Posts by Billy the Ex-Bethelite

139

What evidence is there for Jesus (NOT USING THE BIBLE)?

by punkofnice in

i have often wondered if there is any actual archealogical evidence that jesus existed other than the claims of the bible.. i don't want to go down the route of 'you can't prove he didn't exist' as this is tiresome.

or 'well pontius pilate existed we found a stone with his name on so it follows jesus existed!

' that won't cut it.

Billy the Ex-Bethelite

Mouthy,

Trees and snow go together very nicely. Just like Jesus and love go together nicely. Maybe I don't believe in Jesus as a literal person, but I believe in the positive messages of love, tolerance, and nonjudgmentalism that are credited to him. Although I don't believe in God as presented in the Bible, I believe in Jesus' warning that dictatorial laws, organized hierarchical religion, and self-righteousness direct a person away from godliness and goodness.

So Mouthy dear, don't think that any of the flying rocks are directed at you. They're for the "Christians" (like JWs, Westboro Baptist, and those gun-toting American flag-waving fundies) that spew hate, intolerance, oppression, etc. in the name of THEIR Jesus. They claim salvation because they believe in a literal Jesus and believe their 'organization' has a monopoly on heaven. If Jesus were here, we know what he'd say about those troublemakers, "get away from me you workers of lawlessness."

42

Interesting District Convention News.....

by Pyramid Scheme in

jw
friends

i wanted to share some news from a family friend (he is my wt mole - still an elder, hates the shenanigans, but is still hanging on for all the reasons often discussed on this site) i know the various rumors have been discussed on here, and unfortunately the rumor about the conventions being eliminated weren't true!

(what a burden on the jw community - financial hardship for a good portion of them, guilting people into actually quitting their job to attend, physically exhausting for many, etc...etc......).

anyway, he told me that the district convention is being moved to 11 weekends at the jw-owned circuit assembly hall, and they are no longer planning on renting stadiums/large facilities in our area (northern ohio/southern michigan).

Billy the Ex-Bethelite

They've had to do that in New York City area for years now. Fill up the AHs year 'round instead of search for someplace they could use cheap.

From my estimation, it was easier and the bOrg could keep more money. But it wasn't much different than a run of the mill circuit event. And for singles, you were now stuck looking around the same shallow gene pool in the same AH scenery.

9

Watchtower Corporation's new Real Estate business venture?

by Billy the Ex-Bethelite in

since the watchtower publishing business has gone down the crapper, how can the gb keep bringing in the money?

they only have a limited amount of brooklyn property and international branches to sell, so their real estate sales business can't last long... or can it?

this video by betty bowers of the landover baptist church may be similar to an idea that could keep wt rolling in cash for decades.... http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ro1e3ieykfq.

Billy the Ex-Bethelite

And just to add a completely off-topic post which may sidetrack my own thread, I'm also a big fan of Mr. Diety on YouTube.

9

Watchtower Corporation's new Real Estate business venture?

by Billy the Ex-Bethelite in

since the watchtower publishing business has gone down the crapper, how can the gb keep bringing in the money?

they only have a limited amount of brooklyn property and international branches to sell, so their real estate sales business can't last long... or can it?

this video by betty bowers of the landover baptist church may be similar to an idea that could keep wt rolling in cash for decades.... http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ro1e3ieykfq.

Billy the Ex-Bethelite

Since the Watchtower publishing business has gone down the crapper, how can the GB keep bringing in the money? They only have a limited amount of Brooklyn property and international branches to sell, so their real estate sales business can't last long... or can it? This video by Betty Bowers of the Landover Baptist Church may be similar to an idea that could keep WT rolling in cash for decades...

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ro1E3ieYkFQ

While many JWs fantasize about the mansions they'll take over from destroyed "worldly" people after the big A, they really have no good reason to think they will get them for FREE or that some other JWs won't get that house! WT could begin selling AAA real estate (Available After Armageddon) right now! Want to be sure that you'll get that McMansion across town with the inground pool? Start sending monthly payments to Watchtower today, and the GB will be sure that the house will be preserved in pristine condition for you!

