Doubting Bro

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Posts by Doubting Bro

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  152

  Does Knowing the Truth Make you a Happier person?

  by gumby in

  1. watchtower
  2. beliefs

  many of us who were once jehovah's witnesses had a measure of happiness in our lives.

  for me, i had a hope in the future, i had answers as to why we are all here, i believed in a loving god who looked after me and cared about me, i had answers to all of lifes big questions.. when i found out the truth about the witnesses, i was lost in a great big world and now had no answers other than the fact that what i once believed was "the truth" in actuality wasn't the truth.i now had to start all over in my search for truth.

  for me, it wasn't long before i found what i thought was the truth since i always believed in the bible.

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  Doubting Bro

  Big Tex,

  If I learned nothing else from that hateful little sect, it is to NOT judge others.

  Truer words were never spoken.

  I'm so ashamed for having judged others before. But, as you (and Jesus) said, we are in no position to do that.
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  33

  JWs: "YOU must pray, then, this way: 'Our Father...'"

  by AuldSoul in

  1. watchtower
  2. bible

  matthew 6:9 "you must pray, then, this way: our father in the heavens, let your name be sanctified.

  '" (nwt).

  we know the bible shows jesus praying to his father, but who is our father?.

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  Doubting Bro

  AuldSoul,

  In this weeks bookstudy, I actually brought this point of in a round about way. The Rev book commented that Jesus was the only one directly resurrected as a spirit person by Jehovah. All the rest of the annointed would be actually resurrected by Jesus. I took advantage of this by commenting on this very scripture. I said this is why Christians call Jesus "Eternal Father" because he would resurrect EVERYONE whether in heaven or on earth.

  The fact is that Jesus is way underemphasized by the WTS.
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  152

  Does Knowing the Truth Make you a Happier person?

  by gumby in

  1. watchtower
  2. beliefs

  many of us who were once jehovah's witnesses had a measure of happiness in our lives.

  for me, i had a hope in the future, i had answers as to why we are all here, i believed in a loving god who looked after me and cared about me, i had answers to all of lifes big questions.. when i found out the truth about the witnesses, i was lost in a great big world and now had no answers other than the fact that what i once believed was "the truth" in actuality wasn't the truth.i now had to start all over in my search for truth.

  for me, it wasn't long before i found what i thought was the truth since i always believed in the bible.

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  Doubting Bro

  Gumby,

  I haven't interacted much with you but I've been following your story. I understand your motivation for getting reinstated because family is the most important thing we have. Keeping them can bring a measure of happiness.

  However, I don't think understanding the truth about the truth has made me happy at all. In some ways, I wish I was still ignorant. But, in other ways, I'm glad I know. I guess it just depends on the day!! I am glad I don't waste as much time as I once did slaving for the GB. I'm at the stage where I'm really not sure of what God's plan is but you know what, I can't change it even if I did know.

  So, I've resolved to be the best person I can. To love my wife, my child, my neighbors (whoever they may be) and try to live by the Sermon on the Mount.

  This place is great to vent and without it, I'd probably go nuts. So, continue posting and blowing off steam!!
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  22

  Reflections on my path to fading

  by OnTheWayOut in

  1. jw
  2. friends

  i recently posted the progress of my fade.

  http://www.jehovahs-witness.com/6/130346/1.ashx.

  a recent face-to-face meeting with a jwd poster, ak-jeff, caused me to reflect on how i arrived at .

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  Doubting Bro

  nvgnbk,

  First hello! My brother, I would LOVE to just quit going. Really, the only reason I continue to go is because of my wife. As much as I am angry about being lied to and used for all these years, I feel I must continue the charade to appease my wife. I will say she is not as zealous as I once thought, but I've had the conversation with her and she freaked out. I need to keep going because I refuse to allow this stupid religion to steal her from me. I will fake it for the rest of my life if I have to because I just can't imagine living without her.

  I hear what you're saying and I don't disagree. By continuing to go and act like a JW, I understand I am giving the org more power than they truly have. But, I have to keep working on my wife and going to the meetings and on occasion out in service gives me the opportunity to do that. Not sure how long I can stomach it, but I just keep reminding myself that she (and my young child) are worth it.

  Sometimes its so frustrating that I just want to go in a cave. But, this is the hand I've been dealt so I need to figure out how to make the best of it.
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  55

  Will we see the GB replace 1914 with a new date in the next 30 years?

  by nvrgnbk in

  1. watchtower
  2. bible

  ray franz mentioned in crisis of conscience that in 1980 schroeder, klein, and suiter proposed changing the start of "this generation" from 1914 to 1957. as the "this generation" doctrine has since mysteriously morphed any date associated with it is moot.

  however, as time marches on without the developments anticipated by the gb may they again pick a new year, this time for the invisible enthronement of christ, in an attempt to buy time and regain credibility?

  what dates or historical events would be likely choices?

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  Doubting Bro

  Yeah, the date setting thing will need to wait for several more years. They have alluded to the Noah-120 year comparison a few times. I honestly believe that if no major lawsuits change the dynamics, the GB (all of whom will have been born after 1935) will probably end up concentrating on 2034.

  2014 will generate some excitement but I doubt any official speculation from COs or on assembly parts will be made. That won't stop the rank & file as we've seen from all the hubbub from that crazy false religion tract.

  I think the GB will continue with the special campaigns, the allusions to "really soon now" and overall beating of the flock. Growth will probably start in the negative territory after 2014 and I think they have to wait until at least 2024 before they can really start hammering a 2034 date. That will be the last gasp.

