Posts by Crisis of Conscience

6

Absolved

by watson in

the watchtower study today was unbelievable.

there is no longer any accountability for the boys at the top.

see paragraph 10, if you dare.. .

Crisis of Conscience

Here is what par. 10 says, thanks to Blondie's post here -

http://www.jehovahs-witness.net/jw/friends/199463/1/Blondies-Comments-You-Will-Not-Hear-at-the-09-26-10-WT-Study-DEEP-THINGS

10 When the time comes to clarify a spiritual

matter in our day, holy spirit helps responsible

representatives of “the faithful and discreet slave”

at world headquarters to discern deep truths

that were not previously understood. (Matt. 24:45;

1 Cor. 2:13) The Governing Body as a whole considers

adjusted explanations. (Acts 15:6) What they

learn, they publish for the benefit of all.

(Matt.10:27) As time goes on, further clarifications

may be needed, and these too are

honestly explained.

CoC

14

Blondie's Comments You Will Not Hear at the 09-26-10 WT Study (DEEP THINGS)

by blondie in

jw
friends

.. the deep things of god.

comments.

Crisis of Conscience

The conductor at the congregation I attend mentioned at least twice how humble and candid the GB is because - get this - they are willing to make adjustments as necessary!!

That holy spirit sure has a bad habit of fouling things up for the GB, and regularly because they have to keep making changes. And the only thing that becomes "clear" after an adjustment, is how confused they are!

I can usually deal with the BS being spit out from people's mouths at the meeting. But this really mad me sick and completely annoyed me. The blind folks at the hall just chuckled in agreement with the conductor, probably thinking about how right he was and how appreciative they are. But me - AGAIN - !!

Oh yeah, thanks Blondie for a great review!!

CoC

35

Things That Matter and Things That Don't

by AllTimeJeff in

jw
friends

being a jehovah's witness at any time and at any level is a major head f*ck.

the reason is that it obscures what is important and causes you to focus on what doesn't matter.. i've moved on from my jw experience.

it's a shame that i found myself a born in, taught to focus on things that don't matter.

Crisis of Conscience

Excellent thread Jeff! Thank you!

I think the area that many of us, who are in the struggle (including me), go wrong in is finding that balance - what matters and what doesn't.

Especially if we are people pleasers, it can be very difficult to distinguish when we are thinking about OUR happiness, and not that of others. Thinking about yourself and your needs is not ALWAYS being selfish. And not focusing on the things that don't matter and that could affect your life negatively is definitely not selfish.

The WTS would have you think the above to be a loose and permissive attitude. The funny thing is, at least on my behalf, once you put aside the silly thought that you CONTINUALLY have to put the interests of others, the interests of the kingdom (TM), etc., ahead of yours, then there is room to find true happiness, true contentment.

Yes, I said TRUE. Though still a regular attendee of "the meetings" (TM), the cutback I have made on my "spiritual activities" (TM) has actually brought me peace I have never felt before. I no longer find myself trying to please the world in worthless endeavors, mainly the organization. And I am doing more of the things that I want to do and that make me happy.

Thanks again for the food for thought, Jeff.

CoC

43

Skeleton's Come Tumbling out of Bethel's Closet - Ray Franz- Book ISOCF

by flipper in

jw
friends

my wife and i are towards the end ( finally ) of reading " in search of christian freedom " by ray franz .

( long book 728 pgs.

on pg.

Crisis of Conscience

When I was serving at Patterson, I recall asking why in the hillbilly we had locks on our doors. Can't or rather don't we trust all of our "brothers" there?

Well, I can testify to the truthfulness of what Ray said in his book as well as the former bethelites comments here.

I was given the warning of "sticky fingers" at Bethel.

What?!? Yes folks, I'm afraid it's true. It's somehting I had forgotten about until reading this thread. But I'm sure it's mentioned to all Bethel personell.

CoC

58

For those still in- why do you (really) stay, and what would it take for you to leave the org?

by serenitynow! in

jw
friends

for the so-called conscious class, those of you who know it's all a disgusting lie, what is the real reason you stay in?

i find it hard to understand how ones who know what the org truly is would continue to be an active jw.

i'm not talking about the "faders"- those with an actual plan to get out as painlessly as possible.

Crisis of Conscience

Two words - SOCIAL CLUB.

I have already established in previous posts that I realize that most, if not all, of my friendships in the org are conditional. If I leave, I get dropped.

