Marilyn

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Posts by Marilyn

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  95

  Top STUPID criticisms of the WTS

  by JanH in

  1. jw
  2. friends

  there are certainly enough valid criticisms of the wts and the jw religion, but a significant number of often-repeated criticisms of the religion are, imnsho, just ludicruous and serves to take attention away from the real issues.

  significant problems with the wts includes, but are not limited to, the shunning policy, the blood issue and of course the corporate policy of hiding child molestors.. here is a list of criticisms of the wts that i find particularly annoying to see:.

  russell was a freemason (or, even worse, the wts is part of some other large-scale conspiracy like the illuminati).

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  Marilyn

  :::::::::::The JWs use brainwashing. Real brainwashing doesn't work. There is a sliding scale between gentle coercion and heavy indoctrination, and certainly the JWs are closer to the latter. People convert to the JWs for the same reason they convert to other religions; they are socially attracted to the group and gradually come to accept their practices and doctrines. I certainly agree that JWs use unethical practices to isolate its members from contrary ideas and particularly former members, but it has little to do with "brainwashing" a term that tends to bring up ideas of some near-magical procedure to render people into helpless robots.

  Jan, I agree that brainwashing is not the right term. Though Joe Public doesn't appreciate the difference between brainwashing and mind control. The end result appears the same. A person who will let their child die for want of a life saving medical procedure doesn't present as rational to the outside world. I feel we don't fully understand the process that takes place when someone submits to a religion like the JWs. Recently I heard that hypnosis doesn't work unless you want it to. I think that is the same as joining a religion like the JWs. To me there seems to be some kind of hypnotic affect involved - but I am not well read on this subject. I do know that Witnesses use a process that is not particularly open and honest. They hide the unsavory aspects of church doctrine from new interest until they feel the person has sufficiently taken the bait and can be safely reeled in.

  What's the difference between mind control and brainwashing. Isn't mind control just a new age term for brainwashing?

  :::::::::The JWs are a Cult. The word "cult" has so many meanings it is totally meaningless.

  So where's the harm in calling it a cult? Again Joe Public tends to believe that a religion that will let their children die for want of medical treatment is not exactly a run of the mill religion. I was slow to use the word cult but lately I've been using it and I feel it's reasonable. Although they seem vaguely respectable to the world, some of what they practise seems very cult like to me.

  Thanx for a decent topic !!!!

  Marilyn
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  9

  Blast From The Past

  by Frenchy in

  1. jw
  2. friends

  **however, from 1892 to 1927, the watch tower did set aside space for comment on the text featured in the "international sunday school lessons," which were then popular in many protestant churches.

  these texts were for many years selected by f. n. peloubet, a congregational clergyman, and his assistants.

  the watch tower discussed these texts from the standpoint of the bible students advanced understanding of the scriptures, free from the creeds of christendom.

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  Marilyn

  :::::::::- declaring that they're The Best, The Truest, The Only, God's Chosen.

  Except when they've been forced to admit error, and then they suddenly become "imperfect men, until the new system". Hohum!

  Marilyn
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  9

  Blast From The Past

  by Frenchy in

  1. jw
  2. friends

  **however, from 1892 to 1927, the watch tower did set aside space for comment on the text featured in the "international sunday school lessons," which were then popular in many protestant churches.

  these texts were for many years selected by f. n. peloubet, a congregational clergyman, and his assistants.

  the watch tower discussed these texts from the standpoint of the bible students advanced understanding of the scriptures, free from the creeds of christendom.

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  Marilyn

  Day before yesterday I was reading messages from forever ago (mid 2000) and your name stood out. There didn't seem so many posters then, but some that are still on the board seem to have changed their opinions quite a bit in that time. The thread I was reading, was one you started and you were talking about the good things about the Witnesses and how you got criticised if you said something nice about them, and that exjws were quite intolerant in the same way as dubs were about apostates. I found myself thinking that the posts back then were more interesting than they are today. Maybe not - grass is always greener etc - so anyway, I just wondered, have you changed your views and situation much since mid year 2000?

