Posts by Expanded-Mind

Unfortunately, because I disassociated, my relatives who are JWs will no longer speak or associate with me, so trying to aski them any questions about our mutual JW relatives in Stockton is not likely to happen --- and relatives that are not JWs have essentially been cut off by the JW relatives, so my guess is that none of them have any information.

Thanks for your welcome back... I appreciate it!

Expanded-Mind

20

Anyone currently attending a Kingdom Hall in Stockton CA?

by Expanded-Mind in

jw
friends

i just googled kingdom halls in stockton ca and it appears there are several.

anyone go to any of these halls?

i was wondering if anyone could tell me anything about the witnesses in this area.

Expanded-Mind

Hi again, Wasblind!

Hope you read my last post. I would never ask someone who wasn't comfortable with doing so, to discuss specifically which Kingdom Hall they attended or reveal any information that might expose them. And of course I would never want to cause a person undue hardship just because I want to know something (I think this is clear from my other posts). But if someone IS comfortable talking about it, then that is THEIR decision.

If I could ask my relatives, I wouldn't be asking for help. But I will NEVER say (in your words) "good riddance to 'em"... my family and friends are precious to me and my door and my heart will always be open to them....

Expanded-Mind

20

Anyone currently attending a Kingdom Hall in Stockton CA?

by Expanded-Mind in

jw
friends

i just googled kingdom halls in stockton ca and it appears there are several.

anyone go to any of these halls?

i was wondering if anyone could tell me anything about the witnesses in this area.

Expanded-Mind

Hey, Zeroday!

Really? You've never heard of an elder questioning or leaving the organization? If I am remembering correctly, there is at least one (if not more) current elder who posts on this site and I bet there are a ton of former elders who post here. I believe Randy Waters was a Bethel elder (and he posts here) and remember, if a governing body member like Ray Franz can have his eyes opened up, then there is hope for all.

Expanded-Mind

20

Anyone currently attending a Kingdom Hall in Stockton CA?

by Expanded-Mind in

jw
friends

i just googled kingdom halls in stockton ca and it appears there are several.

anyone go to any of these halls?

i was wondering if anyone could tell me anything about the witnesses in this area.

Expanded-Mind

Hey Wasblind!

I understand what you wrote and thanks... I didn't mean to come across as a "troll"... yikes (but I do understand how my question sounds)!! My question was really meant to get a general feel for what the congregations are like in that area, not for anyone to name a specific hall or give their names.

If there is anyone who is comfortable corresponding via private messaging, I would be glad to give you my information and the names of the people I am inquiring about. Actually I don't know that they go to a hall IN Stockton, just that they live in Stockton, so it may be like trying to find a needle in a haystack.

I was a Witness for about 14 years and left the organization in the mid-1980's... been out for a while, but still have several family members and many friends who are still in.... so I am continually hoping that they have their eyes opened up and we are able to restore our family times and friendships.

Expanded-Mind

20

Anyone currently attending a Kingdom Hall in Stockton CA?

by Expanded-Mind in

jw
friends

i just googled kingdom halls in stockton ca and it appears there are several.

anyone go to any of these halls?

i was wondering if anyone could tell me anything about the witnesses in this area.

Expanded-Mind

Thanks for the welcome, Carla! I haven't posted much recently... have actually been a member for about 7 years but posted under ExpandedMind (without the "-") and forgot my password and didn't know how to retrieve it, so I had to re-register. <smile!> Anyone know how to get your old password? I wouldn't mind getting my old "name" back...

Hi, Zeroday! From my own experience and from reading posts on JWN I've learned that there is some diversity among JW congregations... some congregations are definitely more conservative than others. I do think that there are congregations that aren't as hard-nosed as others... it probably depends on who the elders are in the congregation. My hope is that my relatives are in a liberal hall, one where they may not feel as compelled to submit as strictly to the Society's rules and regulations. Just perhaps they will get a little taste of freedom and start thinking critically and.... hopefully.... have their eyes opened. Who knows? Maybe they are in a hall where even an elder or two are questioning the Society. It may not be likely, but one can hope! <smile!>

Expanded-Mind

20

Anyone currently attending a Kingdom Hall in Stockton CA?

by Expanded-Mind in

jw
friends

i just googled kingdom halls in stockton ca and it appears there are several.

anyone go to any of these halls?

i was wondering if anyone could tell me anything about the witnesses in this area.

