Posts by NameWithheld

6

What the UN thing means to me

by joelbear in

i have thought from the beginning that the un thing was being way overblown in terms of importance and have said so here.. but, you know what, it is a big deal.

the watchtower society is taking the easy way out of the situation by "using" the un rather than standing firm in their beliefs and relying on jehovah for assistance.

i feel the same way about the un membership that i did about the lawsuit with swaggart and the krishnas.

NameWithheld

"What are the changes this UN situation will be discussed openly by the WTS with Joe Publisher?"

Zip, zero, nada, nothing, never, zilch.

25

-some of you might recognize that caption as the title to one of merle and willie's biggest hits but this is not about drugs and alcohol but about something many of us here hold in common.. i have read many reasons stated here for those who have left the organization either formally (through df'ing or da'ing) and those that are still technically in but mentally out.

some (quite a few as i expected) have left to pursue lifestyles inconsistent with teachings which they evidently once held dear (they were questioned about those beliefs prior to baptism) but have now abandoned.

that reasoning is absurd but it makes good sense to the rank and file.

NameWithheld

Hear hear! "I do so wish that it had been real... "

That would be nice, and it's a beautiful thought. One reason I struggle with never trying to begin the attempt at pulling my mother out, she's happy where she is (at least she thinks she is, even though she lives in miserable conditions) I think the removal process would be more painful now as old age approaches. The only reason she can pretend to be happy is that "Jehovah will solve all the problems any day now". A sad way of life to observe for those of us who have seen the levers behind the stage. But for those still wearing the emerald glasses I guess it offers something to live for.

Everytime I hear JWs begin the typical "Won't it be so great when .." I cringe. But you can't poo-poo on their parade lightly. I usually answer "Yes, that would be nice". (Although I don't think the process of sifting through the 6 billion bodies to get that 'new house' or 'good health' or whatever would be all that wonderful...)

14

To Battman, RE: Door to Door stuff

by troubled in

jw
friends

hi battman,.

"the original greek that was written says that paul taught.

them in their "houses of worship" not house to house and.

NameWithheld

The simple fact remains that the door-to-door work the JWs participate in is got to be one of the most ineffetive, gross time wasters ever embarked upon. Look at the # of hours spent per each convert (I haven't done this recently, but do some searches on this board, the numbers are astronomically high). The only reason it's still done is a) it's free for the WTBTS as they use slave labor to accomplish it, and b) it's an effetive tool for taking up yet more of a JWs little remaining time each week, thus keeping them busy in 'make work' so they cannot have time to begin to question their belief structure. Of course, those number are probably a bit off since I bet most JWs are a bit 'generous' when they fill out their monthly 'hey I'm spiritual after all' report card.

Fact is, most other religions are growing faster than JWs, and they do little to no door to door activity, at least in the mannar that JWs do. They do however, participate in community activities, advertise in papers/radio/tv, mail flyers, and do charity work. Among other things. These require more $$ commitment from the church itself, thus the reason you would never see JWs doing that (unless they start to get desperate due to falling #'s of converts).

I find it hard to beleive that a loving god would consider this an effective means of preaching his word to the world. Especially when that message is 'join us or you will die' (and your little dog too! <insert cackle>)

17

Does it really matter?

by ItsJustMe in

jw
friends

if you belong to a religion because your family & friends are there, you try to be a good person, you enjoy the activities you are involved in, but deep down you really believe that there is not only one true religion, does it really matter if you remain in the religion of your family and friends?

realistically speaking, what's the harm?

NameWithheld

I made this it's own topic a few days back, and Joel repeated the same idea. I don't think this can be over-stated ...

I find the same group dynamics with every group I have ever been involved with including the witnesses, the bears, volunteer groups, gay social groups, business groups, etc.

This is a fact that so few JWs can comprehend, mostly because they are restricted from becoming members of any outside group other than JWs. But once you see that the JW group control is just like any other man-made group, you can begin to see the cracks everywhere else too ...

9

Unconditional Love...No Carrot

by ballistic in

jw
friends

a question that has bothered me, even when pioneering and the strongest of witnesses is, why do people serve god in order to receive something in return?.

the bible says to love god with your whole heart, mind and soul.

if you take away the carrot of the new system, how many witnesses would go from door to door, study, meditate, attend meetings and assemblies or even show an interest?.

