Posts by Pathofthorns

24

Qualified to be elders?

by Andyman in

jw
friends

this is an issue that really bothers me.

the elders are supposed to be looking after the well being of the congregation.

they are supposed to be helping those in need.

Pathofthorns

Not bad comments at all Seven. While I do know there are elders that I consider good people, I trust none of them implicitly.

I don't believe anyone can get that high up the ladder without sacrificing principles that I hold to be important. There is no real confidentiallity or trust because they are obligated by organizational directive to disclose things that are of concern to other elders at the least. All in the name of "helping" you.

The culture of fear is really tired. Perhaps another reason for the success of the internet. Annonymity and immunity and freedom of speach.

Path

Edited by - Pathofthorns on 21 June 2000 18:13:22

24

Liberal JW's

by Dubby in

jw
friends

i admire the jw's who seem to be not too affected by what the society teaches.

for instance; my brother became a jw when he met his wife, who was born into the wts.

his wife and her family, always seemed to be very gregarious people, and enjoy life very much.

Pathofthorns

One must be careful in thinking there are JW's who don't believe too much what the Society says. Perhaps some "slackers" might appear that way, but do believe that its "the truth" despite "slacking".

Personally I have little respect for those who feel its the truth, but ignore it. As well I regret my lack of courage in knowing the fraud, and still keeping in limited association with it.

Path

24

Qualified to be elders?

by Andyman in

jw
friends

this is an issue that really bothers me.

the elders are supposed to be looking after the well being of the congregation.

they are supposed to be helping those in need.

Pathofthorns

*** Rbi8 2 Corinthians 3:4-6 ***
4 Now through the Christ we have this sort of confidence toward God. 5 Not that we of ourselves are adequately qualified to reckon anything as issuing from ourselves, but our being adequately qualified issues from God, 6 who has indeed adequately qualified us to be ministers of a new covenant, not of a written code, but of spirit; for the written code condemns to death, but the spirit makes alive.

I don't believe that schooling is necessary to be a minister of God. It doesn't appear to me that the scriptures indicate this.

However, it seems that many teachers go beyond spiritual counselling and guidance to playing doctor or some sort of advice giver in areas where he does not qualify, nor have any business doing so.

Elders are to be humble men, not lording it over the flock, fellow workers. Likely they may simply be men, who through time and experience are simply farther along on the path to gaining the "measure of stature that belongs to the fullness of Christ", and are simply assisting others to reach a measure of Christian maturity too.

If someone needs a listening ear, they should provide such, if someone needs prayer or scriptural principles to weigh out in a matter, he should provide such. Recognizing these things as the limit of God's training he should recommend individuals needing help beyond what he can offer to seek help from professionals in those fields.

Most of us also recognize that the best elders were not necessarily the most schooled, or most intelligent. It was the simple, down to earth, person who loved and cared about people. It was the person that immitated Christ.

Path

6

Crisis With Singles and Single Parents Looming?

by Pathofthorns in

jw
friends

likely we've all noticed that on the two major jw discussion forums the most active forums are the "singles or dating" forums.. it would appear that there is an increasingly large number of single parents appearing in the congregations these days for whatever reason.. i admire these ones for the effort they put forth to bring their children up taking on the role of both parents.

from many of their comments in the "singles " forums, it appears many find being a single parent an extreme liability in "the truth" as far as finding a mate goes.

i wonder if jw culture has something to do with how these ones are viewed as prospective marriage mates vs. the mentality in the "world".. as far the single people go, there appears to be almost a certain desperation to get married, further scaring off potential mates.

Pathofthorns

Likely we've all noticed that on the two major JW discussion forums the most active forums are the "Singles or Dating" forums.

It would appear that there is an increasingly large number of single parents appearing in the congregations these days for whatever reason.

I admire these ones for the effort they put forth to bring their children up taking on the role of both parents.

From many of their comments in the "singles " forums, it appears many find being a single parent an extreme liability in "the truth" as far as finding a mate goes. I wonder if JW culture has something to do with how these ones are viewed as prospective marriage mates vs. the mentality in the "world".

As far the single people go, there appears to be almost a certain desperation to get married, further scaring off potential mates.

The Society's advice for pioneers to marry pioneers, or for sisters to look for brothers with "titles" appears to throw more snags into the equation.

Anyone else have any thoughts on this? It seems people are either desperate to get married, or desperate to get out of their marriage. I'm not saying there are not happily married couples, just that the large number of younger people will likely make this a more prominent issue in the future if it isn't already one.

Path

18

The Beginning of the End

by SolidSender in

jw
friends

i've got my own opinion on this but i'm very interested to hear from anyone who has viewpoints on what impact they think the internet is going to have on the wtbs say over the next 5 - 10 years.-solidsender

Pathofthorns

I believe the internet will have a severe impact, but most Witnesses are not connected and the Society has done a good job of demonizing it.

There will always be a loyal core who will disbelieve even the most well-supported facts. The religion will survive, but with heavy losses in the West and perhaps some fragmentation.

The real enemy is "no end in the near future" mentality, combined with that "treading water" feeling as we all burn out. Past policies will come back to haunt them as an aging, uneducated people with thinking children face reality.

