leaving_quietly

Joined

• started 82 topics
• posted 1,676 times   see topics posted on
• send a message

Posts by leaving_quietly

• 
  40

  What Was Your Body of Elders Like?

  by minimus in

  1. jw
  2. friends

  were they pretty much a good group of men?

  we're they jerks?.

  1. 
  2. 
  3. 
• 

  leaving_quietly

  I'll say what the BOE in my cong IS like. I may very well be in a cong that's an anomaly. The BOE is one of the kindest I've ever known. Not quick to DF. COBE is older, a very gentle man, whom everyone loves. Service Overseer is a pioneer, but this man lives his chosen profession. In service all the time. Lots of studies who actually come to the KH. Probably one of the only ones who generates studies like that. A nice person, in general, and someone who I like calling a friend. Secretary is a scatter-brained fellow who is always smiling. He looks out for everyone in the congregation and folks generally like him. He can be a bit abrasive at times because he doesn't realize when he's gone too far in joking. School Overseer is a kind person that the publishers generally like. We have one ex-bethelite elder who is pretty low-key. Doesn't want to do too much given his family responsibilities. In all, none of them have any hidden agenda. I served with these guys for a few years, and none of them want more power than any one else. I served with these elders, and that's one thing I liked... no one was out for power. They really just wanted to look after the congregation.

  So, from a kindness and genuineness perspective, these guys really are model elders. I think, as close as possible to what elders should be. I served with a really bad elder body years ago. So, I've seen both kinds. I'll take the current BOE any day.
• 
  19

  Reinstatement - repentance - works - Can you explain how this is supposed to work?

  by berrygerry in

  1. watchtower
  2. beliefs

  nov 15, 2006 wt.

  when requesting reinstatement, he should be able to give evidence that he has repented and is producing works that befit repentance.acts 26:20.. .

  how possibly can someone "give evidence" or "produce works"?.

  1. 
  2. 
  3. 
• 

  leaving_quietly

  Attend all the meetings and make sure your WT / book is underlined. And if you have wronged someone, try your best to make restitution. That isn't always possible because some situations don't call for restitution. But, whereever possible, to so.

  Of course, the verse used is WAY, WAY, WAY out of context. I wish I had realized that when I was an elder.

  Paul was talking about his ministry to those in Damascus, Jerusalem, Judea and the Gentiles and was telling them to repent and do works befitting repentence. These people were not yet Christians. What "works" did Paul emphasize? He contrasted the works of the flesh with the fruits of the spirit in Galatians 5. The works he constantly talked about were the works produced by the spirit: love, joy, peace, etc. The works that befit repentence would naturally be things that showed one actually had the spirit, namely, helping others, such as the poor, the orphans and the widows. That these are the works Paul referred to can be seen easily by reading his letters.
• 
  9

  Watchtower Oct 15 2014. Legal contracts?

  by StarTrekAngel in

  1. watchtower
  2. beliefs

  for anyone who may have looked at, or attended the wt study for this week.

  the first two articles of the magazine in subject use, in my opinion, the word "legal contract" too often.

  anyone noticed this?

  1. 
  2. 
  3. 
• 

  leaving_quietly

  Not sure we can fault WTBTS for this teaching as there is Biblical precedence for it. I haven't done a deep study into this particular aspect of the covenants (their legalities), however, they are probably basing these "legal contracts" on the language of Hebrews 6:16,17:

  For men swear by someone greater, and their oath is the end of every dispute, since it is a legal guarantee to them. 17 In this same way, when God decided to demonstrate more clearly to the heirs of the promise the unchangeableness of his purpose, he guaranteed it with an oath,
  The phrase "legal guarantee" is unique to the NWT (as far as a super quick search shows). However, the definition seems to be okay. The phrase used is is "eis bebaoisin" which is can be a technical term for a legal guarantee in a transaction. It literally means "for confirmation". The idea expressed in verse 16 is not uncommon. In the U.S., there's such a thing as a "verbally binding agreement," which, when tested in the courts, if both parties state that they agreed to something verbally, it is considered binding, thus, a legal guarantee. Verse 17 here is showing the binding agreement God entered into when he made his promise to Abraham. It really isn't that far of a stretch to say that all the covenants, which means "promises", are "legal contracts" bound by verbal agreements, sometimes by only one party (God himself) and other times by two parties (e.g. the Law covenant where the Israelites agreed to it verbally (Ex 19:3-8).)

