Hi Dogpatch,
Thanks for the alert and explanation. It's true that the JW theology thrives and exploits on (from?) fear. When there is no tragedy going on, they have to resort to fear of old age and death, I suppose.
Pat
patio34
JoinedPosts by patio34
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2
Fear is a Recruiter
by Dogpatch intwo weeks ago today i was half-asleep in bed when one of my roommates called me and in a tiny voice from my answering machine i heard the news of terrorists attacking new york and the pentagon.
not ready to face news like this, i took a quick shower and turned on the tv, and was glued to the set for the next few hours.. just 30 years ago i would have been hysterical.
one of the main reasons i had joined the witnesses was my fear of communism and what was coming upon the world.
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"The Racism of American Warmongering"
by LDH infriends,.
this article was sent to us by one of my husband's best friends.
mississippi had the guilty parties been white boys with .
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patio34
Hi LDH,
I didn't read past the 1st paragraph or so because of the glaring inconsistency (and his very polemic style). IMO it's not comparable to the Oklahoma City bombing because no one was harboring the terrorist, and he was brought to justice.
The US wouldn't be talking of bombing anyone if they could bring the terrorist(s) to trial.
Also, to dismiss the desire to bring to justice ones who murdered about 6000 + civilians as racism is ridiculous. He obviously has an ax to grind and is critical and insensitive to this great tragedy. It says a lot about him.
So, if he is wrong IMO in the very 1st section, it wasn't worth reading the rest.
Pat
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Weird Scriptures
by deceit inhi all,would just like to say a quick thanks to all the regular posters on this board, please dont think for one minute that your hard work in unmasking the borg is going without notice.
lurkers read here and think subconsciously about all info provided and sooner or later it all dawns on them (like myself),,,, so once again thanks.. now, what my question is, do any of you guys know some real good scriptures from the bible that are really weird/gross/unethical/murderous ect ect?.
the reason being is that there are quit a few that i know that think the bible is like a nice smelling rose and seem to forget that there is also a really strange and dark side to it that really doesnt make any sense.
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patio34
Hi Deceit,
Welcome and i hope you enjoy your time at this stimulating board.
I'm not going to list wierd verses, but here's a swell site that has more than you could ever desire: skepticsannotatedbible
It's loaded. I don't have the exact address, but that should get you there.
Pat
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My JW Mothers' Words Of "Love"
by Ranchette inwell, i just received a letter from my mom and i dont know how to describe my feelings at this time.
i thought id share parts of it with you and see what yall think.
i will delete names and add my own words in parenthesis to describe whom shes talking about.. after a few lines of small talk she says this..........i do want to tell you, since (you and your husband) have rejected the truth, i am so glad (your son) is not old enough to join or be drafted into the military.
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patio34
Hi Ranchette,
What a hurtful letter to receive. How to assimilate it and not let it hurt you for too long? Good question. Some excellent suggestions have appeared.
The saying "To understand all is to forgive all" came to mind. In the sense that if her motives are understood, her tactless cruel words can be absorbed better.
In her mind (thanks to the WTBS), you're in a deadly position and anything is warranted to "save" you.
That brings to mind another quip: there's no reasoning with logic like that.
It's hard to deal with people who are in such a fantasy world. Good luck.
Pat
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Special Meeting - New Work Announced
by ozziepost init is reported that a special meeting has been held of all the district overseers in the usa and the new york city circuit overseers at which it was announced that the field ministry would now be changed until further notice, effective immediately.
for the time being no literature is to be offered or the suggested offer.
the publishers are to advise each householder that due to recent events we are not engaging in our regular work, we are offering comfort where needed from the bible to help cope with the tragedy.
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patio34
BibleExaminer,
The Bible certainly is a fiddle you can play many tunes on. It depends on the current climate. The JW who used Dan. 2:44 didn't know the current tune.
When reading the Bible straight thru, it seems like a larger percentage is about destruction and the 'terrible day of God Almighty.' So, Dan 2:44 seemed like an appropriate one...
