Designer Stubble

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Posts by Designer Stubble

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  85

  From Pioneer to Professor: My Story

  by laverite in

  1. jw
  2. friends

  i wanted to say hello.

  i knew i was gay.

  i wanted to study and learn about everything i could.

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  Designer Stubble

  Amazing and inspiring story - thank you for sharing. Impressed with what you have accomplished.
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  14

  Brothers who were held back from being elder for stupid reasons?

  by toto555 in

  1. watchtower
  2. beliefs

  do you know of any cases where brothers didn't get to be elder for a stupid/bogus reason even though they otherwise qualified?

  do you think some/most appointments are politicially motivated?

  how much do you think politics plays in the appointment process versus merit?

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  Designer Stubble

  I handed on average 8 hours each month in. The elders encouraged me to increase this to 10 and suggested that I could count 4 hours a month for studying with my kids. I said that I viewed that as a responsibility as a parent and would therefore not count this time. (According to their rules I was actually making 12 hours)

  Well they commented that if I continued to refuse to count my children's time and remained short of 10 hours, they would never appoint me as elder.

  I refused to go against my principles and did not make it beyond MS.

  On hindsite they did me a big favor.
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  64

  Julia gets hit with the Shun Gun for the first time...and it really hurts.

  by Julia Orwell in

  1. jw
  2. friends

  my jw friend of 20 years, the first one i ever met, the one who got me into jwism in the first place, unfriended me from facebook without explanation.

  other jws who have unfriended me at least called me names (apostate) and told me they were unfriending me, but they were no loss.

  but someone who's been your friend since you were 13...and no explanation...i'd think 20 years- 20 years!

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  Designer Stubble

  I faded and had a JW-friend of 30-plus years drop me an email that he could no longer be my friend unless I returned to Jehovah. I sent him a letter back saying that respected his decision, but that I viewed this friendship-cancellation as single-sided, still viewed him as my friend and that my door remained open for him. You could do something similar. Remain yourself, remain human - leave the emotion out and show yourself to stand higher ground. (((hugs to you)))
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  67

  Tech49 on HOURS, TIME, and REPORTS

  by Tech49 in

  1. watchtower
  2. beliefs

  i thought i would share some of my observations on counting field service time, reports, etc.

  and how those reports are viewed, to those that are still so fixated on numbers.. i served as secretary on the service committee for many years, and have seen it all!.

  i was really disheartened when wt changed the requirement for aux pioneering to allow for 30 hrs, instead of the 50 it has been for so long.

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  Designer Stubble

  Tech49 - I so enjoy reading your posts and am glad you joined. The CO visit you described was a true eye opener for me. Your "yes must be yes" is right. I did not realize it was that bad! Thanks
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  5

  Steven Hassan - Freedom of Mind - Book Summary

  by Designer Stubble in

  1. watchtower
  2. bible

  freedom of mind by steven hassan.

  herewith a few pointers on how to identify a cult.

  i will be adding more information, but due to time constraints, this is it for now.

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  Designer Stubble

  Freedom of Mind by Steven Hassan
  
  Herewith a few pointers on how to identify a CULT. I will be adding more information, but due to time constraints, this is it for now. I have not added my personal comments, up to you to judge and fill in the blanks - and decide for yourself whether the Jehovah's Witnesses are a CULT or not...
  
  CULT: Tightly controlled, high-pressure social environment. Limit access to outside information (Page 3)
  
  Some religious cults have “An elite group that claims to know the real meaning of Scripture” (Page 4)
  
  They rail on about how all the other Churches are dead and unscriptural (Page 7)
  
  Threatening Prophecies (Page 12)
  
  “Love” depends on meeting expectations and goals (Page 13)
  
  Demand for purity: Establishing impossible standards for performance, thereby creating an environment of guilt and shame. No matter how hard a person tries, he always falls short, feels bad and works even harder. (Page 17)
  
  Sacred Science: The belief that the groups dogma is absolutely scientifically and morally true, with no room for questions or alternative viewpoints (Page 17)
  
  Dispensing of existence: The belief that people in group have the right to exist and all ex-members and critics or dissidents do not (Page 17)
  
  Cult control is a social process that encourages obedience and conformity. It discourages autonomy and individuality. The groups dogma becomes the persons only concern (Page 19)
  
