NewChapter

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Posts by NewChapter

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  18

  "...in case of an attack on the buses by Angry Christians..." Atheists sue

  by Rabbit in

  1. watchtower
  2. bible

  to me...the following story exemplifies why freedom of speech is so important.

  people should be exposed to differing ideas & beliefs for their own good.. my comment is highlighted below, it's funny, sad & i realize...not representative of most christians.

  (most, i believe will think about it, but, not act on it) .

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  NewChapter

  They may adjust their policies for a while, but I suspect they will quietly drop them and you'll see church ads once again with the hopes that those angry atheists won't notice.

  NC
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  41

  Are Witnesses encouraged to talk about their non-JW mates?

  by Nickolas in

  1. watchtower
  2. beliefs

  my wife and i don't discuss the watchtower too much.

  i'm atheist, and she knows there's nothing she can say to change that.

  besides, she knows i've been doing a great deal of research into the society and could decimate any argument she could put forward that the wtbts is what it says it is, so she doesn't want to go there at all.

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  NewChapter

  Hi Nickolas,

  I really think he wasn't looking for anything to catch you on, he was just looking for a way to talk to you. If the 2 of you talked about the building, perhaps you could talk about the permit. Maybe he had a story about trying to get a permit himself. He's looking for common ground is all, and he was clumsy about it. If he can find something in common then the relationship can flourish and offer him ways to witness subtley. Your wife may or may not have known about it. If she was uncomfortable maybe she regretted giving the go ahead---or maybe she was just uncomfortable.

  He is using informal witness techniques. It's a different more casual way to approach a person. Try to get a conversation started and steer it toward theocratic things. In the new system we will all be building our own houses. Since you like to build things, do you think you would enjoy designing and building your own house? Think about the magnificient house you could build when you have forever and perfect health and a perfect brain. No permits needed in the new system. ETC.

  How long has your wife been a witness?

  NC
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  41

  Are Witnesses encouraged to talk about their non-JW mates?

  by Nickolas in

  1. watchtower
  2. beliefs

  my wife and i don't discuss the watchtower too much.

  i'm atheist, and she knows there's nothing she can say to change that.

  besides, she knows i've been doing a great deal of research into the society and could decimate any argument she could put forward that the wtbts is what it says it is, so she doesn't want to go there at all.

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  NewChapter

  I am quite sure she harbours no hope for me to join her in the Society

  Nickolas--you have to understand. You've never been there so it may be hard. She ABSOLUTELY harbours hope. She is presented constantly with evidence of this. There is a saying among JW's: "As soon as a study says they will NEVER go door to door, you know they are getting baptized."

  Do you see the disconnect? Negative responses are seen as sure signs of the opposite outcome. I don't say she is speaking disparingly of you--not at all. But I'm sure she speaks about you out of concern. A likely scenario is she may have voiced the concerns around a brother who then offers to stop by and get to know you. She is touched by his offer and has probably already prayed vehemently for his success. They are told that if they have called on a house 5 times and always got a negative response--DON"T GIVE UP! Things may change in that person's life to make them more open. Maybe they lose their job, lose a loved one, get sick. All of these things could make them start searching for answers, and then there you will be.

  I know of a sister that said if someone didn't want to listen at the door, but SMILED, she always goes back. Because they smiled. That was her sign that there was hope. Can you calculate every smile and make sure you never smile when she mentions something to do with the hall?

  She will never quit hoping. Her sincerest desire is that you are with her forever in paradise. She is motivated by love. Imagine if you had the most excellent news in the world that could solve every problem you ever dreamed of---you just have to do certain things to obtain it. You would absolutely want your wife to do those things. If she refused at first, you would always look for the moment when her mind could be changed. That is how certain the new system is to her. It is more real to her than this life. I know. I've been there. My husband bought it because of my hope.

  But definitely talk to her. In a way, if she didn't try you'd have to worry she didn't care. LOL I hope you work it out. I'm just trying to give you a glimpse of how she is probably thinking.

  NC
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  182

  Conspiracy theorists

  by JimmyPage in

  1. jw
  2. friends

  some here like to perpetuate the idea that there is a hidden group lurking in the shadows playing democrats and republicans against each other for their own benefit... or that a new world order is about to annihilate herds of common men to stay in power.. please name one specific living person who is a member of this elite group..

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  NewChapter

  500,000 children missing? Okay, where could they be. Here are some things we do know.

  Many run away.

  Most are taken by family, such as angry ex-spouses

  Some fall into the hands of evil people that generally kill them. Not for religious reasons but for perversions.

  We have a few cases of children found years after their kidnapping--alive but traumatized.

  A few have turned up in homes where they were raised as natural born children.

  Some have even been pressed into sexual slavery.

  But what about the ones we have no answers for? Well---they could have been picked up by blood thirsty cults.

  Or UFO's. Or by the Russians where they are trained as moles. Or maybe meat factories that have special hidden ingredients. The government could be running experiments on them. Perhaps they were raptured. Drug traffickers could have picked them up and use them as mules and as labor on pot farms. Rich old guys think they could stay young on the blood of children. Vampires. Werewolves. Bigfoot.

  The point is---we don't know all the answers. In the vacuum of the unknown anything is conceivable. Your theory is no more valid than the above theories because you cannot disprove them. Sometimes facts can be presented in such a way as to make only one option seem likely. But the fact is there are millions of possiblities--but you have been manipulated to see only one possiblity. Just think about it.

