Posts by Georgiegirl

13

Mankinds Search for God

by Georgiegirl in

does anyone have a pdf of this book?.

any comments re accuracy, depth, etc.?

as i recall it was pretty broad-based..

Octarian Prince - Totally agreed. This started out as a curiosity - I remembered the book as being the only one that was "objective" and "factual" and not ramming WT theology through. Now that I'm studying fact-based and objective sources on religion (fascinating, by the way) I wanted to do a comparison for my own knowledge.

Stilla - thanks for taking the time to post all of that. I've just downloaded Atlantis' pdf. Immediately (and I am by no means a real scholar, I'm just getting my toes wet) this is what jumps out when I look at this through "non-cult" eyes:

1. Cleverly woven throughout are phrases that are NOT objective - for example, consistently referring to Hinduism beliefs/teachings as "mythology". Wonder how they'd feel if Hindus referred to WT teachings as "mythology"?

2. This really irritated me: "Oh, how much of this religious teaching hangs on the ancient Babylonian concept of the immortal soul!" Um. Thanks for the commentary. First of all, Hindus do NOT believe in an "immortal soul" as christianity believes. To imply that they believe in an immortal soul and that it is similar to mainstream christianity is insulting beyond belief. Secondly, they go right to "according to the bilbe, this despising and disdaining of hte material life is diametrically oppsed to Jehovah God's original purpose for mankind." ---

There is NO mention that Hinduism is considered to be the world's oldest religion - instead it is dismissed as "while it may not be as widespread as some other major religions".

3. Again - cult kneejerk reaction - tying Hinduism into "babylonian" teachings - not very accurate at all.

There is so much more here but I'm getting angry and I've got things to do today so I may have to finish this up later.

Also - interesting they had to throw in some paragraphs calling it a "sex cult" and mention "phallic symbols" several times. Most of the examples they picked were of fringe parts of Hinduism as well - pick the most extreme examples to throw out there.

11

1990 Mankind's Search For God--PDF!

by Atlantis in

1990 mankind's search for god--pdf bookmarked searchable reduced front cover?

click here: http://www.imagger.com/view/173885_scan-20001.jpg.html click the link at the bottom of the next page.

http://www.sendspace.com/file/82a2w6 cheers!

Georgiegirl

Thank you so very much! This is terrific. I'm going to reply on another thread but this is just perfect. If I had read this before, I would have thought it was an accurate and objective discussion of the various religions as well. Incredibly helpful. Thank you.

13

Mankinds Search for God

by Georgiegirl in

does anyone have a pdf of this book?.

any comments re accuracy, depth, etc.?

as i recall it was pretty broad-based..

Georgiegirl

Really?? That is GREAT! No, no rush. I was told to review this book by a JW and I want some backup that it's either inaccurate or very general. (I'm assuming it is; most of their books ARE) but it is being pushed on me as being such an accurate book.

Mankinds Search for God

by Georgiegirl in

last time i could find any comments on this was from 2005/2006.

any thoughts, comments?

from what i remember it was very broad.

Georgiegirl

Last time I could find any comments on this was from 2005/2006. Any thoughts, comments? From what I remember it was very broad. Does anyone have a PDF of it?

13

Mankinds Search for God

by Georgiegirl in

does anyone have a pdf of this book?.

any comments re accuracy, depth, etc.?

as i recall it was pretty broad-based..

Georgiegirl

Does anyone have a PDF of this book?

Any comments re accuracy, depth, etc.? As I recall it was pretty broad-based.

1

For all you scholarly types out there

by Georgiegirl in

oh yeah....college is really a threat (grin)...got this from class last night -.

http://www.vts.intute.ac.uk/he/tutorial/religion/?sid=2295774.

thought this might be a helpful site - it's a portal to doing online research; you name it, you can find it.

Georgiegirl

Oh yeah....college is really a threat (grin)...got this from class last night -

http://www.vts.intute.ac.uk/he/tutorial/religion/?sid=2295774

Thought this might be a helpful site - it's a portal to doing online research; you name it, you can find it. It's a pretty amazing resource.

1

Higher education, disfellowshipping and other policies

by Georgiegirl in

jw
friends

when i was reading the post that was looking for the policy on higher education it suddenly occurred to me - .

most of us who were cos, elders, pioneers, or in an elders' family (hope that covers everyone who would be considered "privileged" and "truly spiritually-minded") were constantly reminded that we had to be shining examples for the rank and file.

we were reminded (and pressured) to conform - it was unthinkable to consider a 4-year college, unthinkable to even entertain talking to a disfellowshipped person (even if a family member), etc etc.. the rest of the rank and file only get these reminders at meetings if they are listening or in the literature if they are studying (not highlighting).

Georgiegirl

When I was reading the post that was looking for the policy on higher education it suddenly occurred to me -

Most of us who were COs, elders, pioneers, or in an elders' family (hope that covers everyone who would be considered "privileged" and "truly spiritually-minded") were constantly reminded that we had to be shining examples for the rank and file. We were reminded (and pressured) to conform - it was unthinkable to consider a 4-year college, unthinkable to even entertain talking to a disfellowshipped person (even if a family member), etc etc.

