Posts by truthsearcher

119

Anyone Else from Canada?

by Miss 8572 in

i'm really intrigued by that fact that i may know some of you and yet not know that i know you.

i just want to know how many people from canada are here.

if you don't mind and don't care about posting your province (cause i'm too timid to) we could all get an idea of just how many canucks are really out there.

truthsearcher

north of Toronto

Any Ontarians who would like to talk, just pm me. We could arrange a visit, phone call, or email.

33

Comments You Will Not Hear at the 6-17-07 WT Study (DO NOT PUT APART)

by blondie in

do not put apart what god has yoked together.

therefore, what god has yoked together let no man put apart.

(b) why do the principles found in god's word really work, even when problems arise in a marriage?.

There is always something about the way that articles are written that seem rather strange to me. It is as if they are trying really hard to be intellectual--but the end result is a writing style that is stilted, aloof (and somehow nauseating). I don't think that Jesus ever talked in this way to his followers. He used their language, he conveyed his true love and concern.

I decided to have a try at re-writing the opening paragraph to see if it would have a better "feel". In doing so, I discovered that the writers are "padding" them with extra words. They would have been ripped apart by my English professors.

Here is my attempt--does it seem more "real" to you?

Imagine that you are about to embark on a long road trip. Will you face challenges along the way? You would be naive to assume otherwise. For instance, severe weather might make it necessary to slow down and drive with caution. Or perhaps you’ll have a mechanical problem that requires you pull over and call AAA. Would you then conclude that your trip was a mistake and that you should abandon the car? Not likely! It would be smart to anticipate problems and ways that you could deal with them.

24

Do you LOVE Jehovah's Witnesses?

by AK - Jeff in

i mean the people, not the religion.

in fact it moved me to make concession to a stalking jw, allowing them to be reinstated to the board this week.

i know they hate me nonetheless - but i still love them.

truthsearcher

Many.many...and it grieves me deeply that I am unable to reach them.

50

20 minutes....

by Scully in

a jw i used to know died recently.

she was almost exactly the same age as me - we were born just days apart.

she had battled cancer for almost a decade.

truthsearcher

It seems like important moments like this really reveal the true heart of the organization. I feel very sad for the friends and family members who NEED to have closure and comfort, but are offered...nothing. The pain and indignation that is left must then be squelched deep down inside, with the thought that they are the ones having a problem, not the organization.

I was at a friend's Dad's funeral this week. He had been a lifelong Christian and involved in many different denominations, a true servant who was involved in many activities. The funeral was 1 1/2 hours, with lovely reflections by his brothers, son-in-law, a musical tribute by his daughters, letters of love on display written by his grandchildren. It was a wonderful time of reflecting on his life and expressing the love and gratitude that we all felt for having known this special man. We sang his favourite hymns, there was a gospel quartet that sang about heaven, and a Scottish bagpiper to play Amazing Grace. At the graveside, we sang some acappella hymns, reflected on the resurrection, and then the family placed roses on the casket as it was lowered. The grandchildren were sobbing loudly--there was not a dry eye to be found. The pastor was full of comforting words for the family and friends. The extended family spontaneously drew together in a circle around the graveside with arms clasped around each other in a giant "group hug". These are the memories that will stay with the family for years to come...

Scully, I am sorry that your friend's family was denied the chance to celebrate the life of the one that they loved.

Cowboy, I am speechless! How sad for your family. I really find it difficult to comprehend the unloving and unconsiderate actions of that elder. I hope that you were able to grieve and say your goodbye to your grandpa privately.

47

A good fake name for an author

by OnTheWayOut in

jw
friends

if we were to suppose that someone who wants to remain anonymous were to be writing .

about the watchtower society or his/her lifestory,.

and if we were to suppose that this writing were to start off their new career as an author, .

truthsearcher

Mr. A. Wake

Dr. O. Peneyes

I like T. Ruth Searcher, but that implies a female author.

55

What was your WORST Field Service encounter???

by TheCoolerKing in

someone mentioned to me the other day about going door to door back when i was a jw.

"weren't you scared to do something like that, knock on a stranger's door?

actually it's been so long that i had almost forgotten.

truthsearcher

When I drove by the KH this morning there was an almost full parking lot. It looks like the good weather has brought every one out (or is it the WEEKS UNTIL ARMAGEDDON)?

I am sorry you have had such dangerous experiences in field service. I have had doors slammed and dogs attack (and I am not even a JW)! If y'all would come to my house, I would invite you in and give you something yummy to eat, but then I would ask some really DIFFICULT questions about the WT! So maybe you would rather that I had a gun instead....

12

Roof Repair-Could Any Brothers Give a Hand?

by bavman in

a friend/co-worker of mine who is an inactive dub told me today that the old hall i went to is getting a new roof.

however, he was upset because only "special" people are being allowed to work on it (himself not included, nor his active, in good-standing father).

it seems you have to be "invited" to work on your own kingdom hall roof now.

truthsearcher

This illustrates well that the org is all about power and control. Can you imagine Jesus behaving like that elder? No, he would have raced over, rolled up his sleeves and said, "GREAT IDEA! How can I help you, brother?"

