Posts by Truthexplorer

67

WT SOCIETY IS WRONG ON BLOOD

by Vinny in

still not sure the jw's are wrong on blood?.

still not sure the jw's are wrong on blood?

Truthexplorer

I havent read this thread all the way thru, so I apologise for that, but I feel very strongly about the blood issue after having gone thru a personal experience with my own child.

I currently attend meetings, and try my best to earnestly follow what is clearly defined in the bible, and not mens ambiguous interpretations. You are absolutely correct in pointing out that Jesus said 'I want mercy and not sacrifice'. I have made it crystal clear to my wife that I will avoid blood unless it is a life threatening situation (which is the common sense position we both took when our child was having a serious operation some years ago; thank God for the award of court legislation in this country!!). In fact I told my wife that I will be writing up my own version of a blood card soon.

The issue of blood should be a matter of an individuals personal conscience, without the cruel man made threat of being disfellowshipped hanging over them. Yes there are blood substitutes such as blood volume expanders and cell saver machines etc..which I absolutely agree should be tried first and foremost. I have no issue with that. But to then tie surgeons hands behind their backs by refusing blood completetly (even as a last resort is absolute madness!!)- it is brainwashing gone wrong.

To simply stand by and watch a loved one die when there is that slight chance that their life could be saved by a blood transfusion (but only to be taken as a last resort when everything else has been tried first) is unbeleivable. I love YHWH and will always do what I believe to be right and common sense is one of them, particularly where scriptural teachings arent absolutely clear.

If there are any sisters (in particular) lurking on this site. I urge you to make your own decisions as to what your conscience is telling you to do, particularly when facing situations such as child birth. Use your common sense (ie to only accept a transfusion as a very very last resort). Speak to your surgeon beforehand about it and explain very clearly that you would rather avoid blood if at all possible, but will only accept a transfusion if there is a serious threat to your life. Most of the time, blood isn't needed anyway.

The blood policy has been changed over the years by the society and I suggest you read the AJWRB site to get a better understanding of the issue. This incredible man made policy will not affect your relationship with God; why, because Jehovah (YHWH) is full of grace and mercy and knows your heart.

Of course, I mentioned that such decisions should be a matter for a persons own conscience and if a person chooses to avoid blood completetly, I respect what that person chooses to do. All I would urge is that you think it through carefully. Read what medical proffessionals also have to say on the subject and then make an informed decision. I have done this and have experienced first hand what it is like to be faced with such a situation, long before I did any serious reading into it. It was only from that experience that I began to question the societies policy on blood and gradually made a clear decision with regard to what I would do if facing such an issue in future. I dont feel my relationship with YHWH is any less strong, in fact I have never felt stronger in my relationship toward God.

Thanks for reading this post.

TE

310

Mill Hill Disfellowshippings

by BorgHater in

jw
friends

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.

Truthexplorer

Paulapollos

Did you know David and Sylvia Gibson. It has been years since I visited Bethel and wondered wher they are now. Also Carl Snaith - does he ring a bell?

podobear

'Indeed, whether Christ calls his own to serve at his side or to enjoy eternal (but not immortal) life on Earth in flesh and blood: Should not ALL partake of his flesh and blood as part of a GLOBAL Kingdom Arrangement. Actually, the way JW's explain things supports that very idea: One hope, just different destinies. Only those who are not worthy, Paul says, should not partake. What exactly does that mean, then?'

If you read 1 Cor chapter 11 from verse 17 onwards, you will find your answer (look at the KJV or NIV). The thing that is so strikingly obvious is that there appeared to be individuals who were partaking of the Lords evening meal disrepectfully; ie they were thinking more about their own stomachs and even perhaps getting intoxicated vs 21. Effectively, some were making a mockery of the Lords evening meal and were bringing judgement on themselves. I have read this portion of scripture many times and looking at it in its context would explain what Paul was simply trying to convey....to remind Christians that it should be a respecful holy occasion and that they should be partaking in an honorable and respectful way. Hope this has been helpful.

TE

22

Out of Left Field...Strange things you were told by elders

by FollowerOfSet in

jw
friends

just curious if the crazy was limited to my town or not.. i remember and elder, during a talk about everyone being resurrected that it included all the babies that had miscarried or were aborted, because the big j knew what their hearts were.

after the meeting, he was telling a couple of us how it also disturbed him that his wife would have to carry someone elses babies and he would be raising someone elses children.. another elder said that we would colonize other planets, and that since the bible never said the big j didn't make other inhabited worlds that there was a whole universe of planets to colonize after armageddon.. anyone else hear crazy crap like this?.

Truthexplorer

Elder to me after a meeting (I was studying at the time):

er eh well..we er eh you know dont eh tend to er grow beards in the the truth, so eh you know we try to discourage this..eh no offence..its just that we er want to display a clean image (chuckle chuckle/HEARTY LAUGH)... hope you er understand as some ..well you know... might be stumbled to see brothers eh well unshaved like.

Naive me thinking it was scriptural: oh sorry brother, I didnt realise it was wrong to have a beard. Yes, i'll get rid of it.... (which I promptly did )

20

Just read Crisis of Conscience - Malawi/Mexico double standard

by jambon1 in

jw
friends

all i can say is - wow.

what a bunch of absolutely hypocritical, double tongued shithouses the governing body really are.. reading the letters to & from the different branches/governing body on 'alternative service' made me so angry.. an organisation that is utterly rotten from the top down.

these men have blood on their hands.. filth!.

Truthexplorer

I read C of C edition 3 some years back and just remember turning each page thinking...I knew it...I just knew it. The fact that they were prepared to overlook what the mexican brothers were doing and even encouraging it simply astonished me. Brooklyns biggest concern was $$$$$ and how to hang on to it.

Even the fact that the Brothers werent allowed to pray or sing at meetings as this could give them away as being a religion was unbeleivable. Absolutely shocking. Clearly $$$$$ before God in this situation.

Maybe you can highlight some more nuggets and jaw dropping moments from the book Jambon 1. It is good to be reminded.

TE

34

Elders who step down for little or no reason?

by Truthexplorer in

jw
friends

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?

Truthexplorer

Simon Morley,

you have a good point there, in that the R&F can be more biased toward certain elders. In my Cong, there is a central core of individulas who I tend to refer to as the 'holier than thou class'- ie the over x amount of hours and you are in club. They clamber and fuss around one particular elder who I have to say is a living miracle. I have probably spoken to the guy about 3 times in the past 8 years (and that is just to say hello whilst he briskly walks past me - a prime example of an outwardly loving Christian elder ). I cant help but admire his skills at body swerving people such as me, and yet draw so much admiration.

The 2 elders who stepped down in other halls were what I assumed as being steadfast, unshakable. So it was a shock that these two stepped down (within the last 2 years). One of them is married with no kids. The other is married with a late teenage son. So I was kind of mistified as to the reasons why. The Mrs usually finds out the goss quickly, but not this time .

TE

34

Elders who step down for little or no reason?

by Truthexplorer in

jw
friends

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?

Truthexplorer

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

34

Elders who step down for little or no reason?

by Truthexplorer in

jw
friends

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?

Truthexplorer

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

6

Just watched JW programme on Genesis TV with Dave Brown

by sacdfan in

jw
friends

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.

Truthexplorer

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

2

Parallels to Galations 4:17

by Truthexplorer in

jw
friends

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).

Truthexplorer

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

15

Did you start out as a "Reformer"?

by lepermessiah in

jw
friends

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.

Truthexplorer

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