AuntBee

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Posts by AuntBee

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  13

  One Random Dude's Conclusion about the WTBTS based on an Awake he Got

  by AuntBee in

  1. jw
  2. friends

  we just chat occasionally through my blog.

  i've tried several times to tell him stuff about the wt, but he's in that know-it-all stage, and prefers talking to listening.

  oh well... here's his take on it, after receiving an awake.

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  AuntBee

  We just chat occasionally through my blog. He's a twenty-something. I've tried several times to tell him stuff about the WT, but he's in that know-it-all stage, and prefers talking to listening. Oh well... Here's his take on it, after receiving an Awake. I guess it shows the purpose the "Awake" serves; it's so low-key it can disarm people?

  "That reminds me, I was handed an issue of "awake" magazine, the companion mag to the watchtower and I skimmed it - it's practically a secular magazine, they just give a scripture verse every now and then and talk about things barely related to the bible. The cover story is "Is your food safe?" They go on for pages then talk a little about hygene in the bible. I tell ya they're going the way of the church of england and getting all mellow and secular. I think this is a good thing because christianity does much better as a philosophy than a "religion" imo."

  "all mellow and secular".....
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  83

  Relationship Issues: Boundaries, Freedom of Choice and Codependency

  by 00DAD in

  1. watchtower
  2. beliefs

  relationship issues: boundaries, freedom of choice and codependency .

  i just read a very interesting thought in the book, "boundaries" by cloud & townsend.

  the basic problem in human relationship is that of freedom.

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  AuntBee

  000DAD: I'm SO glad you mentioned that book! It's an awesome book for anyone, and i can see how it applies to people who grew up JW in particular. As an 'outsider", this issue was something that i found just heart breaking in young JWs i and my kids have known fairly well in real life. The complete enmeshment is unbelievable. They are so smothered and controlled. Now they are in their twenties, and seem like little boys still in many ways. The CONTROL thing does NOT Work anyway, these guys have done "stuff" just like other teenagers, it's just that the parents don't know much about it. There are four of them, and last i heard, they all still live at home, aren't married or even close to it, none could support a family financially, not even close. :( For me as a parent, one of the most satisfying things is when kids MOVE OUT, and DO STUFF in life! These parents are missing out on one of the greatest pleasures and rewards, and what should be our GOAL - for them to make their own decisions, grow up, move out, move on, etc.

  Quendi: Thanks for those additional titles, they sound really interesting. I love this topic!
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  5

  Some JWs this morning told me a "heart warming" story about a child baptism!

  by AuntBee in

  1. watchtower
  2. beliefs

  apparently this gal was a relative, and was baptized at the ripe old age of 10!

  i let them tell the story, after i had begun talking about how wt splits up families.

  i responded that i did not agree with this at all, that this girl could not possibly have the mental capacity, the research/analytical ability, (or even the freedom, considering the info control!

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  AuntBee

  Yes, PTN, they didn't say too much to that. Just kept insisting that this young girl was so zealous, and really ready, and understood. A relative suggested that maybe she was too young, but the girl was so insistent.
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  5

  Some JWs this morning told me a "heart warming" story about a child baptism!

  by AuntBee in

  1. watchtower
  2. beliefs

  apparently this gal was a relative, and was baptized at the ripe old age of 10!

  i let them tell the story, after i had begun talking about how wt splits up families.

  i responded that i did not agree with this at all, that this girl could not possibly have the mental capacity, the research/analytical ability, (or even the freedom, considering the info control!

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  AuntBee

  Apparently this gal was a relative, and was baptized at the ripe old age of 10! I let them tell the story, after i had begun talking about how WT splits up families. I responded that i did not agree with this at all, that this girl could not possibly have the mental capacity, the research/analytical ability, (or even the freedom, considering the info controL!) to be baptized in the name of the Father, Son, and Spirit-directed organization! I shared that i have eight children myself, so am familiar with child development. I know how much kids want the love and approval of those around them. And in the case of JW children, they are so isolated many times, that the only other people really in their sphere are other JWs.

  There were 2 women; the younger one , about 30 , completely understood the point i was making, and even clarified to the older one.

  They wanted to rant about infant baptism in some churches, but i turned it on them, and said this baptism was more like infant baptism than they are admitting. Plus, those mainline churches that infant baptize, they know those kids might leave as adults, and don't practice severe shunning because the kid was baptized!

  Talked about many other things as well outside at their literature table.
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  67

  Is their a slackening off / lack of zeal in the witnessing work that I am observing or is it just the area I`m living in

  by smiddy in

  1. jw
  2. experiences

  last saturday i was home with my wife,having a leisurely brekky pottering around in the kitchen ,then i noticed her standing still pondering ,what`s up i asked , wife :i thought i heard someone knocking ,i looked out the window to see two middle aged guys exciting my front drive.why didn`t you tell me they were their,i didn`t hear them.

  i would have engaged them in conversation , but my wife doesn`t think i ought to,just let it go ,is her motto.. but my point is : i`m not deaf , and i didn`t hear them at the door , we were both in the front room ,my wife only thought she heard someone at the door only to be proved right observing them leaving i was in my pj`s and dressing gown so was not going to pursue them.

  we have been living here nearly 5 years now and i can honestly say they have never been on our doorstep more than 4 times if that , i personally have only encountered them 3 times at the most.

