Fernando

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Posts by Fernando

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  56

  A fresh start

  by FormerlySandL in

  1. jw
  2. experiences

  after the worst introduction i could ever make on the forum i would like to reintroduce myself and make a fresh start on the forum and hopefully over time i will be able to redeem myself.

  i have changed my user name which was over dramatic and ridiculous in the cold light of day but for transparency and to show i am not trying to hide anything i have adapted the original name and it now has a more positive feel.

  after reading a lot of posts on this forum i am feeling more optimistic about my future.

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  Fernando

  Welcome FSNL.

  It is a process.

  It will get better.

  Best wishes as you take a deep breath, relax and process...

  Fernando
  
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  75

  Evolution and Atheism - please help

  by Fernando in

  1. watchtower
  2. beliefs

  not being familiar with either, my question is:.

  what is the relationship between evolution and atheism?.

  i'd love to hear from anyone and everyone, and also from any perspective.. without limiting the conversation in any way, i would of course also appreciate comments that are simple, clear, direct and correct (as i don't have the capacity to do a phd in evolution or atheism)..

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  Fernando

  Thank you all for a civilised discussion and for sharing your insights.

  I was going to ask what proportion of atheists reject evolution, however Saintbertholdt beat me to it with his concise answer.
  
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  21

  Thoughts during the meeting today

  by stephanie61092 in

  1. jw
  2. experiences

  while i'm politely sitting during the meeting today, restraining myself from rolling my eyes as the brother drones on about how "having an independent spirit is devilish in nature" and "independence from gods organization only results in pain and strife", i only have one thought going through my mind over and over.

  "what would happen if i pulled out a gun and blew my brains out in this kingdom hall?".

  would anyone notice or care?

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  Fernando

  Dear Stephanie

  Awakening to TATT is painful.

  Getting through the initial turbulence as intact as possible is crucial - a good (talking) therapist is invaluable.

  There are a number of phases in this process.

  For example grief and anger.

  I pray you make it to the revenge phase with all guns blazing so to speak.

  The best revenge on a miserable controlling cult is to live a full, successful, happy and moral life without any of their "help".

  You can and will eventually get to this exciting and fun phase.

  Your life will be better than you could ever have imagined.

  You are free after all.

  The possibilities are awesome.

  Best wishes on the journey to a great future.

  Fernando
  

  PS - Oh and you no longer have to depend on a rabid cult for a cultist as a life partner...
  
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  75

  Evolution and Atheism - please help

  by Fernando in

  1. watchtower
  2. beliefs

  not being familiar with either, my question is:.

  what is the relationship between evolution and atheism?.

  i'd love to hear from anyone and everyone, and also from any perspective.. without limiting the conversation in any way, i would of course also appreciate comments that are simple, clear, direct and correct (as i don't have the capacity to do a phd in evolution or atheism)..

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  Fernando

  Thank you to all you kind folk for your inputs.

  The picture is getting clearer.

  I particularly like Finkelstein's concise summary.
  

  For those whose insights into evolution led them to atheism, I would like to learn more about the stepping stones on the journey.
  
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  475

  What is the alternative to JW?

  by Formerbrother in

  1. watchtower
  2. beliefs

  i mean this with all due respect, i would like to hear from genuine people who think jw have it wrong and then what is the truth?.

  im not talking about silly little quibbles here and there.. is jehovah real?

  the the bible is word?

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  Fernando

  "What point are you making?"

  This:

  Formerbrother, please can you explain the Good News according to Paul from your heart, without missing any key aspects?

  (Especially what we must do to have a right and clean standing with God)
  
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  75

  Evolution and Atheism - please help

  by Fernando in

  1. watchtower
  2. beliefs

  not being familiar with either, my question is:.

  what is the relationship between evolution and atheism?.

  i'd love to hear from anyone and everyone, and also from any perspective.. without limiting the conversation in any way, i would of course also appreciate comments that are simple, clear, direct and correct (as i don't have the capacity to do a phd in evolution or atheism)..

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  Fernando

  Not being familiar with either, my question is:

  What is the relationship between evolution and atheism?

  I'd love to hear from anyone and everyone, and also from any perspective.

  Without limiting the conversation in any way, I would of course also appreciate comments that are simple, clear, direct and correct (as I don't have the capacity to do a PhD in evolution or atheism).
  
• 
  475

  What is the alternative to JW?

  by Formerbrother in

  1. watchtower
  2. beliefs

  i mean this with all due respect, i would like to hear from genuine people who think jw have it wrong and then what is the truth?.

  im not talking about silly little quibbles here and there.. is jehovah real?

  the the bible is word?

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  Fernando

  Dear Formerbrother

  In my experience, all the answers we seek are wrapped up in the priceless gospel message - aka "the truth of the good news".

  If someone is unable to explain the "good news" according to Paul (and Moses, Isaiah, and Psalms) how can they claim that the "good news" is in their heart and on their lips?
  
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  23

  Where do I start telling a psychologist about the mental trauma I feel as a fading jw?

  by Simple Minds in

  1. watchtower
  2. medical

  i am on a pension, so i could not afford to pay for a psychologist, but my good doctor referred me to a free clinic for people on a low income, for my anxiety and depression, so i have finally got my first appointment with a psychologist since i started my fade, so where do i start trying to explain the mental trauma i feel as a fading jw?

  i would appreciate your advice.

  simple .

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  Fernando

  A lot depends on the Psychologist's personality, personal experience, and capacity.

  They are human and vary greatly.

  Rather than guessing it is better to meet the Psychologist at least once and decide how you feel about them.
  

  A Psychologist with personal experience of leaving a cult and experiencing PTSD could be a big help.
  
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  13

  SEVEN Types Of Women Pastors Should Watch Out For In Ministry!

  by darth frosty in

  1. jw
  2. friends

  i found this to be interesting especially #6. seven types of women pastors should watch out for in ministry!.

  january 19, 2016 26 comments.

  “for the lips of an adulteress drip honey, and smoother than oil is her speech.” (proverbs 4:3).

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  Fernando

  How ironic that conservative religious moralism fuels (rather than abates) immorality...
  
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  21

  Need help compiling a list of the latest changes in doctrine and practices

  by jwfacts in

  1. watchtower
  2. beliefs

  i have former jws looking at jwfacts.com in order to update themselves with what is happening with the religion, so that they can better understand their jw family.

  it thought it would help if there was a page devoted to what has changed since 2000. .

  2012 oct release of jw.org - jws encouraged to download their own publications and use ipads at meetings and field service.

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  Fernando

  The Watchtower has deprecated the "good news about Jesus Christ" and hidden it behind the "good news about the Kingdom" for many decades, with few able to call them out on it (Acts 8:12).

  It is really quite odd that they were able to pull this off for so long since more than half the bible's roughly 152 references to "good news" are by Paul and yet he never once uses the word "kingdom" in the same sentence!
  

  This deceptive slight of hand was exposed forcing a surreptitious but major turnaround in 2011:

  *** w11 6/15 p. 7 par. 3 There Is Good News That All Need ***
  Could it be, though, that we might give little attention to a key aspect of the good news that people need? In the letter to the Romans, the apostle Paul used the word “kingdom” only once, but he used the expression “good news” 12 times. (Read Romans 14:17.) What aspect of the good news did Paul refer to so often in that book? Why is that particular good news vital? And why should we keep it in mind as we preach “the good news of God” to people in our territory?

  *** w11 6/15 p. 11 par. 21 There Is Good News That All Need ***
  How rewarding it is to help honesthearted ones to understand the good news mentioned repeatedly in the book of Romans, the good news that “is, in fact, God’s power for salvation to everyone having faith.”