Hello DA,
No, I'm not Dodger. I was CornerStone on the old H20 and CornerStone5 on the new H20. Same guy. By the way, thanks for the compliments.
CornerStone
CornerStone
JoinedPosts by CornerStone
-
23
Is the Organization really free from racism?
by dedalus inone of the claims witnesses like to make is that they are color-blind, that their religion transcends matters of race and culture.
by and large, i think most "apostates" accept this, though it's all too obvious that witnesses are bigots when it comes to all non-members.. but how true is the claim that witnesses escape racial stereotyping?.
i attended an inner-city congregation with mostly black brothers and sisters.
-
-
-
14
Emotional Bankruptcy after the Tower
by Esmeralda in"in many ways, poverty is a state of mind.
emma bromon, ~founder of liberty house, a halfway house in new orleans for homeless girls with children, or who are pregnant.. this quote inspired me tonight, on an evening where i certainly needed to feel inspired by something.
it made me question the way that i feel sometimes, that sickening out of control emotion that keeps me awake some nights.. nights like last night.. the feeling that carries over into days like today, .
-
-
CornerStone
Hello Esmeralda,
Your absolutly right! The only thing that the tower can TAKE from ANYBODY is what WE give them. They don't deserve anything of value, except a quick kick in the kaboose! Or mabey two kicks, or mabey three, or four, five, six, 1000000000000000000000000000000000000000
0000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000
0000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000
0000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000
0000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000
0000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000
000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000.. etc.CornerStone
-
23
Is the Organization really free from racism?
by dedalus inone of the claims witnesses like to make is that they are color-blind, that their religion transcends matters of race and culture.
by and large, i think most "apostates" accept this, though it's all too obvious that witnesses are bigots when it comes to all non-members.. but how true is the claim that witnesses escape racial stereotyping?.
i attended an inner-city congregation with mostly black brothers and sisters.
-
-
CornerStone
Hello Dedalus,
An interesting subject. Of course racism exist among JW's, allthough I believe they try harder than most to try to overcome it. As defining racism there are two views on it: 1) Racism defined as simple racial bigotry and 2) Racism defined as the race in charge and holding power over another race ( like whites owning all the businesses thus holding power over others, like blacks, who own few busineses). This view is usually held by non-whites and by it's definition automaticaly makes whites racist. How convienent! I never believed number two was an accurate definition of racism. Oxford American Dictionary defines racism as 1) Belief in the superiority of a particular race. I'll go by that definition.
A elder friend of mine has told me about the deep-seated racial anamosity he experienced in the South. Even being "deletted" for some crazy infraction of the P.O.'s rules. He would talk about it all the time so I know it hurt him deeply.
Out this way I have seen and heard it expressed by all sides. Interestingly, there is a particular sub-culture among the many sub-cultures of JW'dom that seems to benifit from activly trying to be colorblind. I believe, especially in the major metropolatian cities, that blacks have a more level "playing field" in the congregation when it comes to rank, status, and position than they would competing in the corporate world against whites. I believe because blacks have had so many cards stacked against them from the start that competing with their "white" counterparts ( whatever that is ) is oppressively chalanging. However in the Kingdumb Stall, er.. I mean Kingdom Hall the field is more playable for them. I honestly believe that much of what society has ingrained in their conscience can be set aside and they can look their white brothers in the eye and say I'm just as good as you. This, I think, is a positive result, although it sadly comes from within JW'dom. O'well, can't win'em all.
Now before anybody gets "offended" at my reasoning and begins to question my "credentials" ( am I white, black, pokadot?, etc.), Ill say that I am a mix, "mut", and grew up POOR in an "inner city" neighborhood, the concreet jungle. Beans and rice for dinner EVERDAY and wearing plaid, "flooding" pants to school, ( O the Shame! ). Also, half my reletives are black. Now, do I get a pass? Yes, no, mabey? Well, I did not want to offend ANYONE so I will apologise now, I'm sorry if I offended ANYONE! There!
Darn it! I missed the Simpsons writing this.
CornerStone
-
12
Trends Where The Society Is Impotent
by metatron inthe world is rapidly changing, making the watchtower.
organization with every passing day.
consider some trends they .
-
-
CornerStone
Hello Metatron,
"...and they will
prove that life exists elsewhere in the universe,
putting the earth and the silly religious claims
made on it into CORRECT perspective."I would'nt hold my breath waiting for those little green men to show up, it might make my Bible useless. I would however settle for little green bacteria.
