Posts by ABibleStudent

56

Need help understanding scriptues in Mathew. just trying to show my wife the BORG is soooo wrong

by goingthruthemotions in

as you know i am still in but have no strong conviction for this cult..but i still go because my wife is still asleep to the false teachings.

for a few months now...when we have family study it is stricly from the bible.

which is great, while we study we are taking the bible as it is, i think it is opening her eyes and how important jesus is.

ABibleStudent

Hi goingthruthemotions, Mathew is loaded with verses that contradict that God needs an organization to guide "True" Christians and shunning. Jesus Christ's messages were unconditional love (most important), mercy, and truth.

If you have read about Steve Hassan's BITE model, than ask your wife simple questions about how Jesus Christ felt about the Pharisees and Sadducees and how they victimized the Jews. I would recommend asking a lot of questions about:

Mt 7 How does the WTBTS's doctrines compare to Mt 7? Would JWs like to be shunned, deceived to, or not associated with because they are JWs (Mt 7:12)? How do JWs follow the example and teachings of Jesus Christ?
Mt 12:22-37 If blasphemy against the Spirit will not be forgiven, how does one blasphemy the Spirit?
Mt 15:1-28 Why blindly follow religious leaders, give to the religion instead of help parents, and not associate because of being non-Jewish?
MT16:13-20 Why did Jesus order his disciples not to tell anyone that he was the Messiah? Why does the WTBTS tell JWs to tell everyone that they are "True Christians"? Aren't deeds better than talk?
Mt 18:10-14 Why does the WTBTS shun JWs who do not believe that the WTBTS has the "Truth"? How would you reconcile the differences in teachings of verses Mt 18:10-14 and Mt 18:15-20? What type of sin is Mt 18:15-20 referring to (Mt 12:31)?
Mt 22:34-40 How can a JW believe with "ALL" his heart, mind, and soul in God and still be able to blindly follow religious leaders? How does the WTBTS follow the two greatist commandments?
Mt 23 Without describing about the BITE model nor comparing Mt 23 to the WTBTS's actions and doctrines, how did Jesus Christ view the Pharisees and Sadducees?

Best wishes helping your wife to critically think for herself and to do her own independent research.

Peace be with you and everyone, who you love,

Robert

50

thinking of leaving

by justme67 in

i am 46 and have been a jw for only 6 years.

i was doing ok until about a month ago.

we were having an international convention and i heard the brother that had to pick up 2 of the members of the governing body had to get a background check done on him and his wife.

ABibleStudent

Welcome justme67, If the love-bombing is over at your KH and you have no other JW family or close friends, just leave. Especially before dating a JW.

What was it that attracted you to the WTBTS?

Peace be with you and everyone, who you love,

Robert

22

TUTORIAL: Proving the GB and Watch Tower is guilty

by Terry in

q: are you willing to admit the gb and the wts is wrong if the facts go against them?.

proof text.

proof text:.

ABibleStudent

Ding - JWs will say that the GB are just humble men who don't claim to be infallible or inspired.

Sooo, why are you following imperfect men instead of (Christians: the Holy Spirit as directed by Jesus Christ or Atheist: critically thinking for yourself)? What are you afraid of?

Overcoming JWs' thought-stopping platitudes will help them to critically think for themselves and hopefully make it easier for their authentic persona to overcome their cult persona.

Peace be with you and everyone, who you love,

Robert

57

Writing campaign to Washington DC papers in view of International Convention

by Londo111 in

ive heard from a credible source that the landover (dc) international convention is important to the society in view of the 100 year anniversary of "kingdom rule" and the location being near the capital of the "seventh world power".

perhaps they hope this particular international sends a message.

we know that come convention time usually there is some feel good fluff piece in the newspapers about the watchtower religion.

ABibleStudent

I don't know how to effectively contact news organizations other than using their contact information from their webpages. Being well-known or, when submitting videos, being attractive and articulate like ApostateChick, would probably increase chances of being accepted by news organizations.

I would recommend writing in a concise, focused, and neutral tone while relating personal experiences that are heart-wrenching. According to Barbara Anderson, news editors do not like terms like "dangerous cults" when referring to well-known religions. If you do not like referring to the WTBTS as a religion (like I feel), it is probably best to refer to it as JW.org, Watchtower, organization, or corporation instead of "dangerous cult" or "high-control group" when writing to news organizations. Let readers form their own opinion after reading a letter to the editor and Op-Eds.

Peace be with you and everyone, who you love,

Robert

57

Writing campaign to Washington DC papers in view of International Convention

by Londo111 in

ive heard from a credible source that the landover (dc) international convention is important to the society in view of the 100 year anniversary of "kingdom rule" and the location being near the capital of the "seventh world power".

perhaps they hope this particular international sends a message.

we know that come convention time usually there is some feel good fluff piece in the newspapers about the watchtower religion.

