Posts by Open mind

The current Kool-Aid Watchtower has a life story by a guy named Fred Rusk who grew up in the 1930's. Notice his understandable response to being forced to attend the Baptist Church.

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The Watchtower, October 15, 2011, p. 18

"Serving Jehovah Has Been My Delight -- as told by Fred Rusk"

Grandfather's older daughters managed the household. Although he was not a religious man, his daughters were strict Southern Baptists. Under threat of a beating, I was forced to attend church every Sunday. So from an early age, I had little regard for religion.
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Yet, two decades later, what was the Watchtower promoting?

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*** w54 1/15 p. 58 par. 15 Disciplining Children for Life ***
15 Did any of you children ever get in trouble for not sitting still, maybe during a meeting? You should go to the fawn, you restless ones, and consider its ways, and be wise. A mother deer will conceal its baby or fawn and instruct it to freeze motionless, and it will remain without moving for hours. Rarely do fawns disobey and move, but if they do they get a spanking from sharp mother hoofs.
*** w54 1/15 p. 62 par. 27 Disciplining Children for Life ***
27 You parents know what you must do. You children know what you must do. Jehovah knows what he will do. If we obey him, he will do things for us. If we disobey him, he will do things to us. Remember, the meek will inherit the earth; the rebellious will return to the earth. Let us try to inhabit it, not return to it.

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Can you feel the love?

om

60

Society tells us to stop asking questions...

by cedars in

i was just glancing at the back of the october 15th watchtower and the questions from readers.

the question under discussion is "what should i do when i have a question about something i read in the bible or when i need advice about a personal problem?".

the article goes on to discuss how we should consult the watch tower publications index among the many 'tools' that have been provided by the faithful and discreet slave whenever we have a question that is not directly discussed in the publications.. one statement really caught my eye, because it's the first time i've ever seen the society actually dissuade people from writing in with questions.

Open mind

This QFR is just trying to act as a filter to keep the sheep who aren't Elders from directly contacting Bethel.

1. If you have a question, try looking it up yourself.

2. If you can't find anything, try REALLY hard.

3. Either shut up or..

4. Ask an Elder.

(This next step wasn't spelled out in the QFR but it's the way things were at least up until a couple years ago.)

5. If the Elder is stumped, the Body of Elders will decide whether it's worth contacting the Branch.

I'm pretty sure I remember similar instructions in the past, but, I'm too lazy to look it up. Maybe I'll call Bethel.

om

9

"Hovah-Claus is Coming....To Town" Daily Text, Sunday, 8-28-2011

by Open mind in

jw
friends

my wife's real mental withdrawal from jwism is continuing on at a pace that suits her.

case in point: examining the scriptures daily.

a copy still sits at the ready in our kitchen.

Open mind

So, here's what I came up with:

'HOVAH CLAUS IS COMING TO TOWN

You better go out
You better not cry
Better place mags
I'm telling you why
'Hovah Claus is coming to town

He's making Life's List
And checking it twice;
Gonna find out who's worldly or nice
'Hovah Claus is coming to town

He knows the Congo average
He knows if you're a flake
He knows if you're inactive
So go out for numbers' sake

You better not whine
You better not shirk
Better not call that Elder a jerk
'Hovah Claus is coming to town
'Hovah Claus is coming to town

(And man is he pissed!)

om

9

"Hovah-Claus is Coming....To Town" Daily Text, Sunday, 8-28-2011

by Open mind in

jw
friends

my wife's real mental withdrawal from jwism is continuing on at a pace that suits her.

case in point: examining the scriptures daily.

a copy still sits at the ready in our kitchen.

Open mind

My wife's real mental withdrawal from JWism is continuing on at a pace that suits her. Case in point: Examining the Scriptures Daily. A copy still sits at the ready in our kitchen. A year ago, my wife would read what she calls "The Daily Bullsh*t" almost every day. Now, it's usually just a Saturday or Sunday morning activity. As she was scanning tomorrow's text out loud to me, I couldn't help but think of a forbidden children's song. (Note the bolded text.)

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*** Text for Sunday, August 28, 2011 ***

Our Father in the heavens, let your name be sanctified. Let your kingdom come. Let your will take place, as in heaven, also upon earth.—Matt. 6:9, 10.

