Posts by tenyearsafter

97

Did Jesus really exist?

by slimboyfat in

i had been wondering over the past few years whether there really was a historical jesus at all, until a few months ago when i read bart ehrman's latest book "did jesus exist?

" initially i was persuaded by his argument that the nt contains multiple sources that testify to jesus' existence.

but more recently i have been reading the christ myth position of richard carrier and his responses to ehrman.

Regardless of which side of this discussion you land on, I find it very interesting that the Jesus being discussed is one of the only characters from that or any other time, that has persisted in being believed in as "real" and that this account continues to pass from generation to generation. I know that there are many discussions of similar "Christ stories" in other ancient cultures, but I personally can't speak to them (nor do I think the vast majority of people would know of them). I remember Leolaia doing an indepth piece on this subject, but I can't find the link at this time.

I guess the point of this is, how could such a mythical figure continue to exist to such an extent if he never existed? I know people continue to believe in Santa Claus, but that is a much newer "myth"...and I doubt anyone would be willing to die for their belief in Santa. I believe that Jesus was a real person, if based on nothing else but his "staying power"!

62

Discussion w/ Wife: I Welcome Your Suggestions

by breakfast of champions in

so these last few wts have definitely eroded my wife's faith in the org.

she is definitely seeing the bs, and i even overheard her talking openly about it to a family member.

good for her!.

tenyearsafter

Preaching work should be measured by fruitfulness...it might be of interest that many of the mega-churches, who do baptisms weekly, have up to 100 new baptisms each week. Their method of preaching is multi-pronged, and doesn't soley rely on door knocking, though many incorporate that as part of their outreach. Compare this to the paltry annual JW DC baptisms in double digits. It might be food for thought...is Satan's spirit, empowering Babylon the Great, more influential than the holy spirit directing the JW preaching work?

21

How did I get here? From Bible student to baby missionary

by Faithful Witness in

jw
friends

my name is valerie.

i thought i would add my story to the archives, in case anyone else can relate.. i am a homeschooling mom of 2 young children, ages 7 & 5. i was "saved" (overused expression) when i was a child, attended awana until middle school, and then led a basic, worldy life as a "good person.".

one day, during a short separation from my husband, the doorbell rang.

tenyearsafter

If my recollection is correct (it has been 20+ years since I went to a meeting!), the parables in Matthew were accepted as just that...parables. That is, with the exception of the F&DS parable which is accepted as literal and applying to the GB. I might just ask him why that particular parable out of all of the parables, is accepted as literal? What makes it different? That is pretty benign, and he will have no answer to it...might make him think.

23

The long road of the VW Bus coming to an end

by designs in

i didn't even realize the vw bus was still in production but vw in brazil still produces the iconic bus, production will end in december.. many of us had vw buses, surf wagons et al, i had a 1959 'camper' special we would take on surfing trips to baja california and camp on the beaches down by san quentin.. i took my 'magic bus ride' with four jw buddies just before my arrest over the vietnam draft.

we rode up the california coast to big sur.

with the side door open and feet hanging out we traveled the coastal route from los angeles through santa barbara, pismo beach, san simeon, big sur and monterey ending in san francisco where i hopped a flight back to los angeles for my arraignment.. enjoy-.

tenyearsafter

LOL Rub a Dub...isn't that the truth!! Most VW buses have seen more weed than a Grateful Dead concert!

62

What kind of scandal would cause most JW to leave the "truth"?

by Iamallcool in

jw
friends

tenyearsafter

Nothing

25

How do I get them to stop houding me?

by lostinthought in

jw
friends

i stopped attending all meetings this summer.

i prefer not to be dfed or to da myself.

i just want to be inactive.

tenyearsafter

Or tell them you are having serious mental health issues and that you are trying to sort things out...JW's typically shy away from people "like that"!

62

Discussion w/ Wife: I Welcome Your Suggestions

by breakfast of champions in

so these last few wts have definitely eroded my wife's faith in the org.

she is definitely seeing the bs, and i even overheard her talking openly about it to a family member.

good for her!.

tenyearsafter

The preaching part is also done by Mormons, certain Evangelical Christians among a number of groups...you might ask her if D2D is the only true form of preaching. What about the numerous religions that use mass media to spread the word...or missionaries doing medical or humanitarian work while spreading the Gospel? D2D is just one way to preach...and a rather ineffective one at that these days.

As to going to war, there are many religions that refuse military service...Quakers, Mennonites, Seventh Day Adventists, Christadelphians and Unitarian Universalists come to mind immediately. The "refusing to go to war" claim is one of the weaker arguments for the "rightness" of the WTS.

It sounds like she is starting to see TTATT, so be patient and help her come to her own conclusions...good luck!

12

My new priority

by cantleave in

jw
friends

.

tenyearsafter

Here, here Cantleave!

23

The long road of the VW Bus coming to an end

by designs in

i didn't even realize the vw bus was still in production but vw in brazil still produces the iconic bus, production will end in december.. many of us had vw buses, surf wagons et al, i had a 1959 'camper' special we would take on surfing trips to baja california and camp on the beaches down by san quentin.. i took my 'magic bus ride' with four jw buddies just before my arrest over the vietnam draft.

we rode up the california coast to big sur.

with the side door open and feet hanging out we traveled the coastal route from los angeles through santa barbara, pismo beach, san simeon, big sur and monterey ending in san francisco where i hopped a flight back to los angeles for my arraignment.. enjoy-.

tenyearsafter

This is sad Designs...I remember a lot of good times cruising the coast in a VW micro bus. They were ugly, slow, but utterly iconic!

9

F****** with Missionary Couple - they want me to call back!

by BluePill2 in

how often have witnesses knocked on your door since you left the borg?

how often did they talk to you during street witnessing?

in the past 4 years i have never been visited (live in a new area where nobody knows about my witness past, urban area, highly densed witness communities around).. this week i almost had to force them to preach.

tenyearsafter

I have not seen a JW in the 20 years since I left (other than family). I finally had a tract left at my door, but I doubt they even rang the bell, because I was home at the time they left the tract. I would love to have a friendly chat with someone...probably wouldn't tell them I am DF'ed because that would end the conversation immediately. I wonder if I will ever get a chance?...

Good job Blue...kind of a disappointing witness, but I suspect this might be the new realty in JW World!