Posts by Cold Steel

37

What Happens If the JW Beard Policy Stumbles a Person

by Cold Steel in

some of the videos on youtube really make the beard policy look ridiculous.

i wondered what would happen if the jw beard policy caused someone to stumble?

jesus most likely wore a beard, and charles taze russell had a beard.

Cold Steel

Drearyweather » Technically, there is no such thing as beard policy. There is no written policy or rule with the JW’s that you will be disfellowshipped for wearing the beard. Yes, you are discouraged to wear one, you may lose your privileges, etc, but won’t be disfellowshipped.

No, but wearing a beard can b be met with a loss of privileges. No one here has said a person can give an address if one has a beard. And I don't know who he is -- must be a GB member -- who states in no uncertain terms that having a beard may "stumble" a person. He went on to state that if someone caused such a one to stumble, it would be better if a stone were tied around his neck, etc.

Seeing the subliminal messages being sent via JW material, I couldn't help but wonder if or what might happen if the subliminal campaign might cause a person to stumble. It's hardly a leap of logic, right? It certainly might cause me to stumble.

So what would you say? Are you certain it might not cause a person to stumble?

27

Dealing with Elderly Parents Who Still Believe the jw Religion is the truth

by lancelink in

i left the religion back in 2008 right after my mother died,( the total lack of natural love/ affection was the final straw for me).. but my dad has become more and more focused on doing the wt bidding.. it just amazes me how he gushes on and on about the last days, his new bible studies, and meeting parts .

but yet he makes no effort to have any type of relationship with his grandkids, there are 5 of them , non are witnesses.

they are the children from several different sisters of mine, and myself.. so how do you deal with the witness stuff always being presented in conversations?.

Cold Steel

They've still put in the years.

At the end is a terrible time to admit it was all a gimmick. On the one hand you want them to see the truth, but on the other do you really want to destroy all they have left? The after-death outlook for JWs sucks, but it's slightly better than what atheists and some agnostics believe. If they can go down to the grave believing they'll have some hope of a future life, that's better than nothing.

If they were younger that would be one thing. But as people get older, they tend to be more apprehensive about death and the meaning of their lives.

40

Surprise Elders Visit

by Tight Pants Twinkle Toes in

hello community!

quick background - baptized 1971, 46 years in the borg, former elder.

wife - baptized 1973, pioneer...... we became disgusted with the oranization 10 years ago but still believed it was the truth.

Cold Steel

...[except] I'd curse "the little bitch" out and ask her how come she can't mind her f***ing business.

Yes, but remember that she's young, still too much into the faith. Being older and wiser, don't be too hard on her. If she were as old and experienced as you, she might be here writing threads as well. (In fact, she may some day.) I'd be easy on her, but tell her to remember that in a few years she may be where you are now and give her a few reasons why you left. She probably thought she was doing God's work by turning you in. Just be glad she wasn't working for the Nazis (and tell her that).

52

What "Rules" Did The Elders In Your KH Make?

by minimus in

jw
friends

some congregations were known as liberal and others were considered very conservative.

back in the 1970s a nearby congregation made all speakers who gave public talks a white shirt to wear.

if a speaker came in wearing anything but white they were brought into the library and were given a white shirt!

Cold Steel

...for a very brief time walk mans were frowned upon because you could secretly listen to heavy metal music.

I listen to books on audio and lectures all the time. Would they have made an exception for a middle-aged white guy?

Well the CO had said something about get togethers so the elder brought my husband in and had us cancel it.

Yes, one of you may have inadvertently said something concerning doctrine, and they couldn't have that. You say something scriptural, then you do something stupid like interpreting that and the next thing you know you're teaching in the churches! Things can get quickly out of hand. That's why there will need to be elders in Paradise Earth. You sisters might start a whole wave of apostasy and get everyone kicked out of Paradise again! Don't deny it. You make a few obvious observations, people start wearing beards and then everyone gets kicked out of the pool and back into the dreary world wearing skins.

Brothers who do not get a minimum of 7 hours on their reports will "NOT hold microphone duties". 10 hours for the sound cabinet.

And this is supposed to be a punishment?? How so?

The CO said we could not go and see Beauty and the Beast. That is about beastiality!

O, c'mon. She wasn't that ugly!

37

What Happens If the JW Beard Policy Stumbles a Person

by Cold Steel in

some of the videos on youtube really make the beard policy look ridiculous.

i wondered what would happen if the jw beard policy caused someone to stumble?

jesus most likely wore a beard, and charles taze russell had a beard.

Cold Steel

Some of the videos on YouTube really make the beard policy look ridiculous. I wondered what would happen if the JW Beard Policy caused someone to stumble? Jesus most likely wore a beard, and Charles Taze Russell had a beard. If prohibiting them caused a person to stumble, then that could cause the people that prohibited them to be like the ones in Jesus' admonition that caused spiritual harm to the "little ones" -- it would be better for them if a mill stone was placed around their necks and they were drowned in the depths of the sea. (And just because they kept someone from having a beard.)

If I were a JW, if most likely wear a beard to show support for Charles T. Russell and my disdain for Joseph Rutherford (who always kind of reminded me of L. Ron Hubbard).

Is it true that Rutherford was more widely regarded than Russell? I could always see Rutherford wearing a skipper's outfit and seeing himself up as an authority to look up to, and though Russell was also revered by his followers at the time, I think Rutherford had more of a corporate following, like Hubbard.

22

144,000 & The Trinity

by Libby in

now that i'm looking beyond what the wt teaches i'm struggling to find information on three topics.

the 144,000, the trinity and prayer.. if anyone has 5 minutes could they explain:.

