Mad Sweeney

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Posts by Mad Sweeney

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  15

  J.R. Brown at local k hall

  by reds in

  1. watchtower
  2. bible

  was made aware that over 600 people attended a talk given at a local k hall.

  j.r. brown was the speaker.

  it seems to me that this is pretty much like the pope visiting.

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  Mad Sweeney

  I used to have a tape of a talk he gave that was passed all around among the Dubs. That stuff's not allowed anymore.
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  15

  In your opinion...

  by iamwhoiam in

  1. jw
  2. friends

  ...why do people choose to fade over just sending in a letter?.

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  Mad Sweeney

  What undercover said.

  Actually, I don't recall EVER disagreeing with anything undercover has said. From now on, whatever he says goes for me, too, if I happen to miss that thread.
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  22

  Religion or Cult - How to Tell The Difference

  by cofty in

  1. watchtower
  2. bible

  i don't believe the question is binary.

  all religions are cults its just a matter of degree.. .

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  Mad Sweeney

  Using the broadest definition of 'cult' you are correct, Cofty. But most people don't mean that when they use the term. When a believer uses the term 'cult' he usually means something like Vanderhoven7 listed - doctrinal and theological stuff outside of mainstream Christianity is considered a cult. When a freethinker uses the term 'cult' he usually means any group (religious or not) that uses psychological thought reform on its members (Lifton's seven principles or Hassan's BITE model or one of the other models out there). When a sociologist uses the term 'cult' he merely means an offshoot religion that most of us would call a sect.

  We're all saying the same word and meaning different things.
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  44

  Give us your vote on the Watch Tower's approach to domestic abuse!!

  by cedars in

  1. watchtower
  2. beliefs

  as you may be aware, the feb 15th watchtower features an experience depicting a 'fairytale' scenario of a violent husband beating his wife, and then mending his ways once she starts to apply bible principles.

  to my knowledge, this is the nineteenth experience of its kind to be published since 1958, and it betrays a disturbing track record of negligence on the part of the watch tower society in failing to properly and consistently deal with such a sensitive and life-or-death issue, which effects untold thousands of women.. the experience, page 29, paragraph 12, reads as follows:.

  selma recalls a lesson she learned from the witness who studied with her.

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  Mad Sweeney

  I just pimped the survey on a FB group. Maybe you'll get a little flurry of activity the next couple days. The group has almost 900 members.
• 
  63

  The Control is simply amazing

  by outsmartthesystem in

  1. jw
  2. experiences

  at the kind advice of so many of you (and hassan) on this board....i ceased attempting to discuss doctrine/failures with my wife many months ago.

  but unfortunately that does not prevent her from grilling me from time to time.

  during one of our infamous "discussions" she said she was going to "investigate" this supposed "proof" that is out there regarding 587bc.

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  Mad Sweeney

  I second the recommendation to read Crisis of Conscience. Until you are no longer captive to the concept that the Borg is "God's Organization" you aren't mentally equipped to doubt anything they say, regardless of the evidence shown to you from the scientists and archaeologists of "Satan's wicked world."
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  32

  Christopher Hitchens has died.

  by botchtowersociety in

  1. social
  2. current

  .

  http://www.vanityfair.com/online/daily/2011/12/in-memoriam-christopher-hitchens-19492011.

  it angers me that we still do not have the technology to save these people.

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  Mad Sweeney

  Word.

  RIP Hitch
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  12

  Did You Know any JWs that Owned 3 Homes, Land, Luxury Cars, a boat, and a Motor Home?

  by LostGeneration in

  1. jw
  2. friends

  another great paragraph from the new wt.

  interesting nothing noted about selling any of the items listed.

  i wonder if his name is andre?

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  Mad Sweeney

  I think, sir82, that it is also because they aren't just in it for the money. There is a bureaucratic faction in the leadership, no doubt, but the GB and their cronies are more about power and control which they get through devotional religious rituals like more field service and meeting attendance.
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  17

  Why Does God Have an Organization?--Article in the Public Edition--Feb. 1, 2012 Watchtower!

  by sd-7 in

  1. jw
  2. friends

  i'm very surprised to see an article like this in the public edition of the watchtower.

  it seems as though they are specifically trying to address the ex-jw criticisms, though of course, in their own limited way.. lies abound.

  page 26: "jesus organized his followers to witness about jehovah and to make disciples in all nations.

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  Mad Sweeney

  The Borg has figured out that "the public" doesn't read "the public" edition of the WT so now they are just using it to address the rank and file JWs more and more.
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  63

  {Sigh}, I could use a hug...

  by Billy the Ex-Bethelite in

  1. jw
  2. friends

  my first two exams were this week.

  things didn't go well.

  the classes are tough -- math and science.

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  Mad Sweeney

  Awesome. Congratulations!

  To go to college full-time as an adult trying to support yourself is HARD. I take one class at a time and it is hard. I admire your hard work and acheivement.
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  22

  U.S. Officially Ends Its Mission In Iraq

  by Bangalore in

  1. jw
  2. friends

  u.s. officially ends its mission in iraq.. http://www.nytimes.com/2011/12/16/world/middleeast/panetta-in-baghdad-for-iraq-military-handover-ceremony.html.

  bangalore.

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  Mad Sweeney

  There are no jobs. That's why many of them signed up in the first place.

  Things are going to get worse domestically before they get better, sad to say.