Nah, actually, I shave every so often, just to appease my wife. I admittedly wore a beard to the special assembly day on purpose, just to show that I really didn't care about the made-up rules. But the beard itself was only an incidental public statement, really. I just didn't feel like shaving that day. I really just do it for my wife, even though her actually touching my face in any way is highly unlikely at this point in time...
Posts by sd-7
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49The Beard Starts TODAY
by Mad Sweeney init was only this past weekend that i finally stated (both aloud and in print) that i would never attend another meeting again.
like many brothers before me, i have decided to symbolize this new dedication to freedom for myself and my family with a beard..
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Brand New: Currently Totally Devastated
by daringhart13 ini'm brand new to the board.
long time, "big shot" elder, ....taught at km school, conventions, etc.
yeah, i know it means nothing....but it gives you an idea of how deep i've been a jw.. i don't even really know what to write at this point.
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sd-7
Welcome! It's always a relief to see an elder who saw the same things I saw throughout my life in the organization. Tells me there's hope, even for the ones on my committee.
Weird thing? I never felt like God hated me for thinking something was wrong with the religion. I'd read too much of Jesus' life and ministry to believe that he or his Father would approve of unloving behavior in the congregation. Seeing that it was, not just individuals, but an organization-wide problem (because we were being TRAINED to be unloving), I knew SOMETHING was wrong. I just couldn't figure out what, until I Googled '1914'. That was the end of it for me.
I'm sure many will suggest good reading material to help you. If you can handle it, 'Crisis of Conscience' by Raymond Franz is #1 in opening one's eyes to everything...but if you're emotional now, you might want to wait on that one...
Take your time. But acquire as much information as you can. I started with 4Jehovah.org myself. Might not be a bad idea to check out some of the stuff there. It proved very helpful to me. Wish you the best, and do stick around.
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sd-7
I just recently started studying, so um....I don't know if there's an insider doctrine here. But um...so far, most people seem pretty nice, you know? Nobody's offered me drugs or immorality yet, so...I guess you folks are alright.
This is my rookie year, so...I still consider myself a newbie. And I consider myself welcomed. Joke.
Yes, let's welcome one another as Watchtowers say to do
If Christ died for his brothers, surely we welcome them too
So let us just believe all the So-ci-e-ty has said
For if we get independent, we might as well be dead
So....welcome one another as long as you haven't sinned
If that should happen, be assured, committees will begin!
So let us joyfully rejoice at happifying times
Yes, welcome one another in these joyful, final times
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Partakers at Memorial--WT doctrine, brief analysis
by sd-7 inmemorial posts must be a dime a dozen right now, but i'm hoping this one's at least quarter-worthy.. jehovah's witnesses teach that only those of the anointed, the 144,000, are entitled to partake of the bread and wine at the annual memorial of christ's death.
because only the 144,000 are part of the 'new covenant', thus going to heaven to rule with christ.
the great crowd merely attends as 'observers' of this event.. is there any scripture in the bible that refers to any group of people 'observing' the lord's evening meal without eating it?
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sd-7
Memorial posts must be a dime a dozen right now, but I'm hoping this one's at least quarter-worthy.
Jehovah's Witnesses teach that only those of the anointed, the 144,000, are entitled to partake of the bread and wine at the annual Memorial of Christ's death. Why? Because only the 144,000 are part of the 'new covenant', thus going to heaven to rule with Christ. The great crowd merely attends as 'observers' of this event.
Is there any scripture in the Bible that refers to any group of people 'observing' the Lord's evening meal without eating it? No. Not one verse. Jesus gave his body and blood for everyone who puts faith in him, did he not? He specifically said that you must eat his flesh and drink his blood in order to have life in yourselves in John 6. Why is his direction being ignored by the Watchtower Society?
The 144,000 are referred to as the "Israel of God". However, note that, in the upcoming Watchtower article, "One Flock, One Shepherd" in the March 15th, 2010 issue, the "great crowd" is referred to as "symbolically representing the twelve tribes of Israel" that Jesus told his apostles (and presumably by extension the 144,000) they would sit on thrones to judge. Yet, simultaneously, the "Israel of God" is, based on Revelation 5:9, 10, made up of people of all nations.
So here's the scenario: we have an "Israel of God" made up of people who from all nations (the 144,000). You have people from all nations, however, who are referred to as the "twelve tribes of Israel" (the great crowd). Both are symbolically Israelites, by the Watchtower's own admission! Then why are both not in the new covenant, thus worthy of partaking the emblems?
This is why I'm wondering...is it possible someday this doctrine might change? I'd like to see that. But I wouldn't bet any lightsabers on it, that's for sure.
I just couldn't help noticing the strange inconsistency there. I think I saw this point made somewhere else on the Web, I forget where. But I thought it was worthy of posting about. I'd like to partake this year, but I'd rather not make a scene; I'd rather do it in the privacy of my home if I can. (sigh) Besides, I have a feeling the early Christians probably did it more than once a year anyway. It's unlikely there was a big advertising campaign for this yearly event. The early Christians took lots of meals together, and odds are, they made sure to include the Lord's evening meal as part of their regular worship. I can't imagine Paul commenting on it if it was an annual event; otherwise, somebody told him, "Yeah, this year at the Memorial, some people were eating their meals alongside the bread and wine! It's not like it was last year." Maybe that could've happened, but...we've no way of knowing for sure, do we? The Bible doesn't specifically spell it out, that it's a once a year deal.
