AllTimeJeff

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Posts by AllTimeJeff

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  55

  Is The Internet The Worst Thing That Could Happen To The Organization?

  by minimus in

  1. jw
  2. friends

  the witnesses try to demonize the internet.

  in your opinion is the internet the biggest problem for the watchtower organization?.

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  AllTimeJeff

  Lets try to quantify it this way. If you look at the countries with the greatest growth in the latest yearbook, and somehow figure out their internet saturation, I think that could be telling.

  In Cameroon, I was in 3 cities, Douala, Yaounde, and Bamenda. Most people had no computers at all. (I kid you not, electricity and a tv were luxery items) Anyone who wanted to get on the internet had to usually go to these internet cafe's, where you had to prepay and charge by the hour. Money was limited, so anyone on the computer, on the internet, were doing email, news. Yes, they would google Jehovah's Witnesses. But I promise you, there was no time to do any more then a brief glance at what was there.

  It is my belief that only those with private internet access really have an opportunity to investigate JW's on the internet. And it is easier to name the countries that do have this, (i.e. cheap internet access) such as USA and Canada. Great Britain. Australia, for example, then those that don't.

  Anyway, the countries which have the money that the WTBTS needs to survive are also the countries that have cheap unfettered internet access. Bummer for them.

  I don't think the internet will bring down JW's by itself. I do think it has sprung a slow leak that is impossible to fix for the GB.
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  16

  Are only Christians of good morals ?

  by wobble in

  1. watchtower
  2. beliefs

  this thread is prompted by the direction my other thread took, the one about "where was god...".

  on that thread lwt posted a quote from ann coulter about how superior were christians because they don't kill babies (abortion) they don't kill old people (euthanasia) and they don't do this or that.. it is the same attitude that seems to permeate the "christian" sects, we have everything right and only we are moral.

  ( of course this attitude is extreme in the cults, like the jw's/wt where all "worldly" people are in thrall to satan).

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  AllTimeJeff

  Of course Christians aren't the only people with good morals. And being in a minority compared to the world population, one has to wonder if world geography isn't something fundie Christians in the USA shouldn't pay more attention to.

  I think people are inherently good or bad, and that religion oftentimes exacerbate who a person really is.

  I respect Christians on here who follow Jesus but disavow in general organized religion. That makes a hell of a lot more sense to me. I have a bible, you do to. (if not, they are cheap, JW's have em in paperback for free ) Read about what Jesus said. You don't need a religious intermediary to tell you what Jesus wants you to do. If you are bent on being a Christian, and you believe that the gospels have the words of Jesus right, figure it out for yourself.

  Sadly, I think (just one mans opinion here) that one reason Christians gather together is for community and to be around people of like minds. With that in mind, considering you are always going to have the prudes and self righteous among us, (just like the cynical) will hide their agendas behind religion.

  Christianity, whatever it is, was, or is supposed to be, has been and always will be used to promote the agendas of others, be they good or bad.
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  9

  Trying to build a new Kingdom Hall but county says

  by megaflower in

  1. jw
  2. friends

  the local area is attempting to build a new kingdom hall.

  the county says they do not want is done as a quick build.

  they sited that too many of these quick builds have resulted with mold problems.

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  AllTimeJeff

  Wow, thats a great point about mold.

  Quickbuilds are an example of the idiotic thinking of the GB. Maybe now that GB 2.0 is in charge and they have no more $$ coming in, they will stop them or more tightly regulate them. But all it is supposed to be is a spectacle for good pub.

  I would think the point would be the best building that you could possibly make, don't you?

  I personally think its dangerous at times the way JW's do this sometimes. Am I saying that doing a building quickly isn't impressive? No. It is an accomplishment of sorts. But its just too quick, and it isn't necesarry.
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  17

  Wisdom from the movie Blazing Saddles (1974)

  by Elsewhere in

  1. jw
  2. friends

  the character bart, played by cleavon little, went outside to be friendly with the locals.

  what he got was to be called a "n".

  after this jim, played by gene wilder, gave him a pep talk:.

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  AllTimeJeff

  So tea partiers, I get the principle, but the mood you all generate is the last thing from inspiring or comforting.

  Causing division and hate as an answer to possible moves toward socialism immediately kills your argument as far as I am concerned. That and Glen Beck is your mouthpiece.

  Anywhoo, thats a great movie, and I get the point of the quote Elsewhere.
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  104

  Jesus Curses the Fig Tree

  by cameo-d in

  1. watchtower
  2. bible

  i felt this subject deserved it's own thread.. .

  quote:.

  this jesus character is recorded in two books of the bible as vandalising a fig tree for reasons that make absolutely no sense to me at all.. i have mentioned this stupidity a couple of times on this forum and the only attempt anyone had at explaining his actions completely ignored grammar and context.. .

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  AllTimeJeff

  It's all symbolism.

  The cynical among us (of which, I frequently am) would wonder why a supposedly magnanimous person as Jesus was purported to be, would include this odd illustration, and the evident anger Jesus had.

  I don't begrudge anyone who finds meaning in this illustration for themselves. Admittedly, sources of inspriation are all around us, and are only encumbered by our imagination.
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  24

  Did You Feel Let Down By Jehovah & The "Brothers"?

  by minimus in

  1. jw
  2. friends

  did you find yourself disappointed in your life as a jehovah's witness?.

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  AllTimeJeff

  Sort of a mixed bag for me. The brothers/elders are under the control of the Service Dept, which reports directly to the GB. They are given a feeling of self esteem and they get bonus good vibes and pats on the back if they enforce edicts without worrying what effect is has on the flock. For all the talk that the WT gives about loving the flock, for an elder, if you are loyal to the CO/Service Dept, it goes well for you.

