Posts by Gordy

34

Throughout the history of JW's, what years do think they strayed most from being "God's People"? Who was responible for this,and why do you think this?

by lurk3r in

Gordy

Well there weren't any "Jehovah's WItnesses" before 1931 (?) before that they were "International Bible Students" (?)

How about from 1874 onwards , when they said Christ had arrived then.

19

Just in case you missed it -- great comment by "easyreader" from another thread

by Alpaca in

on metatron's thread about dubs going mainstream easyreader said this:.

another issue causing the decay is the lack of a "date".

in order for a cult to work, there has to be a date where everything will culminate.

Gordy

Time is now one of the Watchtowers biggest enemies.

2014 will be hundred years since Christ "took up power" in the heavens and came invisibly. They could stretch it to 2018/19 to when Christ "chose" the Watchtower to be "Gods organisation".

But the thing is that they just didn't expect to be here in "this system" this far along in time. It should have been "Paradise" by now.

Older ones are getting tired or even dying off. Younger ones are starting to look at the Watchtower and ask questions

The "get out there and preach, the times are urgent" attitude seems to have gone also.

I've met more JWs in my local pub (bar) than out on the streets.

There seems to have been more changes in teachings and with meetings. In the last say, 5 years, than in all the 30 when I was a JW.

To paraphrase Shakespeare "There is something rotten in the state of Watchtower."

47

New Jehovah's Witness forum on Facebook (w/real JW's)

by middleman in

jw
friends

it's called "jehovah's witness facebook forum".

check it out could be interesting........................ .

http://www.facebook.com/group.php?gid=51298429787#/group.php?gid=51298429787.

Gordy

On Facebook they had a forum called "REAL Jehovahs Witnesses" which I posted on. But it disappeared I wonder if this a replacement for it.

The other one got quite a few posting critising JWs and posting answers to their teachings which I think were starting to have an effect.

20

What is the general "mood" these days of Dubs at meetings and assemblies?

by Alpaca in

jw
friends

i haven't been inside a kingdom hall since 1998. back then, the change in the 1914 "generation" teaching was still sinking in and the "mood" then was one of confusion and head-scratching about what it all meant.. it is difficult for me to imagine how the "mood" now could be anything other than one of disappointment and doubt...even if it is not openly expressed.. do you think at some point there will be critical mass of doubts (and doubters) that will just start spilling out when dubs realize that others around them feel the same way?.

Gordy

I've been out for 7 years now. But on what I have picked up from non-JW family who still have contact with JW family. There seems to be an air of resignation. That over the last few years with changes in some major teachings its become a case of "plodding on" till the end for many.

Also that many are just going trough the motions of being a JW. Older ones are getting tired of for years being told "the end" is near. Young ones are just pleasing their parents by being there, and would have stopped going ages ago if had the chance.

Someone above mentioned about 2014. Time has become one of their biggest enemies. 2014 will be a hundred years since Christ supposedly took up "Kingdom rule" invisibly, 2019 will be a hundred years since Christ was supposed to have chosen the Watchtower as "Gods organisation" on earth.

The problem for the Watchtower is that they did not expect to be here this long. They can only sustain saying "the end is near" for so long, before people start to think differently or for themselves. Then the exodus out will start.

32

How Many Here Have Done Extensive Research While a JW or When Exiting?

by minimus in

jw
friends

i loved research.

i used to pride myself in my knowledge of different watchtower society info, especially organization procedure.

so i always enjoyed digging into facts.

Gordy

Going through a traumtic experience at the time and trying to hold on to being a JW.

I was in local library and spotted a book called "Awake to the Watchtower" by Doug Harris

I thought one of those books having a go at the WT. I picked it up and started reading bits. It was like as if a switch had been thrown. I sat for the next 2 hours reading this book. I had read other books about the WT before but none had any effect on me.

The library had an internet section so started on there. I was led to sites like Freeminds etc. This set me off on nearly 3 years of reseach about the WT its, history, doctrines and teachings. Along the way I learnt about the early days and the teachings of Russell, the Rutherford era, Knorr, Franz. I began to realise that it was nothing more than a man-made organisation, not Gods.

I also came to see how the WT had twisted what the Christian faith really taught. The way they had given a false impression about the Trinity. immortality of the soul, hell. Most of all the role of Jesus Christ. I suppose in a way you could say the Watchtower led me to Christ.

Ater nearly 3 years I was sitting one night in Kingdom Hall, listening I realised to the same old stuff. It then hit me that I no longer belived in the teachings of the WT. That night was the last meeting I attended. It was two years later I disassociated.

I became (horror) a born-again Christian, and now attend a Pentecostal church.

2

Another shining example of christian excellence in a time of human tragedy.

by Holey_Cheeses*King_of_the juice. in

jw
friends

"there is never a shortage of dickheads in the world.

" so was the quote of a caller to national radio upon learning the response of a so-called christian minister to the widespread bushfire disaster affecting the state of victoria in australia which has already claimed over one hundred and eighty victims.. this arsehole (no disrespect to all of the useful ones) does not deserve the attention he is hoping to garner by his comments and i am certain there would be any number of affected citizens who would like to see this scumbag dragged from his high and mighty pulpit and put to work on the fireground.. http://www.theage.com.au/national/fire-divine-retribution-says-minister-20090210-83o9.html.

remember.

Gordy

Seeing his "church" is called "Catch the Fire Ministries" maybe he is the one to be blamed.

18

Interesting comment by a JW regarding the new schedule

by wha happened? in

a buddy of mine who is still serving and doesn't treat me like a leper was chatting with me about the new bookstudy arrangement and the meetings in general.

he stated that the way the parts are set up now, that simply winging the answers from the km or other study material, is next to impossible.

he went on to state that he understood that the society is pushing for more pre-study.. at the risk of sounding bad, are there any thoughts on a push to get rid of the fence sitters?.

Gordy

My thought is, just what "personal" studying does a JW do?

How many JWs sit there with the Watchtower, book study, KM, school, etc and look up all the references, scripture etc.

9 out of 10 will just underline the revelant sentence in a study article or book.

Because at meetings thats all they want to here.

In my 30 yrs as a JW the only time I did any "studying" was if I had a talk to give, an item in the service meeting to do, or was taking the book group when the Elder was on holiday.

Watchtower magazine, read paragraph, look at question, find answer, underline.

When I used to walk round KH during Watchtower study. probably about half at least didn't have it underlined.

They tell you to study, but then to keep your answers short at meeting.

It was also one of the things in my time trying to get brothers/sisters to study.

Would like to know how many JWs were using the "free" night, now there is no group study. Studying !

9