Sayswho

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Posts by Sayswho

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  62

  WE CAN DO THIS....if you think the idea is as good as I do!

  by Terry in

  1. jw
  2. friends

  i have long had an idea that i think is a very powerful tool in reaching even hard-nosed jw's.. .

  it would consist only of actual photographic scans of various documents, articles, photographs such as these from marvin shilmer's blog: (see next panel).

  there would be no extraneous non-official text whatsoever.. it would be published the size of an old life magazine and sent anonymously to jw's at their homes.. the cover would clearly contain the words: "all contents originally published by watchtower bible &tract society".

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  Sayswho

  marking...
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  25

  "The Scholastic Dishonesty of The WATCHTOWER" as a pdf?

  by VM44 in

  1. watchtower
  2. scandals

  does anyone know if "the scholastic dishonesty of the watchtower", published by caris, has been made into a pdf?.

  there has been so much excellent material posted here as pdf files, but i forgotten if the above has been posted.. if it has been made available, is a currently active link for it that works?.

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  Sayswho

  thank you...

  Sw
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  90

  Saw some JWs this am! Couldn't stop laughing

  by Free!! in

  1. jw
  2. friends

  this morning on my way to the office i decided to stop at the gas station to get some coffee.... as i am pulling into the parking space i see this woman w a haircut from the 80's the typical below the knee skirt and long sleeve shirt (is a 105 degrees over here in the shadow).... i immediatly knew she was a jw... she had the latest wt in her hands..... she skipped me and approached a group of young mexican laborers that were resting in the back of a truck... but... as soon as i walked out of the gas station... guess who was waiting for me???

  the jw!!!

  she wanted to do a presentation.. i looked at her and w/o saying a word i started laughing so hard the guys in the truck started laughing as well... she just looked at me and still kept trying to push her literatrash!!

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  Sayswho

  Shame on you!!! You came off as a mean spirited person.

  Really what did she do to you? You knew who she was, what she was doing and what she was going to offer you…and yet you decided to be as demeaning as you could.

  Oh...it would have been beneath you to of said “no thanks I am an apostate and don’t believe that anymore…or how about something that might of helped in awaking her from the mind control “cult” she is under.

  • As seen on this form a small seed of doubt placed at anytime can lead to an awaking later, sometimes years but nevertheless be the reason someone wakes up.

  • Opportunity lost…maybe next time---What do you say?

  Sw
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  81

  NEW RUMOR: WT ALLOWS BIRTHDAYS

  by J.R.R.Watchtower in

  1. watchtower
  2. beliefs

  i've just read at a spanish forum for ex-jw that the wt has cooked a new light article series about social celebrations, including birthdays and aniversaries.

  according to a member of this forum 'in short' the wt will let witnesses to decide by 'their bible trained conscience' either they celebrate birthdays or not.

  is this rumor based in some real facts or it's just bullshit?.

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  Sayswho

  In refering back to the article in the w98 10/15 30-31; the watchtower a few months later in the w98 12/15 30 under "Do You Remember" Asked...

  Why do Christians celebrate wedding anniversaries but not birthdays?
  The Bible does not put marriage in a bad light. It is entirely a private matter whether Christians choose to take note of a wedding anniversary, reflecting on the joyfulness of that event and on their resolve to work for success as a couple. However, the only birthday celebrations of Biblical record are those of pagans, and such were linked to instances of cruelty.—10/15, pages 30, 31.

  ---

  I find ths question quite misleading...as it states "CHRISTIANS' do not celebrations birthdays! Really? or is it rather for the most part a teaching of JWs? I have found that most Christians today celebrate birthdays...

  Sw

  Your welcome 'QB'
• 
  81

  NEW RUMOR: WT ALLOWS BIRTHDAYS

  by J.R.R.Watchtower in

  1. watchtower
  2. beliefs

  i've just read at a spanish forum for ex-jw that the wt has cooked a new light article series about social celebrations, including birthdays and aniversaries.

  according to a member of this forum 'in short' the wt will let witnesses to decide by 'their bible trained conscience' either they celebrate birthdays or not.

  is this rumor based in some real facts or it's just bullshit?.

