Posts by DakotaRed

33

I've Cried for Days

by Smoldering Wick in

jw
friends

i have been separated from the jws now for 4 years.

the first year, i went into a deep and severe clinical depression.

i think that's what happens when you are 3rd generation jw, born and raised.

DakotaRed

She said she would like to be able to pray for me, but...she knew she couldn't. It wasn't right.

This is one that always really pissed me off about the JWs. We should love our enemies, but if your sister hs problems, ignore her and let her flounder, because she doesn't agree with the Watchtower?

We should pray for presidents and gevernments, but not for a sister, or brother, who leaves the Watchtower? If they were truly concerned for a family members well being, who else should you turn to help them but God?

The disparity in their nonsense really sickens me sometimes!

If God's Spirit is filling a Kingdom Hall, how is it that Satan can manuever the ones within that Kingdom Hall at the same time?

47

i feel a little guilty

by jerome in

jw
friends

today i saw a jw in the middle of the city handing out awake!s.. and i sid nothing to her i know that if i said anything to her that i would have been there all day or at least before she thought that i was fron the devil and started to shun me.. have you ever felt guilty about not telling a jw that they should research what they believe that it may not be what it seems.. for passing up a chance to probally save a life in a way.. .

i did this also because.. believe it or not.. i cant believe i am going to say this.. i am not 100% sure that watchtower is not gods organisation.. [i feel this obgligation to listen to them so i cant shut them out all together].

to you this may seem very insane after spending time here .

DakotaRed

Jerome -- have you ever felt guilty about not telling a jw that they should research what they believe that it may not be what it seems. for passing up a chance to probally save a life in a way.

For me, Not at all. I feel that all are entitled to their beliefs, whatever they may be. Just becuase I disagree with them or that someone blindly follows another, does make it my obligation to save them. However, I am available to discuss whatever someone wishes to discuss (provided it is a subject I am versed on. Otherwise, I will listen and add my cents as needed).

i did this also because.
believe it or not.
i cant believe i am going to say this.
i am not 100% sure that watchtower is not Gods organisation.

I am sure that much of this feeling is from conditioning. I too have trouble blocking out what they say. Some of their belifs are not all that wrong. But, as far as I am concerned, they are not God's sole channel of communication. They flip flop way too much and it is the most unloving sect I have seen. As far as I am concerned, no single religion is God's mouthpiece on earth today.

[i feel this obgligation to listen to them so i cant shut them out all together]
to you this may seem very INSANE after spending time here
but so much of what they do is bible based and that is good initself

All religions follow what they see as Bible teaching. If you are really interested in following their beliefs, why not look into the Bible Students? They share much the same beliefs, but without the restrictive lack of love doctrines. Your stance sounds no more crazy to me than any other. We all have to follow our own hearts and live life as we see it.

its also because i see that jws truly beleive what they the watchtower teach.

Here again, so does every other religion. I urge you to delve deeper ito the Bible itself and learn it for yourself. As far as I have seen, every religion there is interprets the Bible their way and condemns all the other views.

i did it also because i dont exactly want to broadcast my disapproval of the soiety when i am involved with one.
suppose she would remember me? then her congregation would find out that i am anti-watchtower.

This is called fence straddling. Not all that uncommon. Sooner or later, though, you will have to decide which side of the fence you wish to be on and move to it. Once you make your decision, then you will need the courage to stand by your convictions, regardless of what others say or think.

if you have the RIGHT jesus you are RIGHT forever
but if you have the WRONG jesus you are WRONG forever.

Remember, God delegated judging to Jesus and they read hearts, not church attendance or time slips. I feel some of the most important words Jesus ever uttered go largely ignored. That being his true disciples would be none by their love.

We get so wrapped up in doctrinal issues and discussions and trying to prove ourselves right and the other wrong, that we lose focus on loving each other.

Since God created us all so differently, thinking and reasoning differently, seeing things through life so differently, don't you think it reasonable that He know that we all believe differently? Why would He creat man all so different and inspire the writing of a book for us to live by and do it so that it is so vague most of the time and easily translated so differently, and then hold us to such a strict standard of interpretation that most religions teach?

