Norm

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Posts by Norm

• 
  10

  Leaving or not

  by Norm in

  1. jw
  2. friends

  the thread about people leaving has made me think of the 7 years i have been on the net and participated in various witness and ex-witness e-mail groups or discussion boards.. in these years i have seen many a person, which for various reasons come and go from such forums.

  there are of course as many opinions as there are people and in such diverse groups there will always be debates about every conceivable subject there is.

  people who come out of the watchtower society seems as a group particularly ill equipped to deal with disagreements and strong debates but of course some more than others.

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  Norm

  Hi folks,

  Thanks for your nice comments. Everyones viewpoints are most welcome.

  Take care,

  Norm
• 
  10

  Leaving or not

  by Norm in

  1. jw
  2. friends

  the thread about people leaving has made me think of the 7 years i have been on the net and participated in various witness and ex-witness e-mail groups or discussion boards.. in these years i have seen many a person, which for various reasons come and go from such forums.

  there are of course as many opinions as there are people and in such diverse groups there will always be debates about every conceivable subject there is.

  people who come out of the watchtower society seems as a group particularly ill equipped to deal with disagreements and strong debates but of course some more than others.

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  Norm

  The thread about people “leaving” has made me think of the 7 years I have been on the net and participated in various Witness and ex-Witness e-mail groups or discussion boards.

  In these years I have seen many a person, which for various reasons come and go from such forums. There are of course as many opinions as there are people and in such diverse groups there will always be debates about every conceivable subject there is. People who come out of the Watchtower Society seems as a group particularly ill equipped to deal with disagreements and strong debates but of course some more than others.

  When you have been in an environment where merely thinking and much less expressing any kind of disagreement with the “party line” was a DF’ing offense, free expression of opinions must come as a horrible shock. Not having “elders” in the form of moderators around to deal with “wrongdoers” also seems to be a great loss to such persons. Many of the people that come out of the Watchtower Society which disagree with the Watchtower “content” seem to love the rest of it’s structure.
  They liked the “conservative” attitude towards behavior and language in the Witness community and want everybody to conform to their standard.

  We also have the category of former “officials or higher officials” which has left the Watchtower organization. With such a position in the Watchtower system there came a certain status and thus a kind of automatic “respect” was given and expected to be given the person in such a position. A kind of respect that wasn’t earned but went with the territory. Such a position also gave a considerable amount of power within the “pecking order” of the Watchtower hierarchy. People like that simply get used to having things their way. In the real world these “perks” disappear and that is probably not an easy thing to deal with.

  Some have had quite unrealistic ideas about the forum and have found it wanting and not up to their “standard” and when the participants have declined to budge to this persons “standard” s/he has left. Personally I find such behavior quite dysfunctional and strange. It seem to be unbearable to some people that not everyone else will accept their personal standard.

  In the Watchtower system all the “undesirables” was dealt with and disposed of quick and efficiently. In that “wonderful” system you were safe from four letter words and such “filth”. People were willing to risk their lives to conform to rules about blood transfusions, but they didn’t swear or use foul language. The child molester’s was very well behaved too, didn’t use 4 letter words and put in a lot of hours pushing Watchtower literature and gave wonderful “parts”, they never used the word fuck, they just did it, with small children. I mean what could possibly and conceivably be worse than using foul language, folks?

  In all those years on the net I think I have been called every conceivable derogatory name in the book, did I get tired of it? Yup. Did it make me want to leave the particular board or list, MmmNo. Well, that’s me, others of course can feel differently. When you are called names and attacked in other ways, try not to take yourself so serious, try to be a little detached and you will see things differently.

  I think we should treat people like adults, if anyone genuinely want to leave this board and not post here for whatever reason, that’s it. I agree with those who would like Maximus to stay here, I think his contributions to the board has been great and that his presence here is important, but if he don’t want to be here, we should respect that decision.

  People probably have many different reasons for being here, and others have just as many reasons for not being here. For those who can’t soil themselves with being present of this board because of the language and manners of some of the boards participants I suggest they don’t. Maybe it would put some perspective in their lives if they reflect on the fact that somehow they didn’t seem to have any problems associating with all kinds of quite despicable people and “serve” for years in an organization that not only condoned but even directly and indirectly encouraged outrageous acts and behavior, all to protect the precious Watchtower organization. What people would you like best to associate with? Those faithful Watchtower people or the people on this board? I know what I would prefer.