1. what do other religions think the 144,000 are or is?

Cold Steel

NikL » God the Father, Jesus, and the Holy spirit are all different manifestations of GOD. God in heaven as a spirit is the father. That's why no one has seen him but the son. God in the form of man so that man can see him and understand God the father is Jesus.

Yes, all are God. When God said, "Man had become one of us, "he was speaking of all men. There are three Elohim that make up God. But the way Jesus explained it was that they were ONE in purpose, not one God wearing three hats. He prayed concerning the Twelve, "that THEY may be ONE, even as WE are ONE." Since the Twelve weren't one apostle wearing twelve hats, God isn't one God wearing three hats.

22

Jehovah's Witnesses act like 'Flirts' with people!

by stuckinarut2 in

we were just musing that jws act in a "flirtatious" manner with people in the community.. they show such "sincere" interest in people when they call.

they seem like such kind, caring and thoughtful people - really interested in their lives and welfare.. people are often quite impressed with the jws manner, and their well dressed presentation.

people (especially vulnerable ones who are going through difficult pressures in life), are drawn in and made to feel special by the witnesses as they call back.. return visits take place.

Cold Steel

What if people just falsify their records? I'm sure no one has ever done that!

I've never understood why JWs have had to fill out records. Or put in the hours they do. I imagine they don't bring in many people going door

to door, do they?

As active JWs, how many people did you find? After you left the Organization, Did you ever go back to those people you helped to convert and tell them you were wrong? I've heard some JWs say they were going to do it, but I wonder if anyone has actually gone back and done it?

27

Dealing with Elderly Parents Who Still Believe the jw Religion is the truth

by lancelink in

i left the religion back in 2008 right after my mother died,( the total lack of natural love/ affection was the final straw for me).. but my dad has become more and more focused on doing the wt bidding.. it just amazes me how he gushes on and on about the last days, his new bible studies, and meeting parts .

but yet he makes no effort to have any type of relationship with his grandkids, there are 5 of them , non are witnesses.

they are the children from several different sisters of mine, and myself.. so how do you deal with the witness stuff always being presented in conversations?.

Cold Steel

Yes, but what are the ramifications of accepting the TRUTH? Shutting down all the Kingdom Halls, surrendering power and starting over from scratch. The entire system is built on power and control (which is where a rational conversation is destined to end).

When Jesus gave Peter the Keys of the Kingdom, he did so so that whatsoever Peter bound on Earth would be bound in Heaven and vice versa. Just think of the power that would give the Governing Body on the earth! If they said you could baptize, it would be as they said. And if you displeased them and they said you were out, poof! you were out! The Catholic Church claims they have this power and they haven't been shy about using it. They elevated Mary to heaven without tasting death. They also remove can remove one's membership just by saying it. And to be true, the Watchtower Bible Company has to have those same keys; otherwise, they're like any other manmade church. So even if you found an elder who would die for you, it ultimately means nothing because the TRUTH is a SHAM! If they don't have those keys, they can't cut anyone off nor provide anyone with salvation.

22

Jehovah's Witnesses act like 'Flirts' with people!

by stuckinarut2 in

we were just musing that jws act in a "flirtatious" manner with people in the community.. they show such "sincere" interest in people when they call.

they seem like such kind, caring and thoughtful people - really interested in their lives and welfare.. people are often quite impressed with the jws manner, and their well dressed presentation.

people (especially vulnerable ones who are going through difficult pressures in life), are drawn in and made to feel special by the witnesses as they call back.. return visits take place.

Cold Steel

Stuckinarut2 » The Witnesses may invite them to social gatherings with the congregation "friends". It all seems so amazing! ("someone likes me!" they may say.)

Do any of them have boats? I'm looking for a friend with a grill and a boat! Preferably a boat with a motor. I reckon if a JW had a recreational boat that he'd most likely be counseled seein' how worldly it is. To me...it just keeps me from sinking!

27

Dealing with Elderly Parents Who Still Believe the jw Religion is the truth

by lancelink in

i left the religion back in 2008 right after my mother died,( the total lack of natural love/ affection was the final straw for me).. but my dad has become more and more focused on doing the wt bidding.. it just amazes me how he gushes on and on about the last days, his new bible studies, and meeting parts .

but yet he makes no effort to have any type of relationship with his grandkids, there are 5 of them , non are witnesses.

they are the children from several different sisters of mine, and myself.. so how do you deal with the witness stuff always being presented in conversations?.

Cold Steel

LanceLink » I left the religion back in 2008 right after my Mother died, (the total lack of natural love/ affection was the final straw for me). But my Dad has become more and more focused on doing the wt bidding.

Yes, his entire life has been an investment in his religion. As he nears the end, he's thinking about the cashout.

This is sad. He's consolidated his assets, written off you and your kids and has told himself there's nothing else he can do.

So how do you deal with the witness stuff always being presented in conversations?

The "stuff" he's always being presented with is the very stuff he's been investing in. You go to the Kingdom Hall, you soak up the lessons, and you incorporate it into your sad, pathetic life. I say it's sad and pathetic, because of the expectations it lays out for your friends and family. You learn to live with the fact that your best friends in this life are going to be "Zapperrected"© (a cross between zapped and resurrected -- remember those insect zappers? Same concept. Once a loved one gets resurrected you hear a zapping not unlike those zappers and zap! They're gone! Zapperrected. Sorry, there's no cure. The religion is based on the concept that the elect make it, everyone else are like those bugs. Zapped out of existence!c