Cofty, I enjoyed your letter and research. Reminded me of my letter to Brooklyn. They answered it with a "no comment" and instructed the local elders to disfellowship. Oh, those were the days my friend.... (actually only last year for me)! In the end, nothing has changed.
Posts by Vidqun
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85My Letter to Brooklyn about the Parousia that got me disfellowshipped
by cofty inthis is the letter i wrote back in '96 about the parousia.
following the '95 watchtower that disconnected the "generation" from 1914 i began to look carefully at end-time prophecy and soon discovered what i knew were basic errors in what i had been taught.. i was a loyal jw at the time and was still serving as an elder.
i used only watchtower publications in my research.
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25
Looking up scriptures during meetings
by Stealth inrecently i attended a jw funeral after a 12 year fade.
i did not bring a bible to the talk.
i found it somewhat odd and distracting to the flow of the talk at how much time was spent by all the jws looking up scriptures in the bible that they have all have read 1,000s of times before.
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Vidqun
I looked up the Scriptures in Hebrew, Greek, and like Blondie, in different translations. There was no point in reading those same scriptures in the NWT. By then I knew them by heart. The numbering didn't always correspond, and then I had to translate. Especially one elder fumed, becoming red in the face. I think I would have caused his death if he did not move away.
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Former Long Time Elder, New Member
by James Jackson ini have served 20 years as an elder, 5 years as an ms. was on the district committee in 2010, held various positions on the district , circuit, and rbc level.
probably been on more than 100 judicial committees and even an appeals committee.
was the coordinator in our congregation and deleted because adult child was df ( i kicked him out at the time of his wrongdoing, but that wasn't enough for thr brothers).
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Vidqun
James, welcome. As you probably already know, most of us here are only interested in justice and truth, which are sorely lacking in the WT Corporation.
PS Beware of Outlaw. I think he has ulterior motives (to impress the girls?)
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Lurkers - Not even a 5 min visit from Elder or Sister
by *lost* inbeen oooh, 4 months now, nothing, nada, zip, like i never even existed.. no one knows i am awakened, etc... so as far as they concerned i'm still in wt land.. starting missing meetings as i was ill with a virus, knocked me out physically.
the rest is history, as they say.. .
so much for the love that is preached.
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Vidqun
They will know that you are my disciples if you have love amongst yourselves. Well, obviously JWs do not qualify. Be thankful. Enjoy the rest of your life. But watch out for either the COs visit or memorial time. Then you have two options, depending how vocal you are: 1) Either love bombing; or 2) Hounded by the hounders. The choice is yours.
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287
What about your vow to Jehovah?
by a watcher indid you get baptized without being dedicated?.
why did you allow men to come between you and jehovah?.
why were you serving jehovah at all?
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Vidqun
A Watcher, which set are you referring to? I think mine falls under the middle set of questions. Have you noticed the new set? With those you dedicate yourself to a man-made organization. N ot really Biblical, is it? Look up Matt. 28:19, 20 for bit of clarity on the matter:
[Thank you Blondie for the references]
Watchtower 1966 August 1 p.465 Baptism Shows Faith
Are you able to answer "Yes" to the two questions regularly propounded when individuals present themselves for Christian baptism?
(1) Have you recognized yourself before Jehovah God as a sinner who needs salvation, and have you acknowledged to him that this salvation proceeds from him, the Father, through his Son Jesus Christ?
(2) On the basis of this faith in God and in his provision for salvation, have you dedicated yourself unreservedly to God to do his will henceforth as he reveals it to you through Jesus Christ and through the Bible under the enlightening power of the holy spirit?
Watchtower 1970 May 15 p.309 Your Conscience Toward Jehovah
20 Two questions which do search out the heart and mind of each candidate are: (1) Have you recognized yourself as a sinner and needing salvation from Jehovah God? And have you acknowledged that this salvation proceeds from him and through his ransomer, Christ Jesus? (2) On the basis of this faith in God and in his provision for redemption have you dedicated yourself unreservedly to Jehovah God, to do his will henceforth as that will is revealed to you through Christ Jesus and through God's Word as his holy spirit makes it plain?