Well, that's my quarter. How about you?
--sd-7
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38
I'm new and wanted to introduce myself
by MarkedFragile inhello everyone.. i'm new to this forum.
i left the organization several months ago, and am on a new path now.
though i didn't grow up in the organization, i have basically lived a life of pretending to be something i'm not, sheltering my feelings from everyone, and not feeling "enough" to anyone.
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sd-7
Welcome!
Loneliness was my experience, too. Never felt like I fit in. I was neither too 'worldly' nor too 'spiritual'. That tends to leave you in a weird place. Being raised inside the organization probably helped further my feelings of loneliness and crying for help and comfort. I know that feeling well. There are good people here. Hope you can make some good friends here.
Side note--someone told me how recently people are joining the site like crazy. I'm getting the feeling they were right! Mass exodus on a barely noticeable scale? Hmm...
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49
The Beard Starts TODAY
by Mad Sweeney init was only this past weekend that i finally stated (both aloud and in print) that i would never attend another meeting again.
like many brothers before me, i have decided to symbolize this new dedication to freedom for myself and my family with a beard..
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sd-7
(1) On the basis of knowledge about the WTS, have you rejected the GB as God's appointed men, and dedicated yourself to not do their will?
YES!
(2) Do you understand that your dedication and growth of beard identifies you as not being one of Jehovah's Witnesses in association with an organization going against God's Holy Spirit?
YES!
By my clear and affirmative answers, I have identified myself alongside those who can seek truth through independent thinking and free of spiritual abuse. Let us pray...
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Blondie's Comments You Will Not Hear at the 03-28-10 WT Study (SATAN RULILNG)
by blondie inby means of human rule was sure to fail.
that jehovahs way of governing is.
jehovahs way of governing.
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sd-7
It calls to mind the illustration they always used to say, about the father who allows his child to go through a painful operation that will ultimately save his life.
Imagine if that father said to the doctor, "Don't give him anything for the pain." And then stood by, watching the child scream in agony as surgery was performed, saying to himself, "You brought this on yourself, kid. You should have listened to me." We would consider that to be unspeakably ruthless.
But ultimately, this is what we are being told Jehovah God has done to mankind. I refuse to believe these explanations are valid.
Either way, if Satan really is running the governments to that extent, I'm pretty sure I'd be getting stabbed to death right now, wouldn't I? ... What's that? Wait for it? Still waiting....no. Still here. What's the point in him 'influencing' human rule if most people basically get on with their lives like they always have? Good things are done by governments, bad things are done by governments. People prosper and starve--this was the case in Israel, too. How many other widows were there who didn't happen to have a prophet handy to restore their food?
But next week's article, in particular, provides one of the most specifically revealing statements, that obeying the GB means you accept 'God's way of ruling'. So is the GB ruling now?
There's a picture on the second page of next week's article, with the caption, "Jehovah has always maintained his rulership." Which undercuts the idea that his rulership was interrupted for 2,520 years, but...hey, who's keeping score?
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Hardly anybody does this, but, INTELLECTUAL HONESTY requires it!
by Terry ini work in a used book store in the religion & philsophy section and daily have interesting interactions with customers.. the layout of the religion section is two separate divisions.
the fluffy side is chri-fi (christian fiction) and christian living books.
the meaty side has bibles, textbooks, theology, hermenutics, reference guides, etc.. i keep a sort of mental scorecard going as to who goes where.. i try and ask subtle questions about why each person is looking for a particular item.. i hardly ever run into anybody of a skeptical nature unless they are trying to prove somebody else wrong.. which reminds me of when i was a good little jw in a bookstore all those years ago.... i'd look up what a book might have to say about the name "jehovah.
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JW sister told my newly widowed mom that it would "look bad"if
by aquagirl inif i took her to the memorial this year.im df'd for years,but out of love and respect for my parents i always gave them this one night.my mum dosent drive.i was going to drive her and sit by her.i promised my dad that i would always do this for him.he was pretty cool,even tho he was an elder.my "devout" sister {who has never lifted a finger to help my parents}told her yesterday that it "wouldnt look good" for me to show up w/my mum,altho everyone knows that i have done everything for my parents,both before my dad died in december and since.
is my sister just jealous that i have a fabulous life,am beautiful,rich,a guitar god,have excellent cool hair, xray vision,can communicate with aliens and have supernatural abilities?
or is she just mean?lol..btw,i am going.and im taking my mum and we are going to sit in the front row,and yes,im gonna wear velvet.....
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sd-7
Right. Well, if your sister has an alternative way of getting your mom there, then great. But regardless, isn't everyone welcome at all meetings of Jehovah's Witnesses? If so, then why does appearance matter here? This seems to go against even the rules of the organization. I know they are more about appearances than anyone, but that just isn't an issue here. Be there for your mom, don't worry about anything else.
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Open Letter to Jehovah's Witnesses re Memorial 2010
by donuthole indear friend,.
imagine that you personally have been invited by a great man to come to his dinner party.
he tells you, come and enjoy the good things i will give you to eat and drink.
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sd-7
I actually thought about bringing a straw with me for the wine when they pass it my way...but then, I'm already in enough trouble with the missus as it is. Probably shouldn't risk it...but it is the right thing.