truth_b_known

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Posts by truth_b_known

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  44

  Atheists, Agnostics or Theists .... So Who's Happiest?

  by 00DAD in

  1. watchtower
  2. beliefs

  a couple of years ago, a psychologist i know made the off-handed comment that there is conclusive evidence that "atheists are not as happy as the ordinary, average person?

  we tossed that subject around for a few minutes and then moved on to something else.

  at the time, i didn't think too much about it.

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  truth_b_known

  obsolete: good fortune :prosperity a: a state of well-being and contentment :joy b: a pleasurable or satisfying experience

  Above are definitions of the word "happy" according with Webster's Dictionary. How can anyone who is in constant fear of a diety cutting their life short in a cataclismic event or placing them for eternity in a place of torment live in "a state of well-being and contentment". If you have to be constantly asked: "Are you doing enough for God?" or refusing to partake in life because it might offend a diety can you be content? How pleasurable or satisfying is it to be shunned or to have to shun family and friends because a diety demands it? When I was about 14 I came home from school one day and, as I was walking to my bedroom, I had a very sharp pain suddenly appear in my chest. It happened so quickly and it was so powerful my legs buckled to the point I almost fell. I thought I was dying from a heartache. At that very moment I was also overcome with a feeling of content. I thought to myself if I was to die at that very moment I was okay with that. However, I did not think this for one second because thoguht I was going to be resurrected. I was a full-on Kool-Aid drinking Witness at the time, but it just didn't come to mind. At this point in time I am an atheist. I am content with the fact that I am alive, I have experienced life, and will one day die. I am ok with death.
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  26

  JW's 'put off living'

  by Lady Viola in

  1. jw
  2. friends

  i was reading a book and read the following quote:.

  "one of the most tragic things i know about human nature is.

  that all of us tend to put off living.

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  truth_b_known

  It truly upset me to hear Witnesses say,"This isn't the real life?" Well, what the hell is it?

  Living a highly restricted lifestyle in hopes of receiving eternal life after death is no different than gambling.
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  39

  "Awake" 1973 says Witnesses should not play CHESS it's EVIL!!!

  by Witness 007 in

  1. watchtower
  2. bible

  awake 73 march 22 p.12 "the spirit of competition between players can lead to unplesant circumstances...in some homes tensions linger long past checkmate...chess has been a game of war since it originated...the games conection to war is obvious....a play substitue for the art of war...there is a danger of stirring uo competition with one another even developing hostility with one another something the bible warns against....what effect does playing chess have on one?

  is it a wholesome effect?

  ....there are questions regarding it that each one who plays chess should consider.".

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  truth_b_known

  This topic is often used as an example of the WTB&TS flip-flopping. I think they have been several articles over the years on chess. The evil empire would go back and forth. It's good. It's bad. It's good. It's bad. I think the last article gave the WTB&TS seal of approval.

  The article I have been looking for over the years was in an old Watchtower or Awake. The title was something like "Learn Judo". I took Judo in college and even joined the team in spite of the prohibition on martial arts. Then I learned that was back in the day there was an magazine article promoting it.
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  45

  I am speechless over the latest tactic to get people to Pioneer!

  by iclone in

  1. jw
  2. friends

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  truth_b_known

  7 Let each one do just as he has resolved in his heart, not grudgingly or under compulsion, for God loves a cheerful giver.

  Doesn't this scripture invalidate just about every child baptism in the evil empire? I was 15 when I got baptised. Mine was definately under compulsion.

  This whole incident is a numbers scam. Then again, remember, they're "publishers" and publishers is defined as "a company or person engaged in publishing periodicals, books, music, etc." So, the "company" (i.e. WTB&TS) sends it's "regional manager" (i.e. Circuit Overseer) to make sure each "store" (i.e. congregation) is selling more books. So the "store managers" (i.e. body of elders) have to come up with ways to increase productivity to hit those numbers set by the company.
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  4

  The family story I've never told

  by Celestial in

  1. jw
  2. experiences

  this took place in the 1970s (i'm 38).. .

  all members of the story are or were jehovahs witnesses.

  i've known this all my life but i've never told anyone.

