Posts by Eyes Open

14

Confusing... but this set me straight

by possibilities in

i'm new to this site... just looking for confirmations of thoughts i've been having during my investigation of this organization.

i'm attending meetings while studying and thought this forum might provide some insight.

it surely does.

Eyes Open

Hi there possibilities. Welcome to the site.

One said the letter stated that there is concern about lack of attention to JW families... about brothers and sisters leaving the truth...about families coming unprepared to meetings. The poster of that message said they were purposely remaining anonymous, and I can see why. Those statements were not in the letter at all.

The poster would have been using their knowledge of the Watchtower Society's motives based on the history of the organisation and their previous experiences. When significant changes are made to the way that the high control group is run, we who have been affected by it (especially those of us with family who are still trapped in the group believing what they are indoctrinated with) like to try and work out why.

Edit: Reading undercover's reply above, I realise I misunderstood your query, possibilities.

It's good you're doing your research properly while you are studying. It's very likely that the person/people whom you are studying with are very sincere in their attempts to bring you into their religion; unfortunately this doesn't stop the group ultimately being very harmful. Keep researching, using a variety of sources.

Just one site for you: Facts About Jehovah's Witnesses

All the best and, of course, feel free to post any questions.

69

Why does an atheist have to disprove anything?

by digderidoo in

jw
friends

i have noticed alot of debate in posts lately between an atheist argument and a christian one.

it seems to me that the atheist is asked to disprove god's existence.

some times these debates have started to get personal with one side attacking the other with insults and i do not want to start another argument like these.. but i dont get it?

Eyes Open

I suppose nobody has to prove anything. But when people believe what certain humans of millennia ago wrote down I feel the burden of proof should be on the believer in an objective discussion.

4

reduce printing

by isaacaustin in

jw
friends

at my church the words to our songs are simply displayed on a screen.

i can see the wt ceasing their printing of songbook and adopting this.

i somewhat wonder why they haven't already....each cong i am assuming pays its own utility bill and this would not be a great increase.

Eyes Open

There wouldn't be as much scope for sniggering at the lyrics and oh-so-strange music whilst looking down at the book with the person next to you.

I vote no.

69

Why does an atheist have to disprove anything?

by digderidoo in

jw
friends

i have noticed alot of debate in posts lately between an atheist argument and a christian one.

it seems to me that the atheist is asked to disprove god's existence.

some times these debates have started to get personal with one side attacking the other with insults and i do not want to start another argument like these.. but i dont get it?

Eyes Open

A similar thought occurred to me earlier today. But since when has humanity done things the way they should be?

30

Anyone else get baptised at BOWES ROAD North London?

by nicolaou in

are you my bowes rd buddy?.

.

Eyes Open

Another BRBB here.

30

YouTube video: On Shunning

by seattleniceguy in

jw
friends

i'm starting to get the hang of this video thing.

i'm really happy with this video on the practice of shunning, as experienced by me on both sides of the fence.

i'm not angry - i'm just letting the facts be known.

Eyes Open

Aha! Found you on JWD now, too. :)

Just wanted to say your videos are very good. Measured and objective.

Have subscribed.

25

Old JW memories.

by nicolaou in

with all the talk about the book study recently i couldn't help recalling the old 'group' we used to go to from about 1970. i remember the smell of those books, the drone of the study conductor and the struggle - often in vain - to keep my eyes open.. i remember my old ministry briefcase and the kitchen of the sister where we used to meet for field service.

she was my best friends mum.

i can still feel the biting wind at twickenham conventions and the overheated, dehydrating stuffiness of bowes rd assembly hall.. i remember shuffling the snow with my shoes at the doors of homes i didn't want to be at.

Eyes Open

Yes, it really was a very interesting ceiling.

I got baptised there.

*sigh*

You live and learn.

13

JW's and close connections

by divanvegas in

jw
friends

hi everyone i am new to the forum and i was raised a jw in the seattle area.

it does strike me fascinating that after 15 years of not being an active witness that i do feel a strong fraternity type connection to this group, and anyone i may come in contact with that was one.

it's is the most powerful,profound association that if you connect with another x-jw you feel like family.

Eyes Open

Hi divanvegas!

Glad to see you here, ex-sis.

Your ex-bro (now friend). :)

25

Old JW memories.

by nicolaou in

with all the talk about the book study recently i couldn't help recalling the old 'group' we used to go to from about 1970. i remember the smell of those books, the drone of the study conductor and the struggle - often in vain - to keep my eyes open.. i remember my old ministry briefcase and the kitchen of the sister where we used to meet for field service.

she was my best friends mum.

i can still feel the biting wind at twickenham conventions and the overheated, dehydrating stuffiness of bowes rd assembly hall.. i remember shuffling the snow with my shoes at the doors of homes i didn't want to be at.

Eyes Open

I can still feel the biting wind at Twickenham conventions and the overheated, dehydrating stuffiness of Bowes Rd Assembly Hall.

I went to Twickenham once, and Bowes Road many times. The ceiling was quite interesting; I looked at the patterns for quite some time. Did you ever go to the park up the road at lunchtimes? It was quite nice there. Was a shame we had to go back for the afternoon session.

Did you see the hall post-refurbishment? It's a lot less stuffy now.

If one can avoid being bitter that's got to be a good thing. Sorry your family's contact isn't very good at the moment, and hope you can break down their fears.

24

Job lost everything and still praised God???? Would you?

by Witness 007 in

so jehovah and satan are in vegas and decide to place "a bet" that loyal servant job would still be faithful if he lost his money, family, wife's respect and health....and yes, he still praises jehovah!

is this logical?

if god arranged for your family to be killed and destroyed your health and finances would you say:"thank you sir can i have another!

Eyes Open

To me it sounds like a mythical book that found its way in the Bible instead of being classified with the apocrypha. It was a mistake of the church fathers but then again they didn't do a bad job given the hundreds of bogus books circulating at the time.

As with many (all?) of the stories in the old testament, the story of Job was written by people, for people, to assure them that despite false friends blaming our misfortunes on bad behaviour on our part, God will still look down on us favourably if we remain faithful and remember who it was that made us and that we don't have all the answers. (Note: I don't believe in God.)

Take it literally and you miss the point and genre of the specific piece of literature, as many do with the story of Jonah.