Posts by JAVA

19

1975: Much ado about nothing?

by dutyfree in

jw
friends

many of the senior witnesses out there, i am sure will remember the spring/summer of 1975 and the amount of excitement that was in the air surrounding the anticipation of what the new year would bring.. i have no recollection of such events as i was still in short trousers and wearing a strange cap, but anyway.... fred franz, the vice president at the time gave many talks to 000's of people about how much everyone was looking forward to 1975 and the wonderful things it would bring... without making an explicit statement as such, but the implications were all there.

these talks actually began in about 1966. the anticipation grew too much for some people and many began to heed mr franz's advice about selling their property to live out the last months on the earth in the pioneer service.

he also encouraged the young people not to pursue a career but rather to be more active in "the truth".

JAVA

Indeed, I was part of the 1975 JW generation. I remember taking a mountain vacation with another Witness family in 1974, and we thought it would be the last time the families would do that before the end. It amazed me a few years later when I brought this up to them how upset they became. They wrote a letter to my JW spouse saying I was trying to "stumble" them. It's unbelievable how some can deny the obvious in cult-like religions.

As many already said, 1975 ended with the sounds of silence from the Tower. When Witnesses awoke on January 1, 1976 nothing changed for "Satan's world" nor for JWs, and outright questions about failed expectations was unthinkable for most Witnesses. However, the Tower's silent treatment started to have an effect.

members received rebukes, not an apology, for putting faith in the Watchtower Society's expectation. As larc pointed out, the Tower did the same thing in 1925 (no, I wasn't there). In response I resigned as an elder in 1977, and by 1978 only attended a few meetings, and soon none at all.

Yes, I remember it well--but of course only apostates have good memories. It seems that part of the brain is removed when one has "the Truth."

--JAVA

...counting time at the Coffee Shop

82

Where do you go to die?

by wasasister in

jw
friends

for the majority of humans, certain events are surrounded by tradition and ritual.

marriage, the birth of children, entrance into adulthood, and death are all life-events which will be marked by most with a form of religious ceremony.

for the few who have left off affiliation with a religious organization, these events are marked differently - more by tradition than by mystic ritual.

JAVA

Epithet on YK's tombstone who died of old age:

The End Is Near

1914, 1918, 1919,
Millions Now Living Will Never Die (1920),
1925, 1975, before end of 20th century,
read The Watchtower for upcoming dates.

Don’t miss the Jehovah Murdering Billions program
playing at a Kingdom Hall near you!

--JAVA

...counting time at the Coffee Shop

4

The Watchtower on Brainwashing

by Norm in

jw
friends

some times the watchtower magazine really comes up with some really hilarious articles.

when describing competing crackpot cults they often in a very accurate way describe themselves.

just look at this little gem about the moonies: .

JAVA

Norm,

The quotes out of the Awake! followed by The Watchtower are excellent examples showing how the Tower accuses others while doing the same thing. It's nearly impossible figuring the dollar loss JWs and former JWs suffer because of putting their lives and education on hold in order to sell books for the Tower. Beyond money, there is another loss for not pursuing an education after high school--the loss of personal control and self-esteem.

College is not the end all in making a happy life, but it gives one a leg up in many vocations that are closed without a degree. People with more training and/or education usually have more personal control over their lives. Healthy self-esteem can also follow because of the efforts and rewards of going beyond minimal eductional requirments.

Higher education can also expose students to many disciplines beyond ones immediate interest, and as a result, a person has a rounded view of the world around them. Cloistering oneself in a narrow mind set as found in groups like the Witnesses and Moonies leads to mental atrophy--how do you place a dollar amount on that loss?

The counsel coming from the Watchtower has enriched the growth and holdings of the Tower's printing corporation. This is done at the expense of young Witnesses conned out of making normal decisions about their future, swindled out of their birthright. Perhaps that's why only one GB member has a son, for indeed, what normal parent would do this to their children?

--JAVA

...counting time at the Coffee Shop

14

confused as usual

by joelbear in

jw
friends

you know placed the following quote in one of his responses.. 'if now the godly man is being saved with difficulty, where will the sinner make a showing.

' what's the answer?

what happened to salvation being a free gift and "come and drink life's water free.

JAVA

Hi joelbear,

What happened to salvation being a free gift and "Come and drink life's water free.

That's a real problem for cult religions because they can't exploit their followers. Look at the crap YK writes; it's right out of the WT. The worshipers of the WT wouldn't be out selling for the Tower if they believed salvation was free. Follow the power, control, and money--in the end you'll find sects like the Watchtower Society (and nut cases like YK).

--JAVA

...counting time at the Coffee Shop

14

confused as usual

by joelbear in

jw
friends

you know placed the following quote in one of his responses.. 'if now the godly man is being saved with difficulty, where will the sinner make a showing.

' what's the answer?

what happened to salvation being a free gift and "come and drink life's water free.

JAVA

At some point this system will fail.

