Copernicus

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Posts by Copernicus

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  18

  dem dang Awakes!

  by Copernicus in

  1. jw
  2. friends

  i happened to be in my doctors office yesterday and was browsing the magazine rack looking for something to kill time, and what did i perchance find?

  yes, you guessed it.

  a pristine issue of awake!

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  Copernicus

  Jelly:

  Jesus himself felt religious systems were inherently evil so you should not be surprised that they exhibit some of the control techniques that you read about in the book by Eric Hoffer.

  Thanks for the thought, I understand your point. I didn’t meant to come off rude to Aguest, though I’m sure it seemed that way, but I’m just burned out on convoluted religious meanderings.

  I feel the same way about Jesus himself sometimes. I mean after all he went through, if he had something to say, why not just SAY IT? Couldn’t the message have been condensed down to the essentials (and in some places it is)? Why all the parables with a zillion conflicting applications? If Jesus himself felt that religious systems were inherently evil, he could have done a lot more to protect people from being preyed upon by those who “go forth. . . in his name.”

  Ahhhhhh. . . I’ve been down that “there are no contradictions in the bible” road, and I’m not going there again.

  Aguest – I apologize, sorry.

  bye
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  64

  Another Elder is toast

  by jst2laws in

  1. jw
  2. friends

  jst2laws is toast!.

  after 29 years i am officially no longer serving as an elder.

  those who knew i was still serving would only be surprised that i took so long.

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  Copernicus

  Jst2laws:

  My heart went out to you as I read your post. At the same time I could somehow sense in it, the beginning of the death knell for the WTS. Nothing as fixed and rigid as the Society could ever hope to weather the storm of controversy, or the many challenges (internal and external) swirling about it.

  I never ceased to be amazed at the level of intransigence that has become the defining hallmark of those who would rule the world from Brooklyn. Certainly a siege mentality must exist at this time; what else could explain the unwillingness to see the need for adjustments in the course set by the org or in their treatment of those who’ve showed years of loyal service to it? Apparently we have little value in their eyes. While I have no intention of ever further involving myself in their activities, I shudder at the indifference shown toward those they claim as their “sheep.”

  I will admit I am angry, with myself, for suppressing doubts for 25 years; for confusing loyalty to an organization (definition = unwavering obedience to a divine club) and for raising my children under the cloud of this cult mentality.

  Many of us feel this way. But what other choice was there? What you did took real courage. Does Jehovah want a gang of sycophants and “yes men” serving him? If so, I’ve no interest in a god of that sort, nor in an organization that cultivates that attitude in those who would be major players in it. The whole thing is simply disgusting.

  While I don’t have nearly your experience or years of service, I did identify with this much:

  For about 3 years I have been evading service meeting assignments that I could not in good conscience handle. The last 9 months I have given every part assigned to me but gave it my way neglecting the garbage and teaching the truth relevant to the theme. My public talks have been either praised or challenged. As talk coordinator for the congregation I quit assigning myself out to avoid controversy.

  I walked this same cramped and narrow road. The obvious attempts at manipulation woven into the service meeting parts was more than I could stomach. The constant appeals to guilt, poured over a group with many members already suffering from depression and low self-esteem, was something I could not be a party too. Unfortunately, there were many other men who wanted to be “stars” beaming forth from the platform, eager and willing to step in and take my place. These types have no qualifications as teachers or love for the brothers, but simply want their moment in the sun. And they’ll say anything to get it.

  You’re almost free now. Hang in there. If there is a god (I’m no longer sure myself) who rewards acts of moral courage, you’ve earned his recognition. I’m doubtful that the WTS on the other hand will fare quite as well.

  Take care,
  Copernicus
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  93

  LATEST INSTALLMENT OF APOSTATE "DOOM"...

  by You Know in

  1. jw
  2. friends

  as the last days wind down to their dramatic conclusion, prophecies that were heretofore obscure, over time have now come more sharply into focus.

  one such prophecy that bears review is the oft-quoted verse concerning the "increasing of lawlessness.

  " typically the watchtower has pointed to increasing criminal lawlessness in the world as evidence of the fulfillment of that particular feature of the sign of christ's imminent arrival.

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  Copernicus

  We're still not dead..... the system still remains.....

  logical - please don't confuse them with facts. They're confused enough already, lol.
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  18

  dem dang Awakes!

  by Copernicus in

  1. jw
  2. friends

  i happened to be in my doctors office yesterday and was browsing the magazine rack looking for something to kill time, and what did i perchance find?

  yes, you guessed it.

  a pristine issue of awake!

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  Copernicus

  Truman said:

  Yes, all the problems plaguing children will be permanently solved when they are wiped out at Armageddon. What an amazing and effective solution!

  Yes, and don’t forget that it’s cost effective to boot! Ha, ha
  
  

  Right now I am at the library to use their internet access, as my phone line has gone down and can't be repaired till Monday. I was having internet withdrawal! I am going to look for the book you mentioned before I leave.

  That book is a must have. I’m sure you’ll enjoy it. Although like C of C, it WILL leave you angry in certain parts. But on the up side, you’ll never be sucked into a cult (or anything like it) again.

  Ciao
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  18

  dem dang Awakes!

  by Copernicus in

  1. jw
  2. friends

  i happened to be in my doctors office yesterday and was browsing the magazine rack looking for something to kill time, and what did i perchance find?

  yes, you guessed it.

  a pristine issue of awake!

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  Copernicus

  AGuest - I have no idea of what you're talking about in the above, and I have no idea of what it (whatever it is) has to do with the subject of this thread.

