I think a few words of explanation are in order.
I bore easily, so I had to have a good reason to keep posting. Early on, I set my own personal guidelines.
- Use this as a place where I can freely speak my mind about JW stuff without fear of censure (JW‘s), or blank stares (everybody else).
- I will continue to need this board as long as my honey is part of the WTS.
- I need to give back, too, in my own small way. One way I can help is by preparing my own personal review of the WT rags (thanks for the inspiration, Blondie). I believe there are fresh xJW’s or teetering JW’s that visit this site. By providing an alternative (more mainstream) interpretation of the studies, I hope to give teetering JW’s something to think about.
- By providing these studies, I hope to show that independent bible studies are possible by ordinary folks.
- I defend Christendom’s Churches here because they get a bum rap by the society. By trashing all other religions, the society effectively closes off spiritual support for former members.
- When a concept or thought impassions me, I write a story. Some of my stories a pretty good. I post them here because you are a great, supportive audience.
I understand that when some leave the society they leave organized religion, and often any faith in God. After all, the WTS was god to them. I can appreciate that there is a deep sense of betrayal for many. If that is how xJW’s have chosen to move on, I am in no position to tell them any different. This is not a -pro- or anti - God site, so I chose not to embroil myself in those arguments. Such debates are possible, I guess. I understand, though, to argue with an Athiest I have to chose something other than the Bible as my basis for argument. I worry, too, if I squander my energy bickering with xJW’s, it does not forward my goal to reach the teetering JW’s. Some teetering JW’s will go athiest, some will go independent Christian. I want to provide food for thought for JW’s who do not want to abandon all aspects of their faith.
I for these reasons, usually avoid unanswerable questions like,
- How many angels can dance on the head of a pin?
- Does Jehovah wear a mustache?
- Are there rainbows in Heaven?
- Does the Devil pick his nose?
I posted this question to provide an alternative viewpoint on the Devil for teetering JW’s and Christian xJW’s.
...so Realist, oldcrowwoman, Farkel, Aztec and Greven, perhaps I should have been more specific in my Bible Research and Study Article question. I was presenting a different viewpoint of the Devil and Evil as interpreted by the society. I addressed for people who use the Bible as their moral guide. If you do not, fine. In my experience, obsession with darkness is no good for people.
Rem, I have read some articles lately that suggest that people will chose activities towards species survival over personal interest. Time magazine had a great article on this a few years back. Alas, I no longer have that article at my fingertips. Here is a short article on the subject I managed to scrounge up on short notice. http://www.adaptationsurvival.com/pabch2.htm If survival is based only on reproductive superiority, the WTS is doomed. Children interfere with the all-important field service reports. Women do not receive additional support and care during the parenting years. And, when children naturally exert their independence, they risk disfellowshipping. The Catholic church tried the reproductive approach in Quebec a few years back. The strategy backfired. English Canada ended up dominating the economy, because they had more energy to develop individual prosperity. In my own rambling way (not thought quite through) I am suggesting that abusive parents are behaving contrary to reproductive self-interest. Perhaps another day on another thread.
Introspection, are you saying that people will violently maintain their own worldview (whether negative or positive) when threatened?
