Posts by Truth and Justice

It was in the mid-to late 70's, I woke up one morning to a gloomy day, because the weather was expected to be very snowy. I got up quite excited, but nervous. The reason being was that I was going to be Baptized at the Circut Assembly. Once the trip there was done, we got out and walked inside. As many of you are familiar with this routine, it was that all persons being baptized were to sit in the first 5 or 6 rows that morning, because when the baptism talk was given, the speaker would be looking at you mostly. So there I was, the speaker gets done with talk and he ask those individuals to please stand so he could ask you the 2 questions that you would answer in a "robotic" way the word "Yes". These were the Questions:

These were the questions of 1950's and 1960's:

1. Have you recognized yourself before Jehovah God as a sinner who needs salvation, and have you acknowledged to him that this salvation proceeds from him, the Father, through his Son Jesus Christ?

2. On the basis of this faith in God and in his provision for salvation, have you dedicated yourself unreservedly to God to do his will henceforth as he reveals it to you through Jesus Christ and through the Bible under the enlightening power of the holy spirit?

Then in the 1970's:

1. Have you repented of your sins and turned around, recognizing yourself before Jehovah God as a condemned sinner who needs salvation, and have you acknowledged to him that this salvation proceeds from him, the Father, through his Son Jesus Christ?

2. On the basis of this faith in God and in his provision for salvation, have you dedicated yourself unreservedly to God to do his will henceforth as he reveals it to you through Jesus Christ and through the Bible under the enlightening power of the holy spirit?

Then in the 1980's:

1. On the basis of the sacrifice of Jesus Christ, have you repented of your sins and dedicated yourself to Jehovah to do his will?

2. Do you understand that your dedication and baptism identify you as one of Jehovah's Witnesses in association with God's spiriit-directed organization?

My personal thoughts:

Do any of you see what I am driving at? Did you notice the change in questions? Those last questions really disgust me, because when I got baptized, I truly dedicated myself to the Supreme one, (Jehovah). Though I am out of the organization or club, I still dedicate myself to him and only him. Being baptized does not mean that I'm not going to sin any more. I still will sin. In no way would I want to discourage any individual from being baptized because of what I brought up, this is only your choice. The 80 questions are senseless in my opinion, because if you believe in your Heavenly Father and in Jesus Christ, what more do you need? It is what is in your heart that matters. So when you stand up to answer those 2 questions, think about those vows. When a person says "Yes" to those questions, what it implies is that you agree to adhere to any of JW doctorine, comply with the rules and procedures to the JW religion, and whatever they deem to be necessary. 1 Cor. 1:13-15.

So anyway, these are my thoughts and now I will find another subject for next time. Good Evening to all!

Sincerely, Truth and Justice May Happy Trails come your way!!

31

Hello everyone

by african GB Member in

jw
friends

i am african gb member, i have just joined, looking forward to contributing to discussions on this forum.. .

thank you in advance for welcoming me on board.. african gb member.

Truth and Justice

Hi AGBM,

Welcome aboard! Just in case your not for real, I never said it, never thought it, and why am I on this site? Well, I accidently hit the wrong buttons and got on this site.

Sincerely, Truth and Justice

35

Not a Lurker anymore!!!!!

by Ohio Nana in

jw
friends

i have been reading your posts the last couple of weeks and wanted to post and talk to all of you and at last i can.. first i am (or was)a unbaptised publisher but have jw daughter (really into it)and jw granddaughters and df son in law(for smoking).. i studied for 2 yrs and tried field service(hated hated hated it).anyway reading your posts helped me to make the decison that.

i just couldn't go on going to meetings even to be with my grandchildren(who i love dearly)and living a lie.

i believe jw's are a cult and the.

