning!
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Bridgette
Gosh, with all these new fangled dating practices, people could might possibly have to......BE RESPONSIBLE FOR THEIR OWN MORALITY AND ETHICS!!!n (read in loud echo) *gasp* Tall order for most dubbies, but it might do 'em some good in the long run.
sad...
B.
p.s. as for my own chaperoning story--while I was never in a chaperone situation, I was told less than 6 years ago, that even if my car was broken down on the side of the road, I was not to ride alone in a car with a brother. idiots. -
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What would you say to Jesus?
by YoYoMama inif at the end when jesus comes to make justice on earth and it turns out that jehovah's witnesses was the one true path, what would you say to him?.
notice i said if...
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Bridgette
Good points, E-man. I've often wondered about that blood guilt thing they used to push so much while in the ORG. If memory serves me correctly, I believe the great culpability that Christendom had was that SHE claimed to represent god and jesus--all the while acting in ways that TURNED people away from them, and therefore forfeiting their salvation. Of all the many people I've met who are "out", many of us were just "raised" that way: no miraculous doorstepconversions, no questions asked--no choice. period. Many of us just couldn't do it, and left (JW kids leave in droves--many of us wind up here) why? because of the hypocrisy mostly. So, extra helping of bloodguilt, anyone?
Still wouldn't want to live in "paradise" filled with bloodthirsty, gossipy, judgemental, unloving JW's ("I want THAT person's house when Armageddon comes"). vomitous. But, if I am wrong, and JW's are right, by all means, enjoy your "paradise". I'll take being recycled over an eternity of that, anyday. Why even concern yourself over all the bird food here?
Love and Peace,
Bridgette -
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What would you say to Jesus?
by YoYoMama inif at the end when jesus comes to make justice on earth and it turns out that jehovah's witnesses was the one true path, what would you say to him?.
notice i said if...
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Bridgette
Well, what could one say? If this being is as arbitrary and hateful and unforgiving and all powerful, as he's always been presented via Christendom and mostly through JW's, then what's there to say? It would be like a Moth caught in a Black Widow's web. I still wouldn't want to live with the hateful people and organization who supposedly represent he and his father for an eternity. So, I guess I would say something like:
"Sorry I just couldn't do it. Have fun killing me and my kids and pets and my neighbors and my friends and everyone I've ever loved along with my...... Have a great "paradise"--then my molecules would eventually be dispersed. I wouldn't mind having my essence rebuilt into a nice peach tree. I wrote a poem to that affect when, as a JW teenager, I realized that I was never meant to be a JW, and felt that I was deserving of death--at 13--it actually crossed my mind to save Jehovah the trouble and slit my wrists open then and there. Great religion you have there--hope you haven't been entrusted with children.
Love,
Bridgette -
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What other religions etc. do you have?
by abcde inif jehovahs witnesses have problems,then is there anything better you have too offer?.
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i would be happy too know of a religion,website or something else that helps you in your life.
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Bridgette
Bodhisattva,
Hmmm, some very interesting and valid points. Welcome to our humble DB. Kind of like seeing the glass as half empty or half full.Peace,
B.
"Man is this whole universe, -
What was and what is yet to be"
from the Rig Veda -
40
British JWs ignoring the GB.
by dmouse inwhen we have american jw relatives visit they are frequently shocked at the difference between how they live their lives and how jws over here live.
its almost as if we are from two different religions.. that divide seems to be getting wider.
i have noticed in the past two or three years a noticeable relaxation among british jws.
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Bridgette
Closer,
you asked: "if the JW's were as relaxed here as in Britain (you could celebrate holidays, maybe no disfellowshipping) would you be a witness again???Oh and you were encouraged to ask questions and challenge"
Nope, I was never meant to be a witness, as is the case with many of us who had it imposed upon us from birth. However, I would wholeheartedly recommend it to friends, who I thought might be interested, and I wouldn't be so worried for my mom who's still in.
Love,
B. -
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Bridgette
Oh, I see you've already answered. A pretty good thread with a thought premice.
You asked: "I thought since many here do not believe in a resurrection or the Bible, what are your thoughts on death?"
I believe, having observed nature and read many holy writings, (including the bible), that death is change. It is the ultimate change that we in this realm face, and so many, understandably find this frightening. Especially when one is brought up with the Christian/Judeo view of death (one chance only), one is very much afraid--all the time--of everything.
Dying, I'm sure is unpleasant. As is birth, I'm sure. They are very much alike. Birth: you are unceremoniously and arduously cast out of the only environ you know or can remember. It is warm, loving, familiar. You are born cold, shivering, frightened. But then this realm welcomes you and acclimates you to this existence. You work on your business here---which is to learn to love. Unconditionally, yourself and others.
Then again, perhaps we all just evolved out of some primordial soup and this is it. No rhyme, no reason, other than those we manufacture to explain our existence. You're still reborn. Earth, in fact, the entire universe is one huge recycling center. Your molecules; your essence will be dispersed into the ecosystem to rebuild new life.
If you're a JW, god is gonna kill all the baddies (by current estimates, app. 6 billion people--that's your neighbors, your neighbor's kids, your elementary school teachers--their kids, etc. oh and it doesn't matter what kind of good things they've done--if they're not baptized as Jehovah's Witnesses, they're bird food), and preserve all the goodies. The WTBTS is gonna make all the rules in the "new world"--you'll have to go through all this again in a thousand years after their brand of "paradise" begins.
Hmmmm.....of all the JW's I've known (and I've known many), their teachings, their presentation of God--I simply cannot get too remorseful over the loss of that. If god really wants people to weep and gnash their teeth at the prospect of not being Jehovah's Witnesses when he unleashes all hell, he should make their religion and people something worth gnashing and weeping over.
So, in answer to your original question: no. Not afraid of death.
Yawn...
Bridgette -
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Bridgette
No. Are you?
Peace,
Bridgette