Posts by patio34

29

I am still a JW, what shall i do?

by nevaagain in

jw
friends

hello, i know this board for about a week but didn t dare to register and post something, to let the cat out of the bag ... i am a jw :) i was shocked after i read through some of the topic here.

honestly, i haven t seen any apostates in action until i started visiting this board.

a little bit information to my person:.

patio34

Hi Neva,

You have a lot to think about. One, is your own future. Do you plan to get a good education? Have you considered how to make a living for a family if you don't?

You seem open to ideas. Many who have responded here left for reasons of freedom from oppression. My reason is very different (many others have it too).

Short bio: I was a JW for 28 years and read the bible cover-to-cover 5 times in the past 6 years. Never missed a magazine article and read each of the JW books at least twice. Some 4 times.

The beginning of my questions:
1. The distinct difference between the Hebrew and Greek scriptures with regard to demons. In the Hebrew, there's nary a mention of demons and especially demon-possession. The Greek scriptures are full of them.

2. The existence of predatory dinasours. According to the Awake and other sources, no humans existed in the days of the dinasours. Bible implies violence in nature due to Adam's sin (Gen. 1:30 all creation ate vegetation). However--and this is the fatal flaw IMO--dinasours were NOT all vegetation-eaters. Adam's sin had nothing to do with it. Why would a loving God design such a vicious, suffering-filled existence for the animals? That would be a paradise?

SO, I started my own investigation and read books about evolution NOT written by the WTBS. I left immediately, embarrassed I had wasted so much time as a JW and I hadn't double-checked their info by reading even one book by a scientist expert in biology and evolution.

I suffered because of my credulity for 28 years. Don't waste your valuable time and energies because you're too lazy or afraid to make your own search.

As others have stated, the proof against the WTBS-recommended way of life is abundant in their own history and the history of the Bible. There are many archeological proofs for the Hebrews' borrowing their religious beliefs from surrounding nations.

If you are interested, please e-mail me and I'll give you a list of the books I have read.

Your entire future depends on the decisions you make. Don't wait till you're a grandparent like me to do the proper investigation

Sincerely,
Pat

11

More than just two Birthdays in the Bible!

by nicolaou in

jw
friends

the society, in defence of their stand against birthday celebrations, often state that the only two birthdays mentioned in the bible were of ungodly people and that harm resulted both times.. however, depending on which translation you use, there are at least five birthdays mentioned in the bible and, interestingly, these additional ones are all of jehovah's servants!.

even the new world translation has a third birthday celebration that jw's rarely, if ever, speak about.. .

please note that not all translations are accepted as 100% accurate by jw's and that i myself am not completely sure that these extra birthdays are truly what they seem - i simply state that they they are recorded there as birthday celebrations.. .

patio34

Okay, Nicolaoau, I give up and sure as shootin' don't want to do any Bible research! Please give us the other two instances of birthdays!

Pat

14

Angelic Gender?

by nicolaou in

jw
friends

funny how a strange thought can just 'pop' into your head.. .

according to genesis, a preface to the flood was the intercourse that took place between materialised angels and human women (gen 6:2).

if the angels have no gender, why were not at least some of them tempted by human men and so materialise as women?.

patio34

Here's a thought. Joseph Campbell (the Power of Myth, etc.) states that the religions in the Fertile Crescent area (the Tigris & Euphrates area?) before the Hebrews were goddess-based. They were farming people and stable. They tended to be peaceful.

The herder-type (Hebrews) people were constantly on the move and encountering people more aggressively. The Hebrews were the first to get rid of all goddess worship and have one god, Yahweh, who was a 'manly god of war.' And, as any Bible reader knows, they warred a lot.

SO, the Hebrew writing is ALL male-based and that may be the reason for all the male angels.

By the way, many think a lot of the New Testament reflects the religion of Mithras. This religion was a males-only religion for Roman soldiers. Hence, sayings like 'carry on warfare,'put on the complete suit of armor,' etc.

And that's the way it might have been . . .

Pat

10

Some may think this is gross, but I find it funny.

by AMarie in

good morning everybody:.

and happy friday.. i found the following joke very humorous and thought i would share.. once upon a time, there lived a man who had a terrible passion for baked beans.

he loved them, but they always had an embarrassing and somewhat lively reaction on him.

patio34

Hi AMarie,

I had heard it a long time ago,forgot about it. But, your telling of it gave me some belly laughs and tears to my eyes. Great job! Thanks.