  Marilyn
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  31

  Does Yours Vibrate?

  by Englishman in

  1. jw
  2. friends

  i feel like some fluff tonight.. so, c'mon, tell us all about your.........mobile phone!.

  what make is it?.

  contract or pay-as-you go?.

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  Marilyn

  I don't have one. But if I want to be intimidating I take the tv remote with me and talk into that!!

  They sure sit up and take notice of me then!

  Marilyn hahahahah!
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  16

  Sifted As Wheat???

  by VioletAnai in

  1. jw
  2. friends

  i was just pondering the scripture, but i'm not sure if it's satan who's demanded the 'faithful' to be sifted as wheat.

  i can't remember where the scripture is either.

  my question is: why did jehovah give in to his demands?

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  Marilyn

  ::::::::::::I have never understood why he needed to prove himself to someone so beneath him.

  Absolutely. If someone criticises us or claims we're not all we're cracked up to be - well I'd admit I'd been sprung! But normally we wouldn't dignify their comment with a reply. Maybe tell em' to f off or something. But we'd hardly make loads of others suffer just to prove we're not what they said. The proof of what we are is in how we behave. OH geez even discussing this stuff is rediculous - like it ever happened!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
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  27

  Yoga Anyone?

  by dobby in

  1. jw
  2. friends

  i just read with interest an article entitled yoga - just an exercise or something more?

  in the august 1, 2002 watchtower.. i know that growing up a witness i had always been told that yoga was related to spiritism and the occult.

  however, with the popularity of yoga among the mainstream in recent years as a means to keep fit not as a means to find spiritual enlightment, i thought the society may have lightened up a bit.

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  Marilyn

  Usual clap trap.

  Marilyn
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  63

  Calgary Blood Case Effectively Over - We Won!

  by AlanF in

  1. jw
  2. friends

  thought everyone would like to hear some great news about the calgary blood case.

  i was sent the following, which i've modified to protect the guilty:.

  at the witnesses' request, the trial has been put over till october.

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  Marilyn

  So they won't be claiming Jehovah's blessings on their efforts on this occasion..... ?
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  35

  A simple question for You Know

  by toddy in

  1. jw
  2. friends

  .

  you know,

  do you think the end of the current system is going to happen in your lifetime?

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  Marilyn

  It's a bit of a dumb question IMHO which plays right into YK's hands. 2 Peter something, something.......... or was it 1 Peter something, something? "Where is this promised presence of his..............from the day our forefathers fell asleep in death, all things are continuing exactly as from creations beginnings............. "

  Asking the guy why the end hasn't come yet is like giving him a licence to go on waiting for it.

  Marilyn
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  52

  What are you now???

  by SpiceItUp in

  1. jw
  2. friends

  i am sure this question has been posted by someone before ...but it wasn't by me so it doesnt count..lol .

  to those that post here do you..... a. consider yourself christian.

  b. consider yourself pagan.

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  Marilyn

  :::::::::::Ugh. I have no idea what to believe right now. Still trying to form a new world view. I think right now I'm in the "life sucks, then you die" catagory.

  Joe, I'm a bit like you on this one. Life is a struggle @ the best of times.

  Marilyn
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  12

  alicholics

  by not interested in

  1. jw
  2. friends

  well here i am its about 3:30 in the morning and ive been sitting here and drinking beer and im feeling it i guess this is ultimatly why i was kicked out of the org.

  but im in denial that i have a problem with alchoacal maybe because i dont drink all the time maybe cuz i can drink without getting drunk but what is sad is that when im alone i just drink to get drunk cuz i hate being alone what the hell am i doing?

  im typing this out loud no wonder i was caught

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  Marilyn

  I hate it that there are so many lonely people out there. Why not join a gym and exercise off some of your beer gut? Seriously, exercise makes you feel better about yourself and will cut into some of your alone time. Plus when you do come home you will be too tired to drink so much.

  Also I presume you are young(ish)? why not do some travelling? That's the coolest way to meet people, girl type people, and it's interesting and enjoyable and expensive (I know) but young people should be traveling - coz later if you do meet someone, you won't have the money for it.

  There is some medication on the market now to help you stop drinking. Did you know that?

  thinking of you

  Marilyn