Posts by vienne

17

Research project: A study designed to explore the experience of leaving the Jehovah’s Witnesses

by Researcher2023 in

jw
friends

as part of a psychology msc research project, i am looking for participants to take part in a study designed to explore the experience of leaving the jehovah’s witnesses.. former witnesses who were raised in the organisation will be asked a few questions about their reasons for leaving, their experience of leaving, and how their life has changed since leaving.. taking part involves completing an interview over the internet.

according to research needs, the number of questions asked in each interview may vary.

the interview will take between 5 – 90 minutes depending on the questions asked and the level of detail you wish to provide.. your participation will remain confidential and anonymous, and it is completely voluntary so that you may withdraw at any time up to two weeks after the interview.

vienne

Hi,

I'm not a Witness and never have been, so I cannot participate, but I'd like to read the finished product. Will you post it online?

Julia Gutgsell's master's thesis was on a similar topic. Her title was 'A Loving Provision'? How Former Jehovah's Witnesses Experience Shunning Practices. [Vrije Universiteit, Brussels, 2017] Mom [R. M. de Vienne, PhD] corresponded with Julia, but I don't have access to the emails. [We deleted mom's email account after she died.] However, I know that Mom's primary observation was that Julia's work lacked the balance that any academic work should have. Ms Gutgsell interviewed former Witnesses but failed to consider those who returned. Do you plan on interviewing those who returned?

Returnees seem to be divided between those who genuinely 'repented', that is they felt real shame at their behavior, and those who returned to regain lost associates or family. My unscientific assessment is that the 'repentant' outnumber those seeking lost family. Equally 'unscientific' is my impression that the number of returnees is quite small.

An academic who is also a Witness suggested that access to returnees might be facilitated by contacting the Branch Office in your country, or by approaching the issue through the closest congregation first. My personal suggestion is to contact the Watchtower's Office of Public Information in Warwick NY. They have an email box, but a letter addressed to them at 1 Kings Drive, Tuxedo Park NY 10987 will be more effective. My experience is that they are very slow to answer because they must go through layers of approval for any response.

I hope this helps.

Anastasia [aka Annie]

2

Bit of Watchtower History

by vienne in

probably some of you read uncle b's history blog.

the article at the end of this link was contributed to show rutherford's activity in britain, especially his appearances at royal albert hall.. https://truthhistory.blogspot.com/2022/12/the-royal-albert-hall.html.

vienne

Probably some of you read uncle B's history blog. The article at the end of this link was contributed to show Rutherford's activity in Britain, especially his appearances at Royal Albert Hall.

https://truthhistory.blogspot.com/2022/12/the-royal-albert-hall.html

11530

It's been a long 9 years Lloyd Evans / John Cedars

by Newly Enlightened in

original reddit post (removed).

vienne

Lloyd Boy takes a number:

16

Can you answer my questions, please?

by Sandie in

i have three questions.

i would be most grateful if someone could respond for me, please.

thank you.. 1. can jehovah's witnesses practice faith with the bible as a guide, or is it crucial to include the teachings of the watchtower society?

vienne

2. How do you explain the biblical passages that claim Jesus is God? How do you explain His own claims to be God?

The Bible does not present Jesus as God. Jesus did not claim to be God. He claimed to be God's son, stating that his father was greater than he.

11530

It's been a long 9 years Lloyd Evans / John Cedars

by Newly Enlightened in

original reddit post (removed).

vienne

Who are they? I have no clue. But if we ask 'what are they' we can safely suppose that they are deluded, or that they are as immoral as Lloyd is. Some probably think that the enemy of their enemy is their friend. That's silly.

However, his support stream is drying up. He is obviously desperate for money. He should go back to the old days and actually get a job. Maybe washing windows.

28

Jesus as 'The mighty + almighty God'

by JW Answers in

jehovah's witnesses refuse to believe that jesus is the almighty god.

they would state that jesus is 'mighty', but not almighty.. below is a 30 minute video proving from the word of god that the lord jesus christ is both mighty and almighty, separate from the father but equal too.. the verses used from scripture show without a doubt that christ is mighty (isaiah 9:6) and almighty (rev 1:7-8)..

vienne

S.B., you misrepresent what Hebrews says about the Christ. In chapter one Paul, presumed to be the writer, describes Jesus as "the express image" of God's person. An image is not the person himself, but a reflection of that person. Paul here rephrases what he we find in Colossians 1:15. χαρακτὴρ ['image'] derives from minting coins. The image on a coin is not the person himself, but a representation of him. Jesus, in turn, isn't God, but so carefully mirrors him that in substance and personality he is exactly like his father.

