Posts by ScenicViewer

I guess I'm a little slow today. Did I write the work "gulllible" somewhere? I can't find it. Or are you making another point, which I am also missing?

67

More Young People Are Leaving The Organization!

by minimus in

jw
friends

i've heard that another 2 people have left the "truth" as soon as they could get out.

both girls were elder's daughters.

they aren't elders now because they were somewhat problem teens.

The WTS has never come close to fulfilling this scripture at any time in it's history, even if you view this scripture as a general rule. Not even children of elders, who receive a regular one hour per week Bible study, stay in. As noted above, about 2/3 of young people are gone by the time they get into adulthood.

That's because the Devil is working harder knowing he only has a short time left.

Sorry, but your rationale is flawed and full of excuse-making. Prov 22:6 is an assurance given by the Creator, and his word is flawless, don't you believe that? Certainly holy spirit is a stronger force than the Devil. Those inspired words are a protection from the very thing you are yielding to in your answer. You are actually tipping your hat to Satan as being stronger than Jehovah.

The fact that JW children fall away from the religion proves one of two things. Either JW parents are guilty of not bring up their children 'according to the way for them', or the religion itself is not the right way. Since even children of elders, who must conduct a one-hour per week family study with them, fall away, it strongly suggests that the religion is not the right way.

Thankfully the Slave Class saw fit to institute Family Worship Night as a counteracting measure against the machinations of the Devil.

According to your Watchtower-sympathyzing way of thinking, the Family Worship Night will eliminate your young people from leaving the organization, and JWs will finally start fulfilling Prov 22:6? After more than 130 years of being in existance? That's what the family study was for all along, isn't it? It didn't work. Surely you can't be so naive as to think that changing the name to FWN will make any difference. Since it was instituted has there been any real change in the young ones leaving?

What will you say after 10 years pass, and young ones still leave? What if they are leaving in even greater numbers than now? What new excuses will you have?

67

More Young People Are Leaving The Organization!

by minimus in

jw
friends

i've heard that another 2 people have left the "truth" as soon as they could get out.

both girls were elder's daughters.

they aren't elders now because they were somewhat problem teens.

ScenicViewer

It's a shame that our young ones fall victim to the snares of the Devil. All too often they view the protection found only within The Truth as suffocating, simply because they don't have the experience (Prov 22:3) to recognize that the world offers nothing but emnity with the True God.- 1 John 2:15.

Perhaps that is a slanted way of looking at it.

"Train up a boy according to the way for him; even when he grows old he will not turn aside from it." (Prov 22:6 NWT)

The WTS has never come close to fulfilling this scripture at any time in it's history, even if you view this scripture as a general rule. Not even children of elders, who receive a regular one hour per week Bible study, stay in. As noted above, about 2/3 of young people are gone by the time they get into adulthood.

Are they leaving because they are ensnared by the world, or because they recognize the religion is closer to being a cult than the 'only true religion'?

I had noticed this trend for years, and it's one of the things that convinced me that the Watchtower is not the truth.

99

Welcome Newbies & New Posters ! How has this Board Assisted You ?

by flipper in

jw
friends

it's nice to have you here !

i found that this board was very supportive when i first got on it over 4 years ago .

i still find it supportive !

ScenicViewer

This site has been an eye opener on the blood issue and the child molesting situation. I would not be following the Victoria, Australia fiasco if not for this site.

When a deep topic is brought up, such as 607BCE, I am amazed at the knowledge that surfaces here.

I have always liked hearing personal experiences, and to read them here, from former elders, bethel peole, Barbara Anderson, Randy Watters, and many others is great.

I feel some pain for people who left the organization years ago (before the internet, before Crisis of Conscience, etc) because of how difficult it must have been to make a new life in those days. This site provides tons of support.

82

What really ended the book study in private homes?

by Alfred in

it's been over 3 years since the book study in private homes was discontinued and some jws are still scratching their heads over it.

although a letter was read to all congregations explaining that "book study night" would now be "family worship night", there was still much speculation among jws as to the real reason behind this decision (the great tribulation was about to start, jehovah was simplifying the lives of jws, to lessen the burden of poor jws who had no money for gas, etc.)...

but as we all know, decisions like these from the gb invariably have some ulterior motive behind it... and discussion boards such as this one usually finds a way to dig up the truth for all to see... but after reading several threads on this subject, i'm really not sure we've uncovered all the facts yet.... so i have to ask... what do you believe really ended the book study in private homes?

