Posts by inbetween

17

New Understanding Begets More Direction From The "Slave"

by TMS in

jw
friends

jehovah's name people have delighted in recent refinements in understanding coming through god's slave class at the direction of holy spirit.

these adjustments in thinking have at times required humility and reasonableness to be exhibited by longtime servants of jehovah.

consider, for example, the recent information showing that we could not put an exact timetable on the calling of those to serve along with christ jesus in the heavenly kingdom.

strange experience by a Br. from the GB at assembly

by inbetween in

was on summer, experience went like that:.

"a couple from russia, sold even their house in order to be able to attend an assembly in germany.....".

basically no more information given.

o yeah the yearbooks, never cared for them too much, just went through some short updates on certain countires in the beginning, but I think in all those years as a JW, I may have read one or two cover to cover...it never prooved anything to me...

20

strange experience by a Br. from the GB at assembly

by inbetween in

was on summer, experience went like that:.

"a couple from russia, sold even their house in order to be able to attend an assembly in germany.....".

basically no more information given.

inbetween

was on summer, experience went like that:

"a couple from Russia, sold even their house in order to be able to attend an assembly in Germany....."

basically no more information given

hm,but important questions are left open:

Did they plan to sell their house anyway, and just used some of the money to go to the assembly ? - Then the experience leads to the wrong conclusion.

Did they sell the house, because they planned to move to germany ? - Then their motive was at least not merely to attend the assembly !

Did they really just sell the house so they are able to attend, which otherwise would not be possible ? - Then what happened afterwards, did they live on the street, join bethel or what ??? If they came back, having no housing, sorry, then they are just plain stupid, or rely on other brothers, who, being not spiritual, stayed home ?

Many questions left open after this strange experience, but what did the brother wnat to tell the audience ?

I guess, the message was, dont be so materilistic, put all your means to the kingdom work (=WTS interests)...

Many brothers were a bit puzzled at this strange example.....some brain dead of course swallowed every bit of his tlak as the word of God himself...

26

Remember When Jehovah's Witnesses Took Pride In Themselves?

by minimus in

jw
friends

there was a time when a witness would proudly tell others that they were jehovah's witnesses.

now, more jws skirt away from expressing what they are and who they represent.

in the old days, you could comment at a meeting and express the research you did on a subject.

inbetween

Interesting point about the quality of food.

Its definately true, that the food is simplified to a low level, it used to be at least more interesting.

Sometimes for research I look up older articles, they usually go much deeper...still weird, but at least food for thought.

Today, its all either rule making, or repetition of same old stuff. If you really take advice, and prepare for the meetings, its ususally done in a few minutes.

JW used to frown upon other religions for their poor spiritual nourishment, but they are going the same path.....

39

What is an elder?

by acolytes in

jw
friends

i have concluded that elders are people who take it as their right to torture any baptised member of the congregation who will not conform to their standards.. why do i say this?.

basically i think they see anyone who does not live up to their standards as a threat in which they risk exposure to fealings they would rather die than face.

(the irony they pride themselfs in thinking they are in the "truth").

inbetween

If an elder sees the double standard, hypocrisy and nonsense, he has to react sooner or later.

Some put their thoughts in the "wait on Jehovah" drawer, I did for years, until this drawer gets overfilled, ....

then it comes down to the real person, is he genuine, honest, he will act,

he may contact first the society, just to give them a change to explain some things,

if this is not satisfactory (and it wont be), he will step down (or "aside" OTWO ;-))

further steps depend on personal situation (family still in etc)

its a very difficult road though....

39

What is an elder?

by acolytes in

jw
friends

i have concluded that elders are people who take it as their right to torture any baptised member of the congregation who will not conform to their standards.. why do i say this?.

basically i think they see anyone who does not live up to their standards as a threat in which they risk exposure to fealings they would rather die than face.

(the irony they pride themselfs in thinking they are in the "truth").

inbetween

once again, out of my own expereince, and of few I know, there are sincere types of elders, who may have some doubts, but "wait on jehovah".

Sooner or later this may create a problem (like in my case), but in the meantime, they really think, they work for the benefit of the flock and under the direction of God.

