Posts by Jeremy C

33

Latest JW e-mail - JW witnessed to Obama

by sir82 in

jw
friends

here's the latest e-mail making the rounds:.

subject: brother witnesses to obama in ncthis is a picture of mark juntunen, a brother in our congregation talking.

to obama when he visited asheville nc during one of his election stomping.

Jeremy C

There is an email and an EXACT same story about every celebrity and presidential candidate out there...insert (article, magazine, book) name, insert (celebrity, politician, world leader) name.... send out into JWla la land online and watch the fish grow.

Yes, I remember that there was a story floating around of a sister who placed a book with Bill Clinton. There was also a story of a sister in Russia (post Soviet era) who placed literature with Boris Yeltzin.

I knew a sister personally who mailed literature to Los Angeles Dodgers announcer Vin Scully. And then . . . .drumroll . . . . she got back a form letter with Vin Scully's name on it saying "thank you". She was a local hero for about a week.

These stories of "Bob the brother" or "Suzy the sister" who witness to famous people do indeed get a lot of mileage . . too much mileage. How sad is it that people would get giddy over someone giving a brochure to a famous person? It reminds me of a bunch of little girls blushing and giggling when a boy they have a crush on happens to glance at them.

42

They "Keep Following the Lamb" - February Study Article (Praise for the GB)

by Ultimate Reality in

the article is not yet in print, however on jw.org you will find the audio recording for the february 15, 2009 study edition.. this article sums up some of the talks given over the past year or so.

it makes clear that we should trust the faithful and discreet slave because jehovah and jesus trust the "slave".

the slave has been faithfully providing spiritual food for 130 years.

Jeremy C

When the latest Generation change was made, one brother commented at the WT study that "it may not make sense, but we just have to accept it becase they [the GB] are the ones that have God's spirit."

Yes, and it is amazing that displaying this credulous attituded is equated with spirituality itself. Although, the words "theocratic" and "spiritual" are used interchangeably. When a brother makes the kind of comment you just referenced; they are described as being "theocratic".

With this thought process in place, the GB can indeed make very sweeping and grandiose statements without any substantative Scriptural backing. The rank and file have been indoctrinated to believe that as the end draws close; the GB is going to be giving them "directives" and "instructions" in order to safeguard their faith. It is easy to see that such "directives" are considered to be new revelations from Jehovah that do not have to have any Scriptural backing, per se. This is where it gets really interesting, and perhaps frightening. Judging from history, this is the tipping point when cultic groups make their biggest blunders.

42

They "Keep Following the Lamb" - February Study Article (Praise for the GB)

by Ultimate Reality in

the article is not yet in print, however on jw.org you will find the audio recording for the february 15, 2009 study edition.. this article sums up some of the talks given over the past year or so.

it makes clear that we should trust the faithful and discreet slave because jehovah and jesus trust the "slave".

the slave has been faithfully providing spiritual food for 130 years.

Jeremy C

Let's remember that the May 15, 2007 Watchtower - Questions From Readers article in essence eliminated the annointed remnant as the "Slave Class". It in no uncertain terms declared that the rest of the annointed remnant do not have any more holy spirit than do other sheep; and that they submit to and follow the Governing Body. Many of you will remember that it created quite a stir on this forum, but hardly registered on the radar screens of active Witnesses.

I think it's hilarious when the Watchtower tries to tout it's 130 year history of dispensing "spiritual food". The "Slave" has a 100% failure rate when it comes to their predictions. They have a batting average of .000. And yet, they still attempt to print these silly self-elevating pieces of propoganda.

The Governing Body reminds me of the old Soviet leaders who utilized the state run news service to dispense their "information". As Russians stood in line for hours just to get bread and toilet paper, the state run news service would brag at the robust economy. As massive crop failures resulted in large scale starvation, the old guard rulers declared successful and abundant crop seasons.

