dedalus

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Posts by dedalus

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  6

  Would you have survived the big 'A' ?

  by Simon in

  1. jw
  2. friends

  thanks to larc for suggesting this one....

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  dedalus

  Never actually believing in it, I doubt I would have survived.

  Dedalus
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  16

  1st door-to-door?

  by Moxy in

  1. jw
  2. friends

  the society tries very hard to present the idea that the door-to-door work was essentially the same in the 1st century as now.

  the rendering of 'door to door' in ac5:42 creates that impression.

  so do the talks that discuss the missionary efforts then in modern terms (eg "paul was making a return visit here on an interested one") philo's hospitality question earlier shows that we have all been a bit taken in by this.. wt covers like this (4/1/01) sure help too:.

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  dedalus

  ROTFLOL!

  Hey, where are the bookbags? Surely they had sheepskin bookbags or something back in the good ol' first century? Also, they don't appear to be using the offer of the month ... and who's holding the not-at-home records?

  Maybe they're Mormons?

  Dedalus

  P.S. Oooh -- I see the bookbags now; my computer didn't finish downloading the image last time, so I missed it the first time. Whew! Too funny ...
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  41

  How Many IN, OUT, etc.

  by troubled in

  1. jw
  2. friends

  i'm wondering how many here are "active jws," "inactive jws," "x-jws," or "never jws.".

  i don't mean to be nosy.

  i'm just wondering how many are in a situation like mine (still in, but struggling).

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  dedalus

  Troubled,

  It's been over a year since I've made my break -- technically I'm only inactive, but I make no claim to being part of the "brotherhood."

  I struggled with many issues for years, but the one that had bothered me since childhood was the teaching that all non-Witnesses will be killed by a God who is supposed to be the very personification of love. When I was a teenager I discussed this with an elder who, although friendly and intelligent, could do no more than say, "It's up to Jehovah; we don't know." Thing is, the Organization fails to adopt this attitude.

  There were several things that finally got me out. First, I graduated from college, but not before taking a "Science, Religion, and Philosophy" course that challenged every assumption on which my faith was based.

  Second, my mother was disfellowshipped, despite no evidence of wrongdoing, no eyewitness testimony, no confession. Afterwards, well-intentioned Witnesses began "comforting" me with remarks like, "Your mother would be better off dead than outside of the Organization." It got to the point where every single talk seemed to deliver my mother's death certificate, and since this issue has always gnawed at me, I couldn't stomach it.

  Third, I found out that the Organization filed a legal position with Jimmy Swaggart, and that all but devestated me -- it seemed, for some reason, a betrayal. It was as if I'd found the Governing Body in bed with the Great Harlot ...

  From there I did more research, met others with doubts, all of which helped substantiate my decision to leave and to be articulate about it when confronted by disapproving family members. Though the disapproval continues, I've gotten past it, and feel better about myself. More importantly, life seems more open, more joyous, and the perpetual reconciliation I had to make between myself and JW doctrine is finally settled.

  Good luck on your journey, and keep posting.

  Dedalus
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  65

  The dim people

  by Norm in

  1. jw
  2. friends

  the dim people.

  the new world society.

  the chosen, brain dead, scared people.. the watchtower's obedient parrots.

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  dedalus

  Copernicus,

  Hmmmm. . . I guess I didn’t get it either. So that makes at least two of us. In my opinion this “dim” post is not one of Norm’s more particularly shining moments (although he has had MANY). The world is, unfortunately, filled with “dim” people. Conversely, many (in and outside of the WTS) exist to exploit that fact.

  I agree that it isn't Norm's best post ... and probably Norm wouldn't call it his best post. But I do think that what he's trying to say is pretty accurate, and the rhetorical style employed to that end is appropriate. What I don't see in Norm's post is any claim that Witnesses have a monopoly on "dimness." On the other hand, they do monopolize a peculiar, idiosyncratic "dimness," and sometimes it's great to vent about it. Frankly, I'm surprised Norm is getting the flack he is.

  Noam Chomsky is brilliant; when I was an undergraduate he saved me from B. F. Skinner and a psychology department gone mad with behaviorist theory. Politics, linguistics, psychology, sociology ... is there anything about which Chomsky isn't brilliant?

  Dedalus
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  65

  The dim people

  by Norm in

  1. jw
  2. friends

  the dim people.

  the new world society.

  the chosen, brain dead, scared people.. the watchtower's obedient parrots.

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  dedalus

  One of the first things I learned at my Mother's knee, was to respect other people and their views.

  Well, perhaps it's time to grow up. Do you respect neo-nazis, racists, etc., and their views? Some views aren't worth respecting, nor are the people who hold them.

  Dedalus

  P.S. Sorry Tina, after posting this I saw I pretty much echoed your post. Oops.
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  16

  Is this site only for x-jws???

  by silver252525 in

  1. jw
  2. friends

  hi guys!.

  i would just like to know if this site is only for ex-jws or what?.

  i have not been here long but from what i have seen i wanna think so:(

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  dedalus

  This site is for both Witnesses and ex-Witnesses. That said, there are more ex-Witnesses than Witnesses here.