  Take care,

  Norm.
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  48

  Eulogy for My Father

  by Farkel in

  1. jw
  2. friends

  on tuesday, august 4, 2001 at 3:42.a.m.

  mst, duane floyd checketts, 77 died in his sleep due to complications from pneumonia.

  he is survived by his wife bette and two children, douglas checketts, patty smith, and 8 grandchildren.. duane, who was fondly called duke by everyone who knew him was born in farmington, utah on march 8, 1924. his father floyd, was one of 10 children raised in a tiny house built by his own mormon father who immigrated in the early 1860's from birmingham, england.

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  Norm

  Hang in there Farkel. As firstborn we are next in line you know.

  Take care,

  Norm.
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  76

  I Said Goodbye

  by Farkel in

  1. jw
  2. friends

  my father was rushed by ambulance from his rest home to st. marks hospital in salt lake city, utah friday, but i only just heard about it.

  i received a call from the floor nurse and she told me he is not expected to live.

  his lungs are filled fill up with fluid and are continuing to fill u with more fluid: he has pneumonia.

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  Norm

  My thoughts are with you Farkel. It is good that you have been able to express your feelings to your dad while he was alive. Far too many never express their feelings and appreciation to their nearest and dearest. I hope you are able to bear the sorrow, I know it is very hard and it takes a long time to get over. As I have mentioned before my mother died in May 1997, I was able to stay with her in an extra bed in the same room.

  A couple of days before she died, we had a wonderful breakfast together, while watching the lovely spring weather and the sun shining on the mountains outside. We talked about a lot of things and she told me so many things that I didn’t know and had not heard before. It was very good and we were able to say goodbye to each other. Later because of the immense pain caused by the cancer she was suffering from she was given very heavy doses of pain killers so it became increasingly difficult to communicate with her. She died while my youngest brother and I were holding her hands. We talked to her and I think she was able to hear us until the last minute.

  Hang in there Farkel my friend, don’t forget to take care of yourself too.

  Your friend,

  Norm.
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  8

  The "anointed remnant" and the GB

  by Norm in

  1. jw
  2. friends

  he published the idea of the two classes in the march 15 and april 1 issues of the 1938 watchtower:.

  the watch tower march 15, 1938, page 83.. .

  so all of you faithful jehovah's witnesses out there, get used to it.

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  Norm

  Hi Cornerstone,

  You said:

  Hello Norm,

  Thanks for the info. My "MY Documents" file is getting pretty big. I appreciate you and others taking the time to help educate and inform the rest of us. Thanks again.

  CornerStone

  Thank you. I must say that I originally write much of such material mostly for my own benefit to sort out my own thoughts and ideas about it. The interest for material like this seem to be almost non existent as such post usually slide off into oblivion very quickly.

  Take care,

  Norm
• 
  7

  Tolerance, opinions and fanaticism.

  by Norm in

  1. jw
  2. friends

  brooklyn regularly turns out window dressing articles in order to appear mainstream, reasonable and tolerant.

  magazine is the vehicle for such propaganda.

  the january 22, 1997 issue of the awake addressed the subject of tolerance.

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  Norm

  Hi pat,

  Yoiu said:

  Those Bible accounts you quote, along with numberous others, give pause to many people who are willing to consider them very honestly.

  Yes, the Bible is part of the problem, not the solution. When you look at the Bible as you do at the WT literature, it is just as inconsistent, contradictory and just as full of nonsense, only the Bible is far worse.

  Norm
• 
  8

  The "anointed remnant" and the GB

  by Norm in

  1. jw
  2. friends

  he published the idea of the two classes in the march 15 and april 1 issues of the 1938 watchtower:.

  the watch tower march 15, 1938, page 83.. .

  so all of you faithful jehovah's witnesses out there, get used to it.

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  Norm

  The “anointed remnant” and the Governing Body.

  Ever since J.F. Rutherford conceived this idea, it fast became one of the most significant and unique dogmas of Jehovah's Witnesses and the Watchtower Society.
  Another one of the very significant dogmas of the Watchtower Society the teaching about the 1914 generations is as we all know delegated to the scrap heap of their history of embarrassing failures.

