Thanks for all replies,
When I meanT stepping down for now apparent reason, I was meaning how it may have a appeared to the R&F within the cong or to those who knew the elder well; and therefore may have come as a bit of a shock to some.
TE
within the past decade, two elders stepped down in my old congregation.
actually one was taken off for commiting adultery and therefore reproved, but the other one simply stepped down for no apparent reason.
also, in another congregation i used to attend for a short time, i was shocked to hear of another elder stepping down, again for no apparent reason.. i am wondering if there has been an increase in the number of elders stepping down for no obvious reason and to see if this is a worrying trend causing alarm for the society.. i am thinking the past 10 years, particularly with the internet being available to so many people around the world today; but have you experienced many elders stepping down in your congregation or past congregation?
Thanks for all replies,
When I meanT stepping down for now apparent reason, I was meaning how it may have a appeared to the R&F within the cong or to those who knew the elder well; and therefore may have come as a bit of a shock to some.
TE
within the past decade, two elders stepped down in my old congregation.
actually one was taken off for commiting adultery and therefore reproved, but the other one simply stepped down for no apparent reason.
also, in another congregation i used to attend for a short time, i was shocked to hear of another elder stepping down, again for no apparent reason.. i am wondering if there has been an increase in the number of elders stepping down for no obvious reason and to see if this is a worrying trend causing alarm for the society.. i am thinking the past 10 years, particularly with the internet being available to so many people around the world today; but have you experienced many elders stepping down in your congregation or past congregation?
Within the past decade, two elders stepped down in my old Congregation. Actually one was taken off for commiting adultery and therefore reproved, but the other one simply stepped down for no apparent reason. Also, in another Congregation I used to attend for a short time, I was shocked to hear of another elder stepping down, again for no apparent reason.
I am wondering if there has been an increase in the number of elders stepping down for no obvious reason and to see if this is a worrying trend causing alarm for the society.
I am thinking the past 10 years, particularly with the internet being available to so many people around the world today; but have you experienced many elders stepping down in your Congregation or past Congregation? Were you shocked when you heard that Bro so and so stepped down?
It would be interesting to see the response.
TE
someone on the 'mill hill disfellowshippings' thread suggested we make a new thread for the genesis prog and, being the obedient little soul that i am, i have done just that!.
i have just watched the repeat on genesis this afternoon.
i had just been to a meeting (just to keep up appearances) and i feigned extreme tiredness to wriggle out of going on the ministry so i could come home to watch it.. it was very interesting - i could identify with much of what dave said.
I watched half of the Dave Brown interview last night and found it to be edge of the seat viewing. I could relate to much of what he said, particularly having gone through a similiar situation regarding the issue of blood. I am looking forward to watching the rest of the programme tonight.
TE
in my daily reading of the kjv bible, i came across the scripture at gal 4:17.. in reading in context, it would appear that anyone who did not agree with the galation congregation and their teachings would be excluded.
apparently there were a number of infuential individuals who were harking back to the mosaic law and that christians in that congregation were to fall in line otherwise they were out on their ear (excluded); - a my way or the highway attitude that seemed to be manifesting itself, something that paul was trying to address.. it is incredible to think that this very thing is happening throughout the congregations of jehovahs witnesses worlwide today...ie you must accept without question the societies teachings and interpretation of scripture for fear of being excluded (disfellowshipped).
the fear of being excluded prevents many from pursuing truth because you will be perceived to be an enemy just as paul was viewed by some of these influential ones within the galatian congregation (gal 4:16).
In my daily reading of the KJV bible, I came across the scripture at Gal 4:17.
In reading in context, it would appear that anyone who did not agree with the Galation congregation and their teachings would be excluded. Apparently there were a number of infuential individuals who were harking back to the mosaic law and that Christians in that congregation were to fall in line otherwise they were out on their ear (excluded); - a my way or the highway attitude that seemed to be manifesting itself, something that Paul was trying to address.
It is incredible to think that this very thing is happening throughout the Congregations of Jehovahs Witnesses worlwide today...ie you must accept without question the societies teachings and interpretation of scripture for fear of being excluded (disfellowshipped). The fear of being excluded prevents many from pursuing truth because you will be perceived to be an enemy just as Paul was viewed by some of these influential ones within the Galatian Congregation (Gal 4:16). We are unable to talk openly as to what we consider to be truths, but rather continue to tow the line by slaving for the WT Org, a form of zeal that is only acceptable to them.
Can anyone else see the parallels?
