bluecanary

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Posts by bluecanary

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  7

  Why Me??

  by whathehadas in

  1. jw
  2. experiences

  i think of this as i reflect on my life.

  why did i have to be born in this cult?

  i'm not alone in this regard, but you can't help but wonder.

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  bluecanary

  Why weren't you born into a third world country where you died of malnourishment before the age of ten?
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  45

  Talking points for reasoning with JWs

  by bluecanary in

  1. watchtower
  2. bible

  i've emailed this to several people now so figured i might as well post it and share with all.

  the following information has been compiled from various sources on the web, including jwfacts.com and free minds.

  a fraction of it is from my own mind.

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  bluecanary

  Reniaa, I've asked you this question on several threads and you have yet to answer it. You make the assumption that the trinity, hellfire and soul doctrines are the most important in choosing a religion. Jesus said that love of God and love of neighbor are the two most important commands. The questions dealt with in this topic are relevant to those two commands. Why do you assume that the relative divinity of Jesus Christ or what state we end up in when we die is more important than how we show respect for life with the blood doctrine or love for neighbors with disfellowship policies?
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  45

  Talking points for reasoning with JWs

  by bluecanary in

  1. watchtower
  2. bible

  i've emailed this to several people now so figured i might as well post it and share with all.

  the following information has been compiled from various sources on the web, including jwfacts.com and free minds.

  a fraction of it is from my own mind.

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  bluecanary

  Butterfly, did you read the rest of the material that went with each question? You'll find that for some questions, the Society's publications do not match what they tell you in person, for others the publications contradict themselves, for still others the general members aren't really aware of what the organization's teachings are. For instance:

  "On inspecting the remnant of his anointed disciples in the year 1919 C.E., the reigning King Jesus Christ did find the appointed "slave" faithful and discreet in the feeding of his "domestics." Accordingly, he appointed this "slave" class over all his belongings." God's Kingdom of a Thousand Years Has Approached pp.350,355

  This is a primary teaching. This is the teaching upon which they base the idea that they are the only true religion. But how often have you heard this from the platform or mentioned in the publications?

  I suggest you read the posts in this thread that reason on each question. You are welcome to check all the references yourself from the society's literature. You may be surprised at some of the things they say in their own publications.
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  20

  Is it ok to malign another's faith?

  by bluecanary in

  1. watchtower
  2. beliefs

  i've seen this come up on multiple threads.

  rather than derail them all, i'd like to talk about it here.. jws seem to feel that it is a form of persecution for anyone to question, doubt or speak negatively of their beliefs or organization.

  yet, they are taught to do this to other religions.

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  bluecanary

  I've seen this come up on multiple threads. Rather than derail them all, I'd like to talk about it here.

  JWs seem to feel that it is a form of persecution for anyone to question, doubt or speak negatively of their beliefs or organization. Yet, they are taught to do this to other religions. Watchtower publications are full of heavy condemnation of other religious beliefs and organizations.

  "It is not a form of religious persecution for anyone to say and to show that another religion is false. It is not religious persecution for an informed person to expose publicly a certain religion as being false, thus allowing persons to see the difference between false religion and true religion."-Watchtower, 11/15/63, p. 688

  For the pro-JWs: Do you agree or disagree with the above quote? Is it a double standard to apply this only to other religions? Can you justify why this should not also be applied to the witnesses?

  For everyone: PLEASE abide by the first three posting guidelines. Attack the arguments, not the arguers.
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  9

  Loch Ness Monster on Google Earth???

  by digderidoo in

  1. jw
  2. friends

  is this nessie??.

  full article appears here www.dailymail.co.uk/sciencetech/article-1209118/is-nessie-google-earth.html.

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  bluecanary

  Looks like a squid to me.
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  14

  Letter to former JW friends

  by bluecanary in

  1. jw
  2. friends

  my mother has been burning to write a letter to old friends among the witnesses.

  we move around so much and were never great at keeping in touch.

  no one knows we've left the b0rg, but we don't care who finds out.

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  bluecanary

  For Steve and reniaa, Mother and I WANT for them to know that we're no longer witnesses. She also wants to write a formal letter of disassociation so they will stop counting us as members, but first we want to make sure old friends know that this is a choice we have made due to conscience, rather than a "weakness of the flesh." The purpose is not to malign their faith, but to introduce the thought that some people do leave for good reasons.

  I know that the majority may not read most of it. But I figure three good things will come of this:

  (1) They will know exactly where we stand.

  (2) Any who are having doubts may appreciate knowing they're not alone.

  (3) Even if they disregard it now, some may have doubts or choose to leave in the future. In which case, they may want to get in contact with us. I know I would love to be in contact with past friends who left the JWs but have no way of doing so now.
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  14

  Letter to former JW friends

  by bluecanary in

  1. jw
  2. friends

  my mother has been burning to write a letter to old friends among the witnesses.

  we move around so much and were never great at keeping in touch.

  no one knows we've left the b0rg, but we don't care who finds out.

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  bluecanary

  My mother has been burning to write a letter to old friends among the witnesses. We move around so much and were never great at keeping in touch. No one knows we've left the b0rg, but we don't care who finds out. Her goal is to get them to be disturbed by the fact that they aren't allowed to question their beliefs. We know that realistically, many will choose to not read the letter once they realize what it's about. But it's worth a shot.

  I'd like some input on the letter. It's written by both of us, but form her point of view. Any thoughts are welcome.

