Posts by Pathofthorns

Plus you can talk about it carefully without worrying about "apostacy". Simply by explaining our present position is enough to wake many up to the fact that what they thought was simply "abstaining from blood" is not really the case at all.

As was mentioned, this whole blood thing is a damned if you do, damned if you don't problem as far as change is concerned.

I still can't figure out why new blood cards with wording to reflect the new changes haven't been issued, as well as detailed meetings in the halls explaining of the change to inform the members.

Path

19

One for the road

by Pathofthorns in

jw
friends

so i've been trying to slowly fade away, just going to meetings on sundays, and even then its been hit and miss.

i figure the daniel book is a write off with 607 figuring prominently along with all the "fulfillments" based on it, and since i'm not going out in service, the tms/sm is a waste of time.. even sundays play out like a broken record, the wt study articles show no sign of real change, but a clinging to power and a re-defining of wt history.

the public talks are sheer fantasy.. the sad thing is, i like the people, and perhaps even the concept is attractive.

Pathofthorns

I wonder if Path is mad at me for turning this into a dining thread?

LOL I wish everying was a dining (and drinking) thread. :)

Path

(thanks for the cyber hug RCat. Just was thinking out loud. Don't ever worry about me, things are and will work out just fine. :)

19

One for the road

by Pathofthorns in

jw
friends

so i've been trying to slowly fade away, just going to meetings on sundays, and even then its been hit and miss.

i figure the daniel book is a write off with 607 figuring prominently along with all the "fulfillments" based on it, and since i'm not going out in service, the tms/sm is a waste of time.. even sundays play out like a broken record, the wt study articles show no sign of real change, but a clinging to power and a re-defining of wt history.

the public talks are sheer fantasy.. the sad thing is, i like the people, and perhaps even the concept is attractive.

Pathofthorns

So i've been trying to slowly fade away, just going to meetings on Sundays, and even then its been hit and miss. I figure the Daniel book is a write off with 607 figuring prominently along with all the "fulfillments" based on it, and since I'm not going out in service, the TMS/SM is a waste of time.

Even Sundays play out like a broken record, the WT study articles show no sign of real change, but a clinging to power and a re-defining of WT history. The Public Talks are sheer fantasy.

The sad thing is, I like the people, and perhaps even the concept is attractive. I've been in bad halls and its a shame to make my exit in one that I like. While I keep a low profile, people have always treated me well, and when some say they've missed me, I do believe they have.

I know they feel bad, because I felt bad when people "disappeared". Even though I've told some elders my concerns and issues in full detail, its as if many refuse to want to accept it. I had to resign formally from the TMS because they kept giving me talks to do.

Funny thing is that a week after the COs visit when I was expecting more heat, because I cut out on the visit and I obviously would have come up at their meetings, a brother asks me to do one of the mics last Sunday.

Not that I considered that some big privelege or anything, but I thought it was strange considering I'm hardly at my meetings and all. I guess he was just ill-informed. I accepted, didn't know what to say otherwise. I figure that would be the last time anyway.

As I made my way toward the exit, as usual an elder seems to be waiting for me. "How's everything Path? We've missed you. It was so nice to see you here today. You know, if there anything I can do..."

"Everything is just fine. Couldn't be much better, really. But thanks for the offer. How are you doing?"

"I'm fine. Its just that people have been asking about you and all."

"That's so nice of them"

"Will we see you again Path?"

"I'll be around"

I realized that one must do what they have to do. Its very difficult when you really can't explain things in full detail to them, and if you could you know they wouldn't believe it or understand what it all means.

In time they too will ask the questions and the time will be right for the answers. Until then I hope they are happy and wish them the best.

Path

Edited by - Pathofthorns on 7 August 2000 21:34:39

32

Ho Hum, just another JW sex abuse case

by Dubby in

judge blasts church over sex offences .

by michele tydd .

a wollongong judge yesterday launched a scathing attack on the jehovah's.

Pathofthorns

Unfortunately a misguided moral sense has led to many cover-ups. In those cases people mostly meant well, they just failed to fully consider the costs to victims and potential victims.

Couldn't the same be said of the Catholic Church, Friend? While they have been guilty of cover-up on a larger scale, they are also a much larger Church. We've laid into them heavy for moving priests around, and here we've done essentially the same thing to preserve a squeaky clean image. It looks to me like the pot has been calling the kettle black.

