Depends on your level of involvement with the Society. For me it was a total game-changer.
Franklin Massey
JoinedPosts by Franklin Massey
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35
Do not let work get in the way of pioneering
by life is to short inthe april 15th wt is strange and it just throws things in here and there that are kind of out of sort.
i think it sticks in your mind more like hey i probably should pioneer when they throw things in that are kind of in left feild.. like this example on pages 16 and 17 it is talking about making decisions and in paragraph 15 it says "for example a congregation publisher might decide to pioneer.
will he succeed?
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Franklin Massey
None gave us a dime for gas but spent tons of money on junk food while in service.
I understand your frustration. What did you expect, though? Pioneers should be happy to work full time in the ministry with no reward or compensation. Their reward is knowing that God is happy with them and that Paradise awaits, right? Griping over gas money is trivial. Although the actions of the non-givers were inconsiderate, this is a reality for many pioneers and sometimes it breeds an ugly quality in full time minsters, that of feeling entitled to something from others (I'm not accusing you of this extreme attitude. Your post just reminded of how bad it can get). I have always disliked the attitude of certain pioneers, that being, "We're doing the most important work in the universe so those who can't do as much as us should support us financially." In my area, we had a pioneer family of four who looked for handouts from their JW friends. They barely worked, lived with family members, and spoke against those who would purchase new cars or homes. "We're so close to the end! Why would anyone who fully trusts in Jehovah want to make a purchase like that?" They all pioneered but didn't really have enough money to do so. To make ends meet, they would remind the friends of their family size, the sacrifices they make for the ministry, and how hard it is to keep their kids in nice meeting clothes on such a small budget. In turn, generous friends would hand them money, buy them groceries, or take them out to eat. Problem is, we live in an economically challenged area. The friends generosity couldn't go on forever. When the handouts dried up, the family would begin the critical comments against those who they assumed had money that they weren't sharing. Eventually, they would get offended and switch halls and start the routine all over again. They're on their 5th congregation in 20 years.
Articles like the one mentioned above make the crazies even crazier. "I'm broke and should probably get a better job or some additional training but, WAIT! What's this? The WT says that true success comes when you don't let stupid jobs and worldly responsibilities get in your way. God will give me what I need if I pioneer! I hear assembly parts all the time about magic grocery deliveries and unexpected envelopes of money that arrive just in time for those who put spiritual things first." Those who believe in Pioneer Miracles usually burn out fast. Then begins the vicious cycle of self doubt and wondering if God is disappointed in you because you couldn't succeed in the Most Important Work in the Universe.
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9
Questions about The Garden of Eden - Found nr. Rashaya, Lebanon
by paygan inmy name's paul and i'm carrying out important work to show and share with the world the location of real garden of eden and central site of the agricultural (neolithic) revolution.
i led the field walk there in november 2009 and saw the damage being inflicted and the urgent need for protection by getting world heritage site status, requiring public support and official investigation.. http://www.paygan.com/eden/images/500/kharsagpanorama.jpg - the garden of eden (kharsag) - panorama.
this location of the site was comprehensively mapped out by christian o'brien in his 1985 book, "the genius of the few" where he identified it through descriptions given in the earliest nippur tablets (the barton cylinder, etc), atrahasis and the book of enoch, along with other mentions in the bible, the book of jubilees, the koran etc.
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Franklin Massey
I found a piece of Noah's Ark in my backyard. I'm selling it on eBay along with a tiny bottle full of real Holy Spirit and a tent stake that I'm 99% sure has been pierced through some ancient gentials if anyone is interested.
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42
JWs Celebrating Brithdays
by Franklin Massey ini keep hearing of more and more jws that are celebrating their birthdays or, doing "special days" for their children on the day of their birth.
i'm sure this has always been done but what interests me is that many people aren't ashamed to admit it since they have used their own fully functioning minds to figure out that the society's birthday ban doesn't hold up.
one young couple with two kids (he's an ms, she's an ex-pioneer who dropped off the list to tend to the kids) explained it to me this way.... "the happiest days of our lives include the births of our children.
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Franklin Massey
Lot's children had a large dinner party & they all died. Jesus Christ had a large dinner party & was cruficied. So consequently, all large dinner parties are condemned by Jehovah.