  And please. . . I'm not asking for any elaboration, OK?
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  37

  I getting bored with this Board

  by OlderTom in

  1. jw
  2. friends

  i'm just wondering if it is because i have changed and have gained my freedom from the watchtower enslavement or i just don't care anymore or is it that i have been exposed to too much of the same old complaints about the borg and all the false prophecies and the lies?.

  i must admit i still get pleasure from reports of the watchtower walls starting to crumble al over the civilized world so i guess i'll continue to pop in from time to time.. as far as trying to de-program and rescue the poor unfortunate brainnumbed watchtower slaves, i think it's a total waste of time after all how do get through to people who prefer to believe in the lies when they know they are lies but they just don't want to see the real truth about the "truth(tm)".

  i gues they don't want to see the real truth because it would force them to start thinking for them selves again and for some people that is just too much of a burden to bear.

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  Copernicus

  Amazing said:

  I helped 15 people become JWs. Before I die, I hope to help 1,500 to leave, whether I do this directly or indirectly. I plan to take back with interest what they took from me ... time ... by helping people save their time and not give it to the WTS fraud.

  I feel the same way.

  And I wanted to thank you for the personal help you’ve unknowingly given to me over the years. Your original justices series was a big push in the right direction. Also, what was revealed in the way that you, Alan, and others took on “Harold” some time ago showed me the truly ugly nature of the WT mindset; which isn’t often exposed as effectively as it was done in that instance. His (and the ones who sided with him) complete disregard for the victims of WT abuse absolutely sickened me. I quit the meetings thereafter.

  proplog2 said:

  Most JW's have left the building. There are now many voices on the internet who have become skilled at refuting Watchtower reasoning. A JW doesn't have a chance anymore of entering a discussion without coming out looking stupid. The only JW's who try to say anything in these forums are those who stumble on them for the first time. They don't leave. They are lurking AND thinking. YOU KNOW is just a guy who likes to argue. He seldom has a defensible premise and envisions himself as a prophet to apostates...Whatever...

  I agree with this completely, and I’ve often had the same thoughts myself. I think the downfall of the dub’s on the Internet started with the high level arguments on the talk.origens(?) board, where the falsities in the Creation book were revealed for what they were. It seemed to spread rapidly after that. I mean really, what basis for argument is there when the publications have been irrevocably showed to be riddled with intentional factual manipulations and other intellectual frauds. After reading those old posts the thought of approaching anyone to suggest joining the dub’s became nauseating to me.

  So, where have all the apologists gone? Hiding behind a mental blanket of their own particular weave no doubt. Let them stay there. The pressures in our society prompt many to want to escape. The WTS peddles a drug that happens to appeal to certain types (eg: You Know, and ones if his ilk). If it weren’t that, it would be something else for them. It’s just too damn bad that families and children are being hurt in the process. That’s the criminal part. And like any criminal enterprise, it needs to be stopped.

  Getting back to the point of this thread. . . Older Tom, I hope that from what I’ve written, you can remind yourself that while this board may at times get boring (and it does!), entertainment is not what we’re here for If it is, you’ve come to the wrong place.

  You sounded down and depressed. I hope things turn around soon.

  Copernicus

  Religion IS a snare and a racket - there are no exceptions.
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  95

  I *witnessed* to the *Christians* last night--LOL!

  by LDH in

  1. jw
  2. friends

  thought you all would enjoy this.. i went to a b'day party for a friend who is a bible-thumper in the worst way!

  (10x worse than most jw).. i'm sitting around like a zombie while everyone is talking about how "blessed" they are to "know christ" blah blah blah blah blah.. then my interest got peaked as one of the women started quoting scripture talking about how the reason her life is blessed is that her great great grandmother was a russian mennonite blah blah blah and the bible says that god will bless your offspring if you come to know him.

  blah blah blah.. so i start asking a few well placed questions like "well what does that mean for the poor muslim sop whose great great grandmother was a muslim?

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  Copernicus

  Simply stupid gets my vote.

  Religion IS a snare and a racket - there are no exceptions.
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  21

  Questions for the JW Experts on WTS Structure

  by Kathy in

  1. jw
  2. friends

  i understand that "annointed ones" are no longer appointed to the governing body, because most are no longer alive.

  so now, what criteria are used to appoint members to the governing body?.

  what is the "chain of command" in the society from the governing body to the average jw living next door?

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  Copernicus

  Typical clergy – laity distinctions are not made in the WTS. In fact, there are no distinctions of any kind. All are just Jesus’ humble, loyal followers. There is no chain of command either. When you have a problem, you can go right to the top – Jehovah himself. You are free to bypass Jesus (who supposedly “runs” the organization), at any time.

  If this sounds like confusing BS, that’s because it is confusing BS.

  Religion IS a snare and a racket - there are no exceptions.
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  18

  dem dang Awakes!

  by Copernicus in

  1. jw
  2. friends

  i happened to be in my doctors office yesterday and was browsing the magazine rack looking for something to kill time, and what did i perchance find?

  yes, you guessed it.

  a pristine issue of awake!

  1. 
  2. 
  3. 
• 

  Copernicus

  Francoise

  I'm sure you must have noticed the near congruency of the WTBTS and the Nazis. Scary, ain't it?

  Very scary! This “True Believer” book is freaking me out. I’m beginning to think that the intentional manipulation described in the book is what is really behind the curtain at Oz (Bethel).

  Up to this point I wanted to personally believe that they (the GB) where well meaning (in a weird sort of way). But now I’m starting to think that there’s been a whole lot of mind f**king going on.
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  18

  dem dang Awakes!

  by Copernicus in

  1. jw
  2. friends

  i happened to be in my doctors office yesterday and was browsing the magazine rack looking for something to kill time, and what did i perchance find?

  yes, you guessed it.

  a pristine issue of awake!

  1. 
  2. 
  3. 
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  Copernicus

  ROTFL. . . I wished I'd thought of that one, Nelly!

  You're on - the next time I see one I'll be ready