I agree with fahrvegnugen. People see these guys and their wild actions as PROOF that they are in Gods organization. I remember looking at Freeminds.org FIVE YEARS AGO and sipmly brushed it all off for the same reasons.
In the Witness world there is a mindset that needs to be challenged. At this point in time the internet is probably the best things for people who have the guts to question. More than anything, time is needed. The protesting has its pros and cons, but personally i think the cons are more than the pros
drew sagan
JoinedPosts by drew sagan
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Apostates protesting conventions = Something I laughed at
by free2beme insorry if there are those apostates here that do this, but you were often the butt of a joke and nothing taken serious.
i personally loved the ones who wore paper bags over their head, as they were often people still afraid of getting in trouble.
it is not like a political rally with people saying "make love, not war.
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drew sagan
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Preaching a drag
by Inquisitor inanyone here still goes from door to door despite a reluctance to serve the interests of the wts??.
i know i'll have to when i see my folks in a coupla weeks time.
have to keep up the appearance that all is well.
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drew sagan
I still go out because of my situation. D2D is the most painful. I actually would enjoy teaching people the bible, but not hooking them up with this oddball religion.
The best way to get through it is to hook up with some really old people that just do calls. Thats the best. -
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Do you still believe in bible prophecy?
by JH indaniel 11:40, talking about the end times and other end time prophecies, do you still believe in them and do you think anyone really can understand them?
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drew sagan
This is was on the first things I struggled with. I kept thinking, but WHAT DOES this prophecy really mean?
I've started to read other Bible commentaries on the matter, simply to compare points of view. I'm amazed to see how logical and interesting the explanations can be. You have to remember the Watchtowers motives. They try to understand everything as if they are the center of Gods amazing plan. Their interpretations become very weak and far fetched because they try to make organizational history fit with Bible Prophecy.
For example, traditionally there have been four different ways to interpret the book of revelation. The Watchtower only presents its own opinion in its book, but there are so many others. This pick and choose method doesn't allow someone who really wants to study the books see what has been the interpretation historically. Most JWs are simply impressed that people could even come up with an explanation for this stuff and don't give it a second thought.
Personally I've enjoyed Albert Barnes commentary when it comes to prophecy. It has its failings like all commentaries, but he makes a good point here and there. Bible commentaries can at the very least, much more logical than a Watchtower book.
And to answer the question, I do feel that Bible prophecy is important but in a different way from what the Watchtower suggests. NT Bible prophecy gives me the sense of glorious things to come, things that are beyond any of us to fully understand. To use such glorious promises and announcements as a way to build faith in a man made organization i feel is absurd. -
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Has the Internet Changed the Way You Watch Movies?
by TD inmaybe my family is just wierd, but it's gotten to the point where someone has a laptop open almost every time we watch a movie.. typical example --- we watched cinderella man the other night..... "who's that playing braddock's manager?
"just a second...oh that's paul giamatti; you know, he was "miles" in sideways..." <snicker>.
"max baer...why does that name sound so familiar?".
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drew sagan
I almost allways go to the web to find out more about a movie after I just watched it.
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PLEASE WELCOME PROTEUS!
by schne_belly in.
hey guys.... please join me in an officially welcoming a good friend of ours....proteus!
he's especially in need of our love and support right now!
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drew sagan
Welcome to the board. I sure you will find it as enjoyable as the rest of us. Looking forward to your posts.
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Do you remember?
by Honesty indo you remember when a df or da announcement was made at the hall and the brother who introduced the brother who made the announcement always got this serious look on his face just before he said, "brother poopdontsmell has an annoucement to make.
"and when brother poopdontsmell started down the aisle he got that serious look on his face too?
it was only after i made my exit that i realised what most of the seriousness is all about especially since my former po is so nice to me when he sees me in public.
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drew sagan
There have been times when they have an extra announcement and it turns out to be something that was missed during the regular announcements. I love to look around and see all the dissapointed faces!
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Hi- New here.
by sassafras inhello, i've been lurking around for a few months now, finally registered a few weeks ago, and figured it was finally time to post.
first of all, let me give you a little background so you know where i'm coming from.
i'm 24, married to my soulmate, and mother to a 2 year old boy.
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drew sagan
Many of us have felt the same guilt your husband has for having doubts about "god’s organization". One question plagues all who being to question the Watchtower:
WHERE ESLE WOULD I GO? IF THEY DON'T HAVE THE TRUTH, THEN WHO DOES?
Many of us have struggled for days, months, years, even decades with this question
I feel that the best way to start answering these questions is by reading Raymond Franz’s books. As a former member of the governing body his insight into the organization as well as Christianity itself is very insightful. The book "In Search of Christian Freedom" will help you reason with him better than anything we can put on this message board.
Of course getting him to read the books would be the best possible outcome. If he feels afraid to do so, you might want to read them yourself and go from there.
I'm sure I’m not alone when I say we all wish you the best in your efforts. -
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If Cash Flow Ends, What Then?
by metatron init's worth thinking about - what will they do if their cash flow virtually dries up?
would they "turn on" the friends and try to "punish" them by threatening to close assembly halls and drop the awake completely?.
could witnesses in western nations fade away from the "ministry" if there is almost nothing left to offer at the doors?.
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drew sagan
I really don't think it will. As long as people believe in their ideology, they will continue to receive funds. One article about how the work is in danger and the money would flow in like a great flood.
On the other hand, if something happens that affects membership and weakens their argument of "Gods Approval" and selection of them, then the money may stop flowing. It's really hard to say.
If the money stops coming in, they will simply keep making the call for more to be given. When that has been exhausted, cutbacks will appear. This has been the cycle of things for some time now. -
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Do You Appreciate Getting Insider JW Information???
by minimus ini do.
i'd like to tell all of you active jw spies that i appreciate it when you tell us the latest.
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drew sagan
I enjoy it. Keep up the good work.
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I love these Jehovah's Witnesses
by freedomlover inbefore any of you jump all over me about how i could love any jw's let me explain and just vent here.
some of you may have ready my hubby's post about us leaving the area.
work, and wanting to fade has made this necessary.
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drew sagan
I agree that you can never take it personally. We probably can all admit that at one point or another we ourselves acted in ways the organization encouraged us to act, instead of doing what was in our hearts. Its a idealology that is to powerful sometimes to work against.
I like to consider myself for example. It took me over 5 years of small little steps to finally purchase Ray Franzs books, research the organization, and start to form my own opinions instead of feeling guilty that I'm not "in step with Jehovah". How can somebody understand all that in a short peroid of time, or even one discussion? They can't. If they are ever to understand it will take the same kind of long drawn out process. We can only continue to show kindness and support no matter what.
My best wishes to you and your new life.