Posts by graysome67

36

This must be true because nothing else fits

by biometrics in

so elder x came over the other day to convince me about why jehovah's witnesses have 1914 correct.

i wrote about this some time ago, but the elder never returned.

he caught me off-guard, and unprepared.. he went through the reasoning book (p95), and pointed out all the reaons (day for a year, daniel, 360 days, 2520 ...).

graysome67

It is a circular argument. Ask him what their basis is for using 360-day lunar years? If there is anything in the bible that indicates whether we should be using a 360-day year for our symbolic "years"? As the Society has often pointed out, an extra month had to be inserted "seven times, every nineteen years." That's because it actually takes 365+ days for the earth to complete an actual yearly cycle. Since the Society's scriptural recipe is based on the premise of 360-day years, they arrive at 1914, accounting for no zero-year. But if you take into account the extra month that had to be inserted every now and then, your premise would practically be based on a 365-day solar year. 365 · 7 = 2,555 years; 607 BCE - 2,555 years = 1949 (accounting for no zero-year, and notwithstanding the faulty 607 BCE date.) I would also like to point out that the Society's stubborn stand on 607 BCE is sort of ridiculous. And not for the reasons that are often cited: They could actually cling to that date on somewhat plausible grounds, on the fundamental fact alone that (and as confirmed by secular history), Judah was captured and rendered tributary by Nebachadnezzar circa 607/606 BCE. Many theologians and scholars affirm that this was when the prophetic "70 years of captivity" began. 20 years later, Jerusalem was finally destroyed, in 587/586 BCE, as affirmed by secular history. Though much of their argument regarding 1914 would still present some logical fallacies, their conjecture regarding the date would be far more plausible.

This is one of the problems that has lead to me to believe they do not have The Truth™ -they blindly cling to a date for the destruction of Jerusalem when they don't have to. There is a far more logical argument that harmonizes with secular history, but they would rather be stubborn than to ever admit they are wrong. I'm sorry to say, but this is the sort of superficially pious rhetoric that I've experienced all my life. Only in recent years had I become disillusioned enough to put my finger on it.

As for Christ - Jesus was given the prominence that a "Christian" denomination normally would - as our leader and our Lord (although nontrinitarian, as opposed to most denominations.) But in the past two or three decades, Christ's role and importance has been trumped more and more by the hierarchy of the Governing Buddy.

18

The Disfellowshipping Arrangement, New Book, Hope It Helps

by graysome67 in

hello, i renounced my belief/faith in the watchtower society a few years ago, though i am still a bible believer.

since departing from them, i have studied the bible aptly to try to understand it's true teachings.

i decided to start publishing essays in the hope that my research may help enlighten other disillusioned jw's by seeing alternative viewpoints, or at least pointing them in a direction that would help unlock their minds when studying the bible.

graysome67

00DAD,

of course, I welcome constructive criticism so long as it is directed in a cooperative and contributive manner, as opposed to argumentative or contentioous. My whole aim is to help people see how this policy controls and warps the minds of honest men, women and children who sincerely want to please God and Christ, but suffer with weaknesses, sinful tendencies and so forth.

I feel confident that I could hold my own just fine if challenged to an intellectual fencing match.
But I find that online debating is rarely beneficial for any of the involved parties (or the spectators for that matter), as it usually degenerates into personal invective and hand-waving arguments. I say this because I'm trying to emphasize that my purpose in researching and publishing this material is solely to help people. To be honest, this was one of the subjects that I found to be a great obstacle to overcome. The Society's policy and enforcement thereof just didn't feel "righteous" or "loving" as they often propound. However, my mind was locked into their circular arguments and it just seemed like too great a topic to refute. But at the same time, there seemed to be way too much scripture-hopping within the framework of the doctrine to be sound. So I prayed and deliberated on the matter for a long time before delving into it. Then the aforementioned incident became the last straw and I decided that it was time to sit down and pinpoint the weaknesses of their argument. Publishing a book seems to be the most effective way to get the information out there to the masses, especially with Amazon since their cross-linked algorithms will help it appear in interrelated searches. By the way, I read the thread you posted a link to...very good analogy. Do you mind if I borrow that in the future if I finally publish a revised version?

And, by the way, I do plan on getting this published with Kindle. Kindle utilizes a different format and so I'm currently working on it. Should be available very soon though! I will post a link to it here on the forum once it is available.

