AllTimeJeff

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Posts by AllTimeJeff

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  43

  2520-607 = 1913

  by schnell in

  1. jw
  2. friends

  i love math, i love calendars, and somehow, this always gets me.. 2520 - 607 = 1913. not 1914.. 2520 - 606 = 1914. from what i understand, russell realized this.

  he had previously used 606 bc, of course, but then he switched it to 607 bc.

  i know there was something about no zero year, so it actually should be less one, correct?.

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  AllTimeJeff

  Whatever it is, GB2.0 will present it in the way best for the Borg. Don't look for logic where it never existed
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  63

  Is it possible to decline preaching in the carts?

  by Skepsis in

  1. jw
  2. friends

  hi folks,.

  i have a difficult dilemma.

  since i'm not pioneering any more, i'm reducing my hours wasted at that artifact known as cart or trolley.

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  AllTimeJeff

  You can always say no, and there will be consequences.

  You can always say yes, and there will be different consequences to you. :)
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  20

  Witness weddings

  by dothemath in

  1. watchtower
  2. beliefs

  recently went to a witness wedding, and after the vows the bride and groom were introduced as "brother and sister".....(then last name).....(then the big kiss).

  this is likely not unusual (i've heard it before), but with lots of "worldly" people in attendance it seems out of place to me.. i was just wondering if that's the way it is most places?.

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  AllTimeJeff

  With JW's, everything is regional. There is no law one way or the other.

  I am on record as saying that the terms "Brother" and "Sister" are control mechanisms to tear down your individuality and re-define who is supposed to be your family. After all, should you have a sibling who leaves, you have other replacements....

  Mini-rant over... :)
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  15

  Religion...is regarded by the rulers as useful

  by flipper in

  1. jw
  2. friends

  lucius annaeus seneca, roman statesman, 4bc - 65ad: "religion is regarded by the common people as true, by the wise as false, and by the rulers as useful.".

  this comes to mind as trump has been throwing the word "god" around.

  there are a lot of outwardly religious people in this government.. benjamin franklin: "the way to see faith is to shut the eye of reason.".

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  AllTimeJeff

  I am with you Flipper. Hide your books folks. It can happen. I'm not saying it will, but don't be naive.

  Unless you'd like to kill all the non-anglo, non-hetrosexual science lovers. Then by all means, carry on.... ;)
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  23

  Internally rolling my eyes.. Get this

  by raven in

  1. jw
  2. experiences

  a bit of an update, last weekend was my great grandmothers funeral, now, she was never a jw, and never was going to be, no matter how hard my mother, and grandmother tried to preach to her, she was the type of person that would kindly accept a wt or a book, but she wouldn't bother reading them.. anyways, she was a great wonderful and inspiring woman, the funeral was extremely sad, she had been a school teacher for over 35 years and a member of various clubs, so there were a lot of folks besides family that attended.. well, anyways i was there and so was my jw mother, stepfather, and grandmother, we were cordial, didn't talk about anything jw related because, it was great grandmothers funeral, not really a time to discuss how i am an evil sinner, or how i've escaped the org by avoiding df'ing, right?

  wrong, as i'm sitting waiting for the service to begin, a lady shows up, now- i have known this woman for a long time, apparently she baby sat me as a small child, (like i remember?

  ) so she isn't someone i was ever close with, but knew of her or when she was around would say hi to and make small talk.. to give you a tid-bit on her personality though, she is one of those crazy jw's.. she claims to have been possessed by a demon, very very wacky on the prophesies, or gb talks, etc.

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  AllTimeJeff

  What The Flipper said.... Boundaries within the Borg do not really exist.

  Very sorry for your loss. What a whack job. It reminds me of Ray Franz handling a funeral after Freddie Franz was so insensitive on the platform. The purpose of a funeral is to honor the life of those who've passed, and comfort those who are grieving.... Except in JW land, where it is yet another marketing opportunity.

  And that is why the crazies feel they can do what they do..... :-/
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  47

  What did you regrettably not do because you were a Jehovah's Witness ?

  by minimus in

  1. jw
  2. friends

  jehovah's witnesses cannot do a lot of things.

  i remember pioneers having to quit their jobs because they could not work in a convenience store and sell cigarettes.

  i know of a young man who was offered a scholarship to any college or university if he wanted to go to because of his football abilities.

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  AllTimeJeff

  College and sex. Just the truth.
• 
  45

  New light in this weeks WT?

  by Indian Larry in

  1. watchtower
  2. bible

  anybody have any ideas where they are going with the "new light" they have been pushing last week and this week?

  for instance in this weeks study article one section reads:.

  in years gone by, we believed that jehovah became displeased with his people because they did not have a zealous share in the preaching work during world war i. we concluded that for this reason, jehovah allowed babylon the great to take them captive for a short time.

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  AllTimeJeff

  Mega Kingdom Halls OTWO?

  That sets them up for consolidating congregations, selling off properties, appearing to be on the decline, but then saying that things will clear up later to show that they were really doing fine.
  
