independent_tre

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Posts by independent_tre

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  28

  Does Anybody Here Pray To God Anymore?

  by minimus in

  1. jw
  2. friends

  ever????

  ?

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  independent_tre

  ALWAYS & EVERY DAY
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  28

  How many of you would still be "Blinded" by the JW's had it not been forJWD

  by superman in

  1. jw
  2. friends

  just conducting a little survey for all of you active members and lurkers of jwd.

  just simply proving the importance and support of this website.

  for me personally, while i was still in jw land i had always ahd doubts but still generally believed it.

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  independent_tre

  <raises hand> ME!!! I know that I would still be going to meetings or at least feeling somewhat guilty if I had stopped on my own accord.

  Similar to YM, I never really accepted other apostate sites, at first I just simply attributed those sites to disfellowshipped people with a grudge or cyber loonies that has an axe to grind against the WTS; This site was different because it was filled with thousands of users, many of whom had insightful opinions and knowledge, and provided access to information that I would not have known existed.
  I think the number one thing that helped me "see the light" was reading all of the experiences of folks on here, some of which made me very teary to say the least. It was reading these experiences and seeing how many people were treated in the org, that helped me realize that something was wrong. Also being encouraged to read CoC by so many people - I never, ever would have picked up that book on my own. So in comparison, numbers speak volumes, and the many many many people posting here really helped me understand what I was really involved in and helped to to stop going -guilt free.

  Also,
  What is crazy is how much information I would not have known about my own religion, such as who Russell & Rutherford were, Beth Sarim, 1975, etc.. etc..., that was just swept under the rug and never mentioned again. Even though I am a 3rd generation witness, these things WERE never mentioned to me, even in passing, before I got baptized.
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  17

  What teaching did you find unacceptable that made you question the WTS?

  by RULES & REGULATIONS in

  1. watchtower
  2. beliefs

  the selection of the society in 1919 as the faithful and discreet slave after jesus spent nearly 5 years observing them.

  jesus must have had some good lsd.

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  independent_tre

  I wondered who or what gave the WTBTS their authority to be God's channel on earth and therefore the sole 'owner' of the truth, with so many differing religions, not to mention Christian faiths; so I initially questioned the interpretation of the 'faithful and discreet' slave. It felt like they were applying circular logic/reasoning in explaining how they are in fact represented in the bible as the FDS. Basically it boils down to "we are because we say we are".
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  24

  What happened to the simplicity of the early church?

  by Pahpa in

  1. watchtower
  2. beliefs

  early christians were drawn together by their love of christ and each other.

  most were just hard working average people who had little education and no understanding of the philosophies of the world.

  the gospel message of the kingdom and the future hope of life everlasting were the basis of their simple faith.

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  independent_tre

  The real appeal remains the same today as in the first century: Love of Christ and the love of each other.

  Few words that speak volumes. I never really felt this was the key principle of JW's "version of Christianity"; it was always about time, service, and different doctrines, placing magazines, talks, assemblies, etc.., etc...,etc... that the true message of Christ is buried.

  Thanks for the post.
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  16

  I have forsaken my dedication

  by wobble in

  1. watchtower
  2. bible

  i don't think you can, because they are completely fixated with territory maps, hours and doors to knock on (and literature to present).. how many years have jws been active in the uk?

  well over a century.. how many hours were spent "preaching" in the uk last year?

  must be well over 500,000 hours.. if you were to ask a member of the public what jws believe, now many would you have to ask before anyone mentioned god's kingdom?

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  independent_tre

  Blondie's comments are really helpful, esp. when dealing with a hardcore dub. Show them from their own publication that his comments are wrong. The equate reading the WT to reading the bible anyways....

  But also, Mustang's comments are relative also, since at Romans 12:6 we know that everyone has different gifts, and preaching sn't everyones...
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  15

  Blondie's Comments You Will Not Hear at the 08-17-08 WT Study (PURSUE)

  by blondie in

  1. jw
  2. friends

  comments you will not hear at the 08-17-08 wt study (june 15, 2008, pages 11-15)(pursue).

  review comments will be in red.

  wt material from today's wt will be in black.

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  independent_tre

  Great post, I especially like the opening comments - an eye opener..
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  34

  How long did you stay active after having major doubts?

  by jambon1 in

  1. jw
  2. friends

  for me, i had doubts from the beginning.

  however, my 1st major doubt came as i had it confirmed that other people felt like i did about certain big issues within the org.

  there were many, i realised, that just knew things were not right.

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  independent_tre

  Honestly, I think due to GB's monitoring of this site and others, it won't be long before they take a hardline stance against Faders also, twisting some scripture to show how they are bad association, apostate, etc....

  I think I'll follow Poz's lead and keep perfect attendance at the memorial.....that way I may have something to fall back on, should they take this position... 45 minutes out of a year is a small price to pay to keep my family relationships in tact....
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  34

  How long did you stay active after having major doubts?

  by jambon1 in

  1. jw
  2. friends

  for me, i had doubts from the beginning.

  however, my 1st major doubt came as i had it confirmed that other people felt like i did about certain big issues within the org.

  there were many, i realised, that just knew things were not right.

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  independent_tre

  I only had doubts about a few things initially, but after coming to this site, my fade kicked into lightning speed. I've only been on here for maybe 3-4 months, but after this site and reading CoC, I was completely disgusted. I haven't been back to the meetings in almost 2 months. Maybe because I never was an exemplary dub to begin with and I did not buy into the 'fire and brimstone' approach, being scared into baptism out of fear of the big A.
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  35

  Was There Any 1 Thread or Post or Subject That REALLY Got You Thinking???

  by minimus in

  1. jw
  2. friends

  for me, i was attracted to concrete proofs, facts, published information that showed conclusively the errors of the watchtower.

  i love seeing posts that prove the watchtower's hypocrisy.

  i very much enjoyed reading anything historical from pre-bible students time to the present day.

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  independent_tre

  Great thread. I feel like I have a lot of catching up to do before this site goes down and I really wanted to read up on many of the threads 'that made a difference'. Keep 'em coming...
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  42

  This is my name, I was a witness, and this is why I will never be again.

  by wanderlustguy in

  1. jw
  2. friends

  thanks to this site, not only am i free of the mental imprisonment, but i am also free of the fear that the society used to keep me and others like me silent.. i am not a witness anymore because the truth is not what we are directred to think it is.

  once we allow ourselves to think, it is clear as day that there is no real basis for anyone to take the title of faithful and discreet slave.

  there are folders and lists which contain the names of pedophiles who were never turned over to the proper authorities for their crimes.

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  independent_tre

  Great words, Donnie. It is my wish for the future that everyone may soon be able to join you in your freedom ~