You know, 14 years ago we actually INTENSIVELY explored these kind of questions on this site. We were so sincerely worried about how critically important it was. After a certain point, it seems whether or not one really believes in God or the Bible at all that all this is pesky fly in importance. The entire literallness of scripture is no longer even a concern of mine (any scripture). I figure that most of the principles that someone was trying to teach by writing holy books had less to do with dogma than any religious person of today would acknowledge and a lot more about character development of various kinds (for better or worse) Some of the bigger ideas get lost when folks are poking around with "THE" archangel and "AN" archangel. Anythng of value that holy writings have to offer gets totally lost in power struggles of self righteous men. (of all faiths)
JWdaughter
JoinedPosts by JWdaughter
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22
the archangel, an archangel
by AmyWatson916 ini'm reading a book called "what to do when they knock" that goes over the jw book "what does the bible really teach?".
it points out that the "bible really teach" book, on page 218, makes a bit of a point about there being only one archangel.
it says michael is "the archangel" and emphasizes that "the" means only one.
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April 19, 2017 TO ALL CONGREGATIONS Re: Branch Relocation Visitor Centre
by wifibandit inbra april 19, 2017 to all congregations re: branch relocation visitor centre.
visitor information sheet.
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JWdaughter
At least Mormons have ritualistic excuses for excluiding some, and they also have occasional open houses where those rules don't apply. I have no interest in seeing it, so no worries. There will be pictures, probably embarassing ones, soon enough! -
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Russian news article re: financial misdeeds of the WT in Russia
by OrphanCrow inthe way that the wt conducts business in russia, hiding ownership of property and moving money overseas, was a large factor in the jws falling afoul of the russian authorities.
it wasn't just 'extremist' views that came into play, it was also their handling of money that was illegal.. this article is from a russian news source - i had to use google translate to read it, so i have copied and pasted the whole article (i usually don't...apologies to the author of the article).
if someone has russian language skills, please feel welcome to offer a better translation.. .
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JWdaughter
Corruption is practically an art form over there; therefore they know it when they see it. Which is good I guess. I am very disturbed at how the WT HQ are using the brothers to further their corruption and dishonesty in this case. Most JWs will only see this in the context that they have been groomed to see it in-but JW's across Russia have now been put in a very difficult position, and it is not about "spreading the kingdom message" it is about protecting the WT assets. Can you imagine how they will frame that little 'story'? Indeed it will be a particularly ripe smelling bit of fiction!
That black brother (missionary) from Africa or ? that was (falsely) a medical student before in Russia is on the JW channe (gilead)l bragging about his dishonest methods of getting into/staying in Russia. . . .. Can he ever go back? Is he there NOW? Does he have family there still? Does the WT know or care? The have "the Inside Story", right? They SHOULD. But this was released at such a time that they should have known better than to gloat about his false ploys to stay there. Furthermore, they are putting NON JWs who are legitimately there, under further scrutiny. Granted, a lot of religious groups play those games here and abroad, but for an organization to put men UP to such things is pretty rotten.
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Outcome - Banned in Russia - Final
by OrphanCrow ini just watched the live feed from the russian court room and followed the updates on the russian exjw forum.. just waiting for confirmation from other sources...but, it looks like the final (and expected) result is:.
banned.
which means that the wts property in russia now belongs to the russian state..
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JWdaughter
In years to come there will be a story of a JW 'sister' going door to door and the police seeking her out and she changed her coat to escape them-and repeatedly was put into prison where some of her children were born as every time she was released, she just got caught again. So, tragically, and all because the Russians are so mean, those poor children grew up without a mother in their lives.
Jeez. I don't even want to read the accounts of (not so)secret JWs going door to door doing their thing in defiance of CEASAR just so they can promote their stupid ass religion, get thrown into prison to be martyrs and have their children raised by their long suffering dad who is trying to raise children with no partner.
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JWs in Russia. This short article from TASS is very interesting. "Everything You Need To Know About JWs"
by NikL inremember tass is traditionally pretty much a spokesman for the government.
http://tass.com/world/939582.
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JWdaughter
"defy government institutions and civic duties, refuse to serve in the army and do not permit blood transfusions. Each adherent is expected to unconditionally obey the will and aims of the organization. Nobody is allowed to leave it of one’s own accord. The movement expects its members to be hostile against all those who do not recognize its teaching. For this reason Jehovah’s Witnesses are often accused of inciting religious enmity". More:http://tass.com/world/939582
True enough.
Most was accurate.
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At This Point In Time How Would You Feel If You Were Disfellowshipped?
by minimus inbefore my mother's death, it would have impacted me.
now , i wouldn't care..
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JWdaughter
Deja vu all over again.
My mom is alive and we strugle enough. If I joined and got kicked out again, it would destroy her this time. I"m not willing to go through that crap ever again. For any reason.Because of mom. Besides, my religious history is storied enough. I don't need any rewrites.
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JW news release and deception - The "High-Profile Case" in Russia
by jwleaks ini found this interesting bit of news release propaganda by the jws on their website dated april 5, 2017.. "russia's supreme court begins high-profile case against jehovah's witnesses".
https://www.jw.org/en/news/releases/by-region/russia/supreme-court-begins-case-against-jehovahs-witnesses/.
my interest was piqued by the jw claim that the court hearing is a "high-profile case".
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JWdaughter
That courtroom looked about the size of a KH. I will say this-it was much better attended than any hall I have ever seen outside of the memorial or the occasional wedding or funeral.
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Never Thought I'd Say This, But I've Found Something to Look Forward to in the Meetings
by Sorry inmy therapist inspired me to start looking on the bright side.
even though i've pretty much given up listening to the bs and usually tune out the meeting by playing on my phone/tablet, i find the local needs talk oddly fascinating.
probably because it's the only part that doesn't seem outlined to death (at least at our hall), and you truly don't know what you get.
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JWdaughter
The KH by my old house had gates that they closed during the meetings. They were safe from latecomers, anyway.
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Serena Williams Pregnant
by wisdomfrombelow innow that she has announced that she is 20 weeks pregnant and not married, what is her status in the cult?
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JWdaughter
I'm happy for her! About the baby. I feel bad though because I am sure she is likely still a believer that "isn't strong enough" to follow the WT rules. I'm only sad about that because she is likely not mentally free, she is just going to be dissed by every JW and feel guilty and later, probably not long from now, going to go back in-at least for a time-hardcore. People who are DA'd for "sin" often seem to have the regrets that those of us who leave on principle do not. Not 100%, but I am looking at the patterns I have seen for over 40 years.
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BUSTED by a GYPSY
by TerryWalstrom inbusted by a gypsy__________________how do i know they are gypsy?i had some run-ins in l.a. many years back.
had they worn a banner it wouldn't have been more obvious.the patriarch wore a special hat with a silver spangled band.i've seen the old gypsy with his cane and his scowl.
he walks like a king or a panther at prowl.
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JWdaughter
They have disabled tables outside when they have more than a couple of tables. I was talking to a Mennonite lady at one a couple of weeks ago who had just had surgery and was using a wheelchair for a few weeks after total reconstruction of a foot. February is lovely in Texas. Except when it's not!