journey-on - After all, the way the WTS keeps moving their prophetic dates up, they could lie in their graves for "GENERATIONS" before being resurrected! Man, that is sad. I think I want to go to heaven now too.
Franklin Massey
JoinedPosts by Franklin Massey
-
18
More Partaking at Memorial, Could It Be the Elderly?
by Franklin Massey inthis is not a conspiracy theory, although the goofy title may suggest otherwise.
the memorial partakers keep going up and up each year.
there are obvious reasons for this and the wt, feeling the embarassment and threat to the 144,000 doctrine has addressed it in the publications.. but i was thinking back on an odd situation that happened with two older, long time, faithful jws.
-
-
-
12
Family Worship Evening, The Mormons Had It First
by Franklin Massey inthis has been commented about on here before but since this weeks service meeting has a continuation of the article "help for families" i thought it would be appropriate to mention that the jw family worship evening, appears to be direct copy of the mormons family home evening.
if you have the january 2011 km, compare the insert to the resources found at the official latter day saints website on how to conduct the family evening.. http://lds.org/hf/fhe/welcome/0,16785,4210-1,00.html.
-
-
Franklin Massey
Dario, welcome! I love this: Funny how religions reject evolution when they evolve as well
sd-7 - Keep going! I'm getting a kick of this.
pirata - 10% Tithing = 100% Blessings - that would make a great t-shirt
Have you all seen the Mormon TV campaign? Maybe JWs should try that.
-
12
Family Worship Evening, The Mormons Had It First
by Franklin Massey inthis has been commented about on here before but since this weeks service meeting has a continuation of the article "help for families" i thought it would be appropriate to mention that the jw family worship evening, appears to be direct copy of the mormons family home evening.
if you have the january 2011 km, compare the insert to the resources found at the official latter day saints website on how to conduct the family evening.. http://lds.org/hf/fhe/welcome/0,16785,4210-1,00.html.
-
-
Franklin Massey
This has been commented about on here before but since this weeks Service Meeting has a continuation of the article "Help for Families" I thought it would be appropriate to mention that the JW Family Worship Evening, appears to be direct copy of the Mormons Family Home Evening. If you have the January 2011 KM, compare the insert to the resources found at the official Latter Day Saints website on how to conduct the Family Evening.
-
18
More Partaking at Memorial, Could It Be the Elderly?
by Franklin Massey inthis is not a conspiracy theory, although the goofy title may suggest otherwise.
the memorial partakers keep going up and up each year.
there are obvious reasons for this and the wt, feeling the embarassment and threat to the 144,000 doctrine has addressed it in the publications.. but i was thinking back on an odd situation that happened with two older, long time, faithful jws.
-
-
Franklin Massey
This is not a conspiracy theory, although the goofy title may suggest otherwise. The memorial partakers keep going up and up each year. There are obvious reasons for this and the WT, feeling the embarassment and threat to the 144,000 doctrine has addressed it in the publications.
But I was thinking back on an odd situation that happened with two older, long time, faithful JWs. I have had two older sisters, on two separate occasions, confide in me that while others find Memorial season to be a wonderful time of the year, they feel torn with the question, "Could I be one of the annointed?" The first time I heard this, I was shocked. The partyline is that if you have to question your status, then you are not annointed. Then later a second sister mentioned it. These were both intelligent, sharp minded women. Their query didn't come from senility. I've looked at other older friends since and wondered how many may have that question. Then I wondered, have any of these ones started partaking? Has anyone seen this happen?
Trying to put myself in their shoes, I imagined being a JW from the very early days of the modern religion. Going through so many changes in teaching and organizational structure, making countless sacrifices for "The Truth," putting off any personal desires for what they were told were God's instructions on how to live. Now, facing their mortality in a system that they never thought they would die in, they may pontificate, "After all this, I was faithful. Perhaps I may be deserving of the heavenly reward."
Or, they read their Bibles for the nth time and notice something they have never seen before. It is speaking to them.
Or, after the promises of "Millions Now Living Will Never Die!" and numerous end-of-days prophecy revisions, they are now just beginning to lose faith in the exactness of JW theology.
Some have no regrets and full confidence in their religion. For those, I am happy that they have peace of mind. However, we have talks on occasion that address the discouraged older population in our congregations. My heart goes out to those discouraged ones, whatever the reason for their troubles. I can't help but wonder how many have become disillusioned or confused about their beliefs.
-
98
Discussion involving my Dad & other long timers - Mood is definately different
by Doubting Bro ini've seen several posts relating to the mood among longtime jws here recently.
i thought i would add to that collection and recount a discussion i recently had with my dad and a small group of folks about his age.
quick background on the group:.
-
-
Franklin Massey
Doubting Bro, great thread. This site needs more threads like this so that lurkers and doubters can see what is going on in the hearts and minds of other JWs. There is an elephant in the room and and everyone is scared to talk about it. So they do some private searching online and find experiences like these. Very powerful.