Pat

13

How Much Time did it Take for You?

by patio34 in

jw
friends

while having a wonderful visit with my way-cool sister, waiting, her hubby, her and i were discussing the number of hours per week it took to be a jw.. here's a breakdown of the time i spent per week:.

5 meetings a week = 5 hours.

getting dressed and travel time = 5 hours.

patio34

Hi Marilyn,
I am so pleased to make your acquaintance! Thanks for the brief bio on yourself. It is quite wonderful that my sister and I both left and I'm sorry you can't enjoy that.

My sister left a year before me and didn't say much about it. I left for a different reason this year. We live in different states and didn't talk but about every couple of weeks. It's really quite an amazing coincidence.

However, I do have two grown sons and two grandkids in. So, I really feel the rift from that. One is very rigid in JW thinking (MS and pioneer) and it's awkward. The other is more liberal, although I don't dare talk too much.

Glad you enjoyed the evolution one. It's my favorite topic these days!

Warmly,
Pat

13

How Much Time did it Take for You?

by patio34 in

jw
friends

while having a wonderful visit with my way-cool sister, waiting, her hubby, her and i were discussing the number of hours per week it took to be a jw.. here's a breakdown of the time i spent per week:.

5 meetings a week = 5 hours.

getting dressed and travel time = 5 hours.

patio34

Waiting,
Nu-uh! Really? I never did have that one figured out. From now on, I'll find another way to word it! LOL!

You're right, I forgot about all the assembly stuff! And the infamous family Bible study (oh, there's some good memories!). Holy crap, Batman!

Ah-h-h, it is nice to have so much more free time.

Hi ISP, you were a lot smarter than me. Hee-hee.

Budda Belly, there's a good use of the time!

Pat

13

How Much Time did it Take for You?

by patio34 in

jw
friends

while having a wonderful visit with my way-cool sister, waiting, her hubby, her and i were discussing the number of hours per week it took to be a jw.. here's a breakdown of the time i spent per week:.

5 meetings a week = 5 hours.

getting dressed and travel time = 5 hours.

patio34

Dear Little Toe,
My sympathies!! How should you use your newly found time when you leave? "Let me count the ways!" Do you have plans for leaving any time soon?

Helen, your suggestions sound top-rate!

And Simon, I should have skipped all that personal study! But at least I'm in the habit of reading seriously. I bet you spend tons of time on this here board! THANKS, SIMON!

SaintSatan, what are you wondering about?

Have a fun day!
Pat

13

How Much Time did it Take for You?

by patio34 in

jw
friends

while having a wonderful visit with my way-cool sister, waiting, her hubby, her and i were discussing the number of hours per week it took to be a jw.. here's a breakdown of the time i spent per week:.

5 meetings a week = 5 hours.

getting dressed and travel time = 5 hours.

patio34

Hi all,

While having a wonderful visit with my way-cool sister, Waiting, her hubby, her and I were discussing the number of hours per week it took to be a JW.

Here's a breakdown of the time I spent per week:

5 meetings a week = 5 hours
Getting dressed and travel time = 5 hours
Personal study each morning = 6 hours
Field Service on Sat. and travel = 3 hours
Reading the magazines = about 1.5 hours

Total time for being a JW: 20.5 hours/week

Now I work 40 hours, add another 5 for travel = 45 hours. Sleep 8 hours = 56 hours. Total is 101 hours week work and sleep.

How much is left for personal pursuits? 46 hours per week divided by 7 days = little over six per day. Factor in eating times (including meal prep) at an hour a day, down to 5 a day.

It doesn't work so smoothly because meeting nights took every free hour.

So, in leaving JWs one can gain 20.5 hours per week. This is only for a publisher. It would be much, much higher for pioneers, elders, etc.

What do you think?

Pat

40

British JWs ignoring the GB.

by dmouse in

jw
friends

when we have american jw relatives visit they are frequently shocked at the difference between how they live their lives and how jws over here live.

its almost as if we are from two different religions.. that divide seems to be getting wider.

i have noticed in the past two or three years a noticeable relaxation among british jws.

patio34

In answer to the question, would you go back with a significant change, NO NO NO.

Since many ex-JWs are agnostic/atheist, what would be the point? There are many better ways to spend my time.

Have a great day!!
Pat

23

Bumper stickers that will get you disfellowshipped

by Mindchild in

jw
friends

just for fun tonight...bumper stickers i would love to see in j.w.

parking lots:.

jehovahs witnesses arent the only true religion on earth...we just act like it.

patio34

Religion stops a thinking mind.