The Berean

Joined

• started 95 topics
• posted 486 times   see topics posted on
• send a message

Posts by The Berean

• 
  18

  God's kingdom:is it possible to define it ?

  by Koiné in

  1. watchtower
  2. bible

  since i am working on an essay about "gods kingdom or the kingdom of heaven" i would appreciate how people describe or define this expression,apart from the watchtower definition.. is it only another metaphor for god's eternal universal reign?.

  do we have to see it in a pre-post- or amillenial setting?.

  is it only something in the mind and heart,or will it like, daniel2:44 says, one time be the only government over (or on) the earth.. if it started his activities after jesus death and ressurrection in the 1st century what has been the influence since then?.

  1. 
  2. 
  3. 
• 

  The Berean

  God's Kingdom is an illusion which people seek as they come to fear that they are no earthly good ...
• 
  3

  Did people think you’re stupid just because you had the Borg frame of reference?

  by rebel8 in

  1. jw
  2. friends

  by this i mean, did 'worldlies' assume you were stupid because you didn't understand basic things about the world?.

  i got that a lot.

  was called an airhead.

  1. 
  2. 
  3. 
• 

  The Berean

  Those growing up in the Borg often experienced programmed mental "retardation," flaunted it to others, and somehow came to be proud of being oblivious .... So, outsiders did think I was stupid ... and they were right!
• 
  73

  The "swagger" of the Organization is gone - or is it my imagination?

  by BonaFide in

  1. jw
  2. friends

  i am in my early forties.

  grew up in the truth.

  i remember talks at the assemblies by the governing body in the 80's.

  1. 
  2. 
  3. 
• 

  The Berean

  The full impact of taking away the book study from individual homes has not yet been realized by the "faithful." When Russell started the religion, there were no KHs, the friends just took turns hosting Bible studies. That part of the arrangement, that I believed was genuine, is now gone. It was the one venue where I personally felt part of a family.

  Perhaps differing from most on this board, I actually feel sorry for those who have spent a lifetime pursuing what they hoped was the "truth" and are now discovering that their efforts may have been in vain.

  At the same time, the "swagger" is still present in the minds of those inside the group who refuse to see otherwise. Such dillusionary thinking is evident in many societies believing their way is the only right way. The USA lost it's swagger during the Viet Nam War and propaganda continues to flow from the government as questions arise concerning activities related to Iraq. I notice similarities there ....
• 
  8

  Is it time for a "do-over"?

  by The Berean in

  1. jw
  2. friends

  when it comes to the world around us:.

  a) are things pretty much as they always have been?.

  b) has the time come for some sort of divine "do-over"?.

  1. 
  2. 
  3. 
• 

  The Berean

  When it comes to the world around us:

  A) Are things pretty much as they always have been?

  B) Has the time come for some sort of Divine "do-over"?

  C) Is this the best time in history to be alive?
• 
  54

  Has Your Personality Changed Since Leaving The Witnesses?

  by minimus in

  1. jw
  2. friends

  i have an aquaintance that likes to say, "once an a hole always an a hole".

  i guess you could reason that whatever your religious views were, your core is you are who you are.. did your personality change for better or worse when you left the organization?.

  1. 
  2. 
  3. 
• 

  The Berean

  I believe that what I am is what I have always been . Perhaps that is what your aquaintance was suggesting. I have core defects that outweigh my strengths. Therefore whether I became a Witnesss, Quaker, or Catholic etc. I think it would have all ended the same.

  In my case, being a Witness exacerbated my low self-esteem ... perhaps a different choice would have been beneficial.

  Being a JW for people such as I requires living a double life. We become ashamed that we can't cut it ... yet powertless to control our unacceptable preferences ... even if the religion itself is flawed or unhealthy.

  The short of it is that NOT being a Witness now allows me to face WHAT I am and manage it. As Martha says: "that's a good thing"!
• 
  18

  Is the number of elders/servants increasing or decreasing?

  by Olin Moyles Ghost in

  1. jw
  2. friends

  over the last few years, i have noticed an increase in the number of pleas from the platform for brothers to "reach out" for "privileges of service.

  " it has even been said that there are not enough elders and servants in the congregations.

  this could be a local phenomenon, but i suspect it is more widespread.

  1. 
  2. 
  3. 
• 

  The Berean

  From my experience the number of elders appointed depends on need rather than desire to "reach out.".

