having listened to the two gb helpers (and cedar's interspersed commentary), i was somewhat taken aback at the comments on the widespread availability of smartphones and such at bethel.
of course, in the congregations, too.
br.
They knew this and developed their web site content in an attempt to control and direct what people were doing with those phones and tablets, but they were never going to be completely successful at that. -- LisaRose
Thank you for so clearly stating the obviously inevitable.
having listened to the two gb helpers (and cedar's interspersed commentary), i was somewhat taken aback at the comments on the widespread availability of smartphones and such at bethel.
of course, in the congregations, too.
br.
To reiterate a point earlier made:
In the past, we faithful Witnesses were admonished to give up, destroy, sacrifice anything or anybody that stood between us and our relationship with Jehovah. As a musician, it was difficult to give up Christmas as well as many pop songs (of all songs, some by The 5th Dimension); I left the music conservatory that had become my new home and haven; I sacrificed friends and family so as not to be divided between my loyalties. Ardent JW friends and families did Fahrenheit 451. Burning books -- I couldn't.
I must have been way over the top to have not let anything interpose itself between me and my God.
having listened to the two gb helpers (and cedar's interspersed commentary), i was somewhat taken aback at the comments on the widespread availability of smartphones and such at bethel.
of course, in the congregations, too.
br.
Thank you, Bobby and sir82, for sharing your thoughts.
Some things there that I hadn't considered. I must admit that I'm somewhat influenced by having been at Bethel when there had been a tsunami of sexual activity. The aftermath -- the verbal tirades by NHK -- were horrifying. Such a different spirit from what the video portrays.
THANKS!
i've been out almost 2 years now and consider myself wide awake to watchtower propaganda and well on my way to recovery from the mental abuse we've all experienced.. one thing that just will not go is that i constantly think of jwism and watchtower and get myself all annoyed at their lies and blatant twisting of facts in their broadcasts and magazines.
it's so bad that it's the first thing i think of when i wake up, then i have these mental arguments in my head proving the jw teachings false and then getting annoyed because no jw will listen even if you tried to tell them.
i call this constant thinking and mental reasoning and mental arguing "mindchatter".
Greetings, pale.emperor:
What a great thread! Helpful and useful tools for self-improvement. No "be warm and well fed" here! I have really benefited from reading everyone's comments.
I never thought I'd recover from my life and its woes, but I actually feel contentment and purpose at this time, going into my 7th decade. I'm so glad friends, family, and my great therapist supported me through the worst and rejoiced with me during the best.
May it be the same for you, Friend!
having listened to the two gb helpers (and cedar's interspersed commentary), i was somewhat taken aback at the comments on the widespread availability of smartphones and such at bethel.
of course, in the congregations, too.
br.
Now they are kissing the snake and wondering why it bit them. -- days of future passed
Excellent reference to the Sparlock video. What a turnaround!
the Society considers such a serious problem is, in part, their fault for requiring JW`s to have tablets and smartphones?
Maybe that`s the reason sites like this are seeing such an influx of newbies everyday . -- smiddy
I agree, the Society overestimating their control over the flock. It used to be counsel to stay as close to the center of the pen as possible, not straying toward the edges. Temptation has never been so easy and available. Yes, when did they get anything right. Good points.
The JW religion begrudgingly accepted the internet because it had no choice. Otherwise, they’d still be going on and on about how ‘demonized’ it is. -- LongHairGal
You nailed it! And yet, on other picayune matters, they'll insist on absolute adherence to some arcane scripture as support for a modern-day stand and let their people die in upholding it. The gnat and the camel . . .
If they were truly led by the Holy Spirit as they have claimed so many times, they would get things right. -- Phizzy
Nothing to add here!
THANKS!
can any one recommend any good books to read that have come out in the last few years?
i haven't read a good book in a long time and i'd like to get into reading again.
i'm not into autobiographies or sports books.
https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/815.Carlos_Ruiz_Zaf_n
I read The Shadow of the Wind twice and am hankering to take the journey again. Excellent translation from Spanish into English.
GOODREADS!!!
having listened to the two gb helpers (and cedar's interspersed commentary), i was somewhat taken aback at the comments on the widespread availability of smartphones and such at bethel.
of course, in the congregations, too.
br.
Yes, neat blue dog, I saw the rebuttal video.
That was the above-mentioned video, with intercut commentary by Cedars. Before it appeared, I had already seen the official WT video.
THANKS.
having listened to the two gb helpers (and cedar's interspersed commentary), i was somewhat taken aback at the comments on the widespread availability of smartphones and such at bethel.
of course, in the congregations, too.
br.
Thank you, neat blue dog, for that true assessment of what really seems to matter: the bottom line.
Well put.
having listened to the two gb helpers (and cedar's interspersed commentary), i was somewhat taken aback at the comments on the widespread availability of smartphones and such at bethel.
of course, in the congregations, too.
br.
Greetings:
Having listened to the two GB helpers (and Cedar's interspersed commentary), I was somewhat taken aback at the comments on the widespread availability of smartphones and such at Bethel. Of course, in the congregations, too. Br. Breaux's mention of taking a phone into a bathroom stall, innocently clicking onto an image, and . . . seemed all too, I can't think of how to put it. Too casual, like it's understood ALL Witnesses have easy availability to the 'Net. "Gee, a thumbnail of a racy photo accidentally came up on my page. Of course, I won't click on!"
And then there's sexting.
In the old days, enticing and provocative images were hardly so accessible, that is, come by easily and viewed in private. You had to rent an R- or X-rated movie or buy a "man's" magazine. So very public. Now, with WT sanction of the Internet (primarily for JW.ORG and innocent research), isn't it obvious that what the Society considers such a serious problem is, in part, their fault for requiring JWs to have tablets and smartphones?
I really wonder the extent of "unholy" thought and behavior currently at Bethel. And here the brothers appeal not to let Satan take hold.
Your comments are welcomed.
when in conversion, you sometimes get carried away and the talk becomes all about you.. then, you remember you're in a conversation, say you're sorry, and allow the other person to talk.
she goes on about what's happening in her life, you listen and ask some questions.
she tells you more and then shifts the dialogue back to you.
" The old man's memory was nothing but a rubbish heap of details. One could question him all day without getting any real information." -- sparrowdown
Gee, sounds too close to home! I can give you a wheelbarrow full of trivia and somehow weave it into whatever you have to say. Did you happen to see those swirls of dust? Why, it was just yesterday!
Intovert 2:
That's really good. I like your thoughtful way of handling the matter. The bathroom excuse really works for me 'cause it is NOT an excuse -- it's a compelling reason!
THANKS!
