call me a neopositivist, a semi-verificationist or semi-falsificationist, but the claims made by "silentlambs" reminds me of the shakespearean line that was quoted in the creator book published by the wtbts.
that is, the contentions of silentlambs seem like much "sound and fury" that in truth signify nothing.
i am of course referring to the supposed dateline show and the claims made about some members of the gb of jehovah's witnesses.
Doesn't anyone consider it suspicious that Greenlees
moved to a downtown congregation in New Orleans?
If you were gay (or otherwise part of a sexual subculture)
during the '80's) where would you go to live, where you
could be accepted?
Greenwich Village
San Francisco
or (the old favorite)
New Orleans
metatron
over the past couple decades, the quality of watchtower writing.
and depth of scriptural reasoning has declined.
whatever illogic.
Over the past couple decades, the quality of Watchtower writing
and depth of scriptural reasoning has declined. Whatever illogic
prevailed in establishing their speculative doctines, at least
they made a zealous effort at defense. Now, it seems more common
(and cult-like) to simply spout the same shop-worn phrases
like "faithful slave" - and expect the rank and file to fall in
line with whatever passing whim they care to project.
Perhaps some of you heard their arrogant, self-glorifying
District Convention talk about "Loyalty" - immediately
following the drama on Moses.
Well, how does the Watchtower's claim of spirit-direction compare
to Moses? Look at Numbers 12:6 -- "Hear my words, please. If there
came to be prophet of yours for Jehovah, it would be in a vision
I would make myself known to him. In a dream I would speak to him.
Not so my servant Moses! ... Mouth to mouth I speak to him, thus
showing him, and not by riddles"
In practical terms, they don't even meet the level of secondary
prophets! They don't get any revelatory visions or dreams!
They deal with 'riddles', shifting, uncertain interpretations
of what God wants. Thus, the surety of their information - and
their authority - is as shaky as the interpretations they invent!
And how 'bout that claim that elders are spirit-appointed?
Well, I can understand this opinion - considering the reduced,
feeble, meagre view they take of holy spirit. A force that
raised the dead and created the universe is now reduced to
an enfeebled tendency to remind Good Witnesses of what's right.
About the only thing even remotely miraculous holy spirit can
do is direct Witnesses to your door - and if you happen to be
praying at the time, you can jump to the conclusion that selling
magazines is God's will for you personally.
Anyway, consider 1 Tim. 5:22 "Never lay your hands hastily upon
any man; neither be a sharer in the sins of others". Even in
Bible times, appointments to be an elder in the congregation
could BE A MISTAKE! The wrong men could get appointed and
Timothy was warned this could make him responsible for the
wrongful outcome. (Insight Bk pg. 1029).
The Society sez 'they're imperfect men'.
---kind of like saying Hitler was unkind.
metatron
cdc reports "dramatic drop" in u.s. teen birth rates.. - a dramatic 22% decrease in comparison to 1991.. "the continued decline in the teen birth rate is very.
encouraging news" secretary of health and human services.
tommy thompson said in a statement.
CDC reports "dramatic drop" in U.S. teen birth rates.
- a dramatic 22% decrease in comparison to 1991.
"The continued decline in the teen birth rate is very
encouraging news" Secretary of Health and Human Services
Tommy Thompson said in a statement. (Reuters)
War? "Overall, just between 1990 and 1997, the global
export market for the heaviest conventional weapons
and military systems declined 44% in real terms to
$30 billion dollars" (Red Herring Aug 1,2001 pg. 52)
Russia and the US recently started discussing a huge
reduction in nuclear arms - from 7000 down to 2000 each
Medicine - FDA approval of the new 'bionic ear' may
come later this year - can give real hearing to profoundly
deaf people.
Experiments were announced to test a new 'retinal chip'
- smaller than the head of a pin, to be seated within
the eye. Results to be announced later this year.
Adult stem cells can change into kidney cells. " The
finding opens up the possibility of mobilizing a patients'
own bone marrow stem cells to repair or replace kidney
cells destroyed through disease or injury" (Reuters)
Reuters also reports experiments with injecting myelin
growing cells into MS patients to repair neurological
damage.
