Posts by Carlos

7

Memorial Day.....To My Former Brother's In Arms

by nomoreguilt in

jw
friends

in the united states of america, today is a day of remembrance for all of those who sacrificed their lives that others may live in the freedom offered by our country.

many people in our country take these freedoms for granted.

jw's have no clue as to how their freedom to worship and to go about their daily lives in freedom truly came about nor do they give the proper respect to those who made the ultimate sacrifice in order for them to do so.

Carlos_Helms

"As we say in the Marine Corps, Semper Fi! Cpl. Poppers"

Ooo-rah, Poppers.

Carlos

19

Changes in Elder arrangement?

by metatron in

jw
friends

there are continuing rumors about changes that are going to be made in the elder arrangement.

while these are still only rumors, i wish .

to repeat that the society must be under pressure to make legally motivated changes to the elder structure.. first, the appointment of elders seems to be much more direct than the appointment of most priests or pastors in common religions.. that might be a problem leading directly to the governing body.. more than that, there is a clearly defined hierarchy going up from local elders thru the c.o.

Carlos_Helms

Ha ha...I'm surprised the watchtower hasn't considered "contract for service" elders (or maybe they have). The trend in the US government and many large corporations is to offer contracts for service to "outside agencies" rather than assume the liabilities of doing the work themselves. The contract (for whatever it's worth) would, no doubt, be less costly than the anticipated settlements and judgments rendered against the Society. It's called "right-sizing" in order to protect the ever-increasing quantity of corporate assets (not profits, heaven forbid) while maintaining a tax-free status. My guess is that the Society is now controlled, top-to-bottom, by lawyers and bean-counters. Not surprising.

Carlos

193

One Reason Why I Worship the God of the Bible

by snowbird in

while this may be construed as a rebuttal to nvr's thread re: why i post about atheism, that is not my intent.. it is my intent, however, to show how i developed a belief in and love for the god of the bible.. my paternal grandfather, who died before i was born, was a baptist preacher, so you could say i cut my teeth on the bible.

i loved having it read to me, and once i learned how, reading it for myself.

i'm convinced that spirituality runs deep in my blood.. i've always had such a strong sense of right and wrong that injustices make me literally sick.

Carlos_Helms

After some careful observation and consideration of this thread, my vote still lies in the Christian camp.

Then again, it doesn't really matter, does it? Either you've experienced the Lord by means of the Holy Spirit, or you haven't. It is possible to describe the experience...in fact, those who've had it can easily "talk amongst themselves." But I equate this discussion to trying to describe "color" to someone who's never had the sense of sight. I can tell you that Holy Spirit TENDS to work with/through people who've met a certain criteria (although I would never presume to put limits on the Holy Spirit).

The very fact that people oppose the Spirit is evidence enough (for me anyway) of its existence. The things I don't "believe in," I don't form a territory around requiring my defense.

Peace,
Carlos

21

WT: "Now the time to obey"

by tfjw in

wt: "now the time to obey".

excerpts from watchtower 8/15/53 .

"the following was delivered by the president of the watch tower bible and tract society before the new world society assembly of jehovahs witnesses at yankee stadium, new york city, n.y., monday afternoon, july 20, 1953.

Carlos_Helms

Ha Ha...I always find those old quotes fascinating. Of course, for those of us who consider ourselves "believers in God," when was it NOT time to obey? The silliness of time-based fear chronology as a motivation for obedience has always been second-rate. It ranks right up there on the sincerity scale with a confession AFTER one has been caught in the act.

The whole thing reminds me of the neighborhood bully who gets his kicks by teasing and/or abusing little kids. First he yanks them this way..and then that way - until the kids get tired of being yanked around and don't want to play anymore. They realize that it doesn't matter what a bully says...the fact that he's a bully is enough. The questions remain:

1. Why did/do/will people support that kind of behavior for ANY length of time? After all, WE were/are/will be the watchtower, and

2. If you are a "bought-in" type person, has leaving the watchtower resolved THAT issue?

Capiche?

Nothin' like a little therapy to help set the mind straight.

Carlos

25

Jehovah's Witnesses and Apostates

by tfjw in

jehovah's witnesses basically define the term "apostate" as someone who was once a member of the "organization" (a jehovah's witness) but no longer follows the teachings, rules, regulations and practices.

the society gives their official definition in the following manner: "apostasy is abandoning or deserting the worship and service of god, actually a rebellion against jehovah god.

some apostates profess to know and serve god but reject teachings or requirements set out in his word.

Carlos_Helms

Excellent post, Stephen.