Truth and Justice

Hi Ohio Nana,

Welcome! Welcome! May Happy Trails come your way1

Sincerely, Truth and Justice

42

Happy to finally join the family

by JustWantTruth in

jw
friends

so wonderful to finally be able to communicate with you all.

like lurk3r mentioned, i feel like i have known you all for so long.

first, off i would like to say to leolaia you are my idol, and i would love to just sit with you and pick your brain about a variety of topics.

Truth and Justice

Hi JustwantTruth,

Its a pleasure to have you, this a good place to truly encourage and upbuild those who are suffering. I'm sure your story will inspire people. I too have hope that the other half of my immediate family will be rescued. I pray daily for them to get out, and it is certainly something I have not given up on, and that is my praying to my Heavenly Father for real strength.

May Happy Trails come your way!

Sincerely, Truth and Justice

145

How Old are You ?

by flipper in

jw
friends

i know- you aren't used to seeing me ask a simple question like this.

so- i'll start .

i am 49 years old, will be 50 in october .

Truth and Justice

I am below the average age of all the ages combined on this thread topic! Born in January in Florida, spent half of my life in the concentration camp and the other half happy that I can have a better relationship with my creator. How's that?

I really like this thread, love the comments. We all need a little laughter and some humor to break up the terrible emotions that we have all been under.

I don't know who it was, but the one giving her size, weight, coke bottle formation, etc,. that was hilarious!

Until next time, Take care! Truth and Justice

6

Searching for names of elders?

by Truth and Justice in

jw
friends

i don't know if anyone can help me on this, but my question is this- is there a website in which there is a list of kingdom halls with the names of elders from that congregation in a particular state?

i don't want anyone to go thru too much trouble for me, but i sure wonder if there is.. the reason i ask is because 2 of my brothers in the family are po and elder located in a sothern state that i know.

my curiousity is to know which hall there in, maybe it would give some sort of clues as to whether there on this site.

Truth and Justice

To Snakes in the Tower,

Very enlightening thoughts! I appreciate your advice and help.

Sincerely, Truth and Justice

To asilentone,

Good advice, and no, I was not up to date on the right lingo. I never thought about it in that way.

Take care, Truth and Justice

16

Local Needs Parts.....

by AK - Jeff in

i have not set foot inside a kh for over 5 years now.

i suspect that i have been the 'subject' of the lnp's more than once.

i suppose every time someone gets a face to face with me in the local shops, and the elders hear of it, i get another dishonorable mention on thursday night.

Truth and Justice

Hi,

AK-Jeff, this is a good thread!

To those of you who suffered at the hands of men, just men, I certainly feel for you. It is very despicable how they treat Jehovah's sheep. They think that we are theirs, we are not. It's a good enough reason why the sheep have scattered.

I wish they would not call it Local needs. Local needs in my opinion means this: Giving a talk on how we can encourage each other each time we meet? or What can we do as shepards to lighten the load on the congregation? Maybe a talk on- How we can make the responsibilities on the sheep not so burdensome? Wait a minute, I must be dreaming, IT AINT GOIN TO HAPPEN!

The reason being is that the book of Ezekiel said very clearly we were going to be slaves to the shepards that were suppose to take care of us, now we have also scattered as scripture puts it: Ezekiel 34:27- "And they will have to know that I am Jehovah when I break the bars of their yoke and I have delivered them out of the hand of those who had been using them as slaves."

What a day it will be when real loving people will not be afraid to show true feeling, the feeling of love!

Sincerely to all, Truth and Justice

6

Searching for names of elders?

by Truth and Justice in

jw
friends

i don't know if anyone can help me on this, but my question is this- is there a website in which there is a list of kingdom halls with the names of elders from that congregation in a particular state?

i don't want anyone to go thru too much trouble for me, but i sure wonder if there is.. the reason i ask is because 2 of my brothers in the family are po and elder located in a sothern state that i know.

my curiousity is to know which hall there in, maybe it would give some sort of clues as to whether there on this site.

Truth and Justice

To megaflower / asilentone,

Thank you both for your replies, good advice!