Posts by Vanderhoven7

15

Has the Organization threatened to disfellowship those who state views countering those of the Slave?

by Vanderhoven7 in

do you have quotations from watchtower literature regarding how to handle those contributing to disunity in the congregation?.

Vanderhoven7

Do you have quotations from Watchtower literature regarding how to handle those contributing to disunity in the congregation?

64

Ages of each user here?

by ukpimo in

jw
friends

i'm interested to know the age demographics here.

it must be significantly different to other exjw forums.

it would be a damning report for watchtower if most of us appear to have left for decades.. you don't have to mention your exact age, you could always say "in my 50s".. i am in my 70s.

What has the Spiritual Paradise of the WTS been over time

by blondie in

jw
friends

the first mention i find in the wts publications is 1958. although the wts says the index goes from 1930 to 1985, nothing appears before 1958 a search only found by using the phrase "spiritual paradise" not in the index.

in 2015 there was a clarification of the phrase "of course, we should not conclude that the terms “spiritual paradise” and “spiritual temple” are the same.

the spiritual temple is god’s arrangement for true worship.".

Vanderhoven7

14

Key Criticisms of the Organization

by Vanderhoven7 in

just picked this summary up.

"some of the key criticisms that have been raised about the jehovah's witness organization include:.

strict control and authoritarianism: the organization is highly centralized, with major decisions being made by the governing body.

Vanderhoven7

Rattigan

((This guy has a beard so that makes him someone that I wouldn't even listen to.))

Do you listen to GB members who are now sporting beards?

39

JE-sus making a comeback at the 2024 Convention

by dropoffyourkeylee in

attended the friday sesson of the 2024 summer convention.. july 5, 2024 summer convention crowd photo; they invited quite a lot of empty chairs.. .

the facility usually has 5500-6500. they spun it saying that fewer congregations were assigned.

there were 6 of the smaller, more distant sections blocked off with tarps to lessen cleaning, which i understand.

Vanderhoven7

Could the picture be the Wright State Ervin J Nutter Center in Beavercreek Ohio?

14

Key Criticisms of the Organization

by Vanderhoven7 in

just picked this summary up.

"some of the key criticisms that have been raised about the jehovah's witness organization include:.

strict control and authoritarianism: the organization is highly centralized, with major decisions being made by the governing body.

Vanderhoven7

Just picked this summary up

"Some of the key criticisms that have been raised about the Jehovah's Witness organization include:

Strict control and authoritarianism: The organization is highly centralized, with major decisions being made by the Governing Body. There are concerns about the lack of democratic processes and the expectation of unquestioning obedience from members.
Shunning practices: The organization encourages strict shunning of former members or those who disagree with its teachings. This can lead to the separation of families and social isolation of those who leave the faith.
Suppression of free thought and questioning: There are concerns that the organization discourages critical thinking and the questioning of its teachings, creating an environment that is not conducive to independent inquiry.
Treatment of child abuse cases: The organization has been criticized for its handling of child abuse allegations, including allegations of cover-ups and failing to report abuse to authorities.
Doctrinal changes and failed prophecies: The organization has made significant changes to its doctrines over time, which has led some to question the reliability and authority of its teachings. There have also been instances of failed predictions about the end of the world.
Restrictions on medical treatment: The organization's stance against blood transfusions has been a source of controversy, as it has been seen as putting the lives of Jehovah's Witnesses at risk.
Top Reasons not to join Jehovah's Witnesses. Note the overlap.
https://youtube.com/shorts/ThCoX3PWJ1Y?si=mKf7Nmx_8Jsvqf6P

20

What has the Spiritual Paradise of the WTS been over time

by blondie in

jw
friends

the first mention i find in the wts publications is 1958. although the wts says the index goes from 1930 to 1985, nothing appears before 1958 a search only found by using the phrase "spiritual paradise" not in the index.

in 2015 there was a clarification of the phrase "of course, we should not conclude that the terms “spiritual paradise” and “spiritual temple” are the same.

the spiritual temple is god’s arrangement for true worship.".

Vanderhoven7

I thought this ex-JW's experience worth repeating in answer to my question: Is the organization of Jehovah's Witnesses a spiritual paradise?...

