Beardo

Joined

• started 2 topics
• posted 144 times   see topics posted on
• send a message

Posts by Beardo

• 
  100

  Grand and Lesser Apostate Delusions

  by slimboyfat in

  1. jw
  2. friends

  what is it makes some of those wacky apostates appear from time to time claiming russell and the witnesses were/are all part of some great freemason/illuminati plot?

  i'll tell you what it is, and it may explain a few other things for you too!

  people who come up with these theories demonstrate a basic psychological insecurity stemming from their involvement and subsequent disentanglement from the witnesses.

  1. 
  2. 
  3. 
• 

  Beardo

  We all use others information, even you Mr Toe - there truly is nothing new under the sun. How does my research differ to anybody elses here? I use books / websites and my own ability to sift the information and also direct contact with others who have experiences to share. Admittedly I have only crossed paths with 2 practising Masons and have knowledge of a 3rd through a friend. This particular Mason belongs to a Scottish lodge I believe, and is my friend's grandfather. Annoyingly, he won't talk in great depth about his beliefs to his Grandson and keeps the contents of his meetings hush hush.

  I'm sure many Masons are well intentioned and good upstanding citizens within the community, so too Catholics, JWs, Muslims, (insert group here) - but the basic practise or premise of their belief system may still be false and helping in its own way to support the landowners and financial elite.

  As for ' bothering my arse ' - I recently bought Manly .P. Halls "Secret Teachings" and am currently working my way through it. My knowledge is work in progress.

  Whats rotten about the system? Are you joking. Take a good look at the news.

  What Middle Ages are you referring to? If you are isolating your scope within Europe, then maybe so. England was known as the dirty man of Europe, for good reasons.

  Lets go back thousands of years to the ancient far East cultures or even pre-Egypt and take a peek there. Places where folk were truly connected to the inner & outer worlds of reality. Not a stinking 'dark age' generated by the backwards thinking Christian Church.

  I will say it again - check out that DVD series ' Magical Egypt ' - it is a real eye opener. If you want a copy and trust me not to turn up on your doorstep - send me a mailing address and I'll do the rest.
• 
  100

  Grand and Lesser Apostate Delusions

  by slimboyfat in

  1. jw
  2. friends

  what is it makes some of those wacky apostates appear from time to time claiming russell and the witnesses were/are all part of some great freemason/illuminati plot?

  i'll tell you what it is, and it may explain a few other things for you too!

  people who come up with these theories demonstrate a basic psychological insecurity stemming from their involvement and subsequent disentanglement from the witnesses.

  1. 
  2. 
  3. 
• 

  Beardo

  The iconography that you refer to isn't actually exclusively Masonic. The winged sun disk and the pyramid were in vogue in a number of groups of Egyptian interest, during the era. The cross and crown is linked to a number of Christian groups, but even the Templar movement (for which it is famous) isn't exclusively Masonic, either.

  Notwithstanding that, later WTS leaders removed all of that symbolism - the reverse of what you'd expect if the conspiracies were true! What is especially telling is that there's absolutely no use of the square and compass, which are the foremost symbols of the Freemasons.

  Notwithstanding that, I have little doubt that Russell was dabbling in the occult. I just reject the notion that he was a Freemason, nor likely an Illuminati. As for the subsequent WTS leaders, they were unlikely to ever make the grade. I frame it that way because, while I'm not a Mason, I have nothing but the highest regard for them.

  Of course, I can only use others research to form my opinions and I would say that CTR had knowledge of, and an interest in FreeMasonry based around his ideas concerning the pyramids and his use of those pesky symbols. As to whether he was actually an active member of a lodge will never be known and is categorically denied by the FreeMasons themselves. But, that doesn't actually concern me. I don't care if he was a Mason or not. Frankly, it was up to him who he associated with and what he believed.

  As for him being a member of the Illuminati - that is nothing I am willing to explore, as to do so would be ridiculous. Nobody I know can fully explain who these Illuminati are, let alone tie a 19th century preacher into this shadowy group.

