Good call, DPL! Have not yet read 'Combatting' but I've read enough here and elsewhere to get the idea (I will eventually read the book). I think your post hits the nail on the head.
I was actually going over my memory of doing my baptismal questions a few weeks ago, and kind of recovered a forgotten memory.
I was basically a 'born in' witness. And yet I remember the very elder who went over one set of the questions REPEATEDLY trying to get me to say that the F&DS is in essence the Society. I wouldn't admit it! Not out of any protest, I simply had no idea (at least at 17 hrs old) that this was a matter of doctrine! Despite my lack of 'understanding', he let me pass and get baptized...
breakfast of champions
JoinedPosts by breakfast of champions
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Re: Teaching Bible Students about "The Faithful Slave"
by dontplaceliterature ini've been reading hassan's book this week (finally got my hard copy), and have been taking notes!
i came accross something today that i'm sure someone else on this site has uncovered before.
just in case, i thought i might point it out as i'm sure it bears repeating.
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breakfast of champions
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WTBTS DAYS ARE NUMBERED !
by Hairyhegoat infound this on another site... watchtower's many false statements about "the generation of 1914".
http://www.jwstudies.com/2010_change_to_generations.pdf"''" .
2014 - its significance in the watchtower society"''" .
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breakfast of champions
So here is my take having just attended the DC:
The spin on 2014 from the bethel speaker Friday was something to the effect of,"How grand it is that we are here today almost 100 years into Christ's millennial reign! What fine kingdom blessings we have experienced!" Throughout the program, there seemed to be no embarrassment with regards to the fact that 'the Kingdom' has been in progress since 1914 and nothing has happened other than .01 percent of the world's population are JWs.On the plus side, people's BS meters are going off! Example:
After Friday's 'overlapping' talk, an elder from a neighboring congregation with at least 30 years in the org rushed up to our group with a wild look in his eyes...
"What was that with the generation having two parts, what was that all about etc.?????....."
After an awkward silence, a younger brother who has evidently swallowed the kool aid explained it is basically the same understanding as at last years DC. The elder seemed embarrassed he hadn't noticed and backed down....
The next few years will certainly be interesting..... -
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How big is a demon?
by Terry inthings which exist are real enough.
we can measure them.
they are just this big and no bigger or smaller.. they are here and not there.. imaginary things have the luxury of being any size.
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breakfast of champions
What amazes me even more than their size is how these 'spirit creatures' experience the urges of human sexuality without any of the neurological/hormonal/psychological/etc. factors required for such an experience!
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“Insight on the Scriptures” relies on secular sources for 539 BCE
by Doug Mason inafter starting the previous thread i realised that i had been using firefox, so here it is through ie.. the chronology article in "insight on the scriptures" accepts from secular sources the date of 539 bce for the fall of babylon.
it must do so since it is not possible for pre-christian sources to provide dates in terms of present-day calendars.. .
the chronology article, however, denigrates the dates, source material, and chronologies employed by those who provide it with that date.. .
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breakfast of champions
Nice job! I think I'll print this out.
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Summer reading suggestions
by breakfast of champions ina great read for this summer @the beach is:.
the origin of the brunists by robert coover.
this is one of the best books that no one has ever read or heard of.
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breakfast of champions
FirstLastName-- go for it! If you enjoyed Banner of Heaven I think Brunists is up your alley. Ordering Born to Run from our library system as I speak. I could use some inspiration to start running again.
MrFreeze-- I hate football! But it seems as if Blind Side's story kind of transcends the game itself. Interesting. Hmmmm...
Mummatron--- read Curious Incident myself, incredible book, suggested by my sister who has a friend with an autistic child.
Mad Sweeney--- Yes, Hero With a Thousand Faces by Joseph Campbell, another book that changed the way I see the world.
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Countdown to 2014
by Alfred into the governing body of jehovah's witnesses..... the 100th anniversary of jesus' taking the throne is 40 months away.
this means you have less than 40 months to dazzle us with your verbal gymnastics and explain why armaggeddon hasn't started yet.
we realize that freddy is no longer with us, so before releasing any "new light tm" regarding 1914, please endeavor to be a lot more creative and make an effort not to insult our intelligence... (we now have more ways to call you out on your bs, so you'll need to really put your heads together on this).
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breakfast of champions
...tic-toc-tic-toc...
As an 'insider' this subject fascinates me. Personally, I get the feeling that 2014 is like the 800 lb gorilla/elephant in the room. Nobody really wants to address this. It is an embarrassment.
Just a quick story:
Out in service with a bright, young pioneer sister about 6 months ago...
She said,"the new system can only be 5 or 10 years away tops, if what the society says about the generation is true"
I had to bite my tongue.
"Let's go to Starbucks"...tic-toc-tic-toc-tic-toc........
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Summer reading suggestions
by breakfast of champions ina great read for this summer @the beach is:.
the origin of the brunists by robert coover.
this is one of the best books that no one has ever read or heard of.
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breakfast of champions
Authorwise, Vladmir Nabokov amazes me- his writing is virtually superhuman! He writes flawlessly and elegantly in at least Russian, English and French. 'Speak, Memory' is an absolutely gorgeous quasi-autobiographical piece- yet another good one!
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Summer reading suggestions
by breakfast of champions ina great read for this summer @the beach is:.
the origin of the brunists by robert coover.
this is one of the best books that no one has ever read or heard of.
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breakfast of champions
BOTR - Thank you for your suggestions! I will definitely put Life of Pi on my short list.
I also love the New Yorker and usually flip thru it at the library. I was even thinking of getting a subscription on my iPostatePad......and I am totally serious guys, Origin of the Brunists is a great one!
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The Generation(s) That Wasted Their Lives
by undercover ingrowing up as a jw, you see the world differently than most everyone else.
you see the world as something that is going to end very soon.
all that we know will be gone by the time we're adults.. when we were young, we were living in the last days and were expecting armageddon before we grew old.
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breakfast of champions
As a kid in the early 80's, I literally feared the end would come before George Lucas released the last episode of his epic Star Wars trilogy, 'Return of the Jedi'....
If only Armageddon had come between Jedi and Phantom - it would have been almost worth it! -
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Summer reading suggestions
by breakfast of champions ina great read for this summer @the beach is:.
the origin of the brunists by robert coover.
this is one of the best books that no one has ever read or heard of.
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breakfast of champions
A GREAT read for this summer @the beach is:
The Origin of the Brunists by Robert CooverThis is one of the best books that no one has ever read or heard of. You will certainly not find it at your local big box bookstore. Check your library or Amazon.
In short, it's about the origin and evolution of a small apocalyptic cult (sound familiar?)
Why is it important to me? It was the first book that forced me to look at my own beliefs with a critical eye. It's also a great read!
Enjoy!Any and all other suggestions for summer reading welcome....