Not funny if you are someone who sincerely believes that they have been born in the wrong body. It reflects the attitude that such individuals are unlikely to find acceptance within the religion and tries to diminish their struggle as some passing fad. I feel sad for anyone struggling with such doubts within the organisation where they are unlikely to find a listening ear.
Posts by nugget
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33Funny Watchtower Article on Homosexuality
by garbonzo intranssexualism is a word appearing with growing frequency in the news.
a transsexual is not merely a transvestite (one who dresses in clothes of the opposite sex), nor necessarily a homosexual (though that may be the case).
a transsexual is a person who rejects the sex with which he or she was born and takes up the life of the other sex.
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42
Watchtower Growth by CONTINENT and other Statistical Gems
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nugget
It is always interesting to see the way witness activity is spread out accross the different continents and regional variations.
One thing you will need to take into account is the changes to the way data is collected by the society change year on year so they artificially inflate the results the base data never remains constant. Some growth is actually reactivation of existing believers and returning DF'd. If only we had the figure of new witnesses so we could seperate out those from born ins and old witnesses.
Recent changes that affect overall data are things such as the 15 minute reporting rule and 30 hour auxiliary pioneer requirement last memorial. Also the introduction of family study night has increased the reporting of family bible studies. As in the past a proportion of the bible studies are born ins and that also accounts for baptised but they probably account for a greater proportion of the bible studies now than before since it is expected to report family bible study activity of proof that family bible study night is taking place. Every time the figures start to flatline the society makes a change and there is an increase.
What would be useful is to know the number df'd and da'd and whether that has gone up or down in recent years. We also have no way of knowing how many listed as publishers are true believers nor how many hours are genuine since anecdotal evidence indicates that a proportion of time spent on the service is misreported. It is the percentage of true believers that is the issue since these are the hard core at the centre of the congregation and will stick with it until the bitter end and it is how fast they decline that will be a key indicator.
Once all the things that artificially inflate the figures are taken out there may well be a decline.
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35
My father is dying
by peridotgreen inmy father, who has alzheimers, is dying now (he's 85).
i saw him today - he weaves in and out.
hasn't recognized me for a long time but was usually glad for the company.
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nugget
So sorry to hear about your father. I am glad you have found comfort and found a way to come to terms with physical loss.
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How Did I Ever Trust Something Called the 'Watchtower Society'?
by breakfast of champions ini mean, the 'watchtower society'?
just the name connotes some weird, masonic, secretive organization!.
how did we ever fall for this!.
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nugget
We only have the benefit of our life experience to draw on coupled with the input of our parents, the watchtower organisation has had decades to hone their techniques and they are good at it. They are smart, slick, controlling and clever. I would hate to have been taken in by idiots I pride myself on seeing the lie and getting out while there was still breath in my body.
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45
How do I respond to this? from my father
by alamb ina daughter .
daughters are precious, in so many ways,.
from the day of their birth, till the end of your days.. .
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nugget
A father always gives his love
He is the strength that shapes the child
The shield protecting from above
The heart of strength the spirit mild.
You never gave this love to me
A man of appetites that all ran free
You stand amid the pain you made
to pass on guilt where you betrayed.
You are a weak and stupid man
a fool to think that now you can
pretend that you were once so fine
but all I hear is how you whine.
You gave me nothing but years of pain
by leaving you I did but gain
and if a god looks at my face
he sees pain I can't erase
I've had to build my life anew
the reason Daddy dear is you.
There is no paradise, no life
you caused too much pain and strife.
If you must reap what you sow
there is no place for you to go.
You are not worthy of my grief
nor can you force my old belief.
Despite your poison this is true
say only this I forgive you.
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12
Sunday talk on 144,000
by 2tone ini have been meaning to post this.
just havent got around to it till now.
this talk was a couple sundays ago.
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nugget
stupid religion and silly reasoning. If there was a medal for gibberish they would hold it. I am pleased to be free of this nonsense.
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55
CO visit. New light
by 2tone inif you want to skip to the new light or understanding, its underlined for you pleasure.
i think some will find this interesting.
we had the co tonight.
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nugget
This is reminiscent of how they have distanced the great crowd from god and jesus. They started off as being declared righteous as friends of god to today when they can have no relationship with god and christ is no longer their mediator. This talk reinforces the idea that they are so far down the pecking order they can only glimpse divinity through the pale imitation that is the GB.
It looks as if the faithful and discreet slave is also being downgraded. They are no longer respected in the way they once were. When I was younger there was the idea that any of those on earth could be used by Jehovah and if they felt they had an understanding then they could share this with the GB. Whether this was ever true it was certainly the impression given. Now they have been told that God only uses the governing body and that some of their members may be deranged and not part of the 144000 at all.
All this raises the GB to messiah status and it is idolatory. Members may not know their names but their is no doubt that they demand absolute obedience. This organisation has lost it's integrity and credibility but sadly those who have been conditioned to accept it will not see the issues only feel pressure to conform.
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80
I feel ethically compromised by Rick Fearon being allowed to continue posting here
by sabastious ini'm not entirely sure why, but rick has been the biggest trigger for me.
i have said some very mean things to him that i regret and i apologize to rick for them.
but what he is doing leaves me feeling dirty and i don't even know him.
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nugget
Whilst I do not like six screens or the sensational headlines that rick uses at least his posts are easy to spot, as a result I can choose to avoid his posts if I wish to do so. At the end of the day it is by commenting on his posts that they run on for pages. If no one commented then his contributions would quickly scroll back into obscurity. This is simon's site and really he is the only one who can decide whether he wants rick to continue as a member or not. If we keep posting on ricks threads then it would be possible to assume that what is posted is of interest.
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20
Are you CONFRONTED by Elders? 7 points to practice
by Terry inremember that old movie, the adventures of robin hood with erroll flynn?.
there is a scene where robin wants to cross a creek by walking across a log used as a bridge.
friar tuck is determined to stop him.. the are both standing on the log over the creek opposing each other with not-all-too-friendly banter.. somebody is going to end up in the water!.
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nugget
Terry very good post for everyone wishing not to appear threatening. Sadly married to Cantleave meant this was not going to work for us bless him. You can't win an argument with JWs but this strategy will certainly preserve your dignity.
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28
Should we attend our first Birthday Party?
by Flicka inso we have only been fading for the past few months but already made up our minds that we are completely out.
we never managed to make any friends in our cong but we befriended our neighbours.. so our neighbour invited us to her b-day party in a few weeks time.
she knows that we are/were witnesses and that we are fading.. i don't see a b-day celebration as being wrong anymore.
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nugget
If you are early in your fade and still on the radar I would be careful. Fading successfully can mean you are still living under the same restrictions even though you are not attending the meetings.
If you want to put the religion behind you then go to the party since the sooner you start building new friendships and new life the easier it will be to walk away for good. Good luck with your future plans.