Posts by Cadellin

20

Next WATCHTOWER cover with serious question ...

by sacolton in

jw
friends

.

Cadellin

ROFLMAO!! Sacolton, you are hilarious!!

14

Odd Deconstructive Moment in the Dec 2010 Awake

by Cadellin in

when i saw the article, "more major earthquakes expected" in page 20, my first thought was wtf?

haven't they learned their lesson about predicting increases in earthquakes?

then i read the article, which shies away from any explicit claim that seismic activity is on the increase.

When I saw the article, "More Major Earthquakes Expected" in page 20, my first thought was WTF? Haven't they learned their lesson about predicting increases in earthquakes? Then I read the article, which shies away from any explicit claim that seismic activity is on the increase. The weirdness lies in the syntax of the title with its use of the word "more" which can mean either (1) More, as in an increase, will occur or (2) Because there have been earthquakes in the past, it is reasonable to assume they will happen in the future, w/o any increase. See what I mean?

The doublespeak continues in the sidebox entitled, "More Expected" under which the US Geological Survey is quoted as saying, "Large earthquakes will continue to occur just as they have in the past." (my emphasis). Then, one more twist, the box concludes with "Serious Bible students cannot help but think of the Bible prophecies that specifically mention earthquakes as part of the composite sign of the last days..." Yeah, but didn't the previous quote just say there's no change?? Yeah, but don't both titles say that there'll be MORE TO COME????

My brain hurts.

18

Sam Harris' New Book: "The Moral Landscape"

by leavingwt in

jw
friends

sam harris' new book has been released.

i really enjoyed his first book, 'the end of faith'.

harris: morality must relate, at some level, to the well-being of conscious creatures.

Cadellin

Looks like a terrific read--thanks for posting this!

66

Highlights of Annual Meeting 2010

by elderelite in

for those who are interested, the following changes were announced yesterday at the agm.

1) mts school has been done away with.

a) in its place two new schools have been formed.

Cadellin

In its place two new schools have been formed. One is for Single brothers. The other is for married couples. Further details will be forthcomming

Nice. One more way to remind women that their value lies in their marital status. I wonder if there were any suggestions regarding bringing a new dress code for sisters--I hear the burqua is popular with a few other religious groups who share this mentality...

24

What do you think will be WT doctrine in 10 or 20 years time?

by roguepixel in

the world/science/technology and society (not the society) are changing so rapidly.

what does everybody think will be wt$ doctrine and belief in 10 or 20 years time?

i'm thinking mainly about advances in medicine and cloning, which were always looked upon as being a cut-off point.

Cadellin

wow, what a great thread and responses. I have to pitch in, too.

I think the subtle social schisms already brewing under the surface will grow, that is, there will be a definite sector of JWs, mostly in NA, Europe and other developed secular lands, that will simply be going along b/c of family and social ties, who will either recgonize the BS and not take it seriously or who will consciously refuse to examine it critically so they can maintain the status quo. This group, which will increase, will have the effect of neutralizing the evangelizing spirit, softening the rhetoric and generally moving toward a good works/charity/family-based theology as opposed to rampant end-times. The GB will be forced to respond with a "kinder, gentler" face or lose a heavy swathe of publishers (who might only be getting in 3 or 4 hours and that maybe in the form of visiting the elderly in nursing homes, etc.) Pioneer hours will be reduced to 50/mos., softening on the higher education stance, etc. AT the same time, in third world countries and amongst immigrant groups, there will continue to be high growth and an emphasis on end-times ideology. I think in 20 years time, English speaking JWs will be a significant minority--yet still the source of most donations, hence the need to soften the hard core dogma, as I mentioned.

I have family members who recently came back from a trip to Patterson NY and were bubbling over with all the good experiences JWs were having in the territory around there, how the angels were directing the work, how the spirit is so dynamic and exciting with all kinds of growth happening.

8

Jehovah's Witnesses Changing Chronology

by blondie in

jw
friends

http://www.energypublisher.com/article.asp?id=40147.

