contramundum

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Posts by contramundum

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  27

  Do local JWs want in-person meetings back in your congregation?

  by JWTom in

  1. jw
  2. friends

  i realize many here think that in-person meetings will return as soon as things are safe with covid.

  but many acknowledge it will likely be 2022 or later when this happens.. surprisingly, many pimi jws in our congregation are not shy about saying they are fine with zoom meetings forever and do not want to go back to in-person meetings.

  many speculate similar thoughts that are on this site....such as a combination of in-person and zoom meetings.

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  contramundum

  My mother has been a staunch witness for the best part of five decades. During that time she never missed a meeting unless very ill. When she had no transport she would cycle 3 miles to the kingdom hall, or walk if the weather was too bad to cycle. This was also with two young children. She has often said recently that she doesn't miss the face to face meetings and would be quite happy if she didn't go back to the hall. She has not lost her faith or her loyalty to the religion, yet I found it telling that even she prefers the convenience of zoom or a phone link to meeting in person.
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  8

  Praying for others?

  by pixel in

  1. watchtower
  2. beliefs

  i’m looking for an article, from the watchtower, where it says that we should not pray for other members from the stage.

  does anyone remember an article saying this?.

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  contramundum

  I vaguely remember something along the lines of not mentioning individual witnesses' names when praying publicly on behalf of the congregation. There was a time when brothers would include the names of members who were sick, however I think they put a stop to this. I cannot imagine what scriptural precedent they came up with for this change.
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  25

  Just invited to a zoom memorial.

  by Overrated in

  1. jw
  2. friends

  walked away from the trooth years ago(over 20) my older sister sends me an invite to the memorial via zoom.

  i have no interest in jwism at all.

  should i ignore or respond?.

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  contramundum

  I also received the invite from my cousin. He has not been in touch with me for over 5 years, then suddenly, out of the blue, he sends an impersonal, stock WT worded message along with the memorial invite.

  I was initially hurt that he would send such a cold introduction when we had once been close. No words of affection, no enquiry about me or my family.

  Once my initial feelings had subsided, I felt the best option would be to entirely ignore anything related to JW. I replied how lovely it was to hear from him, briefly updated him on my and my children's life and finished by saying that we were all happier than we'd ever been.

  When I first left JWs, I would feel obligated to justify my reasons. I now realise that no logical argument will have any effect on a closed mind. The best course of action for me is to sidestep any religious discussion and focus on the way my life has exponentially improved since leaving. This says far more than I ever could.
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  28

  Looking Back Were There Any “Apostates” In Your Congregation?

  by minimus in

  1. jw
  2. friends

  i remember knowing some jws that expressed their own personal viewpoints regarding what a scripture meant that was at odds with society teachings.

  in the 60 and 70’s, that was pretty much tolerated until the great purge in 1979 and 1980. as a matter of fact, it wasn’t unusual for witnesses to get together and discuss personal questions and viewpoints they might have.

  it wasn’t unusual to send letters to the society asking what was considered the right or wrong view.

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  contramundum

  I remember a brother being removed as an elder in the late '70s. He was my book study overseer and when he announced it to the group after the meeting, he said something to suggest that the reason he was removed from his position was because some people didn't like some of the things he said. I was young and didn't understand what he meant at the time. Looking back I recall people whispering about him believing certain ideas that weren't in line with the GB's teachings

  He and his family remained in the congregation until one Sunday morning, a few minutes before the public talk was about to start, he had an altercation with a special pioneer and was forceably bundled out of the hall by a posse of elders.

  This was a shocking incident and talked about by many for a good while.

  He was never disfellowshipped, but even as a child I knew from the adults that we should have nothing to do with him or his wife and he was referred to as an apostate.

