Doubting Bro

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Posts by Doubting Bro

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  34

  Seven Trumpets of Revelation

  by Zico in

  1. watchtower
  2. beliefs

  i read on here that the society teaches that the seven trumpets of revelation are representative of seven conventions held in america in the 1920. is this actually true?

  is it old light?

  i asked some witnesses but they all gave me a look like i was weird and said it couldn't be right, and i can't check the watchtower library as i can't get it on my computer (apparently the society doesn't think mac users are worthy of the 'good news') i mean... it would be a bit...odd, wouldn't it?

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  Doubting Bro

  This teaching is the most embarrassing teaching (in my opinion) that JWs have. And that's saying something! I think even the most die-hard JW has a problem swallowing that one. But, the blasts are supposed to take place right after Jesus begins to rule, so they had to come up with something or the whole thing falls apart. Not that the whole "invisible ruling - 1914" teaching makes much sense to begin with.
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  76

  Keep ears and eyes open: Possible announcement this Wednesday

  by truthseeker in

  1. jw
  2. friends

  no hype - no rumor please.. anyone who still goes to the hall might hear something during the announcements.

  i will be going myself and will be sure to report back what is said, if anything.. from channelc.. .

  http://www.channelc.org/cgi-bin/eboard30/index.cgi.

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  Doubting Bro

  There is no way that a major or minor announcement would be sent to the BOEs and them to be able to keep it secret. I wouldn't hold my breath on this.
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  50

  Good news: No longer an elder; Bad news: Disappointed wife

  by doinmypart in

  1. jw
  2. friends

  my wife & i have a good relationship except when it comes to things dealing with the wts.

  over the past few years we've both made concessions, and i even made some headway in getting her to think about some things.

  but from time-to-time we would end up arguing about something wts-related and there would be days of tension between us.. well, a few weeks ago we were having a casual conversation about wildlife in our area, she mentioned something about jehovah ruining those who ruin the earth.

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  Doubting Bro

  doinmypart,

  First congratulations on your step. Can I ask, what did you say in your resignation letter? Hopefully, it will be nothing they can torture you with later if you plan on fading.

  Blondie is right, women have no congregational status and get any status from their husband's position. She just took a major drop in the congregation's eyes. She may be upset over that or it may be that she's disappointed that you're somehow not a spiritual man anymore. I agree with many of the posters above that if you really want to save your marriage, you'll need to be "Super Husband". Work as hard as you did when dating. She'll see that you truely love her and that the love is unconditional.

  When I brought up the subject of stepping aside a few months ago, I also got a pretty upset response. I could see the disappointment in her eyes, that I somehow was failing as a husband. Really, that's what the WTS wants folks to think. That if you can't "cut it" as an elder/ms, then you really aren't worth much. I decided to back off then until I could come up with a good plan. Still working on that one.

  I really hope your wife comes around.
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  15

  Public Talks Designed by the Watchtower Society

  by The wanderer in

  1. jw
  2. friends

  an interesting public talk some years ago, there was an interesting talk based on noah's ark and.

  the brother giving the talk had a full model display scaled down so that .

  individuals could appreciate the type of work that went into such a .

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  Doubting Bro

  I especially like the brothers that break out the outline your giving and follow along to make sure you are strictly following the outline.

  "Brother, I notice you substitiuted a scripture. Why?" or "Brother, the instructions say to cover this subheading in 5 minutes but I noticed you only used 4."

  Control, control, control. I've heard a few crazy ramblings in my days as well. At least you paid attention during those.

  The best prop I've seen is a large picture (hand drawn of course) of a pizza used during the "Godly View of Sex and Marriage" (a classic). "Brothers, sisters are like a pizza" Uh, ok, how is that? It was never really explained. You just stared at the picture for the next 45 minutes trying not to laugh.
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  51

  WAYNE CAIRNS - JW Elder EXPOSED - Pleads Guilty to "Indecent Act"

  by Scully in

  1. watchtower
  2. child-abuse

  the morning star sept 24, 2006 page a6 vernon bc canada newspaper.

  the article reads and i quote in full: .

  school bus driver given conditional discharge .

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  Doubting Bro

  So, this happened in the spring, he pleads out now and he's STILL an elder? That's insane. How can that be? I can understand why he may not be disfellowshipped (under WTS rules it could be considered "loose conduct" because its "brazen, wonton" and therefore he probably should have been in another JC meeting only on the outmanned side). But, how could this person continue to be in a leadership position?