ScenicViewer

@ No Room For George who said,

"I don't know why all of you have to always assume the negative when it comes to the direction given by the WT. The reality is that, the Book Study at its former setting wasn't effective in strengthening Christian families which is the nucleus of a stable Christian Congregation [...] That way there was an opening for the Family Worship Night arrangement without it becoming too burdensome upon the sheep."

Do you believe every reason the Societ gives for making a change? For decades we were told that every family member should have his personal subscription the both magazines because it was important for his spirituality and development. What did the Society say when the subs were discontinued? That 'it's for your spiritual benefit, since it will give you one more good reason to get to meetings, to get your magazines'! Do you believe that one too?

@ the OP.

Maybe C (liability issues), although all the choices make some sense. The book study was in my home for many years, and that little contribution box never had any money in it. It was the least-donated-to meeting of the five. If there were any liability issues at all, the book study was losing money, and that alone would be reason enough to cut it from the program. Any business corporation would do that.

"...real reason behind this decision (the great tribulation was about to start...etc.)"

The reason the book study was started in the first place (small groups, meeting in private homes) was to prepare for the tribulation. The idea was that when the government moved against JWs, and closed KHs, there would still be a way of having organized meetings.

It's amazing how all the Society's good reasons keep changing.

22

Birthdays - For You Vientotz

by outsmartthesystem in

birthdays.

i have always questioned the witness belief that birthdays are not to be celebrated.

another reason is that various customs that tend to accompany birthday celebrations have pagan origins.

ScenicViewer

So there's no active JW's here? =( Okey.

Yes, there are some active JWs here, actually quite a few of them. But they have seen problems in the religion and come here to learn more, to learn things they are forbidden to know. They look in, read, learn, sometimes they have something to say and post remarks.

283

Are you sure leaving is a wise decision ?- Lurkers think twice- Part 2

by mankkeli in

in the previous thread of this series, i called lurkers attention to the need of being discreet when contemplating an exit from the jw religion.

i mentioned that the thread was borne as a result of the general observations i made reading old posts here and discussing with many ex-jws and their lives have gradually turned out.

that thread alone was visited more than 2,980 times and graced with 204 contributions.

ScenicViewer

@ Billy, re the sinking Titanic

Wow, that last post was very good. I doubt that Mankkeli will get it. He seems too wrapped up in what he will say next to listen to logic.

8

AJWRB must back away from Lawrence Hughes

by zengalileo in

yes, sad to say.

i found out that he lied to me on two occasions.

one, that if he didn't get 500 dollars in 1 (then 2, then 3, then he sort of forgot how many weeks it was supposed to be) week the court would force him to drop the case.

ScenicViewer

Thank you Zen, for the explanation. I too was under the impression the case was over, but he's still holding on to the papers that he signed, and still trying to get money?

15

2010 Shepherd the Flock of God - guidance to elders on child abuse

by cedars in

i've recently had opportunity to examine certain sections of the 2010 "shepherd the flock of god" book, which is published exclusively for elders.

there are strict rules in place to prevent its disclosure to those who aren't appointed as elders.. i was particularly interested in what the book had to say on the subject of child abuse, given recent developments in victoria, australia.. on first glance, it strikes one that perhaps some small improvements have been made in as much as the contacting of police or the authorities by the victims is not to be discouraged whatsoever - however, it isn't necessarily encouraged either, and it is regarded as a purely 'personal decision' with no congregational repercussions.

however, a glaring ommission in this advice remains that elders are not advised to proactively encourage victims or their parents to contact the police, which is clearly what they should do in any case.

ScenicViewer

Is this a religious organization or a law firm?

I think it's all about legal positioning, making sure the organization is protected from law suits as much as possible. Could this be the real reason to inform the Society first? Victims and people will always come second.

So, it's a law firm. It's very legalistic. It's legal dept is big and powerful. It's first course of action is to cover its legal bases.