Posts by Fernando

posted

29
Should I meet with the elders?
by winnie12 in
1. jw
2. experiences
so i posted my story somewhere on this board but long story short i have been expressing my doubts to my mom who is a jw.

i have been fading since december 2013 and went to a sunday meeting for the first time maybe two weeks ago.

i went only because i wanted to use the library that my hall has which had books published by the society from the early 1900's.
Fernando

It almost always ends badly.

You have begun to see things they are not ready to.

And they are always right no matter how wrong they are.

At any rate if you really must...

Never meet with more than one elder (3 is always a Judging Committee, no matter what lies they tell you to trick you into attending).

Only meet with this elder if he agrees to your mom being present, and that the purpose is for you to ask questions, and for him to provide satisfying answers.

Never allow him to ask questions and put you on the back foot and on the defensive.

Keep asking him to clarify and prove from scripture.
69
The Biggest Fear From The Watchtower Organization Is ???
by minimus in
1. jw
2. friends
i think the organization is worried most about how jws will stay loyal to their families even as it rejects the admonition of the gb and elders..
Fernando

Because the fear losing Control Of Jehovahs Witnesses "Every" Decision, as Outlaw said,

there is nothing they fear more than explicit focus on the liberating "unabridged gospel" of grace.

Even if studied only from the Watchtower library.
31
Once 'saved' always 'saved'.
by punkofnice in
1. watchtower
2. bible
in case i didn't mention it...i was born into the disgusting cult of the watchtower(r).. i left when i was as old as 50 and went to a baptist church, then when i moved house to anglican and finally to a pentecostal church.. i now do not believe in 'god' of any variety.

i do not believe because i see no obvious evidence for a 'god' and only see what people have made of 'god' in their delusions.. ok. so, the question: 'what if you're wrong?'.

well, i might be wrong about a lot but if qi and mythbusters taught me anything it's not to be so gullible mcfly!
Fernando

Being legally saved is a "free gift" that cannot be earned, deserved or paid for.

One imagines the only way to lose salvation granted on such generous terms is to actively reject it - like the Pharisees, who pursue a competing religious agenda and kingdom (fiefdom).

Salvation is a process that unfolds in stages:

I have been saved from the authority of Satan, sin (dysfunction), sickness, suffering and death.

I am being saved from the power of Satan, sin (dysfunction), sickness, suffering and death.

I will be saved from the presence of Satan, sin (dysfunction), sickness, suffering and death.
37
Why would Adam or Eve choose the tree of knowledge instead of the tree of life.
by smiddy in
1. watchtower
2. bible
please help me out here .. in genesis 2:16 it says " and jehovah god also laid this command upon the man: from every tree of the garden you may eat to satisfaction.

17 but as for the tree of the knowledge of good and bad you must not eat from it , for in the day you eat from it ,you will positively die.. ok we get that , but what about this ?.

wouldnt it make more sense to forbid the eating of the tree of life first ?
Fernando

I have come to conclude that the two trees represent religion versus the gospel, and the battle between them for the hearts and minds of men.
43
I could do with some help please?
by chrisuk in
1. watchtower
2. beliefs
so the elder i studied with called round last wednesday.

i didn't tell him i'd lost my faith, i just said there are a number of reasons i wouldn't be able to return to either my studies or the meetings.

he asked me whar 2 or 3 of my reasons are so we could discuss them.. my reply: 1 i think all christians should partake of the bread and wine.
Fernando

Personally and in hindsight, I believe they must be asked questions and provide answers - not the other way around.

Examples:

"Is legalism apostasy?"

"What is the opposite of legalism"?

Are you lead by Holy Spirit?

Are you a son of God?

How do you reconcile your answers with Romans 8:14?

If you are not a son of God, whom are you calling father?

What is the gospel in one word?

No, it is not Kingdom, Jesus or love. The gospel is not a government, person or fruit of the holy spirit.
7
We would love to see this news report go viral....
by Newly Enlightened in
1. watchtower
2. scandals
out of canada.. thank you cedars.. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qlchpt-pzby.
Fernando

I wonder how soon this couple would get results if they went in person to see (and persistently pester) as many of the employers, workmates and family members of the family who have taken their daughter from them.
1
Discernment and the Bearing Witness in Abuse Cases
by 4thgen in
1. watchtower
2. child-abuse
in accepting the name of being one of jehovahs witnesses, they agree to witness or bear testimony to the existence of jehovah and the truthfulness of the bible.

even though no one in this modern age has literally seen the act of creation or the god in the heavens, it is through the mental powers of discernment that faith is built.

after the so-called 'evidence' is presented, it leads to a conviction of faith, which eventually turns into dedication and baptism.
Fernando

By their fruits you will know who they really are at heart, a certain wise man once said...

Whitewashed graves

Camel gulpers

Gnat strainers

That awful stench coming from behind the whitewash...
34
I am new here and had so many laughs for the first time in years. It took me a long time to find the courage to sign up. Thank you for existing
by umbertoecho in
1. watchtower
2. bible
Fernando

Welcome umbertoecho.

Despite their spiritual blindness they can instinctive tell if you are talking about the Watchtower Jesus, or the real Jesus.

You have come to the right place, and I pray you make some good friends along the way.

JWN is a mixed bag, as we are all at different stages on life's journey, with many different viewpoints, and generally agree to disagree.

Yup, humor is great for the journey.

Greetings and blessings

Fernando

SE QLD, Australia
32
Born-in memories, etc this is my first post, guys ;-)
by ThunderStruck52 in
1. jw
2. experiences
so i have decided to jump in and for the first time and share some of my random memories that seem to have been floating around my mind more and more lately.

mostly if all the weird anxiety i experience from time to time is related to it.

i guess that would be a different topic to post!.
Fernando

Welcome Thunderstruck52.

Congratulations on achieving a new normal life and family.

Thank you too for enriching this community by sharing your story and journey.

Greetings and blessings

Fernando

SE QLD, Australia
9
They're everywhere! They're everywhere!
by under the radar in
1. jw
2. friends
i've been running into jws a lot lately.

some in person, others more by proxy.

last week, just as i was about to leave home for an appointment, the doorbell rang.
Fernando

Our family was sprung from the Watchtower by a simple question:

"What is the gospel, in one word?"

This was all that I as a deceived follower of the Watchtower had waited 40 years for.

My father died waiting.

My grandfather died waiting.

Not a day goes by that I don't feel immense gratitude to the person who cared enough to pause and ask.