after a terrible break up and being away from the congregation for about 10yrs i started to think about coming back.
i couldnt even watch the news anymore because of the termendous anxiety it would cause.
i felt that there was a target on my back and the big a would surely come before i could get my act together.
OutsmartTheSystem, What a great parallel -- the typical pyramid scheme. Most of it fits and that is scary.
Wishi, welcome to our fine group. It sounds like you're off to a good start. Be patient with yourself. As you expressed yourself, your words took me back to my same feelings and aprehensions -- 34 years ago. It will get better.
Len
You mean "H"? As in Preparation H.
metatron in your opinion do you think the world will see it soon?
how soon?.
When the USA stops subsidizing its citizens and other countries for simply squirting out babies.
Oops! I didn't realize this was a private thread to Metatron.
so this is an area of thought i had before even before i fully took the apostate plunge.
i started noticing that almost everything about the congregation pointed back to paul.. "do not forsake the gathering of yourselves together.
" not jesus' words.
Hi IWTB,
I see what you mean. You may find the following from WIKI interesting, "Pauline Christianity is a term used to refer to the Christianity associated with the beliefs and doctrines espoused by Paul of Tarsus through his writings ."
A few weeks ago when the country (USA) was wild with Tebowing, I made critical mention of how his public display of his faith turns off many people, including me, and what part of Jesus' words about going into a closet and praying does Tebow and people like him not get? Yes, she says, but Paul's words say yada yada yada. Then I say, so the founder of Christianity is trumped by one of his followers? End of discussion.
How about the shunning that JWs and other fundies use? All Pauline based, "not even eating with such a person". Years ago when I asked one of the other elders why we don't shun all DFd ones, including family members (recall, Paul makes no distinction), he made the point that it would be going a bit too far -- that is, to shun family. I then said, so Watchtower trumps writings in the Bible? The discussion changed.
We could go on and on.
Len
a new girl has begun working in my office.
she is a jw and has just moved to my state after leaving florida (where she's from) and where her entire family lives.
i've become relatively chummy with her.
It can not hurt to tell her you studied , that way she will know you understand a bit more about her . Troubled Mind
I believe that to be true. I use that expression whenever I talk to someone I learn to be a JW. Invariably they then ask, "Oh -- may I ask why you quit studying?"
The door is now open.
You: "This link right here presented some questions that my teacher simply couldn't deal with." (proceed to hand her a small slip of paper with the internet link goo.gl/TkcHt). Yes, it's that short and you don't need the HTTP:// prefix. If she slips it into her purse you won't know whether or not she actually checks it out -- but you've planted the seed.
It would be a good idea to browse it yourself first so that you can honestly endorse it. It's a link to THE GREAT WATCHTOWER CONTRADICTION, an 11 minute read that is designed for ones who have begun studying and are considering the Watchtower religion. If your new friend happens to check it out for herself it will probably make her very uncomfortable with some things she has believed all her Watchtower life.
Good luck.
Len
british dubs are invited to attend a special convention next summer in dublin , irish republic.
o k, this kind of trip has been done many times before.
however i have never seen such a crude and rigid set of rules that would apply to their own people going on a trip, at their own expense of course.
Remember the Nazi eugenics program? While not quite that despicable it looks as if their PR department is get ready for lots of photo ops with this crew of well-dressed, well-groomed, good looking (no obesity allowed) people. Oh, and no wheel chairs since they will slow us up (or down).
Before we think that Germany was the leader in this atrocious behavior, note this from Wikipedia, article "Nazi Eugenics".
The Nazis based their eugenics program on the United States' programs of forced sterilization , especially on the eugenics laws that had been enacted in California . [9]
british dubs are invited to attend a special convention next summer in dublin , irish republic.
o k, this kind of trip has been done many times before.
however i have never seen such a crude and rigid set of rules that would apply to their own people going on a trip, at their own expense of course.
If I've just been baptized at age 6, such as examples promoted in various yearbooks, why am I suddenly not old enough (age 12) to accompany my baptized parents?
Len
attention please the heavy "preaching" about the "kingdom" of freedom guys!!.
something big is coming.....heavy "special campain" like pioneer preaching to many .
newspapers and big tv channels to say the truth about " the truth "!!!!
Thanks, MS.
And all the best to you, TTWSYF.
attention please the heavy "preaching" about the "kingdom" of freedom guys!!.
something big is coming.....heavy "special campain" like pioneer preaching to many .
newspapers and big tv channels to say the truth about " the truth "!!!!
Welcome -- and I wish you the very best -- but always be prepared (like when you go d2d) for the worst).
Beyond that, and when done with that project, please be a regular here with the rest of us. Be one more slowly dripping faucet. Over time we'll fill up the bucket together.
In the past 10 years or so the Society has made it clear that there is no difference, at to purposes of penalties and shunning, between DF'd and DA'd folks.
In the old days they created the DA situation for obvious legal reasons. Don't DF those in the military cuz headquarters could get shut down. Instead, we'll say a military person DA'd himself. "No, we didn't kick him out -- he kicked himself out".
Len