TE
how many of you started out down this road as someone who knew there were lots of problems and holes in the doctrine of the religion but wanted to be "part of the solution" as what i would call a "reformer"?.
for a long time, i wanted to be an outstanding elder since i thought so many of them were @$$holes, but i found out after a while the majority of the good ones are chewed up and spitten out in the organization.the others who start out with the right motives either fall in line or get run over.. unfortunately, i kept that delusion up for many years - and just about killed myself doing it.
thats when the light went on and i finally figured out why i was so miserable doing it - it was all for naught - you cant change it.
Mad sweeney
'I feel like I'm on a fast track to DF though. I can barely stand the meetings and can hardly keep my disdain from bursting out whenever I'm around any of the people from the KH'.
I am in a very similiar position, if not worse. Already I am expressing my views to friends and family. My wife says all I ever do is say negative things about the society. I often tell JW friends about where the society are wrong. I have sensed for some time now that the elders view me with suspicion, and some very obviously body swerve me at the hall. I believe things will be coming to a head soon, but am now at a stage where I just dont care any more. I will probably end up fading again for my own state of mind and to avoid the heartache of being DF'd if possible.
How on earth did I ever manage to get mixed up in this mind controlling group!!!!
TE
i'm new here and probably missed the latest discussion of the beard topic.
what's the latest on beards in jw society?
i'm 2 weeks into a beard and just got to wondering about it.
I remember a meeting about 8 moths ago, where the WT touched on grooming. One of the elders pointed out how special shavers are now advertised that allow men to design their stubble in a certain way as it is meant to look cool; but that christians want to avoid such fashions as we dont want to appear scruffy land unshaven looking when at meetings.
What a joke!! control, control, control
i'm new here and probably missed the latest discussion of the beard topic.
what's the latest on beards in jw society?
i'm 2 weeks into a beard and just got to wondering about it.
Poor Charles Taze Russell, I can only imagine the looks he will get when he is ressurected
<!-- @page { margin: 0.79in } p { margin-bottom: 0.08in } --> .
my name is o`mar p. clark.
i was born and raised a jw.
er...........eh.........I guess eggs are good for you
from jw.org, here is the new definition of the generation from the april 15, 2010 watchtower.. .
article: holy spirits role in the outworking of jehovahs purpose.
13 third, holy spirit is at work in bringing bible.
I am still in the process of writing up my letter to the society (9 pages so far- will be an anonymous email with part of my name and an old address from when I was a child to ensure they read it. Of course with an explanation at the end as to explain the reason why I need to remain anonymous) and will be including this laughable teaching that seems to change like the weather. I will have to wait till I receive the WT first though, and just need to be patient.
By the way, I asked the missus when the April WT was coming out. She was asking why I wanted to know this as she knows I look up forums on the net (something she would never do -not to my knowledge anyway) I just said er I think there will be new light on the generation change again!! She just looked at me with her semi disaproval stare as usual. But, she will soon be reading this nonsense for herself .
TE
a few months ago there was a thread about a couple of elders at the mill hill bethel being disfellowshipped because they disagreed with some wt doctrine (i can't recall exactly what it was) and that several other betheliteswere under 'investigation'.
i haven't heard anything since, does anyone know anything more about this?.
borghater xx.
Paulapollos,
I have just done my usual nightly scan of active topics that catch my eye and have to say I am astonished at what has happened in London. I went to Mill Hill Bethel a couple of times as had been invited there by the couple who studied with myself and my sister.
You might not think it, but you were very courageous to stand up for what you believed. I wish I had that same courage. I guess fear of being disfellowshipped and then shunned is the main factor why thousands of people like myself are trapped in an organisation that exerts so much control in our lives, which I am sure you will be aware of.
Strangely enough tonight I spoke to my wife about the context of 1 cor 11:18-34 (I daily study the bible and hardly read the WTbts publications anymore). I explained in great detail to my wife the context of this portion of scripture which I am sure you are very well aware off. This portion of scripture explains itself; yet the society have twisted it to teach that only the holy ones are to partake of the emblems (because Jesus is only mediator to the 144000 of course)
For years I have believed that Christ is mediator to all who choose to follow him as clearly mentioned in scripture; and am increasingly finding it more and more offensive the societies teaching that Jesus is mediator to the 144000 only.
Funnily enough, as I was speaking to her, I was very expressive and almost showing zeal for what I was trying to explain. The society have got this very wrong and am sure that they are struggling with this teaching, particularly in light of their latest change (yet again) in their teaching of 'this generation' which will be brought out in the April WT this year (if the source is correct).
I wish I had the same courage as you and the others involved. I wish you all the best in your new path in life, and pray that the the Holy Spirit continue to guide you into real Godly truth.
Take care
TE