jgnat

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Posts by jgnat

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  31

  WHAT IS FACT. ( A bizarre fantazy)

  by new hope and happiness in

  1. jw
  2. friends

  i think my earlier post " what is a fact" has run it's course.

  in this thread i would like to present the same question " what is a fact" from a different viewpoint.. many j.w children have loving parents ( that is a fact) but parents who insanley demanded unquestioning obidience to their deranged standards.. so " what is a fact" to innocent children is that a god who they have never seen nor heard, will destroy them if they dont live to the g.bs deranged standards.. so basically these children have been taught the wrong meaning of words:-.

  love is conditional.

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  jgnat

  I'd like to take "fact" off the table. There are trustworthy precepts that can be counted on in this world, including gravity and trees. There are trustworthy facts that do not change.

  When it comes to parent's affections, love, and relationships that's a completely different kettle of fish. Mother, Father, Elder, God...are loaded roles. We attach authority, respect, expectations to these roles. What does a child do whose parent does not live up to their end of the deal, leaving the child an emotional orphan? The child may have to emotionally disinherit their biological parent in order to survive. Consider also the stigma attached to a "bad mother"? I've seen spectacularly unfit women fight for their children. I suspect they fight so hard to prove to the "world" they are not unfit, a weird sort of narcisisim where the children suffer twice over.

  It is common for cults to redefine terms (read 1984). Heck, propogandists do it all the time. What exactly does a "peacekeeper" do?

  What does it really mean to "Make Jehovah Sad"?
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  31

  I need some input: I have come to the conclusion my wife blames me for her lack of spirituality

  by goingthruthemotions in

  1. watchtower
  2. beliefs

  so lately my wife and i have been arguing alot.

  not big arguments...but more of a bickering.. you see, over the last year i have stepped down as an ms and we moved halls.

  last november was around the time i woke.. during this time we still have family studies....but only from the bible.

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  jgnat

  I'd say she is projecting.

  http://marriage.about.com/cs/conflictandanger/ht/fightfair.htm

  You are NOT responsible for her spirituality.
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  75

  Hey I am Back

  by mouthy in

  1. social
  2. current

  did anyone miss me????.

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  jgnat

  I missed you! Are you staying active, visiting family, keeping your wits about you?
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  6

  Couple of questions

  by All for show in

  1. jw
  2. friends

  why would the wts want to get rid of fence sitter?

  as in, why are weak ones a burden to the cong, isn't that the whole point, to shepherd the flock?.

  does anyone know if the gb gets a paycheck, flies first class, how they vacation?

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  jgnat

  If you start with the premise that the WTS is a corporation whose main interest is self-preservation, its' decisions make a lot more sense. It's history is rooted in decisions and habits of Russell and Rutherford, not in textbook Christianity.

  Q. Why would the WTS want to get rid of fence sitter? As in, why are weak ones a burden to the cong, isn't that the whole point, to shepherd the flock?

  A. The WTS has a long and checquered history of expelling dissenters. It's all about maintaining power and control.

  http://skepsis.no/src/popup.php?site=skepsis.no&page=utskrift&NyhetID=74 (word search "dissent")

  Q. Does anyone know if the GB gets a paycheck, flies first class, how they vacation? (I said/asked a few things to my mom who is convinced they are so loving and live poorly like other Bethelites).

  A. The books are closed, so we can't know for sure. In the US religious organizations don't need to publish their accounts. You might want to show your mom pictures of the development happening in Warwick. There are artist's renderings on jw.org as well. I don't think you will find overt displays of wealth as we saw with Rutherford. I think the attraction of being part of the "Governing Body" is power, not money.

  http://www.sloatsburgvillage.com/2014/03/24/watchtower-presents-global-view-at-tuxedo-town-hall/

  Q. Why do they not encourage higher education- like the Mormons- wouldn't wealthier flock contribute more funds, thus more income? How does it benefit the WTS to have a poor flock?

  A. Someone once said the WTS is a reactive organization rather than proactive. I am sure they have statistics on how many college-educated Witnesses leave the organization. Too many. Therefore college education is "bad". Remember, the WTS is chiefly interested in continued existence. It has to just make enough. No need to be greedy. Swiftly growing organizations come with their own problems. Better to have slow and steady growth.

  http://religions.pewforum.org/pdf/report-religious-landscape-study-full.pdf

  "Jehovah's Witnesses have the lowest retention rate of any religious tradition."

  Q. How does millions of hours knocking on doors benefit them? hardly anyone places literature in my cong, the literature servant said they had to cut their monthly order by 65/70 percent Because they had so much extra Material.

  A. It keeps congregation members busy so they don't have time to think about how useless their efforts are.
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  28

  January 15, 2015 watchtower 3 study articles about marriage.

  by hoser in

  1. watchtower
  2. beliefs

  couples having problems and getting divorced must be a problem in the jehovahs witnesses.

  the articles are definately an interesting read.

  they give plenty of bad advise as usual.

