vinman

Joined

• started 19 topics
• posted 160 times   see topics posted on
• send a message

Posts by vinman

• 
  27

  For me the worst thing is not having a helper anymore

  by John Aquila in

  1. jw
  2. experiences

  one of the things that gave me confidence in life was that i believed i had the almighty creator/god watching over me, directing me, guiding my every step, protecting me from harm, and answering my prayers.

  i now know that is not the case anymore.

  i finally stopped praying.

  1. 
  2. 
  3. 
• 

  vinman

  We see what we want to see. Their are two sides to EVERY story.
• 
  11

  what do you really believe

  by Sabin in

  1. watchtower
  2. scandals

  what do you really believe the percentage is for jw who are truly ignorant of what is going on behind closed doors of the w.t.

  as opposed to those who actually know something is wrong & yet go along with it for whatever reason?

  i have been asked for coffee by what i can only describe as one of the sweetest persons i have ever known & i cant even begin to conceive that she knows what is happening with the child abuse cases but then how do i know?

  1. 
  2. 
  3. 
• 

  vinman

  Ding said: "the vast majority of JWs believe that the WTS is the cleanest organization on earth"

  I agree with that for the most part, especially in developing countries. It is a difficult question for a number of reasons. Each congregation has what is known as the "core". In a congregation of 100 that may only be 30 or so. These are the ones who support service regardless of weather, are ALWAYS at meetings. ALWAYS have several comments at meetings. These are the true blue. However, the majority of this "core", even if you tell them you can prove that the organization is lying from their own publications, will refuse to even listen out of fear all their hopes will be shattered. I know this because that is precisely what happened to me. Many who stopped by at the early stage of my leaving, said " we probably shouldn't know", after I told them that what I read was tragic and it takes a strong heart to handle. These refuse to see, because they know they will leave eventually due to doubt. Out of that "core" of say 30, you may have just one who is a realist and does not want to rest his hopes on dreams. He believes it is God's organization in a special way today (not like the corrupt Israelites), meaning it truly is refined, pure, and that is why people are "coming to the mountain of Jehovah" in these "last days". This you can say is the TRUE BELIEVER in every way. This type is actually rare. They are the "Goliaths" of the organization. Ironically, it is this type we want to target, because once they are no longer ignorant, they will fall in an instant, due to overwhelming disappointment. That was me. This type is also so consumed with "responsibilities" that they haven't had time to see or even think about these things. They are truly blind. So in other words, very few want to leave, except young people who never viewed it as the truth to begin with.
• 
  26

  What will 1914 (DROPPED) mean for you (EX-JW)

  by John Aquila in

  1. watchtower
  2. bible

  let's pretend this might happen.

  im not asking what it will mean for the jdubs or for the organization, but what will it mean for you---- if one day you wake up and the watchtower drops the 1914 doctrine.. (you know at some point they have to, but probably not our lifetime).

  if you are disfellowshipped or disassociated and have been shunned by your parents, by your children, by you spouse or ex-husband/wife, for years or even less, will you call your relatives and ask/tell them;.

  1. 
  2. 
  3. 
• 

  vinman

  If any one in the organization was like I was when they preached that the generation would not pass away, they will welcome the change. Around 1990, I wrote to the Watchtower asking if that was going to be a doctrine that changes or is it like the hell fire doctrine. My reason for asking is because 1) I did not want to get my hopes up 2) I was tired of everyone serving Jehovah because of a date 3) I did not want organization to look foolish if it did pass. An elder came to me and said that they have received a reply. Obviously, it wasn't a direct answer. But he kept saying "We serve Jehovah Forever". I would say, "well that is true but... Then he would repeat that expression. Regardless of how we may want things to go down, the sincere witness does not serve with dates in mind. Instead of viewing GB as liars, many feel that this simply means that they are "keeping on the watch". Overall, most witnesses feel that the machine is greater than it's individual parts. In other words, the organization is God's regardless of GB misinterpreting scripture. The sincere ones are only concerned about serving Jehovah forever.
• 
  20

  Faulty Reasoning to Promote God's "Name"

  by Dissonant15 in

  1. watchtower
  2. beliefs

  as i am newly awoken, i am daily having epiphanies & revelations now.

  i've been casually wondering to myself since the propagandist broadcast about the name "jehovah" if it would be more proper to call him "yahweh" to myself.

  well tonight the answer suddenly came to me: it doesn't matter.

  1. 
  2. 
  3. 
• 

  vinman

  It seems very odd for me to actually admit that God's name is not the most important thing. When you are in, it seemed SO clear that it was. Now I examine it, and it is obvious that they throw that name around like a lucky charm. One of the newest songs is "Jehovah is his name". That song is so empty. The Bible speaks of "a good name is better than fine oil." Charles Russell used the name, but it was more incidental. Their is no need to keep throwing a spotlight on it any more than Jesus name. In fact, if you think about it, if suddenly the organization started focusing on Jesus name and created a song called "Jesus is his name", many would wonder why. I mean, everyone knows Jesus name. Well, everyone knows Jehovah's name.
• 
  10

  Repentance verses Compassion.

  by The Rebel in

  1. jw
  2. friends

  i was often told that the only disfellowshipping offence for a j.w.

  is non repentance.. what then is non repentance to the w.t?.

  my answer " rejecting " w.t" doctrine and rules that demand repentance.. now the truth is i do reject " w.t" doctrine and rules.

