Posts by StephaneLaliberte

162

Do you still believe in God?

by FormerlySandL in

i never thought i would admit it, but i don't.

i might superstitiously have some kind of doubt but digging a bit deeper in my heart i really don't believe in god.

as a human i could never just sit and watch people be tortured, live years of abuse, suffer from illness and disabilities and all the other awful things people have to endure day after day without doing something about it.

StephaneLaliberte

I don’t know. Here is how I feel: I do not believe in a personal God. The idea that he would care for my working conditions, my love life, etc, while he tolerated and tolerate so much cruelty around the world… its just not working for me.

So, could I envision a God who placed us on the earth (using an evolutionary process) and further plans for us once we die? I don’t know…. I am not sure I would see the point in this. That being said, if I wake up somewhere else after I die, I would not be surprised.

In the end, weather I believe in God or not does not change the fact that I chose to be a good person. I want to do good around me so that once I pass away, people will be able to remember me as a good guy.

So, if there is a God that has some higher purpose for me at that point, I don’t see why he would not judge me on my action rather than my beliefs.

37

Memorial 2016

by Flg8ter in

the memorial is on march 23 this year.

but all the official jewish calendars has nissan 14 as april 22!

april 22 is the start of passover!

StephaneLaliberte

OldHippie : Thanks for the explanation, very useful. I am bookmarking this page.

That being said, I find the condescending attitude of that article very interesting. The author makes it sound like the Jews are not following God’s Law and goes on about the “first opportunity on or after the spring equinox” – While not citing a single verse that would enforce this. Quite the contrary, Exodus 12:2 simply says “[this Month] will be the first of the months of the year for you”. Well, the first Month of the 2016 year will start on April 9 since the previous year was longer.

The actual interpretation that it should be after the spring equinox was a Jewish tradition that was used up to the 4th century. So, to condemn today’s Jews based on a tradition that the Jews themselves were responsible for is pure popcorn entertainment.

That article sounds like it was written by a self-righteous religious fanatic who takes the typical stance of judging others on insignificant matters. Why not write: “The Jews do this, we prefer to do that; what matters is that we take the time to mark the 14th of Nissan every year. To each his own.”

Funny thing is, until I read “Church of God Most High”, I thought the article had been written by a JW!

81

Your feelings for the former travelling overseers

by Hecce in

during our wt life we met a good number of friends involved in the circuit and district work.

i am sure that we share the same experience and that we remember fondly some that we caring, loving and generally interested in the brothers.

at the same time we might remember others that were arrogant, selfish, abusive and oppressive.

StephaneLaliberte

I hear a lot of negativity concerning the COs and somehow, I personally feel just the opposite. Most of these people have made great deal of sacrifices for the WT believing they are doing the right thing.

Most of them live constantly on the road with minimal possessions.
They officially have as many holidays as the béthelite, which is less than most of the working populations in developed countries.
For the brother, most of the meetings, he has to give a talk… he can’t just sit back and enjoy his program.
They have to deal with a great deal of people who are emotionally unhinged.
The time they spend with their friends, family and personal past time is greatly limited.
Most of them don’t have kids; they gave that up for the WT.
They have no social security: If one of them falls sick, they won’t be looked after for too long by the WT and they know this.
They constantly have to visit people over lunch and supers
Not enough money to put aside for anything. Vow of poverty.

Considering the above, I was always amazed at the amount of faith (or should I say, delusion) necessary for these couples to keep doing what they were with a smile on their face.

Bad COs? I’ve seen some who annoyed me, however, considering the above, not enough to characterize them as bad people.

If I find anything to complain about, it is at the WT, which I feel, lacks respect in the way they are using these devoted people.

35

Do todays Jw's care at all about Russell and the pyramid?

by olongapo joe in

just wondering, as i will be visiting active jw family in ohio in a few weeks, do you think it will be worthwhile dropping it into a conversation, about the wtbts pyramid near his grave, or try some other topic to try and wake them up.

i was never baptized and don't really care if they get upset or not, but it is only a day trip from ohio to pittsburgh, and thought it would be fun if they denied it, and then drove their to see it for ourselves.

StephaneLaliberte

Something that may help a bit are simple questions like:

About the Governing body

Why do we have 14 letters (Books) from the Apostle Paul and only one paragraph from the first Governing Body?
Since the GB is imperfect, it makes mistakes. Please show where or when and how they have apologized for their mistake.
According to your teachings, Act Chapter 15 describes a Governing Body meeting. Please describe how verse 12 and 22 would fit in today’s arrangements?

About the organization

Did the first apostle build kingdom halls and bethels?
Did the first Christians own a building where they gathered?
Is there an example of a Judicial committee in the bible? Was this committee public or private?
Does the bible provide examples of people instructed to shun their own family, even for years?
How much study preparation was required to be baptized in the first century?

Some more questions:

Did the first Christians pray using God’s name? Did they performed miracles using Jehovah's name?
If someone is on his death bed, would it be appropriate to pray jesus and ask him to receive his spirit? Please read Acts 7:59.
Is the name “Jehovah” realy God's name? What is the origins of that name? If this name is a composition, then what is the difference between that and saying "GOD", since there is only one God anyways.
Does the bible have example of families preaching with the kids?
In the bible, is there an example of someone who accepted the truth resulting of the door to door preaching work?
Since anointed Christians can still become part of the 144 000, since when Christians received the earthly hope? Could it go as far back as to the first Christians?
Why didn't Jesus write anything?
Why didn't John the baptist become a disciple of Jesus after he baptized him?
I understand that blood fractions are acceptable. Since these were obtained through blood that was stocked and processed, why is it permissible? Don't you accept that the only valid use for blood is to poor it on the ground?
If nothing, absolutely nothing survives death, then, is resurrection nothing more than making a clone of what you once were?