Boyzone posted, My parents are both elderly and have regular discussions with another long-time brother and sister over coffee once a week. The gist of these discussions is that the Society are starting to be way off when it comes to shunning, education and blood and need to learn some humility. They have been reading the bible together and can see how far these doctrines have deviated from scripture
This is good to hear.
-
110
A Concerned Elder Speaks
by Franklin Massey ina lot of talk has centered around information dispensed at the recent km schools.
many brothers feel there is a "tightening up" taking place.
i had a recent experience that you may find interesting.. after the meeting i was working with our cobe on some congregation tasks when out of nowhere he said, "have you looked up any extra information about higher education since the km school?
-
-
Franklin Massey
Gary, took the words right out of my mouth.
Giordano, I was a child when I was baptized. I could answer the questions because I had practiced them over and over. The ones I got wrong didn't matter because the brothers asking the questions watched me grow up and thought that baptism was the best thing for me. When I got baptized I couldn't drive, didn't know about complex human emotions, had never been in love, never had a job. My point is that a child cannot fully grasp the immense proportions of a dedication such as is required at JW baptism. If I was a non-JW and was found in the ministry now, I don't know if I could do it by their rules.
Mr. Mustard, you are spot on. I'm positive that will happen in my congregation given what the other brothers are already saying about the new guidelines.
-
110
A Concerned Elder Speaks
by Franklin Massey ina lot of talk has centered around information dispensed at the recent km schools.
many brothers feel there is a "tightening up" taking place.
i had a recent experience that you may find interesting.. after the meeting i was working with our cobe on some congregation tasks when out of nowhere he said, "have you looked up any extra information about higher education since the km school?
-
-
Franklin Massey
Dinah, I would probably never even have to start elementary school. I was told the same thing about High School, marriage, etc. I don't hear too many people making those promises to children anymore.
-
110
A Concerned Elder Speaks
by Franklin Massey ina lot of talk has centered around information dispensed at the recent km schools.
many brothers feel there is a "tightening up" taking place.
i had a recent experience that you may find interesting.. after the meeting i was working with our cobe on some congregation tasks when out of nowhere he said, "have you looked up any extra information about higher education since the km school?
-
-
Franklin Massey
This conversation is getting much better, Finger. We needed clarity and reference on your position and you are providing it nicely. Thanks.
That is the thinking I was brought up with as we lived in the final part of the last days.
Active JWs are still be told this same thing, but for many, it is becoming less and less real to them.
If a JW no longer believes he is living in the final part he should leave in my opinion. I did.
I'm sure you are familiar with the posters on this board who, after weighing the outcomes, decide to stay in for family/social reasons. For some, it's just not that easy. Also, consider those who allow for room in understanding JW doctrine. Lets say that they love 99% of what the religion has to offer, but just don't know of the end is really so near. Should they throw the baby out with the bath water?
You made a bold choice and now you are free, so to speak. You are to be commended. It's hard for some to do what you did, or maybe the time just isn't right. Either way, as we both agree, its a personal choice and the point of the thread was about the GBs powerful influence in the personal matters of JWs.
-
43
Do you have a Facebook Page? and if so
by DeeDubs inwhat do you have on the info page for religion?.
-
-
Franklin Massey
Here's one I saw that made me want to vomit:
Religious Views same as political views Political Views Jehovah pwns all -
110
A Concerned Elder Speaks
by Franklin Massey ina lot of talk has centered around information dispensed at the recent km schools.
many brothers feel there is a "tightening up" taking place.
i had a recent experience that you may find interesting.. after the meeting i was working with our cobe on some congregation tasks when out of nowhere he said, "have you looked up any extra information about higher education since the km school?
-
-
Franklin Massey
Finger, you should be as clear as your last post more often. Thanks for elaborating. This stood out to me:
I also think there is a wider question of as a christian how much one trusts God to provide and where one draws the line with needs and wants.
Agreed. But that's between a person and God. Not a person and you. Not a person and the GB. You are hung up on higher education but how far are you willing to carry your logic? If someone gets a new car, are they showing that they don't think the end is near? What if they purchase cable television? What about a new coat or shoes? Heck, if the end is so near, let's just stop paying our bills and ride it out until Armageddon. It's a slippery slope. Part of making informed choices involves examining the past to look for what has worked and what hasn't. Unfortunately, in the WT Organization, many have done with their entire lives what you suggest should be done with college. That is, drop everything because none of it matters since the end is so near. That has proven to be disastrous for many JWs. You draw your line. I'll draw mine. But don't be so quick to judge the manifestation of one's relationship and reliance on God by outward appearance.
God could use stones.
Sounds like a good solution. Sure would save everyone from the headaches of fleshing out these conscience related issues. wouldn't it?