since i have finished reading coc as well articles from randy during the purge at bethel around 1980, i was wondering what kind of changes were made if any to try and prevent such independent thinking or study .... also, i can't help but wonder if the organization makes gb members and/or others sign some kind of non-disclosure agreements to prevent repeats of tell alls from bethelites and higher-ups.. any thoughts or information about this?.
Since I have finished reading CoC as well articles from Randy during the purge at Bethel around 1980, I was wondering what kind of changes were made if any to try and prevent such independent thinking or study ...
Also, I can't help but wonder if the organization makes GB members and/or others sign some kind of non-disclosure agreements to prevent repeats of tell alls from Bethelites and higher-ups.
Any thoughts or information about this?
"jesus did not die on the cross" .
a new doctoral dissertation in theology from gothenburg university claims that the bible has been misinterpreted when it comes to how jesus died.
gunnar samuelsson who wrote the dissertation has studied the original texts and sees no explicit references to crucifiction.
If Jesus was given a lethal injection, he still died, that was the point, he didn't deserve death, didn't inherit Adam's sinful condition, whatever death he faced it was unnatural and a sacrifice ... for that I am grateful, he is my savior
i have a google article on shunning -.
http://knol.google.com/k/why-jehovah-s-witnesses-practice-religious-shunning#.
its had almost 15,000 page views :-).
Thanks to you and those you had collaboration with for that very well written blog.
I am grateful to all of you who follow the courageous example of Ray Franz and others throughout history who have stood against and exposed the tyranny of others.
Thank you for helping me to have the resources to look, and to find the courage to read what I once was afraid to and considered wicked propoganda.
It is so strange to find true love for neighbor in a place that I once thought was the epitome of evil.
There is so much to say, I will just end and again say ... THANKS!
lately, i have been encountering several jw's who are out placing flyers inviting folks to the upcoming district conventions.
i am usually out for my 10:00 - 11:00 am lunch stroll and when i walk the streets of nearby residential areas, i have been seeing several jw's out in service (i counted 12 yesterday - 8 women and 4 men).
in 4 instances over the past 9 days, i have placed myself in a situation (such as sitting on a park bench that is along the sidewalk they are on or stopping my stroll before they get to me) and each time they just smile and say hello and continue on their path.
the sept 15, 2010 wt on page 23 states :.
the anointed and their other sheep companions recognize that by following the lead of the modern-day governing body, they are in fact following their leader, christ.. what a pile of filth!!!!.
the only capitalized letters are governing, body, leader, christ.
Certainly this is nothing new, but the way it is said, and how common this power of the GB thread has been lately, and the volume in the issue referred to alone, it seems the message isn't as subliminal as in the past. Too much questioning perhaps? Too much dissention?
Technically, sure, as far as JW world goes, GB can make a case that they are taking the lead as followers of Christ, so, by following their lead (not as leaders, but as taking the lead as followers of the leader) you follow Christ by following [along] with them. This is how it spins.
the sept 15, 2010 wt on page 23 states :.
the anointed and their other sheep companions recognize that by following the lead of the modern-day governing body, they are in fact following their leader, christ.. what a pile of filth!!!!.
the only capitalized letters are governing, body, leader, christ.
Welcome 2014CountDown
during my trek through the jw's i often heard talks and comments stating how witnesses were humble and meek, unlike the haughty-title loving people of the world especially christendom.
well i just received my 2010 alumni directory that covers everyone who graduated from the two high schools that were part of the district i live in.. so i spent the afternoon parusing its pages when i came across a listing for a guy who is now an elder in the congregation i used to attend.
here is how he describes himself.
Diana ... I am thinking that since you changed the title, perhaps you meant to start a new thread.
ok, so i finally picked up coc from my local library last night.
and started reading it like crazy.
i think i read about 70 pages which brought me close to the end of the second chapter: "governing body".
If it wasn't true, wouldn't the Org have sued Ray for slander or libel?
Damn cult. How can an inanimate corporation have millions of people duped and defending it?
ok, so i finally picked up coc from my local library last night.
and started reading it like crazy.
i think i read about 70 pages which brought me close to the end of the second chapter: "governing body".
I just finished it yesterday ... WOW! Enjoy the ride.
i just finished chapter 8 of crisis of conscience.. i used to feel humbled, but priviliged to think that jehovah drew me to his organization.
so few find it and he allowed me!.
now i feel humbled, but ashamed that i never examined the religion and got sucked in.
Finished CoC yesterday.
I can't help but see the GB in a very different light. Amazing how they wanted Ray gone and washed their hands of it each step of the way, can't help but think about how Pontius Pilate washed his hands to symbolize being free of the blood of Christ when he knew an innocent man was about to be handed over for death.
I just angers me thinking about it again, the way they had no love for the so-called apostates and would just discard them all like trash. It hurts thinking about Ed Dunlap, hoping to just ride it out, willing to be moved to work in carpentry, then to just be thrown to the curb. Fills me with emotion thinking about the kind, 72 year old man hanging wallpaper and working well past 80 yrs of age to support his wife and himself. Heartless.
There is no way this can be God's organization.
I certainly admire Ray. I regret it took me so long to learn what a good man he was.
On to Releasing the Bonds and In Search of Christian Freedom