This is something I've considered many times over the years. I've been out of the organization for about 18 years. Early on, in moments of weakness, I considered returning. I was never DF'd - nor did I DA. Theoretically, I could walk right back in, pick up a song-book, and carry on like it was 1990. Then, the reality would sink in: I AM AN APOSTATE. Not really; but by watchtower definition, I am more dangerous than a man-eating shark at a feeding frenzy.

By watchtower definition, it has apostasized from itself countless times over the last century and a quarter. One generation apostasizes from the previous. Even leadership regularly apostasizes from itself. There are times when watchtower leaders, over the course of a lifetime, apostasize and re-apostasize-back several times. Does it make sense that such a confused leadership authoritatively defines what it means to be apostate? My guess is that very few R&F JWs ever actually "rebel against God." The vast majority simply walk away from a self-described moral and spiritual compass that is, at best, unreliable and confusing. The value of regularly subjecting oneself to the futility of ever-changing points-of-reference is tenuous in a spiritual quest. Even in the sport of orienteering, there is at least one visible, reliable benchmark. All people really want is the peace that comes from being spiritually grounded, a concept foreign to watchtower leadership.

A foundation in Jesus Christ is solid; but cheap building materials purchased at K-Mart won't produce the kind of structure identifiable by the seeker as plumb, square and true.

The watchtower's definition of "apostasy" is self-serving. It is designed to scare folks into conformity under penalty of spiritual death. It serves the interests of a corporation to have captive customers who actually FEAR buying elsewhere. It amounts to a form of patriotism where regular oaths of allegiance to a self-serving "cause" ensure a perpetual source of funding for an incorporated "beast." I can't say it for a certainty (I don't know God's definition of apostasy); but if I had to venture a guess, I'd say that the watchtower society's leadership is either unconscious - or their strict adherence to "the traditions of men" (which Jesus said invalidates the commandments of God) is about as apostate as one can get.

Peace,
Carlos

108

Gay Marriage - The War for Equality

by Inquisitor in

i've just read lola28's thread "for those against gay marriage".

i thought i should present a clear message on what i think the gay marriage issue is all about.

the trouble with most discussions on this issue is that it gets clouded by a plethora of side-issues, non-issues, cave-men chest-thumping and medieval puritanism.

Carlos_Helms

"I don't know how anyone can be against marriage for people of the same gender and still claim to give a damn about humanity at the same time. The two do not go together.

Religion keeps people stuck on stupid rather than progressing."

Sorry, Lonelysheep, but it doesn't follow that all change is "progressing." Are you listening...or do you only hear what you want to hear? I'm "against marriage for people of the same gender" and, at the same time, care very much for humanity (and I hope I'm not TOO stupid!). My reasons are separate and distinct from religion. It just so happens that the Bible agrees with me. I believe that homosexual marriage will damage the institution that forms the bedrock of our society...and therefore, is inhumane. People tend to take this topic to such an emotional level that they lose their objectivity. I registered my opinion and I'm vindictively called homophobic and stupid. How humane is that?

What consenting adults choose to do in private is fine with me - let the cards fall where they may; but I'm opposed to "legalizing" - giving a government stamp of approval to some things just because a minority claims it is their "right." There may be, after all, valid reasons they are in the minority. If everyone who raised a stink about their "rights" was awarded exactly what they feel they need to have, we'd likely be in worse shape than we are (hard to imagine, I know). If folks could just tone down the rhetoric for a few minutes, we just might be able to have a civil discussion on the matter. Unfortunately, it's also my opinion that it won't be able to happen.

Carlos

40

Kids Trump Religious Beliefs-Canada Wins Against The WTB&TS!

by jamiebowers in

this article is from googlenews:.

http://www.edmontonsun.com/comment/2008/05/23/5646826-sun.html.

Carlos_Helms

It never ends, does it...the "guilt factor"?

From the JW Bible:

"Shall I give my firstborn son for my revolt, the fruitage of my belly for the sin of my soul? 8 He has told you, O earthling man, what is good. And what is Jehovah asking back from you but to exercise justice and to love kindness and to be modest in walking with your God?" (Micah 6:7b-8)

God has provided us our maternal and paternal instincts. They are blessings. God help you if you place yourself between a mother (or father) and child! The only explanation I can find for ALLOWING a child to die unnecessarily is to stifle natural, God-given instincts to sacrifice children on the watchtower altar for their parent's sins. Only a person so "possessed" could defy nature in such a fashion and with such cruelty.

And yet even the JW Bible gives the practicing JW an answer to this artificially-created dilemma.

Carlos

108

Gay Marriage - The War for Equality

by Inquisitor in

i've just read lola28's thread "for those against gay marriage".

i thought i should present a clear message on what i think the gay marriage issue is all about.

the trouble with most discussions on this issue is that it gets clouded by a plethora of side-issues, non-issues, cave-men chest-thumping and medieval puritanism.