Feel free to contact me at [email protected]

18

The Disfellowshipping Arrangement, New Book, Hope It Helps

by graysome67 in

hello, i renounced my belief/faith in the watchtower society a few years ago, though i am still a bible believer.

since departing from them, i have studied the bible aptly to try to understand it's true teachings.

i decided to start publishing essays in the hope that my research may help enlighten other disillusioned jw's by seeing alternative viewpoints, or at least pointing them in a direction that would help unlock their minds when studying the bible.

graysome67

Wow, I appreciate all the kind responses! One of the issues I wanted to address was that of the situation in 1 Corinthians chapter 5, regarding the one whom Paul instructed them to "hand over to Satan." From the viewpoint of former elders, I know a big question is how 1 Corinthians 5 harmonizes with the rest of the instructions Jesus gave his followers on forgiveness. What the Society overlooks is that it was an extreme case and that Paul calls the Corinthian congregation "worldly!"

However, there are many fine details I deliberately passed over on the book. My aim was to make a concise read that a disillusioned JW would pick up and finish before they even realized they'd gone through the entire book. I also draw attention to articles from the Watchtower and Awake magizines that flagrantly attack the mental health industry, even purporting them to be the cause of vices and immorality. I decided not to use the example of the young girl I mentioned in my original post because her family was once personal friends of ours and I'm waiting for some time to pass. Eventually I will probably do a second edition when I have more time, and include some more details.

And 1 Corinthians 4:3, 4, wow! I overlooked that. That would have made a great addition to my argument regarding the situation in 1 Corinthians 5. Especially since I cited a passage from 1 Corinthians chapter 3 in the same context. Like I said, I will probably do a second edition eventually. Speaking of which, please excuse any typographical or grammatical errors if anyone happens to read the book and come across. I appreciate all the comments. If anyone has some JW friends or relatives who are receptive to Watchtower criticism, my hope is that someone will put this book in their hands. It's strange, after pausing for several months, I came back to the book to finish it up and couldn't believe some of the information that I had compiled. I feel the book really exposes the asinine and coldhearted stand of the Society. If someone is struggling with doubts, I think this book will help them make up their minds.

If anyone has any constructive criticism or ideas that they would like to contribute then by all means, send me a private message and I'll give you my email address. I appreciate it!

18

The Disfellowshipping Arrangement, New Book, Hope It Helps

by graysome67 in

hello, i renounced my belief/faith in the watchtower society a few years ago, though i am still a bible believer.

since departing from them, i have studied the bible aptly to try to understand it's true teachings.

i decided to start publishing essays in the hope that my research may help enlighten other disillusioned jw's by seeing alternative viewpoints, or at least pointing them in a direction that would help unlock their minds when studying the bible.

graysome67

Hello, I renounced my belief/faith in the Watchtower society a few years ago, though I am still a Bible believer. Since departing from them, I have studied the bible aptly to try to understand it's true teachings. I decided to start publishing essays in the hope that my research may help enlighten other disillusioned JW's by seeing alternative viewpoints, or at least pointing them in a direction that would help unlock their minds when studying the Bible. I was contacted by some JW's who were struggling with the Society's disfellowshipping arrangement. It seems that one of the questions that plagues many people is whether or not their arrangement or any part of it is scriptural and, if so, then how should these sort of things be handled? After many countless hours of research spanning over a year, I finally came upon what I feel is the way such things were likely handled in the 1st century, which is a far cry from how the Watchtower handles these cases. Every case should be handled privately, individually, and on a personal basis - not by some secret judicial committee. I decided to utilize the self-publishing avenues available these days and try to get my research out there so that it will be more widely accessible. I published a short, 70-page book, that consisely and critically examines the coldhearted Watchtower stand and shows how their supposed "scriptural" disfellowshipping policy couldn't be more dissonant from what the Scriptures actually teach us. I don't claim to be an "expert", I only hope that this small book will helpe others who are struggling.

What prompted me to write this book was a case that arose in the congregation that I formerly attended - the minor daughter of an elder in her very early teens was disfellowshipped for committing fornication (several times) with a 20-year-old guy, of whom they pressed formal charges against. (Statutory Rape.) This young girl was manipulated and taken advantage of by a guy who is old enough and responsible enough to know that what he did was wrong. However, he was un unbaptized publisher in the congregation and no action was taken against him. He continued associating with active JW's while the girl that he raped was disfellowshipped and cut off from everyone she knew! No support group, no spiritual or moral guidance...etc...

I tried to keep this book short and to-the-point, not weighed down with unnecessary details. For anyone who is struggling with this heartless and unscriptural arrangement, I hope this book will help.

http://www.amazon.com/The-Disfellowshipping-Arrangement-Examination-Disillusioned/dp/1479297275/ref=cm_sw_em_r_dp_h3iAqb1R6FWCC_tt

35

Top Secret JW Letter, April 2, 2012

by graysome67 in

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