Posts by The Searcher

12

Need help on the subject of "Intolerance"

by EdenOne in

i would like to locate some information within the publications with comments from the wts that could help me build a case.. case in point is: can an individual jw hold different views on doctrine from those held by the "organization" and still continue to be a jw if he chooses to, and if he keeps his opinions only to himself?.

i remember a recent magazine making comments regarding the intolerance of other religions who limit the freedom of their members to study the bible....or another one (publishers book?

) about those who harbored doubts about the course of events within the organization but remained inside.. i got an excellent quote from rutherford in the booklet "intolerance" but that was from 1936 already.

The Searcher

Despite what the Org's two references below state, they apply only to non-Witnesses, because any Witness who followed these suggestions would be subjected to disciplinary procedures based on the false premise of "brazen conduct".

*** w69 3/15 p. 166 Why It Is Wise to Examine Your Religion ***

We need to examine, not only what we personally believe, but also what is taught by any religious organization with which we may be associated. Are its teachings in full harmony with God’s Word, or are they based on the traditions of men? If we are lovers of the truth, there is nothing to fear from such an examination. It should be the sincere desire of every one of us to learn what God’s will is for us, and then to do it.—John 8:32.

*** sm pp. 17-18 par. 8 The Need to Search for the Truth ***

Hence, a wise man will examine the things he has received from his parents, including his religion. He will keep the good things and reject those things that are not good. This is essential if he is to find the truth about religion.

The Masters of Our Faith in Brooklyn gave Witnesses a clear warning in the September 2007 Kingdom Ministry, that they had no need to research doctrines amongst themselves and neither should they do so, because it was not condoned by the GB!

*** km 9/07 p. 3 Question Box ***

Does “the faithful and discreet slave” endorse independent groups of Witnesses who meet together to engage in Scriptural research or debate?—Matt. 24:45, No, it does not. And yet, in various parts of the world, a few associates of our organization have formed groups to do independent research on Bible-related subjects.

42

New here

by winnie12 in

hey i'm new here, i've been reading up so much here and on other sites about tatt and it has really settled a nagging feeling of doubt within me.

truly i have been lied to and have been trapped in this cult.

i've been suffering with depression, anxiety, attempted suicide, hospitalization, anti depressants, loneliness all this while being in supposedly surrounded by "the happiest people" on earth.

The Searcher

Hi Winnie, welcome to a place where no one will shun you for having different opinions from them.

Lots of good advice, especially the concise counsel JEN1 gives. The only thing I could add is that you just simply fade, miss more and more meetings, & no field service. Every time you get a shepherding call, you just give them the reasons you gave them before. They'll very soon give you up as a lost cause and leave you alone - that way you don't disassociate or get disfellowshipped and you get to keep your mother's love!

Create your OWN rules for THEIR game!

14

Believing It All EXCEPT...

by Ding in

i used to think that loyal jws bought into the wt teachings 100%.. that's certainly what the gb wants and expects and demands.. but then i encountered some jws who believe it all except for the opposition to higher education.. they think the gb is wrong about that, so all of the children are college educated.. others seem to believe it all but quietly celebrate family birthdays and various holidays.. these aren't people who are fading; they just ignore a few wt teachings that they don't like (despite the risks of being disciplined).. have you seen similar examples of active jws who are doing all the wt-approved stuff except for specific areas where they just ignore what the gb says is required?.

.

The Searcher

Higher Education - it's biting the Org in the backside, big-time!! Many are openly telling the GB "Get lost!".

After a D.O. gave a talk at the C.A., he was cornered after the session finished by a group of brothers & sisters telling him that the Org had gone too far with this one!

The blatant hypocrisy is mind-boggling - "All you lovely bros & sis with college degrees, please come and help us build our new HQ and the new Britain Branch Office with your Higher Education qualifications - free of charge of course, because we don't want to waste our hedge fund money on paying for qualified personnel!".

You can't criticize a "prostitute" for her life-choices, and then beg for "her" services!

6

Jesus The Archangel

by cipher7836 in

hi all, i joined to learn more about jws.

is it true that you guys believe that jesus is an archangel?

i'm confused on this point..

