I heard the Earth, Wind, and Fire rumor about 15 years ago, while evil smurfs were gaining popularity. (I kid because JW's where I was living then really believed they were demonic.)
OnTheWayOut
JoinedPosts by OnTheWayOut
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30
JW Urban legends
by William Penwell ini was reading this on the urban legends web site.
i recall a post and some discussion earlier on this site about the john denver rumor.
the rumor of him at one of his concerts asking all jw's to leave.
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What are the 5 biggest WTS scandals?
by AK - Jeff inif any have followed my latest thead you know that i am scheduled for 'termination' by a jc in about two weeks time.. i am deciding what if anything to do about the matter - i.e; da letter, just ignore and let then df me, or some other option.
one appealing option is writng a da letter, not to the elders, but instead to three or four former friends in the truth, explaining the reasons for my exit, based entirely on conscience.
i have the base of this letter underway, but would like to list succinctly three or four of the more significant matters of moral interpetude by the wts.
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OnTheWayOut
The UN Library Card is one.
I'm hung up on doctrine and misleadings from GENERATIONS and 1975 (There is also what Russel expected in 1914, but your average JW would say, He was wrong, now we are not.)
There is the Bethel layoffs (World Elder body not caring for their own family, but not willing to step down).
My thinking is still along the lines of avoiding things (in a printed letter that can be used against oneself) that I got from apostate sources and stick with doctrine and generally known stuff.
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JW Urban legends
by William Penwell ini was reading this on the urban legends web site.
i recall a post and some discussion earlier on this site about the john denver rumor.
the rumor of him at one of his concerts asking all jw's to leave.
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OnTheWayOut
I heard this story years ago from people who knew people who were actually there. Yeah, I didn't believe it either, but
SMURFS are really evil, possibly demonized. (I found it hard to believe Prince was a JW, but it happened.)
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A Genuine Invitation to any Lurking Elders or JW's
by JWFreak ini have just decided to start posting, as has another elder "doubting brother" .
i guess that there are perhaps many out there who wish to post but are perhaps nervous.
well that is quite understandable.
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OnTheWayOut
NowImFree,
I had serious doubts for quite a few years, but was able to go thru the motions and remain an elder. I started looking on the internet just a few months ago, the first time I researched outside WT literature. Once I heard about the scandals that I never really knew about and discovered Conscience of Freedom by Ray Franz, I had to step down. I did so in mid-August.
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Has anyone insisted on bringing a lawyer to jc meeting?
by lighthouse19something inif it's called 'judicial', i don't see why you can't
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OnTheWayOut
Sass is right. You can't do it. IF you insist, the JC won't meet with you. Eventually they will meet without you. I have decided to always take notes whenever I meet with 2 or 3 brothers about my doubts or inactivity. It's not a problem yet, but I bet someone will object. I know that they would NEVER allow your lawyer in.
Your insistance would slow them down, though. They would have to get advice from Big Mother on how to proceed (don't want to get sued later).
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can a jehovahs witness marry a divorced non-witness?
by luffy inplz plz plz will somebody give me a clear cut answer, i know the problems involved but is it possible "legally" or as far as witnesses allow?
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OnTheWayOut
Wise choice:
my best bet is to leave him in the hope that one day he will realise he made the wrong choice
If he never comes out, then he would feel obligated to drag you in. Miserable.
If he marries another, it's his loss.
If he comes out, finds true love with you, what a great story of true love.
Keep in contact with him for now, it'll pressure him to stay away from JW when they tell him that you are bad association.
In other words, he hasn't been taken by the dark side yet. Run away if he keeps studying, but drop him a line or card as a friend.
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can a jehovahs witness marry a divorced non-witness?
by luffy inplz plz plz will somebody give me a clear cut answer, i know the problems involved but is it possible "legally" or as far as witnesses allow?
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OnTheWayOut
If you want to marry an unbaptized man, you can force the issue before baptism. It sounds like you all are not at this stage, but I would say
1) Run from this man as fast as possible if he doesn't stop studying.
If you cannot tear yourself away:
2) tell him to marry you now, before he's not "allowed" to do so.
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can a jehovahs witness marry a divorced non-witness?
by luffy inplz plz plz will somebody give me a clear cut answer, i know the problems involved but is it possible "legally" or as far as witnesses allow?
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OnTheWayOut
IN MOST CASES, this person will no longer be a good example in the congregation. Privileges will come down to staying on the Theocratic Ministry School and commenting (also cleaning the hall would be permissible, if you call that a privilege). Lost would be the privilege to pioneer (reg or aux), to give an experience or be used in a demonstration, for brothers- no further use in the Kingdom Hall (mics, reader, prayers, etc.)
HOWEVER, the body of elders might investigate whether the two people are "free to marry." The non-witness, what's the story? Is the divorce from adultery or can it clearly be shown that their mate has rejected them since the divorce (remarried or is definitely shacking up)? It's not enough that the non-witness rejected his or her mate. The former mate had to reject him or her>
That said, they could go after you, anyway, even if these things are in order. If you want to go thru with such a marriage and remain a JW, you should tell the elders little about the person. (Don't mention a previous marriage to them, if possible.) Lie if they must know something. If they already know, lie (or exaggerate) about the circumstances that led to divorce. Tell them that were it necessary, proof could be shown that the former mate rejected your spouse and is sleeping around.
A sister in our hall married an unbeliever and they tried to open this can of worms. She moved to a different hall before that could happen, and the new body of elders is doing nothing about it. You could do that also. Use the excuse that you moved right after the wedding or have a different schedule making other meetings better.
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The US Media is really screwed up
by under_believer ininternational newsweek editions.
look at the covers for europe, asia, and latin america.
they get a hard-hitting analysis of how afghanistan is turning into a terrorist paradise.
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OnTheWayOut
I have always been amazed that on the day of a major event overseas, the news will cover the snowstorm, or the national news will cover a celebrity or politician scandal, before getting to this important event. I do enjoy learning about local events more than international ones, but they gotta learn to prioritize better.
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What impact if all fence-sitters left the BORG?
by BizzyBee inwhat if.................there were no longer any consequences brought to bear on jws who no longer believe it is the truth?
no df-ing, no shunning, no loss of family.
what impact would there be statistically on the organization if those who are now 'just going through the motions' - just left?
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OnTheWayOut
Blondie, that's a very serious answer. It is also right on target.
For example, how many JWs who came in 10 to 15 years after 1975 really understand what happened. They have the "adjusted" version of WTS history in the publications and the "adjusted" memories of the ones who stayed despite the cognitive dissonance caused by 1975.
I came in during that time period you speak of. I never really heard about it, even though my mother was an expert. She told me the truth about 1975 after I was an elder, I couldn't believe she got reinstated and believed their crap. (Even as an elder with a few doubts, I thought that) I had to dig to see what really happened in 1975, using only WT pubs.
A mass exodus caused by Bethel layoffs, UN scandal, news on pediphiles, or whatever- the core will adjust and start recruiting more. I do think that numbers will be harder to get up with Bible Students googling "Watchtower" or "Jehovah's Witnesses."