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  Sayswho

  Questions From Readers w98 10/15 30-31
  
  Many of Jehovah’s Witnesses observe wedding anniversaries. A birthday is an anniversary of when you were born. So why celebrate wedding anniversaries and not birthday anniversaries?
  Frankly, there is no need for a Christian to celebrate either. Still, that does not mean that the two are equal in import or that Christians must view the former (wedding anniversaries) as they do birthday celebrations.
  As noted, it can be said that both are anniversaries because an “anniversary” is ‘the annual recurrence of a date marking some event.’ It could be an anniversary of any event—the day you had an automobile accident, saw an eclipse of the moon, went swimming with your family, and so on. It is clear that Christians do not turn every “anniversary” into a special day or have a party to commemorate it. One should consider the aspects of an event and decide what is fitting.
  For example, God specifically instructed the Israelites to celebrate annually the day when his angel passed over the houses of the Israelites in Egypt and the resulting exodus of his people in 1513 B.C.E. (Exodus 12:14) When Jews, including Jesus, subsequently commemorated the anniversary of that event, it was in obedience to God’s direction, and they did not do so with a party or with gift-giving. The Jews also treated as special the anniversary of the rededication of the temple. Though commemorating this historical event was not commanded in the Bible, John 10:22, 23 suggests that Jesus was not critical of its being done. Finally, Christians have a special meeting on the anniversary of Jesus’ death. Of course, this is done out of obedience to a clear command found in God’s Word.—Luke 22:19, 20.
  What about wedding anniversaries? In some lands it is common for husband and wife to take note of the anniversary of their entering the marital state, an arrangement that God originated. (Genesis 2:18-24; Matthew 19:4-6) Certainly, the Bible does not put marriage in a bad light. Jesus both attended a marriage celebration and contributed to the pleasure of the occasion.—John 2:1-11.
  It thus would not be strange that a couple might on their wedding anniversary take time to reflect on the joyfulness of that event and on their resolve to work for success as a couple. Whether they focus on this happy occasion in private, just as a couple, or they have a few relatives or close friends with them would be for them to decide. The occasion should not become a mere excuse for a large social gathering. On this occasion Christians would want to be guided by the principles that apply every day of their lives. So whether one takes note of a wedding anniversary or not is a personal matter.—Romans 13:13, 14.
  What, though, about taking special note of a birthday? Do we have any indications from the Bible about such an anniversary?
  Well, early in this century, Bible Students, as Jehovah’s Witnesses were then known, did take note of birthdays. Many of them kept small books called Daily Heavenly Manna. These contained a Bible text for each day, and many Christians put a tiny photograph on the pages corresponding to the birthdays of fellow Bible Students. Also, The Watch Tower of February 15, 1909, related that at a convention in Jacksonville, Florida, U.S.A., Brother Russell, then president of the Society, was ushered onto the platform. Why? He was given a surprise birthday present of some boxes of grapefruit, pineapples, and oranges. That gives us a glimpse of the past. To put matters in their context, recall that during that period, Bible Students also commemorated December 25 as the anniversary of Jesus’ birth, or birthday. It was even customary to have Christmas dinner at the Brooklyn headquarters.
  Of course, since then God’s people have grown spiritually in many respects. In the 1920’s increased light of truth enabled them to see the following:
  Jesus was not born on December 25, a date linked to pagan religion. The Bible directs us to commemorate the date of Jesus’ death, not the anniversary of his or anyone else’s birth. Doing so accords with Ecclesiastes 7:1 and the fact that how a faithful person’s life turns out is more important than the day of his birth. The Bible has no record that any faithful servant celebrated his birthday. It records birthday celebrations of pagans, linking these occasions with cruel acts. Let us get the background of those birthday anniversaries.
  The first is the birthday of the Pharaoh in Joseph’s day. (Genesis 40:20-23) In this regard, the article on birthdays in Hastings’ Encyclopædia of Religion and Ethics begins: “The custom of commemorating the day of birth is connected, in its form, with the reckoning of time, and, in its content, with certain primitive religious principles.” Later, the encyclopedia quotes Egyptologist Sir J. Gardner Wilkinson, who wrote: “Every Egyptian attached much importance to the day, and even to the hour of his birth; and it is probable that, as in Persia, each individual kept his birthday with great rejoicings, welcoming his friends with all the amusements of society, and a more than usual profusion of the delicacies of the table.”
  Another birthday celebration mentioned in the Bible is Herod’s, at which John the Baptist was beheaded. (Matthew 14:6-10) The International Standard Bible Encyclopedia (1979 edition) provides this insight: “The pre-Hellenistic Greeks celebrated the birthdays of gods and prominent men. G[ree]k genéthlia designated these celebrations, while genésia meant a celebration commemorative of the birthday of a deceased important individual. In 2 Macc[abees] 6:7 we find reference to a monthly genéthlia of Antiochus IV, during which the Jews were forced to ‘partake of the sacrifices.’ . . . When Herod celebrated his birthday he was acting in accord with a Hellenistic custom; there is no evidence for the celebration of birthdays in Israel in pre-Hellenistic times.”
  Admittedly, true Christians today are not preoccupied with the roots and possible ancient religious connections of every practice or custom, but neither are they inclined to ignore pointed indications that do exist in God’s Word. This includes that the only birthday celebrations of Biblical record are of pagans and linked to instances of cruelty. Hence, the Scriptures clearly place birthday celebrations in a negative light, a fact that sincere Christians do not disregard.
  Consequently, while it is entirely a private matter if Christians choose to take note of their wedding anniversary, there are good reasons why mature Christians abstain from celebrating birthdays.

  Sw
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  87

  FDS says - "No need to check our work. Besides, it will only make God angry."

  by Crisis of Conscience in

  1. watchtower
  2. bible

  though i no longer believe the fds is indeed appointed by god, i guess because of what has been taught to me all these years through the wtbts, i still make an effort to try and look at both sides.

  and then i come across this number below, which is how i arrived at my title for this thread.