"I’m not sure that there is such a term in scripture as a “spiritual paradise”. Christianity is not about feel-good. Actually there are many more metaphors in the scriptures that describe spiritual warfare than spiritual paradise. The psalmist, David, described his peaceful relationship with God like being led to quiet pastures where his soul was replenished, but this was not a permanent situation. David went through many ups and downs spiritually, but his personal relationship with God (except for when he had sinned seriously) was something he described as a very pleasant and intimate reality.

The organisation of Jehovah’s Witnesses is a different case in point. It can offer a feel good factor if one is totally in harmony with the leadership. But if you accept that being at peace with one does not equal being at peace with the other, the organisation will always feel spiritually uncomfortable. My eventual feeling was that I didn’t really belong there.

I was a JW for many years and I did experience joy in the ministry and a feeling of community and belonging in the congregation, but this was something that proved to be a bit of a fool’s paradise eventually. When I could no longer squash doubts concerning the claims their governing body were making about their divine appointment, my faith came under duress. I was not spiritually happy for a good number of years, more time than I care to think about. I should have examined my faith then, and maybe listened to so-called “apostate” arguments. But it was difficult at that time to even acknowledge or think about because you are conditioned to think that you will be turning your back on God if you leave or doubting him if you doubt “his” organisation. But eventually it was not just the accumulation of gnawing doubt that critical thinking began to hatch in my mind like some strange and scary alien, but real indignation that finally forced me to wake. The fact that these men in Warwick were trying to tell me that their every word was direction from Christ and that we should therefore obey them unquestioningly was something I’d heard before, but it never struck me as blasphemy until I realised that they were actually claiming they were mediators between us (as “other sheep”) and Jehovah. That’s Christ’s position, and I knew then that they were imposters and as a body, a false prophet.

It took a while for the penny to fully drop to the bottom of the tin because I did appreciate a lot about the WT - the JWs did furnish my faith in the scriptures (albeit through some mistaken interpretations of prophecies), I did learn a lot more about the scriptures, which I didn’t have when I started studying with them. I did learn to appreciate the Creator to a much greater extent through JWs. So I’m not speaking out of bitterness. But I did experience a conflict in my spirit. The Witnesses constantly describe the organisation and what it teaches as “The Truth”. But when I realised it wasn’t the truth I knew I had to get out.

Today I don’t live in a spiritual paradise. I don’t always feel peaceful and I experience conflict with other Christians. But what has changed is that my understanding of the scriptures is now far greater and my relationship with the Father and with Christ goes from strength to strength. Before I was in a spiritual prison where I was limited in all sorts of ways, but especially in understanding the truth. I admit that the truth is not a comfortable or secure place to rest, but it galvanises one to action and deeper study. But I have no regrets leaving the WT, I experience horror at the thought of going back to that stifling old box! But at first it felt like freedom because I was breaking free from false beliefs. I was, but that journey never seems to finish. Except when you allow your mind to be parcelled up and controlled by an educating body that permits no challenge to its status quo, and believe me, that state of affairs does not only exist in the WT.

39

JE-sus making a comeback at the 2024 Convention

by dropoffyourkeylee in

attended the friday sesson of the 2024 summer convention.. july 5, 2024 summer convention crowd photo; they invited quite a lot of empty chairs.. .

the facility usually has 5500-6500. they spun it saying that fewer congregations were assigned.

there were 6 of the smaller, more distant sections blocked off with tarps to lessen cleaning, which i understand.

Vanderhoven7

@ Dropoff

Great pic. Where was this convention?

11

Why the term "disfellowshipped " was removed

by raymond frantz in

https://youtu.be/ags07jlopcy?si=g9ra1jqksuuauyax.

Vanderhoven7

Now they can say ... no we don't disfellowship people and we don't have judicial committees either.

A rose by any other name...

35

Re-activate me?

by punkofnice in

there was a knock at my door and i thought it was my take-away being delivered.. long story short, it was 2 elders calling to see me.

i guess to re-activate me.

once they said who they were i recognised them.

Vanderhoven7

Welcome back Punky!

You handled that with class my friend.