I just can't buy that it is so strict, yet so vague. The main constant I see is to simply love one another. Accept Christ as the Son of God and love each other. What could be simpler?

If God's Spirit is filling a Kingdom Hall, how is it that Satan can manuever the ones within that Kingdom Hall at the same time?

15

Amazing's Story on XJWNews.com

by mikepence in

jw
friends

i have come out of retirement from contributing to xjwnews.com in order to post amazing's story there.. part 1 is up, and each subsequent part will be posted, 1 per day, for as long as amazing keeps this up.. when the series is complete, with amazing's permission, i will provide a downloadable acrobat pdf version of the whole thing.. peace,.

mike pence

DakotaRed

Whether copyright is enforcable or not should not even be mentioned. How about some respect for all the effort Amazing has put into writing and publishing his story? I am saving the different threads, but only for my personal reading. I would never post, publish or print them for someone else due strictly to my respect for his efforts.

It is his story and creation. I feel we all should respect that and abide by his wishes.

If God's Spirit is filling a Kingdom Hall, how is it that Satan can manuever the ones within that Kingdom Hall at the same time?

130

Micheal the ArcAngel/Jesus the man

by plmkrzy in

jw
friends

i understand that a lot believe that micheal and jesus are one in the same some believe that jehovah and jesus are one in the same some believe that one is the son of god yadda yadda yadda.. would some of you please address or post your reasons for believing that micheal the arc angel was not gods first creation and why he couldn't be the one sent to us to be born as a man and become our savyor?

why would he not have another name fitting his role as a man on earth?

he obviously wouldn't be living on earth as a child growing up as an angel.

DakotaRed

aChristian, after reading your posts, I fear that you have wisely left the Watchtower behind, but have substituted another fundamentalist group for it.

Everthing in the Bible is open to interpretation. When translated, many thoughts lost their original meaning. That is how we ended up with so many Bible versions and religions.

There is nothing that can "gain" us salvation, that is free and by grace. Yes, works are also necessary, but what works? Going door to door? Arguing everyone else into the ground that you are right and they are wrong? Does it not take work to show love sometimes?

I believe God's Kingdom to be real and certainly hope that I make it there. I would like to see everyone make it there. But, as far as I am concerned, arguing over the identity of the archangel is not going to get anyone there. Belief in the trinity is a different matter, but that is for another discussion. All the arguments do nothing more than befuddle the importance of Jesus' words at John 13:34,35.

Of what real importance is it as to who Michael is? Neitehr of us actually know, we are going on our own reasoning. That it differs should not amount to anything. But, to argue and start disliking, or even hating each other, removes the love that Jesus spoke of, doesn't it?

What you are seeing is why I have lost all use of religion. Especially the fundamentalist groups. I grew up in the Assembly of God (Pentecostal, basically, to those who don't realize it) and they are near as bad as the JWs. God gave all of us powers of reason. It is up to us to use them and to apply them. But, knowing the identity of an archangel just has little real affect on my day to day life. So, we are going to have to agree to disagree on his identity.

But, I prefer to keep loving my fellow man and treat them properly, regardless of beliefs.

If God's Spirit is filling a Kingdom Hall, how is it that Satan can manuever the ones within that Kingdom Hall at the same time?

130

Micheal the ArcAngel/Jesus the man

by plmkrzy in

jw
friends

i understand that a lot believe that micheal and jesus are one in the same some believe that jehovah and jesus are one in the same some believe that one is the son of god yadda yadda yadda.. would some of you please address or post your reasons for believing that micheal the arc angel was not gods first creation and why he couldn't be the one sent to us to be born as a man and become our savyor?

why would he not have another name fitting his role as a man on earth?

he obviously wouldn't be living on earth as a child growing up as an angel.

DakotaRed

Thank You Puzzled. All this I said, He Said, You said stuff really makes my head spin. We tend to allow ourselves to get so wrapped up in silly rhetoric that we lose sight of what is really said. In the end, I can't see how thinking anyone is Michael can amount to anything worthwile.

If Joe Cool from the Motor Pool or Jesus, is Michael, so freekin what!! Share your view, but keep loving each other. That should be the common factor to all exJWs, love, something the Watchtower knows little about!

