WinstonSmith

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Posts by WinstonSmith

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  39

  Well, I talked with two active JWs about the latest understanding of the F&DS.

  by Theocratic Sedition in

  1. jw
  2. friends

  i know a brother who went to the most recent annual meeting.

  older brother, non-annointed, elder, wife a pioneer, and overall a pretty good dude.

  he let me take a peak at the new awake dropping in 2013, which by the way i have to give credit where it's due as i like the new 16 page format.

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  WinstonSmith

  I think the key thing to remember is that in all the info that has leaked out, I don't think the speakers at the meeting explicitly stated that the GB is the FDS. The term used was something along the lines of 'group of faithful anointed ones preparing spiritual food'. So even if there was no official GB, there was a 'group of faithful anointed ones preparing spiritual food' from 1919. Through careful use of words, they have covered their backsides. Still, it doesn't explain why the 'group of faithful anointed ones preparing spiritual food' up until 1919 are now considered to not be part of the FDS.

  Plus a bunch of other questions too. I guess we will have to wait for a letter or WT article to get the 'official word', and then we can pick apart properly.

  With regards to the choir, Cedars started a thread in which he noted that he had added to his recent article some notes that were taken at the meeting. In there it mentioned and showed a photo of a choir of children who sang 'Listen, Obey and be Blessed'.

  I cannot communicate clearly enough just how much I despise that song. But thats another subject for another day on another thread....
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  336

  The New Diary of Winston Smith

  by WinstonSmith in

  1. jw
  2. experiences

  we had to go off grid for a time, time and half a time as we thought we had been outed.

  fortunately it was a false alarm, but it was a stressful time.

  i asked for my original diary thread to be deleted in case there could be anything on there to identlfy mrs smith and i. i am always very careful when posting, and am sure there was nothing on there, but felt it best to have it removed in order to be as cautious as a dove.

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  WinstonSmith

  Don't tell anyone, but Mrs Smith and I may or may not have just danced Gangnam Style to a Boney M song in our lounge and then fallen on the ground giggling and laughing like two year olds......

  I'll deny everything in a court of law :-D

  Speaking of denial, (did you like the segue?) how's this for a classic case of the WTS living in denial:

  The May 1st 1997 WT, on page 8 says "Jehovah God is the Grand Identifier of his true messengers. He identifies them by making the messages he delivers through them come true."

  Based on the WTS's own words, would you call them God's true messengers?
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  336

  The New Diary of Winston Smith

  by WinstonSmith in

  1. jw
  2. experiences

  we had to go off grid for a time, time and half a time as we thought we had been outed.

  fortunately it was a false alarm, but it was a stressful time.

  i asked for my original diary thread to be deleted in case there could be anything on there to identlfy mrs smith and i. i am always very careful when posting, and am sure there was nothing on there, but felt it best to have it removed in order to be as cautious as a dove.

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  WinstonSmith

  By the way, what is the logic behind this?

  Happy birthday - Death at Armageddon

  Merry Christmas - You just missed out on everlasting life

  Happy Halloween - No resurrection for you buddy

  Happy Hannukah - You made God unhappy

  Happy anniversary - Totally okay
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  336

  The New Diary of Winston Smith

  by WinstonSmith in

  1. jw
  2. experiences

  we had to go off grid for a time, time and half a time as we thought we had been outed.

  fortunately it was a false alarm, but it was a stressful time.

  i asked for my original diary thread to be deleted in case there could be anything on there to identlfy mrs smith and i. i am always very careful when posting, and am sure there was nothing on there, but felt it best to have it removed in order to be as cautious as a dove.

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  WinstonSmith

  Thank Phizzy and Tootiredtocare!

  I think a lot of good comes from just sitting and listening to others. Listen to what they say. Measure it against what you know and what your experience has taught and then accept it or reject it. Just because you reject it, doesn't mean the speaker is necesaarily wrong, just that you and he have a different opinion.
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  336

  The New Diary of Winston Smith

  by WinstonSmith in

  1. jw
  2. experiences

  we had to go off grid for a time, time and half a time as we thought we had been outed.

  fortunately it was a false alarm, but it was a stressful time.

  i asked for my original diary thread to be deleted in case there could be anything on there to identlfy mrs smith and i. i am always very careful when posting, and am sure there was nothing on there, but felt it best to have it removed in order to be as cautious as a dove.

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  WinstonSmith

  What does Luke 21:8 tell us?

  It says don't follow those who go around saying 'The end is near!'

  For well over a hundred years the WTS has been saying 'The end is near!'

  Based on Jesus words, should you follow the WTS?

  Better it is to live a life of humility, not going around like you have some sort of special knowledge. Rather, treat others how you would like to be treated. Then when the 'end' comes - whatever that means and entails - you can present yourself before Jehovah and Jesus and say you did your best to live by their standards. And if, when the 'end' comes - whatever that means and entails - it turns out all this bible stuff was wrong, at least you will have lived a good life of kindness, honesty and compassion.
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  3

  PDF of annual meeting notes now available on my article

  by cedars in

  1. watchtower
  2. beliefs

  http://jwsurvey.org/cedars-blog/governing-body-says-we-are-the-faithful-and-discreet-slave.

  it's on a link at the bottom.

  i've updated my article accordingly.