  1. 
  2. 
  3. 
• 

  vinman

  I agree wholeheartedly, that leaving the Watchtower has made me far more compassionate. I have so much more space in my heart for people, and not my "status" as a "spiritual" person. At the same time, I realised that I don't need all the ones in the hall that have abandoned me. The fact that I am not disfellowshipped, just shows how shallow that "love" is. I don't even think of anyone in that place. I feel complete without them. And that includes my mother as well. If someone wants to "repent" for how they have treated me, I will welcome with open arms. Until then...
• 
  11

  The False Hope of the Watchtower

  by Perry in

  1. watchtower
  2. bible

  the watchtower has long denied the substitutionary sacrifice of jesus.. ot picture of nt salvation:.

  on the night of deliverance from pharaoh, the sons of abraham were to slaughter a spotless lamb, eat its flesh and smear some of the blood over the doorway and on the door-posts of their home.

  because they were under this blood arrangement and had the lamb inside of themselves after they ate the passover supper, the angel passed over that house as he delivered gods execution judgment.

  1. 
  2. 
  3. 
• 

  vinman

  I must admit, I generally do not agree with your posts. But I will give credit when it is due. You said:

  We are not acquitted of sin by dying, we are freed from it by dying. Only the blood of Jesus can acquit us if we receive it

  This is a very good point. It really changes how a person should view serving God NOW.
• 
  110

  Just had a former elder friend tell me, “This Overlapping generation is crap.

  by John Aquila in

  1. watchtower
  2. beliefs

  last night i ran into a former elder friend, he is in his late 70s.

  he asked how i was doing and i asked how he was doing.

  then out of the blue he tells me; .

  1. 
  2. 
  3. 
• 

  vinman

  I just want to defend John's side. No he is not making it up. I was in the same position. Respected by everyone in the circuit and beyond. I was requested to give talks. I was one of those elders that everyone could joke with. Even sisters would joke and tell me to shut up and say I wasn't a "normal" elder, so they could speak to me that way. People would come to me and tell me their real feelings about other wolf-like elders. Then suddenly, vinman vanishes. Everyone in the circuit knows in their heart that I would NEVER leave. Even the elders who attacked me by phone, know that is the case. It has only been 11 months for me. I expect that if certain ones see me ( esp. after watching that broadcast) they will ask. I had told those elders on the phone just prior to the broadcast, that this overlapping generation is just crap. It ia not scriptural and they are just making it up. You know that they must be thinking about what I told them. That broadcast was hideous. I believe that is one of the reasons why no one has come to me YET. Many are afraid that vinman knows something that they are not ready to hear. Vinman does not leave organization without good cause!!!
• 
  15

  It had sounded to good to be true.

  by The Rebel in

  1. jw
  2. friends

  because it wasn't true anyway.

  it was a dream.

  the insanest dream, to believe that i was going to live forever.. but today i am alive, and i am determined to travel the seconds between life and death aware of my mortality.

  1. 
  2. 
  3. 
• 

  vinman

  I feel personally, I am doing alright since it has only been 10 months. My mom has stopped talking to me even though I am not disfellowshipped. But I still have my wife, children, and grand children. I did have a friend that exited with me. In addition, as I said before, I still am a strong believer in the Bible, although at first, I had to reinforce that by comparing all other sides of the argument. I meditate on how the prophets of old were often alone because God's "organization" was always corrupt. This makes me feel strong and bold to declare the real truth to anyone I encounter. I believe all of this has helped to make it a smoother transition and I am very grateful because I understand that many don't have it as easy. I am still angry with the Watchtower but not bitter. Bitterness just gives them the victory. Habakkuk, 3:17-19: " For though the fig tree doesn't flourish, nor fruit be in the vines; the labor of the olive fails, the fields yield no food; the flocks are cut off from the fold, and there is no herd in the stalls: - yet I will rejoice in Yahweh. I will be joyful in the God of my salvation! Yahweh, the Lord, is my strength. He makes my feet like deer's feet, and enables me to go in high places."
• 
  54

  WHEN people leave a cult...MAN landed on the moon? Or critical thinking......

  by The Rebel in

  1. jw
  2. friends

  i believe anyone who has voluntarily left a cult has shown they can adapt to new solutions, and have used " critical thinking" skills otherwise most would not have left.. yet i believe a safe place for support is still needed and this safe place i believe is searched for.. now i may not measure up to much in ways of education, but for me personally " critical thinking skills" = " new" a " new" way of thinking, that takes time for me the individual to be visual and to contemplate.

  and the more i read about " critical thinking," the more convinced i am that i can live with the ridicule of those that claim i do not possess it.

  furthermore i would say those that criticise others " critical thinking skills," often luck the sensibility and thoughts to snore, spit, and fart....nor would they understand a room full of tobacco smoke and cheap booze...where " critical thinking " can often be found in its most profound, in the most sensitive poems and "pictures" that were ever drawn.

  1. 
  2. 
  3. 
• 

  vinman

  I know exactly what you are saying in your posts, and I 100% agree.
• 
  11

  Has anyone seen this video?

  by vinman in

  1. watchtower
  2. beliefs

  about 4 months back, apostate lon posted a youtube video entitled watchtower society broadcasts pagan symbol.

  i try not to believe in conspiracy theories but that symbol just doesn't belong there...hmm.

  1. 
  2. 
  3. 
• 

  vinman

  Here is the link:

  https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=2iuZTD-ktns