StephaneLaliberte

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Posts by StephaneLaliberte

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  43

  Disciplinary Actions

  by Cold Steel in

  1. watchtower
  2. beliefs

  during a disciplinary procedure, what would the response be if you wanted representation?

  an advocate?.

  why don't they have a group of unbiased men, a prosecutor to present the case against you and an advocate that would represent the accused?

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  StephaneLaliberte

  Hello theDog1,

  In one of your posts, you stated that Jehovah’s Witnesses chose to be baptized and thus, should play by the rules.
  Please consider the following: I got baptized before the age of 14. Back then, I was convinced of what I was thought:
  1. the end was around the corner since the generation of 1914 was growing old
  2. The 144 000 were already selected since 1931 and thus, the remaining number partaking was a real indication of our proximity to the end. No new (non-replacement) anointed the number of anointed was going down since 1931.

  Please note that these things were not mere suggestions provided by the society, they were facts and I accepted them as such. The faithful and discreet slave, made up of thousands and thousands of wise Christians on whose Jehovah’s spirit acted upon, came as one to these conclusions. Who was I to question them all? I was a kid. So, there I was, convinced that Armageddon would come before I’d finish high school.

  I even remember going door to door, believing I was separating goats from sheep and thought on numerous occasions: this person will never make it through Armageddon.

  Then, from time to time, I was comparing my religion to others thinking: Which other religions

  1. Sets up a book study group for its members,
  2. Isn't greedy to the point of accepting credit cards,
  3. Is not involved with the governments and much less with the UN
  4. Does not brainwash kids with games, cartoons, and other things for that purpose
  5. Does not add to the scriptures by inserting images and religious teachings in the bible

  All these understandings above were not small details, they had a great impact on my life. And now that the watchtower has done away with ALL of these, how can we truly say that the organization I got baptized into is the same today?

  Since then, I have come a long way in my understanding of the scriptures and, unfortunately, do not have the freedom to truly express my faith – doing so would cause a Judicial Comity. The irony is that I still share many of the watchtower’s teachings!

  I can’t help but wonder by which authority any man, or group of man, can judge the faith of his fellow man, especially when it comes down to details such as bringing into question the “generation” teaching or even referring to the “144 000” as a figurative number. How an organization does this and still profess to be an organisation guided by love goes beyond my understanding.

  Sincerely,

  Ecan6
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  22

  WT Study March 15 on jw.org

  by Gayle in

  1. watchtower
  2. bible

  only scanned,,couple articles on necessary on having a old-age long-term plan now.

  reality is hitting them more than ever.. also, australia showed "publisher" amount.

  i assume it was the "peak" stat.

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  StephaneLaliberte

  I find the “Honor the Aged Among You” article quite troublesome; especially at the 10 th and 11 th paragraphs. Here, it is explained that Full-time service brothers and sisters should not ‘hastily give up service privileges’ to care for their parents when their parent’s congregation could do it for them.

  I am baffled by the fact that they avoid the obvious similarity between the situation described in these paragraphs and the actions of the Pharisees exposed by Jesus’ in Mark 7: 9 to 13.

  9 Further, he said to them: “You skillfully disregard the commandment of God in order to keep your tradition.+ 10 For example, Moses said, ‘Honor your father and your mother,’+ and, ‘Let the one who speaks abusively of* his father or mother be put to death.’+ 11 But you say, ‘If a man says to his father or his mother: “Whatever I have that could benefit you is corban (that is, a gift dedicated to God),”’ 12 you no longer let him do a single thing for his father or his mother.+ 13 Thus you make the word of God invalid by your tradition that you have handed down.+ And you do many things like this.”+ 14

  Verse 12 leaves no room for doubts: “you no longer let him do a single thing for his father or his mother”.
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  54

  Nelson Mandela - comments of what his life meant to you

  by MMXIV in

  1. jw
  2. experiences

  nelson mandela has passed on.

  he was a symbol of hope and peace to many.

  has his life and achievements meant anything personal to members of jwn?.