  In a recent Watchtower we are told when the idea of the two class system was implemented:

  *** w99 2/1 18 Our Treasure in Earthen Vessels ***
  18 The year 1938 was crucial in clearly identifying the two classes. The March 15 and April 1, 1938, issues of The Watchtower presented the two-part study “His Flock” and made clear the relative places of the anointed remnant and their companions, the great crowd. Then the June 1 and June 15 issues carried study articles on “Organization,” based on Isaiah 60:17. All congregations were called on to request the Governing Body to appoint local servants, thus bringing in an improved, God-ordained, theocratic arrangement. The congregations did just so.

  Going back and reading those articles it is quite easy to spot the real reason why Rutherford was making this change. He published the idea of the two classes in the March 15 and April 1 issues of the 1938 Watchtower:

  “The Scriptures show that the Lord Jesus came to the temple of Jehovah in 1913 and gathered unto himself those then in line for the kingdom and began testing and judging such. The Scriptures also show that the Lord Jehovah would give to such gathered ones ‘ ‘ a new name ’ ‘, which he did give, and which name was revealed to them for the first time in 1931; that thereafter, in the year 1935, the Lord revealed to
  his people for the first time the meaning of the “great multitude” as an earthly class and made known that he is gathering that part of his sheep. It now clearly appears that at the present time there are on the earth some of those who are of the “little flock”, and also those who are of the “other sheep”, which go to make up the great multitude. Many persons state that they have difficulty in determining whether they are of the “little flock” or of the great multitude. It is the sincere desire of each one of God’s people to know to which group he belongs. The Watchtower is here setting forth certain scriptures which it is hoped will have the tendency to enable each one to examine himself and to determine what is his position. No man, society or organization can determine the status of another. Each one must know for himself just where he stands and base his conclusion upon the Scriptures.”
  The Watch Tower March 15, 1938, page 6.

  “The dates hereinafter mentioned mark, to wit, 1918, the coming of Christ to the temple; 1931, the time when God revealed to his people that he had given them a new name; and the year 1935, the date when God revealed to his people the identity
  of the great multitude then being gathered; and these dates become important in this examination, and they should be kept in mind as we proceed. These dates are not arbitrarily stated, but the remnant know that certain important events did come to pass at those dates.”
  The Watch Tower March 15, 1938, page 83.

  Then in the June 1 and 15 Watchtower of the same year we can read about the creation of the Watchtower Organization more or less as we know it today.
  After Rutherford had taken over as president after Russell there had been a lot of controversy in the organization of the Bible Students. Since the congregations or the “companies” as they were called back then, elected their own elders and enjoyed a high degree of autonomy they could take or leave all the material that Rutherford printed. His performance with the “Finished Mystery” and his thundering failure in 1925 didn’t help against the sceptics in the various companies. Rutherford tried in every way possible to place his own men in leading positions in the various companies and this of course resulted in a lot of unrest and trouble. After having gradually gained strength and support after the 1925 fiasco, Rutherford felt that the time had come to flush out the old guard of democratic minded people in the organization and gather all power into his own hands. He wasted no time and started out like this:

  “JEHOVAH’S ORGANIZATION is in no wise democratic. Jehovah is supreme, and his government or organization is strictly theocratic. This conclusion is not open to successful contradiction. Let this great and indisputable truth stand as a guidepost in the consideration of the foregoing text and what follows herein.”
  The Watch Tower June 1, 1938, page 163.

  As we can see Rutherford didn’t mince words here. This opening set the tone for what was to follow. Accept this or get the hell out, was the unmistakable message. Then follows a very bold, controversial and also embarrassing statement, but tactically a very brilliant move:

  “Jehovah God is the supreme power, and Jehovah together with Christ Jesus constitutes the “Higher Powers”, to which all persons must be subject.”
  (Rom.13: 1) The Watch Tower June 1, 1938, page 163.

  By these two declarations or decree’s J.F.R. had for all intent and purpose gathered complete power of the Watchtower Society and all Jehovah's Witnesses in his own hands. This was of course quite obvious to anyone with half a brain and Rutherford tackled such arguments head on in his typically refreshing fashion:

  “Levites, and servants called to the kingdom as servers of God’s “judgments written”. For this reason there are no individuals in the organization under Christ Jesus’ who hold a superior degree or rank of superiority. ‘All are one in Christ Jesus’ and under Christ Jesus, the Head. Jehovah God and Christ Jesus are the Teachers, and Christ Jesus at the temple: is in immediate command of the organization invisible and
  visible, Separate and individual rights do not exist, but every member of the organization must of necessity be in complete subjection to the Head. It is necessary to get these principles fixed in mind and then keep in mind that everything and everyone in the organization must be in harmony therewith and work harmoniously.” The Watch Tower June 1, 1938, page 163.

