They love rehashing Heb 10:24, 25 at least twice a month. Sometimes they do Rom 1:11, 12. What I get a kick of out of those verses is Paul is writing a personal letter to the Christians in those areas. He told the Hebrews that they need to get together for several reasons including encouragement and discussion of important matters. He told the Christians in Rome how much he missed them and how he longed to see them. The WTS has taken those verses and used them as if God commanded us to attend the Service Meeting, The Congregation Bible Study, The Theocratic Ministry School, The Public Talk, The WT Study, two Circuit assemblies (a 1 day, and 2 day), and one three day District Convention. Oh, almost forgot, the Circuit Overseer visits twice a year. During his visit, you'll have to go to the KH possibly 5 days within a 7 day week. None of its encouraging. It's the same information you heard the week before, and the week before that week. For Elders and Ministerial Servants who have to meet with the CO, he uses the same outline, he used the last time he visited six months ago. It's ridiculous. This is the only religion that has meetings about meetings. Meetings about meetings!!! WTF?!?!?
miseryloveselders
JoinedPosts by miseryloveselders
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9
Misery loves Company: The Meetings
by 5thGeneration inafter increased pressure from friends and family (many less than spiritual) to get back to the meetings recently, i started wondering how many of them are just plain pissed every time they're sitting in the kh thinking about you siting at home watching csi.. was just wondering about that angle.. 5th.
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110
Lakers or Celtics?
by minimus init's tied, 1 to 1. i'm with the green team over lala boys.
my prediction it'll be celtics in best out of 7..
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miseryloveselders
ARRRRRRGGGGGHHHHHH!!!!! Celtics won!!!! I was having a good night too!!! Now I'm irritated.
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The Writing Department's use of "Exclamation Points". Anybody else find their use cheesy? Or motivating possibly?
by miseryloveselders insomething i've been meaning to ask for a while since coming here, is wsup with the writing department's use of exclamation points?
i'm no literature buff or anything, but to me personally, the exclamation points cheapen whatever they're trying to get across.
here's some examples from the new jeremiah book.. how thankful we can be for the teaching done by christian shepherds!.
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miseryloveselders
Something I've been meaning to ask for a while since coming here, is wsup with the Writing Department's use of exclamation points? I'm no literature buff or anything, but to me personally, the exclamation points cheapen whatever they're trying to get across. Here's some examples from the new Jeremiah book.
How thankful we can be for the teaching done by Christian shepherds!
Think how this must have pleased Jeremiah!
Imagine how Jeremiah must have felt on learning of Josiah's death!
Did that make Jeremiah a failure? Far from it!
Did the prophet stop preaching because so many were apathetic to the message? On the contrary!
How easily one might start to minimize the wise, balanced advice from the faithful and discreet slave class about additional education and start to miss meetings!
What an impressive way for Jehovah to teach his people!
What a recomendation!
Yes, every faithful Christian today can learn from Jeremiah about choosing companions wisely!
Maybe I'm being petty, I don't know. Personally, it comes off like a really bad comic book. Think Batman on TV during the "Bam!" "Pow!" days. Did the exclamation points motivate you any? Did it make the articles more exciting? For any former Bethelites, anybody know where this style of writing originated? Who's template is this?
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Post a U-tube of your Favorite Songs from Music groups or Singers
by flipper in.
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http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=weiyggwt6no.
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What causes the authority complex the WTS has? Or even common JWs? What drives the need to control others?
by miseryloveselders inhttp://www.jehovahs-witness.net/jw/friends/194364/1/witnesses-cant-take-the-heat.
in the thread above, several posters made the point that if xjws could walk away from the religion without losing their family and close friends, then they wouldn't even bother worrying about the wts afterwards.
they would simply move on in life.
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miseryloveselders
Sir82 I felt like I was in the promised land while reading your post. Wow. I feel like reaching out.
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110
Lakers or Celtics?
by minimus init's tied, 1 to 1. i'm with the green team over lala boys.
my prediction it'll be celtics in best out of 7..
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miseryloveselders
Good for you CuriousButterfly!! Wish I could go. Are you going to be dressed like true Christians in dockers with a white dress shirt? You're not blowing off the meeting for this game are you? True Christians wish to avoid unnecessary recreational activities that may take away time from the spirtual banquet that only the Faithful and Discreet Slave can provide.
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New publications 2010
by jmbrasil innew publications of the congress of 2010, someone you know?.
books and brochures em pdf.
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miseryloveselders
Wow!!!! Ynot, just wow!! I'm wondering if they have something in the works regarding 607 vs 586/587. Like they have this calculated and planned, that when this chapter is done at the Congregation Bible Study, they'll have a WT article or letter defending 607. I'm just surprised they're sticking with their guns on this one. This would have been a oppurtunity to disregard the whole thing. Just quit mentioning it altogether. Rather, they went the opposite approach, highlighting 607. The conspiracy side of me is thinking there's apostates on the Writing Department hoping people will inadvertently reseach 607 and find it to be untrue.