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  WinstonSmith

  Thanks for the update Cedars.

  Are these someone's personal notes that have been collated along with the photos?

  I must admit that I chuckled at the part that said 'Matthew and Luke use the definite article HO with reference to the FDS.' Where I come from 'ho' is slang for prostitute, and I must agree, those that call themselves the FDS have indeed sold whored themselves to their delusions of grandeur.

  Oooooooh I'm so baaaaaaaaad.
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  336

  The New Diary of Winston Smith

  by WinstonSmith in

  1. jw
  2. experiences

  we had to go off grid for a time, time and half a time as we thought we had been outed.

  fortunately it was a false alarm, but it was a stressful time.

  i asked for my original diary thread to be deleted in case there could be anything on there to identlfy mrs smith and i. i am always very careful when posting, and am sure there was nothing on there, but felt it best to have it removed in order to be as cautious as a dove.

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  WinstonSmith

  Aussie Oz: Did you crack the Winston Smith Code? Unfortunately there is no Holy Grail at the end of it :-P

  Sickandtired: I understand that feeling of aloneness. In the period from when it all fell into place for me, and when Mrs Smith also worked it out was a lonely time. You just want to burst out everything you have figured out. Ripping the band aid off though, is not always the wise course, and it takes gut wrenching patience and hours of tongue biting to slowly grind down the cult mountain. You have us here as friends and support, and we are with you all the way. It is wise to pull back if hubby is a bit sensitive lately. There will be other times and opportunities. As Biggles used to say 'He who runs away today, lives to fight another day' in other words we have to pick our battles. Fog is the right word, and our loved ones can be deep in it and have no idea how lost they are. It is a testament to our love for them that we grit our teeth and look for ways to make some headway, however small. Let us know if we can help in any way.

  Phizzy: Thank you for your kind words. I hope that others can take something away from what gets posted. It takes a lot of intestinal fortitude to sit through a meeting. Like recently when talking about Paul preaching to those who came to him while he was under house arrest a sister said 'the lesson for us is that even if we are stuck at home, sick or whatever, there really is no reason to miss any opportunity to preach' Oh dear. Pack your bags, we're going on a guilt trip!

  QC: Thanks for sharing you info mate. I recommend to everyone: GET READING. You biggest ally is knowledge. You learn that there are many points of view, and that this is totally okay. These different points of view are what makes life interesting. I'll check out your site.

  Wannaexit: Sounds like there are some great similarities! Lovely to hear your story. You are right that it all hits you at once. What a ride! Keep in touch.
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  26

  Intro/fellow abuse survivor

  by jwabusesurvivor in

  1. watchtower
  2. child-abuse

  im new to the site, as my username implies i am an abuse survivor, it was more then sexual, it was a very horrific type of abuse and no surprise the jw's that were involved were and still are being protected.

  i have found posts here to be encouraging and glad to see i am not alone in my struggle and my fight.. i have a constant struggle/battle with emotional and mental health issues from the many many years of abuse but i am a fighter and try to keep on going, but am so glad to have found this site, it seems to be a source of encouragement :).

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  WinstonSmith

  Welcome to you, our new friend!

  Sorry to hear that you have had an awful experience. I am certain that here you will find plenty of kindness and understanding.

  Stay strong, fight on.

  WS
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  22

  Help please, The original letters on both sides of rutherford taking over by force, and court documents/etc of the real reason he was jailed

  by EndofMysteries in

  1. watchtower
  2. scandals

  anybody know offhand where i can download those?

  part of my project :) i think he just printed in the golden globe or something about the takeover, if so i have access to that.

  but unsure where to get the pamphlet the brothers unjustly kicked out had published.

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  WinstonSmith

  EoM: I have sent it all to my Readability account to look through and digest over the next few days.

  Funny how the nice guys get trampled on, this too seems to be another key part of JW history.

  Keep up the good work!
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  336

  The New Diary of Winston Smith

  by WinstonSmith in

  1. jw
  2. experiences

  we had to go off grid for a time, time and half a time as we thought we had been outed.

  fortunately it was a false alarm, but it was a stressful time.

  i asked for my original diary thread to be deleted in case there could be anything on there to identlfy mrs smith and i. i am always very careful when posting, and am sure there was nothing on there, but felt it best to have it removed in order to be as cautious as a dove.

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  WinstonSmith

  We took another step in the fading process today. Had a nice brunch with some guys I used to work with, their partners, and a guy who works with me. Such a good time, talking about movies, work, life, travel. Good fun. It was nice to have a normal conversation!

  These guys and their partners are the base of our new circle of friends outside of the congregation.

  Little by little....