  Dedalus
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  58

  What's wrong w/JW's?

  by GodRules in

  1. jw
  2. friends

  i would sincerely like to know what is so wrong with jehovah's witnesses.

  i invite anyone to post here.

  please use facts not personal opinions.. i am not interested in dates, the blood issue, nor the disfellowshipping issue since i am conviced that these do not prove that they are wrong.. i am weighing in to see if you as an opposer of jehovah's witnesses have the facts or not.

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  dedalus

  Godrules,

  The only fact is that you can't stand up to the arguments you invited. Hence your pathetic attempt to insult everyone who responded to your specific question with specific arguments and specific quotes.

  You suck ass, and so do Jehovah's Witnesses, and so does your mythological god.

  Dedalus

  P.S. Do you have any kids? Are they placing enough Watchtowers? I hope Jehover doesn't fry their asses!
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  6

  The Hero Falls: Remembering a young life

  by Esmeralda in

  1. jw
  2. friends

  ...lost to suicide, years ago.

  he was a model young jw.. this is something i've been wanting to write for a very long time, and its finally finished.

  i am posting.

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  dedalus

  Thanks, Bbboyneko. It's been awhile since I've read that poem.

  D
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  58

  What's wrong w/JW's?

  by GodRules in

  1. jw
  2. friends

  i would sincerely like to know what is so wrong with jehovah's witnesses.

  i invite anyone to post here.

  please use facts not personal opinions.. i am not interested in dates, the blood issue, nor the disfellowshipping issue since i am conviced that these do not prove that they are wrong.. i am weighing in to see if you as an opposer of jehovah's witnesses have the facts or not.

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  dedalus

  Godrules,

  After a moment's reflection, it occurs to me you are a hypocrite. In the beginning of the thread you wrote:

  Please use facts not personal opinions.

  I proceeded to give you factual quotes proving that Witnesses teach that all non-Witness children will be killed.

  You responded:

  I have also wondered on the topic you brought up about children. That one is up to Jehovah, we don't know exactly what he will do. I have faith that he will do the right thing.

  Hey, I thought we were supposed to use facts, not personal opinions? Well, fart into the wind all you want, Godrules -- I used facts to prove something that's wrong with Jehovah's Witnesses, and you didn't have an answer that fit the requirements you yourself established.

  Dedalus
• 
  58

  What's wrong w/JW's?

  by GodRules in

  1. jw
  2. friends

  i would sincerely like to know what is so wrong with jehovah's witnesses.

  i invite anyone to post here.

  please use facts not personal opinions.. i am not interested in dates, the blood issue, nor the disfellowshipping issue since i am conviced that these do not prove that they are wrong.. i am weighing in to see if you as an opposer of jehovah's witnesses have the facts or not.

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  dedalus

  Oh Godrules!

  Dedalus: I have also wondered on the topic you brought up about children. That one is up to Jehovah, we don't know exactly what he will do. I have faith that he will do the right thing.

  We do know exactly what he will do, 'cause the Watchtower said what he's gonna do! And the Watchtower is God's great big bullhorn! Consider these quotes, Godrules, and tell me what you think, particularly given my former quotes about the destruction of children:

  To feed or teach his people the Lord has used the Watch Tower publications ... No man is given any credit for the wonderful truths which the Lord has revealed to his people through the Watch Tower publications. – Watchtower 12/1/33, p. 263.

  The Watchtower does not consist of men's opinions. – Watchtower 1/1/42, p. 5.

  Christ Jesus has caused the understanding of the prophetic dramas and pictures to be clear and set forth in the Watchtower publications. – Watchtower 12/15/42 p. 376.

  If we have love for Jehovah and for the organization of his people we shall not be suspicious, but shall, as the Bible says, ‘believe all things,’ all the things that The Watchtower brings out. – Qualified To Be Ministers 1955, 1967, p. 156.

  As Jehovah revealed his truths by means of the first-century Christian congregation so he does today by means of the present-day Christian congregation. Through this agency he is having carried out prophesying on an intensified and unparalleled scale. All this activity is not an accident. Jehovah is the one behind all of it. .... The holy spirit of Jehovah is working mightily today! How thankful we should be for the provision God has made of this slave class, the modern spiritual remnant, as they faithfully dispense the revealed truths of Jehovah! With these rich truths

  to light the way, Christians do not grope in this dark, jungle-like world as do the masses of people in Christendom and heathendom alike. – Watchtower 6/15/64, p. 365-6.

  Consider, too, the fact that Jehovah's organization alone, in all the earth, is directed by God's holy spirit or active force. (Zech. 4:6) Only this organization functions for Jehovah's purpose and to his praise. To it alone God's Sacred Word, the Bible, is not a sealed book ... How very much true Christians appreciate associating with the only organization on earth that understands the ‘deep things of God’! – Watchtower 7/1/73, p. 402.

  You will be interested to learn that God has on earth a people, all of whom are prophets, or witnesses for God. In fact, they are known throughout the world as Jehovah's Witnesses. – Awake 6/8/86, p. 9.

  So what say you, Godrules? There's nothing for you to "wonder" about -- this matter is very, very clear! This is not a "wait on Jehovah" situation. Could it be that there is something wrong with Jehovah's Witnesses after all? Perhaps the fact that they unequivocally support the slaughter of billions of children?

  Don't shrug this off with a petty "I'm sure Jehovah will do the right thing" excuse. Something as serious as the death of children deserves more attention. Either you disagree with the position of the Organization, or you think 99.9% of preschoolers should die.

  Dedalus