This is very well done. Thank you Cedars for the heads up.
C.O.B.E.Beef
JoinedPosts by C.O.B.E.Beef
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Lurkers - PLEASE watch this excellent video on 1914 that uses only Watchtower quotes!
by cedars inthis is a truly awesome video, with a lovely overall presentation, that uses watchtower literature to explain how the expectations of russell and his followers regarding 1914 differ significantly from what is portrayed in modern publications.. if you're visiting this forum for the first time, please watch it!.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zap6keflhpe.
cedars.
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At what age do people 'wake up'?
by Splash ini was thinking about this question recently after being at the meeting when new pioneers were announced for the 2013 service year.. we have a dozen or so pioneers in the congregation, and most are in their 20's.
some absolutely love the things they are taught and can't wait to spread the good news.. others in the congregation are going through the motions, tired of hearing the same old same old but have no way to change things now.
then there are a couple like me.
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C.O.B.E.Beef
It happened for me in my early 30's.
Having been born in the religion, the concept that JWs are right even when they are wrong has been completely embedded in my little brain. Any time that I had doubts about the religion, I would rationalize that these issues were just objects in the darkness ahead and as the light got brighter I would understand them better.
However, when we had our first child, something very natural inside of me overpowered that conditioning and convinced me that this kind of reasoning betrays my responsibility as a parent. It would be dishonest for me to teach something as a fact to my children , if I could only prop up the theology by ignoring inconsistencies and demonizing any opposing views. It seemed like an unfair thing to do to kids.
So, having kids caused me to rethink my religious upbringing. They have blessed me with mental freedom and Im working hard to return the favor...
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C.O.B.E.Beef
Sorry for the blank posts and the confusion. I cant retype my original post right now but when I say I cant fade, I mean I cant stomach it. I cant fake it.
I ve had some excellent response from my wife so far and to give her a good opportunity to look at things objectively I continue to take things slow. At this point she shares many of my criticisms of the governing bodys policies, and feels it isnt fair for them to control and manipulate families based on their current opinions. She was disgusted by the talk at the D.C. labelling those with doubts in the orginizations policies as enemies. She told me recently that she understands why I cant support something I feel is wrong. She understands that my feelings are based on my bible trained conscience, not pride or selfish motives. Yesterday, she assured me that if my conscience got me disfellowshipped, she would know Jehovah was not behind the decision, and it would be unjust. I am thankful for her reasonableness and hope her critical thinking continues.
That being said, my children have me on the fast track out of the organization. I cant lie to them, or allow someone else to brainwash them. Its sad that for me to be able to be honest and conscientious with my kids, Ill have to be Df'd and cut off from everyone I know and love, but it doesnt really bother me.The innocense and beauty of my children have brought me more joy than anything I couldve imagined, and I ll trade my heritage for their future any day.
Ive said enough to the elders and my kids have said things that have raised eyebrows so I see a J.C. in my near future.
This is not a shot at those who fade, its got to be tough. I just cant do it.
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"Feeling sorry for yourself" about being hit by your husband is not Christian 2/15/12 WT Page 25 P 12
by yourmomma inhave anyone of you read, the absolutly jaw dropping paragraph in this article about a women who was hit by her husband?
its in page 25 of the 2/15/12 wt study edition (i read the dumbed down version).. .
if there was any question, that the watchtowers stance is for wives to simply take it when their husbands abuse them, this makes it crystal clear.. who the hell is scanning these things before they go to print?
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C.O.B.E.Beef
bump
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Those on JWN still serving as elders...What if?
by Kensho inapostates undercover elders (i know there are some professed elders on here) have you ever handled a jc envoling a publisher viewing sites like jwn or others and who question the gb etc.. and if not what if you were assigned a jc involving apostacy?.
i would think this would be almost, if not an impossible situation.. kensho.
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C.O.B.E.Beef
When I woke up to the cold hard truth about the org I was an elder. The first thing I wanted to is resign, but Im glad I didnt. I had a legitimate health concern that I used to ask the BOE to gradually reduce my responsibilities. To resign quickly would have raised alot of eyebrows in my case.
Im married to the women of my dreams who was born in like me and has been a zealous JW her entire life, and we have 3 small children. This complicates my exit strategy. I really wanted to test the waters of doubt with my wife but had to be very careful. So I decided to do so while still serving as an elder. My thought was that as a Witness, she has been taught that elders are spiritual men who have an "extra portion" of holy spirit. That may sound stupid but I figured if it helped at all to be an elder while introducing doubt, then it was worth it.
As time went on, my wife had noticed that something was troubling me, but I told her I didnt want to talk about it, which was difficult because we are very close. When the time felt right, I told her that my conscience was bothering me.In a nutshell, I told her that one of our beliefs seemed to lack scriptural merit. After much study on the matter, I still was not satisfied that it was something Jehovah approves of. I let her know that I truly felt like being an elder and supporting that doctrine was hurting my real relationship with Jehovah. Looking back, telling her that may have been foolishly hasty, but I have a hard time being dishonest with her.
