Doubting Bro

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Posts by Doubting Bro

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  51

  Has there, or are there any normal pro-WT members on this forum? As in mentally stable, anybody?

  by miseryloveselders in

  1. jw
  2. friends

  first off, forgive me if i'm guilty of being judgemental.

  i got my own fair share of mental problems.

  it goes without saying that a bunch of us on this forum are misfits and freaks.

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  Doubting Bro

  MLE - I understand how you feel. I felt the same way when I was "serving" but trust me when I say that if you decide to step "aside" you will feel much better about the whole situation.

  You're right, the choice is yours and not without major repurcussions. Even stepping down is difficult to do and as you know, they will assume you've done something sinful.

  But, I'm of the opinion that not hurting our families is a legit reason to not blow up the WT bridge. They're just as controlled as we once were.

  I recall when I awoke, I tried to pretend there wasn't anything wrong and continued serving under the guise that I could help people. It ate me up that I had to say things from the platform that I thought were untrue. But, when I finally realized that there wasn't much I could do to change things and finally resigned, I swear it was like a weight had been lifted.

  I still feel like you do sometimes. There are times that I wish I could go to sleep and not wake up. But, there is light at the end of the tunnel (and no, it's not a train). Things will get better.
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  47

  2011 Special Talk: Bible Principles-Can They Help Us to Cope With Today's Problems?

  by yknot in

  1. watchtower
  2. beliefs

  ahh low and behold!.

  it turns out those bethelites were being bold!.

  brazen is what many with login privileges can be called.... ....... knowing that such an important talk outline shouldn't be stalled!.

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  Doubting Bro

  Very bland as compared with some other "special" talks. Maybe that's the new strategy?

  I remember I gave one that was something about how "soon" the world's religions would be destroyed. Nothing nearly as provocative now.

  Honestly, if more of their parts were along these lines and less about how God was going to destroy babies "soon" or how worthless practical living is and helping others is when compared to "preaching" they would be much better off.

  Perhaps a sign? Nah, just a lure if you ask me.
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  30

  How Long Can WT Stonewall The Mounting Evidence For Evolution/Age of Man?

  by Room 215 in

  1. watchtower
  2. bible

  the evidence for some form of evolution -- and the age of earth and life upon it -- is mounting almost daily.

  how long can the wts insulate its followers from the incontrovertible evidence without lapsing into total irrelevance?

  what do you think?.

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  Doubting Bro

  If they can stonewall the indisputable evidence that Jerusalem wasn't destroyed in 607 but 20 years later, then they certainly could resist evolution!

  Sciences only matter to them if they're trying to use it to confirm something they're trying to teach.
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  17

  "That Letter" about sisters not allowed to spiral-bind the new elders manual

  by freddo in

  1. jw
  2. friends

  you know, the one from the usa branch/brooklyn.. well i ventured a question to a relative who is an elder here in the uk to see if a similar letter had been sent to elders here.

  he knows i was an elder and he lets me joke with him to a certain level about how controlling the society is lately.. he confirmed that one has been received and he laughed because it says you can use a d-ring binder (which i guess is the equal uk term for the us "spiral bound" as long as you don't let worldly people do it and that you have to watch the brother do it.).

  i asked whether sisters were allowed to do it and he said even the society wouldn't go that far and smiled.. sooooooo .... i am wondering if this uk letter has had the "sister" stuff pulled because it is such an embarrassment?.

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  Doubting Bro

  OTWO - Don't go giving them ideas!!!
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  125

  Watch the complete fragmentation of the Watchtower begin

  by Dogpatch in

  1. jw
  2. friends

  wow, dudes and dudess, it really looks like glacial fragmentation is inevitable in the mighty mom.. unless j. mason is making this all up.

  but his sources seem credible.. kudos j. mason.. somehow i smell a bill bowen in this.

  that makes it hot!

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  Doubting Bro

  I agree with Dozy. I just don't see it going down anytime soon.

  Different? yes. They're quite willing to make changes they deem necessary to long term survival although I think they really don't understand the underlying problems to make the correct choices.

  Smaller? yes. In my opinion, they're close if not already at their peak in terms of worldwide numbers. Growth in 1st world countries are stagant or are coming from immigrant groups providing short term bursts. While that lack of growth is being replaced at the moment with 3rd world countries numbers, that too is not sustainable.

