i knew a few like that , the worst one was local congregation paedophile that had so much to say about others , when i look back now at some of the things he used to judge people for , what a damn cheek he had considering the things he had done that hadnt come out at that point in time.
A few come to mind but there was one elder I knew who was really self righteous. He made a point of stalking JW's suspected of committing a sin to try and catch them in the act! He was nasty to anyone coming back to meetings seeking reinstatement but fell from grace rather dramatically by leaving his wife and kids and running off with another woman.
Maddie
years ago, nearly every jw were true believers.
even if they were considered weak in the faith, they accepted all the beliefs and views from "mother".
do you think today's witnesses accept everything as being the truth?.
I dont't really know but I think a percentage really believe it is God's Org. and soak it up like a sponge. Others might not believe everything but dissonance kicks in and stops them from admitting it.
Maddie
let me start off by saying that i'm glad to know this support group and website is available.
i decided to dissocaite myself four years ago.
i actually emailed an author that wrote a book about her experience as jw and why she left.
Welcome Aquamarine to JWD
During the 1960s and 1970s, the Watchtower Society occasionally used the translation of the New Testament by Johannes Greber to support their similar renderings of John 1:1 and Matthew 27:52,53. In 1983 they officially stopped using his translation because of its "close rapport with spiritism." The information that Geber Was a Spiritist Was readily available to the Society's writers. In 1955 and 1956 the Society's writers themselves wrote of Greber's spiritism. Their use of Greber's translation to support their New World Translation and their explanations for it is evidence of shallow scholarship.
I think this is what you are referring to so I hope it helps
Maddie
i know that they are conditional friends.
i also know i will make more friends.
i have said goodbye to some and upset the elders by telling jw friends that i don't believe the wts any more.
Strawberry cake - yes this is the way it happens. The elders find out whats going on, then massive panic sets in with them because they are scared silly that you may tell other JW's your reasons for leaving. They don't want us to know the truth about the WT but when we do they close ranks to keep control of the congregation. Basically we are frozen out!
I am very sorry you are going through this but you are very brave and being true to yourself so Big Hugs from me
Maddie
for the better part of a year, my wife and i have been meeting with a team of jws.
they teach us jw dogmas, and we use it as an opportunity to expose them to the orthodox gospel of jesus christ.
it took quite a long time to figure out what their "plan of salvation" was, as they seemed reluctant to just spell it out.
Welcome to JWD EveraStudent
At one time the JW's used to charge for any literature placed but that was stopped some years ago because of being able to claim Charity status. JW's are expected to contribute for it themselves.
Maddie
with all the talk about the increased violence in schools and among society, it still surprises me that the accessibility to guns argument often tends to trump the cultural argument.. maybe i'm out of touch but showing saw iii uncut on hbo at 10pm and releasing the most violent video games in history and the marketing of violent and perverse music, these are the things to me that desensitises young people first and then may trigger some hurt and unstable kids long before they go and buy a gun.. okay, ready to be blasted (pardon the pun)!.
.
I don't think its the cause of violence, it just gives people the tools to kill people with.
Maddie
http://www.kneelb4me.com/2008/1/31/jehovahs-witnesses--the-people-who-wake-you-up-on-a-saturday-morning.
this is a joke right?.
I can't see the GB being so forthright - if they are then times they are a changing.
Maddie
http://blog.beliefnet.com/news/2008/02/jehovahs-witnesses-fastestgrow.php .
"jehovah's witnesses are the fastest-growing church body in the u.s. and canada, now with more than 1 million members, according to new figures that track church membership in the u.s. and canada.
although jehovah's witnesses ranked 24th on the list of 25 largest churches, they reported the largest growth rate -- 2.25 percent -- of all churches.
While there are vulnerable, needy and gullible people the JW's will continue to make converts. When the WT is exposed enough for what it really is then it will lose its ability to deceive.
Maddie
anyone out there that can give me advice on how to make everyone see that i've decided to leave the "truth"and to leave me alone!!!!!!
!
Welcome to JWD crapola
Well like others have said it depends on whether you have reasons you don't want to be shunned or anything that you wouldn't want to lose. JW's aren't allowed to leave without paying a price, that is because it is a cult. Many "fade" because of not wanting to lose family and friends that are JW's. Even then you may still be shunned. If you don't have these fears then DA to get them off your case. JW's don't have the "truth" at all, in fact nothing could be further from the "truth".
Maddie
generally, when you heard the names announced, what went through your mind?
I thought how spititual they must be
Maddie