The internet has merely hastened what would have been and simply explained why we feel the way we do. It has been a double edged sword, in that not only does it take away power from the Society, it gives strength and support to those who leave.

It is a nightmare come true. A cheap way of spreading information to the world, puts a single individual on the same level as a billion dollar publishing company.

Path

12

Anything better than this?

by Seven in

i'm searching for a site that compares various bible versions with our nwt?

the only one i've found compares 108 different versions including nwt.

if anyone knows of a site better than this one please provide the link.

Pathofthorns

Further comments to Friend:

I must compliment you on your discussion of the actual issues relating to concerns regarding the Society's Gentile Times chronology on Witnet.

Some may object to your methods and insistence on facts and proper reasoning when discussing subjects, but credit must be given where it is due.

When discussing matters relating to the foundation of who we are and what we stand for as individuals, one must make sure he is looking at things from as many perspectives as possible to draw the most correct conclusions.

I just wanted to thank all members for their viewpoints and perspective.

Path

(not sure why I put this in this thread :)

12

Anything better than this?

by Seven in

i'm searching for a site that compares various bible versions with our nwt?

the only one i've found compares 108 different versions including nwt.

if anyone knows of a site better than this one please provide the link.

Pathofthorns

Thanks for the link Friend.

Its nice to see you still here. I was worried you might have left.

While some might have difficulty with your presence here, I feel you make a very valid contribution, and elevate the level of discussion.

Lessons learned regarding carefully supporting what we say and considering all sides to issues will prevent this becoming a WT bashing site.

I hope you will stick around.

Pathofthorns

59

What is the WT afraid of???????????????????

by Zep in

jw
friends

ok, since it was so easy to get on here i'm assuming that this place is also over run by wts critics...but anyway!.

i've read a plenty of wt mags and got sucked in enough by the whole thing to go to a few meetings and do a bible study( which i wouldn't really call a study, since we just read one of their books).i soon broke of the whole thing and didn't even read another mag for about 6 years...6 months ago i wandered into h20 out of curiosity and ended up reading up on the arguments against the wts.. i have a simple question, and its probably very naive to ask this...but why is wts so afraid of debate?...there are plenty of sites arguing against the wts...but none for, apart the official site which doesn't address the issues raised by so called "apostates" anyway.. if the wt has the the truth why dont they just refute the the arguments against them instead of shutting up shop and labelling anyone who questions them an "apostate?

" or from satan or something.. i'm really beginning to think that all this wt business is just waste of time, that if i were to go to kh and ask questions that i have, i'm more likely to be labelled a trouble making agent of satan rather than be taken at face value as someone with serious questions.

Pathofthorns

Waiting: Perhaps you are referring to the "Walsh Case". There was a brief discussion on Witnet regarding it, and part of the transcript is included by going to the following thread:

http://discussion.witnesses.net/Forum67/HTML/000015.html

Frenchy: I thought similarly to your comments. When discussing some "concerns" with an elder, he suggested that I need a Bible Study. Of course a Bible Study would only like you said be a publication Study and would only be telling me things I already know, but am having difficulty accepting.

The elder made it clear that outside material supporting other arguments would not be permitted. Such a study really benefits no one, and offers no real help to those with disquieting thoughts. Discussion is not permitted, and if such discussion occurs, one becomes liable for apostacy. It is very difficult. It also exposes a gaping hole in our claims that we are a free people.

Pathofthorns

13

"Elder's Kids are the Worst?"

by Pathofthorns in

jw
friends

i'm not sure if its my limited perspective, but i have heard the saying "elder's kids are the worst".. from my perspective, the saying appears to have much merrit.

if this is true, why would those who seemingly are raised in the "best possible environment" and who would in theory be raised in harmony with the society's direction (good "spiritual routine" , meetings, service, family study etc) turn out the worst?.

could it be that an elder's schedule is too busy for his family?

Pathofthorns

I'm not sure if its my limited perspective, but I have heard the saying "Elder's kids are the worst".

From my perspective, the saying appears to have much merrit. If this is true, why would those who seemingly are raised in the "best possible environment" and who would in theory be raised in harmony with the Society's direction (good "spiritual routine" , meetings, service, family study etc) turn out the worst?

Could it be that an elder's schedule is too busy for his family? Or perhaps its the "compressed spring" illustration, that children raised too strict go wild when they are exposed to the real world in their teens? Or perhaps such children are more likely to see what really goes on behind the scenes, and are less likely to believe the myth?

This also could explain a declining interest in "reaching out" for such "priveleges" as the younger generation sees them as simply more work or thinking and caring ones realize that thinking and caring is not on the agenda. I believe this has left positions to less caring and ambitious ones, which could cause the flock to suffer.

Is this something you may have noticed? Any thoughts as to why if you have?

Pathofthorns

34

Disassociated

by Scorpion in

jw
friends

it has been an experience to say the least.

i accepted eagerly the teachings of the watchower bible and tract society over the last 7 years.

i have been a dedicated pioneer for four of those years.

Pathofthorns

You have great courage and love for what is true. I wish you all the best and pray you will stay strong. I doubt most here will see you in a bad "light", at least I do not. It is people like you and your family, that give others courage and hope.

Pathofthorns