Posts by tornapart

39

Restrictions On JW Members: What Are They??

by Cold Steel in

can someone please explain the rules and regulations jws are expected to abide by as it pertains to the outside world?

for example, if a jw wanted to debate his religion on a site like this, can he/she do so without fear of reprisal from the church?.

and for those who have cable or satellite television, what are their restrictions?

tornapart

The thing that tears you apart is realising that you have been controlled your whole life! That you have believed your whole life that you have the truth and no one else does and realising that it is a fallacy. I'd always had some doubts, many JWs do, but they are always put to one side. The thinking is 'Jehovah will sort it at the right time', the 'light will grow brighter', 'wait on Jehovah'. I always believed as do most JWs that the 'Faithful and Discreet Slave' was being directed by God (even though not inspired of God like the bible writers and even though still imperfect men). The idea is that if the guidance comes from God then you don't question it.

For me the doubts became more and more until one day I stumbled across Ray Franz book 'Crises of Conscience'. I read it out of curiosity at first. What JW doesn't have some curiosity about what goes on behind closed doors in Brooklyn? When I started to read it I still believed it was 'God's Organisation'... by the time I finished it I felt as Dorothy must have felt in the 'Wizard of Oz' when after all her struggles she found out that the Mighty Wizard of Oz was just a little trembling old man behind a curtain. I was left shaken, as many others have too. After that you can see through everything but at the same time you feel trapped because there is no easy way out. You either stay and pretend and try and fade as best you can or you leave and risk losing everything. I'm talking 50+ years of everything here. Those who have gone down this route will testify to how painful this is. You gain your personal freedom at great cost. I am still very much a christian, in fact more so now than as a JW as I accept Christ as my personal mediator.

As for 'laying on of hands', the WTs believe that this came to and end when the apostles died. So this is not done at all. It is deemed as having something to do with the 'demons'. There is no ceremony at all. The person to be made an elder will be approached before the meeting, asked if he will accept becoming an elder and if he does it is announced that he has been appointed. That's it.

39

Restrictions On JW Members: What Are They??

by Cold Steel in

can someone please explain the rules and regulations jws are expected to abide by as it pertains to the outside world?

for example, if a jw wanted to debate his religion on a site like this, can he/she do so without fear of reprisal from the church?.

and for those who have cable or satellite television, what are their restrictions?

tornapart

In answer to your question about elders. They are all overseers. There is a 'body' of elders that are supposed to meet up to certain requirements. You become a Ministerial Servant before you become an elder (usually over 30 years old). If you meet those requirements the other elders will decide to 'recommend' you. A travelling overseer (called the Circuit overseer) who visits every 6 months for a week will be told of this recommendation. He will write to the Society and they will 'rubber stamp' it. A letter is sent back saying 'Yes' and that's it. The appointment is then announced to the congregation. That's all there is to it.

39

Restrictions On JW Members: What Are They??

by Cold Steel in

can someone please explain the rules and regulations jws are expected to abide by as it pertains to the outside world?

for example, if a jw wanted to debate his religion on a site like this, can he/she do so without fear of reprisal from the church?.

and for those who have cable or satellite television, what are their restrictions?

tornapart

Well, I'm an active (fading) JW and I'm not supposed to be here. To be honest, any JW can do anything he/she likes, as long as they are not caught.

There are JWs from either end of the spectrum from those that believe everything and that what they are told from the WTS is the word of God himself to those that don't believe a word of it and can't wait to escape. Most lie somewhere in between. From my life long experience (over 50 years) many will complain about what is expected but will go along with it, most will feel they fall badly short and are always trying to do better. A number will point the finger at others who go wrong somewhere down the line, probably to make themselves feel better. Many will secretly do what they are not supposed to do... from certain music, movies, parties, drinking etc... and many more will try valiantly to do what they believe is right, fall short and then beat themsleves up over what they cannot do, put themselves on a guilt trip and then feel worthless. It is not easy being a JW!

