Posts by FatFreek 2005

66

Youngest person disfellowshipped -- ever?

by FatFreek 2005 in

well?.

FatFreek 2005

Well?

46

reading a life time of WT literatrash = College education

by Free!! in

or at least that's what my super jw ex-roommate told me when i try to have an adult discussion w her about the importance of a higher education... according to her (a girl that never finished hs because it was not necessary) she has a better education than any college graduate because the jehovah has used the borg literatrash to teach her many many important things.... she says her knowledge of the "truth" is the equivalent of my 4 years of college education..... .

.

is there a cure for stupid???!!

FatFreek 2005

47

'BELIEVE IT OR LEAVE IT' - a long time faders dilemma.

by nicolaou in

i've noticed a lot of newbies aren't bothering with long fades from the wt.

good for them, perhaps this younger, more savvy generation are more comfortable sticking two fingers up to the organisation and forcing their families to make the uncomfortable decisions about associating with them.. i applaud you, you were happy to believe it or leave it.. me?

i submitted my last field service report more than 11 years ago and have been 'fading' ever since, and i'm sick of it.

FatFreek 2005

I empathize with you and sympathize with you at the same time. No, I can't go back to 34 years ago and take a different route. I chose to DA at that time but my boys were stairsteps from 16 downward. That was the problem. I played the noble game, the one Watchtower prefers that dissenters play and that way they can wash their hands of you -- and cause those that love you to do the same.

I've thought since that I should have played it cool (like Nicalaou) for a few more years and perhaps buy some time to influence those I loved. Instead, by being on the outside, any influence I may have had died then and there.

Two of my sons remain on the inside along with their mother-nurtured hatred. Plus grandchildren I've never even met.

No, your road is not easy by any means, having to bite your tongue, not counting the enormous amount of time that you know is wasted at meetings and assemblies and putting on those frozen smiles.

Len

17

Lakers Kobe Bryant -- blood procedure puts him at DF risk?

by FatFreek 2005 in

it may be a month old news but we're just hearing it.

citing four unidentified sources familiar with the situation, the los angeles times on friday reported that the lakers superstar had a procedure about a month ago that is a derivation of platelet-rich plasma therapy.

prp procedures are less invasive than many surgeries involving the knee.

FatFreek 2005

Doctors, Nurses, Nurse Practitioners. Anyone? Where does Watchtower stand on platelet-rich plasma therapy -- PRP?

Len

1

A Few Words About Honesty

by NeonMadman in

i posted the following on my blog, which is found on my website, www.dispelthedarkness.org.

i thought that it expressed some thoughts about the behavior of jws on the internet that might be of interest here as well:.

a few words about honesty.

FatFreek 2005

"I can sympathize with the feelings of those who made the accusations against me. I was a member of their organization for 30 years; I know where they are coming from. I remember how it made me feel when I encountered literature that criticized the Watchtower, and I remember the knee-jerk reaction that causes them to reject such material. In some cases, I also remember finding some detail in the material that was slightly inaccurate, and the strong inclination to reject the entire work as being inaccurate when I found an error. That’s why I try to be very careful in preparing the material I present. I work very hard to ensure that what I offer is completely accurate in as much detail as possible. I know that even the tiniest mistake will often be seized upon by a JW who is considering it as an excuse to reject the entire message. That’s also why the bulk of many of my presentations consists of direct quotations from Watchtower publications – that way, it’s not me making an argument, it’s the Watchtower Society speaking for itself, and it is much harder for a JW to reject as inaccurate."

I'm with you, Bro. Very good expressions. I hope that whenever I present anything online that it follows those guidelines.

Len

52

Maximum Damage to the WT.

by Essan in

i have to hand it to the society.

they understand the power of organization.

they demonstrate that no matter how ridiculous your message and how much the facts don't support your position you can still accomplish a lot if you are organized.

FatFreek 2005

Besides, I'm convinced the maximum damage to the Watchtower is actually done by the Watchtower itself. It is its own worst enemy -given the huge drop-out rate and discontent inside.

Good point, Steve. Based on the long time estimate of 1% that means some 70,000 make their way out each year. And those making their way into Watchtower have seemed to stop peaking in the internet-savvy countries.

