Posts by Sheepish

15

Watchtower or Awake ??

by wednesday in

some jw's came to our home yesterday and my hubby got out of a bath to answer the door.

they left him a magiazine, not sure what it is.

it did not have awake or watchtower on it.

Sheepish

Mrsjones5 that is perfect. Talk about spreading the truth.

28

Attention: Former Elders

by MsMcDucket in

jw
friends

my children are shunning me because the dubs told them too.

the scriptural reason they gave my children is that you're supposed to love jehovah above all else.

and the one about not speaking to a man who has turned from the road of righteousness (sp?)..

Gary, I'm glad it's not anger, sorry if I misinterpreted it...I haven't been "one" in 20 some years, and I have always been a bit of an assertive person myself, so that doesn't bother me. I know anger can be constructive, or even aggression as you say, so I am glad it's helping you. I do really understand how you feel.

14

FINDING THE CORRECT TRANSLATION of Holy writings

by Terry in

this is an important topic.

which means, of course, it will be largely ignored!

mostly it will be ingored because it is deep.

Sheepish

He had condemned me to Hell, because of his translation. Even when I said that my relationship with Jesus is between him and me, and no religion can say otherwise, he condemned me to hell for not saying those words. His words. His translation.

There is no translation that says that. He condemned you cause he didn't know his own scriptures.You were right, you gotta believe it or it's meaningless You also gotta know it. The issue of faith comes to play.And the scriptures don't really come alive to you, become understandable to you unless you come to them with faith. I don't expect you to understand or accept this, I am just laying it out for you.

There is plenty of evidence that the scriptures have not changed since the early church through many, many translations except in very small, in consequential ways. The NWT is pretty easy to discredit. It's changes are very obvious.

The harder part of reading scripture is understanding what was going on at the time these words were said. The idioms etc. But even if you don't understand it all, the main history, and message comes through. And you don't need an organization to explain it to you. Even that is said in it. And the purpose is not to walk around like a shamed dog waiting to die, but to have peace about it. I think (since no one asked me!) the biggest problem with self-called Christians today, is they don't know their Bible's and rely on Preacher's and teacher's to tell what it says.

I prefer the Pashitta myself. Translated from the aramaic. The interesting thing is, even when there is a clarification, it doesn't change the meaning...for instance, The Pashitta translates it, "It's harder for a rope to pass through the eye of a needle" rather than the king James "...camel through the eye of a needle". The sense does not change, the point is still made.The translater says the letter that makes the difference has the difference of a dot over it or not.

28

Attention: Former Elders

by MsMcDucket in

jw
friends

my children are shunning me because the dubs told them too.

the scriptural reason they gave my children is that you're supposed to love jehovah above all else.

and the one about not speaking to a man who has turned from the road of righteousness (sp?)..

Sheepish

Hi Gary, I really understand where you are coming from, and you're right, "comin' from different places."

I am at the place where I don't really miss them much, unless I give it a lot of thought.

I was very sincere when I was a witness. I went to great pains to be loving and inclusive, and fair and all the things we were taught to be (although I guess I was in a small group who really did it!). That is not to say I didn't do anything I was ashamed of, but I am pretty sure I would have done stuff like that no matter where I was, cause of immaturity on my part.

I didn't really know anyone who was disfellowshipped so I never had the "pleasure" of shunning anyone. I think a lot of people who join are sincere, at first...then they become like regular church goers; they figure they're safe in "God's organization", and they stop seeking and thinking, and just become club member. They then fall behind and feel inadequate, so they become hypocrites and whistle blowers, so as to keep the "heat" off themselves.

. I have seen a lot of really reprehensible behavior from Christendom Christians of all kinds...so it is not just the JWs. but it is a prime breeding ground for that kind of behavior.

I wish you well, and hope you and your family can heal. I'm hopin your anger is not seething all the time and just "righteous indignation" when the topic comes up, cause the other kind will kill you.

28

Attention: Former Elders

by MsMcDucket in

jw
friends

my children are shunning me because the dubs told them too.

the scriptural reason they gave my children is that you're supposed to love jehovah above all else.

and the one about not speaking to a man who has turned from the road of righteousness (sp?)..

Sheepish

Sheepish, How's your strategy working for you?

Well actually, my sister (who once shunned me) has told me to my face that,"at least you are living out what you believe."

Don't get me wrong, I don't think you should spend lots of time around them, or even seek them out. but occasions do come up, and I just think they should see you doing really well, and not feeling guilty or shamed.