Our prayers to God reveal our motives, interests, and desires. Jehovah knows what we are inside.Says Proverbs 17:3: “The refining pot is for silver and the furnace for gold, but Jehovah is the examiner of hearts.” God sees what is in our heart. (1 Sam. 16:7) He knows how we feel about our meetings, our ministry, and our spiritual brothers and sisters. Jehovah is aware of what we think of Christ’s “brothers.” (Matt. 25:40) He knows whether we really desire what we pray for or we are merely repeating a set of words. “When praying,” said Jesus, “do not say the same things over and over again, just as the people of the nations do, for they [wrongly] imagine they will get a hearing for their use of many words.”—Matt. 6:7. w09 11/15 1:12, 13

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It sounded sooo childish and controlling. Exactly like this forbidden musical blast from the past.

Santa Claus Is Coming To Town

You better watch out
You better not cry
Better not pout
I'm telling you why
Santa Claus is coming to town
He's making a list
And checking it twice;
Gonna find out Who's naughty and nice
Santa Claus is coming to town
He sees you when you're sleeping
He knows when you're awake
He knows if you've been bad or good
So be good for goodness sake!
O! You better watch out!
You better not cry
Better not pout
I'm telling you why
Santa Claus is coming to town
Santa Claus is coming to town

Anyone else see this?

Also, if you're so inclined, feel free to make up a line of "Hovah-Claus is Coming to Town" with a JW-twist.

om

20

Blondie's Comments You Will Not Hear at the 08-28-2011 WT Study (REGARD)

by blondie in

jw
friends

comments you will not hear at the 08-28-11 wt study (june 15, 2011, pages 24-28)(regard).

wt material from today's wt will be in black.

hard among you.

Open mind

"ElderESS"!!

You're right, it doesn't sound quite as demeaning as Elderette. We had one sister in a former congregation who served in a similar capacity. It was always a bizarre verbal dance talking to her, especially as a newly appointed elder. I felt like I was a fresh recruit KGB agent and she was well-seasoned CIA, sort of. One the one hand, I possessed the superior genitalia, so technically we both knew where we stood as far as the official Org Chart pecking order goes. On the other hand, we both knew she had WAY more experience and knowledge than I did. For the most part, our hearts were in the right place but we both knew we were in a VERY disfunctional organization.

Unfortunately, she's still in. Very wise, but married to an Uber-Elder.

As I was reading your comments today, I couldn't help but think what it would be like if the back room full of elders and the CO were FORCED to listen to your comments and then make a meaningful reply. Just a fantasy, I know.

Thanks again Blondie,

om

20

Blondie's Comments You Will Not Hear at the 08-28-2011 WT Study (REGARD)

by blondie in

jw
friends

comments you will not hear at the 08-28-11 wt study (june 15, 2011, pages 24-28)(regard).

wt material from today's wt will be in black.

hard among you.

Open mind

I don't have the slightest idea what you're talking about Blondie.

*runs*

*peeks head back in to say*

Truth hurts. Excellent job as usual. You sure you weren't an elder?

om

33

First post, so Hey Everyone!

by thinking_1 in

jw
friends

just thought i'd introduce myself.

i've been lurking for a few months and want to get in on some of the conversation.. also here's a song that's taken on a new personal meaning for me.

(i was born in to a witness family and have recently woke up to the fact that it is just a group of people following just men.

Open mind

Out of one asylum, into another.

This one's nicer though.

Oh, and,

WELCOME!!!

om

99

onacruise - Craig Mills 1952-2011

by Lady Lee in

jw
friends

i was given the link to a bit of information regarding on old poster/moderator of this forum.

i was not sure of the validity of the information so have been trying to find out if it is true.. earlier today craig's estranged wife, kate, (bikerchic) confirmed that craig died at his home on aug 10, 2011.. i am sure that many people here remember craig's time here and how he went out of his way to offer support to posters, even calling them, to give whatever help he could as they adjusted to their post-jw lives.. i know many people here will grieve his loss.. --------------.

ps i tried posting this earlier but the computer i was working with would not allow the posts.