Posts by trebor

35

Did your congregation have "Talent" Shows?

by lepermessiah in

jw
friends

i saw this video on youtube and didnt know if i should laugh or crawl into the fetal position.. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=abm0t-qhllc&feature=related.

.

we had several "talent" shows over the years in my original congregation - it was the only annual gathering more nauseating that the meetings.. my friend and i would always bring our walkmans and blare heavy metal in the back - hoping to block out the embarassing crap on the stage.you always had a few older ones get up on stage and slaughter a kingdumb song.

trebor

Back in 1994, before Yonkers East was split into two congregations to make Crestwood and the aforementioned, the biggest 'talent' show they had was called the 'Silvertop' gathering. It consisted basically of lip-syncing as well as performing to hits from the 50's and 60's. There was a Diana Ross skit, Elvis, and some others. Honestly, it was a good time and the congregation overall had a lot of fun.

However, that was the first and last. The [new] Circuit Overseer in town informed the congregation(s) that it was too much of a time consuming waste of time that could be better spent 'in the ministry' or in more 'personal study'.

It really was a shame, and you can see the disappointment coupled with the 'must follow orders' on the faces and reactions from the members in the Hall. There were kids as young as 8-9, and adults as old as 50-60 who performed, and it could definitely be seen as 'wholesome upbuilding association'. Yet, the Organization always finds a way to make the members feel guilty about doing anything outside of the Organization's activities and they're not doing enough in service to Jeh...THEM. The Watchtower Society controls it all. Sad.

28

Are they deliberately trying to get rid of the "Old TImers"? (re "generation")

by hamsterbait in

the vast majority have been sucked into the witchtower babble and trash cult over the last 25 years.. this constant rehashing and contradicting of the "generation " teaching is bound to drive significant numbers of the pre 1985 -"ish" witlesses away from the kingdumb hells, much as "1925" drove away vast numbers who might yet undermine "jug" rutherfords efforts to secure his power.. they will then be able to make major revisions of what to us older ones seem like core doctrines, which will be lapped up like iced cream by those who only have the perspective of the 21 century litterature.. this is too obviously deliberate.

its not like some tiny side comment:.

when the gibbering buddy wants some embarrassing thing to go away, blondie has pointed out many examples, they stop talking about it.. with this change they are rubbing peoples noses in it, slapping them round the head so they dont miss it.. and who are "gasping" at the co talks?

trebor

I just read over Blondie's comments again:

"I do know that about 9 years ago, a hot-shot young CO came through and removed about 20 old-time elders."

The Jerry Crana I know (from the New England area) was already a couple (or several) years no longer a C.O. back in 1990's. He is at least in his mid to late 50's now. He doesn't fit this description or scenario. Unless Blondie is mistaken about the time frame (Maybe more like 19 years ago?)

28

Are they deliberately trying to get rid of the "Old TImers"? (re "generation")

by hamsterbait in

the vast majority have been sucked into the witchtower babble and trash cult over the last 25 years.. this constant rehashing and contradicting of the "generation " teaching is bound to drive significant numbers of the pre 1985 -"ish" witlesses away from the kingdumb hells, much as "1925" drove away vast numbers who might yet undermine "jug" rutherfords efforts to secure his power.. they will then be able to make major revisions of what to us older ones seem like core doctrines, which will be lapped up like iced cream by those who only have the perspective of the 21 century litterature.. this is too obviously deliberate.

its not like some tiny side comment:.

when the gibbering buddy wants some embarrassing thing to go away, blondie has pointed out many examples, they stop talking about it.. with this change they are rubbing peoples noses in it, slapping them round the head so they dont miss it.. and who are "gasping" at the co talks?

trebor

Oh, and one famous C.O. who removed a huge number of old timers in the New England area was Jerry Crana. He was (is) an emotionally sick fanatic who NEVER should have been given authority over anything.

