Posts by Paulapollos

116

Biggest Harm Caused by Watchtower in AllTimeJeff Eyes.

by Scott77 in

"jw's are an entirely different animal from manson's followers.

they bleed you slowly to death (literally and figuratively), but the biggest harm jw's perpetuate is the lives that are put on hold for "theocratic" activities.

a rich life is denied its members because of their doomsday scenarios' said alltimejeff, a former jehovah's witnesses missionary in west africa.. in view of the recent generation change and interpretation, please, what do you think about that?

Paulapollos

Serenitynow,

I think that really is the point, don't you? Sadly, an organisation which has so much potential instead misuses its power to teach things that are patently untrue, and spun. The selective use of evidence, and the narrow, "the world is so evil" scenario, makes Witnesses frightened of the "big bad wolf." Very sad.

Debator -

The Witnesses DON'T have a worldwide program teaching people sign-language. To state that as a fact is a mis-representation of the facts. I know my friend - because that is one area of official Society work I was involved in.

What they do have is a program where they follow other charitable organisations into countries where ASL is being developed, often against the wishes of the indigenous deaf and at the expense of the local sign language. If there is not a fully established SL, they then offer to play the ASL "What does the Bible really teach" and other publications in ASL, or relevant foreign SL, and attempt to get them to learn these "signs", although much of the material in those publications violates basic sign language linguistics. The offer to play the ASL and for them to "learn" ASL is only available as long as they state they are interested in the material - because it is actually a Bible study, not a program to teach SL. In essence, these people have not seen SL on DVD - and it understandably astonishes them. Often, they simply watch in amazement as SL is done in front of them - and the Society gets a SL Bible Study on the sly. It is taking advantage of uneducated and illiterate people.

That is the current state of affairs, I presume you are referring to. There is no program to teach illiterate and non-sign-using deaf an actual SL that they can use, independent of "interest in the Bible message." The Society would not, and rightly considering the stated aims of the organisation, waste resources in that way

PP

116

Biggest Harm Caused by Watchtower in AllTimeJeff Eyes.

by Scott77 in

"jw's are an entirely different animal from manson's followers.

they bleed you slowly to death (literally and figuratively), but the biggest harm jw's perpetuate is the lives that are put on hold for "theocratic" activities.

a rich life is denied its members because of their doomsday scenarios' said alltimejeff, a former jehovah's witnesses missionary in west africa.. in view of the recent generation change and interpretation, please, what do you think about that?

Paulapollos

I think ATJeff's point is very valid. The reality is that the organisation discourages the attempt that many people make to improve their own lives, through education, by stating implicitly that only theocratic activities have any "real worth". This stunts the personal, intellectual and professional development of many JW's.

Allied to this, the idea is prevalent that the state the world is in shows that efforts to assist others thru humanitarian drives, education drives, the promotion of business and governance, are ultimately useless. While acknowledging the results, often the illustration used is akin to "but why polish the brass on a sinking ship?" It often seems that JW's try to ease their own conscience by stating that proclaiming the Kingdom to others is the ultimate good. But to use Debator's point - the starving child in Africa cannot eat a tract, or drink a WT. He needs clean water and food right now, right here, as well as an education and the social conditions that will lead to him not starving to death in the first place. And promises of "jam tomorrow" however well-intentioned and true, do not alleviate the responsiblity that we all have in that regard. JW's could do so much, following the example of others. But the reality is that the organisation, not individual JW's, really don't want to get involved, because it leads of all kinds of uncomfortable scenarios, and questions.

ATJeff makes a good point. Stunting the development of individuals, and promoting a generally fatalistic and untruthful view of society and the state of the world is actually very harmful to JW's. In a way, the organisation shoots themselves in the foot - when people invariably leave, they are bitter and resentful of the limitations imposed on them by a millerite worldview.I really believe that this generation change is going to exacarbate an already dangerous situation.

I myself have returned to university, and have seen firsthand that the stunting of intellectual development was, in my own case, harmful.

PP

723

The PERFECT Translation...for Churchoids!

by theMadJW in

http://www.themadjws.com/thercvbible.htm.

Paulapollos

MadJW,

I think your answer says it all really, don't you?

Warm love to you and yours, MadJW

PP

723

The PERFECT Translation...for Churchoids!

by theMadJW in

http://www.themadjws.com/thercvbible.htm.

Paulapollos

Palm,

thank you so much for explaining my post to MadJW. It seems that I have much to learn from him on how to communicate clearly. I'll say it again, and if he misunderstands, then surely I cannot be held responsible?