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  AuntBee

  Smiddy: To answer your question...YES! I'm just a never beenJW, but i'm a Protestant who likes to talk with Witnesses. I've seen a difference in the last 2 years or so in zeal, in even being willing to "argue", play Bible ping-pong, answer questions, etc.

  I was talking with 2 guys that had a lit table outside about 2 months ago, and through them met a sister who asked me if i wanted a Bible study, and i said yes, gave her my info, etc. She only phoned me back once, to say that she was having trouble finding another sister to come with her, but she hadn't forgotten me, but has never called me back since then.

  Also recently a guy came to the door with a Convention invite. I invited him in, but he said he didn't have time, so i said, can you call me , so we can make an appointment to talk later when you have time? And he never called back either. (now i may have missed the call, but he definitely didn't leave a message, which everyone does if you're really trying to get in touch...)

  I'd say that many years ago, JWs that would come around seemed much more like they really believed in it, and were more well-versed in how to use the Bible. At least that's my observation in my area.
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  78

  Cheery new Awake! cover - should make it easy to place...

  by cedars in

  1. watchtower
  2. beliefs

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  AuntBee

  http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_5PLf-2FYIM

  Maybe they should sign on this guy! (actual singing starts at 0:45)
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  28

  Governing Body member Garrit Losch speaking today

  by sleepercell in

  1. forum
  2. announcements

  garrit will be delivering the last talk today in huntsville, al for those interested in attending.

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  AuntBee

  Agreed, Cedars! Does he do stand-up comedy on weekends? awesome!
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  20

  1914 vs 1874- evidence of dishonesty in the Watchtower Mags

  by WildeLover in

  1. watchtower
  2. bible

  i have a query about 1874/1914 for the beginning of the lord's presence.. .

  in the literature, this is what was said-->.

  when a foreign head of state visits a country, the dates of his presence there are generally announced.

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  AuntBee

  Jesus reigning as King since 1878:

  The Life-giver is present; and, since 1878, when he took his great power and began the exercise of his authority, none of his members need to sleep. -Thy Kingdom Come, 1891, page 240.

  Since that time it has been emphatically manifest that the time had come in A.D. 1878 when kingly judgment should begin at the house of God. It is here that Rev. 14:14-20 applies, and our Lord is brought to view as the Reaper crowned. The year A.D. 1878, being the parallel of his assuming power and authority in the type, clearly marks the time for the actual assuming of power as King of kings, by our present, spiritual, invisible Lord-the time of his taking to himself his great power to reign, which in the prophecy is closely associated with the resurrection of his faithful, and the beginning of the trouble and wrath upon the nations.-The Time Is At Hand, 1902, page 239.

  Jesus' Invisible Presence began in 1874:

  "Pastor Russell...believed and taught that we are living in the time of the second presence of our Lord, and that his presence dates from 1874..."
  (WT December 1, 1916 p. 5998)

  "Surely there is not the slightest room for doubt in the mind of a truly consecrated child of God that the Lord Jesus Christ is present and has been since 1874. "
  (WT January 1, 1924 p. 5)
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  47

  Lots of JWs out at tables this morning!

  by AuntBee in

  1. watchtower
  2. beliefs

  so, i actually stopped at two different tables that i saw.

  the first was 2 elderly men - they were so sweet and open to discuss.

  i brought up the topic of the divine name and why the wt inserted it into the nt with no evidence from greek manuscripts.

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  AuntBee

  Irondork - LOL, spitting out my coffee! You and most of the others on here have such a sharp wit/sense of humor, even after all you've been through! I so appreciate all the posters on JWN, they have so much to say, and i learn a lot from them all. xoxox
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  47

  Lots of JWs out at tables this morning!

  by AuntBee in

  1. watchtower
  2. beliefs

  so, i actually stopped at two different tables that i saw.

  the first was 2 elderly men - they were so sweet and open to discuss.

  i brought up the topic of the divine name and why the wt inserted it into the nt with no evidence from greek manuscripts.

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  AuntBee

  Sorry, before 6 am, forgot to switch to CHrome.

  THanks for letting me share, and the kind comments. -- Several asked about tables. Yes, it's like Breakfast said, they bring their own tables, and spread out the literature, and speak to anyone who comes up. Often they are in a park, or in front of a library or store. It's pretty common here in Tucson, where the weather is usually sunny. It seems that it's often the very elderly ones or those with physical problems doing tables.

  YES! How ironic to deprecate witnessing that is not "door to door" while sitting at a table. That escaped me until you guys pointed it out.

  Fernando - Those articles sound really interesting, never heard of them before. I will look them up, thanks!

  Designs - come to Tucson, and we'll go for Mexican! yum.