  Thought Reform: Create a tightly controlled system with a closed system of logic, wherein dissenters feel their questioning indicates something inherently wrong with them (Page 20)
  
  Behavior Control (Page 22)
  - Dictate with whom the member lives and associates
  - Restrict leisure and entertainment
  - Encourage group-think (not stumbling others)
  - Impose rigid rules & regulations
  
  Information Control (Page 23)
  - Discourage access to non-cult sources of information - Internet, Critical Information, Former Members
  - Keep members busy so the don't think and investigate
  - Outsider versus insider doctrines
  - Encourage spying on other members
  - Extensive use of cult-generated information, including magazines and other media
  - Misquotations, statements from non-cult sources taken out of context
  - Unethical use of confession
  
  Thought Control (Page 24)
  - Members required to internalize the groups doctrine as “the truth”
  - Instill Black and White thinking
  - Good versus Evil; Us versus Them
  - No critical questions about leaders, doctrine or policy allowed
  - Alternative belief systems viewed as evil
  
  Emotional Control (Page 25)
  - Make the person feel that problems are their own fault – never the leader or group
  - Excessive use of guilt – You are not living up to your potential
  - Excessive use of fear
  - Fear of the outside world
  - Fear of losing one’s salvation
  - Fear of leaving the group or being shunned by the group
  
  Phobia indoctrination
  - No happiness or fulfillment possible outside of the group
  - Terrible consequences if you leave
  - Shunning of those who leave, fear of being rejected by friends and family
  - Never a legitimate reason to leave; Those who leave are weak, unspiritual, worldly or seduced by sex
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  78

  They lied to you Jack......

  by Tech49 in

  1. jw
  2. experiences

  my name is jack harper, tech49.

  new here, been lurking for many months now.

  a brief history:.

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  Designer Stubble

  Welcome and Thanks for sharing your story. Also feel free to free to have a look over at www.jehovahswitnessrecovery.com
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  50

  If Noah had family worship night in the ark...what's your excuse!?!?!?!?!?!

  by LostGeneration in

  1. watchtower
  2. bible

  funny picture in new public watchtower.

  evidently there was a digital camera taking pictures about 3,500 years ago.

  noah had family worship night in the ark, so all you slackers have no excuse!

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  Designer Stubble

  Noah's sons were grown and married men. Why would Noah always have to take the lead? Why not rotate?

  Noah obviously did not yet have the September 2007 Kingdom Ministry, else he would know that the GB does not endorse studying the bible with such a large group.

  Also, seeing the picture, it just dawned on me that none of the couples would have had any privacy during this cruise...but then again it is just a myth.
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  45

  DF ones can now choose where to sit...New WT Policy

  by Quarterback in

  1. jw
  2. friends

  aug wt q and a has now stated that any df'd person can sit with anyone, anywhere at a congregation meeting.. before, they had to sit at the back of the hall.

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  Designer Stubble

  I read this WT. It was focussed on whether your minor DFed child could sit with you! Yes, a minor DFed child! Although a DFed person can technically sit anywhere, by not humbly and quietly sitting in the back will easily add six months to getting reinstated.

  As there had to be a QFR on this topic, means that it is a huge problem the organization is facing. Many too early baptized kids (e.g. 7-12) start leaving 13-18.
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  121

  Symposium: Beware of Apostates! - 'God's Word is Truth!' District Convention of Jehovah's Witnesses 2013 - not on JW.ORG

  by mindnumbed in

  1. watchtower
  2. bible

  symposium: beware of apostates!.

  satanhuman apostates also of interest ..... the truth brings "not peace, but a sword" .

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  Designer Stubble

  Thanks Niveau for posting the transcript on Satan. I took the liberty to copy this on JWR. Thanks for your efforts.
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  121

  Symposium: Beware of Apostates! - 'God's Word is Truth!' District Convention of Jehovah's Witnesses 2013 - not on JW.ORG

  by mindnumbed in

  1. watchtower
  2. bible

  symposium: beware of apostates!.

  satanhuman apostates also of interest ..... the truth brings "not peace, but a sword" .

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  Designer Stubble

  Apostates are not sincere in their expressions. Their aim is to manipulate your mind.

  Talking about the pot calling the kettle black!