MadJW - I recognise you may find it hard to sink to the gutter and converse with "losers" and "Churchoids" whatever they are. I can only presume that in your sweeping generalisation, anyone who leaves the WT is a "loser". So that would also be me. So this "loser" has read your post where you say that you have "proven" your points to all these people who asked you questions, with the Bible. Now, there are a couple of problems:

Number 1 - apart from the ridiculous self-promotion of a ludicrous and frankly unamusing "translation" (technically MAD, tho you might have called it a version, you don't seem to understand the difference, but I expect the distinction is lost on you, since you no doubt refuse to bother your gigantic intellect with such blase details), you haven't actually made any points.

Number 2 - All that you seem to do is insult people, disrespect them, and generally exhibit the same social skills online that no doubt have led you to spend as little time as possible interacting with people face-to-face, and instead build an "on-line presence".

So, let me say it again. It's very simple.

If you are capable of having a civil conversation, one that actually features reasonableness and politeness, and the ability to discuss and debate, then I am willing to discuss your many "proven" points, using the Bible. In case you don't understand, perhaps PalmTree's post can say it clearly. "The ball is in your court." Like I said - start a thread, and lets talk civilly - like you said, very unfairly, you have been looking for someone civil on this forum. While I totally disagree with you - everyone I have ever spoken to on this forum has been civil, even when disagreeing with me.

But let's focus here. You said "I and my friends have been looking for someone civil to talk to", or words to that effect? Well, Mad, here I am. Let's talk. Prove to me all this "scriptural knowledge" of yours. Show me, and incidentally. everyone else on here that you are not a self-promoting, self-glorifying, ego-stroking, arrogant, boorish oaf, who has much to say, little of it of any value. I am sure that actually, you are civil and reasonable, and have some good points to make. So do. Show me that you are not what I sadly suspect you could be - an individual who is not taken seriously by anyone who actually knows him, and so spends his time on the internet, hiding behind a mask of outright hostility and sarcasm. I don't think you are that, but I suspect you could be. I hope not.

So, don't wait for me. I'm waiting for you, MadJW. I don't need to "put my money where my mouth is." I'm waiting for you to hold a mature, reasonable conversation, exhibiting the social skills of an adult who has a proper estimate of himself. Perhaps you, celebrated destroyer of "apostates" that you claim yourself to be, should think on these words?

"2 May a stranger, and not your own mouth, praise you; may a foreigner, and not your own lips, do so."

"and for people to search out their own glory, is it glory?"

It's in a book you may have read.

PP

723

The PERFECT Translation...for Churchoids!

by theMadJW in

http://www.themadjws.com/thercvbible.htm.

Paulapollos

Dear MADJW,

I'm afraid that in all the timeI have seen your posts, I have asked you questions, or raised points, and waited for an answer, you have been unable to string together a coherent conversation. It seems that you have a limited attention span, despite or perhaps because of your great wisdom. You seem unable to hold a reasonable conversation, instead trying to fire out random points, staccato like a GPMG, allied to an over-liberal use of the Caps-lock and exclamation marks. I'm unsure whether those "techniques" are used by you because the "logic" of whatever you are trying to say is so clear to you. Perhaps another stint in the Theocratic Ministry School is in order.

When you want to try to hold a conversation, or you discover the needed social skills to do so, then I will take you up on your offer to discuss points with you. You know how to reach me - start a thread, and lets have a proper debate about all these points you claim you can "prove", or discuss. I'm more than happy to do so. I look forward to the day when you do so. However, I'm sure you will forgive me for not holding my breath. After all, I have a life.

Love to you and yours, MADJW

PP

723

The PERFECT Translation...for Churchoids!

by theMadJW in

http://www.themadjws.com/thercvbible.htm.

Paulapollos

Bohm,

I could never ask for a greater tribute than to have the self-styled "MadJW" refuse to either answer any points I make, or even refuse to engage, and instead resort to hs MO - childish name-calling. It's almost a seal of approval. Still as I said, he is....."unique"! Hope you are well Bohm?

PP

723

The PERFECT Translation...for Churchoids!

by theMadJW in

http://www.themadjws.com/thercvbible.htm.

Paulapollos

Hey thenoblelodge,

good to see you on here, I'll PM you later, to avoid hijacking MADJW's thread, lol

PP

723

The PERFECT Translation...for Churchoids!

by theMadJW in

http://www.themadjws.com/thercvbible.htm.

