it is very tempting to ridicule the jw habit of setting dates for the end of the world/ armageddon/ great tribulation.
but prophecy has been a significant part of the judaeo-christian panorama.
there has also been a great deal of tension between "prophets" and "preists".. .
proplog2 - Maybe I'm wrong but it seems to me that everything in the WT is conditional on obedience to them regardless of what it is. Therefore how can you have trust anyone in the WT knowing that you will be reported and even shunned if it is known you don't agree with everything. Many here have experienced this treatment by people they have had very close friendships with and whom they have trusted.
Maddie
i just realised i'm now a senior member .
when did that happen?.
maddie.
Gopher - Oh well only another 800 to go then. I'll just have to work harder in future
Maddie
i'm really ready for a change.
my hair has been the same for two years now and i just want something different.
i would do it pink or whatever but i have an appointment with my hair cutter person (1 mile from my house) -- not my crazy color person (who is two hours away) .... this one has colored my hair twice and does a great job but she is just not one to do crazy off the wall things.
I think a rich dark red would look lovely.
Maddie
i just realised i'm now a senior member .
when did that happen?.
maddie.
Gopher - When I'm a Jedi that that mean I get a light sabre and will the force be with me?
Bite me - Thank you
Maddie
i was a lurker here for a few weeks before breaking keyboard silence,.
and the warmth and support i have received since has been remarkable.. i feel my posts are carefully read, accurately understood, and .
thoughtfully responded to.. the odd thing is that even though i feel i am now an active part of.
INKLING - More isn't always best. Just be yourself like you are being, that's all
Maddie
i just realised i'm now a senior member .
when did that happen?.
maddie.
I just realised I'm now a SENIOR MEMBER
When did that happen?
Maddie
just wanted to say to all you guys who were elders and everybody, at least for myself thanks for the help and assistance you have provided me since joining jwd !
i know when in the witnesses elders and all of us probably did not get the commendation we deserved for our efforts , and it was a thankless job for elders having to spew out cult influenced counsel from the governing body, especially if they disagreed with it.
i know i had bad dealings with elders when a witness because of unjust treatment not only of myself , but that of others , but want you guys here to know, i look at you as friends on a level basis now !
FLIPPER - I think this a lovely thread. I for one truly appreciate all the information, advice and support that I have had since joining you all on JWD. The experience of those who have had many years in the WT as elders and those who have seen the many inconsistencies and injustices are invaluable to me in my fight for freedom.
Well done and thank you all
Maddie
were you one of those witnesses that believed anything good that happened was because jehovah god was blessing you and when something bad happened, it was evidence of "no blessings"??
?
I didn't feel it was Jehovah's fault if bad things happened to me and neither did I feel blessed until I was at my rock bottom. In my despair I cried out for help to God and my problem was taken away from me. The strange thing was that when this happened I was not in an "approved" standing in the borg. Not sure if that counts though
Maddie
what would the world be like?.
for example, today orthodox jews and christians don't kill witches and homosexuals because they can't legally.. but if things were as their god decreed in the bible, they'd be dead.. islam, when it has enough power to enforce it's laws, summarily kills and dismembers those that offend allah.. so if you're unhappy with all the gays and druggies and atheists and witches and hippies, are you secretly longing for the day when your deity of choice exterminates them?.
.
Imagine there's no evil
It's easy if you try
No hell below us
Above us clear blue sky
Imagine all the people
Living for today
Imagine there's no countries
It isn't hard to do
Nothing to kill or die for
And no religion too
Imagine all the people
Living life in peace
You may say that I'm a dreamer
But I'm not the only one
I hope someday you'll join us
And the world will be as one
Imagine no possessions
I wonder if you can
No need for greed or hunger
A brotherhood of man
Imagine all the people
Sharing all the world
You may say that I'm a dreamer
But I'm not the only one
I hope someday you'll join us
And the world will live as one
Maddie
FREE
Maddie