My concern is for them. I think they are as misled or deceived as I was. I want to help them get free if I can.I know it won't be easy, but I don't want to become hateful and unloving because some of them are. Then they win! They have once again captured my soul.

35

My First Doubt

by tall penguin in

this may not seem like your typical doubt but it was the first time i allowed myself to question the bible and the wt's explanation of things.

about 6 years ago, i was assigned a talk on the man judah.

this was when we were doing talks on specific bible characters.

Sheepish

One of things about the Bible that shows it's honesty is that it doesn't cover up the sins of even the "important" people. David, "a man after God, own heart" was an adulterer and a murderer. Part of what you should be learning from all this is that all people sin, some are worse than others (in our mind), but, with true repentence (really hating what you did and determining NOT to do it again.) you have forgiveness. Doesn't mean you won't have to deal with the consequences (i.e. David losing their child) but you can be restored to a right relationship with the Almighty. And hopefully, you've learned from it, and it has made you stronger and wiser...I am really surprised that "sister" didn't clue you in to that at least!

I don't know what the WT was trying to say about Judah, but he was, after all, just a man.

28

Attention: Former Elders

by MsMcDucket in

jw
friends

my children are shunning me because the dubs told them too.

the scriptural reason they gave my children is that you're supposed to love jehovah above all else.

and the one about not speaking to a man who has turned from the road of righteousness (sp?)..

Sheepish

Gary, I see where you're coming from... I just don't totally agree. I DO agree that it is not necessary for them to see you sad, but I don't withdraw and then deal out my love again, depending on what someone does to me, (maybe the intimacy, the access to my emotions). I try not to return evil for evil. I want them to know what real love is. It's a decision to care for/about someone no matter what stupid mistakes or decisions they make. For instance, there are things I understand to be sin; if one of my children sinned these ways, I would not stop loving them, or for that matter shun them .I don't have to, I am not the judge.

Your point about we being the strong ones is well taken. But when you first leave the WT you don't always feel strong-you feel off-balance, and unsure because there is a lot of information you don't know yet.That would be a good time to stay away from family. But when you do find out the facts, I think it's important that they see you confident and happy again, so they wonder what you've found.If you purposely isolate yourself from all opportunities, they will never know, and go on believeing every person who leaves becomes a drooling, pagan apostate, who can't pray and doesn't even read the Bible! The WT wins again.

Not trying to start an arguement, just sharing my point of view.

7

Great Quotes from Societies Literature

by Sheepish in

i may be behind the times here with this, cause i'm so new, but i picked up an old copy of "let god be true"(1946) at a yard sale, and i've been kinda skimming through it.

this statement jumped out at me.

i got a good laugh considering how, they won't give let you share the other side of an issue with them, calling it "apostate" and all...( maybe you have other ones that you've found.).

Sheepish

Thanks for the connect AlmostAtheist. It's a good one!

7

Great Quotes from Societies Literature

by Sheepish in

i may be behind the times here with this, cause i'm so new, but i picked up an old copy of "let god be true"(1946) at a yard sale, and i've been kinda skimming through it.

this statement jumped out at me.

i got a good laugh considering how, they won't give let you share the other side of an issue with them, calling it "apostate" and all...( maybe you have other ones that you've found.).

Sheepish

Well, yeah, they were setting up the answer to "Who are Jehovah's Witnesses?" but your points are well taken...they should have said "two points of view". It's just a great quote to use when they can't listen to what you have to say...course they won't give you a chance to even share that so, maybe it's just a good chuckle for those of us who know better!

54

Skirting the issue

by Virgogirl in

what argument is put forth that women must only wear dresses or skirts to the meetings or in service and are not permitted to wear slacks?

where does it say it's wrong for sisters to wear pants, and how are they convincing women in 2005 to buy into this?

i remember many bitterly cold chicago mornings with frozen legs running to doors and back to the warm car as quickly as possible, wearing a skirt which was ridiculous and inappropriate to the weather conditions.

Sheepish

Well, you'll be happy to know the good news Lady Lee!!

We are starting a new church called the "Blinding Light of the Fig Leaves", and we'd love you to join. And, because we "know" God wants men to wear one fig leaf, and woman three, we will have to insist on unity in this issue. Otherwise, we will be forced to exhibit one of ways we keep our little flock pure, it's called "shedding". Yes, if you are rebellious, you will find yourself in a very embarrassing situation, to say the least!!!