Posts by Whynot

5

Introduction of Chapter 1 in New Boy and inside look at the world headquarters of the Jehovah's Witnesses

by new boy in

jw
friends

chapter 1. the pledge.

just a few blocks from the world famous brooklyn bridge there is a huge four building complex.

this prime piece of brooklyn real estate built in 1926 is located at 117 adams street.

JW Refutations of Criticism of Russell and Rutherford

by Duvduv in

can someone direct me to jw refutations of the harsh criticisms of charles russell and judge rutherford that are on the internet and youtube?

i am a fair person and insist on hearing both sides to a controversy.

in this case, i would like to know what traditional yw responds to such personal criticisms and alleged changes in beliefs.

Whynot

Faith On The March and the Proclaimers book https://wol.jw.org/en/wol/d/r1/lp-e/1101993012

https://wol.jw.org/en/wol/d/r1/lp-e/1101993016

When I encountered criticism while preaching my response was always: The bible says that God's light will gradually get brighter and brighter. This means that there are beliefs that the Jehovah's Witnesses have abandoned and we make changes as necessary. We don't mind adapting whenever we see new truths. I also used Acts chapter 1 to show that even the disciples had incorrect ideas about God's kingdom.

When facing criticism of 1914 I used to explain : Yes, we know that secular chronology does not coincide with ours but we feel that ours better fits with biblical chronology. Besides, secular chronology is not always accurate. (In reality the evidence against 1914 is very, very solid. We choose to stick to our teaching about it even though it's flawed).

Another explanation I used to give: they were not perfect men. They made mistakes just like anyone else. And again I would show Acts chapter 1 to show that even the disciples had flawed ideas about the kingdom of God.

So yeah, I was a very faithful Jehovah's Witness and eagerly defended the beliefs. There were plenty of things that led me to leave.

16

Has anyone started a support group for people leaving cults?

by Whynot in

jw
friends

my husband and i have talked about starting a support group but we feel we don't have the proper qualifications.

has anyone started a support group for ex-jws?

we even thought of hosting a social gathering or meet and greet.

Whynot

My husband and I have talked about starting a support group but we feel we don't have the proper qualifications. Has anyone started a support group for ex-jws? We even thought of hosting a social gathering or meet and greet. We would do this probably in a year from now or more.

We keep hearing of DFd people getting hospitalized for anxiety, depression and attempted suicide. We know these people and want to reach out somehow.

Any suggestions?

31

Jesus tempted by Satan, real or just a vision.

by pleaseresearch in

not with their shunning policy.

me and my brother seldom communicate sadly, but no way would we go anywhere for fear of being seen with an inactive jw for over 10 years.. https://www.jw.org/en/publications/magazines/watchtower-simplified-march-2016/questions-from-readers/.

from the website:.

Whynot

I have to agree. I must say that those accounts you mention are horrid and have no moral teachings. It just doesn't add up. How can a loving god treat his children in such a way?

The book of Job is also pretty apalling no matter how you look at it. The Jewish explanation I mentioned is a way, I think, they justify what happened to him to make it more bareable to read. I did find another popular Jewish view here https://jewinthecity.com/2017/10/what-is-the-jewish-view-of-the-devil/

But this one also doesn't make me feel much better lol

Now, I still have trouble with believing that Satan is an actual person. How can Jehovah easily kill one of his own people for trying to protect the ark from falling off, or a person who needs firewood? But yet has allowed the most evil being remain in existence? That is just crazy to me!

So many things to question in the bible, you know?

Now, when I read about Jesus' temptation it makes me think that he was dealing with his own temptations. He could have taken over the world if he wanted to or charge for his services.

I would like to hear what other people have to say about this narrative since I DO think it is an interesting discussion.

31

Jesus tempted by Satan, real or just a vision.

by pleaseresearch in

not with their shunning policy.

me and my brother seldom communicate sadly, but no way would we go anywhere for fear of being seen with an inactive jw for over 10 years.. https://www.jw.org/en/publications/magazines/watchtower-simplified-march-2016/questions-from-readers/.

from the website:.

Whynot

@EverApostate

I wouldn't say that. The thing is that we truly miss the richness of the biblical moral teachings when we have a limited view of the Bible. Looking into the Jewish traditional views of the bible can be rewarding. It's extremely easy to dismiss the bible when taken literally.

