Posts by Crisis of Conscience

This last weeks Watchtower study (maybe par. 10?) said that we are not capable of understanding or even applying what is in the Bible without the help of the FDS. I told my wife that I found that offensive. I told her I wasn't being haughty, but that statement was insulting to my intelligence. She actually agreed.

We had been talking about reinstating our FWN to answer some serious questions/doubt that I have. (But really to get her to think, as has been suggested on this site. It's working.) So last night we began to research who the FDS represents - just the governing body or the annointed as a whole? We couldn't really get a straight answer. (I already knew that and reminded her of a talk she had in the past that dealt with that subject and left her confused.) I then asked why something like that should have such a vague explanation.

In the WTLib, we looked under the annointed heading and then researched the subheading I think dealing with holy spirit. I believe 1997 was the last time something was written about this in the Watchtower. It was mentioned that the annointed do not have nor receive any extra holy spirit or understanding than the other sheep or great crowd would.

So I pointed out how this contradicted what was stated in the recent WT study, about our inability to comprehend the Bible without the help of the FDS. I asked her what she thought about that and if there was anything in the Bible that stated a distinction between who could understand the Bible, especially since Jesus spoke about how his father was so willing to grant holy spirit to those who asked for it.

She didn't say a whole lot but did not disagree. She had a look of disbelief on her face. I highlighted the fact that this info is DIRECTLY from the Watchtower publications. (She is somewhat liberal in her thinking so that definitely helps.)

My point in telling you this BoomTown is because studying with the Watchtower publications to break walls down is an excellent plan. It has been proven here before. But beware that it can still backfire on the absolutely blind and brainwashed mind. Give it a shot. Your wife's mind seems open right now. Prime opportunity. I wish you the best in success.

CoC

49

What made you start questioning: people or doctrine?

by In in

let us know what got you questioning wbts in the first place.

i've got a theory that it starts with people hurting us and only then does the "apostate" turn to looking at the beliefs.. anybody who started questioning beliefs first?.

Crisis of Conscience

BTTT

49

What made you start questioning: people or doctrine?

by In in

let us know what got you questioning wbts in the first place.

i've got a theory that it starts with people hurting us and only then does the "apostate" turn to looking at the beliefs.. anybody who started questioning beliefs first?.

Crisis of Conscience

People. It started at Bethel too, "God's House." Imagine that!

I see a lot of double standards, especially when it comes to the elders, or the popular "spiritual pillars."

I could care less about the doctrine, although I am now using it for some leverage with my wife. I believed what I believed basically because my parents and others around me did and said it was true. But I'm not at the stage in my life where I find it critical to know whether Jesus is real, whether God cares, whether there are really annointed people, whether the devil exists, whether two people sinned because they ate fruit, etc.

So yes, it was the people, the "loving people of God's organization." Aw, what the heck. Throw the holy spirit up in here too, because that got me thinking just as much!

CoC

34

Has WT Tried to Control its Past?

by leavingwt in

jw
friends

on another thread, an active jw wrote the following:.

but the past of jehovah's witnesses is all out there exposed for everyone that wishes to see and recount it in detail.

like charles darwin, charles russell lived during the 19th century, too, and, like darwin, russell he had some zany views (like that pyramid of russell's, for example).

Crisis of Conscience

Joshinaz - How many times has the WBTS omitted sentences, paragrahs, or even pages of their teachings? Or has changed the printed theme of "Millions Now Living Will Never Die" to Millions Now Living May Never Die? Sounds like their controlling the past for the rookie dubbies to me.

I believe yknot posted some pictures about the 1989 articles mentioned in the thread below but I couldn't find it. Anyway, this could be a helpful example.

http://www.jehovahs-witness.net/watchtower/bible/186192/1/Changing-WT-wording

CoC

16

Apologies for God

by watson in

i am growing tired of people trying to explain and apologize for god.

it doesn't need it.

it doesn't care.

Crisis of Conscience

While I haven't completely lost faith in a God, I have certainly lost my footing. Many things just don't make sense about the way he reacts, according to the Bible. And I have grown tired of people's defenses in this regard for the time being.

However, I'm trying to remain open-minded and not write God off completely.

Below are some threads I started kind of along the same lines.

http://www.jehovahs-witness.net/watchtower/beliefs/198025/1/Excuses-Excuses-Excuses-About-Jehovah

http://www.jehovahs-witness.net/watchtower/bible/195425/1/Why-do-many-of-us-spend-so-many-years-defending-a-God-we-MAY-never-meet

Thanks for starting this thread watson . (I hope I'm not hijacking. It's not my intent.)

CoC

14

Favorite Bethel VOICES

by brotherdan in

i grew up with certain voices (not faces) that were almost like celebrities to me.

maybe this is only a "born-in" thing.

but there are a lot of them that will forever be stuck in my head.

Crisis of Conscience

@ Billy the Ex-Bethelite - Yes, that is exactly who I'm talking about! LOL

I do remember "A Morning on Mulberry Street". I don't recall if I was still at Patterson for it. But I did receive an email with the video. Was that the one that Eric Lake, a Bethelite, put together? He used to work in the art department.

CoC

51

"The FDS has lovingly given us time"

by Crisis of Conscience in

boy am i tired of hearing this one.

yes folks, i heard it at the meeting this week...again.

the sm included a local needs part and this was the subject - family worship night.. apparently, regarding fwn, that time was never, nor now is, ours.

Crisis of Conscience

I wonder if saying that "The FDS has lovingly given us time" is becoming part of outlines, or something that the elders are "encouraged" to highlight? I heard it again at a public talk recently.

That FDS sure has a lot of power!! They can control time and LOVINGLY give it up!

CoC

30

WT cheese

by undercover in

rear cover of a certain new book that the average dub will never see (just wants to make you gag, doesn't it?).

.

Crisis of Conscience

Hilarious comments!!

CoC

14

Favorite Bethel VOICES

by brotherdan in

i grew up with certain voices (not faces) that were almost like celebrities to me.

maybe this is only a "born-in" thing.

but there are a lot of them that will forever be stuck in my head.

Crisis of Conscience

U. Glass was definitely one of my favorite voices followed by Dan Sydlik.

Remember Dan's usual morning worship intro? "How good it is to be alive and serve the true and living God!!" LOL

And a hilarious voice at Patterson was Brother O'boyle's voice. I don't remember his first name. But if you can picture the Sean Connery voice during a prayer or a talk, then you know who I'm talking about.

And Doug Chapel has an interesting voice. You usually will hear it narrating the main articles of a magazine, generally the Watchtower - Public Edition.

CoC