Crisis of Conscience

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Posts by Crisis of Conscience

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  43

  Hypocrisy 101 - Watchtower has Payed for College/College Courses for Bethelites!

  by Crisis of Conscience in

  1. watchtower
  2. scandals

  no you did not read the title wrong.

  i was out to eat this weekend with two bethelites.

  one gave a talk in my hall and i was invited out to dinner with them by another family in my hall.. as the conversation always turns to "spiritual" things, the subject of education was brought up.

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  Crisis of Conscience

  @ 3dogs1husband - I was completely unaware of that! Thanks. And he can definitely be found online. Very interesting.

  CoC
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  43

  Hypocrisy 101 - Watchtower has Payed for College/College Courses for Bethelites!

  by Crisis of Conscience in

  1. watchtower
  2. scandals

  no you did not read the title wrong.

  i was out to eat this weekend with two bethelites.

  one gave a talk in my hall and i was invited out to dinner with them by another family in my hall.. as the conversation always turns to "spiritual" things, the subject of education was brought up.

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  Crisis of Conscience

  @ drewcoul Thank you for that. It's just so amazing and so hypocritical!!

  This weekend I spent some time with JW relatives. They were also talking about education and how the GB has been warning us for years to stay away from higher education. I wanted so bad to say WHAT I HEARD directly FROM that BETHELITE. But I had to bite my tongue. I have to choose my battles. Alas, I was outnumbered!

  If they only knew.

  CoC
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  43

  Hypocrisy 101 - Watchtower has Payed for College/College Courses for Bethelites!

  by Crisis of Conscience in

  1. watchtower
  2. scandals

  no you did not read the title wrong.

  i was out to eat this weekend with two bethelites.

  one gave a talk in my hall and i was invited out to dinner with them by another family in my hall.. as the conversation always turns to "spiritual" things, the subject of education was brought up.

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  Crisis of Conscience

  @ MrFreeze That was the defense given, not in that way of course.

  Supposedly, some of the witness lawyers called from the outside consider themselves bigshots, as if they are above Bethel rules. The example he gave regarding this is that single Bethelites are required to be at Bethel at least a year before they consider trying to bring in a mate. Some of these hotshots attempt to get married and bring in a mate before that because they figure Bethel won't tell them no since a lawyer is a specialized skill. Witness lawyers don't seem to be a dime a dozen, readily available.

  So now instead they have decided to appoint "understudies", so to speak. Faithful bethelites who will work under the lawyers and learn the ways until they can perhaps qualify in some way or basically do most of the work. And I'm guessing they don't offer further education so that the "faithful" brother won't wake up!

  CoC
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  43

  Hypocrisy 101 - Watchtower has Payed for College/College Courses for Bethelites!

  by Crisis of Conscience in

  1. watchtower
  2. scandals

  no you did not read the title wrong.

  i was out to eat this weekend with two bethelites.

  one gave a talk in my hall and i was invited out to dinner with them by another family in my hall.. as the conversation always turns to "spiritual" things, the subject of education was brought up.

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  Crisis of Conscience

  No you did not read the title wrong. I was out to eat this weekend with two Bethelites. One gave a talk in my hall and I was invited out to dinner with them by another family in my hall.

  As the conversation always turns to "spiritual" things, the subject of education was brought up. One of the Bethelites in specific was bashing higher education. He is a servant in his hall but is pro-WTS for sure. He was talking about how bad higher education is. And just to give an example, he spoke about how Bethel has paid for a Bethelites education, specifically legal was mentioned.

  It was a small group of us talking and I wasn't sitting next to him. So I didn't catch all the details.

  What I didn't clarify was for how many Bethelites this was done for or if they went to college directly or where they received this college education. But I know what I heard because he said it more than once. And he kept saying that it's obvious highter education is so bad because some of these brothers even left the "truth" despite having the privilege to serve at Bethel!

  So apparently Bethel had to put the squash on this. He mentioned that they were offering such things to those who proved to be faithful in their service, whatever that means. Again I have no specific time that he was referring to. He does not work in legal. But it seemed he was talking to a Bethel heavy.

  I will see this brother again and I will attempt to clarify those things.

  In the meanwhile, am I the first to hear this? I never heard of it while I served there. Can anyone else confirm? I appreciate the input, and am sure others will too.

  CoC
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  35

  Bethel Entrants' School Lecture 2-D

  by Marvin Shilmer in

  1. jw
  2. friends

  bethel entrants' school lecture 2-d. .

  the watchtower organization requires that all new full-time workers at its world headquarters or other facilities attend an entrant school.

  attendees are provided worksheets that are outlines for lectures at these events.

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  Crisis of Conscience

  I also still have my Entrants School outlines and notes. I hadn't looked at them in a while but was moved (LOL) after reading this post.
  The interesting part is that I didn't recall having to read the life stories of the GB. But sure enough, it was a requirement! Right at the top of page of most of the outlines. I don't think I read them regardless. I just didn't see what that had to do with Bethel.
  Hey, somewhat associated with the topic, is there, or does anyone have, a PDF copy of the the Dwelling in Unity manual? That would be something good to add to the collection of leaked books. Thanks.

  CoC
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  49

  A rhetorical analysis of the Sept. KM Question Box

  by Leolaia in

  1. watchtower
  2. beliefs

  some have pursued an independent group study of biblical hebrew and greek so as to analyze the accuracy of the new world translation.

  they have also held conferences and produced publications to present their findings and to supplement what is provided at our christian meetings and through our literature.. throughout the earth, jehovah's people are receiving ample spiritual instruction and encouragement at congregation meetings, assemblies, and conventions, as well as through the publications of jehovah's organization.

  rather, the claim is implicit.

