Posts by erbie

8

Import / Export (Watchtower)

by TJ Curioso in

and now, a finding that intrigued me.. .

i always thought that the bulk of the publications come out of new york to other parts of the globe, if not produced in these last.

true?.

erbie

I smell a rat....I wonder what they're cooking up now?

26

How do you know when the Governing Body speaks for itself, and when it is supposed to speak for Jehovah?

by dgp in

in the catholic church, the pope is considered "infallible" when he speaks ex cathedra.

that is to say, he is not infallible when he speaks about things that don't have to do with religion.

for example, he may say whatever he pleases about economics, but no one will hold that catholic economists will have sinned against god if they consider that the pope is wrong.. the important point here is that the pope is thought to be infallible only when he speaks about matters strictly related to the church.. the wikipedia has this:.

erbie

punkofnice posted:

C. T. Russell founder of the WTS, called himself "God's mouthpiece" (WT 1906 July 15 p. 229); claimed that compared to reading his books Bible reading is "a waste of time" (WT 1910 September 15 p. 298), and that his books "harmonize...every statement in the Bible."
(DIVINE PLAN OF THE AGES 1886 p. 348)

Oh yes. I own a copy of Russel's book 'The Divine Plan of The Ages'.

Such wisdom contained therein!

How did mankind survive without it?

Preferably, it should be read every morning and night so as to glean every available nugget of truth from its pages.

15

Moulding our JW Children

by angel.face in

every year, at the beginning of the school year i prepare a letter for my daughter's teachers saying 'we are jws don't celebrate this....no anthem....here are some suggestions..blah blah".

and here's our 'jws and education' brochure from 1969, a bit outdated but you know, it's spiritual food at the proper time.

besides, its an easy placement.

erbie

Hi Angel.face.

Sorry, I am a father of two lovely children not a mother but have been through just the same as you.

I was the first to express doubts and as a result I became irregular and subsequently left altogether. My wife carried on for about five years on her own and it was a real heart wrench for me to see them trundle off to the meetings without me. I felt that I had let them down and was not providing them with the leadership that they needed. My wife gave me a really hard time for a while and the guilt trip etc.

Nevertheless, I stuck to what I knew was right and in the end my wife just stopped going litterally over night and has never looked back despite being a regular pioneer and having parents in the 'truth'.

I'm not going to lie to you, it was tough, in fact I write this with a tear in my eye (of joy I suppose), but I watch my two children grow up, play for the local football team and live a normal life. They thank me for the freedom I have given them frequently.

Of course, my wife threatened to leave me and I was bullied by her parents but I stuck fast and in the end I won. I beat them against all odds and my family is intact. Now I see my mother in law breaking up with alcohol abuse and so on because she cannot make sense of the world through the WT eyes.

My kids are doing well at school and my wife has retrained as a lecturer. I think we've made it!

If there is anyway that I can be of assistance or encouragement then please do not hesitate to ask. It makes all I have been through worthwhile if I can assist someone like you.

I have to go and collect the kids from school now but will check this thread later.

With very best wishes.

15

Moulding our JW Children

by angel.face in

every year, at the beginning of the school year i prepare a letter for my daughter's teachers saying 'we are jws don't celebrate this....no anthem....here are some suggestions..blah blah".

and here's our 'jws and education' brochure from 1969, a bit outdated but you know, it's spiritual food at the proper time.

besides, its an easy placement.

erbie

I managed to get my kids out and they are a lot happier for it. As with you, I do want them to get a good education and attend university etc.

There never is a 'good' time to leave. If it's what you really want then sooner is better than later. Why will it get easier to leave?

I do feel for persons such as yourself who are struggling with it.

Personally, I found it tough but it was worth it in the end.

I sacrificed a lot for my childrens freedom, future and mental health!

