Posts by Truth and Justice

39

4/15/11 Watchtower--quote on ministerial servants

by sd-7 in

jw
friends

so did anyone notice the statement on page 11, paragraph 11?

"if a brother has been baptized at least one year and to a reasonable degree meets the scriptural qualifications fo rministerial servants outlined at 1 timothy 3:8-13, he can be recommended for appointment.

" i thought paul specifically warned against appointing a "newly converted man"?

Truth and Justice

Hi Folks, Good thread SD-7

I was thinking alittle bit about the subject of quailifications for elder, I know the subject is in regards to MS, but the qualifications thing is a huge thing to me. If you read the qualifications outlined by the Apostle Paul word for word, can 99% of these men really be appointed?

When you take on the duties of a servant, you also take on that loving responsibility of caring for the witnesses in Care Centers, spending time with those alittle impoverished, widows and orphans, maybe going to visit a friend to spend time with him and encourage him without a tie on, but just spending time with the individual.

But the true picture of what I saw was men with fancy suits, nice expensive brief cases, with lots of important paper work in them, fulfilling all kinds of duties in the congregation, and then heading home with their family half a sleep because they waited for you while you were so busy with some frivolous meeting business.

But for that 1%, yes, they were worthy. In all the years that I went, I knew of only 2 that were truly merciful and compassionate, I hope that they have seen the light and become free.

Happy Trails! Truth and justice

21

To those of Faith on here, a question.

by wobble in

those of you on here who are still believers in god or gods, do you feel that it is better to be like our dear shelby (aka a. guest) and others on here, and simply believe without reference to a religion or to a holy book ?.

or do you think we need to find a church and some holy writings ?.

the reason i ask is because i can accept and appreciate a pure faith position, belief without proof, apart from your personal experience, but i cannot see that any "religion" or church, or holy writings, has any claim to truth..

Truth and Justice

Hi Wobble!

I would answer it this way, you don't need a church or building to tell God that you love him and will worship him. After being out for almost 25 years, I still remember the scripture where it says - "where three or more are gathered in my name, there my Spirit is." The society does'nt like that scripture, because they want you to eat their spiritual food at the meeting. The things that are very important to me is my meditating on only the bible and on prayer. What if you lived out west in the 1800's living in the middle of nowhere, no church building to go to, but most families did have a Bible. People then would just get together for a little reading.

As the world turns, you have a terrible culture that is corrupting so much out there, Middle- East still with no peace, Koreas both arguing and vamping up arms, the extreme weather in all parts of world, disrespect and disunity in goverment, Television which has baby sat us with rot-gut, and all forms of technology to take over all aspects of our life, the addiction of the internet on how to mess up your life, (98% bad-2% good for medicine technology), failng economies, people out of work, and broken up family unit with no togetherness.

So I ask myself: Why would I not want to have God (Jehovah) there for me? But it is certainly understandable why People have a disdain for Jehovah, from what I've been reading, because they are frustrated at the way God is running things. Well guess what! How do you think Jehovah feels after his Name has been abused, disrespected, cursed, worse yet spoken for when he was not speaking. As they like to say "its Jehovah's spirit appointed spokesman. The payment for there actions will come. So Wobble, from what I gather from your writings, I don't think you are a lost soul, but you will find.

"Happy Trails" Truth and Justice

27

Open apology from former elder

by im stuck in in

jw
friends

i just finished watching worlds apart and was very moved by it.

i served as an elder for many years.

i wanted to convey to all how sorry i am for all of the jc's i participated in.

Truth and Justice

Good Evening - Stuck in

About 25 years ago or so, it bothered me calling persons in the congregation a "Brother" when they absolutely did not have the true definition of a Brother. But by your attitude, you fit the true meaning of "Brother". A true brother understands 2 very important words in the scriptures, and that is Love and Compassion.

Sincerely, Truth and Justice

30

Did you have a relationship with...

by stillin9 in

when you were in the org, did you ever really have a relationship with jehovah?

if so, how did this relationship manifest itself?

was it just a warm fuzzy feeling when you prayed?

Truth and Justice

Hi Stillin,

Nice to meat you! In answer to your question, "Yes", I always felt that I had a relationship with him. I never doubted for a moment that he could not help me. I pray to him continually thru the day, because he says that he loves those that have affection for him.

He also disciplines those he loves by making them see that he wants the worship and love. Because of it, I am out of the organization, and spending my time only with the Bible. I certainly feel better knowing that I don't have any constraints put on my mind. That makes Jehovah happy, and he makes life more bearable for me, and many good rewards along the way.

Please understand this very important point that I am going to make: Many people have decided to shove Jehovah to the side because of their feelings and emotions that have resulted from the over burdensome rules and regulations of men. It has caused some to become agnostic or even an athiest. It was never Jehovahs fault, he never changed in his love, it has always been there.

Until the next time,

Sincerely, Truth and Justice

23

ex-special pioneer

by ex-Special Pioneer in

jw
friends

hi to all, i have been on this site some years ago and have contributed articles exposing the hypocrisy of this organization.

i was brought up as a jws.

served as an elder and special pioneer attended the ministerial training school been an instructor of the pioneer school till disassociating myself from the borg in 1994.. being an active jws is not an easy life and involves all your time, hardly you have time for yourself.

Truth and Justice

Hi EX-Special,

Happy New year to you also. I certainly understand everything you have said. I find it difficult to understand the Society when it comes to answering letters. If you have a question, they should respond like: Hey "Brother Researcher", thats a good question, let me find someone that can help you on that question.

In the case of my Father, he wrote the Society, and three weeks later, a co was there with the BOE asking him why he needs to know. The subject was in regards to the subject of (1935- which ended the calling of the annointed). He said he would be happy if they could show him from the Bible where it said 1935 ended the calling. It was not more than 4 or 5 weeks that he left the organization.

