Posts by wannabefree

26

Why Will the WT Ultimately Fail

by Kum Vulcan in

i see two compelling reasons right off the bat:.

1. financial - this one is a bit counterintuitive, as we all know the wtb$ is loaded.

but if we could see real preaching stats by territory, i bet my ass that the most return visits are in the western/developed countries.

wannabefree

There never seems to be a shortage of people willing to be in subjection to other men in hopes of receiving utopia. Many of us willingly drank the Kool Aid without examining the history ... or accepting the present day spin about the history and the "light gets brighter" explanation. WHY!?

12

Watchtower CD library for Mac?

by jwfacts in

does anyone know if the watchtower cd library comes in a mac compatible version?

or has anyone been able to crack it so it works on a mac.. i know i can run emulation software, but don't feel like giving any more money to microsoft for a copy of their operating system.

i have just bought a couple of mac laptops and find it so much better than windows 7 in almost every regard that i cannot understand why people still buy pc's.

wannabefree

I have run watchtower library on linux using wine, it works with Mac too ... and its FREE!

http://www.winehq.org/

10

If the Governing Body had candor ....

by wannabefree in

another newbie thought ... i believe i saw another recent post mention a similar thought ... it is about the candor of those eaking the lead of jehovah's wintesses, namely, the governing body.. i have been bothered by this for some time now.

our publications point out one of the reasons we trust the bible's accuracy is the candor of its writers ... (yes, our publications, it is the natural was for me to speak at this time).. if only.

i really don't think i would have gotten to the point i am at if the organization was candor about mistakes.

wannabefree

Masterji - thanks for the link! Good information. Hmmm, I guess my thoughts aren't that original after all .

10

If the Governing Body had candor ....

by wannabefree in

another newbie thought ... i believe i saw another recent post mention a similar thought ... it is about the candor of those eaking the lead of jehovah's wintesses, namely, the governing body.. i have been bothered by this for some time now.

our publications point out one of the reasons we trust the bible's accuracy is the candor of its writers ... (yes, our publications, it is the natural was for me to speak at this time).. if only.

i really don't think i would have gotten to the point i am at if the organization was candor about mistakes.

wannabefree

I obviously need practice with formatting ...

10

If the Governing Body had candor ....

by wannabefree in

another newbie thought ... i believe i saw another recent post mention a similar thought ... it is about the candor of those eaking the lead of jehovah's wintesses, namely, the governing body.. i have been bothered by this for some time now.

our publications point out one of the reasons we trust the bible's accuracy is the candor of its writers ... (yes, our publications, it is the natural was for me to speak at this time).. if only.

i really don't think i would have gotten to the point i am at if the organization was candor about mistakes.

wannabefree

repost of what the above was supposed to look like, hopefully it works :)

Another newbie thought ... I believe I saw another recent post mention a similar thought ... it is about the candor of those taking the lead of Jehovah's Wintesses, namely, the Governing Body.

I have been bothered by this for some time now. Our publications point out one of the reasons we trust the Bible's accuracy is the candor of its writers ... (yes, our publications, it is the natural way for me to speak at this time).

If only. I really don't think I would have gotten to the point I am at if the organization was candor about mistakes. The UN NGO for example. The best damage control I think would have been to out themselves in a letter to the congregations. Instead, the friends who do find out feel like they are deceived, and when they find out, there is a spin already prepared. There is a spin for everything! Why not face it! Jesus would. The inspired Bible writers did! If the FDS (as represented by the GB - can't help but wonder if the other 10,800 or so FDS had a say if they would make different decisions than the 9 self appointed representatives) are spirit anointed and directed, doesn't that imply they are inspired?

Wouldn't the best damage control and love for the sheep be to acknowledge the sins or short comings of the Organization and deal with it and move forward! I know I could handle that much better. Would Jehovah or Jesus sue his own sheep? Would they spin things with expensive trials that would financially ruin a sheep that was wronged in some way or who needed help because of it?

I just can't imagine Jesus using lawyers and public relations representatives to spin or use guile.w984/1pp.13-14pars.16-17ABookforAllPeople ‘Can the Bible really be trusted?’ some may wonder. ‘Does it refer to people who undeniably lived, places that actually existed, and events that truly happened?’ If we are to trust it, there should be evidence that it was written by careful, honest writers. This brings us to another reason for examining the Bible: There is solid evidence that it is accurate and trustworthy. 17 Honest writers would record not just successes but also failures, not just strengths but also weaknesses. The Bible writers displayed such refreshing candor.

w096/15pp.16-17par.5SpeakTruthWithYourNeighbor what did Paul mean when he said that we should speak truth with our neighbor? Speaking truth involves sharing information that is factual, free from any deceit. True Christians do not twist or misrepresent the facts so as to mislead others. They “abhor what is wicked” and “cling to what is good.” (Rom. 12:9) In imitation of “the God of truth,” we should strive to be honest and forthright in all our dealings. (Ps. 15:1, 2; 31:5) By choosing our words carefully, even embarrassing or uncomfortable situations can be tactfully resolved without resorting to guile.—ReadColossians3:9, 10. Candor! I think it would be more of a pothole in the road instead of the off-ramp of deceitful practices.