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  23

  No Longer a JW Expert But Starting to Figure Out Life

  by AllTimeJeff in

  1. jw
  2. friends

  consider this an update for those that remember me here.... when i left in 2006, it started a 10 year journey into a new phase.

  no more "safety".

  some people want to be their own person.

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  AllTimeJeff

  I think I got this part figured out, I think.....

  The best revenge is recovery and finding a new life for yourself. JW's aren't the only group that does this to people. Entire political systems (see, North Korea) also are aimed at taking away individuality. Thus, be yourself. They lose.

  GB versions 1.0 and 2.0 had as their biggest weapon the control of the message. Everything NOT THEM is WORLDLY! (BOO!)

  YOU are worth as much as you'll ever be, HERE at the Kingdom Hall.

  THEY look like they're having fun NOW, but remember, THIS LIFE ISN'T ALL THERE IS.

  However, you should offer as a sacrifice YOUR LIFE NOW, to ensure you get a BETTER LIFE in the FUTURE.

  No wonder the hurt and the weak are the ones attracted to this. It's easier just to be spoon fed than to figure this out for yourself.

  The real truth is this: YOU and I are the only way to beat GB 2.0, simply by being the best versions of ourselves, our talents, gifts, unique points of view, etc. That's my goal anyway....
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  17

  Flip Flops to Nowhere

  by Lostandfound in

  1. watchtower
  2. beliefs

  how long until wt has flip flopped its way back to anything of the faith many of us knew?

  who are the now dead ones giving evidence of their non captivity to babylon etc?

  i would not recognise what goes on in a kh now and i was in since 60s when we had firm beliefs, now being eroded little by little.

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  AllTimeJeff

  I think the Ray Franz incident in 1980 proved that backlash doesn't work in a high control environment. The point of control essentially is that you get to do what you want.

  Power is in control of the crafter of messages. Sprinkle just a little bit of dormant "think for yourself" muscles in, and you really won't have a backlash.

  Why would anyone want to anyway? The only thing worth saving as far as I am concerned is friends and family. The theology is just weird, the history is even weirder and sordid. If GB 2.0 had a Delorean with a Flux Capacitor, they would go back to 1921 and throttle Rutherford in his sleep.

  Then again, internal backlash has happened! It's called the internet and the ability to expose them for what they really are. I think in that context, a backlash has happened, and it has worked. But internally, I just don't think it's possible, given the "Bah Bah" mentality of the followers....
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  23

  No Longer a JW Expert But Starting to Figure Out Life

  by AllTimeJeff in

  1. jw
  2. friends

  consider this an update for those that remember me here.... when i left in 2006, it started a 10 year journey into a new phase.

  no more "safety".

  some people want to be their own person.

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• 

  AllTimeJeff

  Consider this an update for those that remember me here...

  When I left in 2006, it started a 10 year journey into a new phase. No more "safety". No more "brotherhood". I was so glad that I left and blew up the bridge. Scared, but happy to try and figure out life.

  I spent the first few years here online, sharing all my "insider" knowledge and sharing some of my pain. As a missionary and elder, I saw a lot, and saw that most of it was crap. I needed to write, just to get it out. I would like to think I put a small dent in the Bullshit Boat that is Governing Body 2.0 and helped a few people to see some facts. I had no agenda and still don't. The fact is, Jehovah's Witnesses as a group of people are mostly "nice". (whatever that means) But they are a cult because of what their leadership teaches and enforces.

  And yet, people still sign up. Just like they always will. And we should expect that in the future too. You'll always have cults and high control groups because frankly, some people need them. They can't operate as their own person. Some are so damaged they can't function without it.

  I myself am still damaged, and will probably have a "limp" of sorts for the rest of my days.

  One of the things I have had to come to grips with is that I ever did that stuff. I am way easier on myself than I used to be. I HATED that I chose to spend my 20's with them. I get it, they stroked my ego as a teen and it grew, and I ate it up. However, when I finally opened my eyes to the damage being done, even though it broke my heart to leave all my friends and start life over, I had no choice. I left. At least I was giving myself to become something of the person I could.

  And that is my biggest thing. I have become my own person. I own all a good chunk of me now. I once wrote that I would know I made it over the hump when I could say "Yeah, I used to be a Jehovah's Witness. Can you please pass the ketchup?" I have learned that most everyone has obstacles, born into less than favorable circumstances, but that you can also make something of your life.

  After 10 years out, one thing I have accepted is that we all want different things. Some people want to be a group. Some people want to be their own person. I used to want acceptance for all, these days, I'll settle for peaceful tolerance.

  Jehovah's Witnesses hurt me and my family in immeasurable ways. But I can't go back in time. I can only spend the time I have left.

  Time is on no one's side, but time is all we have. I hope for anyone who knows the unique experience of being a JW, who might consider leaving, or are in pain, that you will value your days, and value yourself. That is my message. After 10 years, I don't have a whole lot to offer on what the current teachings are from the deluded idiots running the place. But I do have some years of healing and growing. I will try to share if it seems appropriate. :) Peace and love to you all.