the watchtower prides itself on having no part of the 'trinity' belief of other 'christian' denominations.. .
is this true?.
going back to ancient babylon and the roots of the trinity, we find that nimrod, his wife semiramis and tammuz were the 'original' trinity that exists and runs as a theme through christian denominations.
Going back to ancient Babylon and the roots of the Trinity, we find that Nimrod, his wife Semiramis and Tammuz were the 'original' Trinity that exists and runs as a theme through Christian denominations. A symbol for Semiramis, that would be good to remember, is the Dove.
This new learning amazes me. Now explain to me again how sheep's bladders may be employed to prevent earthquakes.
another time & place.
20-25 years ago in a conservative "god's country" us state.
a look around the kingdom hall could easily identify the theocratic pecking order.. .
I remember one Elder that was very young and dreamed of climbing the JW corporate ladder. He got special appointments very young, and went to MTS. He would carry around one of those big bags everywhere he went. Inside was a reference Bible, Elder Book, letters, documents, outlines, magazines, etc. It was jam packed. He was poor, and I think that he would use the same thing for field service.
I remember this guy one time brought his reference Bible to a wedding.
another time & place.
20-25 years ago in a conservative "god's country" us state.
a look around the kingdom hall could easily identify the theocratic pecking order.. .
Memories!
They were still in style when I was a JW (left in 2007). I think you west coast folk are ahead of the game. I'm going to guess the old men in Western PA (where I'm located) still tote those oversized atrocities around.
I did notice that some JWs are really into the "folder" thing when it comes to door to door work.
on our trip back home from the thanksgiving holiday spent at our home town my wife labeled me an intellect.
normally, i would've been flattered with the title but when she called me that she was referencing the bible verse matthew 11:25. this offended me to say the least.. she said that it was hard for people like me to have faith in something because i will always investigate it and make sure of it.
for example, if someone told me that the grass was green, she said i would not believe them and research grass and the color green to ensure that it really was.. i told her that this was absurd and that i see no reason to research whether or not the grass was green when i can see with my own eyes what color it is.
You don't just accept it and have faith in God, you want to look into it with the intent of disproving it in some way."
A facinating argument that is used all the time by JWs.
A person who critically examines the blood policy is interested in determining if the arguments put forwad by the Watchtower Society are worth putting ones own life and the life of their family on the line. Where does this "intent of disproving" come from? Its nothing more than a lame attempt to discourage critical thinking, labeling it as something that only angry petty people do.
i am not a jw basher.
i still love my brothers and sisters in the truth.
2 years ago i was kicked out because i am gay.
I won't "bash" you, I promise!
I have a good friend that was a gay JW. Because of some unique circumstances he DA'd himself. He is a much happier person now.
Do you really think you can live as a JW? They teach that being gay is not a physiological state, but instead is a choice. I'm going to guess that you know better than to take such a position.
As yknot said, loosing your tradition can be very difficult, and I understand the reasons for why you would want to keep it. But being gay brings you into conflict with the Watchtowers view on sexuality. The two are very opposed. You may find it helpful to learn why others have walked away from the JWs for reasons other that sexual preference.
- correction, just saw your other comment
If you do not actually believe the Watchtower to be true, then the psychological pressure to "do gods will" certainly will be gone. "Faking" a reinstatment is difficult, and can bring about lots of pressures you may not want to endure. Its a difficult choice, but realize that going back to the organization means being around friends and family that do not understand you.
The question is, how much are you really willing to put up with in order to have those relationships?
this last week has been especially hard for me.
this is all new to me, and as most of you know, the journey is gut wrenching, quite painful.
lately, i've been trying to take the go with the flow approach.
I'm afraid I'm destined to be a total misfit, but being raised a Witness has prepared me well for this. lol.
Define misfit
You have a pm
found this article by some guy named john w scott that says jw's are not a cult.. .
http://ezinearticles.com/?how-jehovahs-witnesses-differ-from-cults&id=3237332.
bangalore.
A quick scan of the article reveals a major flaw:
4. Participation in the activity of Jehovah's Witnesses is not all-or-nothing. People enjoy and benefit from contact with the Witness Bible education work on all levels. Some read the Witness literature and derive benefit from articles on family life, raising children, or health articles on depression, mental health, many different facets of life are covered by Witness literature. Other's occasional visit the Kingdom Hall, others come only once a year. Many associate regularly, and some choose to serve as missionaries, or in other aspects of full-time ministry. All is voluntary, and persons can participate in the full-time ministry for as long or short a period of time that they want to. "Let each one do just as he has resolved in his heart, not grudgingly or under compulsion, for God loves a cheerful giver." 2 Corinthians 9:6-7. Some participate in the full-time ministry, or public Bible education work, others do so on a very limited basis. But, all are encouraged to imitate Jesus example of sharing the Bible's message with others. There is no "punishment" for those who don't, there is no hour requirement.
This is extrememly idealistic. The Watchtower requires high levels of comitment. This comment is clearly written from the perspecitve of an individual with ony a casual understanding of the Witnesses.
It ignores factors such as social pressure, the desire to fit in, and fear. My wife once told me that a friend of hers out in field service once said that the only reason she did it was because she didn't want to die at Armageddeon.
My wife herself never wanted to go out in service, but was under constant pressure since she was raised in the group. If you don't go out in service enough, people gosip that there is "something wrong with you".
seeing this video brought back some memories.
i got baptized at this place in 99'.
the guy actually takes the video camera back into the changing room behind the baptism pool (memories!
welcome to the board abe!
I may be making this up, but I could have sworn it worked not all that long ago.
My own thought was they they were interested in getting a bit more open space. They have been consolidating circuits and many of the last assemblies I went to were very crowded.
seeing this video brought back some memories.
i got baptized at this place in 99'.
the guy actually takes the video camera back into the changing room behind the baptism pool (memories!
I'm from PA too. I've been out of the org since 2007. Might want to pm to see if we know each other . I've always wondered if I would run into somebody I know on the board.
