Each and every person who wants to break free from the hold of the Watchtower Society has to go on their own quest for answers. It is amazing, but it seems that there are many out there who lead a "worldly" life yet still in the back of their minds think that Jehovah's Witnesses have "the truth". For some reason they think that the moment that Armageddon starts, they will jump back to the Kingdom Hall and make like good little Witnesses. Ain't gonna happen. Armageddon, that is. So, why hang on?
See if you can get her to read Crisis of Conscience by Raymond Franz. That book is a Must Read for anyone trying to get out from under the influence of the Watchtower Society. It de-mystifies the organization. If she has read this book and still clings to the organization, then I am at a loss as to what can be done. I guess my point is that while You can know what a snare and racket this religion is, she has to prove it to herself, and there is nothing you can say or do for her to change her mind.
Dave
PrimateDave
JoinedPosts by PrimateDave
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14
My story, concluded.
by Paralipomenon inwell it's been a while since i wrote the first two parts and this isn't so much a conclusion to the story because it hasn't ended.
it did not go good.
the kids have worldly friends .
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PrimateDave
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25
Sunday's public talk about 1914 mentioned 586
by GBSJG inthe public talk of last sunday was about 1914, the last days and the prophecy of daniel.. so the speaker explains how we get to the 2520 years and that jerusalem fell in 607. but after that he must have talked about the 586 date for 5 minutes.
he said that some say the jerusalem fell in 586 instead of 607. but then you would not get to 1914 but 1934 and nothing special happened then.
then he says that jw have published convincing material about why the date must be 607 without mentioning what that material exactly is (he actually said this several times).
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PrimateDave
It is a kind of modern mythology among the Witnesses to mention the date 1914 and how supposedly conditions have greatly worsened since then. I have been reading A People's History of the United States by Howard Zinn.
The reality is that things have actually been getting better since 1914. Granted, I'm not saying that wars of the 20th century haven't been horrific, but the life of the average person has greatly improved in many ways.
The 1800's were a time of great turmoil for people and nations. Is it any wonder that Russell believed that the "last days" began in 1799, a teaching that was still taught by the Society in the 1920's (I have a PDF of 1925 Golden Age that says so.)?
They were looking for Armageddon in 1914 because things were so bad. The Society failed in this prediction and only later created the mythology to save face.
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The Awake's Amusing "Straddle and Pander" Trend
by metatron inafter reading the latest awake ( jan 07) on sickness, i was amused by their efforts to simultaneously straddle.
world developments and pander to their audience.. they describe modern wonders emerging ( nanotechnology!
genomics!
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PrimateDave
In order to keep the lines of communication open with my family, I agreed to let them send me the literature. I've got no problem with that, especially if it makes them feel good. They sent me the latest magazines. I've just been too busy to even give them the once over. Like metatron I've noticed how utterly useless the Awake! magazine is. In fact, while I was still a nominal Witness, I got tired of the "formula" mentioned by metatron. I feel bad for all those young people in the Org who are aware of their sexual orientation but who are obliged to suppress it for the sake of some outdated religious ideal. So, the old men in Brooklyn are going to tell us how not to be "gay". That ought to heap a load of unnecessary guilt on a bunch of people. Dave
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PrimateDave
I just got invited to a Christmas party by one of my new "worldly" friends. I accepted the invitation. I look forward to making more new friends at the party. Sure beats having "conditional" friends like at the Kingdumb Hall.
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11
where is god?
by Sam87 inok, ive been trying to work out this one for a while, so please just put up with me if i make no sense whatsover..... over nearly the last year or so i havnt been to any meetings at all, i realised that all things jw is a big money making lie that is destroying peoples lives.
after leaving the jws i started to question the bible (as most probably do).
i researched inteligent design and evolution, and put them on an even playing ground so i could get a proper view of everything without my old 'watchtower goggles' on that seemed to stop me from seeing anything else but the friggin' organisation.. personaly i beleive we were created by something/someone, and to me the universe is to big and to complicated to have just happened by chance.