32

Lurkers! How do you put up with it?

by PopeOfEruke in

i just cannot understand how any one in their right mind can read the experiences here concerning the wachtower society's false claims, lies, trickery and deceit, and the example shown by the so-called "elders" in treating the flock with disdain and cruelty, and still stay a jehovah's witness.. lurkers, how can you do that?

do you simply dismiss all the evidence?

have any of you experienced such evil acts personally and still stay connected to the jw's?.

truthsearcher

Do you think that many people might stay in because they really have never considered that there might be a VALID different interpretation of the Bible, which would free them from adhering to the WT spin on things? I mean, if other Christians were able to patiently show them from the Bible a REASONABLE alternative, maybe some of them would be willing to leave the organization (once they had realized that by doing so, they were not leaving Jehovah, but were abandoning a loyalty to a man-made tyranny?)

I guess my feeling on this matter is that a number of Christians are ill-prepared to counter the Witnesses when they come to the door. If they had an answer "for the hope that is within them" maybe it would say something to the Witnesses? Of course, I also believe it is a spiritual battle with the forces of darkness who would rather see people enslaved to a cult than experience freedom in Christ. (or you can call it brain-washing, if you are so inclined).

I would like to welcome the newbies that I see posting here. I was away from the computer for a little while. It is great to see more and more reaching out for release from bondage! Any Ontario newbies out there?

16

A question for Elders or MS currently on the inside

by loosie in

i sent some info about the lawsuit settlements to a friend who still goes to the meetings.

she said that years ago the abuse incidents were not reported to the authorities, but now they are reported to the authorities.. is that true?

did the organization change their reporting policy?.

truthsearcher

Didn't somebody have a recorded phone call to the legal department where they told him not to take the matter outside the organization? I can't remember who it was...I have been reading too many websites...

90

NOT AGAIN! That's right folks, once again we are now 'very close' 2 the end

by needproof in

jw
friends

i have received word that we are now 'very, very close'.

at the sunday meeting, according to my trusted source, the speaker actually said that 'it is no longer years, nor months - yet weeks and days'.

so they need you back, now!

truthsearcher

I think this is the New Testament passage that you are looking for: Mark 13

Things to Come (NASB) 1 As He was going out of the temple, one of His disciples said to Him, “Teacher, behold what wonderful stones and what wonderful buildings!” 2 And Jesus said to him, “Do you see these great buildings? Not one stone will be left upon another which will not be torn down.”
3 As He was sitting on the Mount of Olives opposite the temple, Peter and James and John and Andrew were questioning Him privately, 4 “Tell us, when will these things be, and what will be the sign when all these things are going to be fulfilled?” 5 And Jesus began to say to them, “See to it that no one misleads you. 6 “Many will come in My name, saying, ‘I am He!’ and will mislead many. 7 “When you hear of wars and rumors of wars, do not be frightened; those things must take place; but that is not yet the end. 8 “For nation will rise up against nation, and kingdom against kingdom; there will be earthquakes in various places; there will also be famines. These things are merely the beginning of birth pangs.
9 “But be on your guard; for they will deliver you to the courts, and you will be flogged in the synagogues, and you will stand before governors and kings for My sake, as a testimony to them. 10 “The gospel must first be preached to all the nations. 11 “When they arrest you and hand you over, do not worry beforehand about what you are to say, but say whatever is given you in that hour; for it is not you who speak, but it is the Holy Spirit. 12 “Brother will betray brother to death, and a father his child; and children will rise up against parents and have them put to death. 13 “You will be hated by all because of My name, but the one who endures to the end, he will be saved.
14 “But when you see the ABOMINATION OF DESOLATION standing where it should not be (let the reader understand), then those who are in Judea must flee to the mountains. 15 “The one who is on the housetop must not go down, or go in to get anything out of his house; 16 and the one who is in the field must not turn back to get his coat. 17 “But woe to those who are pregnant and to those who are nursing babies in those days! 18 “But pray that it may not happen in the winter. 19 “For those days will be a time of tribulation such as has not occurred since the beginning of the creation which God created until now, and never will. 20 “Unless the Lord had shortened those days, no life would have been saved; but for the sake of the elect, whom He chose, He shortened the days. 21 “And then if anyone says to you, ‘Behold, here is the Christ’; or, ‘Behold, He is there’; do not believe him;22 for false Christs and false prophets will arise, and will show signs and wonders, in order to lead astray, if possible, the elect. 23 “But take heed; behold, I have told you everything in advance.

Just to reinforce the key verse that applies to the Witnesses:

GWT: "At that time don't believe anyone who tells you, 'Here is the Messiah!' or 'There he is!' (GOD'S WORD®)

KJV: And then if any man shall say to you, Lo, here is Christ; or, lo, he is there; believe him not:

ASV: And then if any man shall say unto you, Lo, here is the Christ; or, Lo, there; believe it not:

BBE: And then if any man says to you, See, here is Christ; or, See, there; have no faith in it:

DBY: And then if any one say to you, Lo, here is the Christ, or Lo, there, believe it not.

WEY: "At that time if any one says to you, 'See, here is the Christ!' or 'See, He is there!' do not believe it.

WBS: And then, if any man shall say to you, Lo, here is Christ; or lo, he is there; believe him not.

WEB: Then if anyone tells you,'Look, here is the Christ!' or,'Look, there!' don't believe it.

YLT: And then, if any may say to you, Lo, here is the Christ, or, Lo, there, ye may not believe;