C. T. Russell

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Posts by C. T. Russell

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  27

  The Power of Faith

  by AllTimeJeff in

  1. watchtower
  2. beliefs

  the power of faith (latest blog o' mine).

  there is a big difference between looking at a picture of the empire state building and actually visiting it.

  to have a friend tell you that it is great, that it is amazaing, awe inspiring and grand won't do it justice until you see it for yourself.. in a similar way, there is a big difference between having a healthy faith, and being told to have a healthy faith.. many who used to be jw's, as well as a fair number of christians, spend a lot of time on ex jw boards, looking to promote a simple thought.

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  C. T. Russell

  Many older x-Jw’s that I know have just moved on to other religions. I believe this is due to a lack of education. After many years of being told that they cannot think for themselves it’s all too easy to just have some other religion tell them what to do.
  
  They often say “How else would you fix this world? What hope is there for the future?” Well if you’re just waiting for God, sitting around with your thumb up your ass, I guess there isn’t much you can do.
  
  But if you take personal responsibility for your actions you can change things. One of my favorite quotes is from Mark Twain “The world has corrected the Bible. The church never corrects it”
  
  Over time religion will have to find darker corners to hide in. That’s why you never see religions sending missionaries to Germany or Chicago. Instead they travel to Africa or small countries in the Asian Pacific.
  
  An old argument from the JW’s was that man cannot solve the problems of this world. They would point to Jesus healing the sick, blind, lame. Like Mark Twain said the world will correct this soon.
  
  Such as:
  http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RYDSPFuWFDM

  As society and science marches forward religion will have to abandon the Bible altogether. Until all that is left is Faith.
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  57

  To Fade or Not To Fade... An Opinion.....

  by AllTimeJeff in

  1. jw
  2. friends

  just a couple of set of ground rules i would like to set for this.

  frequently, one of two options for those who want to leave jw's are 1) a purposeful, public, resignation (or disassociation as jw's call it) vs 2) what is commonly called in the ex jw internet world, "the fade".

  i know that emotions run deep on this subject for good reason, because of what is at stake, and all that is perceived to be lost.

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  C. T. Russell

  AllTimeJeff,
  
  First I want to say I really appreciate your posts. They are refreshingly neutral and typically very reasonable.
  
  Personally I’m a fade. I didn’t really want to hurt my family in any way or cause them harm emotionally. It would be unreasonable for me to think that they could just drop decades of belief and still live happy normal lives. Because of my situation I don’t worry about being DF’d.
  
  At the same time I feel intellectually dishonest. Looking back I realize some are on the fence. Even some in my own family. Am I somehow perpetuating their problems? Would my taking a stand actually help them?
  
  You said concerning fade “It says that your real feelings, your real viewpoints aren't as important as maintaining the illusion of others.”
  
  You’re an asshole. I already had guilt. Now I have Apostates making me review my life decisions.
  
  Your post has caused me to think.
  
  C. T.
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  10

  Please Watch and Comment

  by jamiebowers in

  1. jw
  2. friends

  educate this poor guy, please!.

  http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wozhzh-mxow.

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  C. T. Russell

  From the Proclaimers Book - my comments are in bold
  
  “Say, What Does This 1975 Mean?”

  The Witnesses had long shared the belief that the Thousand Year Reign of Christ would follow after 6,000 years of human history. But when would 6,000 years of human existence end? The book Life Everlasting—In Freedom of the Sons of God, released at a series of district conventions held in 1966, pointed to 1975. Right at the convention, as the brothers examined the contents, the new book triggered much discussion about 1975. Hmm, I wonder why there was so much discussion? The book only had a chart pointing to 1975 as the beginning of Christ’s reign on earth.
  
  At the convention held in Baltimore, Maryland, F. W. Franz gave the concluding talk. He began by saying: “Just before I got on the platform a young man came to me and said, ‘Say, what does this 1975 mean?’” Brother Franz then referred to the many questions that had arisen as to whether the material in the new book meant that by 1975 Armageddon would be finished, and Satan would be bound. He stated, in essence: ‘It could. But we are not saying. All things are possible with God. But we are not saying. And don’t any of you be specific in saying anything that is going to happen between now and 1975. But the big point of it all is this, dear friends: Time is short. Time is running out, no question about that.’ See, everything was cleared up at a convention in Baltimore. And if you didn’t happen to be in Baltimore? Well that’s your problem. And if you were in Baltimore? Well Fred couldn’t be any more concise in his answer, could he? Granted, his answer may be over some of your heads. So let me sum it up “Could, not saying, possible, not saying, no time, no question”. There you go, case closed.
  
  In the years following 1966, many of Jehovah’s Witnesses acted in harmony with the spirit of that counsel. However, other statements were published on this subject, and some were likely more definite than advisable. This was acknowledged in The Watchtower of March 15, 1980 (page 17). But Jehovah’s Witnesses were also cautioned to concentrate mainly on doing Jehovah’s will and not to be swept up by dates and expectations of an early salvation. “some were likely more definite than advisable”.In case you missed that statement this is how corporate lawyers say “We screwed up!”
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  20

  Does anyone here celebrate holidays? Why?

  by Rocky_Girl in

  1. jw
  2. friends

  i didn't originally celebrate anything, but when my oldest son started school i decided that it was unfair to put him through what i went through in school.

  i have to admit that i am loving the holidays, even though some of that old mindset tries to make me feel guilty.

  we focus on what the holidays mean to us as a family and enjoying time together.

