Posts by The Searcher

33

DEC 2013 WT Article - Slave for Jehovah - warning: ranting ahead

by ohnightdivine in

jw
friends

this morning's wt study almost made me vomit, stand up, pick up my bag and rush to the door.. of course it never happened.

instead, i was able to make some nice drawings on my tablet and notepad.. if you replace the name jehovah with watchtower, or the governing 8 men, it would really make sense.. what's up with all that nonstop guilt-mongering about education and having a decent job?!.

most people look down on the uneducated, and i remember, when i didn't have a job, nobody cared!.

The Searcher

OHNIGHTDIVINE - I felt the exact same. The recent letter begging for skilled Witnesses (obviously with degrees) to volunteer their expertise for free in the construction of the new UK Branch is unbelievable hypocrisy.

Higher education is being vilified as part of Satan's system, therefore, no brother or sister with a degree should ever receive privileges from those who condemn such qualifications!

The G.B. is teaching their own Pharisaic-style false traditions, and making God's Word invalid!!

I've come to the conclusion that such men do not believe the Bible - it is merely the means by which they and their wives have a very privileged and guaranteed existence!

FDS - Get out and pioneer for 70 hours per month and set the example! And while you're at it, get a window-cleaning round to support you and you wives, as cited in today's Watchtower.

(1 Timothy 6:6) "[this] godly devotion along with self-sufficiency." Practice what you preach - be self-sufficient!

42

My Story

by Brother Mike in

jw
friends

my story is long, heart stopping, tragic, and puzzling.

since i posted what was said to be my last post, i received a private message which sparked my attention about the watchtower.

immediately i did research, and have found not only proof from outside sources, but the watchtower openly admitting it.

The Searcher

Repetition for emphasis - go find your best friend and empathise with him. Show him how much you still want him as your friend, regardless of how his mindset has changed. Your love for him hasn't!

30

I regret my disassociation.

by Zoos in

jw
friends

if i knew then what i know now, i might never have disassociated myself.

i realize all i can do is speculate on what could have been.

however, when i consider the number of people i might have been able to help by dropping little thought-provoking seeds, i really regret having jumped to the decision to disassociate so quickly.. ive read the accounts of several people on this forum telling of how stressful it is to be in the position that i just described above.

The Searcher

ZOOS said - "Once you disassociate, you will sever your ability to convey that information to friends and family".

Disassociating yourself is 100% perfect solution - if you want to cut all Witness friends and relatives instantly out of your life because you don't give a damn for any of them!! Great - go and start a totally new life, and build up a new circle of friends.

However, if you know TTATT and you are sick of what is being fed to those whom you really care about, create your own rules, and set boundaries as to what you are prepared to do, and what you you point-blank refuse to do. At the very worst, you will be viewed by many as being one of those on the 'edge' of the congregation, and the "glorious ones" or "princes" will just lose interest in you and leave you alone!

Then you will be perfectly placed to plant those little seeds by raising questions about "things you don't understand"!

20

Who is the faithful and discreet slave?

by wearewatchingyouman in

when i discuss things with my father regarding whether a governing body is needed for christians one theme that is constant with him is "if it's not the gb who is the faithful and discreet slave - who else is giving food in these days to god's people?".

i've been working on a response to this for the last couple of months and am just curious as to who christians who are ex-witnesses interpret the faithful and discreet slave to be, and the parable in general.. .

i guess i'm just looking to round out my argument and have a few different angles.

The Searcher

Let me see.................................

(Romans 14:12) So, then, each of us will render an account for himself to God.

(Matthew 12:36) I tell YOU that every unprofitable saying that men speak, they will render an account concerning it on Judgment Day;

(Romans 14:10) But why do you judge your brother? Or why do you also look down on your brother? For we shall all stand before the judgment seat of God;

(2 Corinthians 5:10) For we must all be made manifest before the judgment seat of the Christ, that each one may get his award for the things done through the body, according to the things he has practiced, whether it is good or vile.

(1 Peter 4:5) But these people will render an account to the one ready to judge those living and those dead.

Nope, didn't think so, but just wanted to make sure: there ain't a single verse which says any Org or self-appointed group claiming to speak for God Almighty will take responsibility for my lifestyle/conscience, when the time comes!

All Christians are 'slaves' of Christ, and as such, will render an account to the Master of the Household - not to other jumped-up slaves within the household!

(Luke 17:10) So YOU, also, when YOU have done all the things assigned to YOU, say, ‘We are good-for-nothing slaves. What we have done is what we ought to have done.’"

37

Help me...!

by OneDayillBeFree in

jw
friends

lost my job, just a week before making the final arrangements to move into my very own apartment.. got a speeding ticket on the following sunday for trying to make it to the meeting "on time", (never made it to the hall, just parked in the back of a shopping center for 2 hours in silence).. marked by the elders for quitting pioneering, no more commenting and "failing to adhere to bible counsel".. jw family sees me as a disappointment.

non-jw family is too far away to care.. found out ex-girlfriend got df'ed and is now pregnant.

puts some of the blame on me for how things turned out.. realizing that she's not entirely wrong as i was still an ignorant, kiss-ass, die hard jwdub when we started dating, always putting the "kingdom interests first" never having time for her since "the end was so freaking close" and then warping her up in the mess of me learning ttatt.. dwelling night after night in "what could have been" if i had never been a jw.. alternating between being a theist, atheist and agnostic on a daily basis to the point where i don't care anymore yet getting creeped the f*ck out when facing my own mortality and the thought of me dying alone.. always coming to the same conclusion, when i find myself alone on friday nights and weekends, that i have no actual friends, only two conditional jw "friends" which are both currently out of town for about a month and 0 real, non-jw friends.. haven't been able to sleep well in literally weeks now.

