NewChapter

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Posts by NewChapter

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  64

  Music-related jw urban myths

  by rebel8 in

  1. watchtower
  2. beliefs

  i was researching a few....whew...did they ever bother to *think for themselves* or did they just believe every demon-related rumor they heard?

  (rhetorical question).

  stevie nicks was a witch.

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  NewChapter

  For a group that loves truth so much, they sure do latch on to urban legends. sheesh.

  HOW BOUT THAT PRINCE? I don't know where he stands today.

  NC
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  64

  Music-related jw urban myths

  by rebel8 in

  1. watchtower
  2. beliefs

  i was researching a few....whew...did they ever bother to *think for themselves* or did they just believe every demon-related rumor they heard?

  (rhetorical question).

  stevie nicks was a witch.

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  NewChapter

  WELL I guess I missed the stairway memo. I tended to block the music stuff, even though I was pretty faithful. It never made sense to me. I mean, if the lyrics were truly "demonic" then I understood. But some people would say---"they are homosexual, can't listen," and I'd say "In that case, we should never listen to ANY fornicator". Or she's a witch, don't listen, and I'd say then we shouldn't listen to ANYONE in false religion. That kind of thing. They liked to pick and choose, and I'd argue it was all the same so don't be hypocrites. Generally they just stopped the argument. And as far the song Rhianna, well then Little Mermaid was wrong too. I don't know. That satanic panic thing used to really irritate me. It seemed so naive and reactionary and I thought that "true Christians" shouldn't be so gullible. I know someone who thought their stereo was demon possessed because someone with questionable taste had played a tape in it. The irritations never stopped!

  NC
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  64

  Music-related jw urban myths

  by rebel8 in

  1. watchtower
  2. beliefs

  i was researching a few....whew...did they ever bother to *think for themselves* or did they just believe every demon-related rumor they heard?

  (rhetorical question).

  stevie nicks was a witch.

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  NewChapter

  Unbelievable. I've played stairway on my guitar for groups of dubs. LOL guess they were pretty liberal. Yeah, I just read that about Stevie Nicks. I never really cared before so I never looked into it. People would freak and say she was a witch, and I would reason with them that if it was wrong for me to listen to Stevie, then it was wrong for me to listen to most music since most musicians were part of "false religion" in some way and I didn't need to single her out!

  NC
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  64

  Music-related jw urban myths

  by rebel8 in

  1. watchtower
  2. beliefs

  i was researching a few....whew...did they ever bother to *think for themselves* or did they just believe every demon-related rumor they heard?

  (rhetorical question).

  stevie nicks was a witch.

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  NewChapter

  Somebody had a JC for listening to Stairway???? And also, I thought Stevie Nicks was into Wicca. It never bothered me, even when I was a Dub, and it certainly won't bother me today, but is that not true?

  NC
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  46

  Apostates part from 2011 DC Symposium

  by baltar447 in

  1. watchtower
  2. beliefs

  i just got through listening to the part on apostates.

  .

  they basically ignored any true questions or critisisms in favor of an ad hominem character attack on apostates.. they made the assertion that "apostates" are 1-prideful, 2-ingrateful, 3-impatient.. anyone that's listened care to discuss the part?.

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  NewChapter

  Agonus said: apostates use propaganda!

  AND twisted reasonings!
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  46

  Apostates part from 2011 DC Symposium

  by baltar447 in

  1. watchtower
  2. beliefs

  i just got through listening to the part on apostates.

  .

  they basically ignored any true questions or critisisms in favor of an ad hominem character attack on apostates.. they made the assertion that "apostates" are 1-prideful, 2-ingrateful, 3-impatient.. anyone that's listened care to discuss the part?.

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  NewChapter

  Well, I had to swallow an awful lot of pride to become an apostate! Impatience had nothing to do with it---if I hadn't woke up I would have waited until I died. Ungrateful? Wasn't even a concept I considered. If they just got to know us, they'd see we are a pretty good bunch!
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  29

  "Cemetery Witnessing" on Memorial Day

  by Morbidzbaby in

  1. jw
  2. friends

  i've been wondering if this is just something that's done in my area, or if people do it all over.. every year on memorial day, a lot of people meet for fs and then when they break into groups, they all discuss which cemeteries they are going to "work".

  every major cemetery in the city is divvied up.

  the idea is, they take a stack of small tracts (usually the what hope for dead loved ones) and they basically park the car in the cemetery and walk around handing them out to the mourners.

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  NewChapter

  Well that person was praised for their ingenuity and love for Jehovah. Everyone wished they had thought of it.
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  162

  PROTESTS AT WATCHTOWER CONVENTIONS

  by Lawrence Hughes in

  1. jw
  2. friends

  dear friends,.

  as you may know, the watchtower society takes great pride in its district conventions.

  please contact me if you can attend any of these protests.. there is no reason why every district convention in the world could not have a protest and receive media coverage to expose the watchtower society.