  Yes, what a wonderful picture he draws. Of course, no none could see Jehovah or Jesus, no one had been in contact with them. Now they quite obviously published all their rulings and decrees through whom? J. F. Rutherford naturally. He was the President. Would such an alleged unique position as the only one having the ear of Jehovah and Jesus put him on equal footing with anybody else in the organization?
  We of course know the answer to that very well. Now take a look at this next statement:

  “Every one of the organization looks not to a selfish interest, but to the general interest or welfare of the organization.” The Watch Tower June 1, 1938, page 164.

  Here Rutherford laid the foundation for the cadaver discipline and blind loyalty to the almighty organization that created the environment which “had to” protect pedophiles at the expense of countless children. The welfare of the organization comes first, no matter what!

  The “Organization” articles uses page up and page down in a torrent of words in argumentation for the complete folly of a democratic congregation:

  “12 This important fact cannot be ignored, to wit: That nowhere in the epistles to the congregations or church companies, as such, did Paul give any instruction to them as to the manner of appointing officers or servants, which instruction they could carry out as a democratically ruled body. The question, of necessity, is asked : Why was no such instruction given ? And the answer must surely be that the appointment
  of officers or servants of the church or congregation is not vested in the members of each separate company as though it were a democratically ruled organization. If it were the will of the Lord that each company or congregation should be self-contained in this matter, Paul surely would have made the same to clearly appear in the instructions given.” The Watch Tower June 1, 1938, page 165.

  “14 When it is clearly seen and appreciated that at no time in the history of the church of God does the Lord treat the church as a democracy; that the idea of a democracy is entirely absent in the writings of the apostles concerning the church ; that there is no intimation that there is a confederacy or unity existing in the congregations, such as exists amongst the states of America, it must be concluded that the Hierarchy form of government, so seductive to many minds, is clearly a product of the Devil ; also that the democratic form of government is contrary to the Word of God.”
  The Watch Tower June 1, 1938, page 165, 166.

  “The Lord Jesus, now at the temple and in full charge of every part of his organization according to his own word, delegates to his earthly representative certain duties to be performed in his visible organization, and which duties, of necessity, must include the selection of servants.” The Watch Tower June 1, 1938, page 169.

  Of course Rutherford also had to deal with the argument that if democratically elected elders was such an abomination to Jehovah, why had he permitted it to go on for all those years? Rutherford in true form naturally had a typical far fetched nonsensical answer to that too. Apparently the time when Russell was in charge was now called the “Elijah period”, in which the “Lord” had tolerated this abomination to go on, but after 1919, Jesus couldn’t stand such filth any longer and a change had to come. Of course Rutherford was really extremely slow since he didn’t get around to this until 1938, some 19 years afterwards:

  “Whatever the reason for the Lord’s permitting the democratic form of rule in the congregations or companies to prevail during the Elijah period, and without regard to whether the same was right or wrong, the Scriptures and the attending facts show that, when the Lord arrives at the temple, a change is made, which change is brought about by the Lord informing his remnant of their true relationship to him. It is the time of understanding, and the remnant must now “with all thy getting get understanding”. The reason for such clearer light and understanding, and for such change for betterment, is further discussed in the next issue of The Watchtower.”
  (To be continued)” The Watch Tower June 1, 1938, page 171.

  In the continued article in the June 15 issue of the Watchtower Rutherford continue to hammer home that from now on there will be no democracy in the congregations:

  “That must mean that the time comes when there is peace in the organization of the Lord all over the earth. God commands that it shall be so, and therefore it is his will that peace must exist. That means that unity and harmony exist amongst those of the temple company. There is unity and harmony in action in the organization, in the field service, in the methods of study, in the assemblies together, and in all activity, and there must no longer be strife, clashes and boycotts, or any such thing, which existed in times past when the “elective elders and deacons” held titled offices and ruled arrogantly. Those who are in the temple will appreciate this situation and, knowing the responsibility upon them, will diligently put forth their best endeavors to walk humbly with God.” The Watch Tower June 15, 1938, page 180.

