so witnesses reject many practices or holidays due to their "unscriptural or pagan" origins.. for example, birthday celebrations, mothers or father's day, christmas etc..... most people in the world will say "but the origin doesn't matter anymore, we follow this custom now because it's a joyful occasion that creates happy times and brings the family together".
it is still firmly rejected.. so, if the wrong origin is so important, and should result in rejecting something, why isn't the same principle applied to the actual jehovah's witness faith itself!?.
after all, the very foundation of the organisation was based on wrong understandings of the bible, far fetched teachings and doctrines, links to false religious backgrounds, pyramidology, false predictions, inaccurate beliefs etc...... using their reasoning, it doesn't matter how good something is now, if the origin was faulty to begin with?
So as to the wedding ring/birthday comparison....
Im trying to think why that is...could it be that the wedding ring serves the JW purpose of "hands off - they are married" whereas the birthday idea serves no JW ideology?
Its more cherry picking if so. The goal then should be to find a way to make the birthday celebration "work" within the JW construct.
Then it would become a conscience matter and finallly accepted.
Birthdays for all!
i am not sure if this guy is really from bethel, or walkill, but if he is....this poor guy really tells it like it is from the heart.
he was surprised.. at the 'oh so fast, pack your bags, get your stuff outta here' layoff !.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uk1xh1egjcu
I appreciate the answer life is too short!
I vaguely know who he is but I havent listened to him. I know he is held in high regard by people and after reading what you have said I can see why.
I wish I could say I cant believe how those elders wives stuck you with that single mom when you yourself were young and just making it but actually I CAN believe it. Sad.
Thanks for taking the time to type that out and for sharing some of your story with me. You sound like you value balance. I agree with you on that.
i am not sure if this guy is really from bethel, or walkill, but if he is....this poor guy really tells it like it is from the heart.
he was surprised.. at the 'oh so fast, pack your bags, get your stuff outta here' layoff !.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uk1xh1egjcu
I wish I had been listening to Dave Ramey back than because I would have thrown out what Dave says back to him as loudly as he was talking. I just sat there totally embarrassed hoping no one was listening, I was to polite back than I now realize
What does he say? You made me curious!
I have seen from personal observation though, that people seem to afford what they want to...
once a month about 15 to 20 elderly jw publishers would meet at the kingdom hall and one elder was assigned to set up the system so they could view jw broadcasting.
these publishers were long time pioneers, former elders, and long time publishers who know nothing about computers or the internet.
they are the last batch of those expecting the generation that saw 1914 or understood it--- to not die off.
This really burns me.
That is their truest and most sincere core group. Idiots!
Im glad your mom is not cooking but Im still mad at the thought of the skewed reasoning of the arrogant snots that call themselves elders.
are you a fan of harper lee's "to kill a mockingbird"?
i read the book as a child and have read it many times since.
miss lee obviously wrote the book to entertain us, and she accomplished that.
As an insatiable reader I love it when someone shares a book that has changed them in some way.
I like reading your thoughts on such a great book socrateswannabe!
P.S. I have a pet named after Scout.
it was so funny!.
the small rented hall our congregation uses had a blackout.
we think there was some construction work next door that caused it.. at least the glow of everyone's tablets and cell phones kept the place illuminated!.
I always got amused at the way blackouts were handled..
like it was SO amazing that everyone could stay calm and get through it. They even compared to to practicing for persecution LOL
i heard form a reliable source that a kingdom hall consolidation is going to be happening in the us.
currently they are looking at every kingdom hall to see if they could and should sell it.
any kingdom hall that has not been updated and is in a bad location (long driveway, not in a visible location etc...) will be sold.
Reliable information way ahead of time.
Great job the depressedsoul!
so today on my way to work, i passed a faithful jw sister who i have met about 6 times and spoken to and was friends with a sister she spends a lot of time with, i looked at her and smiled and she looked through me.
i wondered if she knew to shun me.
i'm dating someone when i have no photographic evidence that i am free to remarry ;) let's ignore all forms of abuse and unfaithfulness...anyway!.
Uh-oh....you sound intelligent and strong.
YOU BAD GIRL!!!!!!
oops, sorry, thinking like a JW there for a minute.
are you a fan of harper lee's "to kill a mockingbird"?
i read the book as a child and have read it many times since.
miss lee obviously wrote the book to entertain us, and she accomplished that.
Great post Socrateswannabe, but dont forget Scout!
Many of us grew up relating to Scout Im sure.
i was having breakfast with a friend and former jw just yesterday and he informed me that the place we were eating in is owned by a former witness.
the story goes as he tells me that the wife and husband or on the outs and getting a divorce.
now just so you know the state i live in, a divorce is not quick, mandatory waiting period etc.
WingCommander your story touched me deeply the first time I heard it. It is no less powerful hearing it again now.
My heart aches for how your mother was treated and for you as her son all alone in that parking garage.
In my being new here, when I read your story I began to realize how very many painful, horrific acts have been committed by this religion and its little enforcers the elders.
Your story made me feel less alone and less indignant.If you could handle this then maybe I could handle my sorrow. I guess it was sort of a turning point for me.
I am glad you wrote your experience out again. I hope it helps another "newbie" like it did me.
Oh and Wing...your mom would be so proud of all you tried to do for her. You are a good son and a tribute to her memory.