Paulapollos

Dear MadJW,

Thank you for clearing up for me what you are actually trying to say. Now I seem to understand. Reading your past posts, you seem to accept that JW's teach as much “coprolite” as “Churchianity”, whatever that is.

So I thought, I would post a tribute in honour of you, and your 40+ years of wisdom.

You see, I have to tell the truth. Every time I see one of your posts, I find myself reading it, even though I know I shouldn't. It made me think – why do I find your posts so compelling, simultaneously nauseating yet fascinating? How is it that, despite the fact your comments demonstrate a complete lack of even rudimentary knowledge regarding the Bible, history, sociology, or indeed any other relevant subject - along with staggering ignorance and lack of good manners, which bewilders even me – how is it that I still read your posts?

I realised, it is much like a gangrenous leg. Each day, even though you know that if you peel back the bandages, all you will find is more pungent putrefaction, you simply have to have a look, to find what fresh terrors the infection has worked. And so it is with your posts. I have to read them, chock-full as they are with bumbling blatherings, random ramblings, and inane babbling. Indeed, as you opine your "scholarly" Watchtower wisdom to the board, I must admit your disarticulated ditherings often provoke a chuckle from me. Whatever else posters of this board may have rightly or wrongly observed about certain traits you may lack (reason, knowledge, coherence, style, forethought, clarity, mental stability, and perhaps even sanity) let none accuse you of lacking the ability to provoke incredulous laughter and disbelief as you demonstrate your “unique gifts” on the many and varied subjects you hold forth on.

Wading through your blog, with its' sickeningly self-glorifying back-slapping, and forced bonhomie from your chums, or followers, I could not help but notice the recurring self-declared idea, amidst all the waffle, that you are somewhat like Elijah, mocking false worshippers. And so, as your grand self-delusion continues and your ego-stroking prophetic fulfilment waxes, I can foresee that the only “logical” next-step in your thought world is for you to follow the example of Saul:

“ . 24 An d he also proceeded to strip off his garments and behave, he also, like a prophet before Samuel, and he lay fallen naked all that day and all that night. That is why they came to say: “Is Saul also among the prophets?”

As such, I'm sure you can forgive me as I thank Jehovah that I am a continent away, and there is an ocean obscuring my view.

So, as I sit here with some wine, in the sunny summer afternoon here in the UK, I raise my glass and salute you sir, and pass on my greetings to both you and any other unfortunate soul unlucky enough to inhabit the world of, Kingdom Hall of, immediate vicinity of, or indeed same continent as, the self-styled and certainly appropriately named “MadJW”.

PP

16

hated guilt-tripping expressions

by nancy drew in

i always hated when some idiot got up on stage & said "we all have the same amount of hours in the day" than pull a pioneer out of his hat who is a single mother w/kids who works & has a debiliting medical issue.

all designed to make everyone feel like somehow they're playing around & wasting time.

at the dc's or assemblies i also hated when for experiences they would drag up some 90 yr old pio in a wheelchair & some "brother" who works part time but somehow supports a family of 6 and their all pio's.. my thoughts were "what idiot thought this stuff would be encouraging" .

Paulapollos

MadSweeney,

that sounds very interesting. Do let me know some of the points you have come across.

Reading this thread and the point you mane makes me consider how the organisation have redefined the meaning of words such as "encourage", "slave", "discreet", "faithful", "evidently", the recent example of "generation", and of course, in this particualr context, "guilt".

Although the proverb says something like the "foolish make a derision of guilt, but there is agreement of among the upright ones", the WT have redefined the semantics of the phrase to indicate that it is ok to make JW's feel guilty about their service, or supposed lack thereof. A very dangerous and irresponsible thing - no wonder so many people find the experiences "discouraging".

PP

16

hated guilt-tripping expressions

by nancy drew in

i always hated when some idiot got up on stage & said "we all have the same amount of hours in the day" than pull a pioneer out of his hat who is a single mother w/kids who works & has a debiliting medical issue.

all designed to make everyone feel like somehow they're playing around & wasting time.

at the dc's or assemblies i also hated when for experiences they would drag up some 90 yr old pio in a wheelchair & some "brother" who works part time but somehow supports a family of 6 and their all pio's.. my thoughts were "what idiot thought this stuff would be encouraging" .

Paulapollos

"The Borg has redefined the word "encouraging" to mean "motivating toward obedience" when it doesn't mean anything of the sort. These parts are supposed to be "encouraging" in that the listener is supposed to feel DIScouraged about their current behavior and therefore motivated to conform to the expectations of the Borg."

excellent point madsweeney