  These are the brothers who let us all down.

  As far as Jehovah, this god goes under a lot of names given by religions who offer god to those who would rather you follow the human religious leaders.

  Think about it, if you are really worshiping god, isn't that between you and she? Sorry, for a personal relationship that all religions offer, JW's included, isn't it interesting that to worship god, you have to follow men and a hiearchy that is created by man?

  So no, Jehovah didn't let me down. For all I know, Jehovah works at the Blockbuster video down the street. God, whoever she is, is either ambivalent or less powerful then we all imagine. I am much more interested in how we can get in touch with that spiritual need we all have outside of organized religion.
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  55

  Is The Internet The Worst Thing That Could Happen To The Organization?

  by minimus in

  1. jw
  2. friends

  the witnesses try to demonize the internet.

  in your opinion is the internet the biggest problem for the watchtower organization?.

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  2. 
  3. 
• 

  AllTimeJeff

  Is it the worse thing that could happen outside of a scandal? Sure, because it publicizes the scandals, et al.

  One of the ironic things that the GB tries to do is to appear reasonable in all of their hyper controlling rules. In all of the articles that demonize the internet, WT and Awake, they almost always start out with the fact that kids who get on the internet get taken by predators, that marriages are regularly broken up by meeting random strangers in chat rooms, that most of the information available is false or at least shouldn't be accepted at face value. (oh and critics of the WTBTS are on and they are so powerful being under the control of Satan that it could destroy your faith)

  Basically, there is nothing good on the internet ever. They try to make it seem that they are looking out for you, but as we all know, they are looking out for themselves.

  There's another thread here on the GB that I want to comment on about what the GB knows, etc. This is what makes it so insidioius. They realize that much of what on the internet is true.

  It is a loose confederation of people who probably have little in common other then their past, but that demonstrates how powerful the bond is, and the desire to expose what the GB wants to hide.
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  116

  To Ex-JWs: Do You Regret Learning it Was a Lie?

  by leavingwt in

  1. jw
  2. friends

  this question was inspired by a question on another thread.

  to the ex-jw community here,.

  do any of you regret learning that wt is not god's organization?

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  AllTimeJeff

  Thats cool Paul. We do understand to one extent or another....
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  116

  To Ex-JWs: Do You Regret Learning it Was a Lie?

  by leavingwt in

  1. jw
  2. friends

  this question was inspired by a question on another thread.

  to the ex-jw community here,.

  do any of you regret learning that wt is not god's organization?

  1. 
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  AllTimeJeff

  Going from thinking I knew the truth and having a hope to realizing I don't know anything and have no hope is terrifying for me.

  Paul

  Hope is a powerful thing. I don't want to be too profound, or comment too much as if I knew the answers you seek. All I have to offer, as most people when it comes to "conclusions", are opinions.

  Paul, it seems you respect my opinion and others here. But remember something about our conclusions, we all did a certain amount of mining for them. We weren't always where we were. In short, I was, like many here, where you are now.

  There is a certain amount of "respecting the process" that you must have faith in. Mouthy mentioned some therapy. Did you know I have had therapy too, and it has helped immensely.

  You mention that you no longer have hope. I am reminded of 1 Corinthians where Paul said that three things remain, faith, hope and love, and the greatest is love.

  I agree with that. Before you can have faith and hope, you must love others. To be self absorbed too much means you aren't thinking of others enough, and if you isloate yourself, there can be no hope.

  I realize I am telling on myself by saying that. I feel I am too self absorbed. I use this board to work some things out in my head. (still) I am learning to refocus some of my contemplation and introspection on others. I am trying to get involved with my community. I couldn't have done that when I first left JW's. It took time. It's been over 3 years for me. I can't promise any less time for you. But it does get easier.

  Anyway, realize that hope comes from love. Love others. Forgive yourself first. I know you don't think you are ok the way you are, but you really are. I promise you with all my heart that you are. And as I continue to learn, have faith in the goodness of others, in yourself, and that if you are patient, peace will come your way.

  I promise you this to, though I am no prophet at all, (insert laugh track here) but God loves you too. Like a good parent, he wants you to accept who you are. If you can't believe that now, then can you at least stay open to that possibility? :)

  And hey, from someone who still needs more of it myself, get some therapy. Get some help. Be humble the right way and help yourself by letting others help you.

  Sorry if that wasn't profound, but thats what I have tonight. Hang in there! :-)
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  116

  To Ex-JWs: Do You Regret Learning it Was a Lie?

  by leavingwt in

  1. jw
  2. friends

  this question was inspired by a question on another thread.

  to the ex-jw community here,.

  do any of you regret learning that wt is not god's organization?

  1. 
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  3. 
• 

  AllTimeJeff

  Hi Paul. I will give some thought to your post and contribute what I honestly feel I can.

  I really want you to dig your way out of where you are. I am rooting for you. I want you to know though, as you are learning now, that this is a process. Even the best advice given, even if it is perfect advice, oftentimes falls short simply because we all need have things make sense to us.

  I can tell you with confidence that one thing JW dogma has taken from you is your confidence. I dare say we all battle this to one extent or another. Confidence in ourselves has a code word in JW speak: pride.

  So one thing I will tell you off the top is this, you are used to viewing any strong point of view, any opinion you have, any sense of you as an individual as inordinate pride that displeases Jehovah. What this does is cause a person to become dependent on the GB. The truth is, that is something all cults do, rob you of you.

  It's hard to see when you are newly seperated from the JW's. Over time, I feel confident that as you work through these things, as you need to do, you will see that aspect of it similarly.

  Be patient with yourself. I have a feeling the answers are already inside you, waiting to be discovered, not learned.

  More soon. :)