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  StephaneLaliberte

  I have found it quite intestesting to see how JWs around my family focused on the JW members of Mandela's family rather then the man himself. And many have also dismissed any positive action he made stating that in the end, these actions won't change the world and therefore, were for nothing.

  Can't they just appreciate that Apartheid was ended thanks to man like him?
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  7

  Why do humans suffer

  by StephaneLaliberte in

  1. watchtower
  2. beliefs

  while talking with my wife, it occurred to me that the jws idea of why humans suffer doesnt make sense.

  the idea is that humans suffer so as to prove beyond the shadow of a doubt that they cannot rule themselves.. now, the bible states that satan is the ruler of this world.

  so just how letting time pass by supposed to answer the question about the humans ability to govern themselves when they dont govern themselves?

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  StephaneLaliberte

  While talking with my wife, it occurred to me that the JW’s idea of why humans suffer doesn’t make sense. The idea is that humans suffer so as to prove beyond the shadow of a doubt that they cannot rule themselves.

  Now, the bible states that Satan is the ruler of this world. So just how letting time pass by supposed to answer the question about the humans’ ability to govern themselves when they DON’T GOVERN themselves? And worse: How is the fact that God threw Satan down to earth (with a great wrath) in 1914 supposed to help settle the question?
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  11

  Journalistic report from the inside

  by StephaneLaliberte in

  1. watchtower
  2. bible

  i am presently fading out, and yesterday, the thought occurred to me as to make some sort of journalistic report from the inside.

  what i mean is that when you stop and really listen to the type of things the jehovahs witnesses say to one another, i am convince that the population at large would be appalled by what these friendly people actually think when they go door to door.. and while fading out, that would be the perfect time to wear a wire, lets say for a year or so, and then, make a documentary about it.

  of course, for this to work, one would have to be very specific and say names.

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  StephaneLaliberte

  I would likely go with a news team somewhere and try to find out what I could be done. It wouldn't be the first documentary to use hidden camera. If its legal for them, why wouldn't it be legal for us against the JWs?
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  11

  Journalistic report from the inside

  by StephaneLaliberte in

  1. watchtower
  2. bible

  i am presently fading out, and yesterday, the thought occurred to me as to make some sort of journalistic report from the inside.

  what i mean is that when you stop and really listen to the type of things the jehovahs witnesses say to one another, i am convince that the population at large would be appalled by what these friendly people actually think when they go door to door.. and while fading out, that would be the perfect time to wear a wire, lets say for a year or so, and then, make a documentary about it.

  of course, for this to work, one would have to be very specific and say names.

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  StephaneLaliberte

  I am presently fading out, and yesterday, the thought occurred to me as to make some sort of journalistic report from the inside. What I mean is that when you stop and really listen to the type of things the Jehovah’s witnesses say to one another, I am convince that the population at large would be appalled by what these friendly people actually think when they go door to door.

  And while fading out, that would be the perfect time to wear a wire, let’s say for a year or so, and then, make a documentary about it. Of course, for this to work, one would have to be very specific and say names. For example: Brother Smith said on July 13 th while in service that “Without Jehovah’s organization, we are condemned to eternal destruction”.

  There are so many things that are said casually that I am convinced that if anyone wore a wire, they would catch a great deal of unbelievable quotes that would put the JW in a serious predicament.

  Of course, this could be seen as being traitorous, but when you consider that once someone is out of the org, he is considered like “pigs going back to their own vomit”, then, I think of this as a pre-emptive strike.

  My personal dilemma is: I will definitely lose my family if I do this. Is there anyone out there with nothing to lose?
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  62

  Sadly, fading is bad for my marriage

  by stillin in

  1. watchtower
  2. beliefs

  while headship has always been a problem in my marriage, partly because i'm more of a team player and my wife has man issues, now that i'm clearly fading my wife feels that i have nothing of worth to say.. i resist the idea of divorce but this is not much of a marriage.

  since she doesn't/ can't hold down a job alimony would be ridiculously expensive.

  cheaper to keep her, as they say.. i get zero cooperation or even discussion for any adjustments i feel might be in order for us as we grow older: obabmacare?