CornerStone
-
29
in honor of the simpsons
by dark clouds inthis thread was inspired by all the brujaja superstitons of the borg so in honor and defense of the simpsons to which i video tape on a daily basis i start this thread in the name of fun :.
post your favorite simpson qoute along with the character who said it.
.. "i've noticed your house smells like feces, not just monkey feces either"--- homer
-
-
CornerStone
"For the next five minutes I'm going to party like it's on sale for $19.99." - Apu
"Shut up brain or I'll stab you with a Q-tip!" - Homer
CornerStone
-
11
Multiple Sclerosis and Me
by Esmeralda insince i posted in another thread mentioning that i have m.s.
and it came as a surprise.
to some, i just thought i'd clarify a bit.... this is why i am so lousy at answering e mail, guys!
-
-
CornerStone
Hello Esmeralda,
You totally DO NOT have to apologize for any percieved lack of posting or replies to post. I realise it's just your good nature to do so. A while back you posted some information on MS at my request. Here's a belated thanks, Thank you! It was very helpful to me.
I do not want to bring you down but I have a friend who has chronic progressive MS, the worst type. He has had it for the last 15 years or so. His life has been a sad journey since he was diagnosed with MS. One sad element besides his wife leaving him to marry his "best friend" and his being confined to a wheelchair is that only TWO JW's visit him on a regular basis. Me and another. All the many "friends" he has met and associated with and assisted over the years can't seem to find the time for a visit or a phone call! He still goes to meetings (gagh!!!) but as you can imangine has become greatly discouraged. Over the years I have felt this brothers pain, not fully ofcourse, as he sat there in misery over what he had lost and where he was in life because of his illness. MS can take so much away. Things like cleaning yourself, feeding yourself, or just going to bed are a luxury to him. How many times have I picked this brother up in my arms to take him for his shower or to put him to bed or to pick him up off the floor where he has fallen from his wheelchair I could not count. I know , however, that it's a blessing to help others and I believe it's a privilage to help him. Not the "I get to carry the mike" type of privilage but the God given type.
I post this to let you know that there are people out there with MS who know first hand your troubles and that there are caregivers who can empathise with those with MS. You know, if those selfproclaimed, "caring" "brothers" showed half as much attention to my friend as they do to their field service reports, then I would still be trying to be a "good witness" instead of slowly slipping out. It's their lack of love for one another that is proof to me that they are not from God, as Jesus warned. How they treat my friend is all the proof I need, besides dates, false propheies, etc.
Anyway, I always look foward to reading your post because they are insightful and interesting. So stop apologising, you do a good job as it is. Take care.
CornerStone
-
4
Just An Ideal !!!
by Big Jim inthere are 1370 registered users on this sight, lets say that 1000 of them are pretty serious players when it comes to trying to help jw's with doubt get away from the organization.. this is my ideal,lets say that 1000 users here form a group to help (plant the right seeds of doubt).
the way this could be done is by each person in the group paying a $25.00 fee (which would equal to $25,000.00) to place advertising on billboards located near assembly halls with 1-900 numbers for more information concerning the posted message.. then the money from the 900 numbers could be used to place more billboards near more assembly halls till there was enough out there to really cause a impact on the organization.. what do you think?
i know it is crazy, however it is a fun ideal>
-
-
CornerStone
Hello Big Jim,
There are many ways to skin a cat but I don't think that your idea would have a positive impact on JW's doubts about the org. Playing devils advocate here just let me say that I am no fan of the puppeteers in Brooklyn. I would be concerned about not having a support system, ( local, if possible ) for JW's whoose faith was crumbling under tight scrutiny of the orgs' teaching.
Second, the spin miesters in the deepest receeses of the Tower would, of course, use this advertising campaign as PROOF that satans system is directly attacking God's "only channel of communication", thus furthering the resolve of most of the current membership to "stick with Jahovah".
It is true that the MOST vulnerable part of the org is NOT their money, NOT their membership, it is the court of public opinion.
So I think your pointed in the general direction. We'll see what the future holds.CornerStone
-
30
Two Questions
by Yerusalyim ini have two questions, mostly for commited christians, though i'm sure somehow, that others will reply too.. 1) does prayer change god or his mind?.
2) if not, why pray?.
i have my own opinion on the subject, but i may be adjusting my understanding of god.. have fun!.
-
-
CornerStone
Hello Yerusalyim,
Your questions are quite reasonable and fair to ask. I myself wrestle with questions about God's intervention in human affairs and even, at times, about God's existence and my ability to percieve him despite my profession of being a Christian.
Well, I believe, the answer to your first question: Does prayer change God or His mind? The answer is YES.Reasons for my answer, We can be confident of God’s response to our prayer when we submit first to his will.