As reports of abuse became more widespread then there became a greater and better understanding of and acquiescence to the morally correct thing to do. The same is true of society at large, which is demonstrated by the remaining absence of reporting laws in various locales.

A religion being led by God shouldn't need to gain a "greater and better understanding.. of the morally correct thing to do." It makes a mockery of the perfect direction and spirit of God.

Right now the Society is vigorously and relentlessly pursuing reports of child abuse. If local elders are unwilling to act, the Society will push the issue until full resolution has occurred.

Of course they are because it has become fashionable to take such a strong stance and its much better for public relations.

All of these cover-ups by representatives of the Society have gone with no formal acknowledgement or appology. The same goes for deaths due to bogus doctrine on blood, blood fractions, organ transplants and vaccinations. Abuse of raped women who were disfellowshipped for fornication because they failed to scream because they were so paralyzed with fear.

In the real world, heads roll, people are fired, people resign, people are sued, people are put in jail. I think its time the people making all the rules started taking responsibility for their actions.

Path

Edited by - Pathofthorns on 7 August 2000 16:55:37

32

Ho Hum, just another JW sex abuse case

by Dubby in

judge blasts church over sex offences .

by michele tydd .

a wollongong judge yesterday launched a scathing attack on the jehovah's.

Pathofthorns

I'm really starting to think that the WTS is just another cult.

Whatever makes you think that? LOL

Why would someone keep following this way of religion knowing full well how detrimental it can be?

Probably because most don't "know full well" that its detrimental. There are alot of happy Witnesses who actually enjoy being a Witness, even with all the inconveniences. Ignorance is bliss.

As for those who do know somethings not quite right, yes the family thing holds them in, or the tired "where else are we going to go" mindset kicks in.

I guess it's kind of like working at a job you hate, but need the paycheck. But, at some point we need to change jobs.

Just like working for yourself scares alot of people, some can't see themselves outside of a factory job punching the clock. Many just don't want to "quit" with nowhere to go.

Path

37

Disfellowshipping, again

by somebody in

i'm trying to gather every scripture used to imply that the practice of disfellowshipping among christians is scriptual.

please notice that i did not say "to imply that the "idea" is scriptual, but the "practice".

any input would be of help.

Pathofthorns

Pelt them with stones?

Path

37

Disfellowshipping, again

by somebody in

i'm trying to gather every scripture used to imply that the practice of disfellowshipping among christians is scriptual.

please notice that i did not say "to imply that the "idea" is scriptual, but the "practice".

any input would be of help.

Pathofthorns

I noticed these words as I was about to set my coffee cup down on the back of a Watchtower this morning.

LOL

37

Disfellowshipping, again

by somebody in

i'm trying to gather every scripture used to imply that the practice of disfellowshipping among christians is scriptual.

please notice that i did not say "to imply that the "idea" is scriptual, but the "practice".

any input would be of help.

Pathofthorns

Thats a good question Frenchy. No one likes the shunning, but there are usually few alternatives put forth by those who don't like it.

First of all this is only a problem if one sees the need for Organization. At some point most of us here have realized that Organizations need rules to set them apart, and they need to enforce them, then they need more rules to explain the rules they already have. It becomes a burdensome situation that collapses on itself.

The problems with disfellowshipping (ie what exactly is a disfellowshipping offence, what about something like smoking which is not specifically mentioned in the bible, what about drunkeness, greed and gluttony which are? ) is that it involves everything Christ did away with and appears to contradict what he demonstrated when he was on earth.

Many of these people who have these problems need help and encouragement and love as Christ demonstrated. Perhaps some professional help too. Child molesters should be in jail. People such as the man in 1 Corintians who was sleeping with his mother, are generally not welcome company anyway.

This appears to be somewhat of a contradiction in scripture. The clear actions and words of Jesus, verus what Paul writes regarding "quit mixing in company". Again this is another subject which I've got to take some more time to think about.

If you decide to cling to "organization" Frenchy, I think the best application is simply to offer help to such individuals, and if there is no response, simply removal from the membership roles is sufficient. Demonizing such ones and shunning them seems hardly loving. Leave the judging in the hands of Christ.

Path

32

Ho Hum, just another JW sex abuse case

by Dubby in

judge blasts church over sex offences .

by michele tydd .

a wollongong judge yesterday launched a scathing attack on the jehovah's.

Pathofthorns

:)

I bought into it too. Just think though, how foolish you'd feel at this point if you still did? Everything naked and exposed for all to see, and so many refuse to wake up.

Path