Posts by Crisis of Conscience

50

Resigned

by Franklin Massey in

jw
friends

i finally resigned as an elder.

my conscience wouldn't allow me to continue.

i've battled for years trying to reconcile the fallacies of the wt society with my own personal beliefs.

Franklin, you are awesome. I think you have gone about it the right way so far. I rose to the rank of MS and resigning from that was difficult. But I did it. I remember reading you story in the past and feeling pity for you because of the situation you were in.

I continue to wish you the best. Oh, and a well deserved commendation on how you handled the troll. It asked me the same question before I resigned. Still can't figure out how that would prove anything. But whatever.

How is your wife dealing with your decision? (I respect if you don't want to share that openly on this forum.)

I am so glad to read of experiences like yours in which I could relate to. When you have doubts, per the WTBS, it's your fault. But as time progresses and you increase in your activity, you discover that the fault indeed lies with those who claim to be the channel of God. May you continue to find peace, as I also have in my decreased activity.

Have I lost God's blessing? I can't say for certain, but it sure doesn't feel like it. And an honest hearted person like yourself doesn't seem likely to either.

CoC

144

1st Cen. Christianity - One Organization

by StandFirm in

here is the promised debate.

the subject is whether or not god has an organization.

i'll start things simply:.

Crisis of Conscience

Marked

36

45 JW Rules/Teachings that "go beyond" writings of the Bible

by oompa in

(1 corinthians 4:6) .

.that in our case you may learn the [rule]: do not go beyond the things that are written,.

.. 45 jw rules/teaching that "go beyond the things that are written" in the bible.

Crisis of Conscience

An excellent list I want to say! Thanks.

It really gets you to think about how much nonsense we let go right over our heads under the pretense that God's channel is talking to us.

CoC

114

StandFirm Says The Watchtower Society Has Never Lied!

by LostGeneration in

check it out:.

http://stayawake-standfirm.blogspot.com/2011/04/watchtower-society-has-never-lied.html.

standfirms disclaimer is that the definition of a lie is: "to make an untrue statement with intent to deceive"-emphasis added.. of course, other definitions of lie include: .

Crisis of Conscience

Looks like info I should share with some people I know. Thanks!!

CoC

69

Any videogamers here?

by R.F. in

this is my #1 hobby.

i have a ps2, psp, and xbox.

i was mainly an xbox kind of guy until they completely abandoned it soon after the 360 was released.

Crisis of Conscience

Completely agree with J. Hofer. I especially love Uncharted 2 online. I can't get enough of it. I have not bought any new games because of how awesome it is. Of course, I haven't been able to play recently because of the PSN issues, but I look forward to it.

CoC

93

Undercover apostates...

by Maze in

i've observed some forum users here that claim to be active witnesses (even claims to be ministerial servants or elders) while duplicitously supporting apostates online.

my contention is this; why attend meetings and/or participate in the preaching activity when the second you divulge your apostate thinking into the congregation, you'll be disfellowshipped?

while this action taken may seem to be harsh, the outworking of events wouldn't be much different in one of christendom's churches.

Crisis of Conscience

jwfacts said: Since Holy Spirit does not reveal these people, it is a good indication that God is not directing the congregations.

Excellent point! The holy spirit supposedly reveals the truth, ........but not the truth about people!!

CoC

42

Today's WT Study Stupidity About Df'ing

by metatron in

jw
friends

in today's watchtower study, towards the end, you had one of those typical comments by a former df'ed witness expressing appreciation for being shunned.

these comments always remind me of a stalinist show trial in which the accused enthusiastically accepts being executed for the greater good (probably to save his family).. after this kind of nonsense is expressed, you will get a flurry of self righteous comments emphasizing how important it is to shun your disfellowshipped relatives, so that they can come back in the "truth".. oh, really?

do any of these people raising their hand realize that, if the "success" of disfellowshipping depends on your shunning, then the "repentant" person is "coming back in the truth" for the sake of their relatives -and not because of fearing jehovah !!!???.

Crisis of Conscience

@ JW GoneBad - Gotta love sarcasm!! LOL

CoC

125

JWs Not Allowed to Post on Websites?

by StandFirm in

this seems to be a favorite topic to bring up to any witnesses who post on any website where there are any opposers, either here or topix or anywhere.. so, here is the one and only place i will be discussing it.

who can prove that witnesses are specifically told not to post on websites about them?.

Crisis of Conscience

Don't worry Standfirm. We understand that deep down inside, it's still a battle.

CoC

125

JWs Not Allowed to Post on Websites?

by StandFirm in

this seems to be a favorite topic to bring up to any witnesses who post on any website where there are any opposers, either here or topix or anywhere.. so, here is the one and only place i will be discussing it.

who can prove that witnesses are specifically told not to post on websites about them?.

Crisis of Conscience

Here, I found something below that should help Maze and Standfirm. And NO - it's NOT written by apostates. It's the 2008 edition but it should be updated soon. Hope it can be of help.

Happy to make a worthwhile contribution to this thread!

CoC

42

Today's WT Study Stupidity About Df'ing

by metatron in

jw
friends

in today's watchtower study, towards the end, you had one of those typical comments by a former df'ed witness expressing appreciation for being shunned.

these comments always remind me of a stalinist show trial in which the accused enthusiastically accepts being executed for the greater good (probably to save his family).. after this kind of nonsense is expressed, you will get a flurry of self righteous comments emphasizing how important it is to shun your disfellowshipped relatives, so that they can come back in the "truth".. oh, really?

do any of these people raising their hand realize that, if the "success" of disfellowshipping depends on your shunning, then the "repentant" person is "coming back in the truth" for the sake of their relatives -and not because of fearing jehovah !!!???.

Crisis of Conscience

@ Sizemik - I share your sentiments. I have contacted a few DFed people and let them know that their JW status means nothing to me. I merely seek their friendship and apologize for my disillusion.

I asked my wife recently a question. That is, if her DFed friend, that actually used to be a best friend, came and asked her for help desperately needed, would she make herself available? She responded she didn't know. So then I asked, if it were a "wordly" person and they were in desperate need of help, would she make herself available? Without hesitation, she said yes.

I asked if the the reason for not helping her former best friend was because 3 men declared her a sinner and as of yet had not declared her forgiven or repentant. She said no, it had more to do with Jehovah's arrangement. I mentioned that while there could be a basis of DFing based on the scriptures, who sets the precedent for who is forgiven, or for how long it should be that they are rejected and ignored by everyone?

Of course no answer. I said that then she was willing to follow something that could be based on the Bible, claim to be a Bible student and yet then also follow something that is not in the Bible, but made up by man and call it Jehovah's arrangement. I ended with that as I could tell she was uncomfortable.

What a loving arrangement JW's have, indeed!

CoC