Posts by Fernando

71

What is the main "idea" of the bible?

by KateWild in

as jws we were often told what the theme of the bible is, we were taught that it was the promised seed.. i was recently asked the question.... what is the main "idea" of the bible?.

for me the whole purpose of the bible is about control.

it features a god that punishes and rewards.

What is the main "idea" of the bible?

by KateWild in

as jws we were often told what the theme of the bible is, we were taught that it was the promised seed.. i was recently asked the question.... what is the main "idea" of the bible?.

for me the whole purpose of the bible is about control.

it features a god that punishes and rewards.

Fernando

I have come to conclude that the Bible can be interpreted within 4 very different frameworks, with very different outcomes.

Spiritual versus religious versus atheist versus agnostic.

When using a spiritual approach or framework this is what has emerged for me:

There is a protracted legal custody battle underway between our heavenly father (the God of Abraham) and our evil stepfather (the god of religion).

Our heavenly father has paid a ransom to get us back from our evil stepfather.

The details are hidden in plain sight throughout scripture in the form of a message "known" as the gospel, the Good News, the evangel, the good message, glad tidings, and the sacred secret.

A key aspect of this message is about setting us free from (religious and other forms of) control.

The Watchtower's message in contrast is about establishing the very control the gospel was designed to eradicate.

In particular that of a (spiritually blind, bureaucratic and authoritarian) ruling religious clergy class over a laity class.

15

Anyone know where to get support?

by Nosferatu in

jw
friends

i blew up and dumped my girlfriend on monday over a silly little thing.

it's been happening in pretty much every relationship i get involved in.

it never happened before my marriage.. during my marriage, i was alone almost all the time.

Fernando

Personally I would recommend seeing a good Psychologist well versed in CBT and psychotherapy (talking medicine).

Psychiatrists, I believe, are best avoided, unless you can find a progressive one who is well aligned to the work of the likes of George Engel, Peter Breggin, Thomas Szasz, Al Siebert, and Courtenay Harding.

The most meaningful and sustainable healing and transformation it seems comes from taking ownership and control as you are doing.

Best wishes.

Fernando

4

CONTROVERSIAL QUESTION: on women and spirituality

by Terry in

early christianity largely spread because of the viral nature of political expediency among pagan leaders, rulers and kings whose mothers, daughters and wives had accepted the christian faith.

the wife has the ear.

the wife has the influence.

Fernando

Maybe not exactly what you're after Terry, but I'll give it a crack, until the other half of the world wakes, at which time you may see scores of brilliant posts pouring in.

Women, I believe are generally more disposed to (promoting) natural spirituality.

Maybe this is because they are more community, compassion, people and collaboration oriented.

Men, I believe are generally more disposed to (promoting) religion, war, politics, exploitative commercialism, competition, supremacy and division.

Men, it seems to me, more easily fail to discern the spiritual dimension - the "hidden" realities behind the physical shadows.

Men, being low on sixth-sense or intuition (a key component of the human spirit) aggressively demand evidence that will satisfy the lower or base five senses.

4

CONTROVERSIAL QUESTION: on women and spirituality

by Terry in

early christianity largely spread because of the viral nature of political expediency among pagan leaders, rulers and kings whose mothers, daughters and wives had accepted the christian faith.

the wife has the ear.

the wife has the influence.

Fernando

In my personal experience, faith and spirituality are opposite and antithetical to religion.

54

Hello, I am new

by LillyC in

jw
friends

i am not a jehovah's witness but i am very interested, i have many questions and hope they can be answered here.. i do believe in god, privately.

i do say my prayers daily and do believe god helps me in countless ways.

but i don't go to any church.. i have always been impressed at how smart, polite and nice jehovah's witnesses are and i always make time to speak to them when they call at my door.

Fernando

Welcome LillyC!

If it is faith and spirituality you are interested in, these are not found in any religion, but via the liberating and healing "unabridged gospel" message, or full Good News, hidden in plain sight throughout scripture.

Doing plenty of your own reading, writing, thinking, reasoning and questioning is the way to grow and develop fully.

Various religions obstruct this natural process in varying degrees.

The Watchtower is one of the worst.

I'd be happy to recommend a number of empowering books, authors and approaches.

Greetings and blessings

Fernando

South East Queensland, Australia

16

Question

by Terry in

jw
friends

i'm writing a science-fiction novel which takes place on--where else?

it will contain allegorical allusions to the watch tower.. .

do you think you'd be interested in it if i publish it?.

Fernando

Certainly Terry.

16

Didnt I tell you that there is something wrong with this organization?

by exWTslave in

thats how my grand mother responded when all of our family members came out of jw organization, either by disassociation or by disfellowshipping.. when we all started studying with jws, my grandmother too was there, but she stopped the study when the discussion over the dead happened.

she told the study conductor: i am convinced that there is only life, but no death.

because when my husband died of heart attack, i was not shaken by the incident.

Fernando

exWTslave, please give your grandmother a great big hug from me.

Fernando

South East Queensland, Australia.

26

The Watchtower is under siege from inside and outside

by suavojr in

jw
friends

that is the reason the watchtower leaders are desperately trying to protect their indoctrinated supporters from being influenced by the critics.. it will get harder and harder to recruit in countries where the internet is easily accessible...the watchtower has no control over the public like it does the indoctrinated jws.

..any interested person can very easily google and learn the truth about the watchtower cult before a 'return visit' can be made.

although most jws would be afraid to go into 'apostate ' sites, more and more are waking up to the truth about the watchtower , their interest triggered by different reasons such as the child abuse cover up, the constantly changing doctrines,the downsizing etc.