ABibleStudent

BTTT

Even though Barbara Anderson was very busy preparing for a trip, she was able to write a letter to the editor of the Washington Post. I hope that the Washington Post will print her letter.

Has anyone thought about writing an Op-Ed to the NY Times to celebrate the WTBTS's 1914 prediction?

Peace be with you and everyone, who you love,

Robert

57

Writing campaign to Washington DC papers in view of International Convention

by Londo111 in

ive heard from a credible source that the landover (dc) international convention is important to the society in view of the 100 year anniversary of "kingdom rule" and the location being near the capital of the "seventh world power".

perhaps they hope this particular international sends a message.

we know that come convention time usually there is some feel good fluff piece in the newspapers about the watchtower religion.

ABibleStudent

Hi Band on the Run, I like your thought about writing an Op-Ed to the NY Times about dangerous cults in general (and the WTBTS in specific). Since this thread is about writing a letter to the editor of the Washington Post, have you thought about starting a new thread about writing Op-Ed's to major newspapers? I would comment to such a thread.

Since the NY Times Op-Ed limits opinions from 400 to 1200 words and becomes the property of the NY Times, I feel the following simple template would have a high probablility of being published when written by exJWs.

[Edit paragraph as needed] I was a member of a dangerous cult. I didn't believe it when I was in. The Watchtower/JW.org even explained why I wasn't in a cult and I believed them! Based on my experience anyone can be "unduly inluenced" to join a dangerous cult when they stop critically thinking for themselves and blindly follow their leaders. There are lots of dangerous cults to choose from today!

[Insert brief paragraph to describe the Watchtower/JW.org and how you were recruited/born into the Watchtower.]

[Insert brief paragraph how long you were a JW, what you did in the organization, and how you were treated.]

[Insert brief paragraph telling how/why you awoke and what it cost you personally because of the Watchtower's/JW.org's doctrines.]

[Edit paragraph as needed to express your feelings based on your experiences] As the Watchtower rebrands itself as JW.org and celebrates its 100 year anniversary of “Kingdom Rule”, I sadly remember Witness victims of sexual abuse and molestation, those who died refusing whole-blood transfusions, and those who have been victimized by the Organization’s shunning doctrine and hope for more merciful changes for the Organization.

[Edit paragraph as needed] Beware of any organization, whose members say that only they have the "Truth" and promote ostracizing (e.g., shunning) members for leaving! To paraphrase Walter C. Langer, “People will believe a big lie sooner than a little one, and if a dangerous cult repeats it frequently enough, people will sooner or later believe it.”

[Edit paragraph as needed] Before accepting invitations to participate in religious or marketing organizations, please independently research and critically think for yourself about their history and doctrines and about dangerous cults by visiting reputable websites like www.freedomofmind.com or research the organization through the internet. Before accepting a bible study from Witnesses, please visit reputable websites like www.jwfacts.com , www. and watchtowerdocuments.com and search the internet for additional information . Confront your doubts and fears, so that you don't waste your life being a victim.

The following are links to HOW-TO submit opinions to the NY Times:

Submit an Op-Ed

Submit an Opinion Video

Submit a Letter

I wish that ApostateChick would create an opinion video for the NY Times like her following video:

www.youtube.com/watch?v=8DbfC4RcLAY&NR=1&feature=endscreen

Peace be with you and everyone, who you love,

Robert

57

Writing campaign to Washington DC papers in view of International Convention

by Londo111 in

ive heard from a credible source that the landover (dc) international convention is important to the society in view of the 100 year anniversary of "kingdom rule" and the location being near the capital of the "seventh world power".

perhaps they hope this particular international sends a message.

we know that come convention time usually there is some feel good fluff piece in the newspapers about the watchtower religion.

ABibleStudent

Hi Londo111, Although I would prefer that Barbara Anderson (or Raymond Franz if he was living) write to the Washington Post because of her extensive knowledge of the inner workings of Bethel or Candace Conti, any JW who has changed their minds about believing that the WTBTS has any "Truth" and then lost relationships with close friends and family members could easily write a very poignant story to any News editor using the following template.

The most important things to remember are to write a respectiful and heart-wrenching story about one's personal experiences, to be compassionate towards JWs, and to remind readers to independently research the WTBTS and to critically think for oneself before accepting a bible study with a JW.

Peace be with you and everyone, who you love,

Robert

template for letters to the editor

[Insert brief paragraph how long you were a JW and what you are actively doing to educate people about the Watchtower/JW.org or to help JWs.]

[Insert brief paragraph telling how/why you awoke and what it cost you personally because of the Watchtower's/JW.org's doctrines.]

[Edit paragraph as needed] As the Organization rebrands itself as JW.org and celebrates its 100 year anniversary of “Kingdom Rule” at its international convention in Landover (DC), I sadly remember Witness victims of sexual abuse and molestation, those who died refusing whole-blood transfusions, and those who have been victimized by the Organization’s shunning doctrine and hope for more merciful changes for the Organization.