  In 1972 the congregation I belonged two initially appointed 12 elders. Today, some 27 years later ... although the faces are different, I understand that the the number is still 12.

  I believe it is a sliding scale. When men are desperately needed to run the show, their qualifications are not looked upon as critically and they get the job. Conversely, when there is a sufficient number of leaders already in place ... minor flaws are magnified and it is much tougher for "wannabes"to qualify for the appointment. I think you will find this to be common.
• 
  22

  New member - My story

  by allelsefails in

  1. jw
  2. experiences

  i've been reading for a little while, but really "studying" for a couple of years.

  figure i could share my story and listen to what you guys have to say.

  i was "born" into jws in 1976. my mother was baptized in 1975.. ouch.

  1. 
  2. 
  3. 
• 

  The Berean

  Hi: This singular p oint of view is based on MY experience. It is all I know. Please take it with required salt.

  My guess is that your Mother became a Witness in an attempt to make something better of her life. The PHASE probably worked for a time. Unfortunately, children raised in such an environment can suffer a negative delayed reaction as they move on in their own lives.

  Perhaps if one would look at their past or present re lationship in the organization also as a necessary GROWTH PHASE in life rather than an issue of right and wrong it would help should we later discover that dedication to a cause can done for reasons other t han simply "pure worship."

  We are all at where we are due to events that are seldom current. What has been lost most often can not be recovered. All we have is this moment forward. Until we divorce ourselves from the past, we remain in it.

  What I had to learn was three-fold: first, what others think and say about me is not my business; secondly, that "truth" and "lies" are little more than the same color in a different light; and third, that although I may not wish to consider it, I am alone and can not count on any other human to fufill or validate my existence.

  While not without scars, t hose things that ate at me for DECADES are of little importance to me now.

  I wish you the best, in confidence that you will find your own personal route to serenity . At times it may appear that ill feelings, resentment, and anger might never end. I assure you they will ... everything does.
• 
  32

  Dropping the pounds....

  by AK - Jeff in

  1. social
  2. physical

  i have never been fat - exactly.

  but i have been overweight most of the past two decades.

  lately it has settled around my waistline.. so, i decided to find a way to lose it without falling back into bad eating habits - a lifestyle change.. i have taken a few steps and began earnest effort to start moving the scale southward last monday, so i am 8 days in.. here is what i am doing:.

  1. 
  2. 
  3. 
• 

  The Berean

  Here's what actually worked for me:

  EQUIPMENT: Pencil, paper, and magnet

  FOOD: Anything I wanted ...

  NOT NEEDED: Scale, tape measure, membership to anything

  EXERCISE: Acurately wrote down the exact items and quantity of everything I consumed for 30 days. Put ot on the fridge door where I and everyone else could see it ... checked it daily ...

  CONCLUSION: I wasn't holding water, suffering from an underactive thyroid, experiencing low metabolism or been cursed with a genetic defect. I was simply consuming too much "stuff" and wearing it.

  After the first month, although I had not mentioned my intent, outsiders began to tell me I looked thinner. That was two years ago. have kept my weight under control since then.

  P.S. I'm still ugly! Doesn't work for that ...
• 
  6

  What's a "ya-but"?

  by The Berean in

  1. jw
  2. friends

  a "ya-but" is a disrespectful individual who attempts to destroy self-confidence and raise doubts in the minds of others.

  a "ya-but" has no intention of accepting alternative conclusions or even assigning merit to well thought out ideas made by those to whom they are speaking.

  the "ya" part is not a recognition of alternative understanding but rather a dishonest segway for attack.

  1. 
  2. 
  3. 
• 

  The Berean

  SPAZnik:

  Lot going on in there ... I'll try to keep up!

  Response was appreciated: Berean
• 
  6

  What's a "ya-but"?

  by The Berean in

  1. jw
  2. friends

  a "ya-but" is a disrespectful individual who attempts to destroy self-confidence and raise doubts in the minds of others.

  a "ya-but" has no intention of accepting alternative conclusions or even assigning merit to well thought out ideas made by those to whom they are speaking.

  the "ya" part is not a recognition of alternative understanding but rather a dishonest segway for attack.

  1. 
  2. 
  3. 
• 

  The Berean

  beks:

  you rascal !!!