Cadellin

Although the Watch Tower organisation is regarded as God’s exclusive, true and faithful organisation on earth, it is nonetheless governed by fallible people, who do not claim special supernatural revelations, but seek to understand God’s word, as it is found in the Bible.

I thought he was fairly credible until his "Conclusion," where, among other things, he says the above. Perhaps someone should send him the July 15, 2010 "insider edition" of the WT, where it says, on p. 23: "When the time comes to clarify a spiritual matter in our day, holy spirit helps responsible representatives of the "faithful and discreet slave" at world headquarters to discern deep truths that were not previously understood."

I wonder if George could explain the different b/w "not claiming special supernatural revelations" and the WT quote?

53

Help me...

by rafreuter in

i wish this weren't the way i greeted the board.

i've been lurking here for about 2 years now, but was unable to really interact because of limitations of my ipod browser (you can't post from there) and the parental controls on my computer.. .

well 2 years later, i'm a big boy, turned 18 and moved out.

Cadellin

Welcome, cherrypye! (Ok, I know that's supposed to be a pizza but I think it looks like a delectable one-crust cherry pie!)

We'd love to hear your story, if/when you want to share.

53

Help me...

by rafreuter in

i wish this weren't the way i greeted the board.

i've been lurking here for about 2 years now, but was unable to really interact because of limitations of my ipod browser (you can't post from there) and the parental controls on my computer.. .

well 2 years later, i'm a big boy, turned 18 and moved out.

Cadellin

Raf: If you need to go home, then do so. You're in the process of developing your adult identity and if making peace with your parents is necessary, then it's necessary. Some of the most comforting words I encountered as I was leaving the "truth" (HA!) were these: "There is no wrong way to leave a cult." I think Steve Hassan said that, but I might be wrong.

Just remember that it's probably not "forever" and your whole, wonderful, shining life stretches before you...Please, let us know how things are going. We'll be here.

85

Leolaia: Where is your story?

by pirata in

jw
friends

i looked through your posts but couldn't find your life story.

have you written it?.

i would love to read your progression from/through jw to avid scholar :).

Cadellin

I owe a huge debt of gratitude to Leo for her willingness to share her scholarly perspective with us on so many Biblical topics, in a way that is both authoritative, credible and yet easy to follow. I, too, have sat in meetings listening as people I love regurgitate information that is outdated, dishonestly presented, distorted or simply wrong, just because it's in print in a WT. It's horrible--sickening, really--especially when you know that speaking up will only make you appear as the evil one. The main factor in my decision to leave the "truth" (HA!) was the WT's pattern of intellectual and editorial dishonesty.

Thank you, Leo. You're wonderful.

53

Help me...

by rafreuter in

i wish this weren't the way i greeted the board.

i've been lurking here for about 2 years now, but was unable to really interact because of limitations of my ipod browser (you can't post from there) and the parental controls on my computer.. .

well 2 years later, i'm a big boy, turned 18 and moved out.

Cadellin

Raf: Leaving a religion that you've grown up in, especially one as high-control as the WT, is a traumatic experience. Add a coming out to the mix and you've got a recipe for significant emotional and mental stress. Here are a few suggestions:

1. Get professional counselling. If you're in a public/state college, your tuition pays for an on-campus (read free or low-fee) counselling service. Take advantage of it.

2. Have you read Ray Franz's Crisis of Conscience? Or Hassan's book on leaving a cult (can't think of the title at the moment--someone help me out)? You'll find that your feelings are shared by almost everyone who leaves. As tec said, you're in mourning for one of the key parts of your life. But it WILL get better, as LL noted.

3. Get busy reading the experiences of other posters here. You'll find that we all have analogous experiences in some way or another. You're not alone!!

4. Give yourself time...That's tough for someone still in their teens, especially when you've got the tremendous emotional pull from your parents, who undoubtedly love you. Try to make it clear that your love for them hasn't changed--As you know, JWs mix up love for the org with just about everything else--love for family, for God, etc. You need to parse out these things as separate, unrelated feeings.

I hope this makes sense. My heart goes out to you...it's tough, but you WILL get through it.