Great. My evening is ruined.
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42
JWs Celebrating Brithdays
by Franklin Massey ini keep hearing of more and more jws that are celebrating their birthdays or, doing "special days" for their children on the day of their birth.
i'm sure this has always been done but what interests me is that many people aren't ashamed to admit it since they have used their own fully functioning minds to figure out that the society's birthday ban doesn't hold up.
one young couple with two kids (he's an ms, she's an ex-pioneer who dropped off the list to tend to the kids) explained it to me this way.... "the happiest days of our lives include the births of our children.
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Franklin Massey
I have yet to hear of anyone throwing a full blown birthday bash with all the trimmings. My area is not liberal. More middle of the road. I think it is conservative here but when compared to some of the stories I read here I would have to say my area is more balanced. The couple quoted above that have started to celebrate their kids birthdays are from a more liberal area. Here it is more like going out for drinks with friends on your birthday, a "Special Day" for the kids, small gifts, a phone call or text from a few people wishing a "Happy Birthday!" I think Mr. Mustard brings out a good point, that being the extent of the party. It seems like there is a rationalization process that allows some to carry on birthday-ish activites without going full force. This is different from when I was growing up. It was frowned upon if you said, "Happy Birthday" even in jest.
So, don't expect to get an invitation to a kid in your hall's birthday party - and don't be surprised when you visit their house and find out that little Joey just got an XBox around the same time as his birthday.
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42
JWs Celebrating Brithdays
by Franklin Massey ini keep hearing of more and more jws that are celebrating their birthdays or, doing "special days" for their children on the day of their birth.
i'm sure this has always been done but what interests me is that many people aren't ashamed to admit it since they have used their own fully functioning minds to figure out that the society's birthday ban doesn't hold up.
one young couple with two kids (he's an ms, she's an ex-pioneer who dropped off the list to tend to the kids) explained it to me this way.... "the happiest days of our lives include the births of our children.
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Franklin Massey
A few things that the Birthday Rule Reformers are doing are the above mentioned "Special Days" and the "We didn't have a party" line.
The Special Day is like the JWs who give their kids a few gifts over the Christmas break from school because they don't want their kids to feel left out of the fun that all of their schoolmates are having. "We didn't give the gifts on Christmas. We all just had the time off of work and school so it was a good fit."
The not-an-actual-party thing shows respect for the lives lost at Biblical birthday parties (as if that is what it was really all about) while still leaving room to acknowledge the explusion of a child from its mother on the day in which that event happened.
I forgot about Thanksgiving dinners, too!
Pretty soon, JWs will be celebrating half of the holidays all while remaining, technically, in the safe zone.
The problem is when someone gets offended. I've seen elders meetings called for the most trivial matters just because someone in the KH got bent out of shape about something another person did.
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42
JWs Celebrating Brithdays
by Franklin Massey ini keep hearing of more and more jws that are celebrating their birthdays or, doing "special days" for their children on the day of their birth.
i'm sure this has always been done but what interests me is that many people aren't ashamed to admit it since they have used their own fully functioning minds to figure out that the society's birthday ban doesn't hold up.
one young couple with two kids (he's an ms, she's an ex-pioneer who dropped off the list to tend to the kids) explained it to me this way.... "the happiest days of our lives include the births of our children.
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Franklin Massey
I keep hearing of more and more JWs that are celebrating their birthdays or, doing "special days" for their children on the day of their birth. I'm sure this has always been done but what interests me is that many people aren't ashamed to admit it since they have used their own fully functioning minds to figure out that the Society's birthday ban doesn't hold up. One young couple with two kids (he's an MS, she's an ex-pioneer who dropped off the list to tend to the kids) explained it to me this way...
"The happiest days of our lives include the births of our children. We have a blessing in our family that we want to reflect on when our kids' birth dates come around. We (meaning husband and wife) can celebrate our wedding anniversary with no consequence. How is a child's birthday any different? It's a day to celebrate life and family. Try explaing to your kids that you can't give them a gift or have a speical dinner on their birthday because in the Bible someone got killed at a birthday party. That logic could apply to all parties not just birthdays. It's not like anyone is going to 'lose their head' because we want to celebrate how happy we are to have two beautiful kids."