10

If the Governing Body had candor ....

by wannabefree in

another newbie thought ... i believe i saw another recent post mention a similar thought ... it is about the candor of those eaking the lead of jehovah's wintesses, namely, the governing body.. i have been bothered by this for some time now.

our publications point out one of the reasons we trust the bible's accuracy is the candor of its writers ... (yes, our publications, it is the natural was for me to speak at this time).. if only.

i really don't think i would have gotten to the point i am at if the organization was candor about mistakes.

wannabefree

Another newbie thought ... I believe I saw another recent post mention a similar thought ... it is about the candor of those eaking the lead of Jehovah's Wintesses, namely, the Governing Body.

I have been bothered by this for some time now. Our publications point out one of the reasons we trust the Bible's accuracy is the candor of its writers ... (yes, our publications, it is the natural was for me to speak at this time).

If only. I really don't think I would have gotten to the point I am at if the organization was candor about mistakes. The UN NGO for example. The best damage control I think would have been to out themselves in a letter to the congregations. Instead, the friends who do find out feel like they are deceived, and when they find out, there is a spin already prepared. There is a spin for everything! Why not face it! Jesus would. The inspired Bible writers did! If the FDS (as represented by the GB - can't help but wonder if the other 10,800 or so FDS had a say if they would make different decisions than the 9 self appointed representatives) are spirit anointed and directed, doesn't that imply they are inspired?

Wouldn't the best damage control and love for the sheep be to acknowledge the sins or short comings of the Organization and deal with it and move forward! I know I could handle that much better. Would Jehovah or Jesus sue his own sheep? Would they spin things with expensive trials that would financially ruin a sheep that was wronged in some way or needed help?

***

I just can't imagine Jesus using lawyers and public relations representatives to spin or use guile.
w984/1pp.13-14pars.16-17ABookforAllPeople ‘Can the Bible really be trusted?’ some may wonder. ‘Does it refer to people who undeniably lived, places that actually existed, and events that truly happened?’ If we are to trust it, there should be evidence that it was written by careful, honest writers. This brings us to another reason for examining the Bible: There is solid evidence that it is accurate and trustworthy. 17 Honest writers would record not just successes but also failures, not just strengths but also weaknesses. The Bible writers displayed such refreshing candor.

***
Candor! I think it would be more of a pothole in the road instead of the off-ramp of what seems to be deceitful practices.

91

Newbie: Roll Call ---- Oldies Returning: Roll Call

by cameo-d in

jw
friends

i have noticed a lot of newbies lately.

(i also noticed that after being absent for a year happy1975 is making a return visit.).

so, if you are a brand spanking newbie, post here and tell us a little about your interests, your state, your new direction in life, your favorite things, whatever you want to say---this is your thread.. .

wannabefree

Thanks for the welcome. I feel the love people! Seriously, for a bunch of people that I have tried to convince myself over the years to avoid because of your terrible wickedness ... hmmm, I guess you really ain't that bad ;)

138

What year Did you Stop Attending Meetings - How Long were you a JW ?

by flipper in

jw
friends

i'm trying to compare some statistics and figures on this to share later in the thread to see if more long-time witnesses are exiting- or are newer witnesses exiting after a shorter period of time.

and - are more people exiting in the last 10 to 15 years than before.

so your answers would be helpful in looking into this .

wannabefree

Baptized convert 1986 at age of 20

I don't know yet where I am, but posting here makes me out and guilty by association ... doesn't it?

91

Newbie: Roll Call ---- Oldies Returning: Roll Call

by cameo-d in

jw
friends

i have noticed a lot of newbies lately.

(i also noticed that after being absent for a year happy1975 is making a return visit.).

so, if you are a brand spanking newbie, post here and tell us a little about your interests, your state, your new direction in life, your favorite things, whatever you want to say---this is your thread.. .

wannabefree

Caligula1

Similar age here as well. I was in my first year of college when I started to study, I made fast progress, quit school because it was not necessary as the end was so close, baptized a year later, struggled ever since. I am amazed at how similar so many stories, experiences, thoughts are. I can relate to so many experiences that I have read here and on freeminds. Being new, I still have things I want to hold on to.