  Why do you have a high regard for FreeMasons? They are servants that underpin this rotten system we exist in and help power the machinery of the legal and financial system. They are also a closed shop and operate out of sight. I have no respect for these fraternities as alluring as they are.
• 
  100

  Grand and Lesser Apostate Delusions

  by slimboyfat in

  1. jw
  2. friends

  what is it makes some of those wacky apostates appear from time to time claiming russell and the witnesses were/are all part of some great freemason/illuminati plot?

  i'll tell you what it is, and it may explain a few other things for you too!

  people who come up with these theories demonstrate a basic psychological insecurity stemming from their involvement and subsequent disentanglement from the witnesses.

  1. 
  2. 
  3. 
• 

  Beardo

  We were discussing those who believe there's an illuminati conspiracy involving the WTS. While my comments are still a little general, I've yet to see such a theorist portray anything near aquainting rationality when presenting their opinions.

  Ok - fair enough.

  I can't see direct links to the "Illuminati" (however we choose to define this group) & the WTBTS myself at the moment. Although the iconography chosen by old CT was rather telling, in terms of displaying his Masonic interests.

  But how the WTBTS would take on the role as an agent for a physical (not spiritual) New World Order is beyond my understanding at present, as they actively trash human government in their literature, whereas the so-called Illuminati want a centralized government and a prison planet, where we are happy little consumers slaving for our masters, replete with microchips and tracking devices so we can't leave the cage.
• 
  100

  Grand and Lesser Apostate Delusions

  by slimboyfat in

  1. jw
  2. friends

  what is it makes some of those wacky apostates appear from time to time claiming russell and the witnesses were/are all part of some great freemason/illuminati plot?

  i'll tell you what it is, and it may explain a few other things for you too!

  people who come up with these theories demonstrate a basic psychological insecurity stemming from their involvement and subsequent disentanglement from the witnesses.

  1. 
  2. 
  3. 
• 

  Beardo

  As for delusionals, you'll find them in many walks of life. The conspiracy theorists certainly fall in that camp, for my dollar.

  That depends Mr Toe. You use the term 'conspiracy theorists' linked to delusional, as though conspiracies never exist. I think you are also creating your own broad generalization by doing so.

  It is important to look at individual situations, look at the data, sift it, and draw conclusions based around what seems reasonable. Just because something appears to be implausible upon the surface does not make it so and many of the folk I have spoken to through other forums studying say 9/11 (for instance) appear to be quite sane & reasonable, although at first my bullshit meter was alerting me to possible fraud.

  Yes, there is the " tin-foil hat " brigade out there, but hopefully we who are reasonable can spot them almost immediately.

  Here is a man who is classed as a conspiracy theorist (study his work if you have time):

  http://www.911blogger.com/2005/04/proper-release-of-griffin-in-madison.html

  So then - define what a "conspiracy theorist" actually is, without tar & feathering the genuine researchers looking for truth ...
• 
  100

  Grand and Lesser Apostate Delusions

  by slimboyfat in

  1. jw
  2. friends

  what is it makes some of those wacky apostates appear from time to time claiming russell and the witnesses were/are all part of some great freemason/illuminati plot?

  i'll tell you what it is, and it may explain a few other things for you too!

  people who come up with these theories demonstrate a basic psychological insecurity stemming from their involvement and subsequent disentanglement from the witnesses.

  1. 
  2. 
  3. 
• 

  Beardo

  But is clearly nonsense to claim, as apostates here often do in a matter-of-fact sort of way the leadership en masse is simply interested in making money, or that they are purposely trying to lie to people in their publications

  Yes, it would be a lie to say that the society is simply about "making money". They may be deluded in certain areas, but there would be more profitable ways to make large sums of money.

  As for lying - well, that is open to debate I suppose.

  They may not intentionally set out to put out false information, so maybe the word lie should be changed to a lesser charge of being foolishly credulous concerning their predications? Although there have been blatant attempts to 'cover tracks' in my estimation by disregarding old texts alluding to failed prophecy etc.

  However, their policies still damage & hurt people due to the inflexible nature of their dogma.
• 
  100

  Grand and Lesser Apostate Delusions

  by slimboyfat in

  1. jw
  2. friends

  what is it makes some of those wacky apostates appear from time to time claiming russell and the witnesses were/are all part of some great freemason/illuminati plot?

  i'll tell you what it is, and it may explain a few other things for you too!

  people who come up with these theories demonstrate a basic psychological insecurity stemming from their involvement and subsequent disentanglement from the witnesses.

