It grieves me to see so many cynical people exist on this forum, as I read through many of the topic headings. With regards to this one, I can only say this. Yes, there exists deceiptful people in every avenue of the world. But let's not become so pias as to think that every person is a wheel chair is pulling a scam of someone. And how ignorant it is to think that just because someone IS using a wheel chair, that they are unable/unfit to walk independently. My sister was involved in an auto accident, and when I took her shopping at the Mall, she could not walk that much and had to use a wheel chair. Likewise, I knew a Sister who was extremely overweight, and eventually became bedridden with a variety of illnesses. Due to the atrophy of her muscles (being bedridden) she also had to use a wheel chair to get around places. Even though she could walk in the confines of her own home, as could my sister. I thought this forum was for people with "broad minds", but some of your expressions are incredibly "narrow minded". There is a difference between being alert/aware, and looking for a reason to critisize someone/something. Also, IF a person has a legitimate cause to turn to the Government for assistance, there is no wrong in doing so. That is what these Institutions (Socialogically speaking) are there for. When you understand the mechanics of Sociology, you will appreciate that the various Institutions balance each other. There is a reason for their existance.
Olivia
JoinedPosts by Olivia
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21
JW BLOWS WHISTLE!
by bay64me inthought i'd share some of my experiences with you all!.
sister x, was somewhat of an enigma in the congregation, certainly a 'one-off'!
allegedly she suffered from an 'illness' that incapacitated her at strangely convenient times!
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Why is Jehovah allowing his name to be disgraced?
by IslandWoman injehovah's name, the very name associated with jehovah's witnesses is being disgraced, trampled upon as never before in the organization's history!!.
in the past jehovah's witnesses have been reproached for standing up in defense of jehovah and his word.
jehovah's name was sanctified at all costs and it appears from their history books that jehovah was making a good name for himself by means of their integrity.
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Olivia
Why is Jehovah allowing His name to be disgraced? I asked myself this same question. What with the UN scandal and now Pedophile's lurking amongst us! What next? These situations have caused me a great deal of anguish in my attempt to understand it. It is my conclusion that, having the imperfect mind of a human, and having no scriptural explanation for this strange twist of events, I must accept that this is as inexplicable and incomrehensible as Infinty! ONLY Jehovah knows why these things have been permitted, and ONLY He can bring to completion His plan for lovers of righteousness amongst mankind. Despite it being a perplexing time, I consider it a test of my "loyalty" to Jehovah God. Will I abandon pure worship because of the sins of imperfect men? Not when I myself am also a sinner. That would be so self-righteous! I do not worship an "Organization" directed by imperfect people...I worship our Creator, the Supreme God Jehovah! I do not fear what "men" can do to me, but I do fear the displeasure of Jehovah God. "Men" cannot grant me life eternal! Neither can they take away my life, because it is Jehovah's Spirit that sustains me. What meaning has life if I become Spiritually dead? The Bible is the roadmap and my source of directions. Remember, our faith will be tested to the max. Satan is very clever and deceptive, so I must constantly evaluate my thoughts so he doesn't influence my heart. At first, I was overwhelmed with sadness and hurt that Jehovah's name was being so defamed. I cried rivers over it! I was filled with rage against the Society. Ultimately, I realized that I am not responsible for the actions of the Society. I am only accountable for my own thoughts and actions. Jehovah will judge us all according to our deeds. When Jehovah's day of glory arrives, it is out of everybodies hands! After all, my purpose for being a JW is to share in the Sanctification of Jehovah's great name. How much better can I do that, than by remaining Loyal to Him and proving Satan a liar? So let's not add confusion to our faithful course by trying to understand what is above our ability to understand. Rather, "throw our burden on Jehovah", knowing He will "provide escape" by giving us the peace and endurance to persevere in trying times. Sometimes we can try so hard to understand what seems to be complex, when in reality, it is very simple. As the expression goes, "You can't see the forest for the trees." As since the beginning of mankinds existance, it is a matter of faith and obedience! May our Awesome God Jehovah bless his sheeplike ones!