Yeah, I remember that; which date was that going to happen--1914, 1918, 1919, 1925, 1975, before the end of 20th century? Rats, I wasn't going to waste cyber space on you--but I'm sure your WT God will forgive me. Oh, I keep forgetting--the WT God only forgives fools selling for the WT (but they're not sure either, are they).

--JAVA

...counting time at the Coffee Shop

16

IT'S A BIRD... IT'S A PLANE....NO! IT'S.......

by TR in

jw
friends

....superrrrr elderrrrr!.

heeeere i am to save the daaaaayyyyyyyy!!!!

and maybeee ruin a few liiiiives!.

JAVA

TR, another great job! BTW, you've got the elder arriving at the phone booth dressed in a white shirt and tie. I didn't know window washers wore ties.

--JAVA

...counting time at the Coffee Shop

19

FRED'S CLEVER DISGUISE

by SlayerLayer in

jw
friends

once again fred lurks where he isn't allowed.

why are you here fred?

maybe you're a closet apostate?.

JAVA

Slayer, that is way too funny! Of course we need to report all bathroom artwork to Simon, so he'll get the royalties from future sales.

--JAVA

...counting time at the Coffee Shop

82

Where do you go to die?

by wasasister in

jw
friends

for the majority of humans, certain events are surrounded by tradition and ritual.

marriage, the birth of children, entrance into adulthood, and death are all life-events which will be marked by most with a form of religious ceremony.

for the few who have left off affiliation with a religious organization, these events are marked differently - more by tradition than by mystic ritual.

JAVA

Was,

Now, I am content in the knowledge I have lived a good life; I have given generously and harmed no one. I no longer wonder if something of me will live on...I KNOW it. My two children are testimony to the life I lead. I shared in producing them and making them the loving, successful, thoughtful, secure individuals they are. They will pass this on to their children, and so on.

That's beautifully put, and I couldn't agree more. It takes a little time before some reach the maturity to express such things, or the ability to appreciate this understanding. Indeed, children stand as a testament, but also the countless lives we touched continue beyond us. Sorry many posts dealt with the JW mentally deranged concepts, but I guess it comes with the territory of free speech on the forum--a concept that's not allowed in JW territory. Good post Was!

--JAVA

...counting time at the Coffee Shop

82

Where do you go to die?

by wasasister in

jw
friends

for the majority of humans, certain events are surrounded by tradition and ritual.

marriage, the birth of children, entrance into adulthood, and death are all life-events which will be marked by most with a form of religious ceremony.

for the few who have left off affiliation with a religious organization, these events are marked differently - more by tradition than by mystic ritual.

JAVA

expatbrit & Francoise,

I think you're right, the George Bernard Shaw theory of dealing with You Know and Fred Hall is by not wasting your time. Fred and You Know have a difficult time keeping up with the Tower's ever changing swill, we certainly don't want to upset them by asking them to think. Have a good one You Know, and don't forget to underline the WT for this Sunday, otherwise you'll have nothing to say.

--JAVA

...counting time at the Coffee Shop

82

Where do you go to die?

by wasasister in

jw
friends

for the majority of humans, certain events are surrounded by tradition and ritual.

marriage, the birth of children, entrance into adulthood, and death are all life-events which will be marked by most with a form of religious ceremony.

for the few who have left off affiliation with a religious organization, these events are marked differently - more by tradition than by mystic ritual.

JAVA

That's true. I happen to agree with them.

Well of course you agree with every little thing the WT says--you're not allowed to do otherwise, are you?

You truly are an ungodly buffoon;

There you go, using that JW theocratic language again. I guess when you're loosing an argument, name calling is the only thing to fall back on. Perhaps you could try intelligence next time around, but you'll need to get rid of the WT blinders before that can kick in.

You are totally cluless as to how this system is going to end according to Jehovah's judgments

Yeah, you've got me there. I'm just like the Watchtower Society; lets see 1914, 1918, 1919, 1925, 1975, before the end of the 20th century. Darn, we don't have a clue.

You are just flailing in the dark. Pity.

Yeah, it's nearly impossible staying in the ever changing light of the Watchtower. Got to check each issue of the WT to keep up on the light. BTW, what is the expiration date of each issue before the light goes out?

As I said, you know nothing about Jehovah or his judgments, only what you have read in the Watchtower.

But I thought Jehovah was using the Watchtower Society and it's official journal to keep His people in the light? First you tell me God wrote the Bible, but we can't understand it; now you're saying I don't "know nothing about Jehovah or his judgments" because I only read the WT. Wow--your WT God is a hard one to please!

In my case, when it comes to my pulling on the ol' apostate dog's chain, surely my loving Heavenly Father wouldn't forbid me a little wholesome entertainment from time to time?

Yeah, you're special You Know--the WT God is going to let you play with the little apostates before He murders billions for the crime of not associating with "wholesome" loving people like you. Thanks for visiting and entertaining yourself, but you better watch out with that self-gratification stuff--the WT God is always looking! I understand it causes blindness, also . . .

--JAVA

...counting time at the Coffee Shop