  NC
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  82

  What DO I think about Glenn Beck?

  by AK - Jeff in

  1. jw
  2. friends

  i think of myself as 'moderate libertarian' if i must attach a lapel card.

  and i'm not sure that is entirely the correct one.. i endorse fiscal conservative thinking, believe in limited government, and a strong domestic defense policy.

  in these areas, i could find myself in agreement with the talk show host.

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  NewChapter

  RI, that is pretty vague and subjective. I did hear a lot about that rape and it was soundly condemned, and I listen to the liberal media. I'm not sure why you didn't hear that.

  Now honesty and trust in government: can you give me specifics? There is a problem, but I don't see that liberals are more guilty than conservatives. For instance, you pointed out Weiner and I counter with Vitter. Talk about Edwards and I can counter with Ensign. None of us like to see this behavior by either side. I am puzzled as to why you hold liberals responsible though. Can you give me a specific? We can move the conversation forward that way.

  Wisconsin--well we do live in a country that allows that kind of protest. It may not be your thing, but maybe the working people feel that the conservatives were acting like thugs. That isn't a statement to make you mad, it's just an observation. There are many views and these people felt like this was their only power. They wanted their voices heard. If you believe demonstrations were out of line, then how do you think they should have made their voices heard? Is there a way you find more acceptable? I'm just trying to figure out how the workers could have protested that the conservatives would not have found it offensive.

  NC
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  41

  Are Witnesses encouraged to talk about their non-JW mates?

  by Nickolas in

  1. watchtower
  2. beliefs

  my wife and i don't discuss the watchtower too much.

  i'm atheist, and she knows there's nothing she can say to change that.

  besides, she knows i've been doing a great deal of research into the society and could decimate any argument she could put forward that the wtbts is what it says it is, so she doesn't want to go there at all.

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  NewChapter

  Nickolas, let me give you an example of a story I heard at an assembly. The brother giving the talk told of a faithful sister who had an opposing husband. They had nothing but conflict in their home. He would be mean to her, throw her books out, try to stop her from going to meetings---that kind of thing. But this sister never gave up hope, no she didn't! One night she came home from the meeting to find he had locked her out! She went to the shed and got a hack saw and sawed her way into the house. He wanted her gone, but she didn't give up hope! The brother was pleased to announce that the sister's husband was now a fellow Christian serving shoulder to shoulder with us. The story was met by applause and tears of joy! Seriously, people were dabbing tears. This is a big deal to your wife. They will never let her give up hope that one day you will not only be her husband you will be her brother. tee hee. And she will live forever with you on a paradise earth.

  NC
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  41

  Are Witnesses encouraged to talk about their non-JW mates?

  by Nickolas in

  1. watchtower
  2. beliefs

  my wife and i don't discuss the watchtower too much.

  i'm atheist, and she knows there's nothing she can say to change that.

  besides, she knows i've been doing a great deal of research into the society and could decimate any argument she could put forward that the wtbts is what it says it is, so she doesn't want to go there at all.

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  NewChapter

  Nickolas,

  Absolutely. Spouses are encouraged to witness to their mates, BUT to keep things peaceful wives are told to give a silent witness by their example. There is a scripture they use to reinforce this---without a word you can be won over because of her example. She probably DID ask the brother to come and talk to you. That would be exceedingly typical. This way there is no tension between you 2 and maybe she thinks a brother could better handle the situation. What you have to realize is that she will NEVER give up hope that you are converted.

  She has been fed countless stories about wives that patiently waited on Jehovah and after 5 years, 20 years, even 50 years their husbands saw the light. And I have to tell you this. My exhusband was won over by such tactics. I overheard him talking to an elder and saying that he often tried to engage me in arguments but my answer was always mild but firm. He said I never argured but was always sure of myself and I was a good wife. This made him think I was onto something. He got baptized. Of course at the time it reinforced my beliefs, today I am just sorry. I'm sorry exmonster. I'm sorry for being such a great wife you had to join my cult! SIGH

  NC
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  4

  Fox News: Atheist's Lottery Prayer Answered

  by whereami in

  1. watchtower
  2. beliefs

  the stupidity and gullibility here is unbelievable.

  faux news just needs to add a cross to there logo.. .

  http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qnv-kw6641u.

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  NewChapter

  Wait, it just occurs to me that this guy is now an apostate! Perhaps atheists should not listen to this---it could shake their non-faith.
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  4

  Fox News: Atheist's Lottery Prayer Answered

  by whereami in

  1. watchtower
  2. beliefs

  the stupidity and gullibility here is unbelievable.

  faux news just needs to add a cross to there logo.. .

  http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qnv-kw6641u.

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  NewChapter

  This is soooo Freaking Funny! Even funnier cuz it's not meant to be funny. I'm so glad he found faith in a god cuz he got money. Hmmm, now what about those sick and starving little children baptized in the Catholic church? Wait--Wait--too many questions.

  Thank you Thank you Thank you Whereami. LOL I immediately sent this off to my brother. I love starting my day with a laugh. I love FOX news, my life would be so empty without it, and Jon Stewart wouldn't be nearly as funny!

  NC
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  37

  I had my first encounter with JW's at my door! I was called an apostate!

  by Desert Rat in

  1. jw
  2. friends

  so, i am getting ready to move across the state.

  we bought a home there, and have taken a couple of loads over, with the main move being this next week.

  i went over this last week cause i wanted to paint the kitchen and dining room before we moved in (a lot easier to do without grandkids and dogs under foot).. anyway... here i am painting away when there is a knock on the door.

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  NewChapter

  Sheesh, you're minding your own business and THEY come to YOUR door and call You an apostate. Like you were bothering them or something. LOL

  NC