If God's Spirit is filling a Kingdom Hall, how is it that Satan can manuever the ones within that Kingdom Hall at the same time?

23

Just in case the WTS is watching this site

by WildHorses in

jw
friends

hi, my name is shari ann pieske aguillon, i was a member of your cult.

i want my name off of your members list, or whatever it is you keep.

the last address you had on me was 7553 stoney hill rd wake forest nc, 27526. .

DakotaRed

Just in case they really are peeking, this is for them. Hope it works

If God's Spirit is filling a Kingdom Hall, how is it that Satan can manuever the ones within that Kingdom Hall at the same time?

130

Micheal the ArcAngel/Jesus the man

by plmkrzy in

jw
friends

i understand that a lot believe that micheal and jesus are one in the same some believe that jehovah and jesus are one in the same some believe that one is the son of god yadda yadda yadda.. would some of you please address or post your reasons for believing that micheal the arc angel was not gods first creation and why he couldn't be the one sent to us to be born as a man and become our savyor?

why would he not have another name fitting his role as a man on earth?

he obviously wouldn't be living on earth as a child growing up as an angel.

DakotaRed

Jesus is not Michael the Archangel. Read Hebrews chapter 1. The whole chapter makes it quite clear that Jesus was not and is not an angel. Verse 13 asks, "To which of the angels did God ever say, 'Sit at my right hand until I make your enimies a stool for your feet'?" The answer to this rhetorical question, which is made quite clear in the previous 12 verses, is obviously, "None."

Okay, aChristian. It seems that you really wish to argue some points. Please note your single scripture above. "To which of the angels." Now, saying that Jesus is either the first creation, or even the archangel does not necessarily make him just an angel, does it? If there are actually more than one archangel, that still does not make them only angels. That would be like equating a private in the Army with a General. Both human, both men, but way different in experience, position and stature.

From the New Advent, the Catholic Encyclopedia online, we read under the heading of Saint Michael, the Archangel, the following;

Christian tradition gives to St. Michael four offices:

•To fight against Satan.
•To rescue the souls of the faithful from the power of the enemy, especially at the hour of death.
•To be the champion of God's people, the Jews in the Old Law, the Christians in the New Testament; therefore he was the patron of the Church, and of the orders of knights during the Middle Ages.
•To call away from earth and bring men's souls to judgment ("signifer S. Michael repraesentet eas in lucam sanctam", Offert. Miss Defunct. "Constituit eum principem super animas suscipiendas", Antiph. off. Cf. "Hermas", Pastor, I, 3, Simil. VIII, 3).

Let's compare these four offices with the bible now.

•To fight against Satan.
Satan is Jehovah Gods chief advesary right now. So, who would Jehovah intrust as his chief general in fighting this advesary? Exodus 14:14 The LORD will fight for you; you need only to be still." Could this mean that Jehovah himself is Michael? Of course not. Matthew 28:18 Then Jesus came to them and said, "All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me. Would not all authority also encompass being Jehovah God's
Chief general in the fight against Satan? Revelation 19:11-16 describes the "Word of God" as leading the Armies of heaven. Is not Jesus called "the Word of God?"

•To rescue the souls of the faithful from the power of the enemy, especially at the hour of death. 1 John 4:15 If anyone acknowledges that Jesus is the Son of God, God lives in him and he in God. Acts 3:22 For Moses said, `The Lord your God will raise up for you a prophet like me from among your own people; you must listen to everything he tells you. 23 Anyone who does not listen to him will be completely cut
off from among his people.' Who was the chief prophet raised up from amongst the Jews? Was it not Jesus?

•To be the champion of God's people, the Jews in the Old Law, the Christians in the New Testament; therefore he was the patron of the Church, and of the orders of knights during the Middle Ages. Who is the Champion of all Christians? Is it not Jesus? 1 Timothy 2:5 For there is one God and one mediator between God and men, the man Christ Jesus, Hebrews 12:24 to Jesus the mediator of a new covenant, and to the sprinkled blood
that speaks a better word than the blood of Abel. 25 See to it that you do not refuse him who speaks. If they did not escape when they refused him who warned them on earth, how much less will we, if we turn away from him who warns us from heaven? Does not a mediator champion our cause? Yes, they do.

