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If you say so.
Posts by IW
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131Guantanamo Bay Suicides - a PR Move
by eyeslice inquote from bbc website .
a top us official has described the suicides of three detainees at the us base at guantanamo bay, cuba, as a "good pr move to draw attention".
colleen graffy told the bbc the deaths were part of a strategy and "a tactic to further the jihadi cause", but taking their own lives was unnecessary.
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IW
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260
Intolerance - a new breed of ex-JW
by LittleToe in.
i cant help but think of the analogy of pendulum swings when i think about how vitriolic some are towards religion (of any description), the bible (and other scripture), and christianity (generally, regardless of there being a wide range of denominational flavours) in particular.. it seems to me, from my perspective of sitting here on a remote scottish island, that there are a fair number of folks who may have left an intolerant and generalising religion but forgot to leave those attitudes with it.. just my 2p, coz to be frank i'm getting sick of it.. by all means enjoy some self-expression, it's a relatively free planet, but have a heart....
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IW
Beliefnet has religious debate forums and believers forums, that might be helpful here. That way those who want to declare their anger against God, Jesus and religion have a place to do so and those exJWs who want a place to discuss their beliefs without being attacked can do so also. Barring some kind of cosmic change in the exJW mindset, I think this may be the only way to ameliorate the problem somewhat. But in truth some discord and a little heated debate will always be a part of this board.
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Banned church member sues Jehovah's Witnesses
by izobcenec ina normandy resident who was disfellowshipped from jehovah's witnesses is suing the organization for $7 million on grounds the alleged action against her was wrong.
barbara joanna anderson filed the lawsuit thursday in coffee county circuit court.. she is seeking $2 million in compensatory damages, plus $5 million in punitive damages.. the defendants are listed as:.
* watchtower bible and tract society of new york inc.. * watchtower bible and tract society of pennsylvania inc.. * watchtower enterprises llc.. * watchtower foundation inc.. * watchtower associates ltd.. * kingdom support services inc.. * christian congregation of jehovah's witnesses.. * religious order of jehovah's witnesses.. * the watchtower group inc.. * manchester congregation of jehovah's witnesses elders.. * lawrence a. seely, gary hobson, dale dormanen, robert e. matthews, david semonian, j.r. brown, and john does no.
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IW
Welcome to the board, Quandry!
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What did you learn throughout the years as a JW?
by JH inwhat did you learn about the watchtower organization.
what did you learn about the jw's .
what did you learn about god in general and the kingdom to come?
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IW
"What did you learn about the Watchtower Organization" I learned there were some elders who loved the flock but not all. I learned what it's like to trust religious men with all my heart and be deeply hurt when that trust was betrayed. After I left I learned that the experience was not unique. Religious leaders fail, they lie and they pretend to be something they are not, they fail to love their brothers. Not all leaders to be sure but enough, enough. I learned that for many religious men the sweet aroma of success can overcome even the most humble heart and cloud even the sharpest mind. "What did you learn about the JW's" I learned that sincere loving people can and do rise above their elders but there is a price to pay. I learned there are many who love the GB, trust them and will do whatever is needed to protect them even betray a family member. But I also learned that there are still those in there who will not betray their brother, though of course their numbers are few.
"What did you learn about God in general and the Kingdom to come?" I learned that God is with those who love their brother no matter who he is and that the Kingdom is more than men giving orders in place of Jesus. No man takes the place of Jesus and no man gives orders in his place. I follow no man. IW
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Barbara Anderson- Your new book on Russell
by IW inbarbara,.
i read this recently on the biblestudents.net forum:i know barbara, we use to talk on the phone, when she learned i was writing a history of pastor russell and the ibsa.
in the countless hours we spent on the phone.
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IW
Forscher,
I don't find it surprising that women help their husbands but what riles is the deception in the Watchtower that the sisters are not to take the lead and not to teach because God has given that job to the men. Yet, behind the scenes it is perfectly alright for the wives of some JW elders to write, and I mean actually write (not just proofread) their talks. How many sisters among the 6 million JWs know that a fellow sister, Barbara Anderson, was a reseacher and writer for the Watchtower organization?
Either the brothers do the job themselves or they give credit where credit is due. I think the Golden Rule is in there somewhere.
IW
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I Can't Do Any More - Can You?
by Joe Grundy inwhen i first posted here, i explained that it was because although i am not, never have been, never will, be a jw, i have (earthly, as an atheist) loving concern for my jw neighbours/friends.. just recently, i found out that the mom is pregnant.
she is not young, has a 6 year old, and a 2 year old who is like a firecracker!.
i have offered to do basic things like take/collect the 6 year old to and from school, take the kids for walks on beach, etc.
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IW
Joe,
Believe it or not many JWs are happy to be what they are and they lead good lives especially when compared to some families I'm sure you've come in contact with as a cop. They find safety and comfort in their little garden with its high walls. It's their choice. All you can do is be a good neighbor as it seems they are to you also.
As for taking the child to school I would think you would be happy to see a family being extra careful with their kids. When my children were young no one outside of my family would be trusted with their care and I'm glad this JW mom is also being careful. You should not be alone with the children, as a former cop you understand the situation.
If you're a good friend to the Mom and Dad that will have a beneficial influence on them and their family. But someone who appears to get a little too interested in a family's personal life, though, usually sets off alarms, this I'm sure as a cop you are also aware of.