Most Christians get offended when venturing into the symbolism in the bible because it attacks their faith. I really didn't mean to offend. I apologize if I did. I was just trying to offer a more traditional explanation of Satan and of the book of Job.

I think it's pretty cool to look at the bible the way it was viewed before modern times. At least that has been my experience.

31

Jesus tempted by Satan, real or just a vision.

by pleaseresearch in

not with their shunning policy.

me and my brother seldom communicate sadly, but no way would we go anywhere for fear of being seen with an inactive jw for over 10 years.. https://www.jw.org/en/publications/magazines/watchtower-simplified-march-2016/questions-from-readers/.

from the website:.

Whynot

@EverApostate

In traditional rabbinic sources, the narrative between "satan" and God is a parable. Satan is a metaphor for the yetzer hara and not an actual person.

Christians have formed Satan into a being with an identity.

A lot of Jews are taught that Satan is the product of pagan mythology.

18

JWtalk.net is an act of Disobedience

by Londo111 in

the governing body and watchtower publications make clear there is only one official website that jws should go to about their religion.

they do not approve of independent pro-jw forums.

this would also fall in line of there being no independent study groups, on the internet, or elsewhere.. for that matter, they do not approve of jws posting on behalf of their religion on social media, “apostate” websites, or anywhere else on the internet.

Whynot

There are also several JW Facebook groups. They get into some heated discussions especially when it comes to yoga and the headship.

31

Jesus tempted by Satan, real or just a vision.

by pleaseresearch in

not with their shunning policy.

me and my brother seldom communicate sadly, but no way would we go anywhere for fear of being seen with an inactive jw for over 10 years.. https://www.jw.org/en/publications/magazines/watchtower-simplified-march-2016/questions-from-readers/.

from the website:.

Whynot

Satan isn't an actual being. He's used to represent the evil in ourselves.

Jesus was alone and hadn't eaten. He could have been daydreaming or fantisizing about the things he desired but he stopped himself. Deep down inside he wanted to give in to his selfish desires but he resisted.

45

The true meaning of "Jehovah" and the "overlapping generation" REVEALED!

by slimboyfat in

there has been some renewed interest in the meaning of the name jehovah on the forum in recent weeks.

combined with the ongoing discussion about the new "overlapping generation" teaching, speculation among the friends and among the ex-friends has been reaching something of a frenzy.

so it's perhaps appropriate that a little more should be revealed now about the meaning behind some of the perplexing events that have been taking place.

Whynot

This gave me a headache and nausea. Geesh! But it does make me wonder, what other BS can the GB come up with?

20

Are Jehovah's Witnesses selfish??

by stuckinarut2 in

is the average jehovah's witness selfish and self-centred?.

i know, i know...many will object and say "no - preaching is the most selfless thing a jw can do.

it saves others lives...".

Whynot

I think the best way to really know who is truely selfless is by looking at who is there for you when you ask for help.

You WILL find some JWs that are selfless but most will not even bother with you. JWs are conditioned to judge and condemn. It's sad. I have seen it and experienced it.

The times they may actually show up is if they announce on the platform that someone needs help and have someone arrange to offer help.

I have many, many stories to tell about this but I will just mention one. An elder got very sick and was on bedrest for about 6 months. This elder I must say is a pretty decent human. Everybody loves him and his wife. But when he was sick and couldn't move, no-one called nor passed by to see how he was doing.

I was starting to fade but I knew about this. I was very pregnant and couldn't do much for them (just food and take out trash) but I got PISSED when I found out that NO-ONE else was calling or visiting. Oooh! I grabbed my phone and called the elders and was a bit harsh but I told them that they needed to give him attention! I also firmly suggested that they make arrangemebts to help this elderly couple.

Next meeting, they DIDN'T! So I took matters in my own hands and spoke to the pioneers and asked them to please pass by and help this elder and his wife. Finally they made arrangements. Geesh!

This really made me mad. I still get mad when I think about it. But it shows how the JWs just don't have focus on what it means to help your neighbor, and look for opportunities to show true Christian love. The focus is on making your hours, and meetings.