In every religion you have those who are just there going with the flow and never questioning anything, and never searching for anything other than what they are handed or told. There are also those who love the thrill of learning and research and sharing what they have learned with those around them. Both categories of people contain above average, average, and not so bright people.
In addition, there are members of other religions who come across as arrogant at times when they happen to know exactly what God thinks about anything from which toilet paper brand you should buy to the perfect words to use while speaking in tongues, and all because they have a magic pipeline to God's brain via the holy spirit.
But here is the difference with the JW.
1. They are given mountains of information to read and are expected to read it and preach it, and they are not allowed to read any other religious material.
2. They believe that this is the only information on the planet about the Bible that is the truth. All other information is from the devil.
3. Within that information given to them are articles about science, health, astronomy, etc. as well as the information about the Bible. They believe that THAT information is the only correct view to have about all those other topics as well. More correct than scientists, chemists, astronomers, physicians, etc.
4. The JW not only believe that they are being given PROPER food, but the ONLY truthful information about any topic under the sun.
5. At the same time they are believing everything they are allowed to hear and read, they are also being told that Higher Education is EVIL.
6. So what happens to the mindset of 6 million people who believe that the finest information on the planet can only be produced by 10 old men in Brooklyn, and who try their best to avoid any kind of higher education, and believe without a doubt that they are the only one's privy to the immediate plans of the creator of the universe?
Pickled
JoinedPosts by Pickled
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12
Witness intelligence vs. stupidity
by Shepherd Book inthere has been a recent thread debating the intelligence of jws.
i was going to post on that thread but, alas, i have gotten too verbose and have decided to start a new thread.
i was and am a nerd.
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Pickled
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CONCERED WITNESSES ARE SIGNING UP FOR LIVE TELEPHONE CONFERENCE
by kool aid man06 injehovah's witnesses, if it was proved to you beyond a shadow of a doubt that you have been lied to, would you care?
deny it?
make excuses for it?
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Pickled
This post is for the person who joined JWD and then sent me a PM 25 minutes later and has not posted on any threads. You asked me a question based on my post here on this thread.
Here was your question:
"I want to be on the phone hearing a voice that is real and live. Why would You want to be on a forum that is just typed print?"
I responded to you but, in addition, I would also like to break my post down for you (the one you were asking about) so that you can also get the answer for yourself...
MY POST WITH EXPLANATIONS:
“This sounds like a great opportunity especially if there are already 400 Witnesses planning on calling in and listening.”
WHAT TO OBSERVE HERE: 400 witnesses will be calling in.
“Now that I have said it sounds great, I have a question about it.”
WHAT TO OBSERVE HERE: I was indicating that I was about to ask a question, not make a statement.
”Is that a "Witness" thing to prefer calling in with a phone and listening to a one-sided presentation?”
WHAT TO OBSERVE HERE: I am asking if that is a preference that I am not aware of that would be a preference of a “Witness.”
“I understand what you are saying about the hundreds of threads about convention food, ice cream, funny out in service moments, etc…”
WHAT TO OBSERVE HERE: I am acknowledging the poster I am addressing and his view of threads that are started that have nothing to do with anti-jw activity.
“…but why did they prefer this over a website that could stick to certain topics that they can post at and get feedback?”
WHAT TO OBSERVE HERE: I am stating clearly the reason why I am asking this question, and again not making a statement of preference. I am indicating that internet forums offer a way for those posting their questions to get feedback….or answers to their questions. I am asking a question. My motivation for asking was my assumption that none of the 400 concerned JW will be able to ask any questions and receive feedback.
”Just curious and STILL think your phone thing is a positive step.”
WHAT TO OBSERVE: I have indicated that I am curious about this chosen method. I have also indicated that I think the method chosen by this poster asking people to use the phone to call in and get info about the JW…..is positive.
And to answer your question about why I would want to be on a forum that is just typed print? For the same reason you joined a forum just to PM me. You obviously thought I would be more available to answer your question that way. -
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Notes From Hawaii-Gerrit Losch Talk
by Save My Soul ina (conditional) friend sent me some notes from the talk in hawaii.
gerrit was the keynote speaker.
this occurred 'immediately after the tribulation of those days' (matthew 24:29), referring to the destruction of babylon the great.
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Pickled
Some researchers have claimed that excessive cell phone usage can cause brain tumors. That is why the United Nations is gathering all of the cell phone numbers of Clergymen. In the IMMEDIATE future they are going to call all of them and leave them on hold until they drop dead. For now, however, Radiation from a nuclear bomb is cheaper than the cost of all those cell phone minutes.
I am still trying to figure out why the top of your roof is the best place to be when those nuclear bombs go off. -
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CONCERED WITNESSES ARE SIGNING UP FOR LIVE TELEPHONE CONFERENCE
by kool aid man06 injehovah's witnesses, if it was proved to you beyond a shadow of a doubt that you have been lied to, would you care?
deny it?
make excuses for it?
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Pickled
This sounds like a great opportunity especially if there are already 400 Witnesses planning on calling in and listening. Now that I have said it sounds great, I have a question about it.
