Posts by cyberguy

they started out by trying to give me an invitation to an upcoming convention.. i politely declined and said it was difficult and that i didn't get out much, anyway.

we didn't spend much time talking but i almost felt sorry for the poor man (it was a husband & wife) because he really, really wanted to give away some literature!

From a JW perspective, how much literature you place determines how successful you are in the ministry. In some cases it can indicate how spiritual you are! Yes, they’ve been stepping up the tract-work, inviting everyone in their territory to the District Conventions this summer. And like Blondie said, it’s relatively easy to get the "publishers" out in the door-to-door activities when you’re only required to leave a tract. However, I suspect the real aim isn’t to get non-JW’s to attend the summer conventions, but it’s is a way for the directors in Brooklyn to control the "flock" as part of the overall mental conditioning process.

31

Another Watchtower Flip Flop.

by gumby in

it's no wonder so many witnesses need medication since they must rely on the faithful slave do make decisions and do their thinking for them.. evidently jehovah changed his mind once again in the articles shown below and thanks to the fds they let the publishers in on it.. the watchtower march 1, 2002 p.30 .

is it correct to say that jehovah's mercy tempers his justice?.

although this expression has been used, it is best to avoid it since it seems to imply that jehovah's mercy softens or restrains his justice, as if his mercy were superior to the harsher quality of justice.

cyberguy

Gumby,

That change was part of an overall trend that occurred in the early to mid 1990’s. They encouraged the elders (I was one at the time) to base all their "judicial" decisions on “facts” and DF those that broke the "rules," unless the erring admitted to breaking the "rules" (even when there was little to no evidence or circumstantial "evidence" at best) and showed “repentance” by begging not to be DF'd. However, mitigating “evidence” was considered only if the erring-one attended all the meetings, was very active in the field service, commented at all the meetings, etc. If they were not, their “repentance” was not accepted because they did not have “works” that befit “repentance,” and so the person should be DF’d without question. This was part of the detailed instructions from headquarters! Of course, it's cold, harsh, brazen, totally unloving, and yet a directive that the elders were instructed to follow or else they could face consequenses! In contrast to the WT's ramblings, the teachings of Jesus, as seen in the Bible (as I understand it), draw people to a God who is full of mercy and grace, one that sees beyond what we are, but looks to what we could be! That’s the drawing power of Christianity as I see it.

Cyber

16

Who Wrote the Book of Hebrews

by snowbird in

who wrote the book of hebrews?

apollos?

barnabas?

cyberguy

Thanks Narkissos,

Are you saying that Luke could have been the writer with Paul at his side? Paul’s writings do not appear to be of the level of the writer of Hebrews. Only Luke, of the writers we know about, would seem to fit here. Leo, please step in anytime!

With kindly regards to all,

Cyber

16

Who Wrote the Book of Hebrews

by snowbird in

who wrote the book of hebrews?

apollos?

barnabas?

cyberguy

Hey Leo,

What’s the possibility it was Luke, since Paul and Luke were connected in some way on the writing of Acts?

With kindly regards,

Cyber

59

Did You Personally Know of Sex Offenders In The Congregation?

by minimus in

jw
friends

i knew of 1 person that should've been reported to the authorities for fooling around with his sisters when he was an older teen and they were much younger.

it was hushed up by the elders, as this was considered a very prominent family.

the allegations were made probably 20 years ago, well before i was ever in that hall.

cyberguy

As an elder (at one time), yes! In fact! We had a guy move into our congregation that later said that he had underage sex with a minor (after the Watchtower articles said such ones could not continue as elders) and turned himself in. He was removed; I believe I recall it was something he did before he became a JW. (So why is that a sin? Lawsuits? Probably!)

There was another elder in our hall who had sex with his own daughter for a number of years, and started to molest her at age 13 or so. Oh yea, he made sure he had their weekly family “Bible Study”, "field service," and of course, his follow-up on not just explaining sex, but having sex with his own daughter (wow! sex education in the JW-home!).

Sad to say, this girl's younger brothers called 911 (several times actually)! The police came out and later Child Services (in Florida, the State’s track record is abysmal)! Nothing was done for whatever reason. Of course the "elder body" found out about this, and we questioned him (the molester), but he admitted to nothing and said his boys were making it up! Of course, his boys were NOT making it up! A a later time, he was found out (by his wife). He said afterward, that he was messed up because he was molested by his uncle, who was still an elder at the time, and PO in a nearby congregation (this was the rumor I heard, and It’s probably true)! Of course, when there’s a chain of abuse, in some cases, it extends for generations! How sad, indeed!

Well, unfortunately, this is only a small taste of the abuses that I've been exposed to as an elder. If I wrote everything down on paper I’d have to write a book!
Your question is, regrettably, one of the “better” ones this time. However, it saddens me to think about the abuses and horrors that so many young-JW kids have gone through!

Interesting topic (in a twisted way), but I’m deeply saddened and depressed!

With friendly regards,

Cyber

30

My email to the congo....

by truthsetsonefree in

now that the time has past i can give up the surprise that i sprung on the elders before my da'ing announcement.

i emailed the entire congregation!

or at least as many addresses that i had which was most of those who use email.

cyberguy

Hey Truth!

I understand your feelings and rants, having been in the crazy organization for most of my life too. However, I don’t understand why you would refer anyone to anything related to that extremely biased, absolutely horrible video (the PBS Knocking Video) as you mention in your letter. Sorry, I’m very confused, please explain, because there’s something I’m evidently missing here.

Thanks in advance!

Cyber

17

Bethel Tour Canceled Due to Lack of Interest?

by snowbird in

just left my sister who is definitely still in.

she was scheduled to go on a bethel tour this summer, but she said it was canceled.

she stated that apparently not enough interest was shown.. anyone else hear of something like this?.

cyberguy

What were they planning to see on the tour? From what I understand, the only people at headquarters are those that sit behind a desk, with the exception of the laundry, cleaning and the kitchen departments! That would hardly be a reason to visit Brooklyn Bethel (assuming that is what you are refering to)!

Oh, I can only imagine what the tour guide would say:

“Now brothers and sisters, we are now passing by the desks of the attorneys that handle all are pending litigation from those bad and wicked apostates!” There’s a long pause as the tour group watches and contemplates the legal department in action!

Have a happy day!

Cyber

8

Interesting info on N.H. Barbour

by cabasilas in

i don't know if this has been mentioned here before or not.

if so, please ignore.

this looks like it contains an interesting amount of info on n.h. barbour:.

cyberguy

Wow Cabasilas! This is a very interesting find! I wonder if the writer is a JW or exJW?

Thanks!