My wife replied that she had a feeling thats what was going on with me. I was stunned by what she said next. She said I should not be ashamed, that what I disagreed with is a mans interpretation of the bible!! She even indicated her own lack of certainty in that particular doctrine. She supported me in my decision to resign and we wrote the letter together, making no mention of any doubts.
Now we share each others secret. I dont know where this will lead, but I am going to take the high road for awhile and hope she might be compelled to confide in me again.
Anyway, I highly respect those who have just flushed the whole pile down all at once, I wish I could do that.
As for those who feel trapped by family or position, I feel alot of pity.
Hypocrites? Ive spent the first several decades of my life being judgemental, Im done with it.
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Special Projects Committee List
by C.O.B.E.Beef inhas anyone seen anything in writing explaining the role of the special projects committee?
several months ago our circuit overseer explained it to me, and i had not heard of it prior to that.
from what i remember, each circuit overseer compiles a list of 10-15 key elders in the circuit to be available to assist him in handling complex matters in their region, issues involving child abuse, homosexuality, financial matters and appeals committees.just wondering if anyone else has any info, or is on the list for that matter..
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C.O.B.E.Beef
Has anyone seen anything in writing explaining the role of the Special Projects Committee? Several months ago our Circuit Overseer explained it to me, and I had not heard of it prior to that. From what I remember, each Circuit Overseer compiles a list of 10-15 key elders in the circuit to be available to assist him in handling complex matters in their region, issues involving child abuse, homosexuality, financial matters and appeals committees.Just wondering if anyone else has any info, or is on the list for that matter.
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contemptus saeculi
by C.O.B.E.Beef inseveral months ago we had the visit of our c.o.
and his thursday night talked included rants covering several topics, with an especially long winded diatribe against "higher education".
he is pretty good speaker , and his choice of illustrations seemed to win an emotional response from the audience that ive never seen with regard to that subject.. he began the discussion with how concerned the governing body was with the decision some parents have made to send their kids to college.
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C.O.B.E.Beef
Several months ago we had the visit of our C.O. and his Thursday night talked included rants covering several topics, with an especially long winded diatribe against "higher education". He is pretty good speaker , and his choice of illustrations seemed to win an emotional response from the audience that Ive never seen with regard to that subject.
He began the discussion with how concerned the governing body was with the decision some parents have made to send their kids to college. The very thought of this sent convulsions through the packed house. A division arose, with half of the attendees filling their lungs in a terrified gasp, while the other group evacuated their chests in a disappointed sigh. Both groups were united though in their disgust that Witnesses exist who would sacrifice their children to university.
Throughout the discussion, he made sure to include the disclaimer that " we arent making any rules, it is a family decision." Each time he said it , his face and tone took on a more derisive , sarcastic flavor. It was clear to all that this statement was an obligatory asterisk that was not intended to add ambiguity to his message.
Evidently, he had performed a study of sorts, that tracked 50 Witness youths that attended college. Of those 50, only 3 graduated with their spirituality intact! You can imagine the frantic respiratory activity of the friends upon hearing that little nugget.
This statistic provided a masterful segue into his illustration of how risky higher education is. He spoke of how , of the 2,224 aboard the Titanic, only 710 returned home safely. " You parents...do you like those odds? If I told you I had 2 tickets to the Titanic, would you buy them for your kids? What if they were half price? ...What if the tickets are free?"
The point did not fall on deaf ears. Higher education had been sufficiently vilified until his next visit. Of couse, " we arent making any rules, it is a family decision". Part of me wishes they would grow an ecclesiastical sack and just make college a df'ing offense.
My favorite fear-inspiring comment was that" a professor, in 5 minutes, can destroy what it took you 18 years to build."
Is the JW faith that flimsy?
Should I spend 18 years inculcating beliefs that can be unraveled in 5 minutes?
Is the message that the Creator of the universe is having preached worldwide one that can only survive if the student is insulated from any differing views?
The WT will always portray higher education as producing athiests, agnostics and apostates, not architects, attorneys and accountants.
IMO
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Good to study JW past .... New "Writing Archives" under direction of the Writing Committee
by wannabefree inyes friends, it is important to understand your rich spiritual heritage as jehovah's witnesses, and so you don't have to look at old publications on your own or refer to worldly sources, the organization is pleased to select for you the history as we want you to have it and you can get it in your current watchtower.. from january 15, 2012 watchtower pg 31-32. the governing body is keenly interested in.
our theocratic history.
in commenting on the.
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C.O.B.E.Beef
" To know where we are going, we have to know where we have come from"
What a stupid thing for a GB member to say.
Dont they realize that the reason so many are " going" , is because they found out"where they came from?"