Posts by StephaneLaliberte

16

Another "damned if they do/don't" Thread & the Perpetual Motion Machine

by DarioKehl in

a few days ago, a jw apologist posted a thread with a similar title.

although he was defending their behavior, i've observed this cycle as well.

i have a different spin on it, though.. how often do you see posts from people who are upset that "no one even bothers to check in on me," only to read as many threads about "they keep calling & texting--why won't they leave me alone?

StephaneLaliberte

Not too many people have come to see me and I made sure that it would be that way too.

I was very clear with people that were close to me and told them that I would not tell them why I stopped going to the meetings. However, that I could tell them that it was not depression, too much work, health related, someone in the congregation, lack of energy or even any problem of any kind in my personal life.

You can be sure that such a statement has been running around in the congregation and they all know what the issue truly is, but no one wants to face it : Its a problem with the teachings.

As I have the reputation of having "an above average" biblical/history/spiritual knowledge, no one wants to go into a debate with me and thus, they leave me alone. And I like it that way.

42

Return to Jehovah Photo

by naazira in

jw
friends

this picture is in the new publication from this year's convention, titled "return to jehovah".

part 1the lost one i will search for.

personally, the animal looks scared of the shepherd.

StephaneLaliberte

This is a reverse psychology threat: If you do not stay inside the JW, you will get alone, lost, scared and in need.

21

"We can't even talk with you anymore! You react very abruptly"

by stuckinarut2 in

so that was the line used by an elder the other day to me!.

he implied that i react badly when spoken to by the elders.. i corrected him and said: "no, i'm always happy to have a conversation.

but what you seem to be implying is that unless i sit and accept and take everything you say, then i am being defensive?

StephaneLaliberte

The best advice I can give you, if you want to go down that path is to asks questions and appear, for the very least, very interested in their thoughts. You can also make it personal. For instance,

How do you personally feel brother Elder about ... a taboo subject...

You would be surprised how many elders have a split personality disorder. They, like most people, have personal thoughts of their own that are not inline with the watchtower. However, when they are wearing their Elder hat, they suppress those away and answer anything as if they were watchtower articles themselves.

If you keep bringing them back to their personal views, such Elders will be conflicted, and most likely, at the end of some time, will saying something like: "it doesn't matter what I personally think." That is when you'll have them in your corner. You can than say:

"Then why does it matter what I think? If you are not free to express your personal conscience, then why would you seek out the details of mine. Like you, I would like to keep it private and like you, I believe I have the right to do so."

12

Deceiving statements in The Watchtower (Study Edition) September 2015

by opusdei1972 in

on page 9, paragraph 7:.

neither a branch office nor the local congregation elders are authorized to make health-care decisions for a witness, even if he asks what to do.

(gal.

StephaneLaliberte

The world promotes higher education and advanced learning. Yet, the experience of many shows that pursuing such things often leads to loss of faith and loss of love for God.

What many do not realize is that the faith of those students has been lost before going to University, not because. If it had not, they would have avoided University in the first place, trusting that Jehovah would make a way for them through an alternative path.

25

Watchtower Society and Science

by FusionTheism in

is the governing body's methods and practices all that much different from the way scientists work?.

some prominent scientists and big media in the 1970's were pushing imminent disaster from global cooling.

now its global warming and they all sweep the global cooling fiasco under the rug and act like it was just one or two rogue individuals.. other examples can be given: scientists being wrong on the eternal universe, black holes, whether eggs or coffee are healthy or harmful, presenting fake fossils, etc.

StephaneLaliberte

There is a very big difference between the two:

On one hand, you have scientist who share their interpretation of what they can observe. You are free to agree or disagree as they do encourage discussions that challenge their conclusions. They will debate and their views may be wrong, but they will still be willing to debate it and respect your right to your opinion.

On the other hand, you have the Governing Body who's interpretation of the scriptures is, according to them, made brighter under God's Holy spirit. You are not entitled to challenge these conclusions. If you do so, you are a bigot only trying to promote yourself above your brothers and sisters and should be viewed as a threat and treated as such. Should you pursue your desire to question their current teachings, you will be thrown outside of the congregation and effectively put an end to all of your social life (family and friends).

It is not because two things are similar in one aspect that they should be compared. A red plane and a red car, though both being red, are very different thing and do not equate one another.

40

What is Your Brainwashing IQ ? Take the Quiz

by Finkelstein in

so how much do you understand about brainwashing, its application and effects ?

essentially lures people into its grasps and then brainwashes them for exploitation and manipulative purposes by using mental indoctrination techniques.. here's a quick quiz to take to answer some of these questions.

http://voicesfordignity.com/brainwashing-iq/.

StephaneLaliberte

I learned a few things. Thanks! :)

39

Does What We Say Here Or In Person Really Help JWs To Get Out Of The Religion?

by minimus in

jw
friends

if we are in the congregation, do you think our comments or questions actually reach elders or others in the congregation?

do our comments on this board affect witnesses to the point of questioning their faith?

StephaneLaliberte

I lurked on this site for about 7 years before taking definitive actions. However, I must admit that what truly did it was the simple question from Raymond Franz's book: Who is the bad christian, the one who questions a teaching, or the one that throws out and calls names his brother for questioning him on anything at all?

It was very simple, but enough for me to understand that what truly matters is love, not details. With the WT, its the other way around.

17

Possibly a great question to ask JW's since this last week's WT.

by Crazyguy in

so since the type anti-type doctrine has been dropped 'does this mean peter was right when at luke 12 :41 he said the faithful and discreet slave was just a parable?

'

StephaneLaliberte

It was Peter, not Jesus, who said that it was a Parabole. Jesus meant it as a prophesy. Thats what the WT says. - a faithful JW.

31

They're Making it Impossible to Fade

by DarioKehl in

for those of you who have already faded due to family still being in, have you noticed how the noose is tightening?.

if it's not memorial, it's special day assembly.

if it's not that, it's convention or the special talk.

StephaneLaliberte

I noticed that the document is made for England. Is it the same thing in Canada? Did they send that letter to elders in Canada?

31

They're Making it Impossible to Fade

by DarioKehl in

for those of you who have already faded due to family still being in, have you noticed how the noose is tightening?.

if it's not memorial, it's special day assembly.

if it's not that, it's convention or the special talk.

StephaneLaliberte

Did you just say that the Elders want to keep a copy of your medical directives? That is, there is the one that you are expected to keep in your wallet and now they want a copy that is to be kept else where??