35

Do todays Jw's care at all about Russell and the pyramid?

by olongapo joe in

just wondering, as i will be visiting active jw family in ohio in a few weeks, do you think it will be worthwhile dropping it into a conversation, about the wtbts pyramid near his grave, or try some other topic to try and wake them up.

i was never baptized and don't really care if they get upset or not, but it is only a day trip from ohio to pittsburgh, and thought it would be fun if they denied it, and then drove their to see it for ourselves.

StephaneLaliberte

We all have been awaken by different things. For some, it was the Pyramid. For others, it was the handling of sexual abuse cases.

Believe it or not, I knew about the pyramid, the UN association, the sexual abuses cases, the flip flops in teachings, the wrong date for the destruction of Jerusalem (607), the 1975 teachings and subsequent denial of these, and so on.

I knew of all these things and I simply rationalized it all away, thinking that in the end, they were doing more good than evil.

Then, I had kids and I had to face the fact that the WT would not allow me to teach them based on my conscience. It would have to be their entire program, otherwise, I risked being disfellowshiped for apostasy (I envisioned at least two scenarios would lead to this). The thought that my kids would indirectly have to be thought by man that were essentially threatening me was the final straw.

That is when I left. Since then, I also came to understand a few more things that solidified my current position.

33

So , how "worldly" did you get?

by greenhornet in

i even hate to use that word worldly tm.. any way i'm probably the worst.. 1 when the jw s come to my door i say i'm not interested .

2 i have gone to many churches and volunteered.. 3 i shredded all my jw books and magazines out in the woods.. 4 had the mormon elders over and studied with them.. 5 tried pot (its legal here).

6 open carry my fire arm every where (legal here also).

StephaneLaliberte

Started to doubt. Studied and could not find answers.
Read old literature and news articles - Became convinced that JW could not be the only true religion.
Watched a lot of apostate content online... became one myself (fader).
No longer attend service and meetings
Threw out most of my JW books.
Did not go to JW's Memorial
Made friends with worldly people, neighbors, even homosexuals
Gave to worldly charity and helped total strangers.
Provided help to XJWs I know
Celebrated Halloween, Christmas, New Year's even, birthdays, St-Valentine
Grew a beard
Watched unchristian movies
Went to private clubs
Tried weed
Slight increase in cursing
Started Martial Arts

161

I am leaving the JW's . I am alone and scared. Advice and help needed please

by scared and lonely in

i am sorry that on my first post i am asking for help and advice but i am at my wits end.

i have been brought up a witness all my life and it is all i know.

i am an ex-elder and pioneer and i don't know anybody outside of the congregation.. i have been unhappy for so long and wanted to leave.

StephaneLaliberte

I loved Robin Williams.

161

I am leaving the JW's . I am alone and scared. Advice and help needed please

by scared and lonely in

i am sorry that on my first post i am asking for help and advice but i am at my wits end.

i have been brought up a witness all my life and it is all i know.

i am an ex-elder and pioneer and i don't know anybody outside of the congregation.. i have been unhappy for so long and wanted to leave.

StephaneLaliberte

Giordano, I have been on this forum for 9 years and this is the very first time that someone starts a thread by asking for money. Thus our desire for him to be properly identified.

If he does not want any physical help from members from this site (Money, food, shelter), than, he does not have to properly identify himself. We will be more than happy to continue providing useful counsels and emotional support.

On the other hand, if this kid (he lives with his parents) does need physical help, then, we want to make sure we are not taken for a ride. Now, how can we trust this guy from across the planet while allowing him to remain anonymous? At least, until he is properly disfellowshiped? I believe the most obvious way would be for an old timer of this site, a respected one, to be able to meet up with him and follow his case. Seriously, if he needs some money, I’ll be very happy to give him a 20. I just don’t want to be taken for a fool.

161

I am leaving the JW's . I am alone and scared. Advice and help needed please

by scared and lonely in

i am sorry that on my first post i am asking for help and advice but i am at my wits end.

i have been brought up a witness all my life and it is all i know.

i am an ex-elder and pioneer and i don't know anybody outside of the congregation.. i have been unhappy for so long and wanted to leave.

StephaneLaliberte

Can the 3 people you refer to simply come on this thread and write: "Yes, S&L did confirm who he is. He is not a troll."?

161

I am leaving the JW's . I am alone and scared. Advice and help needed please

by scared and lonely in

i am sorry that on my first post i am asking for help and advice but i am at my wits end.

i have been brought up a witness all my life and it is all i know.

i am an ex-elder and pioneer and i don't know anybody outside of the congregation.. i have been unhappy for so long and wanted to leave.

StephaneLaliberte

S&L, concerning you being an Elder despite an obvious lack of life experience, do not take it personal. It is a critical observation of the ever more common practice of the WT to assign such a role to youngsters. The word "Elder" ("Ancien" in French) obviously implies someone who has a great deal of experience and wisdom, and yet, we now see 23 year olds become "Elder".

Of course, we understand that the young Elders are especially used to provide talks and carry on administrative tasks while the older ones generally stay responsible for real matters such as shepherding calls, JCs, counselling, etc. Still, we can't help but believe that perhaps they should instead assign a greater level of responsibilities to Ministerial Servents rather than promoting young ones to "Elders".