1) many who were on the destructive path have been transformed by their teachings (this includes me who was once vicious, and presumptuous and atheistic).
2) equal monthly pay to all members of the bethel community regardless of whether they are bc members or sweepers.
this is something that still remains as an unattainable dream for the world.
Isw1961
No need to feel sorry I had faith
I don't feel that
This shows one should take JW teaching in its essence
would be having faith and if I was like this it would be hypocrisy I think. To tell people the end is coming while I make preparation for it not coming claiming faith. lol
1) many who were on the destructive path have been transformed by their teachings (this includes me who was once vicious, and presumptuous and atheistic).
2) equal monthly pay to all members of the bethel community regardless of whether they are bc members or sweepers.
this is something that still remains as an unattainable dream for the world.
Isw1961
Equal monthly pay to all members of the Bethel community
I don't find this makes any difference to my life at all, or to my family or friends.
However, I did find that this did.
And no wonder. What good news they have to tell the people! They proclaim the good news that the millennial rule of Christ will begin with this generation and that it will mean ever so many blessings for the people :..Watchtower June 1 1968 page 331
Especially when linked with this
The good news about the Messianic kingdom of Jehovah’s “Servant” is better news today that it was nineteen hundred years ago, in apostolic times. In the face of the relatively small proportion of the world’s population that has put faith in the “thing heard” from us or proclaimed by us, it can truthfully be said: “They did not all obey the good news.” This explains the saddening state of the world of mankind today.” (Man's Salvation Out Of World Distress At Hand. 1975,WTBTSpage 48)
when it talks about having faith in this good news and prior to this paragraph it mentions Romans 10:16,17
As faith is the, 'assured expectation of things hoped for' I feel it could so easily have been detrimental to my faith when my grandfather and then my father passed away from old age without this good news coming true.
I think this probably overrides any good points in my view at the present time.
Many who were on the destructive path have been transformed by their teachings
I was raised as a Witness and although not on a destructive path as far as I'm aware, my life was transformed by their teachings such as the one I mentioned. Influencing my decisions in many areas of my life which have not proved to be a good influence. Those decisions have meant I have lost out on education, work and pensions. My father retired a lot earlier than I will be able to. He wasn't raised a witness as I think you may not have been reading this comment of yours.
'(this includes me who was once vicious, and presumptuous and atheistic)'
1) many who were on the destructive path have been transformed by their teachings (this includes me who was once vicious, and presumptuous and atheistic).
2) equal monthly pay to all members of the bethel community regardless of whether they are bc members or sweepers.
this is something that still remains as an unattainable dream for the world.
. At the same time I admit that they also have their weak side which arose unwittingly out of good-intention. Even Apostle Paul taught (in 1 Cor 10:11) that the kingdom would come in the first century.
I think Paul was saying it was the end of the ages with the resurrection of Jesus
1) many who were on the destructive path have been transformed by their teachings (this includes me who was once vicious, and presumptuous and atheistic).
2) equal monthly pay to all members of the bethel community regardless of whether they are bc members or sweepers.
this is something that still remains as an unattainable dream for the world.
When I found certain things confusing, I brought to the attention of the higher-ups who, in turn, told me to wait for Jehovah. I left it at that, and am still in the organization. You may accuse me of trying to be part of a herd which is comforting. If I had asserted, I would have been disfellowshipped and organization would still continue as it was before, thus asserting accomplishes nothing. However, asserting implies trying to prove that individual is more important than the organization, hence such individual should be shown the exit so that he can enjoy life outside the boundary!
I found it impossible to engage in the witnessing work as I was no longer convinced about the significance of 1914 and the events that supposedly took place. In order to preach and to be a Witness I must be convinced that it is true.
Fairly recently I discussed briefly with an elder who called at my door about 607/1914 and he told me as far as he was concerned it didn't matter if 1914 was not the right date and was aware of the possible problems with the chronology.
That doesn't sound to me like he is convinced of what he is preaching.
