Posts by Watkins

25

Blood Issue - Could that mean bloodshed???

by cognac in

if you look up the greek word for blood, it could mean actual "blood" or it could mean "bloodshed".

the scriptures in acts are not quoted anywhere so nobody could really say for certain which meaning it actually has... .

also, just before it in acts, it states to abstain "from things strangled".

Watkins

cognac, I've had the very same epiphany as you and others. I believe in my gut and heart of hearts this is true. Good thing we've had to re-research everything --- so many lies to uncover now that the blinders are off.. Early on in my research I found someone else's research that this particular admontion was about bloodshed and it just clicked - But then I lost my link, being very new to the net, and it kind of went by the way until it surfaced again with the recent WT maneuverings. I'm so glad there is building interest in this life-saving research. Terry has done a lot of his own --- Thanks Terry!

Here are a few of his relevant links:

http://www.jehovahs-witness.com/12/115403/1.ashx

http://www.jehovahs-witness.com/16/133029/1.ashx

http://www.jehovahs-witness.com/16/116599/1.ashx

watkins

9

3/08 Awake!: Is There One True Religion?

by Watkins in

a dear old jw couple who are like an aunt and uncle to me, sent it in the mail.

the note said, in particularly to my husband, which i thought odd since he's never feigned the slightest interest, ""we thought you'd find pages 3-9 of interest, "is there one true religion".

we both feel that the decision we made (a zillion) years ago in choosing a way of worship was the correct one.

Watkins

Anyone else seen it yet? =sigh=

A dear old JW couple who are like an Aunt and Uncle to me, sent it in the mail. The note said, in particularly to my husband, which I thought odd since he's never feigned the slightest interest, ""we thought you'd find pages 3-9 of interest, "Is there one True Religion". We both feel that the decision we made (a zillion) years ago in choosing a way of worship was the correct one. The Bible answer is even more clear and reasonable in the year 2008!"" [emphasis theirs] I've noticed a push lately in the mags to make a more divisive stand with 'opposers' and faders - they must feel some dissonance since they know me so well --- I'm not the usually-depicted raving lunatic apostate I guess, just a nice normal person, same as always but without any need of 'the society' --- who needs to be punished until I turn back to Jehovah's organisation. Beat me, I love it. (not)

The wt's first deceptive teaching - that there is one true religion and you MUST find it. (pssst- we are it!)

The reasoning is so twisted, the proofs nonexistant --- they are because they say they are! After quoting 1 Cor. 1:10 and Phil. 2:2 the text reads: 'Where such unity exists, the result is, in fact, one religion. Accordingly, the Bible says that there is "one Lord, one faith, one baptism" - Eph. 4:4,5 [italics theirs] First of all --- who writes this stuff, 10th graders? What a broken sentence! It makes no sense. Secondly --- what results? Was there a poll we missed? WHATfacts? Verifiable statistics have been AWOL from all their claims since day one. Thirdly --- they left off the part of that scripture which says: One body there is, and one spirit, even as you were called in the one hope in which you were called; one Lord, one faith, one baptism..." They certainly don't teach 'one hope' for Christians, but see how they can twist one half of a scripture into their make-believe proof? Dastardly!

From the box on page 9 ---

Features of True Religion - no.5 is: They did not worship merely as individuals but were organised into congregations and were united under overseers and a central body of elders that looked to Jesus as head. Acts 14:21-23; 15:1-31; Eph. 1:22; 1 Tim. 3:1-13

As others have said - - - they are SO wrong on SO many levels. Where do you start? I'm too tired of it. Instead of starting, I think I'l stop.=SIGH=

watkins

33

Brant Jones Letters to and From the Watchtower- 2005-06

by uninformed in

thanks to scully, i have figured out where to put these letters so all that would like to access them and read them can do so.--just click on the link below.. don't expect a lot from the letters, as i am a brick mason and not the brightest bulb on the (new) christmas tree.. in my correspondence with the wt, i exerted all my effort to keep the discussion on just the un, even though i did have misgivings on other matters.

i thought if i was able to keep the discussion on just the un that it would prove to be more difficult for them to disfellowship me, as it was their conduct that i was opposing, conduct that violated their own teachings.. it worked to some extent, as they had to trump up charges on us that we started our own religion because we had the memorial celebration in 2006 with our family rather than at the kingdumb hall.

it was a real pleasure to be disfellowshipped for their sin.

