boyzone

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Posts by boyzone

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  12

  Pinatas?

  by garyneal in

  1. watchtower
  2. beliefs

  i recall reading somewhere on this site that the pinata was originally used in worship of a sun god and that in spite of this, the wt society allows this tradition.

  is this true?

  i was presenting this conundrum to my wife and i wanted to verify this information..

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  boyzone

  Hi Gary

  The article is found in the Awake mag of Sept 22nd 2003.

  It says in part.

  *** 'Awake!' 2003 9/22 p.24 The Piñata—An Ancient Tradition***
  
  A main concern is, not what the practice meant hundreds of years ago, but how it is viewed today in your area. Understandably, opinions may vary from one place to another. Hence, it is wise to avoid turning such matters into big issues. The Bible says: "Let each one keep seeking, not his own advantage, but that of the other person."—1 Corinthians 10:24.
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  8

  LUKE 6 : 35 and SHUNNING

  by iknowall558 in

  1. jw
  2. friends

  luke 6 : 35 -- " but love your emenies, do good to them, and lend to them without expecting to get anything back.

  then your reward will be great, and you will be children of the most high, because he is kind to the ungrateful and wicked.

  be merciful, just as your heavenly father is merciful.2.

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  boyzone

  But if they are shunning....according to this scripture...does this mean that they are not viewed as children of God because they are not following HIS example ?

  The scripture talks about their reward being great if they show mercy. As the average JW doesn't show mercy to disfellowshipped ones, then I can only conclude that their reward definately will not be "great". In fact the scriptures say that with the judgment they are rendering to others, such judgment they will receive in return.

  Some do show mercy and talk, but they're the rare exceptions (well, in my world they are) Some want to talk but are too frightened to, and some shun us with relish.

  How Jehovah views these variations is up to him but the scripture does seem to indicate that his favour will not be extended to those who don't show mercy.

  It goes to show that the shunning is one of the single most damaging and unchristian of all the Watchtower policies. I firmly believe that this policy alone will bring an adverse judgment upon, not just the leadership, but on all individuals that follow such leaders without question.

  I personally take comfort in knowing that God has seen the tears I've shed after being shunned, and he'll remember.
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  12

  Another Sunday Afternoon

  by cantleave in

  1. jw
  2. friends

  i'm sitting here in a comfy chair surfing the net, dog at my feet.

  the kids playing upstairs and the mrs doing some craftwork.

  the sun is shining outside and life couldn't be more relaxed.. if i wasn't here what would i be doing?

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  boyzone

  Yeah, good luck OutforGood3.

  We spent today putting up the christmas decorations, they look lovely! The lounge smells of pine from the tree and the twinkly lights look magical now its getting dark outside.

  Usually hubby and I head for the nearest coffee shop for a latte and a catchup chat, the rest of the week is so busy that its good to have some chillout time together. And to think I used to dread Sundays, getting us and the kids all togged up and bums on seats for 10am was nothing but stress

  "Have you got your answer ready?" "where's your shoes?" "No you can't bring your ipod" "put your tie on straight", "where's my bloody songbook?" nag nag nag......

  Nope, don't miss all that stress at all.
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  49

  Ray Franz Views of "Information Control" by WT Society Agree with Hassan

  by flipper in

  1. jw
  2. friends

  having read ray franz's " crisis of conscience " 3 years ago -before i read steve hassan's 2 books on mind control - my wife and i thought it would be good to re-read ray's " crisis " book again now that we know more about the workings of " cult mind control".

  we just finished chapter 2 and i noticed striking similarities i thought i would share.. notice this quote in " crisis of conscience " on pg.

  28 & 29 by franz , " thus numerous factors that are relatively common knowledge in many religious organizations are known only vaguely , if at all, by the vast majority of jehovah's witnesses.

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  boyzone

  Thank you for telling your story HappyGuy. Many of us can relate to what you went through and I truly hope that you really are on your way to being the happy guy you want to be.
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  8

  LUKE 6 : 35 and SHUNNING

  by iknowall558 in

  1. jw
  2. friends

  luke 6 : 35 -- " but love your emenies, do good to them, and lend to them without expecting to get anything back.

  then your reward will be great, and you will be children of the most high, because he is kind to the ungrateful and wicked.

  be merciful, just as your heavenly father is merciful.2.