  You can only do a 1975 once a generation. The problem for the WTS is that a overwhelming majority of the younger folks are dropping out as soon as they leave home. Much more than in the 70s. So, they will have a smaller pool and my guess is that they will not be as loyal as the pre-1975 folks.
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  22

  Reflections on my path to fading

  by OnTheWayOut in

  1. jw
  2. friends

  i recently posted the progress of my fade.

  http://www.jehovahs-witness.com/6/130346/1.ashx.

  a recent face-to-face meeting with a jwd poster, ak-jeff, caused me to reflect on how i arrived at .

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  Doubting Bro

  OTWO,

  I can relate. You are progressing much faster than I have, but I am following your path. Something you said really hit me:

  My questioning attitude resurfaced that same year when the 1995 doctrinal change for "This Generation"
  came out in the WT magazine. I remember the meeting we covered the information. I thought this was
  such a huge deal. People will be all abuzz about it. NOPE. It was covered in the typical Q&A style, and
  we moved on. Afterward, I tried to converse with others about it. Some got it, while others didn't even
  notice the change. The ones who got it just accepted it.

  Me too. I didn't realize it at the time, but my attitude really changed about the future. I realized there was a good chance that I may not see the "end of this system". It was almost subconcious because I was just a MS at that point and still went gung-ho and got that elder appointment a few years later. Yet, I remember jacking up my 401k contribution soon after the article. I figured, well since there is no limit on the generation, I guess I better make sure I'm preparing for retirement(even though I was in my twenties). That was the smartest move I've made.

  On the generation subject, I've had some candid conversations with folks who seem hard core JWs but they don't understand or buy into the explaination either. And they brought it up to me because for the last couple of years I was considered a liberal elder who didn't always toe the WTS line but tried to be balanced. Once you get that rep, people really open up to you about their doubts (as much as any JW can, which is not much) It's crazy that seemingly intelligent people can stiffle rational questions for the sake of faith.

  I really wish they would make another crazy, major doctrine change that I could use as an excuse to accelerate my fade. As it is, this will take me years to complete.

  Glad things are going well, but look out for the shepparding call that I will bet is coming when the new CO get there. Going from an elder to inactive in less than a year will guarantee a visit.
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  85

  Ban on Jeans , T-Shirts & Shorts after the Convention

  by dozy in

  1. jw
  2. friends

  apr km insert.

  "even during leisure time , such as when going out to eat after the programme , we should dress as befits ministers... and should not wear such clothing as jeans , shorts or t-shirts.

  what a witness this will give to the community.".

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  Doubting Bro

  I guess the "subtle" suggestions to always wear your badge weren't being followed. I'm actually glad they've put this in writing because it shows just how unreasonable and out of touch the GB is. Its funny, but even when leaving straight from the convention site to go to dinner, I always ditched my badge and tie. Most folks change because they've been in dress clothes all day and its hot outside.

  In some cases, this backfires because last year (I live in a convention city) we went out to dinner after the DC (after going home to change first!!!) and saw a huge group of JWs with their badges. The wait was long and they were hanging out in the bar having drinks. But, they were getting a bit loud and caught the attention of some. Where I live, its pretty conservative and many are tee-totalers so to see a group of folks coming from a religious convention and then drinking at the bar didn't go over very well.

  Isn't it sad that you can NEVER relax. Its all about the corporate image.
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  6

  Memorial Date This Year?

  by hopelesslystained in

  1. jw
  2. friends

  when is it for california?

  i have a sneaking feeling a screening of calls is in order this year... thanks, .

  hope

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  Doubting Bro

  April 2 after sundown.
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  22

  My reinstatment letter part deux

  by nonamegiven in

  1. jw
  2. experiences

  well, a while ago i posted a letter i wrote requesting reinstatment.

  i waited a while and decided it's time to give it to the guys.

  i'm going to give it to them tomorrow night.

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  Doubting Bro

  OTWOs edits are perfect. You can't make the letter too long because they may overanalyze it. I think you're showing a great deal of remorse and you mention your determination to not repeat the behavior and show works of repentence by trying to undo any damage. How long have you been df'ed? Is this the first request for reinstatement? How many know the specifics? Have you been attending every meeting?

  Not that I agree with this line of questioning, but these are the things the JC is going to go over in addition to whether they think you are "truely repentant". It make take more than one request, especially if the timeframe on the df'ing is less than 6 months or if lots of people were affected.
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  14

  New invitation campaign for District Convention

  by dozy in

  1. jw
  2. friends

  april km says that there is to be a new campaign again this year - clearly the wts feels that this is the way to go.

  i thought that the results last year were quite poor , but apparently in some countries , the dc venues were beseiged - the culture in some lands is that when you get an invitation to anything , you go.

  some people obviously don't get asked out much - not that i can relate to that personally , of course.... .

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  Doubting Bro

  I agree with all the comments. Last year, I would love to know how many additional people attended a DC strictly because of the invite. I'll bet there were maybe a couple of folks but that's it. If they were really serious, they would have some desk set up for those were there because of the flyer and have a JW assigned to show them the flow and even sit beside them. At the convention site I went to, it was crowded, had very poor lighting, the parking lot was a mess and most concerts/sporting events I've been to had much better traffic control. I told my wife that if I were a person who showed up from the invite, I would have left after not being able to find a decent seat and being told by an attendent that I had to go back to my seat even though I had a 15 month old who was sick of sitting (not that I blamed him, I felt the same way).

  Clearly, the only objective here is to get the active publisher number up and to keep the rank and file busy. If they really wanted to advertise the convention, they would take out TV & radio ads and maybe a full page newspaper ad. Instead, they go the most inefficient route they could possibly take.