I can't claim all these experiments will prove successful but
we are clearly entering an age of miracles. When I tell JWs
I know, they always reply "yeh, but Jehovah won't let them
go much farther!"
Little by little, their misplaced confidence will be chipped
away.
metatron
i am curious.
how many here have served time at or have relatives that have served at bethel?
i have heard different stories when people came back.
Geez Louise! It's been years since I heard anybody
use terms like S.R. or new boy!
Welcome to the club! The Society never realized just how
much cynicism they've generated - thru the "big Bible house"
metatron
you will have to understand that i have to change a few details here and there so that i can't be identified.. as many of you are aware i serve as an elder, and from time to time i have been asked by the service desk to handle matters for them by means of "the special committee arrangement".
(a phrase you will not find in any wt letter or elders textbook.
) just to explain.. "a special committee is often set up when, an original committee (ojc)decides to disfellowship an individual, who then appeals against the judgement.
My experience with serving on committees is this:
Most brothers simply form a 'gut' reaction to whatever
situation is presented before them and then go with it.
Asking them to serve without bias is like asking water not to be wet.
Whatever rules or scriptural principles exist are simply ignored,
'bent' or re-interpreted to fit whatever outcome is desired.
Don't think there aren't brothers eager to df. There are - and
they used to get frustrated with me ( "just df 'em and go home")
metatron
latest propaganda from the borg (wt.sept 1, 2001, pg.15).
"suppose, though, that we personally have been the.
victim of a perceived injustice.
Latest propaganda from the Borg (Wt.Sept 1, 2001, pg.15)
"Suppose, though, that we personally have been the
victim of a perceived injustice. How would a person
with the peace of the Christ in his heart react?...
rather than discuss the matter with anyone who will
listen, why not commit the case to Jehovah in prayer
and trust in him to see to it that justice is done?
...It may well be that having done so, we will be
content to resolve the matter in our heart and "keep
silent."
In other words, shut up.
I respect advice about forgiveness - that's fine.
However, sitting back and hoping for Divine Intervention
is NOT the practice of the Watchtower Society when
someone tries to tax them or get in their way! Far from
it! THEY TAKE ACTION - and so should you if the
organization treats you unjustly. After all,
Amos didn't shut up
Micah didn't shut up
Elijah didn't shut up
Jeremiah didn't shut up
And Jesus called his opposers "offspring of vipers"
and told them "you are from your father, the Devil"
Tyrants never enjoy being exposed.
metatron
i've just been told that my elder drinking pal, mr dub-in-the-pub, has been raided by the dss.
apparently he's been drawing invalidity benefit for the last 15 years (why?
) and hasn't informed social security that he's also in full time work.
How typical of the organization's corruption!
Elders can molest children, lie and cheat the congregation,
commit adultery, and steal -- as long as it's kept covered
up!
When I said these idiots were going 'mainstream', this
isn't what I had in mind!
metatron
imagine a large well-funded wedding reception for.
an elder's so.
they play music and everybody's.
Imagine a large well-funded wedding reception for
an elder's so. They play music and everybody's
dancing (including two elders)
I had to laugh when they danced to the Village
People's "YMCA" -- for at least a couple reasons.
("Young Man, There's a place you can go....")
metatron
dear friends.
we all were once part of the borg and following there belief system.
only to find out years later we have been mislead.there are many who are still part of the borg but are afraid to ask questions concerning there belief system because you don't want to be disfellowship.
Forget it, bernie
A lot of that stuff they don't even read. A theologian
kept asking simple questions about the 'faithful slave'
in letters. They ignored him after a while.
Old brother Van Sipma used to like getting letters from
guys claiming to be Jesus, etc. because he could collect
them and send copies to different claimants saying
"we'd like to believe you're Jesus but this guy claims
to be him, too!"
metatron
some things are so simple, they can get overlooked.. for some time, i wished there was a simple, unassailable.
arguement against being one of the borg.. and there is - what is the purpose of life?.
answer: to be happy!
A solid point - love and kindness towards others is
certainly part of the 'good life'.
Making happiness the purpose of life would be destructive
to the Borg - they are filled with frustration and depression
- and it's going to get worse, as they slowly 'wake up'.
metatron