63

Walkill Bethel Recreational Facility

by dontplaceliterature in

jw
friends

my wife and i just visited some friends over the weekend from another congregation.

these two are both full time pioneers, and also participate in various construction projects around the country.

the husband just got back from a 3 week trip to walkill, new york to help with construction on a new residence building at 'the farm' (does anyone call it that anymore?)..

erbie

This is all staggering! I had no idea of this stuff.

Surely they have to keep thinking of things to spend their surplus cash on, right?

Don't the poor and needy want it? Or are they just scum?

I have a word to describe the Watchtower which I will keep to myself.

24

"Satan's Star" Re-examined

by JWStruggle in

i put on my blog recently an article reviewing the evidence regarding whether the star of bethlehem was guided by god or satan.

as we are well aware, this is a "pet point" of the witnesses and assists the wt viewpoint with regard to christmas and all things "pagan".. .

http://www.jwstruggle.com/2011/09/satans-star-re-examined/.

erbie

I personally do not believe it was guided by Satan. Otherwise, why were the Magi received with hospitality and allowed to offer gifts to Jesus.

I think it contains an important message to be tollerant of other beliefs as the Magi were astrologers and would be treated with disdain by The Watchtower brotherhood.

I see it as the crossover from old testement bigotry to new testement tolerence (if indeed there can be such a thing).

Furthermore, I love Christmas. Oh, and picnics, I love picnics. But not at Christmas time.

10

Paradise.. At what cost?

by tallguy345 in

jw
friends

unemployment is skyrocketing, the markets are crashing.. a several thousand year long struggle is coming to an epic conclusion.. a new order is on the horizion.. prospects of knowledge, advancement & unity.. unite the chosen ones, speaking the chosen language.. your saviour has brought you this far, imagine what the future will hold.. change the world.. .

the catch?

billions must die.. .

erbie

Well, the end justifies the means and if all those little wastrels have to be slaughtered to make way for us lot then so be it. I want my paradise and I'll have it at any cost, including human lives.

Eat my cake worldlings, EAT MY CAKE!

26

Help. I need a date.

by donuthole in

jw
friends

i've googled with no success.

i need a date.

when did the watchtower discontinue food service at the district conventions?

erbie

I love you guys, you're priceless!

I remember the food well. Hot meals in little foil packets. If they reintroduced it I could be tempted to go back.

21

Necessary business with Disfellowshipped ones

by Quarterback in

i was reading our study article for next week's wt study there is a subheading in there about treatment of disfellowshipped ones.

in one paragraph they slam the term, "necessary business" when dealing with a family member who is df'd.. this is so confusing.

in one hand they have coined that phrase "necessary business" with relatives that have df relatives.

erbie

Scully, you've probably just about summed it up in the clearest way possible.

Perhaps you should submit your little statement for inclusion in a future Watchtower publication. I think it would clarify an issue that plagues many of The Watchtower's most sincere and faithful followers.

However, you may have to substitute 'em for them as they do like to use the correct English grammar!

92

My Letter to local Newspapaer - Your Feedback Please?

by cofty in

my local congregation has been in the news this week following a successful application for planning permission for a quick build.

a local vicar objected because the application described it as a building for "christain worship".. .

vicar fury at new home for jehovahs .

erbie

Good effort.

In the second line of the second paragraph which reads 'plenty good', the word 'of' is missing.

In line with what others are saying, it probably does need simplifying somewhat for the benifit of your potential readers. I know how it is, you begin with something in mind that you want to say and before you know where you are you have written an essay!

Do make sure that you make it as simple, clear and concise as you can or you will be fodder for Witness critics.

The Watchtower are very careful that they get their spelling and grammar correct and you must do the same if you want to win the hearts of your readers (I myself am always checking my spelling).

In all, it's a very good shot at exposing the cult but you have but one chance to get it right so check it and check it again.

I always find it helpful to write something, leave it a couple of days if you have time, then look at it afresh with a clear objective. Very often areas that can be simplified or clarified in some way become more apparent.

I do hope that this is helpful and it is only my intention to offer help and not criticism since that is what you asked us for.

My only desire is that you achieve your objective and I wish you the very best in your effort.