Before accepting a bible study from Witnesses, please independently research and critically think for yourself about the Watchtower’s history and doctrines and about dangerous cults by visiting reputable websites like www.jwfacts.com,www.watchtowerdocuments.com, and www.freedomofmind.com.

57

Writing campaign to Washington DC papers in view of International Convention

by Londo111 in

ive heard from a credible source that the landover (dc) international convention is important to the society in view of the 100 year anniversary of "kingdom rule" and the location being near the capital of the "seventh world power".

perhaps they hope this particular international sends a message.

we know that come convention time usually there is some feel good fluff piece in the newspapers about the watchtower religion.

ABibleStudent

BTTT

I wish that Barbara Anderson would write a short letter to the editor of the Washington Post ([email protected]) to celebrate the Watchtower's international convention similar to the hypothetical letter below. Unfortunately, the hypothetical letter is < 325 words and not less than 200 words and does not reference a specific article in the Washington Post, so it would probably not be printed by the Post.

Peace be with you and everyone, who you love,

Robert

hypothetical letter to the editor using information from Barbara Anderson's website www.watchtowerdocuments.com

I was a member of Jehovah's Witnesses from 1954 to 1998. I worked at the Watchtower's headquarters in Brooklyn, NY, from 1982 to 1992 where during my last three years there, I researched its official history as well as wrote a number of articles for the Awake! magazine. I have also done extensive research on issues related to child sexual abuse in the Watchtower organization leading to interviews on major TV and radio programs as an outspoken critic of Jehovah's Witnesses sexual abuse policies.

Before leaving the Watchtower’s Headquarters in 1992, I was authorized to collect information to alert and prove to the Governing Body of the Watchtower about a serious problem with child sexual abuse within the organization. Although I love individual Witnesses, I was in a dilemma. I could not keep my “compassion” in check and be silent about what I had learned about the hidden child sexual abuse scandal within the Organization. In 1997 my concerns for protecting innocent children within the Organization caused me to slowly fade from the Witnesses and opened my mind to other problems within the Organization.

Championing child protection within the Organization has come at great personal costs to me and my husband. After being disfellowed by the Organization in 2002, close friends and my son’s family strictly shun us in accordance with the Watchtower’s shunning doctrine.

As the Organization rebrands itself as JW.org and celebrates its 100 year anniversary of “Kingdom Rule” at its international convention in Landover (DC), I sadly remember Witness victims of sexual abuse and molestation, those who died refusing whole-blood transfusions, and those who have been victimized by the Organization’s shunning doctrine and hope for more merceful changes for the Organization.

Before accepting a bible study from Witnesses, please independently research and critically think for yourself about the Watchtower’s history and doctrines and about dangerous cults by visiting reputable websites like www.jwfacts.com, www.watchtowerdocuments.com, and www.freedomofmind.com.

43

When You See A Witness What's Your Reaction?

by minimus in

jw
friends

is it a feeling of---oh no!!?.

are you happy to see them?.

do you have a feeling of consternation?.

ABibleStudent

If I know a JW or JWs are out in service, I will say hi to them or attempt to engage them in conversation. I like being nice to them and causing them cognitive dissonnance.

Today, I saw my Spiritually-Strong (non-thinking) JW and former friend at Trader Joe's. I walked up to her and said hi. She responded that she could not get rid of me with a little laugh and attempted to give me a friendly hug. I haven't seen her for a few months when I attempted to say hi to her when she visited the gym that I go to.

We had a pleasant conversation for about 10 minutes talking about what we were doing in our lives. Unfortunately, I stated that I thought that the judicial committee's decision was B.S. to disfellowship her for engaging in pornei with the JW who she was/is dating. I doubt they reached 2nd base. I really wanted to scream at her (but didn't) that she is in a dangerous cult and how foolish she was for going to and telling the elders what she and her boyfriend did.

Then she said the thought-stopping platitude that that is the reason that we could never be together, I wished that I had said, "I have two better reasons than that for not being in a relationship with you." I would love to say to her that I could never be in a menage à trois relationship with someone I love nor with a member of a dangerous cult.

Peace be with you and everyone, who you love,

Robert

34

Why is shunning wrong?

by noonehome in

consider an example i often hear.

youre sitting at a dinner table.

the topic of conversation is regarding your mother.

ABibleStudent

IMHO it is alright to excommunicate or disfellow members, but it is not acceptable for an organization to promote that members must ostracize former members. Organizations that promote ostracation (e.g., shunning) or discrimination (e.g., not associating with non-members) victimize their members. Organizations that use undue influence to promote ostracation or discrimination are worse.

People have brains and should be free to make their own decisions - good or bad.

Peace be with you and everyone, who you love,

Robert