Watchtower's worst enemy, in my opinion, is Watchtower publications. Since the early 90's with the debut of the WT Library CD, Watchtower critics have been able to, far more easily, research teachings of the past (and present), then quoting selectively from them at this and other forums, plus within well-constructed essays posted online. Let their own words crucify them to their own followers, that is, those who are willing to read such incriminating verbiage.

But to each his own. It may be the sheer variety of attacks that appears to be making the dent with some 1,350 leaving that fold each day.

Len

16

15-year-old DF'd child under quarantine? How young could it be?

by FatFreek 2005 in

i'm thinking about including the following in an online essay but wish to make sure it's fair and accurate.

any baptized member who uses tobacco and cannot quit ( deemed unrepentant) will be disfellowshipped.

be aware that there is no stated minimum age limit and i've heard of children as young as 11 who've been baptized.

FatFreek 2005

AnnOMaly -- incredible find. Thanks for that.

Hortensia is spot on -- It's terrible.

Len

16

15-year-old DF'd child under quarantine? How young could it be?

by FatFreek 2005 in

i'm thinking about including the following in an online essay but wish to make sure it's fair and accurate.

any baptized member who uses tobacco and cannot quit ( deemed unrepentant) will be disfellowshipped.

be aware that there is no stated minimum age limit and i've heard of children as young as 11 who've been baptized.

FatFreek 2005

That is extremely sad, shopaholic. Thanks for sharing.

This topic is under the forum heading "Child abuse issues" for good reason.

Len

16

15-year-old DF'd child under quarantine? How young could it be?

by FatFreek 2005 in

i'm thinking about including the following in an online essay but wish to make sure it's fair and accurate.

any baptized member who uses tobacco and cannot quit ( deemed unrepentant) will be disfellowshipped.

be aware that there is no stated minimum age limit and i've heard of children as young as 11 who've been baptized.

FatFreek 2005

Thanks, all, for your input. And DOC, thanks for that current quote -- which always throws a lot of weight in presenting facts.

Based on that I decided to do a little searching in my WT Lib CD and found the following:

"Likewise today, many young ones have dedicated their lives to serve Jehovah. Akifusa, a 15-year-old, said that a part on the Service Meeting helped him to make his decision to get baptized. Ayumi got baptized when she was ten years old. She wanted to serve Jehovah because she really came to love him. Now she is 13 and just had the experience of seeing her Bible student, who has also come to love Jehovah, get baptized at the age of 12. Ayumi’s younger brother Hikaru was also baptized at the age of ten. "Some said I was too young," he recalls, "but Jehovah knew how I felt. I was determined to get baptized once I decided to dedicate my life to serve him with all I had."" The Watchtower, 1992, 10/1 p. 22

"There were many witnesses to the mass baptism, and among them many photographers and professional newsreel men. In less than two hours 50 baptizers immersed a grand total of 2,373, baptizing 1,545 women and 828 men, the oldest being 87 years of age and the youngest 8 years." The Watchtower, 1952, 1/1, p. 29

Imagine, a child never having entered the most challenging years of his life -- 8 years old.

Your experiences, BOTR, are insightful. " What age would the Witnesses refuse to baptize?" I don't know because I suspect their motive is entrapment. Their punitive hold on the baptized one begins then and they seem to be all about control.

My 11 year old example, in the script above, is of my grandson. I've never met him, given him a hug, or taken him fishing.

In the essay, I want to be fair, and not exaggerate. Looks like I'm going to cut that number down to 8 thanks to Watchtower's own writing.

Len

16

15-year-old DF'd child under quarantine? How young could it be?

by FatFreek 2005 in

i'm thinking about including the following in an online essay but wish to make sure it's fair and accurate.

any baptized member who uses tobacco and cannot quit ( deemed unrepentant) will be disfellowshipped.

be aware that there is no stated minimum age limit and i've heard of children as young as 11 who've been baptized.

FatFreek 2005

I'm thinking about including the following in an online essay but wish to make sure it's fair and accurate. What do you think?

Any baptized member who uses tobacco and cannot quit ( deemed unrepentant) will be disfellowshipped. Be aware that there is no stated minimum age limit and I've heard of children as young as 11 who've been baptized. A disfellowshipped 15-year-old child, for example, would not be permitted to continue a relationship with any family members who do not live within his household. He would be quarantined from baptized grandparents, uncles, aunts, cousins, etc. when regular family gatherings are held. Even brothers and sisters who no longer live within his household would be off-limits to this child.

Len