  Are we sure that he's still an elder? He should have been removed when arrested. Has anyone talked to the local media? They could ask the congregation about his being an elder in getting background information for the story. If there's publicity about the event (see Cano), they will be shamed into taking action.

  This sicko should be dealt with. I agree that this perv is one step away from hurting a kid, if he hasn't already.
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  30

  JW Urban legends

  by William Penwell in

  1. watchtower
  2. beliefs

  i was reading this on the urban legends web site.

  i recall a post and some discussion earlier on this site about the john denver rumor.

  the rumor of him at one of his concerts asking all jw's to leave.

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  Doubting Bro

  That's so funny. I too remember hearing this story years ago. It's kind of sad but when Denver died, someone told me that it was because of this incident. I told them that I never believed it happened, but you know how Urban Legends are.

  I heard a similiar story about Earth, Wind & Fire. I always thought that one was made up as well.
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  14

  Question for the Board

  by chappy in

  1. jw
  2. friends

  i just finished talking to my uncle for the first tim in quite a while.

  he's a long time elder and in charge of setting up all of the local circuit assys.

  and partially in charge of da., so he knows a lot of bro's.

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  Doubting Bro

  Chappy,

  If a member of the congregation writes to the Society about the matter, then the elders may get copied on the response. But, there hasn't been any communication, at least in the US branch, regarding the subject. I found out on the Internet. The experience of some here shows that many BOE will even declare that it is totally false, until they write to WTS and find out that it actually did happen.

  He's probably telling you the truth.
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  9

  A few questions for JWs who follow apologists like thirdwitness

  by Lady Lee in

  1. jw
  2. friends

  jwfreak brought up an interesting point in his thread can't live with.... can't live without...... a big thank you to thirdwitness.

  your ramblings trying to defend the indefensible...was what really opened my eyes.

  the society is just so so wrong so again a big big thank you .

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  Doubting Bro

  Lady Lee,

  I can share my thoughts on your questions:

• As you follow someone as they try to support WT beliefs what are you thinking?

Of course, with any debate, each party has the ability to "score points". What happens is when apologists come here, they underestimate their opponent, a mistake anytime. So, the questions that are directed to them are questions they can't answer and I know they can't answer. Yet,instead of conceeding that there is indeed no scriptural response, they twist something to try to make it fit. The response sometimes sounds good on the surface, but when debating here, the "other side" can call them on the inconsistancies. It's the trying to make an answer fit that bothers me the most because it is dishonest. The bottom line for a JW is supposed to be supporting the truth regardless of where that truth leads you. That's what I was taught to do but in reality, its support the WTS. Those debates made that clear to me.

• Do you think you know the answers?

I know the WT responses. What I didn't do before I came here was check on some of the sources or look up other Bible commentaries to see discussions on some of those issues. I thought the WT was right because that's all I knew.

Do you realize that after years as a JW you don't know the answers either?

I think the real answers to some of the things (like the UN matter) are known only by a select few. But, the underlying problem with them being an associate NGO and the resulting spin work are more important and to me are a sign of wickedness, not the humility that leadership wants us to believe they have. On doctrinal stuff, I beginning to see that noone has all the answers.

• How does it affect you emotionally to realize some beliefs can't be defended?

A range of emotions, sadness, anger, feeling "played", But, we are taught to direct those emotions to the people who bring up the valid points. That's way the WTS doesn't want debating "apostates" or reading material that doesn't present them in a positive light. Because they know they can't defend some of these things and again, rather than humbly admitting their error, they demonize everyone who disagrees with them. That's something I already knew and I was felt that if it's really the truth, then nothing can overturn it. I still believe that which is why I don't think it's the truth. Truth is truth, there can't be ANY lies.

As you followed along were you searching through WT literature and Bible for the answers?

Bible - yes, WT literature - no. I knew what the WT reasoning was on most of the things discussed, although some of the old things were a suprise to me.

• Was there one thing/issue that sealed the deal for you in realizing the WTS is wrong?

The UN issue. Not so much the initial association (although acting as a volunteer passing out information on the UN really makes me angry). It's the cover-up. The lack of humility, the quashing of dissent. I've always had doubts about the FDS issue but after that 607/587 debate and going through the Daniel book at the BS, it became clear to me that I was being fooled. The blood policy has also bothered me for a long time but I was hoping for reform. I know see there will be no reform and that they will do anything to keep from admitting wrong.

Hope that helps a little. I really want others to recognize the dishonesty that is taking place.