Posts by Cold Steel

65

My Younger Brother Has Left The Witnesses!! :-D

by pale.emperor in

absolutely thrilled to give you the news that my younger brother, a zealous full-time pioneer has left the witnesses!!.

i haven't seen or spoke to him in a year.

i'd lost all contact with him, no facebook, no mobile number, i didn't even know his address because he'd moved house.

Cold Steel

Pale Emperor » In the end I had a breakdown. ... The elders came to see me in the hospital. They were nice and all but before leaving Bro. _______ asked for my ministry report for the month. I burst into tears right there in the hospital. The nurse had to tell them to leave.

I can't believe the insensitivity. Apparently when he came to the point where he didn't care whether what he'd believed was true or not, that's when it all fell apart. The lifestyle reached a point that it became absurd.

It reminds me of the struggle written about by Albert Camus, who sees suicide as the ultimate thumbing of one's nose at life; of recognizing the absurdity of it. “There is but one truly serious philosophical problem, and that is suicide,” he wrote. “Judging whether life is or is not worth living amounts to answering the fundamental question of philosophy.” One either does or does not. Life is entirely devoid of meaning. And what better way of describing the above than likening it to the Greek myth of Sisyphus, which fascinated Camus? Devious even with the gods, Sisyphus got away with his tricks even to the day he died. But then it all caught up with him because how can you ultimately escape the gods? So he was forced push a huge, rounded stone up the side of a cliff all day. Then, as neared the top, it would slip and go back to where he had started and he would do it all again.

It was something one could never appreciate about the absurdity of life until one is brought to the brink of destruction, then asked for his weekly report! That's the point where he sees the absurdity and decides to either end his own life, or, he sees the absurdity of it all and laughs until he can laugh no more!

Your brother would most likely enjoy The Myth of Sisyphus, by Camus. It would be a nice "leaving" gift.

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

It's the way they do these things -- the logic they employ. Like the birthday policy. There was, what, two, examples of people using birthdays to bring about mischief in the Bible? Then there's the use of the church itself to dictate such things! I'd love to take some people who'd been born and raised in the JW faith and make them visit other churches and see how unobtrusive they are. That's probably why people aren't allowed to do that.

Jesus went to the temple and talked to both the Pharisees and Saducees. He wasn't chastised by his mother about those horrid worldly people. Instead, he spent hours with them! And the folks Jesus criticized sounded more like JWs than they did...Methodists! The whole thing about not visiting other churches should have been a red flag to converts. The beard thing only comes along later. Seeing Jesus without a beard (not to mention the other guy on the torture stake!) was like seeing Hercules without a beard on that horrible cartoon series.

The idea that a person can go to church and be "counseled" by someone they barely know and by people they don't want counseling them is beyond what most other people in other churches could even comprehend. For you people who were converts, what was your reaction to the first time you were counseled?

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

So what is so bad about losing privileges? You can gain Paradise Earth without 'em, they're a pain to begin with and life is easier without 'em.

If one wants to make a point by wearing a beard (and let's "face" it, Jesus was constantly making a point at the expense of the stupidity of established religion) are we truly supposed to think he doesn't have a sense of humor, or that he would condemn a person for doing something he did himself?

The way I see it, they can't get you for wearing a beard. But they can get you for loss of privileges. And they can keep you from having privileges if you have a beard. So forgive my circular logic, which I'm sure Jesus won't see through.

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?