Posts by MarkofCane

240

Introduction - Any Believers?

by Believer in

i’ve been reading it for a few of years off and on, but have been a little too ... maybe ... timid to join.

i left the watchtower organization almost 20 years ago but never abandoned my faith and belief in god.

i knew the gb/organization didn’t represent god, so when i lost my faith in them, i managed to keep my faith in an all wise benevolent creator.

MarkofCane

"There will always be a gap I won't be able to bridge".

I believe this is crux of the issue. There are too many gaps, too many contradictions. They're a lot of people reading this debate and not saying anything you simply can't win the bible condemns God the history of ancient Israel is either true and this God exist and he's not a nice deity or its all man orchestrated to scare people into submission.

Cofty has made this argument with others that try and defend there version of god and it pretty much ends the same, its a hard argument to over come when this is claimed. " All Scripture is inspired by God and profitable for teaching, for reproof, for correction, for training in righteousness. 2 Tim 3:16

Interesting enough not even a century ago if anybody rejected any part of the bible or contradicted it, they would be executed for blasphemy or heresy. The bible was held as the indisputable word of God. Now it seams once presented with facts about their creator and or belief they back peddle into pick and chose what I believe, "Christians". Unfortunately those who disagreed with the Bible weren't given the same consideration.

20

UPDATE: My existential crisis comes to a close

by Freeandclear in

jw
friends

in case you read my other thread regarding my existential crisis and how it was making my life miserable and left me feeling hopeless, purposeless and joyless i though i'd share what's recently happened to me and my way of thinking and have i've for the time being resolved my existential crisis.

i write every day in a journal.

i've been doing this for years.

MarkofCane

That is awesome, my motto is "live and let live". Everything else will take care if itself.

Sometimes is better not to over analyze things, just put the burden of proof on God. The least he can do is provide evidence considering the sober reality of his absence.

18

What to say? I Don't want to go to meetings anymore?

by Drifting Away in

jw
friends

so it has been a couple of months since me and my family have attended a meeting.

we have received a few calls and visits.

but what do you say when people ask "where have you been"?

MarkofCane

Say you have been working more to save for your retirement, since it appears their's no end in sight.

Tell them you've come down with Tourette syndrome, "sometimes I blurt out words I don't intend to say". "Dick head" then smile and walk away.

Tell them your following the WT lead and saving to build yourself a larger home.

7

Australian Royal Commission

by Coded Logic in

just realized next month it'll be one year since the whole thing began.

anybody heard anything new or know what happens next?.

.

MarkofCane

The outcomes will be issued shortly.
The ARC is still investigating other institutions at this time.

At this rate the Watchtower will be bankrupt, they need to strike while they are fat.

133

Why Are You Here?

by Believer in

i'm wondering why believers remain members of this forum which is clearly hostile to believers.

as one member said, nonbelievers pounce on any semblance of belief like piranhas on prey.

as former jws we should have had our fill of judgmental know-it-alls, but here we are.

MarkofCane

Hello Believer welcome to the community, good to have diversity in beliefs.

So am I a believer? Well I spent 45 years in the bOrg, dedicated my life to a belief system imposed by men. I indoctrinated my children forcing them to believe a fantastic tale of a talking snake, magical fruit and a pissed God, set out to vindicate his sovereignty on the blood of his subjects. I’ve given so much to theism the belief in God to the belief in something greater than us.

I can’t imagine that after 45 years of reading, studying and praying to a god and yet, still no definite conclusion. Then what does it take? It took less than 6 month to deconstruct 45 yrs of belief. I simply used the method set out by the Watchtower to expose false religion and turn it on them. Then I took the same methodology and the bible came up short as well.

I come off as a atheist by my comments but I consider myself agnostic with a sense of humor slowly the tide will change and I’m afraid I will subscribe to the logical conclusion of atheism. I normally don’t debate about the existence of god, I just don’t see the point, I really don’t know.

I come here to help others in this very difficult transition of exiting their way out of this cult and into society. Also in the hopes that I might find proof of an intelligent design. Perhaps someone might come here with evidence, solid proof of the existence of God. But so far the front is quiet and the attempts of some to start the conversation is usually based on faith, belief with evidence contrived from a emotional experience not based on something you can weighed, measured or test. I can only imagine if God wanted me to find him, come to him or in some way take notice of his presence he can overcome any obstacle presented by apologist as to why he simply can’t. Until then I will voice my dissent for the life destroying propaganda the GB regurgitates and nobody is allowed to question.

17

Successful Leaver

by 2True in

i was raised in the cult, a 'golden boy' in jw about 15 years ago.

regular pioneer, went to pioneer school and then mts.

my dad is a gilead graduate and is still a serving elder.

MarkofCane

Welcome Bro. Well written letter. Loved the Plato's Cave analogy, never heard it before......might send it to my wife. Anyways see you at the watering hole.

135

I've been found out!

by pale.emperor in

well, thats it folks.. my identity on here has been rumbled and reported to the elders.

someone, somehow, has figured out that im a member of this site and - rather than speak to me - has promptly reported me to the elders.

i just feel sad for my daughter.

MarkofCane

The calm before the storm. Keep us updated.....Good luck man.

135

I've been found out!

by pale.emperor in

well, thats it folks.. my identity on here has been rumbled and reported to the elders.

someone, somehow, has figured out that im a member of this site and - rather than speak to me - has promptly reported me to the elders.

i just feel sad for my daughter.

MarkofCane

That sucks pale emperor. Your fade just got accelerated to warp speed. If someone picked up my phone i would probably be in the same boat, I've become lackadaisical about my browsing history. So good reminder to watch out who might be snooping. "Note to self clear history and don't leave my phone around".

123

Message from Designer Stubble to the former JWR members

by Designer Stubble in

jw
friends

message from designer stubble to the former jwr members.

first of all i am glad to see that many of you have found your way to this great forum, facilitated by simon.

i am sure that after the dust of the jwr shutdown has settled, you will find this to be a good new home.. i would like to apologize for the sudden closure of jwr.

MarkofCane

I don't know you Designer stubble but too me you are one of the good guys. You came to this site to explain what happened and try to make thing right. The owner should of explained his intentions and closed the site if he wished but in a compassionate way. Anyways don't beat your self up about it, nothing you can do.

Wish you and your family the best.

14

Kingdom Hall Dedication this Saturday

by punkofnice in

by invite only!.

my jw spy tells me that this is in st paul's road, peterborough.. as far as i can tell, he tells me some corporation bully boy is coming over from bethel.

so, the local jws have been tasked to clean it so it's fit for this visiting dignitary.. of course there are only a certain amount of invites available and nepotism rules.

MarkofCane

Similar fashion with our assembly hall build. I was involved quite a bit and was not invited to the dedication. This was for all the dignitaries, CO, DO. The R&F had a open house of sorts, walk through, check it out and get out. Nepotism rules for sure always has.