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  jgnat

  The world is going to shambles, eh? Newsflash, divorce rates are dropping.

  Canada

  http://www.huffingtonpost.ca/2012/03/29/divorce-rates-in-canada-decline_n_1387979.html

  UK

  http://www.theguardian.com/news/datablog/2010/jan/28/divorce-rates-marriage-ons

  USA

  http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2011/05/18/census-divorces-decline-i_n_863639.html

  Well, maybe divorce rates are not dropping for Jehovah's Witnesses. Indicators for divorce include young/teen marriage, and lower on the socioeconomic scale. Education makes a difference, too. College educated couples divorce less often.

  Yup, lousy advice.
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  38

  My appeal was successful. Now what?

  by noonehome in

  1. jw
  2. experiences

  faders: why do we bother staying in?.

  we cling to some false hope that people we love will accept us despite our not believing, even though its as much a fairytale as the dogmas based on untruths.. ive never been anything but a good friend and human being and would do anything for the people i love; i couldnt dream of shutting out someone i care about.

  and its not like theyd revel in the idea of doing it either, yet its seen as not just the only choice, but also as undoubtedly the right thing to do.

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  jgnat

  "It looks like the opportunity to 'feel saddened at heart' over how these imperfect men treated you in the name of God and begin responding like a person who has been 'stumbled' by their actions. No more Field Service. Significant drop off in meeting attendance until you are there NO MORE. Then...........move on with your life." - Doc

  YES

  Make sure they catch more than your ear the next time you associate with your sister.
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  24

  I Would Like To Know Exactly What JWs Believe Or Not Believe In

  by minimus in

  1. watchtower
  2. beliefs

  i hear people saying it is not the same religion that i knew.

  what is the major difference?.

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  jgnat

  Way back a question was asked, "What is a Christian?" Believers had been trundling along getting themselves killed and writing up bits and pieces of letters for several generations. Beliefs and prejudices ranged all over the place. Constantine struck up a committee to make sense of it all, and Orthodoxy was born. Several generations more of extermination and suppression of dissidents, and we had a semblance of conformity. The essence of what is "Christian" was condensed to a few statements of faith. Believe them and you are in. Don't and you are something else.

  https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Apostles'_Creed

  When I was trying to work out "What is a Jehovah's Witness?" I did not find a similar declaration of fundamental beliefs. Every Witness I come across can give a slightly varying list. The Condition of the Dead, Jehovah's name, the Earthly Hope, Blood, and a few others are the usual themes. The closest I came to a creed is the baptismal questions.

  Section 1 Elementary Bible Teachings (35 questions)

  Section 2 Jehovah's Righteous Requirements (37 questions)

  Section 3 Jehovah's Arrangement of Things (32 questions)

  http://www.witness-outreach.com/BaptismalQuestions.html

  Have those changed?

  Section 1, Question 19 might have changed. "How do we know that we have entered into the time of the end and that God's Kingdom is ruling?" That pretty well depends on 1914 doesn't it? So there's been some reshuffling of bible interpretations, enthronement and stuff like that.

  Section 3, Question 12 has definitely changed. The FDS is now the Governing Body, not the wider community of Anointed.

  The changes in the past year I would say is in form and administration. Paper to electronic. Rebranding. Leadership reshuffling. Caleb videos for children, and JW.ORG TV for adults, a new bible. The leaders are throwing candies to the throngs and calling it "meat".
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  1

  Before Siri, There Was Trent

  by metatron in

  1. jw
  2. friends

  http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yilk2uxjllk.

  i often think back to this episode whenever i see someone ask their phone a question.

  it still amazes me to observe driving directions or instructions on cooking a roast pop up on command.. let the watchtower have their jubilation for now.

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  jgnat

  http://www.imdb.com/title/tt1798709/ Her
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  4

  does jesus become the alpha and the omega?

  by Crazyguy in

  1. watchtower
  2. bible

  when the book of revelations starts off its clear god is but by the last chapter every time i read it its hard to tell so ce there's so many people talking john, angel,jesus etc.. its also implied at times the angels are his.

  it seams to me that jesus get exalted to this postition or becomes one in the same with god not a trinity but god.

  can't tell your thoughts?.

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  jgnat

  I twisted a Witness in knots reading the last chapter in Revelation. Who is speaking; Jehovah God, the Holy Spirit, or Jesus? This is not a problem for trinitarians.
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  7

  Sleep Problems

  by lambsbottom in

  1. jw
  2. friends

  so, about a week and a half ago i finally realized that i am not longer one of jws, since i don't believe they are god's organization.. however, for two weeks, i have slept horrible!

  my spouse thinks its stress.

  i sleep all night but just don't feel that rested in the morning.

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  jgnat

  The sleep study is a great idea. Even if nothing comes of it, you will have at least ruled out Sleep Apnea. Sleep Apnea is a silent killer. Sufferers do report getting a full night's sleep but waking up not rested. Best to rule it out.