  The main purpose of the implementation of the two class system of the anointed remnant and the “Jonadabs” with an “earthly hope” was thus born out of a very basic and quite ugly need, the thirst for absolute power. This system has served the rulers of the Watchtower Society quite well during the years. In the early nineties we heard that the GB had appointed non anointed “assistants” to help them and that these people even sat in on the GB sessions. This of course raised a few eyebrows and in time Brooklyn felt they had to offer some kind of explanation:

  *** w93 1/1 6 New Creations Brought Forth! ***
  Moreover, well-trained members of the great crowd are now doing administrative and other responsible work alongside the anointed Governing Body of spiritual Israel, just as non-Israelite Nethinim worked with the priests repairing Jerusalem’s walls.—Nehemiah 3:22-26.
  *** w95 7/1 22 Dwellers Together in a Restored "Land" ***
  9 Moreover, with the great crowd increasing by the hundreds of thousands each year, there is an ever-growing need for oversight. At one time this was handled exclusively by anointed Christians. Now, oversight of most congregations, as well as circuits, districts, and branches, has of necessity been entrusted to the other sheep. In 1992 a few of these were given the privilege of attending meetings of committees of the Governing Body and serving as nonvoting helpers. Still, the other sheep remain loyal to their anointed fellow Christians and feel privileged to support them as Jehovah’s faithful and discreet slave.—Matthew 25:34-40.

  In reality the so-called “anointed” as a “class” or a group, have never had any say in anything the governing of the Watchtower Society or the organization of Jehovah's Witnesses. That this is a fact can now clearly be seen as the Watchtower Society is slowly dismantling another of their dogmas. And like in Rutherford’s days they use just the same kind of language:

  “Because of the flashes of light or lightning from Jehovah his message of rebuke is sent forth. In A.D. 1919 The Golden Age (now Consolation) began its publication, and within a short time thereafter issue No. 27, which contained the Lord’s rebuke to those of Satan’s organization, was published. It exposed the members of the Devil’s organization, and particularly the hypocritical clergy,” The Watch Tower July 1, 1938, page 205.

  *** w99 3/1 13 "The Temple" and "the Chieftain" Today ***
  2 Since the restoration of pure worship, Jehovah has blessed his people with many flashes of spiritual insight, including the discernment of what God’s spiritual temple is—Jehovah’s templelike arrangement for pure worship.

  In the article “The Temple" and "the Chieftain" Today” we can see the first signs of a more organized dismantling of old Joe Rutherford’s insanities. In true Rutherford style they have found some obscure prophecy in the Bible which by the usual contortionist act can be turned and twisted into some far fetched mumbo jumbo:

  *** w99 3/1 16 "The Temple" and "the Chieftain" Today ***
  The Chieftain—Who Is He?
  13 Now an intriguing question arises. Whom, then, does the chieftain represent? Since he is spoken of both as an individual and as a group, we may assume that he represents a class of men. (Ezekiel 44:3; 45:8, 9) But who? Surely not the anointed. In the vision, he works closely with the priesthood, but he is not one of them. Unlike the priestly class, he is given an inheritance in the land and thus has a future here on earth, not in heaven.

  Here they have found some mention of a “Chieftain” and voila, they have it:

  *** w99 3/1 16 "The Temple" and "the Chieftain" Today ***
  14 Clearly, the chieftain has some responsibility among God’s people. In the outer courtyard, he sits in the porch of the East Gate. (Ezekiel 44:2, 3) This would indicate a position of oversight, similar to that of the older men in Israel who sat at the gate of the city and rendered judgment. (Ruth 4:1-12; Proverbs 22:22) Who among the other sheep hold offices of oversight today? Elders with an earthly hope who have been appointed by holy spirit. (Acts 20:28) So the chieftain class is now being groomed with the prospect of later serving in an administrative capacity in the new world.

  *** w99 3/1 16 "The Temple" and "the Chieftain" Today ***
  15 What, though, is the relationship today between the anointed priestly class and such older men who, as part of the great crowd, are serving in positions of oversight? Ezekiel’s vision suggests that the elders who are members of the great crowd have a supportive and subordinate role, while the anointed take the spiritual lead.