That "lose their head" comment cracked me up. Not only was it witty but it also points out how flimsy the anti-birthday arguement is.
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84
Being honest with yourself, could you have reasonably adjusted your attitude and continued on as a JW?
by miseryloveselders ini ask this question in harmony with deedub's swan song thread which i linked below.. http://www.jehovahs-witness.net/members/private/205902/1/time-to-say-good-bye.
to some degree, i think i understand where she's coming from.
just speaking from my own experiences since stepping into the world of anonymous apostacy, i went through a few different phases of personal outlooks.
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Franklin Massey
Good topic Miz.
Welcome Bafh!
Miz, you said and not being able to express all of my views with fellow JWs for fear of ostracism. To put it simply, I'm not a fan of the WT's micromanagement as they go beyond whats written. At the same time, I have to admit that there's plenty of institutions everyday people are a part of, that during their involvement with, they cannot speak their mind too openly. Such as school, or your place of employment. Why should we expect any more with any religious institution?
Not being able to have open discussion is one of my biggest problems. True, many institutions have guidelines in which to follow. The WT takes it to a whole different level, though. It has positioned itself as a High Control Group.
In a classroom, the student is allowed to ask questions of the teacher. Often times, this gets the whole class engaged in a meaningful discussion. This is not allowed at a congregation meeting. The instructions for how to conduct a meeting and how to participate limit any real thinking. This trickles down into private inter-JW conversations. JWs learn what to say and what not to say, whether we believe it or not. We parrot the "correct" responses and typical language as we have memorized (read: been indoctrinated by) them. If someone unfamiliar with JW teaching heard us speaking about doctrine it would sound like incomprehensible jargon. Asked to explain doctrine free of jargon (i.e., explain it in your own words) and the average JW gets stumped. Or, try saying to a fellow JW that you see some convincing arguments for evolution and watch the jaws drop and let the squirming begin. Non WT thought is not to even be considered.
At a place of employment, employers appreciate feedback about how to improve operations, be more efficient, and correct costly mistakes. Most businesses hold monthly meetings where employees have a chance to discuss concerns. In the congregation, there is no such forum. Question doctrinal error = apostasy. Critique a poorly functioning servant body = working against Christ's appointed representatives. Suggest a more effective method of preaching the good news = going against the Society's direction. It doesn't matter if you are right. In these cases, if you have anything non-flattering to say about the Org, you're wrong by WT default.
All I would like is the opportunity to take some of the issues that perplex me and discuss them openly with the people I love the most. I'm not free under the WT umbrella to do that. I'm positive that I have found truth beyond the walls of the WT. But if I think it, I'm guilty of thought crime. If I speak it, I'm guilty of apostasy. I risk being cut off. There is not "agree to disagree" option. There is no "I respect your opinion-you respect mine-let's coexist peacefully" option. I'm being made an enemy simply because of a few disagreements. The power that the WT holds over the minds of its followers is frightening.
So, to answer your question, I can never go back to robot mode. To adjust my attitude would be to turn my back on real truth. So for now, I'll slug through it.
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"If this 'system of things' goes on..."
by Franklin Massey ini have been hearing more people saying this now than ever.
especially those in the over-40 crowd.
i just got off the phone with an older jw family member who was reviewing options for golden years living.
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Franklin Massey
Blues Brother, your comment reminded me that we had a CO say from the platform a few months ago, "Some think that if someone is a just good person, Jehovah will see that and spare them at Armageddon. That's not true. If they are not a Witness in good standing, they will not be spared." Looking back, I wish I had stood up and walked out.
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"If this 'system of things' goes on..."
by Franklin Massey ini have been hearing more people saying this now than ever.
especially those in the over-40 crowd.
i just got off the phone with an older jw family member who was reviewing options for golden years living.
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Franklin Massey
no longer do we think the society has the answers to this one!!
A older brother in my hall that I have a lot of respect for was upset by the "overlapping generations" teaching for this very reason. He said something to the effect of, "I wish we would stop toying with these dates and predictions. The Bible says not even Jesus knew. Why should we put ourselves above Jesus by trying to figure this out?"
I get so much joy when someone uses basic logic and reason to think for themselves.