NameWithheld

Fred, god promised me lots of pussies ... that's my motive ...

17

Does it really matter?

by ItsJustMe in

jw
friends

if you belong to a religion because your family & friends are there, you try to be a good person, you enjoy the activities you are involved in, but deep down you really believe that there is not only one true religion, does it really matter if you remain in the religion of your family and friends?

realistically speaking, what's the harm?

NameWithheld

It matters if the religion is damaging you mentally or spiritually. I highly suspect though that a great many JWs are facing this very issue. They know all is NOT right, yet they stay in the system due to family, freinds, or just they are just plain scared by the thought of leaving a warm coccon that they have wrapped themselves into for years or even their whole life. Upon leaving you face really tough issues that go right down to the basic things you thought were solved - like "Is there a god" "Is the bible his book" "Why are we here" etc. Many people cannot or will not face these tough questions alone.

However, the rewards IMO for leaving can be greater than those for staying. You really cannot appretiate what it is like to have the mental freedom to allow yourself to question those basic issues. To discuss them with others without fear of reprisal. To investigate all sorts of matters. To decide for YOURSELF what is right and wrong. That after all is what free will is all about. And finally the ability to realize that you don't HAVE to have all the answers all the time. It's OK to not think you know everything about everything. That everything must be anwsered right now. The search is half the fun.

Finally there is the issue of does that religion, the one you don't really beleive, require that you activally recruit others. Why do that if you don't buy the message yourself. Although I suppose there are ways around that, but is it worth the stress. And the active brainwashing sessions have to cause mental dis-order ...

13

An apostate looks at the 10 Commandments

by Mindchild in

jw
friends

well gang, for my 100th post i thought i would see if i could either amuse or get some of the more traditional thinkers hair to stand up.

i thought a good place to go would be an apostates look at the 10 commandments.. commandment 1: you shall have no other gods but me.

well the first thing that comes to my mind is why cant i have no gods?

NameWithheld

"- Homosexual men were to be executed. (Lev 20:13) No mention is made of homosexual women. "

Even god sees the value in 2 hot women licking each other

18

Mysterious Ways

by alienone in

jw
friends

i think everyone is missing the point by trying to argue for and against the wtbts using words and "logical argument".

clearly, god did not want the truth to be obvious and, scripturally, it is apparent that it would not be.

jesus said that only "a few" would find the truth in these last days.

NameWithheld

Clearly he does not want us to join it for intellectual or academic reasons, as the intellectuals of this world are foolish in the eyes of God.

Ha hahhahahaaa! NOW THAT I can agree with. You certainly don't join the JWs for any intellectual reasons One reason the religion is full of wackos, weirdos, and less then educated people. (Before you go off on that I will say that not ALL JWs are the above!)

And your arguments are pretty much BS. God doesn't make it clear cause he a) doesn't want intellectuals, and b) he doesn't want people in JWs for selfish reasons. But yet the majority of JWs ARE in it for selfish reasons - they think they will get life everlasting. So which way is it? And if he doesn't want it clear then why are you knocking on peoples doors saying 'join us or die?'

8

Categories and Labels

by Vitameatavegamin in

jw
friends

have you ever felt as a jw that you had a label on your forehead?

there may be a good reason for that feeling.

i don't know why, but i was thinking about this today and wondering if the elders and others in the cong.

NameWithheld

And there's ...

illregular but donates a lot of $$ so we upgrade to Approved Associate

illregular but helps elders out or employs elders so we upgrade to Approved Associate

and many more!

151

active and happy jw

by scumgrief in

jw
friends

i am an active jw and was raised as one.

i have been watching the site for a while and thought it could benefit from the opinions of someone who is happily a member of the jw's.

i will not get into any argumets that lead to nothing except name calling, and will not talk with anyone who is just plain mean (plenty of them in here).

NameWithheld

And all I can say is that you can pretend that you are doing the same preaching that Jesus and co did, but the JW preaching is not the same. The message is totally different, the methods are different. Door to door was but a small part of their way of life, nor was it revolving around preaching about any one 'organization'. Last I checked Jesus wasn't turning in a 'measure of spirituality' card, AKA monthly FS report.