The Scotsman

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Posts by The Scotsman

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  54

  Generation - Prep for bigger change?????

  by The Scotsman in

  1. jw
  2. friends

  this apparent change to the "generation" is pretty major i think.. when we consider all of the changes in understanding (i mean flashes of light!.

  the 1995 change extended this old system by detaching the generation from 1914.. then the may 2007 wt qfr detached the gathering of the anointed from 1935.. now the latest change detaches the generation from all mankind except the small group of anointed.. and because of the 1935 detachment this could run for quite sometime.. most r & f jws will embrace this with both hands.

  for me that is my greatest concern - millions will not even stop to think that we only had a flash of light about.

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  The Scotsman

  This apparent change to the "generation" is pretty major I think.
  When we consider all of the changes in understanding (i mean flashes of light!) in the last 15 years or so it all serves to delay.

  The 1995 change extended this old system by detaching the generation from 1914.
  Then the May 2007 WT QFR detached the gathering of the anointed from 1935.
  Now the latest change detaches the generation from all mankind except the small group of anointed.
  And because of the 1935 detachment this could run for quite sometime.

  Most R & F JWs will embrace this with both hands.
  For me that is my greatest concern - millions will not even stop to think that we only had a flash of light about
  the generation 12 years ago, which we now say was wrong. I remember at the time it was heralded as a modern day revelation.

  I was just wondering if this is prep for a bigger change in understanding?
  It appears that 1914 is less important in recent years due to amendments to various teachings.

  Could further flashes be coming? I suppose its inevitable!
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  19

  Apostates - viewed as liars, the devils henchmen & to be avoided at all cos

  by The Scotsman in

  1. jw
  2. friends

  yes, as far as jehovahs witnesses are concerned, apostates are evil, wicked, faithless liars.. i was wanting to ask - assuming most if not all who come here are in the jw category of apostate, how do you feel about the fact that you are portrayed in such a light by the org?.

  i will be the first to admit - i always thought that those who criticized the org were untruthful or exaggerating.

  its not until now i have considered what you guys have to say and how you feel that i realize that what you have to say is all truthful (tinged with a bit of anger perhaps).. personally i think its verging on character assassination.

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  The Scotsman

  Yes, as far as Jehovahs Witnesses are concerned, apostates are evil, wicked, faithless liars.

  I was wanting to ask - assuming most if not all who come here are in the JW category of apostate, how do you feel about the fact that you are portrayed in such a light by the org?

  I will be the first to admit - I always thought that those who criticized the org were untruthful or exaggerating. Its not until now I have considered what you guys have to say and how you feel that I realize that what you have to say is all truthful (tinged with a bit of anger perhaps).

  Personally I think its verging on character assassination. The perception most JWs have is that apostates are lonely unhappy people who have no life, no meaning to life and "most importantly" have no faith. For me this is an important point - coming here I have learned that many have maintained faith, if not in fact strengthened it.

  I just wanted you to know that I feel that many sincere people come here. JWs pride themselves in being the most sincere people in the world but of course many are not.

  The Scotsman.
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  33

  GoverningBody.org is now up.

  by James Free in

  1. jw
  2. friends

  well, i finally put up the site.

  the articles are nothing new - bits from wikipedia etc.

  but i hope it will persuade even one 'interested' one to avoid the jw's - and even get an existing member to think.

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  The Scotsman

  James free -

  great website - simple but professional. you do not get the boot in you just state the facts.

  The internet will be this org's demise for sure.

  Well done.

  Point - You mention on your site that it was thought the prophets of old were due for resurrection in 1926? I thought it was 1925. No big deal anyway - the date was wrong in the first place.
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  25

  What should I say to Mom to really help her?

  by OnTheWayOut in

  1. jw
  2. friends

  anyone who is following my threads knows that i post most everything about my .

  wife's loyalty to the wts and the fade i am doing.

  i don't post much about my mother.. if you did catch it, i told her several months ago that i had stepped aside as an elder.. she had asked if it was a personal problem, then was it a problem with the boe.. i told her that it was a problem with the organization itself.

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  The Scotsman

  I am in a very similar situation, though still an elder.

  I have serious doubts regarding much the WT say but at the same time I do not want to hurt family members - my mother is a diehard Reg pioneer, father currently studying. My wife is in - but a bit weaker at the moment.

  What is the best way to proceed???? Please let me know when you work it out, I could do with some pointers myself.

  But for me - I cannot just continue with the current situation - things must change. When I am sitting at a meeting, out in ministry, even praying - I have a head full of doubts and distractions almost constantly now.

  The Sept KM has already been mentioned - you could use this as some leverage.
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  33

  New annual report due soon - what do you expect???

  by The Scotsman in

  1. jw
  2. friends

  hi folks.

  the annual report will be out in a month or 2 and was wondering what you think the current state of affairs for the org will be.. i am not expecting a decrease - but would love to see one.

  as is normal each year a few countries will be showing a decline.. i know in a few congs near me that quite a number of pubs are going out less - a gradual slow down.