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PrimateDave
Where is god? Don't know. Already been through all that just like you. Know what? It doesn't matter how you or I got here, created or evolved. We just are. That's all that matters. Enjoy it while it lasts. But, I can definitely feel for you. It takes some time to pry off those JW glasses. JW's are told to keep their mind focused only on their destination (paradise earth). For that goal they sacrifice their present life. Sad to say they miss out on the journey of a lifetime. What do you want to do? Where do you want to go? What do you want to see? Do you still feel a desire for spirituality? Have you explored all the possibilities? Have you experienced the rich tapestry of living? Just something to think about.
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the elders made me do it
by BlackSwan of Memphis inok, i was inspired by bstndance (sp?)..
when my mom came up to the hospital to see hannah she had told me that before she decided to come, she called bro so and so, an elder.
the way i took it was to make sure it was ok. to get some good healthy counsel.. it made me laugh later.
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PrimateDave
I think you're right. It is kind of human nature to pass the blame and/or try to not take responsibility for one's own actions. At least, that is, it is part of the dark side of human nature. Naturally, the Organization seems to encourage this sort of behavior in the flock, what with discouraging independent thinking. So much for that "Bible Trained Conscience" they keep talking about. Don't want to feel guilty communicating with an 'apostate' son or daughter? Get permission from the elders for extenuating circumstances! Of course, they don't see it that way, now do they? Just some thoughts.
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Lets keep the "X" in X-Mas!!!
by GetBusyLiving inhow do you feel about some christians getting all hot and bothered about "keeping christ in christmas"?
last time i checked most people just do the holiday because their kids get excited, they have some time off to hang out with friends and family, and getting wasted becomes socially acceptable.. gbl.
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PrimateDave
I used to believe in Watchtower chronology. Daystar said that Jesus couldn't have been born this time of the year. Why not? Frankly, the "gospel" accounts are in disagreement as to the Year of his birth. They even disagree on the presumed length of his "ministry". That pretty much throws Watchtower chronology out the proverbial window. I say go ahead and celebrate Jesus' birthday on the 25th of December. I'm pretty sure Jesus won't mind at all!
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DOES ANYONE STILL NOT CELEBRATE CHRISTMAS???
by chuckyy injust wondering if anyone still does not celebrate xmas since leaving jws.....or like me do you think"to hell with it", and join in the festivities.
if you do celebrate it, do you still have pangs of guilt for celebrating this "pagan" festival???.
chukky.
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PrimateDave
If someone invites me to their festivities, I'll probably go. Other than that, no I don't celebrate it. It means nothing to me. Still can't stand the music or commercialism though.
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Define Jehovah`s Witness`s
by OUTLAW inthis thread is the result of a coversation i had with a devout christian friend..i was trying to define what the jehovah`s witness religion really was..my best definition was:"jehovah`s witness`s are a non-christian,christian cult.
".....from your own experiences and first hand knowledge,define what the jehovah`s witness`s religion is...outlaw
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PrimateDave
From the New World Translation Unabridged Dictionary published by Wile E. Publishing Co., LLC, of Acme, New York:
Jehovah's Witnesses, Witnesses of Jehovah - From the Latin Testigos Iehova, lit. "Testicles of Yahweh". A sect of Millerite bibliolators who reproduce by stroking their god's nuts.
Dave (who hopes no one was drinking coffee while reading this post) -
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"An Inconvenient Truth".. JW's are deluded
by GetBusyLiving inhi everyone, hope you all are doing ok!
long time no talk.. .
have any of you seen the new dvd "an inconvenient truth"?
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PrimateDave
I haven't seen it. I'll have to look into it. By the way, is it in any way similar to the documentary "The End of Suburbia: The Decline of the American Empire at the End of the Age of Oil"? That one was a real eye opener. It got me to look into quite a few topics such as the industrialization of our entire food system and topsoil depletion. I started to study concepts like sustainability and permaculture. While I can agree that the die-off and peak-oil crowds are on the fringe and simply cannot take into account all of the variables and human ingenuity, there is some truth to their warnings. (http://www.dieoff.org/ http://www.globalpublicmedia.com/) In my opinion it is better to be aware of the worst that could happen, because we simply don't know what will. One thing I do know, nature doesn't need 'us'. Despite the high levels of radioactivity, the depopulated zone around Chernobyl has rebounded ecologically, but it sure isn't safe for humans.
Compare this to the typical Witness approach: Complain that "the world" is too wicked. Blame Satan. Wait on Jehovah to do "something" about it (kill 6.5 billion people). Stick head back into sand.
Dave