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AINT GOING TO HAPPEN!
by D8TA inhis three boats stove around him, and oars and men both whirling in the eddies; one captain, seizing the line-knife from his broken prow, had dashed at the whale, as an arkansas duellist at his foe, blindly seeking with a six inch blade to reach the fathom-deep life of the whale.
that captain was ahab.
and then it was, that suddenly sweeping his sickle-shaped lower jaw beneath him, moby dick had reaped away ahab's leg, as a mower a blade of grass in the field.
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Olivia
"I’m just going to go back to who I really am, objective and fair, respect the right of one’s belief and practice in it…even though I greatly disagree with such a belief. - Quoting D8TA
Earlier this evening I entered a posting about blood. You responded to it with a very unusual remark, something about cows milk! Is this decision to "respect the right of one's belief and practice" something you decided since then? There is no need to reply to this posting...I am very forgiving! I am glad for your new resolve on life!
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About posting your picture be careful!
by spectromize insimon i'm sorry i don't mean to rain on your parade but you have to remember the society and your local elders watch for stuff like that.
this is a very liberal board as far as discussions go and forever thankful for that, but you have to be careful because you could face a jd meeting.
i'm sure everyone is well aware that some posts on this board just wouldn't go over to well with the society.
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Olivia
I have no desire to post a picture as I do think it a bit of a risk. My life experiences (a very colourful life I might add!) have taught me to be careful about expressing my thoughts on some matters with fellow JW's. Life is not all black and white, it is 99% grey, and I would be considered to have too much of a mind, let alone an open one! Back home, I had one friend who was like-minded and we would go out for coffee and chat about all sorts. Things we could never discuss with anyone else in the Congregation, for fear of being misinterpreted, or worse, judged and labelled! I have moved away from my homeland, but we still keep in touch. This forum seems to be a venue for intellectual exchanges, for the most part.
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Am I reading this right?
by RedhorseWoman inthe latest wt questions from readers on blood.
fractions of all "primary" components are now allowed?.
is this saying that everything is allowed except when they're combined together?
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Olivia
NWT - Genesis 9:3,4 "Every moving animal that is alive may serve as food for you. As in the case of green vegetaion, I do give it all to you. Only flesh with its soul-it's blood-you must not eat". This is the first record in the Bible of Jehovah's instruction to not "consume" blood. It was given to Noah, not Gentiles.
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Am I reading this right?
by RedhorseWoman inthe latest wt questions from readers on blood.
fractions of all "primary" components are now allowed?.
is this saying that everything is allowed except when they're combined together?
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Olivia
Please address me in a manner that I will understand what you are trying to say. What has cows milk to do with blood? Sorry, but I don't get your logic. Explain!
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Am I reading this right?
by RedhorseWoman inthe latest wt questions from readers on blood.
fractions of all "primary" components are now allowed?.
is this saying that everything is allowed except when they're combined together?
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Olivia
I address this to all readers, but particularly to Scorpion. Blood is sacred in Jehovah's eyes because blood is the source of life. If you understand the composition of blood and how it functions in our body, how all it's components, individually and collectively, sustains us on a cellular level, then you will appreciate that blood is not something that can be "fractionalized" and Scripturally admissable. The Bible does not "fractionalize" blood...it clearly states to "abstain" from it. If even the smallest fraction of one component of our blood becomes out of balance, we will suffer some effect. Some argue that life is a result or respiration. Granted, we have to breath to live, but it is our oxygenated blood that keeps us alive. Without our blood our cells would die. Although the Society seems to be gradually softening their view with regards to this issue, it does not negate what the Bible, the Word of God, says! I prefer to follow the word of God. In my opinion, this command is not flexible when it is clearly stated. I trust that Jehovah, as our Creator, understands our composition, and He knows and wants what is best for us.
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Did anyone else notice....
by DevonMcBride inwhile dateline was showing an assembly did anyone else see the woman sitting in the bleachers yawning?
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devon
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Olivia
Please let's not lose sight of the real purpose of the program. It seems that some find it entertaining to analyze every minute detail of the program. Try to keep the real message in the foreground, and never mind about superfluous details! It is a great disregard for the seriousness of the matter.
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About Daniel Fitzwater-Exposed on Dateline
by LFitzwater inthis is a very long story that i will try to condense.
it will still probably be too long.
life is good for us now that we know the real truth.