James 5:13
13Are any among you suffering? They should keep on praying about it. And those who have reason to be thankful should continually sing praises to the Lord.
14Are any among you sick? They should call for the elders of the church and have them pray over them, anointing them with oil in the name of the Lord. 15And their prayer offered in faith will heal the sick, and the Lord will make them well. And anyone who has committed sins will be forgiven.
16Confess your sins to each other and pray for each other so that you may be healed. The earnest prayer of a righteous person has great power and wonderful results. 17Elijah was as human as we are, and yet when he prayed earnestly that no rain would fall, none fell for the next three and a half years! 18Then he prayed for rain, and down it poured. The grass turned green, and the crops began to grow again.1 John 5:14
14And we can be confident that he will listen to us whenever we ask him for anything in line with his will. 15And if we know he is listening when we make our requests, we can be sure that he will give us what we ask for.Sometimes, like Paul, we will find that God answers prayer by giving us not what we ask for but something better.
2 Corinthians 12:7-10
7even though I have received wonderful revelations from God. But to keep me from getting puffed up, I was given a thorn in my flesh, a messenger from Satan to torment me and keep me from getting proud.
8Three different times I begged the Lord to take it away. 9Each time he said, “My gracious favor is all you need. My power works best in your weakness.” So now I am glad to boast about my weaknesses, so that the power of Christ may work through me. 10Since I know it is all for Christ’s good, I am quite content with my weaknesses and with insults, hardships, persecutions, and calamities. For when I am weak, then I am strong.And finally, our prayer must be accompanied by a willingness to obey with our actions.
Exodus 14:15
15Then the LORD said to Moses, “Why are you crying out to me? Tell the people to get moving!As for your second question, it would not make any real sense to pray to a god who was not listening to you or anyone else. One would or could adopt the attitude that agnostics have, that there is a God but he is unconcerned with human affairs.
As for myself, I have come not to trust my perceptions in the matter too much. Because of many failled expictations in my life,( mostly due to religious leaders teaching me lies ), I have adoppted more of a waiting and introspective attitude concerning my prayers to God, whom I firmily believe exist according to the Bible. I am not too quick to believe that God has or has not answered a particular prayer. My prayers tend to be more generalized but also spacific at times. Health and wellbeing for family, friends, believers worldwide and such. Things like a spacific new car or not having to face a bad situation I usually leave up to God's guidence because I believe He knows best in such matters.
Anyway, I hope I've made some sense.1 Peter 3:12
12The eyes of the Lord watch over those who do right,
and his ears are open to their prayers.
But the Lord turns his face
against those who do evil.”CornerStone
-
30
Field Service, Anyone?
by Farkel inthe human brain is a non-stop chattering machine.
it is constantly evaluating, making decisions and judgments.
there is not a human being alive that isn't an abject hypocrite nearly every day.
-
-
CornerStone
OH Gosh! I was just begining to forget my DRONE days but thanks for the laughs anyway.
CornerStone
-
8
Faith in spite of the WTBTS --- Hillary, et. al.
by LoneWolf into all ---about faith.. i posted this some months ago on another board.
the comments then were thoughtful and appreciated.
i'd like to know yours, too.. a brief background first: i first became active in service in december of 1946, and have been disfellowshipped for over 12 years now, not for gross wrongdoing, but because i asked too many questions and wouldn't quit.
-
-
CornerStone
Hello TeeJay,
I find that I can identify with your assestment of LoneWolf's standing as a witness; "you never were a Witness." This seems to describe me to a tee. I too was a social loner, not antisocial, just not going out to seek friendships. The "love bombing" I encountered when I started studying was a new experience for me and served to wake me out of my "loner" status. But despite the new experiences I never gave my heart or mind over to the WTS. Through the study, baptisism, and the last handfull of years I found it impossible to "pretend" that the WTS was who they claimed to be. All the scriptual errors in the teachings and my previous Bible knowledge and my step back and look at the whole picture attitude PREVENTED me from accepting the WTS's claimes.
So, I guess at heart, I too was never really a witness. I do believe, however, I continued to be a Christian at least to myself.
You know, I think that means I could not be accused of being an apostate since I never REALLY BELIEVED the WTS's claimes in the first place. I believe the Bibles claims but not the WTS's claimes. To me, this means I never LEFT something I never ARRIVED at in the first place! (What I just say?)
Anyway, I feel very similar to the way LoneWolf feels in his post. Good to see that the orgs. influence begins to crumble where common sense begins.CornerStone