  ***w81 2/15 p.19 do we need help to understand the bible?***.

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  Sayswho

  "I'm not a stupid person! HOW did I let this happen to me?...NewChapter"

  This is a good question...for me it was being born-in and indoctrinated over time. When you are exposed at a young age you have little chance of thinking for yourself...as we are told not to because the FDS (GB)knows what's best for us…since Jeh is directing them.

  And with the mind being set on only a few years left in this system I never had the desire or thought to question what they were saying... My mind was being held captive, unable to think BY IT'S-SELF....But....Now I am awake and in my 50's saying WTF...It's like awaking from a coma.

  It is amazing for me how clearer my mind is now...since I have only been to 3 meetings in the past year with the last one being the memorial. I ask myself the same type of questions, how could I be so naïve, so trusting (gullible)? I have taken the red pill and it’s good to see things for what they really are. We had been seduced or lead astray by these wicked men…AND THEY KNOW WHO THEY ARE!!!

  And I will do what I can to awake others...

  Sw
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  82

  Watching the Leadership Crumble

  by Damn The Watchtower in

  1. jw
  2. friends

  i watch the watchtower leaders crumble, slowly crumble.

  one nonsensical move after the other.

  you have no idea how this makes me feel.

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  Sayswho

  So I am not one of those who thinks the Governing Body should institute reforms to make its leadership better or more effective. What they should do isresign. If these men were truly concerned for the rank-and-file's welfare, they would do so at once. Instead, they hang on and impose even more pharisaical rules on the membership. They are more like ravenous wolves than sheep-like followers. Quendi

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  AMEN

  Sw
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  48

  Have Jehovah's Witnesses (The WTBTS) taken the Best Years of your life?

  by Hairyhegoat in

  1. jw
  2. friends

  having been a born in for 44 years i can say yes to this question.

  my 2 sisters and 1 brother and my dad have nothing to do with my family now we have made our stand against the jw's.

  i was always downtrodden at school for been a jw.

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  Sayswho

  Perhaps the "best productive years" have been taken away from me...I am over 50 and the time left for a "Real" life is reduced. It‘s more difficult to learn new things and the opportunities for those in my age bracket just aren’t there…those in their 20-40 range look at the over 50 as insignificant…You know--Lacking value; worthy of little regard. Of course not all feel this way but this is the generally held feelings that prevail.In my field (Job) young and older people need to come to me for help, some are smarter than me some not…I just know more or how to figure things out.I do not think I’m better or think less of them…it’s mostly about attitude—you know.

  Oh I did find some perks for being over 50 online... See I knew life would get better after WT

  1. Kidnappers are not very interested in you.
  2. In a hostage situation you are likely to be released first.
  3. No one expects you to run--anywhere.
  4. People call at 9 PM and ask, “Did I wake you????”
  5. People no longer view you as a hypochondriac.
  6. There is nothing left to learn the hard way.
  7. Things you buy now won't wear out.
  8. You can eat dinner at 4 PM.
  9. Your supply of brain cells is finally down to manageable size.
  10. You get into heated arguments about pension plans.
  11. You no longer think of speed limits as challenge.
  12. You quit trying to hold your stomach in no matter who walks into the room.
  13. You sing along with elevator music.
  14. Your eyes won't get much worse.
  15. Your investment in health insurance is finally beginning to pay off.
  16. Your joints are more accurate meteorologists than the national weather service.
  17. Your secrets are safe with your friends because they can't remember them either.
  18. You can't remember if you've read this before

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  "Everyone will die but not everyone really lives"

  Sw
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  11

  When did baptism turn into a wet T shirt contest?

  by highdose in

  1. jw
  2. friends

  at what point did they require people to don a white t shirt?

  because lets face it as everyone knows... white t shirts become see-through when wet..... so if they are going for the argument that it protects modesty then thats rubbish, why not insist on a black t shirt that would really do the job?.

  instead people get baptised and as soon as they come up from the water whatever they were wearing underneath is there for all to see.. .

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  Sayswho

  Am i the only one who can't help but suspect theres perverted leering forces at work here behind the scenes??

  YES....IT must BE Satin...BESIDES, WHO REALLY CARES!!! MORE IS SEEN IN THEIR "NORMAL CLOTHES"...

  • Not everyone or everything is preverted, or done to be perverted...Or are we all?
  • Is it the person showing almost everything they have the perv...or the one looking?

  • I'm naked under my clothes Shhhhh

  Sw
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  47

  Info For Newbies and Current Jehovah's Witnesses! Please Read!

  by mentallyfree31 in

  1. watchtower
  2. beliefs

  example: gravity is real.

  because if 607 bce is wrong, then so is 1914 and 1918 and 1919. very simple.

  so if we cannot trust secular research, then we can definitely discard the date of 607 bce.

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  Sayswho

  Thanks again...I Printed this out 8 months ago and have re-read it several times and bring out many of the points made to others.

  Sw