Those who defected were villified as those who hated their fellow Russians, and enemies of Mother Russia. Mother Russia - mother organization. Loyalty to the Party - loyalty to the Slave Class. Western decadence - worldy wisdom. See any similarities?

The Watchtower has long denounced religious repression in totalitarian states. But, as the old saying goes: if the shoe fits; wear it.

21

My Mom Says More Are Pioneering Since "That's All They Talk About"

by minimus in

jw
friends

she says since the end is so close, the brothers and sisters are wisely using their time pioneering.. i said, "they'd be better off going to college, getting an education".. her response: "a lot of good a college education will do them now.

nobody can keep a job".. .

Jeremy C

Well, imagine a Watchtower booth at a career fair. What would the representatives offer?

"Enjoy an exciting career with a multi-national publishing company. Meet the challenges of distributing Awake magazines about kangaroos, and writing down addresses onto Not-At-Home slips. Benefits package includes free convention badges, group sing alongs at the Kingdom Hall, and a group photo of your Pioneer school. Just sign your life away, right here on the dotted line."

75

Your Opinion: Why Do Some JWs Come Here & Defend The Witnesses?

by minimus in

jw
friends

is it that they are masochists?.

they are already being disobedient to the "slave" by coming to these internet sites.. so, why do they do it??

?.

Jeremy C

Why do they not even get Bible prophecy right? It always is in a state of flux.

Ah, but you see minimus; Jehovah’s chariot is continuously on the move; and we all were people who obviously could not keep up with Jehovah’s progressive flashes of light.

On second thought, those flashes of light may be headlights as Jehovah’s chariot weaves all over the road and into oncoming traffic.

18

Do Jehovah's Witnesses take responsibility for anything?

by BonaFide in

jw
friends

now that i am opening my eyes more and more, i am starting to realize that jw's don't see the need to take responsibility for anything.. like in the wt for this week, if a jw marriage fails, they can say it was because they didnt pray enough, or preach together enough.. if an elder gives counsel about anything, then if it seems to work for the person, then he accepts the praise or says it came from jehovah.. but if things don't work out, then the elder will blame the person for not following the counsel right.

or he will tell them to wait on jehovah.. or if there is a wrong teaching, it is never really wrong, it is only the light getting brighter.. it doesnt really matter what happens in a persons life, it is never the fault of jw's or teachings or decisions.

they will say that jehovah is allowing this test, or that the person didnt follow the counsel, or that jehovah is doing things in a special way, or that we don't know yet why that happened, but we will.. for a person that has a comfortable life, and things going pretty well, and they never ask the elders for help, often they think that is jehovah's blessing.. but if something big goes wrong, and the elders give bad advice, or they punish someone and call it "help" and they mess up a persons life, it completely doesnt matter to them.

Jeremy C

Within the Watchtower group-think, Satan the Devil has just as much power as Jehovah does. Satan is a most convenient cop-out for when a JWs life circumstances are unpleasant.

We are seeing an entire generation of people who are reaping the rewards for obeying the Governing Body in not attending college. Many of these middle aged Witnesses (who were committed to staying alive til’ 75’) are now struggling financially because of never gotten a college degree or saving for retirement. Jehovah’s mouthpiece assured them that this system would not extend long enough for such requirements.

I have observed that many of these people who blindly obeyed the organization are now blaming Satan for the fact that they are struggling. They fail to see where their poor decisions led to unfavorable circumstances.

Many JWs failed to take care of themselves physically and now blame Satan for their self-induced health problems.

The Devil, Satan, or Beelzebub is a rather convenient fall-guy for the inevitable frustrations that result from basing one’s life on delusions and fictions.

21

My Mom Says More Are Pioneering Since "That's All They Talk About"

by minimus in

jw
friends

she says since the end is so close, the brothers and sisters are wisely using their time pioneering.. i said, "they'd be better off going to college, getting an education".. her response: "a lot of good a college education will do them now.

nobody can keep a job".. .

Jeremy C

Nihilism is the fuel that has kept the Watchtower engine running over a century. Jehovah’s Witnesses will never run out of a steady supply of news items, conditions, or events which feed their "end is near" mindset.