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New publications 2010
by jmbrasil innew publications of the congress of 2010, someone you know?.
books and brochures em pdf.
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miseryloveselders
Thanks for the links Yknot.
Wanted to mention something, I don't know if anybody already touched on this, but on page 55 of that Jeremiah book, they're sticking with 607 BCE as the year Jerusalem was destroyed. So I guess any hopes of them dropping that, or 1914, would be false hope.
Archaeologist Eilat Mazar reports unearthing a small clay seal impression, or bulla. (below left)
It was found in 2005 during a supervised excavation of a layer dating back to when jerusalem was destroyed in 607 B.CE.
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110
Lakers or Celtics?
by minimus init's tied, 1 to 1. i'm with the green team over lala boys.
my prediction it'll be celtics in best out of 7..
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miseryloveselders
I love L.A! We love it! I love L.A! Yeah, I know that song sucks. But Kobe and Gasol, my my my.
Lakers up 2-1!!
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What causes the authority complex the WTS has? Or even common JWs? What drives the need to control others?
by miseryloveselders inhttp://www.jehovahs-witness.net/jw/friends/194364/1/witnesses-cant-take-the-heat.
in the thread above, several posters made the point that if xjws could walk away from the religion without losing their family and close friends, then they wouldn't even bother worrying about the wts afterwards.
they would simply move on in life.
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miseryloveselders
I wanted to say, I appreciate all your thoughts, and its reassuring to know I'm not the only one wondering what's behind the authority complex. It just doesn't make sense to me how a group of men can be so insecure. It's mind boggling. It would be fascinating if not for so many people having to make the tough choice of sacrificing their dignity and sanity, or their family and close friends.
I wanted to type something for lurkers, particulary those not associated with JWs who are curious about JW beliefs, and the JW mindset. This is taken from pages 94-95 of "Pay Attention to Yourselves and to All the Flock" book, which for those in the know, is the Elder's handbook. This page focuses Apostacy. Notice how the WTS does not allow anyone to disagree with their doctrines and consciously walk away from the organization without signifcant fallout. It really is emotional extortion.
Apostacy
Apostacy is a standing away from, a falling away, defection, rebellion, abandonment; it involves teaching false doctrines, supporting or promoting false religion and its holidays or interfaith activities. (Deat 13:13, 15; Josh 22:22, ftn,; Acts 21:21, ftn,; 2 Cor 6:14, 15, 17, 18; 2John 7, 9, 10; Rev 18:4)
Those with sincere doubts should be helped, dealt with mercifully. (Jude 22, 23; w82 9/1 pp.20-21; w80 8/1 pp.21-2)
Apostacy includes action taken against true worship of Jehovah or his established order among his dedicated people. (Jer. 17:13; 23:15; 28:15, 16; 2 Thess.2:9, 10)
Persons who delibeartely spread(stubbornly hold to and speak about) teachings contrary to Bible truth as taught by Jehovah's Witnesses are apostates.
If it is learned that a person has taken up association with another religious organization, the matter should be investigated, and if verified, a committee should be formed. If it is clearly established that the person has joined another religion and intends to remain with it, the elders would make a brief announcement to the congregation that such one has disassocatiated himself. (w86 10/15 p.31)
Working seculary for a false religious organization could put one in a position similar to that of one preaching false doctrine. (2 Cor.6:14-16)
Celebrating a false religious holiday would be similar to performing any other act of false worship. (Jer 7:16-19)
The Bible condemns the following: Causing divisions and promoting sects. This would be deliverate action disrupting the unity of the congregation or undermining the confidence of the brothers in Jehovah's arrangement. It may involve or lead to apostacy. (Rom. 16:17, 18; Titus 3:10, 11)
The practice of spiritism. (Deat. 18:9-13; 1 Cor. 10:21, 22; Gal. 5:20)
Idolatry. (1 Cor. 6:9, 10; 10:14) Idolatry includes the posession and use of images and pictures that are employed in false religion.
I wanted share this with you to show how people are effectively trapped within this religion. I'm not into religious symbols. I'm not looking to divide the brotherhood. I wouldn't know where to begin in celebrating a holiday. I'm not even 100% percent sure I would even join a church upon leaving JWs. I do know I would still live the life of a Christian even if I'm not a blood card carrying JW. However because I disagree with some of the debatable grayer doctrines the WTS holds onto without any tolerance for disagreement, myself and others are forced to make a touch choice. I can either keep my mouth shut and act as if I'm an exemplary JW. Or the alternative is to stand up for my dignity, and in the process lose my family and some close friends whom I dearly love. I just for the life of me cannot understand why the leaders in this organization put such a tremendous dilemma in front of their sheep. It just doesn't make sense.