No way! Jerry Crana, was a 'plain' old Elder in a congregation I am very familar with. It was one congregation at one point (Yonkers East) and then later became too big (I believe peaked 180+). The congregation split into two - Crestwood and Yonkers East. Crana went with Yonkers East. Years later that kingdom hall which used to house those two congregations, later took on an Italian congregation, along with the 'original' founding congregation, Dobbs Ferry...There were four congreations meeting at that hall on Jackson Avenue off Central Avenue one point.

Yonkers East moved on to a hall close to Saunders HS off Palmer Ave./Rd. Jerry and his wife Chrissy were (are?) still a part from it. Story I was told, was he became 'burnt out/depressed' over the circuit work and had to leave it for medical reasons. Never knew or heard of the removals - although I guess that wouldn't be something to bring up...lol. He seemed like an ok guy, his wife was really sweet/nice. But I could always tell something was 'off' with him. WOW...I can't believe he performed those removal of Elder appointments to so many.

I would expect something like that from a Paul Colinari....although I don't believe he was a CO, but did 'decide' he was of the annointed 'later' in life, after marrying his wife Nina. They moved to Mexico to go where 'the need is great'.

End note to story, from as far as my most recent knowledge of the KH situation, the original KH which at one time housed the aforementioned four congregations became flooded one too many times, the last time it flooded did it in for sure, taking out the CO apartment as well which was attached. They lost most things to the flood. The Society declined funding building a Hall elsewhere, and the Crestwood congregation started going to that same Hall on Palmer as well. Not sure what happened to Dobbs Ferry and the Italian congreation.

Again WOW, just wow over the whole Crana thing...LOL!

31

Do JW's cherry-pick what to find offensive? Is it hypocricy?

by Terry in

jw
friends

to take a stand for true worship, we need to have a viewpoint like that of the prophet isaiah, who told true worshipers: touch nothing unclean.isaiah 52:11.. .

jehovah's witnesses are preoccupied with religious "cleanliness" and "purity" of worship.

at least, that's what they say.. for example, jw's aren't permitted to engage in many commonly observed holidays because of connections to pagan false worship.. christmas, easter, thanksgiving are no-no's!

trebor

And playing CHESS!!
I'll never forget when a stupid article in (Awake! was it?) the Society's publication came out condemning the playing of Chess.

I could not believe it. How incredible! The reason? It was JUST LIKE WAGING WAR on a battlefield!

Sadly...My brother actually stopped playing Chess in part due to this. He was excellent at the game and even played city-wide finals.

Even in the 'smallest' ways the Watchtower Society has such a negative effect on the lives of people.

31

Do JW's cherry-pick what to find offensive? Is it hypocricy?

by Terry in

jw
friends

to take a stand for true worship, we need to have a viewpoint like that of the prophet isaiah, who told true worshipers: touch nothing unclean.isaiah 52:11.. .

jehovah's witnesses are preoccupied with religious "cleanliness" and "purity" of worship.

at least, that's what they say.. for example, jw's aren't permitted to engage in many commonly observed holidays because of connections to pagan false worship.. christmas, easter, thanksgiving are no-no's!

trebor

Terry,

To answer your question(s)...Yes and yes...Whether they realize it or not:

From the September 22, 2003, Awake!, page 24, 'The Piñata - An Ancient Tradition':

"We found that for many people in Mexico, the piñata has lost its religious significance and is considered by most to be just harmless fun...A main concern is, not what the practice meant hundreds of years ago, but how it is viewed today in your area. Understandably, opinions may vary from one place to another. Hence, it is wise to avoid turning such matters into big issues."

The Governing Body spreads their hypocritical and contradictory stances through the various pages of Watchtower Society publications. Unfortunately, many Jehovah's Witnesses don't see it. However, let's make it crystal clear with a little research on Piñatas:

History of Piñatas...The origin of the Piñata is Chinese not Hispanic. It was used to celebrate the coming of spring. As a result of Marco Polo's adventures into China, he introduced this Chinese custom which was adopted by the Spanish as well as by the French and Italians. The Spanish brought this custom to the new world when they conquered Mexico. The Piñata became part of the Posada in the Catholic culture.