It is nice to hear from Sp. Pioneers perspective, looking forward to many more conversations!

Until the next time, Truth and Justice

25

Annointed Elder Publicly Reproved

by drewcoul in

i recently found out that the former po from my old congregation who was annointed for many years was reproved.

his wife who was and is a faithful witness divorced him.

a person close to me phoned her to see how she is doing.

Truth and Justice

Hello to All,

What has been said is basically right, it does not affect your standing. It is however up to Jehovah on this matter, and what is in the depth of that person's heart.

I would ask a couple questions:

Did this individual out spokenly say "I defy Christ, there is no "Son of God", or did he make a bad mistake or sin? In 99 percent of the time, he just sinned or made a bad decision.

Most cases, these individuals are repentant and Mercy should be extended. I can not read a person's heart, so I would have to give them the benefit of the doubt.

Until the next time, Good Day!!

Truth and Justice

36

Cautious Newcomer

by undertheradar in

jw
friends

i am still a member of the jw's organization.

i have been puzzled over some of the teachings for many years but as i seemed to be the only one querying things among my local jw's i felt as if i was going crazy.

i was very relieved to find this site, a few months ago, full of evidence to back up my findings, and so much more.. i am so grateful to you all.. i do not want to leave the organization until i have planted some seeds in my family to open their eyes.

Truth and Justice

Hi, Under the Radar,

Greetings! Nice to have you along. If you have questions, feel free to ask. There is no such thing as a bad question. You are among friends who are just as curious and concerned as you are. Remember, we were all taught in the book of Acts, that we should be like the Beroeans, to "carefully examine the scriptures to see if they are so." That scriptural verse they have skipped.

Here, you can discuss freely without scrutiny. We are sheep without a sheperd- scattered and beaten we have become. Your conscience is what matters, there is no guilt when your very heart is searching for Truth. When I left the so-called truth in the early 1980's, not long after my Parents, I realized that in the end, it will be based on me, my closeness with Jehovah, and the scriptures. That is it.

I have read all of Ray Franz's books and found them quite enlightening, it would make for quite a Movie.

One last thought- With all that is on your mind, it would'nt hurt to pray about the things you are thinking about. He made your heart, your mind, and everything you are thinking, it will help, Trust me!

Sincerely, Truth and Justice

39

To The Christians On This Here Board

by snowbird in

jw
friends

i really appreciate your expressions of faith and your calm, rational demeanor amidst the heckling and baiting that often erupt on here.. some of you have been in the wt, others of you may not have even seen the inside of a kh.. my question, how do you maintain your sense of balance when things get really heated?.

i know prayer, meditation, and endurance are the hallmarks of being christian, but do you ever get tired of it all?.

please, i'm being very sincere here.. thanks to all.. sylvia.

Truth and Justice

Hi Snowbird,

I appreciate your bringing this subject up. Yes, I do have similar feelings. I had not checked anything on this JW Forum for quite a long time because it was not encouraging. This should be a place for encouragement, inspiration, and good wholesome interchange of thought. I am not saying every one is going down the tube, it's just some of the content here is not encouraging or uplifting. There is always that dozen or so that have so much discouragement or unhealthy talk, and seem to control the boards. For example, imagine some one for the first time wanting to see what this Forum can offer, runs into subjects that degrade individuals, sexual sort of conversation, or subjects that are not very uplifting. Lately, I have been experiencing foul language and F-word on this site, very discouraging to me. Some will say, "Well, go find another site," yes, that may be true, but I am looking to help and inspire people.

When I got out of the JW organization, I had never at any time gave up Praying to Jehovah or reading my Bible. I have always believed in Prayer, not just thru bad times like most people do, but thru good times, and he has answered me. As long as he's answering me, I have no intention of giving it up now. Between the politics on the news, economy tanking around the world, people losing jobs, anxiety and stress, countries around the world gearing up for war, it's no time to give up on our Father in Heaven. So Sylvia, like you say we need Prayer and Endurance.

There are so many other people on this Board that I have never heard from, I would love to hear their voice and what they have to say. I will do my best to inspire and motivate as best as I can. We are all in this together. There are some on this Board that are truly helpful and are eager to help bring people out of their misery, this coupled with the fact that we need to pour our heart out to Jehovah with Sincerity and Honesty. (Psalms 34:19)

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

41

The Internet (what year did you first have access)

by Ri in

jw
friends

i first had access to the internet in 1994. i thought it was amazing all the information at my fingertips.

i have no idea what search engine i used before google.. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cl9wu2kwwsy.

Truth and Justice

Hi,

In 1994, AND I HAVE NOT LET THAT OR CELL PHONES, OR ANY OTHER GADGET CONTROL MY LIFE.

Sincerely, T - n - T

4

The dangers of leading a double life

by Mickey mouse in

jw
friends

the wbts regularly warns it's members about the dangers of attempting to lead a double life.

"it can cost you dearly", they counsel the jw youth; "causing a loss of trust and a bad conscience".. fact is, the governing body know this through bitter experience.

they tried to secretly maintain a relationship with the united nations whilst publically condemning it as a harlot-like wild beast and tool of satan.

Truth and Justice

Hi Mickey,

Yes, their conscience has been seered for a very long time. That is why I pray daily for the other half of my immediate family. For a place that is suppose to have Jehovah's holy spirit and Love flowing thru out the building, it is good reason why things have begun to collapse seriously in the last 4 or 5 years. With everything collapsing in the world and religion failing and not helping the masses of people, I feel the only thing left is Prayer and reading my Bible personally without constraints, and having to have the other publications to interpret it for me.

Sincerely, Truth and Justice