27

Visit to Austrailia

by exwhyzee in

we're trying to rebuild our lives after leaving the org, have new experiences and create new memories for ourselves.

we're planning out our trip to hawaii, nz, austrailia and tahati in february.

i thought i'd see if anyone on here could give us some advice on places to see/stay/eat in brisbane and thereabouts, as well as places to steer clear of.

Billy the Ex-Bethelite

Wow, sounds like fun!

"...as well as places to steer clear of."

Avoid WT branches and KHs. That's about all the help I can be on the subject.

21

Why did Jehovah forget to buy all JW related domains ?

by mP in

is the simple fact the wts forgot to buy domains like jwn etc proof that they are not guided by god ?

how could god be so blind and forget to buy jwn, and let apostates spread their lies ?.

Billy the Ex-Bethelite

In addition to that question, why would they consolidate down to only one "approved" website? Every search engine now has their website completely outnumbered by "worldly" and even "apostate" websites right on the first page.

52

Long time listener first time caller

by Defianttruth in

i would like to thank everyone who is a part of this community.

i have been abused by this billion dollar evil religion since i was born.

i am now in my late thirties and have been battling depression issues over my former abuses by this nongoverment organization.

Billy the Ex-Bethelite

Welcome!

"...battling depression issues over my former abuses"

I'm not surprised. Have you tried professional counselling?

Don't beat yourself up over the sh!tty decisions that your family members made. You're a far better person by completely removing yourself from that toxic environment.

It sounds like you've built a wonderful life for yourself and your family. ExJWs that go on to lead happy and productive lives make the GB very sad . And we're always pleased to welcome new people to JWN, particularly when they have big, juicy brains like yours!

19

New year, new outlook

by MsD in

jw
friends

hi guys, i'm new here.

been a lurker for a long time.

my back story is that i've been studying on and off with jw since 2003. i know it may seem strange but i guess is possible.

Billy the Ex-Bethelite

Welcome!

"At this point I don't know what to believe."

When it comes to new beliefs, take baby steps like I do. I believe I'll have steak and red wine for dinner.

1

why can't this happen to the Watchtower?

by thecrushed in

http://www.skepticmoney.com/belgium-to-charge-scientology-with-fraud-and-extortion/ seriously i love the netherlands right now!

sock it to them europe!

.

Billy the Ex-Bethelite

"The US state department has deplored Belgium’s lack of tolerance, along with Germany and France."

Pfft. Belgium, Germany, and France deplore the US's lack of morals and ethics, providing safehaven to cults under the protection of shoddy religious laws that ruin the lives of millions of children and evade billions in taxes.

22

I'm in, and having a hard time biting my tongue sometimes

by noonehome in

jw
friends

i spend allot of time with other young witnesses my age, and am very close to a few of these friends.

my question is, is there any way to safely talk about doubts?

for instance, i've been learning allot about evolution and the science behind the flood (or lack thereof).

Billy the Ex-Bethelite

"My question is, is there ANY way to SAFELY talk about doubts?"

The most effective way I found to address such subjects, is by initially removing myself as the person asking the question. You phrase the question in such a way that it would realistically be asked by a householder.

For example, with this sister's question, you wait a few days and then ask if she looked anything up. Don't make an issue of it, and just state, "well, it's something a householder would probably never ask about. I'm more concerned about how I would respond to a householder asking about Deut 22: 28,29 where a raped virgin is forced by the Mosaic Law to marry her rapist, sold to him like 'damaged goods". That's an account that householders are more likely to take issue with in the Hebrew Scriptures." Then if you feel playful, add, "there's only one way to effectively deal with someone asking about that law." When she asks how you'd respond, say, "I'd tell them that I'd have to go and do some research on their question, then I'd leave and never return to that door again."

Similarly with the conversation about evolution, don't make any bold personal statements. Instead, you can say, "How would you respond when the householder asks how millions of species fit into the ark? Animals like kangaroos and koalas, how did they get from Turkey to Australia?" I was able to ask many such questions in the third person, because I had been asked them in service or was able to phrase the questions as a valid question by a householder. Dubs can't summarily dismiss them as apostate, which is what they would likely do to you if you asked the question as coming from you.

And WELCOME! Proceed with caution and take your time to carefully plan for your future. I'm glad to hear that you've learned TTATT at 20, rather than some of us that drank the Kool Aid until we were 40+