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  C. T. Russell

  Personally the Holidays don’t mean that much to me. But they are kind of nice in that it’s an excuse for people to get together. At work they didn’t have a “Christmas Party” but they did have a “Holiday Party”. People from many backgrounds all brought food from their respective backgrounds. American, Middle East, Jewish, Asian, etc. It was really nice to just hang out with people.
  
  I’m still surprised the JW’s don’t just make up some bogus event to justify a celebration.
  
  At least you won’t have to explain to your kids why they can’t go to the Sadie Hawkins dance.
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  30

  Just accused of being an Elderette....

  by restrangled in

  1. jw
  2. friends

  sorry that the elderette of the board told you to .

  the elderette of the board....me?

  i call something as i see it after being exposed to witnesses for 50 years?.

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  C. T. Russell

  Reading this topic makes me feel like I’m out in field service on a Tuesday morning with a Minivan full of cranky sisters.
  
  My typical way of handling this situation would be to say “Sooooo does anybody have any RV’s they need to take care of after coffee break?”
  
  P.S. - except you Mouthy. There is always one sister you just don’t mess with.
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  21

  Mixed feelings about being shunned today.

  by loosie in

  1. jw
  2. experiences

  well it happened today.

  i got shunned in big lots today.

  i am not df'd or da'd just inactive for 4 years.

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  C. T. Russell

  loosie,
  
  I laughed when I read this. I always wondered what was worse than being shunned at Wal-Mart.
  
  It was an Elder from another congregation. He didn’t like that I decided to get a “worldly” education. Especially considering my x-Bethelite status had already garnered job offers from 3 different JW owned janitorial business's.
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  8

  An Actual 1955 Good Housekeeping article.

  by digderidoo in

  1. jw
  2. friends

  the good wife's guide.

  * have dinner ready.

  plan ahead, even the night before, to have a delicious meal ready, and on time, for his return.

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  C. T. Russell

  
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  6

  How to start a cult - the video

  by Amha·’aret in

  1. jw
  2. friends

  anyone seen this?

  its very good, seems to cover everything.. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mnnse5xyp6e.

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  C. T. Russell

  I would like to work with you mindmelda. Here is some brainstorming to start things off:
  
  JW’s have relatively good fiscal responsibility. So let’s use that.
  
  Location, location, location. We need a good home base, but someplace nicer than Mecca, Utah or Jerusalem. But not Vatican nice, that doesn’t jive well with my first suggestion. I’m thinking Caribbean. Cuba would be good if the US lifts travel restrictions.
  
  New media. JW’s have gone backward in this respect when they abandoned the radio stations. I’m thinking a strong focus on Internet is the way to go. Its allot more cost effective than TV. Not that we won’t use TV, just no 700 Club type programs. Besides young people don’t watch TV as much anymore.
  
  More Media! CD’s, DVD’s, MP3’s, streaming Video. If anyone starts to have doubts we can always tell them “Have you watched\listened to all of the DVD’s\MP3’s yet? If you still have doubts it’s because you haven’t watched, read and listened to everything yet”. We need to produce more media than a normal person could ever consume in a lifetime.
  
  Introduce “Levels”. I stole this idea from Scientology. They only have like 15 levels. We need more levels than anyone could achieve in a lifetime, like 300. It makes people feel good when they move up in rank. Plus it’s a good way to discredit apostates. “Ray Franz said what? Bah! Ray was only level 79, no one really knows anything until they are at least level 121”.
  
  Some other ideas:
  
  We need to be a “Green” religion.
  
  More competition between members. Something like regional Choir competitions or softball leagues.
  
  Paid parking.
  
  Taco Tuesdays!!!
  
  I’m not married to any of these ideas, just trying to kick things off.
  
  C. T.
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  161

  Just my 2 Cents.......Go ahead and FLAME AWAY.....I won't reply

  by scrapmama777 in

  1. jw
  2. friends

  "inciting hatred on the basis of race, religion, gender, nationality or sexuality or other personal characteristic.".

  is this seriously one of the forum's rules to follow?

  how can that be so when this whole forum is based on inciting hatred towards one religion.....jehovah's witnesses.......wow this is funny!

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  C. T. Russell

  The most disturbing thing I have ever read on this forum is that some of you actually watch “The View”
  
  Go ahead and FLAME AWAY.....I won't reply
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  55

  Favorite Cult Movies

  by I quit! in

  1. jw
  2. friends

  its getting close to assembly time and my wife will be heading up to salt lake to attend the assembly there with her relatives so i will be on my own for a week.

  i'm lining up my favorite cult movies to watch while she is away.

  here are some of my favorites: the meaning of life, idiocracy, swingers, ghost world.

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  C. T. Russell

  "Wonders of Creation" by the Watchtower Bible and Tract Society

  What... what do you mean by Cult Movie?