The rest of the rank and file only get these reminders at meetings IF they are listening or in the literature IF they are studying (not highlighting). Therefore, they do not seem as important to them and they do not realize that these are actual directives by the GB. They might wonder why they never progress or are given privileges or are part of the "popular" crowd, but they are not as exposed to these policies as we have been.

Therefore, we see comments like - "that's not true about shunning because in MY family" or "they aren't really against education, just making it your priority". That kind of thing used to drive me nuts until I realized - of course they don't know! THEY don't have to be "examples for the rest of the congregation" and have to conform as strictly. Every single thing I did, said, or wore, every friend I had, every movie I saw, every book I read, every social outing I went to - was discussed in my household as to whether or not it was setting an example for everyone else. There are relatively few "ranking" families in each congregation - which means the depth of indoctrination/pressure is different - it's just ignorance from lack of knowledge when people don't "get it".

60

Great Educational Tool for those studying or thinking of studying with JWS

by sf in

i was doing some web surfing and catching up on my reading and came upon a post i hope may help some lurkers and seekers understand better what they are getting themselves into or may have already gotten into, by studying the bible with jws.. i surely hope it is not going against any rule to copy/paste this.

i will not include anything but the text.

i will say though that it is from a longstanding exjw support board that can be found here:.

Georgiegirl

(sighs) Reniaa - you are both right and wrong. The initial post (over 2 years old) would never make me think of " fanged, googly-eyed JW ghouls ready to jump on you and feast on your flesh while your paralised in a mind controlled state". That's just silly, and silly to say, and when I see how hard you are working to be taken seriously on this board - I have to tell you - saying silly things like that will only serve to enforce the general belief that you are being brainwashed.

I recognize you are trying to bring what you see as "balance" to the board, and I can respect that. There are certainly enough people on this board who are angry and/or hurt by the policies of this organization who post in ways that do not seem balanced. I cringe when I read posts like that because I do have family still in and I think most people, when they read those kind of posts, snap to what they have been told to believe is true - that apostates are unbalanced and evil people. I also believe that most on this board are desperate to save others from the same devastatation they have experienced and use whatever methods they can to do so.

You are right when you say the vast majority in the congregations are just "just trying to serve their God". However, if you look back in history and examine the horrors of the inquisition, the crusades, etc etc, you could say the exact same thing. The majority were people with good hearts trying to do what they thought was right based on what their leaders taught them. Did that justify their actions? Did the fact that there were many in the same belief system who did not go to those extremes make those belief systems right?

This is an organization. It has the right to make up its own rules, just as any organization does. Those same rules break up families, protect pedophiles, prevent its members from thinking for themselves and being able to freely debate and to question, and use a bible that is controversial and verifiably mis-translated. If you want to be part of it because you think it brings you closer to God, fine. That is your choice and your right. You have been given many facts, much documentation (and granted, alot of opinions). There has been fact after verifiable fact provided to you to show that this is simply not an organization that a just and loving God would choose as his sole channel here on earth. If you want to be part of it - again - your choice and your right.

I guess my question is - if you truly want to be a part of it, why aren't you playing by their rules? Why do you choose to associate with "apostates"? Are you trying to "save" us and bring us back? Because honestly? You won't. These people think for themselves. Are you trying to make your own "faith" stronger by putting yourself above everyone else and making fun of how hurt ones choose to express themselves? Certainly not a Christian course. All are welcome here and I am not saying any of this to tell you that you are unwanted or to go away. I'm trying to understand exactly what it is you want to do. If you want to be a JW, then go and be one. Before you do, I suggest you print out your discussions here and take them to the elders. If you are not baptized, do you think you will be able to be baptized if it is known you are associating online with "apostates"? If you are baptized, what do YOU think will happen? What will be the counsel if you show that you are a rebel against the organizational direction? Do you want to be a part of that? If so, what is holding you back?

9

Marking, how is it supposed to work?

by searcher in

i read at http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/beliefs_and_practices_of_jehovah%27s_witnesses that witnesses... .

marking is practiced if a person's course of action is regarded as a violation of bible principles, reflecting badly on the congregation, but is not a disfellowshipping offense.

[104] the person is strongly counseled.

Georgiegirl

In retrospect, I think it's the greatest tool in the world for helping people leave. I was "unofficially" marked (no talk that I know of) but was treated pretty much like a non-person. No one would sit with me, barely greeted except for by one or two elders, excluded from social gatherings, family didn't speak to me...and what I learned was - I could totally survive without my family, friends, and congregation. It made it easy to fade. At the time, it was devastating. The irony is that I was marked for bad judgment - not for doing anything really wrong. (rolling eyes)

58

Craziest thing you've ever been "counseled" for????

by superman in

jw
friends

i know that this has been a popular post in the past.

but after my last post, it got me thinking.

i used to always use those stupid field service report slips as scratch paper.

Georgiegirl

The former (grin) and have since learned many helpful techniques.