Watkins

Bravo Bravo Brant! Their best defense was to take the offensive, wasn't it? Because they don't HAVE a defense, just more LIES! I feel your pain deeply - sure you've got a bad attitude, but THEY gave it to you! I guess it's all your fault you discovered the truth! Bravo for you, I say!

omg Avishi! - how in the world did you remember that post from 2001!??? - what a sharp mind! That's a keeper - the wording has become self-incriminating. Yes, this is what I was taught(and I was so proud to know this fact that no one else seemed to understand, stupid worldlings...) and it was a HUGE thing to me when I uncovered the truth about it. To those who think it might've been just a mistake - that doesn't change the fact of the belief that was STRONGLY and confidently preached about the UN - Satan's own tool that arose in OPPOSITION to God - standing in HIS Holy Place! It doesn't matter that they were "only" an NGO - tha's as close to becoming 'joined' with 'the Beast' as any religion can get - all religions share an NGO status within the UN guidelines and the WTBTS didn't have some kind of 'special arrangement'. lol They did what they had to do to become and remain in the UN/NGO program, which is re-register EVERY year and submit proof that they published information about UN programs. The most damning proof is in your WT CD's, if they haven't "revised" them yet. For what real reasons did the WT join? WHO CARES??? By their own dogma there is NO reason good enough - it's blatant 'idol worship'. They certainly don't make any allowances for any [other] organisations in the UN! This revelation was the actual straw that broke my poor old camel's back. It SHOCKED me into reality and got me to re-research EVERYthing for myself.

Since then, the '2 class hope' has overtaken the UN thing as my pet project - to me this doctrine is the most dangerous and divisive for all under the WT's influence, essentially walling them off from the Christ. And then there's the unproveable GB/FDS theory, the diabolical blood theory, the gymnastic Bible-hopscotch, and the totally UNbiblical shunning... it's like a bizarre game of 'opposites'...

In Reality, UN or no UN, the WTBTS is as FALSE as religion can get.

But it will forever remain that the UN/NGO debacle is what first opened my eyes to the WT's revisionism and fraud. Thank God for the internet and JWD!

Good news is - there is HOPE after the WT! watkins

45

apostates at assemblys

by looloo in

i was told not to even look at them when i studied, but i did not buy the satan stuff about them and said well what have the watchtower got to worry about if they have the truth and no skeletons in the closet ?

i was quite tempted to speak to them and felt rude and judgemental , what did you used to think about them when you were dubs in the trufff ?

Watkins

That's so funny, Snakes!

Went to one in Dayton, Ohio where there were 'anti-witnesses' right inside the gates of the parking lots. I saw one sign clearly - "Do you worship the GB in NY or Jehovah God?" I didn't even understand it! (because I didn't know how it really works...) I asked a friend what it meant and she said she didn't know either, but I suspect now she might've known, but didn't want to 'stumble' me.

They are trying to do something good - maybe something they wish someone had done for them, if only... I think there are some poster here, or there were, that have picketed assemblies. I think it does do some good, because if it only makes one JW rethink some things and exit, then it's worth the time and effort. When I started reading 'apostate stuff' on the net(what does The Truth have to be afraid of anyway?!!) and found out about all the history revisionism, the outright lies and self-promoting proofless claims of the GB and FDS - it was the first thing to come to my mind like a flash - OH! THAT'S what that sign meant! It felt good knowing that someone was trying to warn me, since I ignored my own family's warnings and disapproval... If only I'd listened then!

watkins

20

Deceiving new Bible studies. The stunning craftiness of WTBT again.

by hamsterbait in

jw
friends

has anybody still got copies of the old "truth" book, the "live forever " book, and "bible teach" book?.

i threw them out, and regret it now because a sudden chilling realization came to me posting on another thread:.

do you remember how in the 70s we were told to encourage the new study to compare what the nwt says with what is in his own bible?

Watkins

This is where I differ with Don Cameron's view that 'they' don't know what they're doing and are 'captives of a concept'. Seems to me 'they' MUST know in order to slyly guide a prospective student into 'WT-think' by way of this disingenuous practice - it is VERY clever and secretly manipulative - well-documented by-the-book mind control techniques! The same way 'they' craftily revise their own books and history. It takes a devious mind(or in 'their' case, a meeting of many deviously devilish minds) to think-out how to get from irrational assertion to 'reasonable proof' in the twisting and turning way 'they' approach interpreting scripture and world events.