So yes , it's hypocritical and selfish of me. But as long as long as I keep up the act, my socializing, people loving @$$ will continue to have people I can relate to pretty well because I have known so many for so long. And I have definitely had many good times with them that I am not ready to just throw away right now. And I don't want to forget the travel opportunities I get by knowing witnesses in other states or countries.

I am currently though striving to form some friendships with "wordly", "weak spiritually", and even disfellowshipped people, because I can't see things being this easy forever.

My wife is also a factor. However, she seems to have loosened up her stance with me. She seems more understanding. But that may have to do with a little conversation we had about some things she has confessed to me. It's not my intention to blackmail, but simply put, what makes it fine for her and yet I get the "Jehovah says" speech? I think now we are on the same page to some extent.

As far as my side of the family, they are all on the "weaker" side. No problem there. I wouldn't lose them. And my wife's family, though I like them, are really no loss for me. I would definitely lose them.

The congregation I am in seems pretty genuine. My beef is not with them, despite some of the ridiculous things said by the elders at times. My real beef is with the Watchtower.

What I really desire is some big scandal in the hall, or the org, whichever comes first. A cop out? - Yes indeed. I don't think it's too unrealistic either. But it would be so easy to walk out that way and might even spur others to do the same, like my wife, whom I know now to also have her doubts. Oh yes, and I can't forget my father too.

CoC

23

Please ring in if you have currently hold a "rank" in the WTBTS

by stillin9 in

just wondering how many active pioneers, elders, ministerial servants, or perhaps even co's visit this forum.

no need to disclose any personal information just what you serve as.. i am sure other threads similar to this have existed but what the heck.... i'll start off.... i am currently serving as a ms in a congregation in the us.. .

so what your's rank?.

Crisis of Conscience

I'm still a ministerial servant and loving every minute of it! (The second part is a lie!)

However I have managed to cut back on pretty much any activities as a servant. Still considered "spiritual." Imagine that!

CoC

76

What prayers does God answer?

by jwfacts in

i have always struggled to understand what prayers god answers and which ones he avoids.

most religions teach that god answers prayers, so people must feel that their prayers are being answered, yet the type of prayers seem to be very selective.. .

if god answered broad based prayers, then children in third world countries would not be starving, so he does not seem to interfere in global issues.

Crisis of Conscience

I posed this question to my wife once. I asked her that if in the future, through prayer and time, I came to the sure conclusion that Jehovah is not using the Witnesses to teach the truth and yet through prayer and time she believed different, who's prayer did God answer? And how could she prove it to me, without a doubt?

I got no answer. Funny, the exact same result I get when I pray to God.

Thanks for the topic jwfacts.

CoC

9

The fate of the witnesses of Yahweh

by Doug Mason in

you are my witnesses, declares the lord,.

and my servant whom i have chosen,.

and understand that i am he.. "before me no god was formed,.

Crisis of Conscience

Context............It's all about the context. But if the FDS says it, it doesn't matter what the rest of the verse, chapter, book, or Bible says. Holy spirit at it's best!!

Very interesting find. Thanks Doug!

CoC

46

The pain got too much so I wrote to my daughter....

by Lozhasleft in

jw
friends

i just wrote a message to my youngest daughter - its been over a year since we were in touch.

she moved to live with an older sibling and cut off contact with me.

she's only 17. its been heartbreaking.

Crisis of Conscience

I find it sad that despite everything a parent does for a child, it can mean nothing when confronted with a final verdict from the society.

You provide physically, emotionally, financially, perhaps even spiritually, for many years, maybe even into adulthood - self-sacrificingly. But once the elders render that judgement, the child owes you - NOTHING. How absurd!!

And to justify it as God's law? Only a lunatic could accept such nonsense.

LOZ, I wish you the best. I know there is no way I can understand completely the pain you feel as a mother. Especially having carried a living being for 9 months and giving birth to it and seeing it grow and mature.

I don't know you personally, yet I feel emotional for you. This is a prime example of why the society has it so !@#$*# up.

You're in my thoughts.

CoC

29

Those that just one day - were not there anymore

by just n from bethel in

jw
friends

i, like otwo in another thread, never really had a bad experience with jws.

i never had any case of molestation come up in the the many congregations i served in.

i never had any major beefs with any elder body.

Crisis of Conscience

Jehiccup MiCaCa

I didn't read the whole thing yet but I picked up on this name. Hilarious!! LMBO

I will read it later though as it looks interesting. Thanks.

CoC