Watchtower 1973 May 1 p.280 Baptizing Follows Discipling...If you feel the same about serving Jehovah God and taking Christ's yoke upon you, we suggest that you consider the following two questions, which are asked of candidates for baptism:
(1) Have you repented of your sins and turned around, recognizing yourself before Jehovah God as a condemned sinner who needs salvation, and have you acknowledged to him that this salvation proceeds from him, the Father, through his Son Jesus Christ?
(2) On the basis of this faith in God and in his provision for salvation, have you dedicated yourself unreservedly to God to do his will henceforth as he reveals it to you through Jesus Christ and through the Bible under the enlightening power of the holy spirit?
In 1985 WT:
"On the basis of the sacrifice of Jesus Christ, have you repented of your sins
and dedicated yourself to Jehovah to do his will?
Do you understand that your dedication and baptism identify you as one of
Jehovah’s Witnesses in association with God’s spirit-directed organization?"
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How will the WT spin China???
by Freeof1914 ini read an article this morning on how china is quickly reaching even footing with the united states in all aspects; military, economic etc.
the article continued saying how it was imperative that the united states recognize that it would be forced to behave accordingly or risk ddestabilizing the world.
another interesting statement was made that sooner rather than later the u.s. would become the 2nd largest economy falling behind china.
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Vidqun
Captain Obvious, good suggestion. Interestingly, Dan. 11:40-45 ends with the King of the North being on top of the totem pole. After verse 40, there is no mention of the King of the South anymore. Wonder how they'll explain that one.
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How will the WT spin China???
by Freeof1914 ini read an article this morning on how china is quickly reaching even footing with the united states in all aspects; military, economic etc.
the article continued saying how it was imperative that the united states recognize that it would be forced to behave accordingly or risk ddestabilizing the world.
another interesting statement was made that sooner rather than later the u.s. would become the 2nd largest economy falling behind china.
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Vidqun
For anybody interested in the rise of China, read Martin Jacques’ When China Rules the World. The End of the Western World and the Birth of a New Global Order. Second Edition (2012). Penguin Books. In his Afterword there is a subheading called "Be Prepared for a Surprise...", an indication of the speed things are moving. He predicted China will surpass the US economy in 2018. The IMF has already upped the ante to 2016. I am sure even Jacques will find that surprising.
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Evolution Tree has no Trunk
by Escargot insimon: last post on this topic for the week!
hope all have enjoyed this information!.
"""""missing trunk .
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Vidqun
I wonder if Escargot is still around. Cantleave, take note, the post is eleven years old, still very relevant I might add.
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Julia gets hit with the Shun Gun for the first time...and it really hurts.
by Julia Orwell inmy jw friend of 20 years, the first one i ever met, the one who got me into jwism in the first place, unfriended me from facebook without explanation.
other jws who have unfriended me at least called me names (apostate) and told me they were unfriending me, but they were no loss.
but someone who's been your friend since you were 13...and no explanation...i'd think 20 years- 20 years!
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Vidqun
One knows it's inevitable, but still shock to the system. You have my sympathy. I reason this way: One needs friends that you can trust, that will stick with you through thick and thin (Prov. 17:17; 18:24). Conditional love and friendship are meaningless.
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Is Blind Obedience to group of men supported by Scripture?
by nugget ini have been pondering over the demands made by the governing body for absolute loyalty and unquestioning obedience to their interpretation of scripture.
is this a reasonable request and is it in line with scripture?
alternatively is there in fact a scriptural defence for taking personal responsibility for beliefs and having a questioning attitude when being told what is to be believed.. there are ample scriptural warnings about trusting in men psalm 146 v 3 warns us not to put our trust in nobles or earthly men and galatians 1 v 8 goes even further stating that even if an angel were to preach to us something contrary to the teachings of christ it should be ignored.
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Vidqun
Well thought out and well reasoned, Nugget! Humbled, that is how I feel, but you have put it in words and demonstrated it by an interesting example. Don't think the elders had much to say about that, except perhaps: Yes, but God and Jesus speak through the GB... Easy answer is: There is no evidence of that, rather evidence to the contrary. Reminds me of two scriptures that JWs love to quote:
In answer Peter and the [other] apostles said, We must obey God as ruler rather than men. (Act 5:29 NWT)
So, then, each of us will render an account for himself to God. (Rom 14:12 NWT)