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Olivia
Laurie, I can truly appreciate your feelings of digust for this man, and feeling as though he is not repentant. You mention that you don't believe he is repentant because he thinks he has done nothing wrong. This IS typical of a person who is a Pedophile. It IS part of the mental illness. It has nothing to do with having a sense of morality, it IS a mental sickness. I do appreciate that it is very difficult to understand when you are involved in such a terrible incident. If he has been dealing with this since he was a younger man, which is usually when Pehophilia begins, and he has NEVER received ANY professional help (therapy and medication), only the counsell of the Scriptures (which just won't do it!) then it is no wonder he actually believes he has done no wrong. Telling him it is wrong and showing him Bible passages is not enough to correct this type of mental condition. In some ways, he is also a victim or himself because he has never had the help he needs. I can imagine that the concept of him being a victim also would frustrate you, and I am not saying it to upset you. I do not know either you or the Brother involved. I am simply stating fact. And I want you to know that I am very genuine in my concern about this issue. Yes, a crime has been committed, and it needs to be dealt with Judicially and Legally. Yes, justice should prevail! Not just for the victims of the crimes, but for the offenders. They should be entitled to receive PROPER and APPROPRIATE counselling and therapy, so they can reside in society without being a pariah. Truly, I feel great compassion towards all victims of sex crimes, and if I or a member of my own family was a victim, I may react with the same anger. However, let us not forget that even the Justice System of this world is not what it should or could be, and there is often a lack of justice. And I know also, that even in the congregation, sometimes there is injustice rendered. That is why we have to keep close in mind that ONLY JEHOVAH can render justice deserved. Being a God of Love and Mercy, Jehovah will provide comfort to victims who lean on Him for support, in addition to getting the professional help they need to recover fully. And likewise, Jehovah will not abandon a person with a mental illness. Please don't make yourself so lofty as to become judgemental. It is one thing to have an opinion, and another thing to be judgemental. There is a fine line. I hope you understand what I am trying to say here. I would just hate to see you lose faith in our Loving, Merciful and Just, Father, Jehovah God! In faith testing times like this, we all need to pray for strength to demonstrate selfless love, as Christ Jesus did. Pray for the victims AND the perpetrators, that each will find the strength needed to align themselves once again with Jehovah's Will. Don't allow room for Satan to overcome! He is the god of this system of things, but good IS stronger than evil! Please know that I care very much. May our wonderful God, Jehovah, strengthen and console His sheeplike ones!
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About Daniel Fitzwater-Exposed on Dateline
by LFitzwater inthis is a very long story that i will try to condense.
it will still probably be too long.
life is good for us now that we know the real truth.
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Olivia
I saw the Dateline broadcast, and I have read Laurie's testimony. My sincere compassion goes out to all victims of sex crimes. Having worked with people with mental illnesses, and having some knowledge of Pedophilia, I understand the gravity of these conditions. I do not condone any form of sexual misconduct, however, a Pedophile is mentally ill. As with any illness, it MUST be professionally treated by a qualified practioner if any degree of recovery is anticipated. Scriptures alone will not cure Pedophilia! I would not judge Mr. Fitzwater, by concluding he is unrepentant for his actions because he is a repeated offender. The man clearly needs more help than he has been given. At the same time, he MUST be held accountable for his actions, as is the expectation of all of us. I am disgusted that the JW Organization has demonstrated their tollerance of this type of criminal behavior. The act of sexual intercourse/mollestation with a Minor person is illegal in most civilized countries. The act of sexually abuse is likewise an endictable offense. A criminal conviction is grounds for Disfellowshipping. I don't understand how the Organization can believe they are acting under the direction of Jehovah's Spirit, when what they are doing contradicts the very essence of Jehovah's great qualities of Love, Justic and Mercy. No doubt, more circumstances like this may be revealed in the near future as more victims demand justice. I find it so ironic that this has come to light at the same time as the problems within the Catholic Church. It is a sad reality of the world conditions we are living in. Let it not be a surprise to us, as these things were foretold to be a sign for us to heed. Don't blame Jehovah God, our Loving Father in heaven, because these things are loathsome to Him. And in due time He will act, and avenge! Just because there are 6+ million JW's today, doesn't mean there will be 6+ million to survive into the Paradise Jehovah has promised to the human family. We may be surprised at how many will be there...just do your part to make sure you are there to give glory and honour in the sanctification of Jehovah's Great Name! May Jehovah Bless His Sheeplike ones!