suppose the organization scores a couple years of net, objective.
decline of publishers, using their own statistics.
can you imagine what the effect would be?
"I firmly believe the entire governing body could be caught on tape knocking off a bank before heading back to Bethel to have sex with each other, and there are plenty of JWs who would chalk it up to "imperfection,", "apostate lies," or the like."
LMAO!! Seeker. Sad, but true. Look how they've explained away the UN scandal.
Bridgette
imagine this!
what a tempting thought.. the org, banned, witnesses hunted like rats thru the streets as they sneak around in their reverse coats and changeable hats carrying out the preaching work.
outside your house an incident,three neighbours are beating up on a witness, hitting him over the head with his own briefcase.. would you join in?
Absolutely not! would I join in, nor condone such abhorent behavior. I would do what I could to save him or her, as I would any fellow human being. As for a longterm solution, I would do what I do now via Amnesty International. Write letters, provide legal and monetary support for peoples' rights to say and beleive whatever their conscience dictates and not be tortured or persecuted for doing so. AI has even helped out JW's who find themselves behind bars for spreading unpopular opinions.
No, no need to thank me, WTS, and JW's for supporting your human rights--it's just me, an evil ole' apostate/opposer, waitin' to die at yer god's hands, and have my innards picked out by the birds! You just enjoy your freedom and keep preaching my demise.
I may not agree with what you say, but I will defend your right to say it without fear of being tortured. It's called being human.
Love,
Bridgette
suppose the organization scores a couple years of net, objective.
decline of publishers, using their own statistics.
can you imagine what the effect would be?
Interesting points, Metatron. And they may yet die of natural causes (their continual dishonesty, and lack of love), but I will be happy if we just keep them honest. It would actually be great if they mainstream, evolve and become useful members of society. Now, THAT would be a dream come true, IMO. First, however, I want apologies (in writing) for the ruined, lost, wasted lives, and the dishonesty and blatant double standards. Then we can all grow and heal.
However, if things work out as you propose, that would be no skin off my back (it would be much like watching the tobacco industry go down because of its own bad karma). Also, something like that, while it would be justified and explained away to no end by JW's, would eliminate their usual extreme paranoid "we're the most persecuted people on earth!" syndrome, if a sudden demise were to come. Time and history will tell.
Love,
Bridgette
may you all have peace!
(yes, i know i am starting a new thread when one already exists, but most of you know me by now...).
the 'true' worshippers of god are those that worship him... in spirit... and in truth.
Sirona,
you said: "There are many who are true worshippers of God who do not even believe the bible, or read it. Many are true worshippers who are not christian"
amen, sister. But there are souls that this concept is absolutely foreign to. They have not yet transcended on their journies. They speak in the only language they know. That is, they cannot step outside of the biblical/christian framework. Arrogant? Yes. Annoying? at times. But they mean well. Remember, in their belief system, all of us evil neo-pagans, atheists (not sure about agnostics) are going to meet a fiery, hellish demise at the hands of their loving hebrew male sky-god, so they're trying their darndest to save us. I respect their intentions, if not their words. At least, their usually more loving than the Jehovah's Witnesses.
Peace,
Bridgette
i ask you this because i saw a lot of hypocrisy in the org but i still have sometime this old fear of armageddon with a feeling a culpability.
should i do some research on my own about all the lies of the wbts?
what did you do to find a goal in your life?
Dear Satan,
Unitarian differs slightly from Unity, I believe. Actually, I know extremely little about the Unitarians (although any church that says it's for the liberal human spirit, gets my vote!). And the Unity church I go to (only when I feel like it) is now a church of religious science. They both foster spirituality vs. religion, and tend towards a scientific explanation for everything, even if said explanation is mystical and as yet unexplained in our current schema.
I, like you, though can never ever ever be a "part" (insert, cog, borg, unit) of a group again. My temple is my body and being wherever I happen to be. I have worshipped with Church of Christs, Catholics, JW's, Wiccans, and religious scientists. In the end....the love you take, is equal to the love you make....
All spokes of the wheel lead to the same hub/source/god/dess. JW's and other fundies, just have alot of "blockage" as souls in their spoke attempt to reach the hub. I've had an extremely powerful epiphany as of late regarding the human experience as it relates to religion.
Do not give up on meditation, Satan.
Peace,
Bridgette
p.s. I want to know more regarding Judaic dualism. Does this have anything to do with the Zoroastrian precursor to a dualistic good vs. evil world view to Judaism? Remember early Judaism did not necessarily disavow other dieties, it just tried to over power them with the ONE, big chief god. Zoroastrianism was first to do this.
i ask you this because i saw a lot of hypocrisy in the org but i still have sometime this old fear of armageddon with a feeling a culpability.
should i do some research on my own about all the lies of the wbts?
what did you do to find a goal in your life?