It is truly pathetic that a religious organization must motivate it’s youth with apocalypse instead of love for neighbor, or true uplifting inspiration. It is equally pathetic that the only means of humanistic service that the Watchtower can offer it’s youth is serving as literature distribution representatives. The Watchtower leadership has shown that it has no imagination, no vision, and no heart.

75

Your Opinion: Why Do Some JWs Come Here & Defend The Witnesses?

by minimus in

jw
friends

is it that they are masochists?.

they are already being disobedient to the "slave" by coming to these internet sites.. so, why do they do it??

?.

Jeremy C

Active Jehovah’s Witnesses who post on this forum are quite varied. Some come on the forum probing and prodding for some answers; while still believing in the organization. They most certainly deserve respect and kindness.

Others have come on here with guns blazing wanting to be some kind of modern day Elisha. Those individuals deserve to be knocked off of their pedestal, in my opinion.

A long time ago, I remember engaging with an active Elder on here who was having serious doubts about the Watchtower’s blood policies; though he had no intention of leaving the organization. A few posters jumped all over his case; and I came to his defense. I felt that it was best to kindly discuss my concerns with the organization, while showing respect for his decision to stay in the organization.

However, there was another poster on here who called himself "martian". He was an arrogant ass who repeatedly called us apostates and tossed around the usual Watchtower slogans and catch-phrases. Despite his bellicose chest-beating, he demonstrated the usual inability to discuss Watchtower doctrine intelligently. He got his head handed to him on several occasions, and I had no problem participating in the beheading once or twice.

I think it all depends on the kind of JW who comes on here. Those who have some misgivings but who are not prepared to leave the organization should be treated with understanding. However, those who are here to engage in soap box speeches and finger wagging deserve to be treated accordingly.

11

TODAY,I got a jw tract hrough my letterbox.

by badboy in

jw
friends

would you like to know the truth?.

he buzzed the communal oor,saying `i have got some tracts'.. he didn't put it all the way throughthe letterbox.. .

Jeremy C

This latest tract campaign is every bit as pathetic as the previous ones. My JW mother was telling me that they are not attempting to engage in lengthy discussions with the householders, but that they are simply "offering a Bible message". The goal is to just distribute as many tracts as possible.

It is as if the Watchtower leadership doesn’t even want their members to try to engage with people anymore. All they have to offer are these vacuous, dumbed down publications being passed off as "life saving water".

Billions of lives are at stake, and the best that Jehovah of Armies can do is have leaflets tossed from door-to-door? With the proliferation of radio, internet, and cable TV - this is the best method to spread the life saving news? I don’t think so. This is all about continuing an organizational tradition and keeping the rank and file busy.

19

Why are the Spanish speaking congregations apparently doing well in the US?

by ThomasCovenant in

jw
friends

last time i looked at the annual society statistics it seemed obvious to me that the more 'developed' countries were recording stagnant or negative growth.. possibly a more educated and more affluent society together with freely available information via media and the internet can explain some of this.. why then are the latin american countries and particularly spanish speaking american's going for the watchtower.

from what little i know i wouldn't class these groups as 'backward' or third world.. any ideas?

is is just the ex catholic community?.

Jeremy C

I believe that Catholicism has a lot to do with the growth. People who are born and raised Catholic are notoriously ignorant of the Bible. This allows them to be swayed by the Watchtower’s faulty logic and fanciful doctrines much easier.

Many of them begin to find the cold austerity of their services and faith to be insufficient. These people are ripe for the picking when a JW shows them a paradise tract. They are impressed that their is no clergy within the congregation and that the elders are "just one of the bunch".

When Catholics come from the somewhat impersonal services of their church and experience the "love bombing" at the Kingdom Hall, this helps to solidify their faith in the Watchtower.

True, this is not the case with all Catholics. But of all of the JWs that I knew who came from the Catholic church; this is a common thread.