  I would say the odds of a WWCG meltdown are low and I see them drifting slowing along for the forseeable future. I surely won't see them end in my lifetime.
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  19

  i am graduating!

  by cheerios in

  1. jw
  2. friends

  after a long hard road, i am now a college graduate :) it's amazing to be liberated :) ... and educated ... .

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  Doubting Bro

  Fantastic!!
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  44

  Did You Notice Most Elders Are "Weird"?

  by minimus in

  1. jw
  2. friends

  ....just thinking.....

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  Doubting Bro

  The BOE at the hall I go to has 8 elders. Of that number only 2 are what I would call weird. My experience was that most were fairly normal with the exception that they thought they were special. But the weird ones weren't all that common. Then again, maybe I'm weird and that clouds my perception?
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  39

  WT Society Has to be Forced by Courts to Reveal Hidden Child Abuses

  by flipper in

  1. watchtower
  2. child-abuse

  in one of the new pieces of information in the new elders manual - section 5:18 - it shows how elders are instructed to keep all judicial committee information private from media or attorneys.

  keeping in mind how secretive the wt society has been in hiding child abuse within the jehovah's witnesses notice these instructions to elders now.. it states, " if a member of the media or an attorney representing the accused ( or possibly victims ) contacts the elders , they should not give him any information about the case or verify there is a jc.

  rather, they should give the following explanation, " the spiritual and physical welfare of jehovah's witnesses is of paramount concern to the elders, who have been appointed to " shepherd the flock ".

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  Doubting Bro

  Again it depends on the state. I'm not sure what the count is (here in the US) but the last I checked it was around 35 states that required clergy to report with the other 15 either not specifically mentioning it or not addressing it in their laws.

  In states where there is mandatory reporting, privilege is not provided for child abuse cases.

  Here's a nice summary: http://www.childwelfare.gov/systemwide/laws_policies/statutes/clergymandated.cfm

  Given the problems with religious organizations and child molesters, I hope the remaining 15 states follow the other 35 and mandate that clergy report these horrible crimes and protect the the children within their flocks.

  To be fair, this issue is way bigger than just the little WTS. With only about 1 million members out of 300 million people in the US, there are far bigger fish to fry.
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  111

  ks10-e (official release), Letter from Bro. who scanned it! Newer version with BOE LTRs

  by yknot in

  1. watchtower
  2. beliefs

  while an earlier version was made available privately the time has come to 'progress'.. conscious class and ex both strongly adhere to not keeping things 'hidden' in regards to wts publications, talks and documents which are circulated in order to maintain it's position.. another wonderful poster (who has yet to give me permission to name) has 'reduced' and 'bookmarked' the first full copy link i was given by our 'winner'.. in this newest and final 'clean' copy link you find two other additions besides the reduction/bookmarking..... the brother who uploaded the entire book wishes all to have a copy that includes both boe ltrs (pre-ks ltr and spiral binding ltr).

  also another development has occurred.... the brother responsible for this book being brought into light and put forth for public consumption and discussion has requested i post this letter explaining to 'us' (jwn posters/global audience) and 'them' (wts of penn & ny).. i ask you give attention to his words/ experiences as he is representative of a newly emerging demographic within the conscious class.

  so without further ado i give you his link and the 'stage' if you will to 'brother johnson'....... [link removed - contact ynot for further info - lady lee].

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  Doubting Bro

  Brother Johnson - when I read your words I think of my dad who is just a few years younger than you. I will say this, if the WTS had more men like you, they wouldn't have the problems they have now. Thank you for your hard work. Know that it is greatly appreciated and the concern you've shown for those you know and those you don't is apparent. So while the WTS may not view you as valuable any longer, I guarantee that those you come in contact with everyday think differently.

  Your courage and determination is to be commended. I wish I could met you in person to give you a big man hug!!

  ynot - you are awesome as well, hugs to you.
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  86

  Oompa

  by palmtree67 in

  1. jw
  2. friends

  he was in a very bad motorcycle accident on tuesday and is in the icu.. i think we could all send our oompa good vibes, prayers and healing angels.. .

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  Doubting Bro

  Best wishes for a speedy recovery oompa!