Posts by metatron

Inferior Watchtower Morality?

by metatron in

jw
friends

i note a very positive trend in the world.

it concerns apologies.

and requests for forgiveness.

I note a very positive trend in the world. It concerns apologies
and requests for forgiveness. Recently, there have been
apologies or other such expressions from heads of corporations
(Firestone), military leaders (the Japanese fishing boat sinking),
and politicians (Senator Kerrey's involvement in Vietnam).
This is a very healthy trend - I understand that corporate
leaders in Japan have done this for some time (airline crashes).

I'm not naive about all of the motivations involved - politics
and P.R. being what it is - nevertheless, it still shows a
degree of humility - and often, real remorse (how many top
military leaders would willingly cry on camera?).

I'm sure the Awake or Watchtower will make some comment about
how awful the world is , while observing the events that led
to the tragedies involved - ALL THE WHILE IGNORING THE SUBTLE
MORAL CHANGE that is taking place in the world.

They need to ignore this and other trends in the world, after
all, they CAN'T APOLOGIZE for:

supporting Nazi propaganda against Jews
false chronology about 1975
false prophesy about the "generation" ("You will never grow old..")
the torture and death of thousands in Malawi (oops!)
people who died thinking organ transplants were forbidden
old people who failed to save for retirement ("the End is SOON!")
encouraging endless guilt and resulting depression (Read 6/1WT pg14)

and much more...

If you still are unconvinced that "worldly" apologies carry
any sacrificial value or weight, please consider the contrast
here. Such apologies must carry weight, otherwise the Watchtower
would apologize (like those immoral worldly people!)

and they won't!

metatron

23

Is the Organization really free from racism?

by dedalus in

jw
friends

one of the claims witnesses like to make is that they are color-blind, that their religion transcends matters of race and culture.

by and large, i think most "apostates" accept this, though it's all too obvious that witnesses are bigots when it comes to all non-members.. but how true is the claim that witnesses escape racial stereotyping?.

i attended an inner-city congregation with mostly black brothers and sisters.

metatron

The racism is hidden and cuts both ways.

Years back (80's, I think) there was a C.O. named
Green in the Pa/NJ area who ravaged congregations
with deletions of elders for little or no reason.
(I asked one why he was removed - he insisted he
was given no specific cause) Anyhow, he did this
so that "our people" would be in charge (i.e. black).

I have no doubt that there are still problems with
race relations in parts of the south. I heard of
lynchings that never made the papers in the 80's.
They still have segregated schools in Miss. - the
whites go to private, the blacks get stuck in public
- with horrendous turnover in teachers (National Public
Radio) In that kind of climate, many congregations
are quite awful. On this score, I gotta say if the
Society can do anything to erode the years of division,
more power to 'em.

metatron

3

A Point About Traitors To Consider

by metatron in

jw
friends

it's interesting to consider the problems the society has had.

with outright traitors over the years.

the latest awake brought .

metatron

It's interesting to consider the problems the Society has had
with outright traitors over the years. The latest Awake brought
this to my recollection, page 30 (May22) has a "From Our
Readers" letter that refers to "Two 'elders'[who] gave details of our
work to the secret police". I recall that when persecution broke
out in Liberia over the flag salute, many years ago, appointed
congregation servants avoided the rifle butts by openly compromising.
Also, if you check the Gestapo records over at the watchtower
observer, you can see some pretty sick business that explains in
part why so many Witnesses were caught and sent to concentration
camps - the leadership turned them in!(a lot of German brothers
disliked each other, I gather)

If you think this is unbelieveable, consider this: I have known
many elders over the years, often in neighboring congregations,
who quietly hate each other. The jealousy and resentment used
to shock me, when it boiled over on occasion. (I was naive for
a long time!). Anyway, it seems VERY CREDIBLE TO ME, that many of them
would eagerly betray each other or the congregation to benefit
themselves, as long as it was reasonably secret.

Heck, who do you think they betray by covering up abused kids?

metatron

18

Governing Body Exit Doors

by Skimmer in

jw
friends

consider the exit doors for the governing body.. we know that there was no authoritative governing body before 1976, so i will limit the scope of this thought to the time since then.

how do members leave the governing body?.

exit door number one: death; taken by most.. exit door number two: disgrace; taken by a couple.. exit door number three: triumph; taken by raymond franz.. has it ever been the case where a governing body member has left because of senility?

metatron

Your analysis of Fred Franz and his abilities is probably
the most accurate I've ever read. He was a highly intelligent
and eccentric fanatic. He DID have an excellent memory
and a strong sense of humor.

As to translations, things could have been worse. The Society
got the rights to the Byington bible and that was really
awful!

metatron

11

Society to Depressed: Get lost!

by metatron in

jw
friends

the june 1 watchtower is such an unusually sick and arrogant piece.

of work ("moving ahead to final victory!

where to start.

metatron

I love your last paragraph!
Rip it out and stomp it flat!

metatron

12

Trends Where The Society Is Impotent

by metatron in

jw
friends

the world is rapidly changing, making the watchtower.

organization with every passing day.

consider some trends they .

metatron

The world is rapidly changing, making the Watchtower
look more and more like a "buggy-whip" and "slide-rule"
organization with every passing day. Consider some trends they
can't stop:

1) Women have brains and can lead just as well as
men. They can be managers, run businesses, and
direct successful enterprizes (except the WTS).