Especially as an elder, you are kept busy with indoctrination of others and yourself, there is little time to pursue doubting thoughts that come up in your mind.

39

What is an elder?

by acolytes in

jw
friends

i have concluded that elders are people who take it as their right to torture any baptised member of the congregation who will not conform to their standards.. why do i say this?.

basically i think they see anyone who does not live up to their standards as a threat in which they risk exposure to fealings they would rather die than face.

(the irony they pride themselfs in thinking they are in the "truth").

inbetween

sorry for you bad experiences, partly the ORG is to blame for putting a sense of self-importance into members, who can calim the "thocratical" career, whule being a "nobody" in rela world.

Even during my pre-apostate time, I always respected the views and decisions of the brothers, as much as the WTS allowed it of course..and so did some I know personally.

remember, most elders are just captives of a concept as well....

116

To Ex-JWs: Do You Regret Learning it Was a Lie?

by leavingwt in

jw
friends

this question was inspired by a question on another thread.

to the ex-jw community here,.

do any of you regret learning that wt is not god's organization?

inbetween

good question, i asked myself many times:

not sure, what is better, but the real question is: are we all morally entitlet to know the truth ?

I think we all are, but living in an illusion can at times be easier.

However, for me personally, its a 2-edged sword. On the one hand, I feel no more guilt about not doing enough, not being the super-dub like others, about recreational activities, about work-decisions etc.

This is a great relief, I do not regret.

On the other hand, while still in, there are a lot of problems arising, how long can you support something on the outside, while on the inside you are far gone ?

Sometimes I do wish, i never knew.....but its only sometimes...

22

Why am I Renouncing My JW Faith...Part 5 and final

by tjlibre in

jw
friends

i have expressed in this forum that sometimes im confused as to what will be my ultimate decision.

at this point in my life there is too much at stake.

first, my own emotional estate, ill hate to bitterly regret the years expend taking unnecessary emotional abuse and theocratic bulling.

inbetween

very interesting and well put story.

in many ways, I fight with the same troubles.

Our Congo is probably different ot the average conge. We have quit some well educated brothers, were you can even have deep discussions. Apparentely they did not take every word of the WTS as gold, since they took higher education for example.

The BOE is in general caring and reasonable. Just exclude some nonsense teaching of the WTS, and yes, the congo would be really a nice place...

the main question is: Can you do more good being in, even though by supporting the WTS some collateral damage will be done ? Or is it better to leave everything behind, following your own path of truth, but probably not being able to help anybody else ?

Once you turn officially apostate, nobody will listen to you anymore, you are in line with Satan then...

21

i don't like to dig deep into the bible... am i bad?

by ?me? in

jw
friends

i totally appreciate the posters who have a ton of bible knowledge and love research, but me being a witness for a few decades find myself not really interested in many of the discussions here and at the meeting.

the current "grace/undeserved kindness" post by sir82 is a prime example.. first off i do know that my personality is to be sceptical about most things, and i usually focus on things that i can see or are more simple, especially if it is a topic i am less interested in.. but am i bad because i don't really care if jesus died on a cross of stake?

or i am not interested in trying to figure out when (and if ) jehovah is going to take care of wicked people or resurrect dead people........ i kind of figure we will find out when it happens.. sometimes if feel stupid about bible things, but i take pride in trying to live by the basic bible principles and laws (about stealing, adultery, bad language, etc), although i do have a good deal of general knowledge about the bible, i could care less about breaking down the different "loves" in the hebrew language or greek language, or whatever..... i guess i have a similar knowledge of the scriptures as the "christians" before the wts "helped us figure it out" starting around 1900. .

inbetween

no,not bad at all, had to force myself reading the bible, especially the OT can be broing at times, however, there is something

that we (ex and current JW) should have done from the beginning: read the context !!! esp. of scriptures WTS uses for their

control and self-boasting attitude.

Then, maybe, we would have seen, that shunning (2. John 10,11) applies not to DFD persons, that the faithful slave is not a prophesied class just an illustration, that the second coming of Christ is not seen through world events, that the 7 times of Daniel have no indication pointing to establishment of the heavenly kingdom 1914, etc...

then, maybe, we would have been spared of lots of garbage, mind control, heart ache, inner conflicts....