  "Reasonable persons agree that the only fair method is to examine the evidence on both sides, both for and against a disputed theory. That is how one arrives at the truth."-Awake! 10/22/1973, p. 6

  "We need to examine not only what we personally believe, but also what is taught by any religious organization with which we may be associated. If we are lovers of the truth, there is nothing to fear from such an examination."-Truth that Leads to Everlasting Life, p.13

  "It is not a form of religious persecution for anyone to say and to show that another religion is false. It is not religious persecution for an informed person to expose publicly a certain religion as being false, thus allowing persons to see the difference between false religion and true religion. Why should anyone practice a religion unless he is convinced that it is true and right?"-Watchtower, 11/15/63, p. 688, 689

  Think about this:

  When you first learn about the teachings of Jehovah's Witnesses, you are told, "Do not listen to anyone who says anything against 'the truth.' All objections are evil and come from an evil source". So before you even know what many of the teachings are, you stop listening to any potential reasonable and accurate objections.

  Reasonable and accurate objections could only come from someone who at one time was a Jehovah's Witness or who studied with them. They are the only ones who could know what the teachings are and what the problems with them are. But what are those people called? Apostates. And everyone knows that they are moved by a powerful evil force that has misled them, and none of what they have to say is right or true.

  So the only potential objections to the teachings of Jehovah's Witnesses that you might hear (TV shows, magazine articles, relatives, friends, neighbors) come from people who do not really know what they're talking about, so it's easy to dismiss their objections as erroneous.

  Have you ever had the following thoughts as a Witness? "The people who are afraid to talk to us are ridiculous. What are they so afraid of? Do they think that by just listening to us that we'll perform some sort of hypnosis on them and that no matter what we say, they will suddenly and inexplicably want to become Witnesses, thereby ruining their lives? Why would they not just assume that we would present reasonable arguments that they could either accept or reject?"

  And yet, isn't that exactly what the Witnesses believe will happen to them if they listen to apostates? It's as if these objectors have a magical power that will cause you to believe what is wrong and nonsensical in spite of your own intelligence and reasoning ability. You are scared senseless of this possibility. You may lose not just your everlasting life, but your friends and family and relationship with Jehovah. You will be rejected and condemned by those you love and need.

  So you never, ever, hear any possible legitimate objections. You don't really even know if there are any. You have not made an informed choice. You cannot exercise free will, the gift that God gave you.

  The definition of "apostate": a person who forsakes his religion, cause, party, etc.

  Anyone who forsakes their former religion to become a Jehovah's Witness is an apostate. I am an apostate Catholic. Paul was an apostate Jew. Here is the important question: Is it possible to become an apostate Jehovah's Witness without becoming an apostate Christian? Which is more crucial: remaining loyal to the Watchtower Society or to Jehovah? If a person feels the Watchtower Society is teaching something or acting in a way contrary to what is in the Bible, would it not be disloyal to choose the WTS over Jehovah and Jesus?

  Not everyone who leaves the Society is a weak, sex-crazed, money-hungry, lazy, selfish, pagan, worldly, got-their-feelings-hurt-by-someone, anti-Christian, anti-God, undermining demon. Many of them decided, just as the Bereans did, to see if what they were being taught was true. How can you do this if you never listen to anything negative and are scared "to death" to do so? Isn't that a cult mentality?

  When you make a purchase, do you take the manufacturer's word that their product is the best? Do you compare it to products from other manufacturers? Do you read or listen to reviews from people who have purchased it? Do you read only the positive reviews or do you read negative ones, too? Aren't negative reviews only useful if the person has actually tried the product?

  Most people who get to this point have spent years dealing with doubts and disappointments. They have seen and heard things that were unscriptural and unloving. There were certain teachings that they just never were able to understand or reconcile with the Bible. Yes, there are people who leave because they are weak, sex crazed, or not very intellectual. They are the ones who will often go back. Those who have left because they care about doing what is right or true, will not.

  Think about this. Have you really made an informed decision?

  "No one should be forced to worship in a way that he finds unacceptable or be made to choose between his beliefs and his family."-Awake! July, 2009 p. 29
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  31

  Serious Omissions in New Watchtower Book

  by metatron in

  1. jw
  2. friends

  the society's latest book, "bearing thorough witness about god's kingdom" contains two serious omissions.. first, on page 105, it offers an outright lie about the organization and the bible.

  "they do not force the scriptures to fit their views.

  impartial observers have recognized this fact.

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  bluecanary

  This book is a thorough review of the Bible book of Acts, which includes Acts 15. Yet, it says nothing about blood transfusion and simply passes by James' remarks with little comment.

  Very interesting. We know that when the WTS wants to phase out a doctrine, they start by omitting it from the current writings. I wonder if it's finally working on divesting itself of this teaching for good.
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  31

  Hey...no more lurking...

  by pmgirl in

  1. jw
  2. friends

  hey,.

  this is my first post on this forum after months of reading and lurking on here.

  i'm glad to be able to say that my husband and i finally sent our letter saying we want out and are wait to hear back for a potential jc meeting--that we won't be attending.. we had so many doubts it was impossible for us to continue living the lie.

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  bluecanary

  Welcome pmgirl! Pleasure to meet you.
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  37

  All About Palmtree

  by palmtree67 in

  1. watchtower
  2. beliefs

  here's my story:.

  i am the oldest of 5 children.

  my parents and grandparents ( on my dad's side ) are all jw's.

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  bluecanary

  His attitude was, "Why should I change? It's not like she can leave me! We're JW's so she's stuck here!"

  When were you married to my ex-husband?

  I've experienced some of the things you've been through, but never to the degree you did. Congratulations on standing up for yourself and getting out. High five! Can't wait to hear the rest of the story.