I did not know; I was sucked in; I DO know now and I'm outta there. The thing that humbled me most was that flash of real truth(you know it when it happens!) that told me flat-out: I don't know nothin'. I thought every tiny thing coming from the Society sparkled like a diamond - it was so clearly Truth and nothin' but.(why couldn't EVERYone see that? lol) I thought I was smart to have chosen the 'correct' religion "...oh yes, you are really studying 'berean-style' and finding out The Truth for yourself! You are progressing nicely and so intelligent, why, you pick-up on these Truths right away!" Stroke, stroke and you have a new baptism candidate that's just swallowed all the lies without a burp! I can still barely believe I believed some of it - was not born into it - I chose it.

It helps my own ego to know we were cleverly deceived by extreme cunning and that I'm among a growing number walking out of the fog. But I don't know if I'll ever get over the fact that I was SO thoroughly led SO astray! I wasn't nearly as smart as I thunk I was... damn gullible in fact. I guess that even acknowledging that is a huge life lesson though, huh? We've learned something here, now we need to find ways, which I think we all are, to benefit from that lesson.

From the bottom, looking up - a whole new perspective to explore!

Keep revealing and uncovering - the time for transparency has come - no more delusions!

watkins

6

My Essay....Is the Watchtower Org. A Prophet?

by middleman in

before i get into what im going to talk about today, id like to share a few quotes that im in agreement with.

error always seeks the dark, while truth is always enhanced by the light.

this found on pg.

Watkins

In that '93 WT they mentioned 1925 not coming through with the predicted events, but 'they' never said oops, it was a mistake, or a mistaken interpretation of the Bible, or that 'they' were wrong, only - the predicrted events hadn't happened yet - so 15 years later still, and they're having to lie and cover-up all the more!

Was there any mention in that same magazine about 1975? There are people on this board who were active at that time and know full well the intent and direction of that little beauty - and that 'they' blamed the members of the congregations for getting over-excited and 'running ahead of Jehovah'.

Thank God for the internet! The truth about wtbts' falseness and disingenuity is at our fingertips! But some will dismiss anything that comes from the net - the CO dismissed my printout of the UN site's letter 'To Whom it Concerns' about the WT's membership as an NGO - because it had one misspelled word! He thought he found a loophole, the liar!

Great first post 'middleman'! Welcome! Hope to hear more from you soon.

watkins

22

Why is God Hiding?

by uninformed in

i have been wanting very badly to understand god and the bible.. if it is so important for us to:.

act a certain way.

perform certain rituals.

Watkins

i agree with Chalam. God is not in religion. He is in faith, but men made religions to espress faith, when it's not needed. In fact, as we've proven by the WTS, religion can destroy that simple trust between just you and God. Go to the Source, naked and unashamed for what you don't know except for your trust in Him.

I wish you peace of mind and heart, Brant. It's a lonely trail, a walk for you alone.

watkins

13

If you could get a Bible Study to visit ONE WEBSITE....

by inkling in

ok, so right on the cusp of my awakening, i had a sorta-bible study with the man who had almost died in a nasty car wreak .

(he was saved by a like a gallon of tranfused blood, btw).

when i stopped going out in service, the study was taken over by a rather dimwitted witness on conservative side .

Watkins

What happened to that "Quotes" site? I know the original was shut down - and you can tell your friend what happened there and why - a real eye-opener to the real intents and purposes of the wtbts organisation, I think

The flip-flops over the years of MAJOR issues - life and death LAWS coming(supposedly) from God's own (only) mouth(piece) - that cannot be right! Their blood doctrine is indefensible! They use the OT and Mosaic Law to justify everything, but that's not the Way. "Truth is truth wherever you find it", and hopefully that's what your friend is looking for. You can tell him a lot by not saying much other than - 'prove to yourself what's true by reading your Bible without a 'WT-approved study guide', but do consider all sides unbiasedly - and ask all the questions you want!'

The first thing they teach is that there is one True Religion, that you must find it, and surprise! -it's them. Try first to overturn that notion in his mind so he'll continue to be unbiased in his evaluation. They don't have him yet, it sounds like - GOOD! Also - appeal to his logical and reasonable side - surely he knows lots of good people of other religions (even his family, or people who don't subscribe to any particular religiosity) that are GREAT people who ARE doing exactly what Jesus asked - showing love by being loving, generous, kind, humble. But the wtbts really doesn't follow, or lead anyone to Jesus - they seem to be respectful at a distant... almost afraid! The study conductor, if he's been trained right, will try to instill fear and an urgency to join the org. to avoid being destroyed at Armageddon(that's still "right around the corner", right?) - like all those nice but non-JW people he knows. It is very black and white and extremely judgemental and SO VERY WRONG!

The real Good News puts joy and thanks in your heart and LOVE, while WTism is annihilationism, doom, despair and FEAR.

I hope you have an opportunity to talk to him a little.

