it is interesting to note that of the total actual growth of all churches put together in the usa, 98.8% went to the roman catholic church (852,663 rcc vs 863,448 all ).
church.
21. united church of christ.
I haven't read everyone's comments, so I apologize if this is a repeat:
There is an increasing number of 'secret double life' jws visiting sites like this. So, the wts reported numbers are tainted by publishers, pioneers and elders who would be df'd if found out.
If all of us came forward and exposed ourselves, just think of the sudden drop in the wt report.
How do you think they'd handle that?
What difference would it make?
The WTS organization is on its own course. Individuals do NOT matter! JW's do NOT think. EVERYONE is dispensible.
some of you may know, but i have been on a serious journey through watchtower "theology", and by association, have gone back all through the history of christianity.
i know many on this list have gone thru the same thing.
i have checked out probably 100 archeological, religious, and history books from the library.
Excellent points!
Like you, I am also working through the whole anger & frustration. My problem is that there is no individual accountability.
The Society is not a person. Even the individual GB members are subject to the group's goals (look at Ray Franz!)
I've gone through such depression trying to figure out who to blame. In fact, at one point I feel just as much to blame for supporting & teaching WTS doctrine as a an elder and public speaker.
It is very frustrating! At least, nowadays there is better support and vehicles like the internet for venting.
Hang in there Bro!
yall got any more?these are the top 17 bumper .
stickers that everyone wants to see.... jesus loves you...but everyone else thinks you are an ass.
impotence...nature's way of saying "no hard feelings,".
This was always a funny one to me:
Don't Drink & Drive: You might hit a bump and spill your drink!
http://insider.tv.yahoo.com/news/insdr20050701t144600002625/
july 1, 2005
r&b singer luther vandross dies .
http://insider.tv.yahoo.com/news/insdr20050701t144600002625/ July 1, 2005
R&B Singer Luther Vandross Dies
"The Insider" has confirmed that R&B legend LUTHER VANDROSS passed away Friday at JFK Medical Center in Edison, NJ. He was 54. A cause of death has not been released. Sources tell "The Insider" that Vandross' death was unexpected, and that a memorial service is planned in New York sometime next week. The singer sold over 25 million records during a long and successful career that began in the 1970s. In 1981, he released his debut album, Never Too Much, and went on to become one of the most popular musicians of the 1980s, cranking out lasting hits like "Here and Now" and "The Best Things in Life Are Free." Vandross hit the top of the charts again in the '90s with a duet with MARIAH CAREY of "Endless Love." His soulful pop crooning went on to inspire artists like USHER and ALICIA KEYS, as well as "American Idol" and record labelmate RUBEN STUDDARD. Sources also report that a tribute album for Vandross is in the works. In April 2003, Vandross suffered a stroke due in part to his struggle with diabetes; he then spent close to a month in a coma, and battled meningitis and pneumonia after the attack.
had a very interesting local needs part last nite - warning against apostate activity in our area, as well as the dangers of the internet.
the elder giving the talk discussed how he googled "watchtower" and a whole boatload of sites came up, such as silent lambs, etc.
"we need to stay away from these.
We had the same local needs talk a few weeks ago. I almost crapped my pants waiting for him to call my name out or at least call me aside after the meeting.
This must be going around or the WTS sent special letters to the service committees.
class consciousness is defined as identification with other members of ones own class and awareness of its relationship with other classes.
a remarkable change has happened in the last ten years among jehovah's witnesses, and this is largely due to the way we communicate.. .
the internet has brought about huge social changes in the way we think, do business and research, and how we spend our free time.. .
I personally know of several other 'double-lifers' like myself.
Often I wonder how many there are like us at each assembly and convention.
There's always a fear in the back of my mind that one of us may someday feel some twinge of JW guilt and out the rest of us.
That fear has dissipated over time.
What if we came up with a secret handshake or phrase to identify each other. Eventually, the elders would learn about this and use it to filter us out.
does any one else have a small voice a the back of their head telling them every thing is going to be ok ?
and does any one else find this gets them into trouble ?
its only been just over a year since i stopped beliesving that jehovah would solve all my problems, but evan now i tend have a small feel that something will come along that will get me out of any situation.
I've been unemployed for a few months and i had just ran out of money in fact i was down to my last dollar and didnt know what i was going to do...and then a job called and i got hired...
I've had very similar situations & in the past would have seen them as evidence of divine intervention, jeh's protection, blessing, etc.
However, now I see the same things happening to worldly people, folks in christendom & pagandom, apostates & even people like me, a melange of all the above.
It's interesting because one of my biggest fears outside of wt was that my entire world would just fall apart, that I'd be totally on my own & a sitting duck for satan & his demons.
What a nut case I was am.
while recently researching some info on personal relationships, i realized that if wts was a person, being a jw would be clearly classified as an abusive relationship.
healthy relationship- this is a good dating relationship for now.
both are feeling good about self, feel good individually whether in a relationship or not shared interests, shared power and decision making, shared values
While recently researching some info on personal relationships, I realized that if WTS was a person, being a JW would be clearly classified as an abusive relationship.
HEALTHY RELATIONSHIP- This is a good dating relationship for now.So whaddya think?
- Both are feeling good about self, feel good individually whether in a relationship or not Shared interests, shared power and decision making, shared values
- Can disagree and solve problems without verbal or physical abuse
- Relationship is one part of a well-rounded life of friends, family, school, sports, hobbies, Spiritual life
- Both enjoy the company of other people and support individual interests and friendships of their boyfriend/girlfriend
UNHEALTHY RELATIONSHIP- This may have been a good thing once, but is no longer a well-balanced and enjoyable dating relationship- it is time to cut the ties to this relationship and move on...ABUSIVE RELATIONSHIP- Alarm bells going off. Someone is getting hurt and will probably need help with safety planning and support in order to safely break up.
- One or both are not enjoying the relationship much - lots of drama or boredom, not much fun
- Not many shared interests or values, or differ on important interests and values
- Can disagree and solve problems fairly, but there are a lot of disagreements and problems
- One partner sees relationship as much more important than the other one does- one is getting "too serious" or too dependent
- One partner has violated trust or hurt the other in a way that is hard to repair
- Have just grown apart- not very interested in each other any more- its more of a habit than anything else
- Feel sadness, hurt, anger, and failure about breaking up, but open to the possibility of new relationships
- One has decreasing self-esteem since entering this relationship.
- The interests, values, desires of one person dominate the relationship.
- One is using name-calling, threats, intimidation, insults, manipulation, physical or sexual abuse to force the other one to do things.
- One or both are becoming more secretive and isolated from family, friends, and social activities, etc.
- One feels entitled to be in control, decide how things will be, get his or her own way all the time, wants the other to agree and comply.
- One person feels more afraid, is hurt physically or emotionally, adjusts behavior to accommodate the other, is "walking on eggshells" not to upset the other. The other may be monitoring or stalking to know every move.
janine turner played mary margaret 'maggie' o'connell in the series northern exposure (one of my favorite shows)... recently i saw her in a commercial for restasis, a herpes medication.
i thought maybe she was just doing a one-time deal, but when i checked the restasis website (http://www.restasis.com) and there she was on the first page!
apparently she is their new primary ad actor!
So what's this news about curing herpes with dry ice?