  I never saw the family again.
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  12

  I have been out of the cult for 10 years now! What is their latest stance on Vaccines or the Covid-19 Vac? Any insiders?

  by Intel in

  1. watchtower
  2. beliefs

  i used to be very active on this board - 14 years ago (redpill2006...still remember blondie, barbara and many others).

  then left the cult for good 10 years ago (ex-bethelite, ex-elder).

  today, after so many years, i decided to come back because there is an issue that is nagging in my mind.

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  contramundum

  I spoke with my JW mother today who informed me that the congregation has been told they may have the current vaccine because there is no blood in it.

  She did not mention anything about what methods were used to create the vaccine.

  This is in the UK. I don't know what the stance is in other countries.

  CM
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  7

  Very good and recent recording of a judicial committee

  by StoneWall in

  1. jw
  2. friends

  came across this today and wished to share it with any that might want to hear.this happened within and over the last few months as you can tell from their references to covid-19 and the precautions they are having to take and you will hear a few dates mentioned as you listen.the first part is good but it gets even better in the second part (final).i'm really impressed with the knowledge this "apostate" has and how well he conducted himself.so much i could say but will let you see for yourself.love to see when others aren't intimidated or humiliated by the so called "loving" brothers on the committee.part 1https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bz0tm1mrbfcpart 2https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=i92w4mv5gf0.

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  contramundum

  I have only listened to the first part so far but it seems to me their sole argument was to repeat "we are doing things Jehovah's way" yet they did not turn to one scripture to back up these claims that their judicial procedure is theocratic.

  I am so glad that more and more JCs are being recorded and shared online. No one listening objectively could come to any conclusion other than that the elders are brain washed puppets of an organization led by cruel ego maniacs.

  I feel ashamed that I was part of this organisation for so long.

  CM
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  44

  Leaked WT Elder Training Video

  by Vanderhoven7 in

  1. watchtower
  2. beliefs

  https://youtu.be/2nacvosx8n0.

  good to see the caring brothers help establish depth of guilt..

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  contramundum

  I found this extremely uncomfortable to watch.

  Robbie was told :This is not a court of law" That became all too apparent. He would have received less harsh treatment in a "worldly" court. The elder said that they must all be convinced of his repentance in order to show mercy. Isn't this entirely the wrong way round? Law courts have the responsibility to establish guilt beyond all reasonable doubt to return a guilty verdict.

  Their creepy, pseudo-gentle demeanour cannot fool anyone. This organisation is cruel, self righteous and judgemental.

  Appalling.
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  15

  have you heard anything ?

  by lancelink in

  1. watchtower
  2. beliefs

  i was a witness from grade school ( 1976) until 2007. i seem to remember an important aspect that was always talked about at the hall as being a fact.they would say that "the rocks themselves would cry out" if the public preaching work was to stop,,,,, all i've seen and heard these past few months are the witnesses complaining about the witnessing work coming to a halt.but i've not heard one rock crying .. .

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  contramundum

  i received this in an email from a non jw friend this week. It made us both chuckle

  CM
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  37

  Were You Willing To Die For Jehovah?

  by minimus in

  1. jw
  2. friends

  we were supposed to be dedicated unconditionally to jehovah god.

  we were willing to be persecuted to the death if need be.

  if it came to taking a blood transfusion or dying, we were loyal to jehovah and would be a martyr for god.

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  contramundum

  I am afraid that I was absolutely loyal to the ideal. I refused a blood transfusion.

  While drifting in and out of consciousness, my two main thoughts were "I must not accept blood" and "What will happen to my young children if I die"

  I find it difficult to comprehend just how indoctrinated I was. It is scary.

  CM
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  7

  Christmas Eve ,and what am I going to watch tomorrow on Xmas day. Any suggestions ?

  by smiddy3 in

  1. social
  2. entertainment

  i`m thinking of "the life of brian " .

  chevy chase and one or two of his" vacation" movies .

  i will give a miss on mel gibsons "the passion of christ" ?

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  contramundum

  Went out and bought The Muppet Christmas Carol especially to watch on Christmas Eve.