May peace and truth be with you

watkins

PS: THIS JUST IN! >>> I searched a little and found 'Quotes' at http://www.watchtowerinformationservice.org/ >>> http://www.watchtowerinformationservice.org/index.php/watchtower_quotes/ >>> http://www.watchtowerinformationservice.org/index.php/jws-vs-the-world/watchtower-shuts-down-quotes-website/ Some others I'm not sure anyone has mentioned - can't see all the previous posts on this reply page - http://www.witnessinc.com/ and http://www.jwfiles.com/ I wouldn't recommend the SixScreens site... at first... lest it detract from the real doctrinal issues he's studying. But it is relevant in the overall picture of the wtbts.

7

How to stop tailgaters...

by zeroday in

jw
friends

.

i came across this truck last week in lousiana could use one of these when people get on my rear end....

Watkins

Oh, lol - I thought you were talking about tailgating parties, you know, a keg in the back of a pick-up before, during and after the Big Game. Around here they squashed the 'fun' by prohibiting alcohol on the premises.

AA - that's hilarious! And clever!

Yeah, I flash my brake lights a few times - usually people don't realize how closely they're following and back right off. It's one of my pet peeves, especially when road conditions are wet or slick.

That's smart of Mr. Brinjen - then you don't have to reset the cruise control. Don't know why it'd be illegal.... I wish mine had interchangeable messages I could flash in the center brake light, like 'BACK OFF!', 'PASS ME' and 'AHEADA U!' My cute little car wouldn't look so hot with those Yosemite Sam mudflaps, but I love 'em - "Back off ya varmit!" lol

watkins

17

WT Comments (1/14 JAH'S SOVEREIGNTY) BLONDIE RETURNS!!

by V in

Watkins

libertina - yes, he's been pictured as a fallen angel, and similar subliminal repose as this one.

(((((Blondie))))) Thank you, dear - that was like pulling the same tooth over and over wasn't it?

I thoroughly appreciate your compilations of all the material and especially the exposes of the WTS's falsehoods, history revisions, brain-washing techniques and oh, the loaded language! - I can't help but wonder if you've made yourself sick from what seems to be, for some of us(me included unfortunately) an inescapable desire to find and proclaim some semblance of real truth from the tangled web of JWism? You've done such an invaluable service for all the regular members and especially for those lurkers who dare read - but delving the slimey depths of this heart-breaking misinformation week after week - ?

And there, but for the grace of God, we all go. To find that elusive 'fine balance' we must have a strong will to not let it get us down mentally and physically. Sometimes my will isn't that strong and it really get me down. Mainly because there ain't a whole lot I can do about it. Don Quixote revisited.

As for this so-called 'study'. What a waste of ink - this is supposed to be nourishing 'food'? It's milk, old and sour - it should be a moot point by now in their 'in-depth studies'. There is no progression of knowledge there, only stagnation in the same twisted reasoning: " There, for 40 days Jesus had time to meditate deeply on the issue of sovereignty raised by Satan and on the course that He had to take to uphold Jehovah's sovereignty." This is such a stupid statement I won't even start... yet everyone will walk away from the KH's thinking this is really deep insight.

"Jesus' entire life course demonstrated that he came, not simply to be a great teacher or a miracle worker or even just a self-sacrificing Savior, but to uphold Jehovah's sovereign will and to bear witness to God's ability to fulfill that will through the Kingdom." JUST?They just can't mention him without knocking him back down into his place can they? What part of "honor the Son as you honor the Father" do they refuse to understand?

And good point re: the UN/NGO situation - the organisation(not individual JW's who couldn't imagine becoming enjoined to the UN for ANY reason) proved for all to see that they are NOT "FOR JEHOVAH'S SOVEREIGNTY".By WTS theory, the missionaries from Bethel, God's own and only, are sent to spread this [other] Good News in countries where the WTS has cult status and are therefore 'persecuted'.(duh. ) Well, ol' Satan's organisation, the United Nations, can provide basic 'human rights' better than Jehovah? Spittin' into the wind has it's own rewards! I'd rather say that if He wanted them there, the way would be made clear and undeniably by His Own hand - yes?

The twists and turns makes my stomach knot-up. I don't know how some of you actually sit there

One more thing - I've noticed Robert King's book ads on this board lately - which also knots my stomach up. Funny, though that his book and this WT article share the title. "Say among the nations: 'Jehovah himself has become king.'"-PSALM 96:10. Does the forum owner get paid lots of money(I hope) to run those ads? Just mpo, but Robert King is as misleading as the WTS - a wannabe cult leader. [you know what I mean ]

watkins