Symbols...The original & traditional Piñata has seven points symbolizing the seven deadly sins: envy, sloth, gluttony, greed, lust, anger/wrath, and pride. The ten pointed Piñata symbolizes the sins that come from breaking the Ten Commandments. The stick which is used to break the Piñata represents and symbolizes love. It is suppose to destroy the sins by hitting and breaking the Piñata into pieces. The candies and treats that come pouring out from the broken Piñata symbolize the forgiveness of sins and a new beginning. In the Mexican Catholic celebration of Christmas, the Piñata is traditionally shaped like a seven-pointed star which represents the devil and the seven deadly sins, while the contents are the goods or blessings he is withholding. Striking the devil with faith, symbolized by being blindfolded, releases the blessings.

The logic and reasoning the Watchtower Society uses makes no sense whatsoever. If you are not taking a stand against Piñatas, why take a hard-line stance against other things with religious and pagan origins? Piñatas are steeped with both pagan and religious ties. Why and how is Piñatas harmless fun but things such as Easter Eggs, Christmas Trees and New Year's celebrations are unacceptable for Jehovah's Witnesses?

65

Making the leap - lurker to member - Hello!

by Hadit in

jw
friends

ive been lurking here for the past couple of months since i started researching the organization.

i dont have many people to talk to and its been a saving grace to read your posts.. i dont really know where to start so here i go.

its been a long journey getting here and it looks as if i still have a long ways to go to get somewhere healthy, stable and strong.

trebor

Hadit, welcome and may you continue to find strength and support.

I wish you all the best!

138

What year Did you Stop Attending Meetings - How Long were you a JW ?

by flipper in

jw
friends

i'm trying to compare some statistics and figures on this to share later in the thread to see if more long-time witnesses are exiting- or are newer witnesses exiting after a shorter period of time.

and - are more people exiting in the last 10 to 15 years than before.

so your answers would be helpful in looking into this .

trebor

2008 after 30+ years.

73

RANDY WATTER'S DAD JUST DIED

by Mary in

jw
friends

randy watters, owner of freeminds.org father just died a couple of hours ago from pneumonia and alzheimers.

he was 86 years old.

as randy has been tireless in his efforts to help countless people come out of the wts, i would like to express my sincere condolences to him at this time.. .

trebor

Randy, I am so sorry for the loss of your father.

My thoughts are with you.

-trebor

7

Why Would Someone Like me Leave the "Truth"? Part 3

by cantleave in

jw
friends

doubt no2 shunning, being judgemental and breaking up families.

the third part of my story demonstrates what a cult personality can do to someone who is a relatively intelligent and generally quite a caring individual.

this is about two individuals who were treated shabbily by me because of my own supercilious self righteous attitude, an attitude i despise in others but was blind to in myself.

trebor

You may have some 'funky' formatting marks or something else hidden in the text which can't been seen. Try copying and pasting the text to Notepad (Not Wordpad or MS Word) in Windows. Then copy the text from within Windows Notepad and paste it to the message board.

After that, if you want to change font (size) highlight all the text and select the desired changes accordingly. Hopefully, that will fix any copy and pasting problems you are experiencing.

-Trebor

17

HELP! Information needed ASAP.

by KW13 in

jw
friends

john 1:1.. in the nwt reference bible, is there any acknowledgement of the original translation (ie; footnote).

trebor

The Kingdom Interlinear Translation of the Greek Scriptures from 1969. Commonly called the "KIT" it is a good Bible to use for countering the Watchtower Society's propaganda because it is/was a bible supported by Jehovah's Witnesses and it proves their 'error' in translating John 1:1.

-Trebor