2) Brothers and sisters who preach that the "End is
coming SOON!" - have to prepare for retirement.
Social Security isn't enough, most US jobs I know
of offer some kind of 401K benefit. It's so lovely
to see this sort of blatant hypocrisy/cognitive
dissonance forced on Witnesses, to perhaps, get
them to think!

3) Technology isn't going away. They WILL find ways
to slow down aging and cure awful diseases regardless
of anything the Watchtower says -- and they will
prove that life exists elsewhere in the universe,
putting the earth and the silly religious claims
made on it into CORRECT perspective.

4) ...and lest we forget
the gnarled old theocrats can't make the internet
go away, either!

metatron

11

Society to Depressed: Get lost!

by metatron in

jw
friends

the june 1 watchtower is such an unusually sick and arrogant piece.

of work ("moving ahead to final victory!

where to start.

metatron

The June 1 Watchtower is such an unusually sick and arrogant piece
of work ("Moving Ahead To Final Victory!"), I hardly know
where to start. However, take a look at page 14:
"Jehovah is'the happy God'". So how could his worshipers be unhappy
or persistently pessimistic?"

Good question. How could they? After years of fraudulent chronology
and false prophesy, why would they be unhappy? Since the Society
is now using happiness as a sign of the True Religion, I guess
its over the side with all you poor Prozac-swallowing riff-raff
that have brought this glorious organization down.

As for the rest of the rank and file, don't worry! The Watchtower
has a plan to "rally the troops"! What is it? PERSECUTION!
They are positively obsessed with PERSECUTION, referring to it
again and again ("Strengthen Your Trust In Jehovah"), it's a sign
of True Worship(pg.15) , JW's will face an "all-out attack",
"SHORTLY"-- and let's not forget.....those Nazis! (pg.20)

Does it ever occur to any Witness with an IQ above 70 that
"Satan" can destroy this idiotic organization by avoiding
all persecution? That freedom and exposure are its greatest
enemies?

metatron

16

Watchtower loses one (parking)!!

by metatron in

jw
friends

may 2001 km - district convention parking will be.

first-come, first served basis.

convention badge will.

metatron

May 2001 KM - District Convention Parking will be
first-come, first served basis. Convention badge will
serve as ID. No parking tickets but contributions
always welcome.

Ah, the power of EXPOSURE, my friends!

metatron

4

We Are Lucky To Be Here!

by metatron in

jw
friends

i know there are a lot of people who post or lurk here.

who suffer a lot of emotional pain.

the deaf and dumb.

metatron

I know there are a lot of people who post or lurk here
who suffer a lot of emotional pain. The deaf and dumb
theocrats have caused a great deal of heartache.

Nonetheless, count yourselves lucky, it could be worse.
You could still be in the borg, assimilated and deceived.
These poor people are going to sink into depression
or worse as the invincible organization openly falters.
They will deceive themselves in every way they can to
avoid facing reality. They will tell themselves that
it's just a "test", that the End is any day now .....
and they'll wait
and wait
and wait.
They will fight against their own thoughts that they
have been wrong for years, that they threw away
that most precious of commodities - time ,in chasing
rainbows.

It may hurt a little now but if you're reading this,
you are likely on the road to recovery.

But you can still feel sorry for those who aren't
and what they're going to face.

metatron

8

Has a Religion Ever Died From Boredom?

by metatron in

jw
friends

it's quite amusing to read the self-exaltation contained within.

the watchtower and contrast it with the organization's sterile.

reality.

metatron

It's quite amusing to read the self-exaltation contained within
the Watchtower and contrast it with the organization's sterile
reality. It seems the 'borg these days don't even rise to the
level of their past inspiration. I remember brightly colored
books released about once a year, I recall flashy tract
campaigns, and beyond that, there was the Photo-Drama of Creation
and catchy phrases like "Advertise, Advertise, Advertise!".

Now, you may not agree with the message that was conveyed,
but they did have a sense of inspiration, from time to time.

I am forced to conclude that the organization is , to a large
degree, leaderless and directionless - afraid of dates and
commitments. Far from being driven by Holy Spirit and the
vitality that would bring, it is profoundly conservative and
tradition-bound in a rapidly changing world.

It is rapidly becoming an anachronism, a public curiosity,
like Amish horse n' buggies with a caution reflector driving
down the shoulder of a 21st century highway. I suppose the
Watchtower is wise enough to discourage vasectomies so they
won't disappear like the Shakers!

How will their tradition cope with the fact that women can
manage and lead? How will they cope with Western nations
that are post-Christian, in which traditional views on
premarital sex, homosexuality and marriage are evaporating?

The future doesn't belong to the Watchtower.
The Bible-literate culture that generated their growth
is gone. What rabbit will they pull out of the hat to
survive, now? None, if the present ennui tells us anything!

metatron