Isw1961 it would seem that you are suggesting that I should have continued witnessing although i wasn't convinced of what i was witnessing while waiting the past twenty years on Jehovah. You say
' However, asserting implies trying to prove that individual is more important than the organization '
I am not asserting anything. I changed my view when the Watchtower published something that was a change from another view that I had from the Watchtower. I was no longer certain and being no longer certain cannot be a witness. If I was in a court room and as a witness i was asked am i convinced of what i was relating and I said no I think that my acting as a witness would mean nothing. Isn't it like that being a witness for Jehovah?
That's fine you may say but the elder came to my door to preach the message and I assume he thinks I should act to be part of the great crowd that survives Armageddon. So what should I do? Be a hypocrite and look at the good points while I preach the great tribulation is coming. This is a quote from the book the Nations Shall Know That I Am Jehovah- How? Page 112
'Any associates of Christendom who survive her destruction in the "great tribulation" will not come through to any improved, long-lived future, any more than did those hypocritical survivors of ancient Jerusalem's destruction. They face only further hardship and eventual destruction in the further and concluding part of the "great tribulation."'
This view may have changed but this book we studied about the time I was baptised. Now this is talking about my close relatives, some who are theologians. They are not convinced after much study that Jehovah's Witnesses have it right and identifying oneself as a witness by engaging in the preaching and being hopefully part of the great crowd as understood by JW I would be supporting this view although not convinced myself and supporting those who may share it. That doesn't sound good to me. Not a good point.
1) many who were on the destructive path have been transformed by their teachings (this includes me who was once vicious, and presumptuous and atheistic).
2) equal monthly pay to all members of the bethel community regardless of whether they are bc members or sweepers.
this is something that still remains as an unattainable dream for the world.
Isw1961 as a witness don't you tell people to leave their religions as part of the good news that you preach. (The angel in mentioned in revelation.) and so are you saying that you dont agree with that? There is some good in all and although you are identified as a JW you disagree with the that message ?
Rev14:6,7
1) many who were on the destructive path have been transformed by their teachings (this includes me who was once vicious, and presumptuous and atheistic).
2) equal monthly pay to all members of the bethel community regardless of whether they are bc members or sweepers.
this is something that still remains as an unattainable dream for the world.
I think from you first sentence you feel you gained from the experience. I'm not sure that I did. However my loss or gain wasn't the reason I left.
l post in this forum not to attack anybody its a place to discuss and comment like I'm doing now. It doesn't make much difference to my life although I have been able to change some of my views about my years as a witness.
so, i'll go first.. i dreamt last night that i was still at uni, i said goodbye to one of my lecturers.
then ulrika jonsson (former weather girl, shooting stars captain, and swedish nymphomaniac) gave me a lift home in her car - wtf?!
she kept trying to change the cd whilst trying to drive (reaching on the floor, looking for a cd).
Thanks stuffwotifink yes these two seemed to be real lucidity.
The last one I woke up in a strange bedroom. I know how I managed to have the this type of dream. I have a way of dealing with panic attacks, they only come at night, and because I couldn't get to sleep I was trying that,kind of. Next thing I'm awake somewhere else.
I think that was the scary part I knew how I arrived which wasn't that pleasant but I didn't know how to do it in reverse.
so, i'll go first.. i dreamt last night that i was still at uni, i said goodbye to one of my lecturers.
then ulrika jonsson (former weather girl, shooting stars captain, and swedish nymphomaniac) gave me a lift home in her car - wtf?!
she kept trying to change the cd whilst trying to drive (reaching on the floor, looking for a cd).
With the lucid dreams I've had in recent years they weren't like other dreams I've had where I've concluded I'm dreaming.
i once dreamt i could fly and thought i must be dreaming. It was good. I could control it I wanted to go back to this dream.
The last two were much more real. As if now typing this something gives away this is not real. In one i was trying to adjust the computer screen and i couldn't and i realised it wasn't real. It should be responding differently and its not. I didn't feel in control and very real and because of the feeling of having no control i wasn't sure how i would exit. They were only dreams but i wouldn't want another.
"don't be dismayed by good-byes.
a farewell is necessary before you can meet again.
and meeting again, after moments or lifetimes, is certain for those who are friends.
so what are your thoughts on astral projection?
have a co-worker who claims to know how to induce this on himself.
is he crazy?
