patio34

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Posts by patio34

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  16

  Do elders have Bible Studies?

  by slipnslidemaster in

  1. jw
  2. friends

  in my experience, i have never seen an elder in the congregations that i was associated with bring (or have for that matter) a bible study to the kingdom hall.. now i think that i already know the reason for that, but it seems that the majority of the bible studies are done by the poor sister pioneers.. is this the case in the hall you went to?.

  slipnslidemaster: doin' the humpty hump...just doin' the humpty hump...

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  patio34

  Mulan,

  That was an interesting overview of your life as a JW. Have you posted anything else as to why you left? Or did you leave?

  Pat
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  13

  The Firm and The WTS

  by bj in

  1. jw
  2. friends

  i would like to share with you the following comparison that is based from the book the firm by john grisham:.

  the main character is mitchell mcdeere, a young advocate who was recruited by a small, but well-respected law firm.

  they promised him a colourful future if he abide with their codes.

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  patio34

  Bj,

  Welcome to the board! I enjoyed your comparison. There are many comparisons that have been noted in other stories.

  Have you seen "The Matrix," "Truman's Story"? Or that movie "Payback" with Mel Gibson where the 'organization' is concealed by the front office and he can never get to the top guy?

  It's wonderful to have the blinders off, isn't it?

  Pat
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  13

  The Firm and The WTS

  by bj in

  1. jw
  2. friends

  i would like to share with you the following comparison that is based from the book the firm by john grisham:.

  the main character is mitchell mcdeere, a young advocate who was recruited by a small, but well-respected law firm.

  they promised him a colourful future if he abide with their codes.

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  patio34

  Gopher,

  Could you please elaborate a bit on the leaving WTS intact? I am in the process for the past 3 months of 'drifting away,' and would like any pointers. Btw, I am using my health and family circumstances (2 grandkids staying with me 24-7) as an excuse.

  Thanks for any help you can offer.

  Pat
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  9

  I don't take the Bible literally . . ?

  by patio34 in

  1. jw
  2. friends

  just a little thought on that subject.

  is that like you wouldn't take "snow white and the 7 dwarfs" literal?

  comparing the bible to a fairy tale, or myth?

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  patio34

  Thanks for your reply, Bill. It was very helpful. Especially the main point that the Bible is a collection of books, so it would depend on what part one is referring to.

  Thanks,
  Pat
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  3

  Interesting ex-christian quotes

  by claudia in

  1. jw
  2. friends

  "it is a counterfeit love that is contingent upon authority, punishment, or reward.

  true love is respect and admiration, compassion and kindness, freely given by a healthy, unafraid human being.".

  - dan barker, losing faith in faith.

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  patio34

  Claudia,

  Thanks for those thoughts. I especially identify with the trying to fit square pegs into round holes.

  The one about counterfeit love was good. JWs take it even further by not helping many unless they can count their time. So hypocritical, but I was one of them, without realizing what I was doing.

  And I experienced something similar to the last one. When I explained my reasons for stopping meetings having to do with biology and history, I later heard that I had been weak and that's why the doubts took over. Also, my son said I spent too much time with my 'unbelieving' children and that influenced me. Unbelievable. It's a waste of breath to talk to such people. I think I'll shun THEM!

  Pat
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  9

  I don't take the Bible literally . . ?

  by patio34 in

  1. jw
  2. friends

  just a little thought on that subject.

  is that like you wouldn't take "snow white and the 7 dwarfs" literal?

  comparing the bible to a fairy tale, or myth?

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  patio34

  Amazing,

  Thanks--that's a better answer. I was overlooking the Israelite history it contained and records of kings, etc.

  Pat
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  10

  Who Are the Wicked?

  by TMS in

  1. jw
  2. friends

  lyrics that float through my head at idle moments accompanied by my off-key singing:.

  "they know such won't get life eternal.

  but will like green grass fade and die".

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  patio34

  Hybridous,

  Wow, do I agree with your statement. When I was a JW, here's a list of things I didn't believe, but wouldn't have stated it to 'the faithful':

  1. That millions of babies and children would be slaughtered.

  2. That you get 'a hundredfold' mothers brothers and sisters in the Christian cong. You get squat.

  3. That everyone outside the org was wicked.

  4. That the violence in nature was in any way connected to a creator, especially considering the dinasours that lived before humans, and were following the same eat-and-be-eaten scenario. IMO, it fits evolution not creation. And certainly gives the lie to Gen. 1:30 where it says all creation would eat vegetation. Never happened!

  I'm fairly certain that you and I and the others here were not unique. Also, many others are of equal intelligence and can figure it out, but it hasn't coalesced into enough to leave.

  TMS,
  Your list sums it up pretty well as far as the wicked in the WTS estimation.

  Of course, the chapter at Ezekiel 18 pretty much contradicts saying unresponsible children would die, because it says specifically that neither should the son die for the sins of his father nor vice-versa, but it is 'the soul that is sinning that will die.'

  If that is the rule for natural, 'Adamic' death, how much more so should it be for the 'second death,' reserved for Satan and his demons, fighters against God, adulterers, murderers, etc., than for innocents? What kind of being would kill for all eternity innocent children?

  The answer is obviously that no kind of being would do that--no decent being that it.

  The WTS stated once that people become like the god they worship (or was it the government?). The JWs become heartless also when they deem it necessary.

  It's all very offensive, once the blinders are off.

  Pat
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  9

  I don't take the Bible literally . . ?

  by patio34 in

  1. jw
  2. friends

  just a little thought on that subject.

  is that like you wouldn't take "snow white and the 7 dwarfs" literal?

  comparing the bible to a fairy tale, or myth?

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  patio34

  Thanks Seeker, Rig, and Flip,

  It seems to be it is a very clever phrase that can be taken to mean:

  "The Bible is not true history, but there are some good morals that can be deduced. And it doesn't have to be taken seriously and is open to many intrepretations."

  This clearly avoids getting into hassles with fundamentalists and doesn't commit the speaker to any beliefs at all! It's entirely politically correct!

  I, on the other hand, in the past 2 months, would probably have started countless arguments and gotten df'd. Would have said something like:

  The Bible is Hebrew mythology and no more to be taken seriously than Greek, Roman, or Babylonian mythology.

  Answer #1 is so much better, and yet honest too. "It can't be taken literally." Neither can Cinderella!

  Pat
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  4

  7 Habits of Effective People

  by patio34 in

  1. social
  2. entertainment

  there was a 1-day class on this book recently and now am reading the book.. it's a wonder to me all the vistas that are opening up now that the wtbs blinders are off.

  wow!

  it's a readers' paradise.. the borg would have one think there is nothing to be learned outside of their wisdumb.

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  patio34

  Hi Seven,

  It is great to really delve into so many subjects. I DO have to tuck away some of my books in case my 2 jw sons stop by. But most books are just on the tables in the LR.

  I'll keep your recommendation on my list of upcoming books.

  Pat
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  33

  Song parody: Beverly Hillbillies

  by Seeker in

  1. jw
  2. friends

  [sung to the tune of the beverly hillbillies].

  come and listen to a story about a man named chuck.

  a rich presbyter, he was about to lose his luck,.

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  patio34

  Farkel, Comf, and Seeker,

  Where do you guys get this stuff! You are so witty and talented! It's hilarious.

  Pat