Posts by Open mind

77

JW's not a cult

by Lunatic Faith in

okay, before you fly off the handle--i wrote a blog on how my research proves jw's are a cult (no, i haven't read the cult book yet).

somebody linked their own findings onto my site saying the opposite.

their evidence is erroneous and as i don't have time to point this out i thought i would let you all do it for me.. www.epages.wordpress.com.

Open mind

newchapter, sorry for being unclear about my 1-10 scale with Unitarian Universalists as a 1.

I was looking for a religion that is definitely NOT a cult. However, in retrospect, I probably shouldn't have used them since I really don't know that much about them personally. The fact that they are OK with atheists seemed pretty non-cultish to me. If I ever wanted to check out a church for social reasons, they'd be near the top of my list.

So, how about Methodists for a "1"?

As for accurately defining a cult, well, OUTLAW's post pretty well sums up why it's generally a waste of time. Even the dictionary is all over the map! So people just cherry-pick whatever definition suits their argument, talk past each other and waste precious electrons on the Interweb.

om

77

JW's not a cult

by Lunatic Faith in

okay, before you fly off the handle--i wrote a blog on how my research proves jw's are a cult (no, i haven't read the cult book yet).

somebody linked their own findings onto my site saying the opposite.

their evidence is erroneous and as i don't have time to point this out i thought i would let you all do it for me.. www.epages.wordpress.com.

Open mind

Are JW's a cult? Depends on where you set the goal posts.

The writer of that blog article set them where she wanted in order to support her personal definition of cult.

Here's my take on JWs and cults.

Scale of 1 - 10.

1 = Unitarian Universalists

10 = People's Temple (Jim Jones)

JWs are a 7.

Scientologists are an 8.

And when all the blathering is done, that's just one of 7 billion opinions on this pale blue dot.

om

25

Literature-Leaving Etiquette

by zoiks in

a friend of mine is the tasting room manager at a local vineyard.

this weekend the vineyard hosted an anniversary party for a my-gosh-they-are-so-young-for-having-been-married-for-so-long couple.

while cleaning up after the party, the employees found numerous pieces of literature hidden in their magazine racks, and the 3-dvd set, "the bible - a book of fact & prophecy" hidden among their cds.

Open mind

Thanks for the clarification zoiks.

Remember how JWs are encouraged to have literature available no matter where they find themselves? I remember one elder always had a "New World" tract tucked away in his wallet "just in case".

Anyway, I'll bet there was at least one pioneer in the ranks with a box full of literature in the trunk just waiting for such an occasion. The more I think about it, perhaps the angels directed them to do it, so we shouldn't be too critical.

om

25

Literature-Leaving Etiquette

by zoiks in

a friend of mine is the tasting room manager at a local vineyard.

this weekend the vineyard hosted an anniversary party for a my-gosh-they-are-so-young-for-having-been-married-for-so-long couple.

while cleaning up after the party, the employees found numerous pieces of literature hidden in their magazine racks, and the 3-dvd set, "the bible - a book of fact & prophecy" hidden among their cds.

Open mind

zoiks: "the vineyard hosted an anniversary party for a my-gosh-they-are-so-young-for-having-been-married-for-so-long couple. "

I'm a little confused as to what group the clandestine JWs are likely connected with.

Do you think the anniversary couple were JWs? Some/all of their friends? Employees of the catering company? (If one was used)

Just curious.

And yes, no matter who it was, it sounds bizarre and tacky even by JW standards.

om

30

Facial Hair a Perfect Fading Strategy

by zarco in

jw
friends

startfragment.

so a brother wants to fade, but would rather not explain his reasons.

lets say he grows a nice beard or goatee.

Open mind

snakeface, what country and general area are you talking about? (Without being too personally revealing of course.)

It's interesting that an elder invited you to work in FS with him because that indicates that he approves of your dress and grooming for Field Service.

om

30

Facial Hair a Perfect Fading Strategy

by zarco in

jw
friends

startfragment.

so a brother wants to fade, but would rather not explain his reasons.

lets say he grows a nice beard or goatee.

Open mind

If the brother is in the same congregation he's been in for many years, growing a beard will invite plenty of unsolicited reactions from the elders and others.

If he moves to a different congregation where he's hardly known, there won't be quite as much flack, but there will still be some.

If the idea is to maintain a low profile and minimize confrontations, then the beard isn't such a great idea, IMO.

If the idea is to possibly shake things up a bit and get a bit of "counsel" over it, then the beard will definitely do that.

An alternative to the beard could be showing up to give a talk wearing this necktie:

382

The Gentile Times Reconsidered

by Spade in

disproving the date 1914 as a significant year in bible prophecy is of great importance to some (e.g.

carl o. jonsson).

along with the meticulous details of bible and secular chronology, broadening one's horizons when assessing exactly what this date represents when compared against the 6000 years of human history likewise has merit.

Open mind

Thanks to OUTLAW, palmtree, TD and all the others who keep the latest JW apologists at bay.

Who knows how many on-the-fence lurking JWs are helped by your "keeping it real" posts.

I know I was.

om

38

I'm a new study, need advice.

by Resistance is Futile in

jw
friends

a little background on me, i have never been a jw.

my spouse was born and raised in the cult, disfellowshipped as a young adult and is now completely shunned by family still trapped inside.

before i met my spouse i knew very little about the jws.

Open mind

Resistance is Futile said: " I remember it said attempt to talk to the persons pre-cult identity. What if they were born into the cult, how would you approach it then?"

JWs are allowed to pursue outside interests, just not too much. So, find out whatever outside interests/hobbies/sports, etc he has and focus on them as much as you can. Particularly give honest praise where possible. It will establish common ground outside the religion.

That's why 1 Cor 15:33 is such a staple scripture for the JWs: "Bad associations (i.e. you) spoil useful habits."

I think your approach is practical and loving. Just remember that some people are actually better off in the religion.

All the best,

om

6

Watchtower - Taxes and Grassley

by zarco in

startfragment.

charles grassley of iowa has for years been very concerned about abuses in the use of money by charitable and religious organizations.

he recently stated, the constitution does not exempt churches from federal income taxation or from filing tax and information returns.. his goal is complete transparency of how the dollars are used.

Open mind

Very interesting article Zarco.

Here's hoping the waters of the Euphrates begin to recede.

om

73

Why so many Atheist VS. Christian discussions here?

by mindmelda in

i notice a lot of the discussions seem to be atheist vs christian here.

or is that just my perception?.

but, do the other people who are neither just not care to debate as much or are there just fewer or them, or both?.

Open mind

RELIGION IS LIKE A PENIS

It's fine to have one.

It's fine to be proud of it.

But please don't whip it out in public and start waving it around.

And PLEASE don't try to shove it down my children's throats.

(Not sure of the source, but I like it.)

om