Posts by ThomasCovenant

45

I had no idea there were people who felt like me

by Orgull in

i've recently begun challenging my beliefs.

all my beliefs, including those ingrained in me as one raised "in the truth".. a few years ago i sought therapy for chronic depression and my treatment was remarkably successful.

as a side effect, things that used to "work" for me no longer fit with the new emotional pathways and strengths i was developing.

ThomasCovenant

Hi

Yep I felt the same. It's great isn't it.Welcome

Thomas Covenant

56

BirthdaysSimple Deconstruction of the JW Rationale

by AuldSoul in

to deconstruct the jw rationale surrounding birthdays, a few simple guidelines should be followed.. (1): don't waste any energy trying to convince a jw that birthdays are not pagan, if they suggest that, readily agree.

whether or not the celebrations are pagan turns out to be a non-issue that distracts from the main point.. (2): stay focused on the fact that jws disfellowship people for celebrating birthdays.. (3): stress the point that there should always be clear scriptural reason for disfellowshipping someone.

ask them often throughout the discussion whether this is the case, get them to reinforce this need to themselves.. (4): remember, the first goal is deconstructing their rationale, not giving them a new rationale, not convincing them that celebrating birthdays is a good thing.. once you have these well in mind, the deconstruction can begin.. jw rationale, in brief:.

ThomasCovenant

Hi

Another way to make a JW get confused over the birthday issue is ask what would they do if the WTS said that 'new light' meant they could celebrate birthdays.

I used this arguement with one of my brother in laws with regard to the 'blood issue'. I said to him the real reason he wouldn't take blood is because the Society says he can't. There is NO other reason why they don't. I know it and they know it but they don't want it pointed out.

Thanks

Thomas Covenant

5

My Magazine Presentation.

by ThomasCovenant in

i remember back when i was a teenager that the following was my presentation on the doors for the mags.

i was not interested and wanted to get it over with as soon as possible.

that was said in one breath.

ThomasCovenant

Hi

I remember back when I was a teenager that the following was my presentation on the doors for the mags. I was not interested and wanted to get it over with as soon as possible. It's useless.

HellowearecallingonyouandyourneighboursofferingourmagazinestheWatchtowerandAwake.TheWatchtowerisabiblicalmagazineandtheAwakeisamoretopicalmagazineandweareofferingthemfor10p

That was said in one breath. It really fired the interest of the householder. Not

Thanks

Thomas Covenant

10

Two witness rule?

by ThomasCovenant in

just downloaded the 'pay attention to the flock' pdf.

thanks.. noticed the instruction on page 108.. ''if there are two or three witnesses to the same kind of wrongdoing but each one is witness to a separate incident, their testimony can be considered.

such evidence may be used to establish guilt, but it is preferable to have two witnesses to the same occurence of wrongdoing.''.

ThomasCovenant

Hi

Just downloaded the 'Pay Attention to the Flock' pdf. Thanks.

Noticed the instruction on page 108.

''If there are two or three witnesses to the same kind of wrongdoing but each one is witness to a separate incident, their testimony can be considered. Such evidence may be used to establish guilt, but it is preferable to have two witnesses to the same occurence of wrongdoing.''

This seems a reasonable approach and would seem to contradict instructions against the two witnesses witnessing an occassion of child abuse for example.

Is this new?

Thanks

Thomas Covenant

33

Use Catholic Abuse Settle to Attack JWs re:KN #37 & JW Abuse Cases

by Seeker4 in

jw
friends

i was thinking earlier of how the recent mega-million dollar catholic settlement in la is an ideal opportunity, in letters to the editor in local newspapers, to highlight the hypocrisy of the witnesses in how they have handled similar abuse cases.

a couple of points that might be useful to make this applicable anywhere: .

1. in the kingdom news #37 tract distributed around the country last fall.

ThomasCovenant

Hi

Thanks for link to silentlambs.

I have to admit I have never really looked into the silentlambs site. This is for selfish reasons.I find that I am angry enough thinking of the blood policy which directly affected me. As the child abuse has not personally affected me I selfishly chooose not to know too much about it. Just going to the site just now I find myself once again clenching my fists and smashing down on the table and gritting my teeth. My wife tells me I'm going to die of a heart attack.

I am normally a placid laid back person.

Thanks

Thomas Covenant

33

Use Catholic Abuse Settle to Attack JWs re:KN #37 & JW Abuse Cases

by Seeker4 in

jw
friends

i was thinking earlier of how the recent mega-million dollar catholic settlement in la is an ideal opportunity, in letters to the editor in local newspapers, to highlight the hypocrisy of the witnesses in how they have handled similar abuse cases.

a couple of points that might be useful to make this applicable anywhere: .

1. in the kingdom news #37 tract distributed around the country last fall.

ThomasCovenant

Hi

I want to bring this up with ones in this area but they will not believe it if I say it's on the dreaded tinternet. If I could point to some US newspapers websites that would be a help.

I tried searching on Google News 'jehovah's witness child abuse lawsuits' and nothing came up at all. Could someone please direct me to direct others.

Thanks

Thomas Covenant

20

How Many Entire Families That You Know Of Stayed "In The Truth"?

by minimus in

jw
friends

most kids that grew up "in the truth", that i knew of did not stick around.

and if they did, they were "in the truth" in name only.

they played both sides and were considered "weak".. do you know of entire families still in without any defection??

ThomasCovenant

Hi

If there are they must surely be the exception. That's why everytime someone comes 'into the Truth' it's another family instantly split apart.

Thomas Covenant

1

"A VERSE A DAY KEEPS THE DEVIL AWAY"

by ThomasCovenant in

hi .

this is what the bro doing the day's text said from the platform at our district arse sembly last weekend.. i listened in on the radio as mrs covenant was inside.

thomas covenant.