the early group around russell studied the bible by reading it, discussing it and drawing conclusions.
when russell reached firm conclusions on various matters he began to be a bit down on this method of bible study for his followers.
instead the brethren should stick to reading the studies in the scriptures or wt studies (of questions with cited scriptures) rather than reading the bible alone.
Can I ask (yet another) naieve question, please.
I have avoided a 'bible study' with my JW neighbours, and it's not going to happen now.
But if it HAD happened, suppose they came to my apartment, and as they went through their book/text, and I said 'Hang on a moment' while I checked the reference, or the verse, or against previous JW publications on-line - in other words if I'd wanted an ON-LINE study aid - would that have been allowed?
warning: ad nauseam quotes:.
keep free from murmurings - august 14, 2006 study.
par 16: murmuring focuses our min on ourselves and our troubles and pushes into the background the blessings we enjoy as witnesses of jehovah.
Well, here's a serious offer.
I'm not, never have been, etc. a JW. Nothing to lose, no family to upset.
If someone can give me a fairly recent example of a poor brother Unfortunate used in a story to which I could reasonably have access (e.g. in a Watchtower or Awake) - and preferably a fairly tragic thing like he lost his children, had his balls shot off by enemy soldiers but still went door-to-door - I would be happy as an innocent outsider to write to WTBTS. I could explain how touched I was by the story, and while not being a JW, wanted to offer practical/financial support to the individual, and ask WTBTS to put me in touch with him, perhaps via the congregation.
If they replied, I would be happy to help some poor guy in the developing world.
Either way, I'd be happy to post copies of the correspondence here.
Is this worth a try?
warning: ad nauseam quotes:.
keep free from murmurings - august 14, 2006 study.
par 16: murmuring focuses our min on ourselves and our troubles and pushes into the background the blessings we enjoy as witnesses of jehovah.
Thanks again for the analysis.
Bearing in mind how often stories about 'Emmanuel' and others crop up (poor brother in Africa had to go through swamps, had both his legs bitten off by crocodiles but still crawled to the meeting; brother in S america had his house burning down, left his wife to deal with dead kids etc while he went to the study) has anyone EVER written to WTBTS and said 'I was touched by the story of poor brother Unfortunate, can you put me in touch with him so I can offer love and support? (at least buy the poor bastard a wheelchair).
What would happen if someone did? Are ALL of these stories just pure invention?
how many of you had panic attacks when you were a jw and when leaving?
i know of many jw women and a few men who suffered badly with panic attacks.
since recently having another spate of panic attacks i suddenly realised that i had been having them all my life.
Gill
As an outsider, I can only comment from general life experience. But I would say that - especially with the issues you've been dealing with recently - some sort of reaction is only to be expected. As they say 'a normal reaction to abnormal circumstances'.
How are things now, BTW?
Gary B
Jeez, you talk some sense! More power to you.
http://www.breitbart.com/news/2006/06/11/060611162437.7450zyd1.html.
two die as hardline islamists ban world cup.
jun 11 12:25 pm us/eastern.
I don't think he's against football - recent news reports from Iran suggest that there are moves afoot to allow women to attend stadia to watch matches.
Isn't this a problem with all or most religions? They believe that they know the will and mind of their god and seek to impose it on others. IMHO, blind, arrogant and potentially dangerous prejudice.
when i first posted here, i explained that it was because although i am not, never have been, never will, be a jw, i have (earthly, as an atheist) loving concern for my jw neighbours/friends.. just recently, i found out that the mom is pregnant.
she is not young, has a 6 year old, and a 2 year old who is like a firecracker!.
i have offered to do basic things like take/collect the 6 year old to and from school, take the kids for walks on beach, etc.
Sorry to keep bumping my own thread, but I really would welcome PMs from people who know about all this crap - then I could identify the area I'm talking about and it might make more sense!
when i first posted here, i explained that it was because although i am not, never have been, never will, be a jw, i have (earthly, as an atheist) loving concern for my jw neighbours/friends.. just recently, i found out that the mom is pregnant.
she is not young, has a 6 year old, and a 2 year old who is like a firecracker!.
i have offered to do basic things like take/collect the 6 year old to and from school, take the kids for walks on beach, etc.
Thanks, Cabin, for your comments and suggestions.
This goes back (aaaaaaaaaaaarrrrrrrrggggggggghhhhhhhhhhh!) to the fact that I can't identify where I am.
BUT: I have introduced my kids to them when my kids were visiting me. I have taken this family out for a meal at a restaurant they woulld never go to 'cos of the cost. I found out that the wife was going 'out in service' just with her kids - I bought her a cellphone and lots of credit 'just in case'.
I have found out that she is at least a 2 generation JW. He is a convert, and family religion here is a BIG thing.
Both are lovely people.
when i first posted here, i explained that it was because although i am not, never have been, never will, be a jw, i have (earthly, as an atheist) loving concern for my jw neighbours/friends.. just recently, i found out that the mom is pregnant.
she is not young, has a 6 year old, and a 2 year old who is like a firecracker!.
i have offered to do basic things like take/collect the 6 year old to and from school, take the kids for walks on beach, etc.
All of you'
Thanks for your comments. In JW terms, I am sure that I am 'worldly' and 'satanic'. I'm probably that in the terms of other Christian religions, too.
My view is this: there are lots of people on earth that need a helping hand. I have been so very lucky in life, and I can now afford to live (thanks to my pension) where I choose, and do what I want.
This particular family, for several reasons, is close to my heart.
I am looking at VSO, etc., at the moment - perhaps if I was helping people who were struggling to get enough to eat, then what they believed (WTBTS or any other lies) would be secondary.
when i first posted here, i explained that it was because although i am not, never have been, never will, be a jw, i have (earthly, as an atheist) loving concern for my jw neighbours/friends.. just recently, i found out that the mom is pregnant.
she is not young, has a 6 year old, and a 2 year old who is like a firecracker!.
i have offered to do basic things like take/collect the 6 year old to and from school, take the kids for walks on beach, etc.
Thanks again for your responses. I accept, of course, what you say.
But I'm not used to not being able to do anything. It's 5.30 a.m. here - sunrise -and I haven't been to bed yet.
I'll call and see Mom later. I think she's having a difficult pregnancy. I'll offer to do what I can.
But, I think Dad works for a spiffy guy in the congo (2 jobs at least).
This, to be honest, is breaking my heart. And anyone who thinks that a 30 year cop has no heart left to break knows diddly-squat.
when i first posted here, i explained that it was because although i am not, never have been, never will, be a jw, i have (earthly, as an atheist) loving concern for my jw neighbours/friends.. just recently, i found out that the mom is pregnant.
she is not young, has a 6 year old, and a 2 year old who is like a firecracker!.
i have offered to do basic things like take/collect the 6 year old to and from school, take the kids for walks on beach, etc.
Well, I'm sorry if this offends anyone, but I am not prepared to stand by and do nothing whilst another generation of this family gets swallowed up by the bullying shite that is WTBTS.
I have children myself - a boy and a girl. They are now 25 and 23 and are (thank whatever/whoever) doing well. The people I am talking of have 2 kids. The eldest speaks 3 languages. She is having a shit time in school re celebrating holidays etc. The 2 year old is so lively that with the proper encouragement the sky is the limit for her. Mom is lovely, intelligent and enquiring, I can see her as a doctor or something. Dad is a 'salt of the earth' type who would (and does) do anything for anybody.
One way or another, I have got to do something.