  *** w99 3/1 16 "The Temple" and "the Chieftain" Today ***
  Clearly, the chieftain was to submit to the spiritual services and leadership of the priests. It is fitting, then, that in modern times the anointed have taken the lead in pure worship. For example, the members of the Governing Body of Jehovah’s Witnesses have been chosen from among them. Such faithful anointed elders have been training the developing chieftain class for decades, preparing prospective members of this class for the day when they will be delegated their full measure of authority in God’s new world to come.

  *** w99 3/1 17 "The Temple" and "the Chieftain" Today ***
  18 In Bible times some chieftains had much authority, others less. Today, elders of the great crowd have widely varying responsibilities. Some serve in one congregation; others serve many congregations as traveling overseers; others serve whole countries as Branch Committee members; others directly assist various committees of the Governing Body. In the new world, Jesus will appoint “princes in all the earth” to take the lead among Jehovah’s worshipers on earth. (Psalm 45:16) No doubt he will select many of these from among the faithful elders of today. Because these men are proving themselves now, he will choose to entrust many with even greater privileges in the future when he reveals the role of the chieftain class in the new world.

  All of this strained nonsense to “explain” why they are now appointing a lot of leaders in Brooklyn that are not “anointed”. As we know many of the members of the GB are more or less vegetables, and can hardly be expected to “lead” anything including themselves. There are of course people in Brooklyn which is a hundred times more capable of leading then any of the GB, and now it seems as though this has dawned even on those few of the GB who are still able function. In this elaborate “explanation” articles we of course never see any mentioning of the simple fact that there are still at least 8000 people out there of the “anointed”: Why can’t any of these be brought to Brooklyn to lead the Organization? Well, as stated above simply because hey have never had any say or part in leading the organization in the first place and they never will in the future. Many of them are rightly considered eccentrics and some even as outright lunatics. When old Joe was alive, leading the WTS was pretty much a one man show. After the GB came onto the scene on the late seventies, they have run the show up to now, of course without bothering to consult any of the other “anointed”.

  So all of you faithful Jehovah's Witnesses out there, get used to it. In a few years the insane Rutherford invention of the “two class” system will be forgotten and the Watchtower Society will be back to the good old teaching of the mainstream Churches of a “heavenly hope” for all. We all know what happened to another of Rutherford’s ideas, which I briefly mentioned in the beginning:

  “Jehovah God is the supreme power, and Jehovah together with Christ Jesus constitutes the “Higher Powers”, to which all persons must be subject.”
  (Rom.13: 1) The Watch Tower June 1, 1938, page 163.

  In this case the Watchtower Society also had to revert back to the good old teachings of Christendom. It just took a little longer with the “two class” system.

  Take care,

  Norm.
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  7

  Tolerance, opinions and fanaticism.

  by Norm in

  1. jw
  2. friends

  brooklyn regularly turns out window dressing articles in order to appear mainstream, reasonable and tolerant.

  magazine is the vehicle for such propaganda.

  the january 22, 1997 issue of the awake addressed the subject of tolerance.

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  Norm

  Hi again Waiting,

  I use Yahoo messenger and my handle is Trekukjen

  Norm
• 
  7

  Tolerance, opinions and fanaticism.

  by Norm in

  1. jw
  2. friends

  brooklyn regularly turns out window dressing articles in order to appear mainstream, reasonable and tolerant.

  magazine is the vehicle for such propaganda.

  the january 22, 1997 issue of the awake addressed the subject of tolerance.

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  Norm

  Hi Waiting,

  Thank you very much for the kind words.

  Take care,

  Norm
• 
  7

  Tolerance, opinions and fanaticism.

  by Norm in

  1. jw
  2. friends

  brooklyn regularly turns out window dressing articles in order to appear mainstream, reasonable and tolerant.

  magazine is the vehicle for such propaganda.

  the january 22, 1997 issue of the awake addressed the subject of tolerance.

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  Norm

  Brooklyn regularly turns out Window dressing articles in order to appear mainstream, reasonable and tolerant. Usually Awake! Magazine is the vehicle for such propaganda. The January 22, 1997 issue of the Awake addressed the subject of tolerance. Among other things it stated:

  *** g97 1/22 3 Tolerance-From One Extreme to the Other ***
  What does it mean to be tolerant? According to the Collins Cobuild English Language Dictionary, “if you are tolerant, you allow other people to have their own attitudes or beliefs, or to behave in a particular way, even if you do not agree or approve.” What a fine quality to display! Surely we feel at ease with people who respect our beliefs and attitudes, even when these differ from their own.

