Posts by Listener

i'm going to try and keep this short for now, i'm in my early 20s, i was born in but never baptized, i've been mentally out for 7 years and fully out for about 5ish.

despite never having been baptized my fading took quite a bit of time and work.

Listener

Welcome, I hope you get to enjoy being here.

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the watchtower has always been deceptive in that it kinda says what sounds right - but what it really means is obvious to the rank and file.like in the x-files when the gov keeping "plausible denial" at all times.. this month highlights an article to help parents - "teaching children to obey".. https://www.jw.org/en/publications/magazines/g201505/teach-children-obedience-bible/.

first off that phrase offends me - i know the wt feels children are "arrows" for fathers to aim, and not people who are to be nurtured to become their own unique person making choices that are right for them when they mature.

and - they love the word obey!

Listener

You made me stop and think ttdtt.

You are absolutely right, the title 'Teaching children to obey' is offensive. Imagine a child educator coming out with a book of that title.

We are their guardians and there to guide our children. At the very least, a more appropriate title would be 'Guiding your child to do what is right'. Even the use of the word 'children' makes it more impersonal.

We are not their bosses, to bully them around with whatever whim we wish to inflict on them. Even in various sectors of the business world, the term boss is being less used and replaced by terms such as Team Leaders or Supervisors.

As you mentioned, they play the same game with the sheepie's, they demand obedience rather than guiding them and the discipline is severe.

They have set up their own little Kingdom, based on the ancient Israelites with their strict laws and punishment for breaking them. The bible talks about a New Covenant where laws are written in people's hearts, this doesn't require the control that they practice. However, they don't believe the sheepie's are in this New Covenant and therefore don't have the law written in their hearts and no doubt, they feel they have the duty to Lord it over them. No wonder they want parents to be strict and calculating, insisting on obedience and inflicting punishment when they disobey when it comes to teaching their own children.

Of course, discipline should never be unreasonable or abusive. On the other hand, it should not be vague or inconsequential, leaving the child with no incentive to change

Employing discipline is not always necessary and probably should be viewed as a last resort, depending on the situation. Often times, explaining the dangers or the consequences of their actions or the displeasure that it causes other people is sufficient. There are many times when the child already knows what they have done is wrong, guiding them to behave rather than discipline is much more beneficial. The article is not balanced.

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How to distract people from the REAL issues... (2016 convention videos)

by stuckinarut2 in

have we noticed how the videos that are being shown at the 2016 convention manipulatively try to misdirect from the real issues?.

the video showing the daughter "leaving the truth" and leaving (kicked out) home has been designed to show that her life falls apart because she "left the truth".. then the video series about the "persecution" paranoia speaks about a brother who is not being saved with them in the basement "because he let fear of man etc" affect him.

then the video all about sergei's life speaks about his old friend who "let information about the truth make him have doubts" and he is no longer "in the truth" with them...and made out like it is worse than murdering and eating a kitten!.

Listener

Under the radar - it is in the Ethan video. Ethan is the one who tragically looses his father and son, he also has brain cancer and an operation that prevents him from working for a while.

His brother, Bill, who is a non JW visits and appears well to do, after a warming cuddle he offers him some money. Ethan says no, that he has a little set aside and besides, Jehovah will provide.

He later accepts the help of a Brother to fix his roof at a highly reduced rate after a storm has damaged it and he is not well enough to fix it himself.

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Filipino man claims death threats from members of powerful Christian church - Iglesia Ni Cristo

by OrphanCrow in

lowell menorca says he fears persecution from the iglesia ni cristo.

they say his claims are 'fabrications''.

by eric rankin, gavin fisher, cbc news posted: jun 14, 2016 2:00 am pt last updated: jun 14, 2016 10:52 am pt.

Listener

He would have proof of the 40 cases of libel if his claim is true.

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How to distract people from the REAL issues... (2016 convention videos)

by stuckinarut2 in

have we noticed how the videos that are being shown at the 2016 convention manipulatively try to misdirect from the real issues?.

the video showing the daughter "leaving the truth" and leaving (kicked out) home has been designed to show that her life falls apart because she "left the truth".. then the video series about the "persecution" paranoia speaks about a brother who is not being saved with them in the basement "because he let fear of man etc" affect him.

then the video all about sergei's life speaks about his old friend who "let information about the truth make him have doubts" and he is no longer "in the truth" with them...and made out like it is worse than murdering and eating a kitten!.

Listener

- you cannot attend specialist classes for learning if you are talented, such as violin playing

- you cannot respond to a phone call from a disfellowshipped family member, regardless of whether it may be a call for help

- you've got to simplify your life more, even if you are already a pioneer. You need to sell your home, get rid of your pet and move to a unit

- even Elders must accept verbal instructions with humility from other younger Elders

- not accepting financial aid from non believing family member

- even when you feel ignored at the Hall (such as your being continuilly overlooked to answer up in meetings) you need to uncomplainingly accept menial jobs at the Hall

and the list goes on.

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Question about 1940s Watchtower history

by slimboyfat in

i was studying this fascinating composite graph of jw growth.

lots of interesting things there.

https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/demographics_of_jehovah%27s_witnesses#/media/file%3ajwstats1931-2015.png.

Listener

Terry Waldron - Maybe he was editing the Watchtower from heaven like Russell did.

Exactly, they make this suggestion themselves and in so doing they have claimed that they do not know where these flashes of brilliant light come from.

From the Watchtower 2007 1/1

What, then, can we deduce from the fact that one of the 24 elders identifies the great crowd to John? It seems that resurrected ones of the 24-elders group may be involved in the communicating of divine truths today. Why is that important? Because the correct identity of the great crowd was revealed to God’s anointed servants on earth in1935. If one of the 24 elders was used to convey that important truth, he would have had to be resurrected to heaven by 1935 at the latest. That would indicate that the first resurrection began sometime between 1914 and 1935. Can we be more precise?

The dilemma with this speculation is that they do not know who is providing them with information, particularly when there is no bible backing for it to be revealed. Even worse, that they are communicating with dead people.

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