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  The Scotsman

  Hi Folks

  The annual report will be out in a month or 2 and was wondering what you think the current state of affairs for the org will be.

  I am not expecting a decrease - but would love to see one. As is normal each year a few countries will be showing a decline.

  I know in a few congs near me that quite a number of pubs are going out less - a gradual slow down. They getting weary???

  As has been mentioned here a few times - the Internet is the big problem for WTBTS - I wonder as time goes by that a greater more tangible impact will be seen in the annual numbers.
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  34

  Local Needs tonight

  by metaspy in

  1. jw
  2. friends

  here is something i thought was a bit weird.. tonights local needs was about depression.

  not so much in how we can help those with depression, but about getting over it.. the brother used the scriptures about elijah and the widow to show who was relying on jehovah.. he mentioned how the widow was obviously depressed.

  then showed how she should have been like elijah.. as i sat there and listened, i realized his underlying message:.

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  The Scotsman

  I know an elder who believes that depression does not exist!! He has regularly told publishers to pray more and go out in ministry more to conquer the feelings of depression. He is incredibly insensitive. Some of the publishers that suffer depression have had huge problems, be it illness or bereavement or the like.

  One case in particular was a sister that got so bad with feelings of depression and loneliness after her "elder" husband died she attempted suicide!!!! Without giving further details - this was so badly handled it is shocking.

  She no longer attends meetings - "not disfellowshipped or anything" but treated as if she was disfellowshipped. Her own daughter "who is in the org" ignores her.

  But do not foget - its the most loving brotherhood in the world!!!!!
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  10

  What were the witnesses beliefs in 1973?

  by Paralipomenon in

  1. jw
  2. friends

  well the time has come.

  i no longer have any motivation to keep up with a fade.

  my wife is out, my kids were never really in and we're moving on.

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  The Scotsman

  Hi

  I am not sure when the view on smoking changed - close to 1973 I think.

  Also the people killed at Sodom & Gommorah were thought to be in line for a resurrection back then, but not now. I think the big big point is the 1975 date - in 1973 everyone thought the end of the old system was a matter of a couple of years away!!!
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  27

  Is it "Deception" or are they simply "Misguided"???

  by The Scotsman in

  1. jw
  2. friends

  as many of you know i have been looking abit closer at the teachings of the wtbts or is it the fds or is it the governing body, its all abit cloudy now.

  anyway my point is this - is it deception (a deliberate attempt to mislead people) or is it that they are misguided (think they are right but are not).

  my own opinion - i think they are in the middle somewhere.

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  The Scotsman

  <<AlphaOmega>>

  You said -- then the deception and self serving crept in with Rutherford's "hostile" takeover of the organisation.--

  Can you elaborate on why you call it a "hostile" takeover?? I am on a big learning curve.

  Cheers
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  27

  Is it "Deception" or are they simply "Misguided"???

  by The Scotsman in

  1. jw
  2. friends

  as many of you know i have been looking abit closer at the teachings of the wtbts or is it the fds or is it the governing body, its all abit cloudy now.

  anyway my point is this - is it deception (a deliberate attempt to mislead people) or is it that they are misguided (think they are right but are not).

  my own opinion - i think they are in the middle somewhere.

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  The Scotsman

  As many of you know I have been looking abit closer at the teachings of the WTBTS or is it the FDS or is it the Governing body, its all abit cloudy now.

  Anyway my point is this - Is it deception (a deliberate attempt to mislead people) or is it that they are misguided (think they are right but are not).

  My own opinion - I think they are in the middle somewhere. Some on the writing committees, even on the GB must have some doubts about some of the teachings, but in an attempt to keep control they knowingly keep up the current teachings. ""1914 being a prime example"". But I am also of the feeling that much of what is said or printed is done in good faith, with sincerity.

  Of course a problem with someone who employs deception is that they can no longer be trusted!!!!
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  26

  1 Thess 5:3 - What do you think....

  by The Scotsman in

  1. jw
  2. friends

  1 thessalonians 5:3 says this - "whenever it is that they are saying: peace and security!

  then sudden destruction is to be instantly upon them just as the pang of distress upon a pregnant woman; and they will by no means escape.

  " nwt... jehovahs witnesses believe this is refering to our time with a final fulfillment imminent which of course triggers total destruction for nearly everyone and everything.

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  The Scotsman

  WTWizard

  You make a good point regarding the sporadic use of this verse - depending on world conditions. It is also true that this is a fear scripture - keep pubs on there toes.

  I find it interesting that this verse "in context" gives little indication (if any) of an application in our time. And yet JWs clearly identify this verse with 20th / 21st century.

  I suppose a question that a few of you have touched on is - Who is the "them" who are destroyed? It must refer to something!!!