  1. 
  2. 
  3. 
• 

  Beardo

  It may seem trite and overworn to you, but I do not think it is redundant to point out that the very people you malign with your Nazi comparisons are ones who courageously as a group stood against the atrocities that the Nazis perpetrated. They deserve better.

  That is a good point of course... BUT...

  Is it not true that JWs walk around slaughtering people at Armageddon within their own minds? If there were a ruling in the New Testament to stone people to death for a variety of moral transgressions, how many of the nutjobs you know (or knew) would willingly pick a nice shiney old boulder and throw it?

  I still struggle daily with sociopathic feelings and often despise many humans I meet, but I'm working on these feelings. Its an ongoing project
• 
  42

  After you left JWs how did you work out what you believe now

  by awol in

  1. jw
  2. friends

  i left jws 10 yrs ago and have just considered myself drifted.

  never df'd.

  could never go back as i personally found it too hard to live up to.

  1. 
  2. 
  3. 
• 

  Beardo

  I understand how you feel.

  Its probably best not to throw out the baby with the bathwater - a belief in a creator God for instance is not a concept that needs to be jettisoned simply because we fall foul of one particular version of truth. Did you know that beyond Semitic mythology & philosophy, that there were other cultures who believed (and believe) in a singular divine essence to the universe?

  Other cultures have also taught of the end of a great cycle or an ' end time ' of sorts. I think it is sensible to still understand the times we are living in and inevitably as has happened throughout mankinds history we will burn out again and then rise like the phoenix whether at Gods hands or through our own efforts.

  Do not despair - in the meantime indulge yourself and read "In Search of Christian Freedom / Raymond Franz" - he will help transform your mind & feelings concerning the WTBTS and present the lonely road that now stretches before you. Afterall, we are born into this world and leave this world alone and the spiritual journey for each of us is often solitary & personal.
• 
  100

  Grand and Lesser Apostate Delusions

  by slimboyfat in

  1. jw
  2. friends

  what is it makes some of those wacky apostates appear from time to time claiming russell and the witnesses were/are all part of some great freemason/illuminati plot?

  i'll tell you what it is, and it may explain a few other things for you too!

  people who come up with these theories demonstrate a basic psychological insecurity stemming from their involvement and subsequent disentanglement from the witnesses.

  1. 
  2. 
  3. 
• 

  Beardo

  Rank & File JW in MY opinion are wonderful folk

  Hmm.... hardly. They believe that most people on the outside of the group are God-fodder and won't take any alternative information seriously due to institutionalized arrogance. There are maybe a handful who fall into the 'decent' category, but largely they are sociopathic.
• 
  100

  Grand and Lesser Apostate Delusions

  by slimboyfat in

  1. jw
  2. friends

  what is it makes some of those wacky apostates appear from time to time claiming russell and the witnesses were/are all part of some great freemason/illuminati plot?

  i'll tell you what it is, and it may explain a few other things for you too!

  people who come up with these theories demonstrate a basic psychological insecurity stemming from their involvement and subsequent disentanglement from the witnesses.

  1. 
  2. 
  3. 
• 

  Beardo

  and your psychological analysis of those, albeit somewhat cruel, may well be correct.

  Nah - more of a broad generalization than accurate.
• 
  100

  Grand and Lesser Apostate Delusions

  by slimboyfat in

  1. jw
  2. friends

  what is it makes some of those wacky apostates appear from time to time claiming russell and the witnesses were/are all part of some great freemason/illuminati plot?

  i'll tell you what it is, and it may explain a few other things for you too!

  people who come up with these theories demonstrate a basic psychological insecurity stemming from their involvement and subsequent disentanglement from the witnesses.

  1. 
  2. 
  3. 
• 

  Beardo

  I wouldn't bother SkyKing - he sounds like an egotist & muppet - you are likely to be abused. I'm sure the poster has had a good look at the evidence before.

  The WTBTS flirted with NGO status and deceived their sheep - simple as that. They weren't upfront & honest. Period.