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  NewChapter

  Hmmm---I don't have any JW friends to stand up at THEIR convention. For that matter, I'm not even sure when their conventions are, and I live in the convention town--about 5 minutes away from the center they use. As a rule, I find that those that have freed themselves of the concept stay away, OR they have a great deal to lose and so they stay quiet. They are not cowards though. I would never judge anyone who attempts to keep the people they hold dear by staying quiet.

  We all have different styles and each have a valid contribution. I remember a time when I would have welcomed protestors at a convention simply to give us something new to talk about. But the conversation would have been about how loyal we all were not to read the signs or listen to the chants. Then the conversation would have morphed into how depraved apostates were and how this proves they are out to steal sheep. We probably would have shared stories about how others resisted the evil apostate, oh, and there is that one faithful pioneer sister who had to pass her own father holding a sign outside the convention center. Isn't she strong? Satan tests her constantly but her loyalty to Jehovah is unbreakable. I would have felt very built-up and justified in my judgement of apostates. The LAST thing I would have thought was that they had a valid point.

  You know, it's a wonderful world now that I can appreciate it. I am still interested in JW matters and at times I benefit from the support. But I am determined to experience this new world. The WT no longer consumes my time and energy. I have causes I work for. I will always be here for those that need support. I will not allow anger and bitterness at WT to consume the reduced time I have left to enjoy my newfound freedom. I recently got in touch with an apostate friend who I had cut off. We were friends for over 30 years, and now we are friends again. I notice she is not consumed either. We discuss gentle ways to reach others.

  It would be nice if you could at least recognize that not everyone has the same goals and methods as you do rick. You cause defenses to go up when you call people cowards for making choices that fit with their life and not yours. Also, if I stood up at a convention, I would still be an outsider protesting. I am not a JW any longer.

  Peace,

  NC
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  29

  "Cemetery Witnessing" on Memorial Day

  by Morbidzbaby in

  1. jw
  2. friends

  i've been wondering if this is just something that's done in my area, or if people do it all over.. every year on memorial day, a lot of people meet for fs and then when they break into groups, they all discuss which cemeteries they are going to "work".

  every major cemetery in the city is divvied up.

  the idea is, they take a stack of small tracts (usually the what hope for dead loved ones) and they basically park the car in the cemetery and walk around handing them out to the mourners.

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  NewChapter

  I knew of a person that took note of the obituaries and would plan to visit the graves on the one-year anniversary! Really. They did that.

  NC
• 
  162

  PROTESTS AT WATCHTOWER CONVENTIONS

  by Lawrence Hughes in

  1. jw
  2. friends

  dear friends,.

  as you may know, the watchtower society takes great pride in its district conventions.

  please contact me if you can attend any of these protests.. there is no reason why every district convention in the world could not have a protest and receive media coverage to expose the watchtower society.

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  NewChapter

  Regarding the thought that protests bring down governments and so will work on the WT: Protests from WITHIN bring down governments. They are a way of bringing people together, identifying themselves to each other, and then moving forward in unity. Protests from WITHOUT do very little, but I believe in some cases it helps the protestors to vent some of their anger. If it makes them feel better, then I can't fault it. However, if the desire is for certain results, I'm not so sure the goals will be achieved. We cannot IMPOSE our beliefs on these people. Now if a group of witnesses stood up during the convention to protest and rallied the support of those around them, that could make an impression. The guys with the signs outside won't do the trick.

  Also, political ideologies and religious ideologies are different. People who disagree with their governments generally are not disagreeing with their gods. Of course there may be some overlap there, but generally overthrowing a government is not seen as overthrowing a god.

  For myself, my critical thinking was tickled. I purposely did not read any apostate literature until I had made up my mind. I studied academic historical writings and primary source science journals. It was only then that I came here. I didn't want my judgement clouded by emotion. Others come here, and this site tickles their critical thinking. They then go on to do more research.

  I think that disproving the myth of the angry apostate is the greatest tool we have. It is important to me to appear solid and reasonable and respectful. As long as we reinforce the society's lies about those who left, we won't gain a listening ear. I will never play by their rules. I will never act like a wolf snatching sheep. I will present myself as level-headed and open-minded. I won't impose myself on them. When they are ready to talk, I am here. If I can subtlety inject some critical questions, I will do so.

  I also think that a person who uses language such as "moral cowards" is probably not a person that will be able to convince others of much. Such an approach will close minds and cause others to cling ever tighter to their beliefs. Just as protests from within are more effective than outsiders protesting, changes from within a person gives us something more to work with than trying to force the changes.

  I guess in the end we have to consider our objectives. If it is to vent anger, then vent, but if it is to help those ready for change, then be there for them.

  Rant Over,

  NC