i can't get over the fact the the gb of the wt society are treated like kings.
aren't they supposed to be "one of the brethren"?
the wt always accuses others of being guilty of "idol" worship when it comes to people of fame (i.e.
One small point:
Catholics are free to disagree with, to comment on, to criticize, to discuss and to speak, publicly and/or privately about their pope and other members of the church heirarchy. They are even free to say, publicly and/or privately, that they don't think there ought to BE a church heirarchy.
No one will throw them out or take other strong-arm measures to remove them from the Christian 'family'.
i don't picket, but have been known to slip silent lambs brochures in watchtowers @ the laundromat, & also go stand next to them in the streetwork & hand out silentlams brochures.
they don't seem to like this, & they always turn around & leave, to which i usually yell, hey guys, where you goin?
' can't we all just get along?
Thanks for the explanation.
Now...what's anti-fds?
Oh, wait! NOT anti-feminine deodorant spray,
It's anti-faithful and discreet slave, right?
this quote is from jerry bergman, phd.
i have seen quotes where his opinions are quite belligerent against the wtbts.
however, due to my childhood background, this quote is quite curious.. i have read inuendos about homosexuality amoung governing body - but have read no details nor explanations.
You can learn a whole lot about Dr. Jerry Bergman by checking out the postings he has made here. (See the member list, under his name, as above).
Then you too can one of we who defend Dr. Bergman against the slanderous rumors and innuendo spread about him by the WTS.
Imagine how you would feel if such a powerful and ruthless organization were doing such vicious things to you and your reputation.
when i was a jw, i think what i was most afraid of was being hurt.
i did everything to keep myself from getting hurt.
i banged on doors with the best of the pioneers.
I most fear that they can do the things they do and connive some way to keep it all 'legal' or at least very, very hidden.
They're dangerous because they prey on vulnerable people and I fear for how good they are at it.
first off, those who have left the watchtower are extraordinarily courageous and thank you so much for having the fortitude to post your stories publicly.
you are all no doubt helping untold numbers of people.
i am catholic and i have a friend who is a jw.
I think that what you are doing is great.
If you really want to make her feel 'okay' in talking with you, try asking her for some of her stuff to read. Especially Awake articles that are not about religion and therefore not threatening. But, in her mind, they may help alleviate her own guilt and whatever she might have with other JWs because it's almost like she's preaching to you (a good thing by JW standards and a worthy excuse to talk with you and keep company with you).
A few things I think worthy to point out. You might want to mention that JWs seem to have very superficial relationships with each other. She knows this. (They HAVE TO - how can you have a REAL relationship with anyone when they feel it is their God-given DUTY to rat on you - even for THINKING - even for such universal things as DOUBT!)
Second, the WTS keeps so much hidden from its members. She might be shocked to learn that JWs have a very high incidence of mental illness, of suicide and also of homicide.
She might be initially shocked, but this will make some very deep sense to her when she takes a moment to think about it.
More information can be found by going to Google.com and looking for things by Dr. Jerry Bergman. He was raised a witness and is now a mult-degreed psychology professional and teacher who has written several books - including 'Jehovah's Witnesses and the Problem of Mental Illness' and a slew of papers.
If you can find his paper, "Why Jehovah's Witnesses have Mental Problems", I think you might find it very helpful.
The first page or so goes through all the history (take it or leave it) but the following pages delineate all the mental difficulties that are involved in being a JW - including the fact that the WTS doesn't really provide ANY connection or communion or relationship WITH GOD and no Godly guidance or interaction to help you get through everyday life.
Even the small things. Just non-stop WTS rules about everything.
My very best to you. From experience, I would also suggest that you pray a lot. And let the love of Christ shine THROUGH you.
Perhaps one day, when you're closer, you could ask her outright. Do you really think that God hates ME and thinks that I am a wicked, evil person?
God promises that he would not give a stone when someone who asks Him for bread. Would he do that to YOU?
Would God answer YOUR prayers with evil trickanery?
Best wishes.
thanks, americans, that really nice of you.
englishman.. this statement lead me to thinking something.
i am not posting this to argue, cause a flame war, or the like.
I LOVE this thread, tho I'll have to return and give it a better read. Just want to say a few things quickly.
Mother Teresa has said that, 'America is the lonliest place on earth'. I think that she is correct.
Did you know that.....3 out of 5 Americans move every 4 years?! (I would say that is downright TRANSIENT).
Fifteen percent of Americans are illiterate (this inflames me)
'Bad food and lots of it.'
'New' is better than 'better''.
There is a truly wonderful book that I read a couple of years ago that all concerned would definitely enjoy.
There is a series of books called, "Culture Shock!" that is written (one each) for just about every country in the world.
It is written for people from other countries (numerous other countries) who are planning to live or work in a country for an extended period of time. Not a tourist guide for someone just planning a visit, but a 'culture guide' for people who need to have a deeper and better understanding of the country's culture, its traditions, values and just ordinary old daily life.
We read these before a couple of great trips and they were EXCELLENT.
But after awhile, I got to thinking, 'wonder what it would say about OUR COUNTRY!'
"Culture Shock! USA"
It is eye-opening. I think everyone ought to read this book.
It's one of those books that tell you a whole lot of things you already know, but you don't realize you know them.
It's astonishingly good.
Let me know if you get it.
many christian type religions, organized or not, believe in giving 10% like was done in the old days in the bible.
you even have the mormons, who must give 10%.. as money hungry as the wts is, why have they not gone for that as well?
they can always justify anything for any reason.
Honestly, I've been wondering lately. Where DOES their money come from? When people talk about field service, I hear a lot of memories of not being able to place very much literature (or get much donations, I would presume), so how are they getting so rich?
Your car and gas expenses cost you a lot, but they don't put any money in their pockets.
Where's it come from?????
i am having a difficult time understanding something.
the bible says that there will be a resurrection of both the righteous and unrighteous.
the jws apply this teaching as though the resurrection is an earthly one.
Arn'tcha glad ya just don't buy their crap anymore?
has anyone heard of asperger's syndrome?
i was doing research the other day, for someone, and came across this disorder.
in reading it, i am positive both my youngest son and his wife have it.
Please also see, "Helping the Child Who Doesn't Fit In" by Nowicki.
Their focus is on helping children who are lacking in the area of both sending and receiving non-verbal messages.
Asperger kids, especially of the grown-up age of these, would be smart enough to learn a lot from this book.
Best Wishes
i just saw president bush on the tv.
he was saying in his very slow way of speaking "we must defend ourselves against the enemies of freedom"and "a great evil is upon the world".
and all of a sudden i had this thought "what if the jw are right..."
Please try to keep in mind that the Bible's been around a very long time.
Can you not imagine that people felt this exact same way at the cusp of WWI? WWII? And at a host of other troubled times?
The bottom line is, it doesn't matter.
JWs are obsessed with knowing, learning, finding out, professing, declaring WHAT and WHEN, like they have some inside secret track.
It just doesn't matter.
The time invested in such nonsense would be better put to use showing love and sensitivity to the people around you.
And - for JWs - pondering the true meanings of 'truth' and 'deception'.
'IT' is about how we live our lives, each and every day and all the time. And thank God we have both forgiveness and grace cuz', try tho we might - on top of it all....we just ain't perfect.
And yes, I once went through that and, thankfully, I don't anymore.
Edited by - Dia on 20 November 2002 17:10:57
Edited by - Dia on 20 November 2002 17:13:33