  Yes indeed, what a fine quality it is to behold when people “who respect our beliefs and attitudes, even when these differ from their own.” Wouldn’t it be wonderful if the Watchtower Society would teach the rank and file Jehovah's Witnesses to display such a wonderful quality? Wouldn’t it be even nicer if the Watchtower Society leaders could display such a wonderful quality? Unfortunately they display the very opposite quality, they display extreme intolerance towards people who dare disagree with them:

  “From the very outset of his rebellion Satan called into question God’s way of doing things. He promoted independent thinking. ‘You can decide for yourself what is good and bad,’ Satan told Eve. ‘You don’t have to listen to God. He is not really telling you the truth.’ (Genesis 3:1-5) To this day, it has been Satan’s subtle design to infect God’s people with this type of thinking. — 2 Timothy 3:1, 13. How is such independent thinking manifested? A common way is by questioning the counsel that is provided by God’s visible organization.” The Watchtower. January 15. 1983, page 22.

  “Fight Against Independent Thinking
  As we study the Bible we learn that Jehovah has always guided his servants in an organized way. And just as in the first century there was only one true Christian organization, so today Jehovah is using only one organization. (Ephesians 4:4, 5; Matthew 24:45-47) Yet there are some who point out that the organization has had to make adjustments before, and so they argue: “This shows that we have to make up our own mind on what to believe.” This is independent thinking. Why is it so dangerous? Such thinking is an evidence of pride.” The Watchtower. January 15. 1983, page 27.

  “Beware of those who try to put forward their own contrary opinions”
  Watchtower March 15. 1986, page 17.

  As these 3 quotes show us, there is absolutely no reason whatsoever to “feel at ease” among Jehovah's Witnesses, as their leaders has banned all other opinions than the officially approved from Brooklyn. One wonders how it is possible for Brooklyn to think they can actually get away with such obvious dishonesty. The Watchtower Society lip service to tolerance must indeed be embarrassing for those Jehovah's Witnesses who have retained a little thinking ability. It is indeed revolting to see an organization where tolerance is simply completely banned, trying to create such a façade, such a false “Window display”.

  There also seem to be great confusion in the Watchtower Society headquarters in Brooklyn as to what the above-mentioned concepts like tolerance and fanaticism in reality includes. It is a well known fact that the Watchtower Society consider their particular brand of Bible twisting the only true religion on earth, and that all other religions are false. On top of this the Watchtower Society even go so far as to condemn everyone who doesn’t accept the Watchtower religion to death. This simple fact tells us that we are dealing with a religion that is simply FOUNDED on intolerance and fanaticism! One cannot but stare in disbelief when reading quotes like the next one from Awake!:

  “By works and example, Christianity's Founder, Jesus Christ, encouraged love of God and love of neighbor, not intolerance and fanaticism.”
  Awake! February 22. 1999, page 4.

  A sect, who has dedicated its very existence on spreading intolerance and fanaticism, has of course no clue whatsoever about what love is. Totally incapable of loving anything or anyone who doesn’t show the same blind obedience to Brooklyn as they do, has no idea about what love really is.

  Take a look at the next quote from the Watchtower as notice how “love” and “tolerance” is radiating from every word:

  “Shortly, the great tribulation will suddenly break out, moving quickly to a climax in “the war of the great day of God the Almighty.” (Revelation 16:14, 16) It will reach a crescendo as Jehovah destroys this system of things and the figurative table at which the world’s nations have been feeding. Jehovah will also overthrow the entire invisible organization of Satan the Devil with its hordes of demons. Those who have continued to feed at Satan’s spiritual table, the table of demons, will be forced to attend a literal meal, no, not as partakers, but as the main course—to their destruction! — See Ezekiel 39:4; Revelation 19:17, 18.”
  Watchtower July 1. 1994, page 13.

  Another incredible statement in this Awake is this one:

  "Does it strike you as odd that something as potentially elevating and ennobling as the teachings of the Bible should be misused to promote intolerance, bigotry, and hatred? Actually, it is not those teachings of the Bible that make religion unpalatable to many. Rather, it is a corruption of them.” Awake! February 22. 1999, page 4.

