Posts by Ingenuous

65

Post something to make me laugh

by JH in

jw
friends

.

post anything to make me laugh, a picture, a riddle, whaterever

hope all is well :) i know i havent posted much or atall really so sorry about that im just needing a little help i am i8 years old......., im just wondering because i am curretly friends with jw's and stuff (im not babtised though) and they keep sayng to me about the prohecies in the bible like the bible preticted ww1 to the exact date...religon is going to be banned in the great tribulation (then the end will happen) about the 7 global powers or something, and america now are the last superpower before the world ends, (anglo-saxon or something...) .

i just need help about these...are these true?

Ingenuous

they keep sayng to me about the prohecies in the bible like the bible preticted WW1 to the exact date

Hi, James.

There are a few things you can point out to them that are just plain wrong. Like 1914. C. T. Russell (claimed as the founder of JWs) introduced this date after "borrowing" it and the chronology leading up to it from Adventists. And he didn't predict World War I. Russell said Christ's "presence" started in 1874 and predicted Armageddon would occur in 1914. He later changed it to 1915 when it didn't happen. It wasn't until decades later that JWs revised history and claimed Russell predicted Christ's "presence" would begin in 1914.

And when it comes to scare tactics related to the end of the world: You can take your friends to their Bibles and show them that when Jesus predicted wars, pestilence, famines and earthquakes, he also told his apostles that these things were just the "beginning of pangs of distress", but that they should "look out that nobody misleads YOU" and "do not be terrified" because "the end is not yet... the end does not [occur] immediately." [Matt. 24:4,6,8 ; Mark 13:5,7; Luke 21:9] Just about all Jesus' descriptions of these things are bracketed by such statements. In short, these are not signs that the "end" is imminent; they are only the "beginning of pangs of distress" (the "beginning of sorrows", according to the New King James) and there is no time limit placed on them.

23

Great Crowd vs. Other Sheep

by prophecor in

would someone briefly help me understand the divide that exist between the great crowd and the remnant, 144,000 who go to heaven?

what scriptural backing does the society use to justify their position that they are the only ones who are able to enjoy a covenant relationship with jesus christ, where those of the " great crowd " are only granted a relationship through extension through the 144,000?.

i've been around the truth for a large portion of my life, never really knowing this was an issue.

Ingenuous

I was taught that there's also a difference between the "Great Crowd" and the "Other Sheep". The "Other Sheep" include all those Jehovah's Witnesses who have ever had an earthly hope, living and dead [All "other sheep not of this fold" John 10:16]. The "Great Crowd" is made up only of "Other Sheep" who survive Armageddon ["These are the ones that come out of the great tribulation" Rev. 7:14].

39

Pictures of Paradise

by gringojj in

jw
friends

my wife made a comment today about all the pictures of paradise and how none of them ever show the inside of a house.

they are always the same pictures of people outside playing with lions and water in the background.

someone was talking in another post about how hard it is to make the simplest items.

Ingenuous

Funny you posted this. We're discussing similar things in "The World The JWs Detest..." thread.

23

The world the JW's detest...

by TD in

jw
friends

how many times have jw depictions of paradise shown cozy little gabled, shingled, lapsided, wood frame houses tastefully situated in front of mountain lakes without a hint of technology?

i've lost count.

i've always thought this picture betrays an unbelievable naivete about how technology works.

Ingenuous

My Dad was once looking at one of the pictures featuring a huge, multiracial picnic. He noticed the bowls holding the food the characters were carrying and laughed, saying, "There's going to be Tupperware in the New System?" Oh, and don't forget all the perms and jheri curls for us black sisters! I can't tell you how many sisters I used to associate with who wondered if being perfect in the new system meant we'd get "good hair".

5

"Watchtower propaganda" up for free on craigslist

by seattleniceguy in

jw
friends

.

lol...check it out:.

http://seattle.craigslist.org/bks/100381600.html.

Ingenuous

As I was reading the lyrics to the songs I automatically sang them

Me too, vitty! I couldn't help it. Scary...

13

ARE WE ALLOWED TO CELEBRATE...

by in a new york bethel minute in

hitting a new position on the board?

because i am a offically master member... so let's all give me undo attention while i have someone beheaded!

come on guys do some obeisence to me!

Ingenuous

So I guess I'm a "pioneer" - not bad, considering I never managed to accomplish that when I was in.

BTW, bethel, I've never told you but I love your avatar!

12

Update on Anti-Witness to Former Bible Study...

by tall penguin in

i just got off the phone with my former bible study who i haven't talked to in over a year.

for the backstory look at http://www.jehovahs-witness.com/12/98983/1.ashx .

so, we chatted about family and just got caught up.

Ingenuous

You may have to feel your way along, not knowing how indoctrinated she's been or when you might hit a nerve. Good going!

29

Do you hide you JW family's practice of shunning from non-JW family?

by kwintestal in

i thought of this question as i've been talking to different family members about the situation with my parents and grandmother.

i wondered if they'd get upset by me telling other non-jw family members what was going on.

i recently told a family member in coventry who i'm sure will end up telling my grandmother's sisters.

Ingenuous

It's backward, but some dark part of me is laying plans for the possibility I get kicked-out and shunned by my parents. Then I'll be able to disabuse my aunt and uncle of the notion that JWs don't disown family members who disagree with the Org as well as reach out to the aunt and uncle who are inactive.

38

My daughter and her grandparents

by kwintestal in

since i talked to my father after my disfellowshipping and he hung up on me, i haven't talked to my mom or dad.

last month when we were in ontario i talked to my uncle and aunts about how my parents are treating us (shunning) and we got a lot of support from them, and they can't understand why my mom and dad would treat us like that.

anyway, my 7 year old daughter overheard the conversations, even though i was trying to keep the situation away from her as i don't think a child really needs to know all the details of the situation.. on the drive home out of the blue my daughter says she wants to call my parents, so we ask why?

Ingenuous

kwin - as has already been said, it sounds like you've got a great kid: smart and sensitive. Both can be a trial whilst growing up among peers who are a lot less sensitive - much less dealing with family members of that ilk.

it is only within my doors that they are permitted to see the kids. Last time the kids were at their place, they ended up having a "bible study" with the kids getting from it, "People who aren't JW's are going to be fed to lions." I don't want this confusion in the kids lives.

This sounds like a good idea. I wonder if a visit from her grandparents, though, would create more emotional tension and strain than them not coming at all. Knowing how they feel about you and your wife and their illogical reasoning/behavior, there may be the potential for more strife and unhappiness for your daughter.

But, you know better than all of us. From what I've read, you've handled the situation wonderfully so far, and I'm sure you'll find the best way for yourself and your family.