22

Governing Body Meddling In Private Bedroom Affairs

by Bangalore in

governing body meddling in private bedroom affairs.. .

in chapter three of his book "crisis of conscience" ray franz mentions that the gb interfered in the private bedroom matters of the jw's.

here is an excerpt from that chapter.. .

tornapart

I think the biggest problem with this is that many believe that the GB have the 'right' to dictate what goes on between a man and his wife. They accept it as if it comes from God! I think there are many more JWs that don't go along with this and think it goes beyond scripture. I know some have 'confessed' to their 'sins' but how many more consider it to be an invasion into their privacy? The same goes for masturbation. It's a total invasion.If every JW confessed to these private 'sins', everyone would be disfellowshipped! (Or almost everyone). Those die hards that believe the GB are God himself and are totally sucked in by the whole thing are the ones that suffer the consequences. I'm sure the majority go carrying on quietly doing their own thing in private and keeping it that way!

28

Mr. Coffee

by RayPublisher in

does anybody remember the old apostate guy they called mr. coffee?

back in the late 80s when i was at brooklyn he would dress in a suit, have a book bag, and come and stand in front of the 124 bldg or sometimes over by the towers hotel.

he'd easily put in auxillary pioneer hours.

tornapart

'Coffee Mate' and 'Coffee Creamer'.... ROFL!

150

They will be DFing me soon for apostasy...

by RayPublisher in

well i figured i should give you all an update.

they will be dfing me soon for apostasy.

it is not a huge surprise and i am not afraid nor "shaking in my boots", however i will admit it is stressful right now.

tornapart

RP: Aww shucks... What song are you referring to?

The Bon Jovi song that Man oh man posted ... LOL You are definitely a Hero!!

150

They will be DFing me soon for apostasy...

by RayPublisher in

well i figured i should give you all an update.

they will be dfing me soon for apostasy.

it is not a huge surprise and i am not afraid nor "shaking in my boots", however i will admit it is stressful right now.

tornapart

Awwww... bro.. what a lovely thing to say!! And the feeling is most definitely mutual! You're a great friend, always there for me whenever I need to have a vent, or a shoulder to cry on, or make me laugh when I'm down and always understanding and never judgemental. I just hope I can be the same for you whenever you need it.

ps.. I could kick myself for not picking up on the clues of your identity, it was all there.. LOL

Man oh man... that's one AWESOME song!! One of my favourites, from my favourite band... Definitely appropriate!!

150

They will be DFing me soon for apostasy...

by RayPublisher in

well i figured i should give you all an update.

they will be dfing me soon for apostasy.

it is not a huge surprise and i am not afraid nor "shaking in my boots", however i will admit it is stressful right now.

tornapart

How long have I known you bro and I never knew you were Ray Publisher??!! haha! How many more secrets do you have?

Guess I should know who DATA-DOG is too?

25

where is that quote in the WT on even thinking against the WT constitutes apostasy?

by WildeLover in

can someone direct me to that quote ?

i think it was back in the 80s?

i have looked and can't find it anywhere?.

tornapart

The 'Thought Police'!!

131

Let's Discuss Ray Franz's Books

by Recovery in

i have been repeatedly pleaded with to read the books of ray franz in my short stay on this board.

apparently these are all the all-powerful, wt crushing arguments, that lead so many to leave jw's and become ruthless opposers of god's people.

we can discuss any claims/statements/scriptural arguments presented in either of his books, as long as it somehow proves jehovah's witnesses are not god's people.

tornapart

I believe he has a severe case of cognitive dissonance but is afraid to recognise it because he might end up feeling like I did after I read Ray Franz's books (see my username).

So he wants to find out exactly what's in those books and is asking us because he's too afraid to read them for himself. He knows once he's read them Pandora's box will be opened and he'll never see things in quite the same way again.

Truthfully search inside yourself Recovery, you don't need to tell us anything. There is nothing you can say that will ever convince us of anything anymore. Many of us have heard it all over many decades as JWs. Many have been (or in some cases still are) MSs. elders, elder's wives, pioneers, bethel workers, missionaries etc. The thing is, we've all been where you are now.... your toes are dipping into the 'apostate' waters.

Your mind is not wanting to accept the things you've read so to try and make yourself feel better, you are challenging everyone. Do you have some emotional turmoil going on inside you? Listen to it.....