Posts by miseryloveselders

2

Honduras plane crash - So much for divine protection

by JWinprotest in

not sure if anyone has started a thread on this.

here's an article on the plane crash in honduras.

the article mentions that the man from toronto that died moved to honduras along with his wife two years ago and joined other jehovah's witnesses to teach bible studies.. when tragedies fall on those leading immoral lives they are very quick to point out that perhaps it was a result of losing god's divine protection.

miseryloveselders

There's no mention of airplanes in the scriptures, so obviously traveling by means of such isn't approved of by God.

11

Misapplication of Philippians 3:7-8?

by dontplaceliterature in

philippians 3:7-8 is often quoted from the platform, and in watchtower literature as applied to material possessions and "worldly" gain.

i distinctly remember it being quoted in the young people ask video where the young boy's grandmother was trying to discourage him from being a track star.. however, when reading the scripture last night, i got the impression that paul wasn't talking about those things at all.

he was of course talking to jew's here.

miseryloveselders

Good thread, DPL. I've always looked at these verses, and really this entire chapter as Paul admonishing the Philippians to have a balanced approach towards their physical needs, physical wants or desires, and their spiritual necessities. I'm under the impression that materially speaking they weren't doing too bad for themselves in Phillipi. Considering our current climate of materialism and showboating in this country, we're all familiar with "keeping up with the Joneses." I believe Paul was emphasizing to those Christians then that as followers of Christ, they shouldn't place too much emphasis on material possesions or prominence due to whatever their circumstances. Whether that be material prosperity, social standing, family ties, or a host of other reasons that people take too much pride in. So Paul used his own background which prior to his conversion to Christianity, his background carried some signficant weight. But he considered his so-called prestigious background as nothing compared to his new found life in Christ. In verse 8 he stated that he, "considered everything a loss", even at one point calling them "garbage." The reason being was that he considered "knowing Christ" as "surpassing wealth" in comparison to his previous so called accomplishments and background.

I've always liked the latter part of that chapter, especially considering how materialism is promoted in this country. Verses 18-21 should move Christians to shame if they have materialistic ambitions. Paul called them "enemies of the Christ" in verse 18. Verse 19 he explains why, "their god is their stomach, their glory is in their shame, and they have their minds set upon earthly things." Those people he was referring to were influencing the early church/congregation in forsaking their following Christ. These people had a heavenly hope, to be with Christ, but were willing to waste that oppurtunity for the temporary pleasures found on the earth. We see the same thing today, so called Christians who claim to love the Lord, but their pursuits in life prove themselves contrary to that claim.

I agree with you on that DVD being unbalanced. The problem I have with the WT's application of these verses, is they view anything that doesn't involve them as being for worldy gain. The question of how much is too much is an individual question that each one of us has to ask ourselves. Its not to be dictated by another individual or a group of old white men with a token black in New York and the lackies that brown-nose them in the Writing and Teaching departments. Let the WT tell it, everybody who goes to college is looking to be wealthy or have prominence. Those boys in Bethel really need to step out from behind their glass structures and come out in the real world and see how life really is. That DVD was proposterous, and irresponsible considering that they were promoting that to young people. I'm glad to see that older JWs are subtly encouraging youth not to make the same mistakes they made forgoing education or neglecting the need to plan for their future in consideration that its a real possibility that they will die in "this system of things."

64

Why I Eventually Left

by itscrap&theyknowit! in

jw
friends

i am new to this but, for years, i was already out.

don't know where to start.

as i have read the many posting, i'm not alone in my feelings.

miseryloveselders

By the way, your choice of a screen name is classic, Its Crap & They Know It! , so true, so very true.

7

Miseryloveselder, you are too funny.

by Joliette in

jw
friends

miseryloveselders

Its crazy reading that post Syl, as I barely remember posting it. I've always tried to be as honest as my anonymity will allow me on this forum. Its therapeutic for me to get these things off of my chest. In some cases, I regret certain things I've posted as I have a difficult time accepting that for if even a moment certain emotions have resided deep within my heart, and that it took alcohol or a pill to open me up. At the same time, I have to share these thoughts with someone. Plus I want others to know, lurkers in particular that they're not the only one who's having a hard time in this organization. The times I was lurking and struggling trying to put it all together was hell, but posters on here made it easier to get by, and there's too many to name, but I appreciate each and every one of them. I don't like reading things I've posted as quite frankly it scares and embareses me somewhat. I have to say its amazing seeing where I've been, and where I am now. I would have called you crazy if 5 years ago you would have pegged me for a budding apostate. Amazing what ungodly anonymous men in Bethel can do to someone, simply amazing.