I guess it's whatever has the most chance of getting new recruits that is used. I dislike the term offering comfort. It's like the tobacco companies hiding their real motives. JWs hide their real motives. "We're not here to get you into our religion, we're trying to offer comfort." Yeah, right.
Why not get their folks to offer REAL 'comfort' by donating to the many organizations that are truly helping?
And so it goes . . .
Pat
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Why are JWs scared of death?
by NikL ini have been thinking a lot lately about death.
this is not surprising considering the turn of events on the 11th.. i have been re-awakened to the transient nature of human life and how it can go in the blink of an eye.
as the bible says life is vanity and a striving for the wind.. with all of the talk about world war 3 and how dangerous this world has become, i have been on a bit of an emotional roller coaster this past week.. the fear of dying is a normal and basic emotion.
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patio34
Tina,
Very good defense of humanist/atheists! Thanks. It's damaging to humans, IMO, to think the only reason they are moral is because of a god.
Back to the subject of the thread, fear of death. One thing that has made me more comfortable with the idea of dying someday is that now there are no religious constraints on me to suffer needlessly. I think self-euthanasia is a comfortable possiblity for me if the need arises. Most folks are more afraid of suffering terrible before death than death itself.
Pat
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The Retractable Dangling Carrot
by TMS insome scattered thoughts about the granting or denial of privileges of service as a control mechanism:.
this method of persuasion involving reward or punishment is so deeply ingrained in watchtower function, it is second nature.
although sometimes subtle, sometimes blatant, everyone from new bible study to traveling overseer is subconsciously aware of the possible limiting of his official opportunities to serve god and his brothers.. .
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patio34
TMS,
I never thought of that! For years there was this one WT study conductor who simply would not call on me. There were at least two other sisters who complained of the same treatment.
I know you referred to males who are the only ones allowed any privileges. But as pointed out, women can have even their one or two privileges removed.
Thanks for the perspective!
Pat
(edited to remove the guy's name!)
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Shunning via Rumor
by NeonMadman inwell, i went back to the area of my old congregation yesterday.
my daughter's best friend amanda was getting married, and despite my trepidation, amanda had begged me to show up and to dance a dance with her.
my trepidation was twofold; first, my ex-wife was going to be there, and after our messy divorce only six months ago, i had no desire to be anywhere where she was.
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patio34
Hi Neon,
That was an interesting story. Many of us can relate to different aspects of it.
I'm glad it ended on a positive note and congratulations on your upcoming wedding!
Pat
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"Its Exciting!"
by Defender in"although the terrorist attack was horrific, but i must admit its exciting!
" said one jw elder i spoke to on the phone yesterday.. he said that there was a sister that has been a jw for more than 50 years that said "at last, something is hapenning.".
(btw, he told me that most congregations in the us have been instructed that when talking to people, they should not bring up the issues of blood or neutrality.
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patio34
How many people have waited excitedly in vain over the centuries--millenia--because of those words attributed to Jesus Christ in the Bible?
What a major disappointment for them! Myself included for the past 28 years. I know, I know, the WTS party line is that in God's eyes 28 years are nothing. Well, in my life, it was the best years that are gone.
At least I can use what's left of my life.
Pat
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11
Care to vent with me?
by patio34 inam aware this is not original.
my jw son called yesterday.
he pointed out to me how "fragile" everything is, what with the wtc bombing threatening so much in the us and world.
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patio34
Hi all,
Venting is good--I feel better and it saves a family argument!
BTW, this morning I accomplished a great deal around the homestead. I was just zipping along when I realized it was 11:00. The meeting would just be letting out. But instead of sitting through that boring 2 hours requiring every bit of self-discipline I could muster, I accomplished so much.
Every time I think "I'm not a JW any more," I get a little rush of pure joy!
As someone has commented: "I used to be witness, but now I'm happy."
Pat