The Searcher

Never diminish your situation by thinking that there are people suffering things worse than you - many most of us have to live with our own relatively personal miseries in life - but they are still miseries and can really bring us down if we let them. Even filthy rich billionaires are suffering personally, albeit in financially better circumstances.

The point is this; we need to love and be loved, we need true friends and companions, and we need intimate conversation and association with people who are generally like-minded and empathetic.

This may sound contrite, but it is a wonderful truth - " He that is kindly in eye will be blessed, for he has given of his food to the lowly one." (Proverbs 22:9) By putting yourself in a position to meet and help others, you will meet all kinds of lovely people, make genuine friends, and really appreciate how good life can be.

You are a decent man - go and mix with decent people - but don't leave us!!!! I wish you the best of experiences.

15

suggestions for elder a nd co visit

by Shaul in

jw
friends

getting a visit tommorow our kids that are in are concerned as to why we are missing meetings.

our family is basically ignored by the congregation long story we just don't want to go anymore.

i have told the kids how rotten i have been treated and also i have had some seriou health issues but you know you should still be at the meetings.

The Searcher

Call it off now!!!!!!!!!!!

Apologise profusely, and briefly explain that you are having to deal with very personal issues which you can't talk about with anyone.

Be very firm but polite when they try to impose their will on you to agree to continuing with the get-together!

Be determined to control your choices in life - don't be subservient to those who want to dictate to you!

23

Have JWs and other Christians completely missed the point of Matthew 24:4-8?

by Island Man in

many people think those verses are suggesting that the wars, earthquakes, food shortages, etc are all a sign that the end is imminent.

however, a careful examination of the context seems to suggest that jesus was actually forewarning his followers not to draw such a conclusion from such events.

see this interesting article on the subject:.

The Searcher

The Greek word 'seismos' which is translated "earthquakes", literally means "a shaking, a commotion, a tempest, an earthquake."

So take your pick - was Jesus speaking of literal earthquakes, or other types of stormy events?

When Jesus was in the boat during the tempest, 'seismos' was used to describe that stormy situation. (Matt. 8:24)

36

What are the best questions?

by MissyM in

jw
friends

what would you say are the best questions to ask a jw which they will not be able to answer and may make them question their beliefs?.

what (if you are a former jw) made you question the "truth"?.

The Searcher

Revelation 2:1-12 - Doesn't mention "new" scrolls, and those scrolls are NOT opened during Christ's 1000 year reign - they are opened after Satan is destroyed!

Deuteronomy 29:10-15 - Foreigners WERE commanded by God to be in the Law Covenant!

Ask a Witness who are Christ's brothers and Sons of God, at this moment in time? They will tell you that it's only those Witnesses with the "heavenly hope". Then ask them to read what the Bible really teaches!!

(Matthew 12:50) whoever does the will of my Father who is in heaven, the same is my brother, and sister, and mother."

(Matthew 13:38) The field is the world; as for the fine seed, these are the sons of the kingdom;

(Mark 3:35) Whoeverdoes the will of God, this one is my brother and sister and mother."

(Luke 8:21) In reply he said to them: "My mother and my brothers are these who hear the word of God and do it."

(John 1:12,13) However, as many as did receive him, to them he gave authority to become God’s children.

(John 15:14) YOU are my friends if YOU do what I am commanding YOU.

(Rom. 8:14) For all who are led by God’s spirit, these are God’s sons.

(1 John 5:1) Every one who believes that Jesus is the Christ is a child of God.

(Revised Standard Version)

1

This will be the final home for the anointed....

by Separation of Powers in

i have known alot of people that participated in the rbc, temporary construction projects and international work over the years.

there was always talk regarding a project here or there.

funny comment i heard the other day regarding the new project in upstate ny aka warwick.

The Searcher

Warwick, IMHO, is evidence of a retrenching mentality; it's effectively a 'circle the wagons' strategy imposed by the GB's string-pullers in the Org - the lawyers & the financial manipulators - those people who are unknown by at least 99.99% of Witnesses worldwide.

The Masters of the Universe at HQ are preparing for the 'perfect storm' - a re-run of the Catholic church's costly lawsuits for covering up the pedophilia amongst its clergy.

The 'perfect storm' should trigger the following - multiple mega-bucks payouts to victims resulting in global media coverage of the culpability of the "spirit directed" FDS. This in turn will be the catalyst for either/both of two things - disillusionment of the GB causing many to leave, and many ceasing to donate to the Worldwide Work due to funds being used as compensation for the Org's guilt.

How long the 'new home' acts as a haven, remains to be seen.

23

NEW BRITAIN BRANCH HYPOCRISY

by The Searcher in

a letter from the uk branch is being read out this week - begging for a long list of highly qualified brothers such as engineers, draughtsmen etc.

to contribute their expertise free of charge in order to get the new britain branch built!.

the gb vilifies in print and from platforms, higher education!

The Searcher

This is about the cheapest property I found in the same location as the Britain Branch. It's pretty modestly priced compared to many which are costing £4m +

http://www.rightmove.co.uk/property-for-sale/property-44112299.html#backListLink=%2Fproperty-for-sale%2Ffind.html%3FlocationIdentifier%3DPOSTCODE%255E622652%26insId%3D2%26radius%3D0.25

The Ridgeway, Mill Hill, London NW7 1RN is a very expensive and exclusive suburb on the north edge of London.

I reckon the Org could possibly make enough mi££ions from its residential properties in London to pay for a new Branch, before it sells either of its TWO huge facilities on either side of the road!