  So, at first glance, it appears that while the use of the phrase "legal contract" to the degree used in the article is irritating, it does not appear to be incorrect.
• 
  3

  Convention letters for 2015 hotels

  by ?me? in

  1. jw
  2. friends

  shouldn't the letters for the conventions next yr be coming very soon ?

  for the usa.

  or does anyone have info from the hotel chains that are regularly on the list?

  1. 
  2. 
  3. 
• 

  leaving_quietly

  These usually show up the first week of January.
• 
  44

  Hebrews 10:25

  by millie210 in

  1. watchtower
  2. bible

  i was asked recently by a still in friend (it was meant sincerely not sarcastically).

  "but what do you do with that scripture so far as not attending meetings?".

  i typed hebrews 10:25 in to the search bar but didnt get much.. .

  1. 
  2. 
  3. 
• 

  leaving_quietly

  I found the following site interesting. It was not written by ex-JWs, but touches on this very problem.

  http://www.wickedshepherds.com/ForsakeNotTheAssembling.html
• 
  18

  What are the Core Teachings of Jehovah's Witnesses?

  by cultBgone in

  1. watchtower
  2. beliefs

  recently someone asked me to define what core teachings have such a hold on jdubs that they have trouble breaking free.

  trying to single out the driving force that keeps them in the borg, this is what popped into my head:.

  obviously there are lots and lots of wacky things the jdubs teach/believe/pretend to believe.

  1. 
  2. 
  3. 
• 

  leaving_quietly

  @Island Man, I would add to your last bit this:

  Even if one were to point out other groups or individuals that preach from house-to-house, JWs will respond, "But who else does it on such a GLOBAL scale as us? Look at all the languages we print our publications in!"
• 
  14

  Double-life, sounds like a prison sentence....or maybe not?

  by sparrowdown in

  1. jw
  2. friends

  question: do you think the "double-lifers" have the best of both worlds?.

  just asking, because i have wondered, if i had an outlet to express my utter.

  disgust and general dissatisfaction with wt teachings and cong-life while i. was still in, ie on forums etc, maybe i would never have left.. just a thought, anyone else have any?.

  1. 
  2. 
  3. 
• 

  leaving_quietly

  It harms your physical health? Really?

  Yes. I won't go into personal details as it falls under the category of "too much information". However, do a Google search on stress related physical problems. I am fortunate to only have a few of the problems mentions, and nothing that can't be reversed if I can remove or reduce the stress.
• 
  14

  Double-life, sounds like a prison sentence....or maybe not?

  by sparrowdown in

  1. jw
  2. friends

  question: do you think the "double-lifers" have the best of both worlds?.

  just asking, because i have wondered, if i had an outlet to express my utter.

  disgust and general dissatisfaction with wt teachings and cong-life while i. was still in, ie on forums etc, maybe i would never have left.. just a thought, anyone else have any?.

  1. 
  2. 
  3. 
• 

  leaving_quietly

  I think it's a prison sentence, yes. Speaking as a double-lifer, that is. And, I would say it causes a lot of health issues . . . not just mental. The stress alone of knowing TTATT and not being able to freely talk about it causes a lot more physical issues than I would have anticipated.
• 
  10

  New Monthly Report Suggestion!

  by The Searcher in

  1. watchtower
  2. beliefs

  just an idea for the weekly g.b.

  conclave to consider - unless it's too christian for them to think about!.

  paul wrote this to the "israel of god" - galatians 6:2 " go on carrying the burdens of one another, and in this way you will fulfill the law of the christ.".

  1. 
  2. 
  3. 
• 

  leaving_quietly

  I agree with the sentiments, but I would never agree to "report" my hours doing this., Continuing a little further in Galatians 6:

  Go on carrying the burdens of one another, and in this way you will fulfill the law of the Christ. 3 For if anyone thinks he is something when he is nothing, he is deceiving himself. 4 But let each one examine his own actions, and then he will have cause for rejoicing in regard to himself alone, and not in comparison with the other person. 5 For each one will carry his own load. - Gal 6:2-5

  How about we remove hours, return visits and bible studies altogether from the report? If they want to know how many magazines, books, brochures, etc. are placed for the purpose of projecting printing amounts, fine. The rest of it is, quite frankly, not their business. That should be private.
• 
  59

  At This Point In Time Would You Ever Subject Yourself To A Judicial Committee?

  by minimus in

  1. jw
  2. friends

  i certainly wouldn't.

  and if the elders wanted to have a meeting with me, i would respectfully decline.

  if the elders wanted to deal with you, would you talk with them?.

  1. 
  2. 
  3. 
• 

  leaving_quietly

  I'm not sure. On one hand, I think so, just so they can show their true colors. On the other hand, what a waste of time.