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  boyzone

  Because this isn't the way the Watchtower explains it to the brothers. It doesn't link Luke 6 v 35 with disfellowshipped people, therefore in the minds of most dubs it doesn't apply to the disfellowshipped.

  And to think independently of the Watchtower is a definate no-no.
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  49

  Ray Franz Views of "Information Control" by WT Society Agree with Hassan

  by flipper in

  1. jw
  2. friends

  having read ray franz's " crisis of conscience " 3 years ago -before i read steve hassan's 2 books on mind control - my wife and i thought it would be good to re-read ray's " crisis " book again now that we know more about the workings of " cult mind control".

  we just finished chapter 2 and i noticed striking similarities i thought i would share.. notice this quote in " crisis of conscience " on pg.

  28 & 29 by franz , " thus numerous factors that are relatively common knowledge in many religious organizations are known only vaguely , if at all, by the vast majority of jehovah's witnesses.

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  boyzone

  Hi HappyGuy

  We haven't spoken before so its good to see a fresh opinion on here.

  Franz was a member of the body which orchestrates the brain washing. I am skeptical that what he says now is the truth because he willingly told lies for so long.

  I think its helpful to remember that Ray Franz didn't willingly tell lies. As a GB member he still believed that he was part of God's Organization and made decisions believing he was working for Jehovah (didn't we all?) and the flaws he saw within it would be corrected in time.

  The fact that he realised those flaws were just too deep and too fundamental to be fixed finally brought him in conflict with the Organization.

  Yes I understand your hesitation with Franz, after all he was part of the problem for 9 years. But please think about this, If Ray Franz had stayed a GB member despite witnessing the lack of concern for people, despite the unscriptural policies and doctrines and despite the checkered prophetic history, then I can fully understand your distrust of him.

  But he didn't stay. He saw deep problems and was willing to come into conflict with the Org for the sake of love for biblical truth and for the brothers. Its this crisis of conscience and the fact that he was willing to sacrifice long-term friendships, position, prestige and livelihood to follow what he found to be right that brings the man much admiration.

  No other GB member has been willing to makes such sacrifices before or since.

  I do urge you to read Crisis of Conscience, I'm sure you'll enjoy it.
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  9

  JWs "Directed by" Governing Body, but GB members "not leaders" of Jehovah's people

  by sd-7 in

  1. jw
  2. friends

  bearing thorough witness, page 110, pars.

  "like the first century christians, jehovah's witnesses today are directed by a governing body of dedicated, spirit-anointed men representing "the faithful and discreet slave.

  "" [ever since younger members miraculously received a heavenly calling that was supposed to have been closed before they were born, that is...but it's easy to adjust that 'understanding' when you're on the governing body, now isn't it?].

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  boyzone

  BB

  I hated that April 07 WT. It was the phrase ""sacred duty" that was the final straw that sent me to the computer to compose my DA letter.
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  39

  Did You WANT To Talk To Disfellowshipped People?

  by minimus in

  1. jw
  2. friends

  did you at least want to say "hi"?

  or did you avoid them like the plague?.

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  boyzone

  How come so many of you spoke to df'd people? And how come all the JW's I'm surrounded with (I live on an island with about 500 witnesses here) never say a word to me? Not one.

  God, I must be surrounded by some seriously anal dubs!
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  28

  To tell my parents or not to tell my parents...unfortunately that is a question

  by feenx in

  1. jw
  2. friends

  i could use some perspective on something i'm struggling with.

  first off, a little background info.

  i am an only child and my parents, in addition to quite difficult circumstances we've all experienced, both personally and as a family while i was growing up, remain devout.

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  boyzone

  Feenx - good for you!

  On an aside, if you did send an invite and it was refused or ignored, how would that make you feel?
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  50

  The Caring Elders

  by cantleave in

  1. jw
  2. friends

  i would be interested in your opinion of the following:.

  a friend told me about an incident that had happened in a neighbouring congregation.

  she told me that a sister from the congregation needed to get back to work after a meeting but discovered that she was boxed in.

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  boyzone

  Good letter Freddo, I hope the sister has the gumption to use it.