  Incredible! Have these idiots ever read the Bible? Read this passage from the Bible and really think about what you read:

  *** Rbi8 Numbers 31:7-9 ***
  And they went waging war against Mid'i•an, just as Jehovah had commanded Moses, and they proceeded to kill every male. 8 And they killed the kings of Mid'i•an along with the others slain, namely, E'vi and Re'kem and Zur and Hur and Re'ba, the five kings of Mid'i•an; and they killed Ba'laam the son of Be'or with the sword. 9 But the sons of Israel carried off the women of Mid'i•an and their little ones captive;

  *** Rbi8 Numbers 31:14-18 ***
  And Moses grew indignant at the appointed men of the combat forces, the chiefs of the thousands and the chiefs of the hundreds who were coming in from the military expedition. 15 So Moses said to them: “Have YOU preserved alive every female? 16 Look! They are the ones who, by Ba'laam’s word, served to induce the sons of Israel to commit unfaithfulness toward Jehovah over the affair of Pe'or, so that the scourge came upon the assembly of Jehovah. 17 And now kill every male among the little ones, and kill every woman who has had intercourse with man by lying with a male. 18 And preserve alive for yourselves all the little ones among the women who have not known the act of lying with a male.

  Could any of you faithful Jehovah's Witnesses and other fundies please explain what in this Bible text you find particularly “elevating and ennobling”? Or isn’t this really a story of “intolerance, bigotry, and hatred”? Well, I know you will never even attempt to deal with this, but I ask these questions for the benefit of those who are able to think. I can only say that this is one of the many passages which render “those teachings of the Bible” and religion very “unpalatable” to me.

  The complete inability of Brooklyn to understand the concept of fanaticism is clearly demonstrated here in this quote:

  "Similarly, misunderstandings today often result in estrangement and even prejudice. For example, a few people have viewed Jehovah's Witnesses as religious fanatics because of reports about their refusal to take blood transfusions. Yet those who have personally inquired of the Witnesses about this matter have often been pleasantly surprised to learn that there is a Biblical basis for their position and that there are safe, effective alternative treatments.”
  Awake! February 22. 1999, page 5.

  In remains a simple fact that when you are willing to die, or let your children die on the basis of some insane farfetched reasoning carried out by a bunch of losers in Brooklyn, which claim that the insanity is “Bible based”, you are overqualified as a fanatic. Based on the Bible people make the most horrendous claims. When your own family and loved ones lives become irrelevant and less important then some “cause” you have become for all intent and purpose a fanatic!

  It is quite interesting to note that even in this “window dressing” article where they try to portray the Watchtower Society as tolerant and reasonable, they slip up and show us the very material fanaticism is made of:

  "So this is no time to take our beliefs for granted, for everlasting life will be given only to those who know God and who "worship [him] with spirit and truth." -John 4:24; 2 Thessalonians 1:6-9"
  Awake! February 22. 1999, page 6.

  Knowing the Watchtower Society claim of being the “only true religion” this quote is understandable. Would you say that people who actually claim to have THE ONLY TRUTH, and that everyone else is wrong, is humble? Particularly if you engage in debate with such people and find them horribly ignorant about almost any conceivable subject regarding the issue? In light of this consider this quote from the Awake!

  "Since at most one faith can be true, it follows that human beings are extremely liable to believe firmly and honestly in something untrue in the field of revealed religion. One would have expected this obvious fact to lead to some humility, to some thought that however deep one's faith, one may conceivably be mistaken." Awake! February 22. 1999, page 6.

  Yes, one is really searching in vain when looking for any trace of humility in Brooklyn. Only the arrogance of the true bigot is to be found there.
  
  But this Awake! Have more astonishing quotes. Look at this:

  "And an early U.S. president, Thomas Jefferson said: "Reason and free inquiry are the only effectual agents against error. . . .They are the natural enemies of error." So if we are genuinely searching for truth, we will "weigh and consider" and pursue "reason and free inquiry." Awake! February 22. 1999, page 6.

  Wow! Imagine that! REASON AND FREE INQUIRY??? There’s your cue all of you anonymous Jehovah's Witnesses out there. Write to Brooklyn and inquire freely, and see what happens? Quote Thomas Jefferson and this Awake! And see where it gets you?

  I must say that some times the Watchtower literature is really entertaining in all it’s astonishing weasel worded dishonesty.

  Norm.