Satan,
Did you ever go to any Unity or Religious Science churches? Just curious. Also, how long have you been out?
How did you go about doing #1 on your list? I found meditation freed me from many toxic teachings. A group of progressive Nuns actually taught me to group meditate. Long story. But highly effective.
Nicolous, I highly recommend the practice of taking about 20 minutes each day and just stilling your mind and soul. They say "god" can best be "heard" in utter silence.
Love,
B.
i ask you this because i saw a lot of hypocrisy in the org but i still have sometime this old fear of armageddon with a feeling a culpability.
should i do some research on my own about all the lies of the wbts?
what did you do to find a goal in your life?
Dear Nicolous,
You will find your way. Better yet, if you are still and quiet, your way <instert, God, Self, Higher Power, etc) will find you.
Anyway, I don't know where your mind is at right now, but a book that "found me" and helped right as I was making the break was "the Seat of the Soul" by Gary Zukav. Kind of spiritual, as well as scientific. That's where my mind was at in the beginning, you will know what you need to do, where you need to go.
Good luck, my friend. Glad you're here with us.
Bridgette
"the Universe is alive, wise, and compassionate. It is a friendly place, not the violent, merciless place that we have often made our small part of it. Our new values are the values of the soul -- harmony, cooperation, sharing, and reverence for Life. Our new goals are authentic power - the alignment of the personality with the soul -- and a planet without conflict." ~~Gary Zukav
you know the situation...a fighter can be in the ascendency...well ahead...have his opponent on the ropes.
but can he put his opponent away?
does he have the ko punch?
I have to agree with most of the posters here. There is no KO punch for the "society". Really, do we want that? I don't, in particular (I could care less if they die of natural causes--i.e., refusal to change). But there are many evils out there to be faught. WTS is pretty small potatoes, IMO. Not that I won't call them on their B.S. and keep watching and dogging their archaic policies at every turn until they evolve into a useful little religious corporation and loosen their chokehold. Not sorry there's no KO, but there's something better than a Death Blow: Evolution. We are bringing about painful change in the organization by making them be honest. Metatron initiated an excellent post on the changes effected by we who dare question publicly the almighty WTS.
My two cents,
Bridgette
european jw versus usa jw.
this board is very dominant by experience from us about the jw lives.
we are only a few from others parts of the world participate.
Or, as I have pointed out before, they are totally and utterly dependant upon their adherants for survival. Their power lies in the illusion of power they hold (god's only spokesperson on earth), but put enough cultural pressure on them, and they do as their adherants wish, not vice versa. Much as they're loathe to do so. They will try to perpetuate their "tough" exterior, but in the end, majority rules. It's the same with any organization, even governments. Get enough people pissed off and even the harshest regime falls. In fact, the harsher ones are the ones more fearful than any of their populaces.
Bridgette
the wts will condemn the recent murder and do its best to distance itself from the parents.
jws will say its the actions of people who are deranged and nothing to do with jws.
they will say other religious groups harm children.
Lionel P. and Farkel,
I agree with the need to be rational vs. emotional in an argument, especially if one has an agenda and more so, if that agenda is a legal one. I do not have an agenda, other than to force the WTS to be honest. I have no hopes that legal reparations would ever be made by the WTS for all the damage that has been done to human lives, nor do I even think, they will ever even come to an end as an organization. As I said, I want them to be honest, and to protect their children.
For those who say that the WTS does not overtly or covertly propagate abuse, I have to ask again, then, why is child abuse so prevalent in JW culture? There's a case for correlation if not causation.
I will keep telling this story. I will keep calling for the WTS' moral responsibility (as I've said, I feel there's little hope of establishing legal responsibility--they're just too adept at covering themselves). I will continue to alert people who potentially work with JW children to just watch. Those shiny exteriors can so often bely abuse.
Peace,
Bridgette
p.s. The WTS, and its record on children's rights reminds me of a company that is forced under new laws, and a changing moral environment to afford opportunities and end discrimination against minorities. It can pay all the lip service it wants, but the proof is in the pudding. Look at the results. In JW culture, it is the majority of us who have left ugly childhoods behind colored with physical, spiritual, sexual and mental abuse. The WTS is the one who taught me about community responsibility. By their own teachings, they stand accused and responsible for Laree's death. Toss all the above aside, and simply look at their policy of not reporting suspected abuse immediately to the authorities, and they've broken the law of the land. The WTS has placed themselves in a public trust and extorted total control over its adherants. When one does that, one must take responsibility for what they do. Suspected abuse must be reported to the authorities. period.
