Oh my gosh. That was wonderful. I read it twice and it made me feel stronger in my resolve. The multi-cultural image they give in their literature about men of all nations loving one another sure got a licking from you. Some witnesses can't even get along with their witness neighbors or those in the Kingdom Hall. These are the people who are supposed to give their lives for one another! What a hoot! I'm going back to read it again!
Dutchie
JoinedPosts by Dutchie
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The Watchtowers Compassion Toilet
by metatron inwe all know what toilets are for - the disposing of.
waste, dead goldfish, etc.. now, the watchtower society finds charity and compassion.
to be highly inconvenient things - giving to the poor.
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Dont blame the witnesses, its the Bible...
by sleepy indont blame the witnesses, its the bible's fault.. well you can blame them for trying to stick to the thing, but belief in the bible is the main problem.. i've heard the gb and witnesses be called evil by some, as though they have gone out to hurt people on purpose.. but i doubt that this is true, at least in recent times.. no the problem comes from believing the bible is god's word and trying to interpret it and follow it.. what happens when you do so?.
you get the catholic inquisition,people burnt at the stake,you get jews fighting for a promised land, religious groups who let their children die and a host of other problems.. i ask a question.if you were god and were going to have a book written on how man should live, would you do it in such a way that if misinterpeted or taken too literaly or mistranslated slightly , could result in the death and suffering of thousands of people,and would enslave people to false religious beliefs?.
yes there are good points and principles in the bible, mainly the words of jesus, who didn't write any of it himself.. but a few good principles don,t outweight the bad done in the name of the bible through the past 2000 years.. the society has tried to follow the bible, and take it for real .in doing so they have had to take on beliefs and ideas that can ultimatly cause harm.. it is like me reading a instruction manuel for my car, that is a fake written by a non-expert.if i follow that manuel , although it may not be all wrong, some instuctions could be in error and cause damage to my car and risk injury to other people.. if people then come along after and say "well its not the manuel thats wrong , you've just misunderstood it , look if you do it this way,that way..".
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Dutchie
Hi Christfollower: I enjoyed reading your post and respect the stand you have taken. For me though ever since I decided to be no part of the WTBS, it has been difficult for me to believe that there truly is a God. I want to believe. I have a need to believe but I am just not sure. As Sleepy said so many atrocities have been committed in the name of religion and every religion thinks that God is on their side, its really hard for me to see clearly what is now correct. Also, every religion takes the same Bible, with the same words and interprets it differently. Is this truly just a test on God's part? I really don't know. I have been taught since birth that the true God is Jehovah and the only true religion is headed by the WBTS. I now know that this is not true. So I'll keep studying and reaching out hoping that one day I will be reconciled with what our true purpose is.
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Has Anyone Invited You to the Memorial?
by Prisca inthe memorial is on in just over two weeks' time, and i was wondering:.
has anyone invited you to the memorial yet?.
my old cong knows my address and phone number yet no-one has visited or phoned to invite me.
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Dutchie
I have turned on my caller id and though some of the witnesses have called, I don't answer the phone. I am not going simply because I don't want to be a part of their statistics when they rattle off how many people attended the Memorial. They look to that number as the potential number of people who could come into their organization. I want no part of their propaganda. Jesus says "Keep doing this in rememberance of me." I respect those words. What Jesus did not say was that I had to do it at a Kingdom Hall.
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Easter, What Is The Real Truth
by Candle ineaster, what's the real truth: previously, and as found in most encyclopedias, most scholars took the view of "the venerable bede" who in 8th century england speculated that the name easter may have come from the name for the anglo-saxon goddess eastre.
but closer research shows several other possibilities.
one is that the name more likely came from the latin for "white week" that spring week when people wore white to be baptized as christians.
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Dutchie
I agree with Gumby. I think the word pagan as is taught by the WBTS (and Christians in general) has some devious, dark meaning and it at once brings to mind people who are all evil, doing utterly gross things, but weren't pagans just simple people who practiced what they believed true before the advent of christinity? Their ancient practices have woven their way into so much of our lives today that it seems silly to nitpik at the ones that are okay and the ones that are not. When we celebrate the holidays today we do so with open hearts and the origin of our celebration, whether pagan or not, does not enter into it. So then our consciences are clear. Is is sensible to think that we should stop and analyze each and every little thing we do to make sure that it is not of pagan origin or should we not just get on with the business of enjoying life. Does not the Bible te1l us that "all things are lawful"? Very informative essay.
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Hi - I'm New!
by Aunty injust wanted to say hello - i've been lurking here for about a month and decided to join.
i was raised a witness, but have been out for almost 10 years.
i just faded out - it was easy since i moved to california from ohio.
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Dutchie
Hi Aunty. Glad to welcome you here although I've been here only a short time too. I also did the "slow fade". My friends say its the cowards way out, but its the only solution I could come up with and still stay in contact with my family and friends who are still in the organization. As for "intelligent posts" be advised that being intelligent is not all its cracked up to be! ha.
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Funny Shunning....
by Scully inwe were shopping yesterday when i noticed a jw woman from our old congregation in one of the aisles.
normally i would go up and say hello, because i'm neither dfd or dad, but we were in a bit of a hurry, and i didn't want to spend much time in frivolous small talk.
a little background on her: when we knew her she was a pioneer, and could very well still be one; her mother is a pioneer; her twin sister is a pioneer, etc.... you get the idea.
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Dutchie
That is so, so funny Skully. Can't you just see her running back to the sisters with her "news"? I bet that with pursed lips and self-righteousness dripping from her voice she tells them with great animation that she saw you and though you tried to talk to her, she turned away because she is a christian and certainly can't be conversing with an apostate. Ho, ho, hee hee.
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Dutchie
Oh! Funny!
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Dutchie
Is this a riddle? What is that thing anyway?
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Dutchie
The question you pose is often asked by ones that have newly left the organization. I know that you may feel somewhat disjointed and have a vague feeling that there is something vaguely different in your life now. You may even feel a little fearful. These feelings will linger for a while but they will eventually pass away. What you have to remember and reflect upon is why you left, the realization that WBTS is not truly God's organization and that by staying in this organization you would not be living a life that is true to yourself.
This board is a good place to start to receive confirmation of your stand for independence and you can also search for support groups that are specific to cults. My best wishes for you. -
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Ex JW Support Group - any suggestions?
by Beck_Melbourne ini just thought i'd put this to the multitude and invite your suggestions or some feedback, as i am thinking about forming a support group for ex jw people in my area.
my motive is based on my own experience when exiting the borg...and how isolated and lonely i felt when i left.
i was lucky enough to have one family member who had left the borg a few years before me.
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Dutchie
Hi Beck: Its takes a great spirit and a lot of courage to implement the plan that you are suggesting. Before I found the internet there was an older sister who had been disfellowshipped that I turned to. But she had been disfellowshipped for "conduct unbecoming a christian". I never found out what that was but she was someone who could sort of understand my dilemna. However, I can see the value of a "live" support group where everyone gets together regularly and shares their experiences. I bet great friendships can come about as a result of such a group. Will you serve refreshments? Best of luck to you.