Jol, I'm glad you liked that, I love Boondocks too. The Booty Warrior was a trip. The real Booty Warrior on MSNBC Lockup is a scary dude for real.

64

Why I Eventually Left

by itscrap&theyknowit! in

jw
friends

i am new to this but, for years, i was already out.

don't know where to start.

as i have read the many posting, i'm not alone in my feelings.

miseryloveselders

Wow, welcome to the board. Great opening post by the way, nothing like some good ol fashioned anger and frustration. Sorry you went through all that crap, but glad you're looking and feeling better now. That post reminded me of the old Maxell commercials with the guy in the chair getting blown away. Very intense post, I felt the need to hold onto something.

74

CO's putting the screws on elder bodies, and ministerial servants to auxilliary pioneer this April.

by miseryloveselders in

jw
friends

i have such a love/hate, 50/50 relationship with this organization any more, but a letter was read to the elders and ministerial servants that has pushed me to the 30/70 range in favor of hate, if even momentarily.

most of you if not all are aware of the auxilliary pioneering initiative for this upcoming april.

it's no secret that i'm not real fond of pioneering as its unscriptural for one thing.

miseryloveselders

MLE, do you worry that they'll ask you to step down as an elder if you fail to enrol? Does that worry you? It's always great on this board hearing your insights as an elder, but wouldn't it lessen your misery?

No, I'm not concerned about that. They wouldn't have sufficient grounds to do so. Nobody on that body is dynamic enough to get at me in that fashion anyways. Not saying they're spineless, but they don't want to deal with controversy, and neither do I. Besides, I'm positive that there will be at least a few other elders, and servants that aren't going to do this either. Now my current CO, that's possibly a different story. I have a feeling that come his next visit, him and I are going to have a problem. Its too early to tell at this time, but during his last visit, we were pretty distant. Granted I don't bother to get too close with people anyway, but this was different as I feel that he slighted me. I can't go into details at this time, maybe in the future, but I don't really care for this guy. I didn't even bother meeting his wife, don't know her name, and don't care either. She might as well be a woman who keyed my car, as I have no warm feelings toward her. By her being married to him, as the brother who threatened us at the KM School for Elders put it, she's "culpable."

It's going to be interesting how him and I will get along his next visit. I'm thinking about returning the favor to him by going on vacation during his next visit, as he has a problem with brothers who do that during his scheduled visit. Going on vacation may be a way for me to say "eff you", without actually having to verbalize it. We'll see, time will tell. To be fair, the problem may be more on my side as since my awakening, I've got a real problem with brothers and sisters who don't work and make their living off of the contributions of working people. You Bethel monitors, if you're reading this, do me a favor, report to your superiors that Misery said, "Get a job and stop mooching in the name of Jehovah."

By the way, I'm not miserable, although I was when I picked that screen name, and was for several month afterwards too. It was hell to say the least trying to rationalize all that I've learned here with the reality of my family situation. Things are a lot better now since I've been able to put things in perspective and take a more balanced approach to it all. Not saying I'm ecstatic with joy over life, but I'm not miserable either. Life as it is, is doable. I just wish I hadda come across all this information before I got baptized. I could have avoided a whole lot of unneccesary stress and nonsense.

17

Have you written a letter to the GB?

by trevorbv in

jw
friends

have you ever written a letter to the wtbts asking questions?

who did you address the letter to?

who reads them?

miseryloveselders

LeavingWT, clarify this...."While at Bethel, the leadership made it perfectly clear where we could stuff our opinions." How did they do that?

17

Have you written a letter to the GB?

by trevorbv in

jw
friends

have you ever written a letter to the wtbts asking questions?

who did you address the letter to?

who reads them?

miseryloveselders

Sir82, its sad when you really think about it right. Expecting a legitimate response from the GB via letter is like expecting a check in the mail after a Nigerian informs you over the phone that today is your lucky day.

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