Expanded-Mind

Hello!

I just googled Kingdom Halls in Stockton CA and it appears there are several. Anyone go to any of these halls? I was wondering if anyone could tell me anything about the Witnesses in this area. Are they more open and less conservative than they are (possibly) in the midwest?

I have relatives that go to one of these halls (moved from the midwest) and am hoping that maybe they are in a hall that will be liberal and maybe they will eventually open up to learning the truth about the organization.

Any information you can supply will be greatly appreciated! Thanks!

Expanded-Mind

(PS: I may have some other questions for those who attend one of these halls...)

18

Age of Adam

by goddidit in

jw
friends

does anyone happen to know what the jws have to say about this?.

i know apologists usually have a convoluted answer for everything but i just can't think how they could possibly defend this.

so, each 'day' of creation is 7000 years long, adam was created on the 6th 'day', god rested on the 7th 'day', adam then dies at an age of something like 930 years!!.

Expanded-Mind

Hi!

Leolaia... your comment is so interesting... has there been anything written in the JW literature that led you to this conclusion? Has the Society even discussed the 7000 year/day theory over the past couple of decades? Just very curious. I have family that are still in and like to try and keep up on the latest "spirit directed" new light! -smile!-

Have a good day!

Expanded Mind

44

Transexual starts a study...what happens next??

by digderidoo in

jw
friends

so my mother was telling me that a transexual, don't know if she's pre or post op (nobody does apparently), has started attending meetings and started a bible study.. she answers up in meetings and has been attending a few weeks.

apparently she looks very much like a woman but has a distinctive masculine voice.

i asked my mother what will happen?

Expanded-Mind

I remember once reading --- and wondering about the meaning of --- these Bible passages:

1 Corinthians 7 (NWT)

17 Only, as Jehovah has given each one a portion, let each one so walk as God has called him. And thus I ordain in all the congregations. 18 Was any man called circumcised? Let him not become uncircumcised. Has any man been called in uncircumcision? Let him not get circumcised. 19 Circumcision does not mean a thing, and uncircumcision means not a thing, but observance of God’s commandments [does]. 20 In whatever state each one was called, let him remain in it. 21 Were you called when a slave? Do not let it worry you; but if you can also become free, rather seize the opportunity. 22 For anyone in [the] Lord that was called when a slave is the Lord’s freedman; likewise he that was called when a freeman is a slave of Christ. 23 Y OU were bought with a price; stop becoming slaves of men. 24 In whatever condition each one was called, brothers, let him remain in it associated with God.

The Watchtower Society might interpret this verse to mean that this person wouldn't have to try and reverse their operation. I wonder if this could be applied in this situation: if someone is living a full life as a transgendered person --- and perhaps even married --- they should continue to live their lives as a transgendered person.

Perhaps others who have a grasp of the original Greek, could let us know what this verse may mean in connection with this type of situation.

Expanded-Mind

1

Looking for my Grown Kids: Illinois (Cary, Elgin, Barrington, Crystal Lake IL area)

by Expanded-Mind in

jw
friends

my grown kids are all jehovah's witnesses --- last i knew --- and live (or lived) in the cary, elgin, barrington, crystal lake il area and i am wondering if anyone on this site would know them.

they are between 25 - 35 years old.

if you attended any hall in these areas --- or were familiar with witnesses from these congregations --- over the past 15 years or so, would you please pm me?

Expanded-Mind

Hi!

My grown kids are all Jehovah's Witnesses --- last I knew --- and live (or lived) in the Cary, Elgin, Barrington, Crystal Lake IL area and I am wondering if anyone on this site would know them. They are between 25 - 35 years old.

If you attended any hall in these areas --- or were familiar with Witnesses from these congregations --- over the past 15 years or so, would you please PM me?

Over the years, I have tried to keep in touch with them through letters and cards, but have not heard from them (since I am disassociated). Its been so long since I've heard how they are that I am hoping someone on this site may have known or know them and then I can hopefully find out they are doing well!

Thanks so much!

Best,

Expanded-Mind