The Searcher

Welcome CIPHER7836 - As someone who's still in, your question about whether Witnesses believe Michael is Jesus is basically irrelevant compared to many other of the false doctrines which are taught. Enjoy finding out on this site what the Bible really teaches about those!

15

Can the elders make up stuff to make sure that a brother pretty much never gets to be elder?

by toto555 in

it's been my observation that if the elders really want a brother to become elder, then they will come up with all the reasons in the world to appoint him.

the reverse is also true.

if the elders really don't want a brother to become elder, then they will make up all sorts of reasons not to appoint him despite perhaps the brothers many years in the truth, great talks, spirituality etc.

The Searcher

A very close relative of mine was an M.S. for several years, despite asking the elders more than once what he had to do to become an elder. (beats me why he wanted it so badly!) When he got tired of the excuses, he had a private word with the C.O., asking him what more he had to do in order to "qualify" as an elder. The C.O. had a word with the B of E, and the relative was promptly promoted!!

P.S. The relative was very much disliked by the B of E because he very often confronted them over poor administration or any inaccurate statements which they made.

8

If Ever That Faithful Should Become An Evil Slave Becuase He Sees That The Master Is Delaying And Starts To Disfellowship All His Fellow Slaves That Don't Listen And Obey Him, Then The Master Will...

by frankiespeakin in

when you think of it the governing body matches up far more closely to the faithful slave that turned evil when the master didn't come when they said he would..

The Searcher

The GB has hijacked a phrase coined by a Bible scholar from "apostate Christendom" in order to deflect the Evil Slave "finger" being pointed at them. The quotation comes from The Net Bible - https://net.bible.org/#!bible/Matthew+24:45

27

JWDEFENSE youtube channel

by wannaexit in

jw
friends

wondering what to make of this youtube channel.

looks like it could be put out by wachtower.

http://www.youtube.com/channel/ucn6uoc8oxbgrhqqazu6unsq/videos.

The Searcher

The simple answer is this; if it's sanctioned by the Org, it'll still be here in 7 days time. If not, then some Witness is about to have their hard work eradicated by the Legal Team at Brooklyn on the basis of breach of copyright!

I love one comment which was made, suggesting that commenting be disabled; so much for 1 Peter 3:15 - be ready to make a defence for the faith you have!!

If you can't answer questions on YouTube, it's time to stop going out on the preaching work!!

8

Blame it on the Boogy!!!

by quellycatface in

jw
friends

was chatting to one of my brainy colleagues at work and telling him a bit about my jw exit etc...... he asked a few questions and then we got onto singing for some reason.

he said that having music, singing or even chanting at religous gatherings makes the brain for "receptive" to suggestions and indoctrination.

wtf, i said!!!

The Searcher

I just call the KH singing, "Karaoke time".

10

I met a lovely x JW sister this morning

by KateWild in

jw
friends

on my way to work, i saw my neighbour from the next street sitting at the bus stop as usual.

i always offer her a lift and say hello and try to "encourage" her.. the family was in our book study, the kids know i love them to bits.. well did the flood gates open or what, she has got old mags she wants show me, internet websites.

if she is on here she hasn't worked it out yet.

The Searcher

Kate, you are almost certainly loved and cared for by more people than you give yourself credit for - even by those who have never met you yet!

I wish I was perfect, but I'm not, and I trust that those who love me actually don't focus on my obvious physical limitations. Trust & love - the two greatest forces in the universe. Pity that the Org inspires neither!

54

How can i continue my fade vs the rubber band theorem that pulls my wife in

by DS211 in

jw
friends

im at a crossroads my friends.

im beginning to feel that my oppurtunities to get my wife out are waning.

weve misssed many meetings she still smokes a cig a day.

The Searcher

DS - If she still believes in God, Jesus, & the Bible, commend her for wanting to live according to those things. However, you should gently get her to reason on what the Org teaches and what the Bible really teaches! The two of you should do a "Family Study" and really scrutinize what you've been believing, and let her discover exactly what the Org's focus is on - money & control!

Having said all this, I think the Org is going to give many Witnesses a rude awakening over the next 9-12 months via new dictats, as well as more forceful "requests" for the sheep's cash!!

Maybe your job will be done for you. I wish you a calm time of it!