so i will do what brings pleasure to me.
i have a long term plan that just came to me last night.
i want to take the message that jw's are a child destroying, family wrecking cult to the public.
Remember your thread title, 'I can't please everyone'. So, don't be overly concerned about 'offending' anyone, because it probably is impossible for any of us who have an opinion or belief about doing anything, not step on some toes so-to-speak. We just try to keep it at a minimum and play fair.
Outaservice
i received an email today containing a link to a document that i think is important for us to have access to here on jwd.. the document is from a website called mindcontrol101 and it is entitled: conversational terrorism.. as i was reading through the document, it occurred to me just how many of these techniques are employed by the wts in its literature and lectures.
the tactics are thought stopping techniques and conversation stoppers.
they are basically ways to "cheat" in the course of conversation or in leading a potential recruit into a mind control situation.. for example, when the wts makes statements such as "true christians believe..." or "true christians do... (or do not)" it is employing a subtle variant of ad hominem attack, by implying that if the reader does anything other than what is done by so-called "true christians" then they are not "true christians".
They use the term 'thinking Christians', as if there are no--thinking ones, as another example. Even the term 'the truth'. Who dosen't want the 'truth'?
They've had a lot of time to study these phrases and manipulative words, and are quite versed in using them.
Outaservice
i was stupified that i was not shunned, as has been my treatment most of the time for the past 3 years.. i walked into the coffee-shop on my way home.
it was cold and i wanted a warm brew to keep me company.
as i approached the counter to order, a strangely familiar fellow was right in front of me.
Had a similiar thing happen to me yesterday from a man who has been in the full time work for many, many years. He went out of his way to come to my house and see me. When I answered the door he gave me a big hug and we talked about the good old days and laughed a lot. He did not bring up religion or the JW's once.
He still is in the full time work, I found out through another JW.
Outaservice
so i will do what brings pleasure to me.
i have a long term plan that just came to me last night.
i want to take the message that jw's are a child destroying, family wrecking cult to the public.
Advertise, Advertise, Advertise!
Outaservice (beyond ever being offended)
i know we were sold a lie in believing god was only dealing with the wt and to obey them is to obey god.
what puzzels me is that in rejecting the wt so many also reject their belief in god.
surely they believed that god existed as witnesses.
Kwintestal,
..............'God wouldn't want such a selfish person anyway.'.................
You may be on to something!
Outaservice ('quickly' might be just a little longer than 'instantaniously'.)
i know we were sold a lie in believing god was only dealing with the wt and to obey them is to obey god.
what puzzels me is that in rejecting the wt so many also reject their belief in god.
surely they believed that god existed as witnesses.
Greetings IP_SEC,
Regarding 'Holy Spirit' as to 'properties that can be measured', I will have to say, I really do not know, or understand it completely. I don't think 'we' can measure it.
As to my belief in God, I have always believed in him, even as a JW for many years, but my appreciation of Him came after leaving that group. I chalk that up to what the Bible talks about as 'Holy Spirit'!
Of course, belief or faith in such a thing is probably a personal matter.
Outaservice
Florida
i know we were sold a lie in believing god was only dealing with the wt and to obey them is to obey god.
what puzzels me is that in rejecting the wt so many also reject their belief in god.
surely they believed that god existed as witnesses.
Of course you can reject Jehovah's Witnesses, and religion in general without rejecting Jehovah/& Christ even though many think they go hand-in-hand.
Then many feel since their 'prayers' are not anwered right away, or in a way they would like/think they should be, quickly then claim atheistism or agnostism.
But imo Holy Spirit has to teach you about God and open your eyes and heart to him, and draw you to him. Until that happens, you're on your own so-to-speak.
Outaservice
this thread was going to be about the true church.
but i simply changed the title.
okay ... so my experience thread set the stage for what seems to be a need to debate catholicism ... maybe because in the minds of many, there is a comparison to the watchtower ... a comparison which i believe is false.
There is two things I never debate, religion and politics! Whew, that got me out of a lot of work this evening!
Outaservice (Hey, how about that Hillery Clinton? Whoops, sorry )
historically, the bible is a secondary support for christians and jews.
i was raised roman catholic, and our tradition and practices included the bible, but it was not a key centerpiece of our faith.
the jewish side of my family likewise have a rich history of tradition and faith that is lived, and not pinned down to every word in the bible.
The Watchtower Society, I know has used the scripture at 2 Peter 3:16 to claim that Paul's writings were considered 'Scripture' while he was still alive!
"..............In them, however, are some things hard to understand, which the untaught
and unsteady are twisting, as (they do) also the rest of the 'SCRIPTURES', to their
own destruction."
Most of my Bible translations are still packed away in boxes, due to my move, so I do not know how they phrase it, but if true, then, at least some writings/letters would seem to be considered canonical much before the 4th Century. (?)
Outaservice
i've got extended family that live out of state who are active witnesses and my husband's father is an elder.
my family is so not a part of our lives, that the only time we speak are for funerals.
i don't even hear about births anymore.
Personally, I would not invite them, but as you say, "It's your party"!
Outaservice (can I come?)