•To call away from earth and bring men's souls to judgment. John 5:26 For as the Father has life in himself, so he has granted the Son to have life in himself.
27 And he has given him authority to judge because he is the Son of Man. God has granted authority to judge to no one except Jesus. Jesus grants judging to the 144,000, but that is a subject for another essay.

1 Thessalonians 4:16 For the Lord himself will come down from heaven, with a loud command, with the voice of the archangel and with the trumpet call of God, and the dead in Christ will rise first.

Why would Jesus descend from heaven with the voice of one lower than himself? Could a lesser one in heaven actually grant anything to Jesus?

Whether or not this proves anything to anyone is up to them. It is nothing more than my opinion, just like your view is your opinion. Like I have said many times, I believe a lot of this rhetoric about Michael, Cross vs Stake, hellfire, etc, etc, is nothing more than stumbling blocks to finding the truth of the message of God's Kingdom. That being found at John 13:34, 35. Love one another just as I have loved you! When we learn to love one another, in spite of differing views and beliefs, then I feel we have conquered the world and may receive salvation.

Only time will tell.

If God's Spirit is filling a Kingdom Hall, how is it that Satan can manuever the ones within that Kingdom Hall at the same time?

130

Micheal the ArcAngel/Jesus the man

by plmkrzy in

jw
friends

i understand that a lot believe that micheal and jesus are one in the same some believe that jehovah and jesus are one in the same some believe that one is the son of god yadda yadda yadda.. would some of you please address or post your reasons for believing that micheal the arc angel was not gods first creation and why he couldn't be the one sent to us to be born as a man and become our savyor?

why would he not have another name fitting his role as a man on earth?

he obviously wouldn't be living on earth as a child growing up as an angel.

DakotaRed

The Bible clearly teaches that our "spirits" do survive our deaths. I notice that you did not refute any of the scriptural arguments I made for this fact.

Well, that is somes view of what the Bible teaches. You see, your believing differently than I do is absolutely no threat to me at all. Sorry if my disagreeing with you threatens you.

I have found out over the years that we all think and see things differently. I believe we were either created that way or conditioned by culture, geographic, or even ethnic background that way. One of the problems I see worldwide today is so many get offended so easily by someone else not agreeing with them. That is why, in an earlier post, I said things were simply my opinion and that I do not feel the need to argue others into sharing my views. I leave that conduct to the dubs.

As for not refuting your scriptures, you are correct, I did not. I find it to be extremely scholastically dishonest to take single scriptures, often out of context of the surrounding verses, and use them to prove a pet belief. If my declining to engage you in a game of "my scholar says versus your scholar says" offends you, then you have my apology.

I am not here to convince anyone of anything. I will, however, share my views if asked.

If God's Spirit is filling a Kingdom Hall, how is it that Satan can manuever the ones within that Kingdom Hall at the same time?

36

Will you be alone on Valentines Day?

by hungry4life in

jw
friends

i just happened to glance a the date as i was posting 2-13-02. one day before valentines day.

i realized that i don't have a valentine.

i subscribe to the idea that it is better to be alone and wish you were with someone than be with someone and wish you were alone.

DakotaRed

OH MY! Here I am in a lousy marriage to a JW and see all you lovely single ladies???? Just my luck!

If God's Spirit is filling a Kingdom Hall, how is it that Satan can manuever the ones within that Kingdom Hall at the same time?

2

Books That Would Make Dubs Squeal

by Mindchild in

jw
friends

i was just looking through a recent catalog of alternative books tonight and found some titles that would surely cause dubs to be upset if they read them.

i have to admit i havent read any of these books but they sounds somewhat interesting.

here is a brief introduction to each:.

DakotaRed

THE WORLD'S SIXTEEN CRUCIFIED SAVIORS or, Christianity Before Christ by Kersey Graves

Actually, I think the dubs would approve of at least some of this book. Graves definitely brings out the pagan origins of the trinity in it. However, even the Free Thinkers site that lists it brings out that the Scholarlyness of Kersey Graves is in question.

Knowing the GB, though, they would quote form one chapter and condemn the rest.

If God's Spirit is filling a Kingdom Hall, how is it that Satan can manuever the ones within that Kingdom Hall at the same time?