Carlos_Helms

"I guess your own personal history repeats itself doesn't it? Your judgmental attitude is so pervasive it's astonishing. What I posted about the history of marriage is quite true. But you shouldn't take my word for it, you should go research it for yourself. Stop being a patsy, and believing whatever you are told, even if you do find the outside veneer or packaging to your liking. Also, respect needs to be earned. Do you really think I care what complete strangers think? Or homophobes? Or judgmental, small minded people looking for easy answers? I got out of the JWs and that mindset of always being concerned with what strangers think of me based on if I had an unwashed car in service, or if a 'worldly' neighbor saw me talk to a girl alone, or if I was wearing modest clothing. Start living your life based on what is important to you, not what some random stranger down the street may or may not think."

Happy to have astonished you, Dude. That wasn't my intent; but if it got your attention, well enough.

Well...this violates an agreement I made with myself not to argue with people about their denial of the "painfully obvious;" but your posted photo is more likely your "statement of fact" in the eyes of the vast majority of folks who log-on to JWD - because you chose it. In posting it, you've essentially INVITED some degree of judgment. But I've been careful not to be overly-judgmental of you, Indo; but give you a small piece of advice (which I fully anticipated would be rejected out of hand). It doesn't take a rocket-scientist to understand that someone who sees him- or her-self as a sexual object will typically dress to fit the part and will, consequently (lo and behold), be objectivized. Hear this: no one takes you seriously until you take yourself seriously. Now, you may ask, "Do you really think I care what complete strangers think?" What I think isn't in question here. It's what YOU think that is the issue. You have posted a picture of a peacock for tens-of-thousands to see. What are YOU thinking? Looks to me like you're try to sell something.

Carlos

108

Gay Marriage - The War for Equality

by Inquisitor in

i've just read lola28's thread "for those against gay marriage".

i thought i should present a clear message on what i think the gay marriage issue is all about.

the trouble with most discussions on this issue is that it gets clouded by a plethora of side-issues, non-issues, cave-men chest-thumping and medieval puritanism.

Carlos_Helms

"The same tired tripe has been spewed before. Just as when intermixed racial marriages were not allowed and against the laws, 'black people' or 'Asian people' had the same rights as white people. They could marry according to their race, therefore why did they expect 'special rights'. It's such a ridiculous argument, that anyone with a single shred of intellectual integrity would be embarrassed for belching up such crap.

Claiming that marriage is the bedrock of civilization and of 'traditional values' is just as ridiculous. Marriage for far longer than it's current definition was used as a way to increase wealth and power. Women were property. Marriage wasn't for love, nor sacredness, nor any other moral reason. It was a union of convenience. Men and women had their sexual partners on the side. Oh egad! What would the bible (puke) say about such adultery?"

Sorry, "Dude"...but a half-naked 20-something in a dog-collar and women's make-up isn't going to garner a lot of respect in the real world...even today. I should listen to you because you "roar"? I don't know if you care if you're respected or not; but my experience tells me that you won't be as long as your represent yourself as a sexual object. But what do I know? You probably "get laid" more often than I do. That's important.

LOL...I think I'll refrain from any more "gay" threads. They're even further from reality than the ex-JW threads.

Carlos

108

Gay Marriage - The War for Equality

by Inquisitor in

i've just read lola28's thread "for those against gay marriage".

i thought i should present a clear message on what i think the gay marriage issue is all about.

the trouble with most discussions on this issue is that it gets clouded by a plethora of side-issues, non-issues, cave-men chest-thumping and medieval puritanism.

Carlos_Helms

"The will of the majority cannot infringe on the rights of the minorities. Does anyone think that voting on racial equality would have passed ballot initiatives back in the 1950's, 60's, and 70's? Look at what the slavery issue did."

Really? As I recall, the Civil Rights Act was introduced in 1963 and became "law" in 1964.

I'm not sure where you get your information. Maybe it's wishful thinking; but the majority determines the "rights" of the minority. Always has. The majority does what IT feels is the right thing to do - and individual "rights" follow. Admittedly, the vocal homosexual minority is gaining some political ground on a sinking ship that they (along with others) helped poke holes in; but in the long-run, what's the difference? All you can do now is try and enjoy the ride.

History shows countless examples of what deteriorating cultures "allow." The fall is never as painful as the landing...and the eventual backlash is more painful yet (see: pink triangle). There's a quote from Santayana about history that we should all be familiar with - "Those who ignore history are doomed to repeat it". I really don't expect people to change their stripes at this point in time. The current world is comprised of several billion self-serving little universes, each with a population of 1. It's difficult to realize progress under that scenario.

Peace,
Carlos

Carlos_Helms

Posts by Carlos_Helms