So how is Jesus relationship to his father explained in Hebrews? The answer - a very exact answer - is found at Hebrews 5:7. Certainly you've read that, but you seem to have missed its import. The verse says: "In the days of his flesh, Jesus offered up prayers and supplications, with loud cries and tears, to him who was able to save him from death, and he was heard because of his reverence." Let's think that through. Jesus prayed. God has no need to petition himself. If Jesus was God, he remained so when human. The verse says he was heard. Some versions say he was heard because of his Godly fear, others because of his piety. The ERV I quoted above says reverence. What are these things. Are they not alternate words for 'worship'? Vines Expository Dictionary suggests that's the meaning here. And Vine though Trinitarian was honest enough to say so. So who did Jesus worship? Certainly not himself.

He prayed to be saved from death. God cannot die. Jesus was not a God-man. His death, a true death, was essential to ransom mankind from sin and death. That he died for us demonstrates that he was not Almighty God.

One who worships and prays to another is less than the one to whom they pray.

Hebrews continues: "Though he was Son [of God] by nature, yet He learned obedience from the things which He suffered having brought to the place of completeness." (Wuest) God isn't obedient to anyone. Jesus had to learn obedience to fulfil his role as savior. God need not learn anything. He already knows what there is to know. Jesus is not almighty God in any sense.

Now what is this "place of completeness" as K. Wuest has it? Wuest seem to avoid the word 'perfection' used in other translations, but he leaves us with the thought that Jesus had to be made complete in some way. God is complete in himself and cannot be otherwise. Robertson [Word Pictures, in locum cit.] says the Greek word τελειωθεὶς (Having been perfected) suggests a "completion of the process of training." Since when does Almighty God need training? Jesus is not almighty God.

Hebrews 5:10 continues by saying that Jesus was designated/appointed ( προσαγορευθεὶς) by God high priest. The Lesser is sent forth or appointed by the Greater. A servant is not greater than his master, but less. In every respect Paul has Jesus as less than and subservient to God. Jesus is not Almighty God.

3

JW Harrasment

by enigma1863 in

as most probably know scientology harasses stalks and even spreads lies about their former members to convince you not to trust them.

they are very good at smearing peoples names.. has their been any evidence the jw organization uses the same methods on specific individuals?

i don’t mean the general all apostates are bad stories posted for the rank and file.

vienne

I have never seen any evidence of this, at least on an official level. Witnesses treat me as if I were one of their own, but then I'm not a former adherent. I've asked about former members in a general way. The answers are occasionally specific, most often mourning the disaffection of a friend or relative. I see tears, and some have told me they pray for those who have left.

Witnesses may be off the mark in some things, but generally they're very nice people, and their faith has made them what they are.

8

Manipulation through emitional acting?

by road to nowhere in

we had a co talk touching on resurrection, death, seeing family again.

the brother went into scenarios about his family, complete with tears.

i question getting that emotional every time he gives this talk.

vienne

I agree with you. Jesus did not preach that way. Neither did Paul. Acts 9:22 says that Paul's preaching was logical, not emotional.

"But Saul kept on acquiring power all the more and was confounding the Jews that dwelt in Damascus as he proved logically that this is the Christ" is how the NWT puts it. Proving is συμβιβάζων. It's usually just rendered proving without the added logically. But the basic meaning of the word is "to join together" implying a logical argument. While one can be logical and somewhat emotional, in Paul's preaching the logical part prevailed. So shouldn't Watchtower official copy that pattern?

31

Hobbies

by peacefulpete in

jw
friends

i think it's been a while since this was asked.

tell us your hobbies, interests, pastimes, whatever you find enjoyable as a diversion from work and school.

i am lucky enough to live in a small cabin on a lake, i enjoy rowing my old boat and fishing, i play with car projects, and we travel as much as we can.

vienne

I inherited my mom's stamp and coin collections. My money is limited. Textbooks come first. But I add to them as I can. Other than that, I read. Love to read. Read incessantly.

My mom participated in long distance black-powder distance shooting. She was an excellent shot. None of my sisters wanted her guns, so they came to me. I've shot her 45-90 Highwall a few times. And no, though I'm as small as my mom was, it didn't knock me onto my butt. It's a fun hobby, but I don't have time for it now. Maybe after I finish my master's degree.

11530

It's been a long 9 years Lloyd Evans / John Cedars

by Newly Enlightened in

original reddit post (removed).

vienne

vint,

Yes, he got a haircut, combed his hair, put on a suit, but with brown shoes and an black suit. He not quite there yet, and a bit of personal clean up does not change what's inside.