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  truth_b_known

  "I don't know how the congregation elders became suspicious of this, but I was told they followed and spied on them and confronted my father with what they observed."

  Isn't great how elders are willing to play private investigator when it comes to adultry, but won't bother to call the police when it comes to domestic violence or child abuse?
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  13

  The world is getting better

  by laverite in

  1. social
  2. current

  the world is getting better in many ways despite the doom and gloom jws might claim.

  the 24/7 news cycle seems to be all doom and gloom.

  but is it all doom and gloom?

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  truth_b_known

  "What's the world coming to, sir?"

  "The world ain't coming to nothing, son. Same as it ever was."
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  22

  Did you miss out on a career opportunity when you were a JW?

  by moshe in

  1. jw
  2. friends

  opportunities seemed to be advertised everywhere when i was a young man, it was hard to decide on one.

  .

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  truth_b_known

  Almost...

  I would have 10 more years of experience as a police officer and I would probably be a police chief by now if I had started my career when I was younger.
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  31

  Talking Points for when Witnesses Come to your Door

  by truth_b_known in

  1. jw
  2. friends

  a few weeks back i came home from work and found the latest copies of the watchtower (armageddon fearmongering) and awake!

  (social media site nonsense) lying on the counter.

  it was obvious witnesses had stopped by the house.

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  truth_b_known

  "You are only encouraging them to come back." - LongHairGal

  You're 100% correct. However, they always comes back.
• 
  31

  Talking Points for when Witnesses Come to your Door

  by truth_b_known in

  1. jw
  2. friends

  a few weeks back i came home from work and found the latest copies of the watchtower (armageddon fearmongering) and awake!

  (social media site nonsense) lying on the counter.

  it was obvious witnesses had stopped by the house.

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  truth_b_known

  A few weeks back I came home from work and found the latest copies of the Watchtower (Armageddon fearmongering) and Awake!(social media site nonsense) lying on the counter. It was obvious Witnesses had stopped by the house. My wife said nothing of the visit.

  This past Saturday morning my kids tell me there is someone at the door. Low and behold it is the Witness couple that left the magazines with my wife. We exchanged some pleasantries and then the husband shared a Bible verse. He is up in years and mentions that he may not live to see Armageddon, but truly believes it's coming (and soon).

  Let me get to the point of the topic I have started and I realize it is not exactly new. I think we need to assemble a brief manual on what to say to Witnesses when they come to our door. For Ex-Witnesses, we are familiar with the concept of being prepared to give a "fine witness".

  I'm looking for serious minded responses to this concept. I do not believe the circus-like demonstrations against Witnesses does anyone any good. Protests and picketting outside Kingdom Halls only strengthens the convicitons of Witnesses.

  Quite honestly, I am at a lost to where to even begin. I know the advice to never debate doctrine has been given. What other rules would you apply?

  Here are some of my rules:

  Rule #1: Always be polite and respectful.

  Rule #2: Do not tell them you used to be a Witness. This means avoid using Witness terminology.

  Rule #3: If you share a scripture, use any Bible other than the NWT.
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  5

  Matthew 7 and Jehovah's Witnesses!

  by TimothyT in

  1. watchtower
  2. beliefs

  i am writing another letter to a jw friend who still feels that she can convince me to come back to the organisation.

  in the letter i realised that i was quoting a lot from matthew 7, and i decided it may be beneficial to just make some notes about some of the verses in the chapter with regards to the organisation and how it compares.

  enjoy reading them:.

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  truth_b_known

  Many Witnesses justify the judging of their fellow man by pointing out what the Bible says. If they can point to a scripture and say, "See. It says right here that it wrong," then they feel they you have been judged by Jehovah, not them. This is not justification. It is only an excuse and semantics.

  Do not judge or you will be judged. There's no two way about that. Jesus condemned people judging other people. Do judge a fellow man is to encroach on the authority of Jesus.