Is that a "Witness" thing to prefer calling in with a phone and listening to a one-sided presentation? I understand what you are saying about the hundreds of threads about convention food, ice cream, funny out in service moments, etc. but why did they prefer this over a website that could stick to certain topics that they can post at and get feedback?
Just curious and STILL think your phone thing is a positive step. -
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Did you know I am a SATANIST?
by Tired of the Hypocrisy inseveral months ago, my wife's drunken, wife abusing, bully of a jw uncle offered (we didn't ask...he offered, ok?
) to allow us to use some space on his property to store some things we had in a 10x10x8 storage unit we were paying for.
it sounded good since we are short of cash most of the time and it would only be for about 3-4 months.
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Pickled
From R. Crusoe's Link...
"The Satanists' concept of Satan is pre-Christian, and derived from the Pagan image of power,
virility, sexuality and sensuality."
Tired, does your Uncle take Viagra? This may be a way to get him disfellowshipped. -
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Did you know I am a SATANIST?
by Tired of the Hypocrisy inseveral months ago, my wife's drunken, wife abusing, bully of a jw uncle offered (we didn't ask...he offered, ok?
) to allow us to use some space on his property to store some things we had in a 10x10x8 storage unit we were paying for.
it sounded good since we are short of cash most of the time and it would only be for about 3-4 months.
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Pickled
"Maybe your demon can get together with the demon my wife said was causing my depression! (Funny, mine doesn't seem to come around that much since she moved out)."
LOL. So now it's back to Ms. Demon? -
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Did you know I am a SATANIST?
by Tired of the Hypocrisy inseveral months ago, my wife's drunken, wife abusing, bully of a jw uncle offered (we didn't ask...he offered, ok?
) to allow us to use some space on his property to store some things we had in a 10x10x8 storage unit we were paying for.
it sounded good since we are short of cash most of the time and it would only be for about 3-4 months.
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Pickled
Thank you for the link R. Crusoe....looking that up.
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Did you know I am a SATANIST?
by Tired of the Hypocrisy inseveral months ago, my wife's drunken, wife abusing, bully of a jw uncle offered (we didn't ask...he offered, ok?
) to allow us to use some space on his property to store some things we had in a 10x10x8 storage unit we were paying for.
it sounded good since we are short of cash most of the time and it would only be for about 3-4 months.
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Pickled
Well, now I have some questions about your experience with the wife's Uncle who believes your things are "Demonized."
Did it depend on the distance from the storage building to his Watchtower magazines?
Does this Uncle make it a practice to never rent movies of any rating at all? I am asking this because even if he does rent G Rated movies only, how does he do that without getting so close to the R Rated rack?
Is the R Rated movie rack further away from the G Rated movies than his house is to the storage unit?
Also, how does he buy all the alcohol he drinks without getting too close to the porn magazines that are often in convenience stores that sell alcohol? I would think that those X-Rated Demons would be a lot more evil than the R-Rated Demons, don't you?
How does he "screen" restaurants before he goes in to make sure none of the customers have "demon" material in their pocket or purse that he could be eating his T-Bone right next to? What about a waitress who might have a pentagram tattoo that is not easily visible? Can she still bring him his food? -
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Did you know I am a SATANIST?
by Tired of the Hypocrisy inseveral months ago, my wife's drunken, wife abusing, bully of a jw uncle offered (we didn't ask...he offered, ok?
) to allow us to use some space on his property to store some things we had in a 10x10x8 storage unit we were paying for.
it sounded good since we are short of cash most of the time and it would only be for about 3-4 months.
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Pickled
Is satan mentioned anywhere else other than in the Bible? I know there are ancient beliefs and folklore about evil beings or spirits, but isn't the Bible the origin of the word satan? I think the word means "opposer" or "one who opposes" in Hebrew. He was also called Beelzebub in the NT.
What is the goal in worshipping him? I am not "opposed" to it (pun intended), just curious. I actually don't believe this character exists so no arguments out of me about who worships what. But I really would like to know what Satanists believe and why they believe it. -
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Ex-JWs... feelings of isolation, agoraphobia...?
by Moxie inhi all... :) sorry for the novel.... i'm just wondering if there are any others out there who share similar experiences as me or have any comments and insight.... when i was a jw i was very, very social and active with friends and family in a wide range of activities.
i would even have considered myself the party-starter ;).
i used to plan events and social get togethers for all kinds of situations.
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Pickled
Quandry,
Congratulations for going to college! It sounds like you were determined to get past the place you were in. I know that you said it took a lot of time, but still you kept at it little by little. I think that sometimes just time itself starts to wear down the rough edges. I am still waiting for my rough edges to get a little less sharp. I have my moments, I think mostly fatigue and life's daily grind, when I am more patient than at other times with the things I have seen that a belief in a religion can do. I definitely need to learn more patience, and understand that not everything needs to be approached like a scene out of "Braveheart."
Thank you for responding and sharing. I hope that someone reading your words will be comforted by the hope and the potential that seems to be in between every line you wrote.
Pickled