I don't like the negative terms used for the brothers and sisters at times. They aren't at fault, they are mislead sheep. I believe Jehovah's Witnesses, the majority, are sincere, good, kind, faithful people. So many of the teachings seem logical and scripturally sound. For me it gets down to the apparent lack of love, the rules, the control - how can this be God's SOLE channel, and if it isn't, it can't be acceptable at all because because of its narrow mindedness, it fits into Jesus' condemnation of the religion of the Pharisees.

I always said to myself ... (me reasoning) it has to be the truth, nobody else is doing this or that ... just like everyone else says ... everybody is imperfect, the first century apostles made mistakes, so does the Governing Body, Saul went apostate but David still viewed him as God's anointed, who else understands these things like Jehovah's Witnesses, we have the Faithful & Discreet Slave, nobody is getting rich as a member of the GB what is the motive? ... like Peter I reasoned where will I go, you have the sayings of everlasting life (now I realize that goes directly to Jesus, not FDS).

Now I realize it all really comes down to the foundation. As a witness and being totally honest with myself, our foundation is the Faithful and Discreet Slave (as represented by the Governing Body), I didn't believe that to be the case, but it is, because it is the wall we eventually get to. Take away the foundation and everything falls apart. If the GB is God's sole channel of truth, Christ's channel, shouldn't they be better than anything else out there? Shouldn't they be careful what they say and how they say it? Wouldn't they be more accountable than anybody or any organization, political or othewise, on earth? As ambassadors for Christ, wouldn't how they treat their own sheep and all potential sheep be the the example above all else to the glory of God and Christ Jesus? I think the Governing Body faces similar issues as the rest do. They believe it is God's organization, they believe they represent the faithful slave, they can not think past the wall, they will not entertain the "what if", therefore, until then, they will try to make the Bible fit, look for understanding and increased light, because the alternative isn't an option.

91

Newbie: Roll Call ---- Oldies Returning: Roll Call

by cameo-d in

jw
friends

i have noticed a lot of newbies lately.

(i also noticed that after being absent for a year happy1975 is making a return visit.).

so, if you are a brand spanking newbie, post here and tell us a little about your interests, your state, your new direction in life, your favorite things, whatever you want to say---this is your thread.. .

wannabefree

Newbie here. I have lurked briefly a couple of times over the years, but was always was able to come out of it and be a good witness ... until recently. I was an elder for a while (stepped down to focus on the family), and have always been one who liked to figure things out, ponder, reason, get to the bottom of things ... this caused many questions that couldn't be answered over the years, thinking back, I now remember things that I was told when I was a newly baptized witness was apostate questions, so, I put it on the "shelf". This service year I started pioneering, sincerely trying to light the fire, help my neighbors who are being led to the slaughter, and the friends, and my family ... long story short ... I was doing research to try and better understand a new call so I could help him learn the "truth", in my research I came across this video on YouTube http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WMGJERAGMT4&feature=fvw ... it caused me great trouble, I could see so many similarities to the "The Society". I started a renewed Bible study, read Truth in Translation, sincere prayer believing that I had just as much access to Holy Spirit as FDS because a recent Watchtower said so, prayed believing God would answer my prayer if I was sincere and kept asking in faith, apologizing if it seemed like I was doubting but just wanted to make sure my faith was acceptable and would respond to whatever the direction would be. I prayed for specifics (like an elder not all that long ago suggested in a comment at a meeting), ... I was not prepared for the answer, it wasn't what I wanted or expected. I didn't want to learn I was being mislead, I wanted to be reassured that the Witnesses were it. The answer to my prayer was undeniable. I have been in different stages of panic ever since. Amzingly, the things I "shelved" over the years started tumbling down. Scriptures that I glossed over, subjects that I avoided made so much sense! I was so excited, euphoric, for the first time in my life (after 25 years a Witness) I felt Christ in my life! Then horror set in! I can't act on it! If I do, I will lose my family, I have trained them well! Yet, I can't hide it under a measuring basket, I must let the light of truth shine, if I don't, I am not worthy of Christ .... those sriptures that I used to convince myself how becoming a Witness caused division in my family years ago has taken on a whole new meaning! I am troubled to say the least. I started letting things slip to my wife ... after a few days, the floodgates opened. I was so excited and happy, I can't even begin to explain it, I just know I never felt so good about something ... my wife was horrified ... oops, I didn't see that coming (or did I?). All of the things that made so much sense to me now was as if I was speaking in tongues to her. I tried to minimize things and reassure her that I was just venting what I had been reading and needed to have somebody to talk to but that now that I was able to reason on it with her I was okay. The next day, she told me she called an elder and asked him to meet with me ... I did. Now I am trying to figure out how to take things slowly, get my family to reason on their own. I have a few children. I have been asking leading questions, trying to get them to reason, they are loyal to the organization, I did a good job, I wish I hadn't ... the saga continues.