Posts by diamondblue1974

25

Art, Worship and the JWs

by Sirona in

jw
friends

i was reading the thread about "worldy churches" and it made me think about how the jws have a hatred of certain types of worship.. they hate anything "traditional" and state that it is corrupted (pagan).

they hate going into churches because they see religious symbolism like crosses, altars, candles and chalices.

big ornate churches are not beautiful to them, they are a symbol of satan.

diamondblue1974

Big ornate churches are not beautiful to them, they are a symbol of Satan. For them, neo-pagans meeting up in groves has no beauty, just Satanic overtones

Slightly off point here I know but I have just come back from Barcelona, (been there for the weekend), and one of the many places I saw and was indeed one of the highlights was Gaudi's unfinished catherdral; the building is amazing and is one hell of a piece of architecture; I cannot believe we were all taught that these buildings were evil and that we should 'beware of wolves appearing in sheeps clothing'.

It beats the old flourescent lights anyday doesnt it; and yes indeed they are training centres, at least two meetings each week are training related are they not?

DB

14

Where & how can I post my letter to family? and...

by Frog in

jw
friends

does anyone know how & where i can post a ms word document which is the letter i have written to my family?

i finally got the guts (yes an aussie) up to send it!

after several drafts, i am finally happy with the copy i have now written.

diamondblue1974

Best wishes to you and my sincere hope that your family come to their senses; your letter was both well written and intelligent and anyone who is not moved by its contents must search deep into their own heart for the reasons why.

We were constantly warned that our hearts are treacherous and that we should listen to our minds instead, its times like this which makes me personally realise to a great extent that the 'treacherous heart' teaching is simply another way of the WTS trying to control our minds and seek to ignore our feelings on issues.

DB

88

Am I right about the WT being wrong?

by FreedomFrog in

jw
friends

hi everyone.... i was "raised" as a dub and got baptised in '86...so in total i had been a jw for over 20 years.

i came to realize that the "way of life" i was living was in fact made up of mostly lies.

i started "questioning" the borg about 6 years ago and finally came out with almostatheist last sept. i know in my heart that they are mostly wrong and very legalist.

diamondblue1974

This is the worst part of being an ExJW in that you are constantly taught 'not rely upon your own counsel'; this then supports the belief that you cannot simply form your own opinions and must in turn seek the WT guidance on issues of doctrine. I personally suffer from this and I am sure everyone else does so too, but the key is to keep your assumptions in check.

Keep searching and keep asking, we were created with an enquiring spirit we must put it to good use instead of letting others rule our thoughts, feelings and belief's.

DB

42

What if?

by jula71 in

does anyone have the fear of, "what if they?re right?

" i?ve had that nagging me then i have another voice, i?m not nuts-i?m not hearing voices-just a metaphor, tell me "they can?t be right.

" i just have this incredible inner conflict in me.

diamondblue1974

This is a really good thread; Its natural to have those feelings and thoughts and even though ive been out for over a decade it still can occasionally come flooding back. It is part of the conditioning and does happen less and less if you fill your mind with other things.

Good point Niceguy.

DB

10

Should jws use handkerchiefs?

by badboy in

jw
friends

i understand they have a pagan connection!

diamondblue1974

I agree with Crumpet actually...t'would be a sin to use a hanky for such onanistic purposes...plus it would be damn impractical if you mistakenly replaced it in your pocket, or indeed waved it about in a morris dance afterwards!!!

This thread is definately headed for the adult section....

8

Armageddon Should Arrive This Year.

by Englishman in

jw
friends

1975 came and went and nothing happened.

ah...but then!

when 1975 was looking close some bright spark reminded us that god's last act of creation was when eve was given to adam, so that time delay needed to be added to 1975 before armageddon became due.

diamondblue1974

RAOTFL You should speak to the Branch office in London, they could use that kinda logic!

See you round

DB

18

Novels set in Canada

by Crumpet in

jw
friends

i am going to canada in may for a holiday and want to take some books to read.

i really like to read fiction that is set in the place i'm visiting and i'd also be quite keen to start getting in the mood before i go.

so i was wondering if there are keen readers out there who could point me in the direction of any great canadian novels - particularly anything set around the great lakes - superior, hudson, ontario,michigan, erie....any suggestions very welcome!

diamondblue1974

Oi matey....I was looking about for your request....there was one that i had read some time ago set in Canada but couldnt remember the name of it to save me life.

DB

40

How do I know when it's love....

by DanTheMan in

jw
friends

i don't post a lot about my personal life here anymore but i have a situation that i'd like some feedback on.. i have been dating a for about 5 months.

she is a university professor, originally from madrid spain, speaks 3 languages, quite an interesting and intelligent lady.

however, i have also come to find that she is very insecure and somewhat childish emotionally.. she has brought up marriage several times, and i have tried to keep her at bay on this subject, as i just don't know if the relationship has that kind of feeling or not.. the problem is, i don't know what that feeling is supposed to be.

diamondblue1974

The fact that she is manipulative enough to suggest that she is going to start looking around (in the hope that you will react) and has been pushing the big M question after only 5 months I would run like hell.

I would agree that she is immature emotionally and needs to get a grip; the fact she has preset ideas about how you should behave indicates an element of control not normally associated with love; love above everything is about acceptance, trust, and understanding; these things she seems to lack.

Your feelings about her are transparent also in that you are not sure, like someone else said on this post and please pardon the cliche, 'you will know when you know'

10

Should jws use handkerchiefs?

by badboy in

jw
friends

i understand they have a pagan connection!

diamondblue1974

Are you having a laugh?

Enlighten me, where do you derive this information?

DB

8

Speculation and the WTBTS

by diamondblue1974 in

.

who of us can remember the wts saying from the platform that we should'nt speculate about jehovahs wts purpose and what he or they intend.. what was this about and why?

can anyone enlighten me here?.

diamondblue1974

Jula & Blondie you are spot on, Speculation and Questioning are the same in the WTS eyes.

Crumpet, the scripture (although cant remember where it is) sends shivers down my spine...its the typical one used for stopping people from questioning and taking initiative, again spot on.

Thank you everybody; it was a distant memory and I couldnt for the life of me remember what it was about; it makes sense now doesnt it?

Has this been mentioned since? Ive been away from meetings for over a decade.