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  StephaneLaliberte

  Hey Stillin,

  Sorry to hear about your situation. Hang in there man. Even if JW are setup to pressure you out of your marriage, just keep in mind that a marriage is sacred – for better or worst. Right now, its in the “worst”. But with patience, it could get better. Of course, if your unhappy years after years, then, yeah... well, at least you tried.

  I lived a similar situation years ago and my wife slowly awoke as she would hear and see things in the org that would confirm some of the things I told her before.

  Now however, I must confess that still being – in – the org is not easy. We are both awakened about TTATT and feel obligated to remain JW due to our family. Of course, we don’t go often and the result is peer pressure pushed behind the best intentions. This is causing a massive amount of stress. So, of course, this resents in my marriage. But like other things, I’m confident we’ll pull through. Yet, the stress is significant.

  So, all this to say: give it time, don’t give up. You may get back the women you fell in love with.
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  28

  Is everyone required to be enrolled in the theocratic ministry school?

  by hoser in

  1. jw
  2. friends

  can a publisher "drop out" and still be in good standing?.

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  StephaneLaliberte

  Un-listing from that school has been part of my “Fade out” strategy. I happen to be a good speaker and that brought too much heat in that the elders keep dreaming about me making progress. So, as I no longer do school parts and meaningful comments, I hope they’ll slowly forget about me.
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  58

  Anyone Celebrating Halloween this Year???

  by cognac in

  1. jw
  2. friends

  i started yesterday.

  took the kids (they were both princesses) and my nephew to 3 different events.

  got tons of candy and the kids had a blast.. .

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  StephaneLaliberte

  Though I respect everyone’s right to celebrate the holiday, I personally won’t let my kids celebrate it. Mainly for the following two reasons:

  1. It originates from a pagan holiday
  2. it involves spirits, ghosts, scaring people, and enjoying violence

  The idea of celebrating as a family around such a theme goes against the morals I am trying to bring to my kids. I don’t mind for them to get a custom and eat candies. But no way they’ll go door to door and curve up pumpkins.

  Still, I have to be honest and admit that one of my favorite thing about the holiday is the Simpsons tree house or horror. So, I’m no saint, but to actually push it as something to celebrate together as a family?? I’ll pass.
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  310

  How I recently handled JWs at my door

  by Christian guy in

  1. watchtower
  2. beliefs

  the jws stopped by my house a couple weeks ago on a saturday morning.

  i knew that with others most likely waiting for them out in the car they probably did not then have much time to engage in any serious conversation.

  so i let them talk while i feigned interest in what they had to say.

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  StephaneLaliberte

  Very interesting Christian Guy. That being said, though I believe many things you have said do indeed make sense, I strongly doubt on the accuracy and on actually shaking the faith of these witnesses. Here is why:

  The JW are actually preaching, what they believe to be, the benefits of the Good News. That is, eternal life (in heaven and mostly on earth). These benefits, in their theology, are a result of Jesus’ sacrificial death and resurrection – which is the good news. Therefore, they indirectly preach the good news. The only thing however is that when you ask anyone that is not a JW what the JW preach about, they will tell you that they preach Armageddon brought about by their God Jehovah. Therefore, in reality, one could argue that the message they spread is not the good news.

  As for the Mathew 24:14, some bible translation do render “Good news of the kingdom” as “Good news about the Kingdom”. That being said, I agree with your definition of the kingdom and I do believe that the Good news of the kingdom is about the hope for people.

  As for ONE hope, well, I believe that hope is “forgiveness of our sins and therefore, a resurrection for the dead.” Where? I don’t care. Either way, I’ll be happy.