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  Crisis of Conscience

  Is it me or does the last sentence of par. 10 on pg. 5 of the January 2011 Km contradict this Question Box?
  I have a copy but I can't put it here as I'm posting from my phone.
  Can anyone else help out with this? Or does anyone else even feel the same way?

  CoC
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  46

  The Governing Body wants JWs to really, really understand this one point

  by cattails in

  1. watchtower
  2. bible

  if you had to guess what point of their teaching.

  the governing body wants jws to really, really understand,.

  24:45.. the comment highlights that because jesus "did not say that there would be a multitude of slaves scattered throughout the various sects of christendom.

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  Crisis of Conscience

  I like the point someone mentioned about this being an illustration. I told the same thing to my wife one time. That is how Jesus often spoke. Was everything, and who decides if so, to be taken literal?

  And now after reading some of the comments, I again wonder about this. If this is indeed what Jesus meant, why doesn't the FDS speak of a REAL neighborly Samaritan? That was an illustration too. Was Jesus signifying that a group also would be identified as this? Who decides? Why is that not a fundamental teaching of the JW's?

  Ok, no need to answer those questions. Why? Because it's all .............................................................................BS.

  That I know for sure. Great thread by the way!!

  CoC
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  49

  A rhetorical analysis of the Sept. KM Question Box

  by Leolaia in

  1. watchtower
  2. beliefs

  some have pursued an independent group study of biblical hebrew and greek so as to analyze the accuracy of the new world translation.

  they have also held conferences and produced publications to present their findings and to supplement what is provided at our christian meetings and through our literature.. throughout the earth, jehovah's people are receiving ample spiritual instruction and encouragement at congregation meetings, assemblies, and conventions, as well as through the publications of jehovah's organization.

  rather, the claim is implicit.

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  Crisis of Conscience

  This looks like great reading. I just need to "buy out the opportune time" to read it all. LOL
  But now I at least have it for future reference. Thanks.

  CoC
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  48

  PDF documentation regarding 1975 prediction in WT publications

  by cabasilas in

  1. watchtower
  2. bible

  i had a request for documentation of the watchtower societys statements regarding the year 1975. so, ive put these files up for downloading from a filesharing service.

  the first file contains the complete text of 3 issues of awake!

  26-35 (file is 12 mb):.

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  Crisis of Conscience

  This is a great thread and no doubt damning to the Society. I hope the links still work. I'll try later. Thanks.

  CoC
• 
  19

  Therapy

  by MrFreeze in

  1. jw
  2. experiences

  i understand how difficult it can be to leave the jw religion.

  some even feel that they need therapy to deal with it.

  how many here have seen a therapist as a result of the jw's?

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  Crisis of Conscience

  I've wondered about this before as far as people on this board but never thought to start a thread. Thanks MrFreeze !!

  JuanMiguel's 1st post is spot on.

  I am currently going to therapy regularly. The idea came to me a while back to face issues regarding the way I was raised - mainly regarding physical and verbal abuse. I tried to address the situation by confronting my father with these issues, which he basically dismissed. This continued to trouble me to the point that I saw therapy as a necessity. But it wasn't until I had a crisis of conscience with my religion that I actually went for my first visit.

  The therapist I saw initially is a witness. He has been disfellowshipped before and even served as an elder in the past. I went to him because I knew those things and I thought that he might understand my feelings. I must mention too that I chose him because I was trying to avoid receiving "wordly wisdom." However, that wasn't a major concern as I had already began to frequent this site, though not yet a member.

  As far as dealing with the issues with my father, he helped immensely. He even recommended a book that our dear Lady Lee mentioned on this site. It's called Toxic Parents. A great read if you want to understand how your parents have a huge effect and control on your life, even after becoming an adult and establishing your own life.

  He even helped empower me in dealing with my doubts as a witness. I wasn't completely open with him, but he helped me not to worry about things like stepping down as a servant, of which I was terrified of, and not focusing on being a people pleaser, which we identified was a major problem of mine in the religion. Yet as much as he made sense, he continually defended the org. I couldn't understand it but knew I couldn't continue trying to work out this issue with him.

  I took a few months off and then began searching for another therapist. This time I found a non-witness, but a therapist that offered faith based counseling nonetheless. I've really appreciated her efforts in trying to understand what this religion is like. It helps that she has seen other witnesses in the past. I've only been to 3 sessions with her so far but I definitely feel good and look forward to more visits.

  She did give me something to think about. I currently am not sure what my true feelings are on God. She said that many times our view of God is often a reflection of how our parents raised or treated us. My father was a strict man of rules. His word was law. You never questioned Dad and you always saw it his way if you knew what was good for you. I must admit that this is exactly the way I feel about the society in a nutshell. Fortunately, despite realizing that, I am also very aware of the BS so I am not in anyway ready to be forgiving to this organization because of that revelation.

  I agree with what has been said though. How you react to or accept therapy depends on the type of a person you are. But in my humble opinion, if you apply yourself and are practical in the process, you will see benefits. It specifically helps me because as many here know, I have a wife still mentally in. And while she listens and agrees to many things I say, she also often times crawls back in her cave after receiving "encouragement" from the congregation. Being able to totally open up about my feelings without receiving judgement at a therapy session is what keeps me calm and sane. I recommend it to everyone, but especially those in the struggle, whether currently in or out of the org.

  Feel free to ask any questions and I will answer what I can. Hope this can help someone.

  CoC