Be a friend to the parents and live your life, Joe.
Just my opinion of course.
IW
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Comments You Will Not Hear at the 6-11-06 WT Study (SHEPHERDS 2)
by blondie inhttp://www.randytv.com/secret/unitednations.htm (united nations issue).
jehovah trains--not jesus?.
his flock--not jesus?.
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IW
Hi Blondie,
Thanks for the review!
Let's examine the title of this article:
Jehovah trains--not Jesus?
his flock--not Jesus?
Have you ever tried to find where and how often the WTS refers to the flock as belonging to Jesus?
Where is Jesus in this article? Again, an OT scripture is used to put Jesus in the background.
The emphasis on Jehovah fits in quite well with their passion for rules and law. Like some other fundamentalist faiths the JW hierarchy believes their followers should worship surrounded and protected by religious law. The OT is filled with laws and the GB revel in finding principles in those laws that can be enforced upon the rank and file as "rules." Jesus on the other hand provided very few laws and rules, too few for those men who love law above even the Christ himself.
Thanks again for posting this review.
IW
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Are you embarrassed?
by desib77 indoes anyone else find themselves embarrassed about their jw past?
i find that when people that know what i used to be ask me about it i am completely embarrassed by how foolish their beliefs sound especially things like the blood issue.
i can't stand when someone will say "why did you believe such and such....?
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IW
No, I'm not embarrassed to tell people I was a JW. Most of time it never comes up but if it does I don't feel any shame about it. It was my faith, I believed it and I loved it. Period. If someone is small minded enough to think I was stupid to be a JW they're not really the kind of person I care about anyway, so bug off! would be my attitude.
What religion, political party, organization, business entity, or club does not have some degree of liars, thieves and law breakers? Which political party does not stoop to deceiving the voters to some extent in order to get votes? Which religion does not preach it is approved by God or teach their members to follow the lead of their ministers or priests? What large business has not at some time failed to be totally honest and true both to its customers and employees and the government? Yet, all of these have faithful members who will continue to dedicate their lives to the cause no matter how inane or faulty it may turn out to be.
I don't think my JW affiliation is something to be ashamed of just as being a Catholic/Baptist or Republican/Democrat is anything to be ashamed of....I stand on my own and I fall on my own not on my religious, political or organizational affiliations.
Never let anyone make you fell ashamed about having been a JW. It's our past nothing more. I learned from it and from leaving it and the lessons learned have helped me to see things many non-JWs have problems seeing in their own religion or in life in general.
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Why God refuses to interfere
by greendawn inmany people ask why doesn't god interefere to help suffering mankind?
biblically the answer is very simple: mankind exercise their freedom of choice and in so doing chose to be slaves to sin or the demons if you like.
god respects that choice however foolish it may be.
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IW
"Why God refuses to interfere," is an assumption. For all we know he "interferes" frequently. It's just that we do not understand or see the why's and where's of it. Do children always understand why their parents many times don't give them what they want? Don't parents allow their child to suffer sometimes whether it's making them finish their homework all on their own, forcing them to get braces for their teeth, allowing the consequences of their bad behavior in school to come down on them, to even deciding whether or not a dying son or daughter should be put through another chemo therapy....why do we do it? Are most parents just mean and don't understand the hardships of childhood and the teen years? Why do we, from their point of view, make it hard for them? Why can't we just make them happy they ask? Do the homework for them, no braces, stick up for them when their caught cheating or bullying in school, allow association with anyone etc.
Parents know "why" but our kids don't always understand or even want to understand. Sometimes all they see at the moment is that Dad and Mom are making their life miserable. They just don't understand at that moment that Mom and Dad do it because we love them and we are looking out for their long term interests not just for that one day or year in their life. They also don't always understand how hard it is to love your kids and say, "no" to something they want so dearly.
On the other hand, as parents we often do things for our children they are not aware of or are too young to understand. Maybe a parent is sacrificing themselves to save for their child's college education or gives up something they need in order to get that computer for school or meets with the child's teacher to discuss how best to help their child etc., there's a myriad of things a parent does during their lifetime to help their children behind the scenes, things their children never really fully appreciate until they themselves raise a child to adulthood.
God is a parent. Just because we don't always understand why bad things happen does not in itself mean he does not care. God is raising mankind to adulthood he allows us to take our own steps and to fall down when we go the wrong way and yes, like the rest of creation he also allows us to die. Maybe in the end, mankind's history will be that college education God was saving for us. Maybe some day we will all understand.
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Evolution and Self-Sacrifice
by IW indoes the theory of evolution supply the genetic answer to the self-sacrificing nature of many animal parents as well as that of many men and women in general?
when a man or woman risks their life to help someone in danger is their response simply a response to the natural processes at work due to evolution's effect on their dna?
if so, can this self-sacrificing gene be isolated?
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IW
Hi under_believer,
I understand, I suppose, ;) macro verses micro evolution and the zig-zag concept but nontheless doesn't the theory of evolution teach that for the most part more complex organisms came after simpler ones and that the best adapted species were more successful than those who were not as well adapted? I have much to learn, I know, that's why I'm asking questions because I still have a problem seeing the common sense in evolution.
What or who will be the top species on earth 100 or 200 million years from now? Will mankind look any different? Will there be new species in the oceans? Perhaps new kinds of mammals and birds? Well....my questions I suppose are endless.
IW