hey all - as some of you may know, i've been engaged in a pretty big debate with family members as well as internet acquaintances over whether the jw's are a cult.
thanks to everyone who have posted links to threads that have helped me in my dialogue with them - its actually working.
the latest is that one of the posters i've been dialoging and he says that agrees with me on many points but he brought up the following response and i ask (how would you respond to this) that i have posted below (by the way, the person he references as gq is me - its my username on that web site):.
I like my life a whole lot better having structure. I'm happier and I'm a lot happier and living in the last days doesn't frighten me at all. matter of fact I welcome it cause this world ain't so nice anyway. if JWs are wrong then so be it, my conscience is clean because I'm living in harmony with the scriptures to the best of my ability & that's good enough for me.
I really believe that this statement sums up a lot of people who remain in.
i think i remember reading about this on the forum recently but i can't remember where.
can someone show me the exact quote?.
You can find the online version here.
i left my cushy job at the bookstore and i'm totally free of employment responsibilities for the first time in millions of years.. i guess i'm now retired.. i can sleep as late as i want to but my body won't let me.
my eyes pop open automatically waaaaay too early.. i can go where i want.
the question now becomes: what do we do with total freedom?.
Gentlemen Only Ladys Forbidden...
...or as its called today GOLF!
john 8:42-47 (niv 2008).
42 jesus said to them, "if god were your father, you would love me, for i came from god and now am here.
43 why is my language not clear to you?
Awake!, February 8, 2000 Issue, Page 21:
Of course, being truthful does not mean that we are obligated to divulge all information to anyone who asks it of us. Do not give what is holy to dogs, neither throw your pearls before swine, that they may never ... turn around and rip you open, warned Jesus, at Matthew 7:6. For example, individuals with wicked intent may have no right to know certain things. Christians understand that they are living in a hostile world. Thus, Jesus advised his disciples to be cautious as serpents while remaining innocent as doves. ( Matthew 10:16; John 15:19) Jesus did not always disclose the full truth, especially when revealing all the facts could have brought unnecessary harm to himself or his disciples. Still, even at such times, he did not lie. Instead, he chose either to say nothing or to divert the conversation in another direction.
This is a very fitting testament to how they manipulate the scriptures for their own purpose. Notice the nuanced way they use a tactic of Jesus for their own ends.
In the scriptures given jesus was trying to teach or reason with the chief priest. But the WT twist his words to enable them to liw or mis direct a situation for their own means.
Do you want to jump or be pushed off the edge of the cliff?
An apt comparison. I say fug em, both options are just playing into their hands.
Give them no more power by playing their sick game.
hey everybody, i'm in the middle of an ongoing debate w/some jws and they are asserting that everyone knows what they're getting into when they are studying and getting baptized and that nobody forces anyone to become a jw and that you can leave anytime you want.
ok, we know that's not true.
how would you counter that argument?
You're dealing in semantics my friend and playing there game.
That claim is right up there with where will we go? who else has the truth and is preaching it?
You want me to come over and help lay the smack down let me know, Just got back from seeing thor and fast five so I'm HYPED!!!!!!!!!!
i noticed an ex-witness sister on facebook - smiling, looking happy, expressing nice thoughts for any to read -and she is disfellowshipped!.
in her extended family, more and more kids and grandkids are leaving the "truth" - and "friending" her!
it might even be that she now is part of the majority of the extended family.
baltar make a game like mobwars where you start as a householding and begin to study with witlesses and move up to door to dor giving comments and eventually carrying mikes....OOOHHHHHH carrying mikes!
i noticed an ex-witness sister on facebook - smiling, looking happy, expressing nice thoughts for any to read -and she is disfellowshipped!.
in her extended family, more and more kids and grandkids are leaving the "truth" - and "friending" her!
it might even be that she now is part of the majority of the extended family.
Same way it helped to organize revolutions in africa it can help young and old create a support group to help their exit!
good point moshe....didn't even think of that !
i figured those two were all about publicity...but better not take any chances !.
there's a differencce between privacy while on a public street and in being an imposter in someone's car group while they are engaging in what they consider part of their worship to god.. .
Looks like I missed all the action.
I was at the dentest the other day and As we left My wife and I saw the group out in service...Doing the same ole dead man walking pioneer stroll.
Complete with an elder in the car at the end of the block...SMDH!
How long can you waste your time in mindless busy work?
a witless friend sent this to me yesterday.
able to copy the picture however the email is interesting.
and really shows the depth of their mentality.. sour grapes.
Umm its been longer than 3 1/2 yrs...I was at bethel 94-96 telling that tale.
