just one little thought....adam & eve ate the fruit from the tree "of the knowledge of good & evil".
so..in other words, before they ate they did not know right from wrong...hmmmm so how can you blame someone who does not know right from wrong?.
for a crime to take place in human law you must have the act - 'actus reus' - and the guilty mind or 'mens rea' as it is termed.
Freemindfade:
Insight Book may say that but - Jehovah put a cherub in the Garden to oversee it - hence Satan -- Ezekiel 28 refers to King of Tyre and also The cherub that walked on the holy mountain covered in precious stones who was beautiful.... Interesting chapter
So apparently he could not have been bad in heaven or he would not have been given that position on earth.
somebody mentioned in a recent topic that they had a conversation with a former elder whose breaking point was when the overlapping generation was highlighted in recent times and how he would never serve again until somebody gave him a scriptural reason to believe it.
i am in a similar position.
i have gone in the last 18 months from taking the wt study, leading fs groups, and doing talks on the mtngs to doing almost nothing, as i resigned a little over a year ago as an elder due to a combination of family responsibilities and huge doubts.
i guess being two months old and coming to the kh in his onesee was kind of offensive .
how rude of me.
i am thinking about returning to him.
this could have been a heartfelt gift, however, keep the kid in what you can take care of, diaper changes, milk spilled, upchuck, whatever -- tell that guy appreciate it but its not the time. Does he have kids, if not, he doesn't know what he is doing...
Don't be afraid of him, he is just a man and as the WT says an imperfect one at that!! Love that line.
If your in the truth, they don't mind their own business - its a "family" - everyone knows everyones business and talks about it to others.
elder: plese watch the november programm on jw broadcasting.. me: what i hope for is the change of the doctrine that states that jesus is not the mediator between jehovah and all jw's but only between jehovah and the 144000. i believe jesus is my mediator even if i am not one of the 144000. .
elder: may jehovah open your mind and heart.
me: may he open everyone's mind and heart.
Finkelstein
They have been saying that for years.. in the WT ... yet no one picks it up.... because I am mentally questioning everything, I pick up what they are saying and a lot of times, its mostly between the lines of a study edition. Shady, inuendos, pictures that show Jehovahs throne and written below it for the order is Governing Body, Elders, Ministerial Servants, Other sheep.... Jesus not listed
There is no other way to come to God without believing in Jesus and his redemptive power because of him giving his life for mankind,,,,, yet the GB is wheedling their way in between that relationship and setting themselves up as the mediator for mankind.
Go into the library on JW.Org and type in question" Is Jesus Mediator for Other Sheep?" - They boldly say ":No" - only for the Anointed. and yes you are right - this is a ego driven power grab for the minds and hearts of the congregations... and its working !!!
i'm just going to say my name is sawaveh.
i'm looking for some jw friend's.
i live in wa, moses lake, usa.
Sawaveh:
Please know that the witnesses can be very pleasant people, however, if you do go to the hall and you do start a study, ask the following":
- if I am a jw for a time and I do not want to be one anymore, will people in the hall speak to me?
- there is pressure on you to "obey" the elders in the hall as they receive information from a Governing Body in New York. If you are a woman, know that you are a second class citizen who is under the thumb of even a 10 year old male who has been baptized when you go in service ( a male is dominant whereas a woman has to know her place- the husband is head of the house) and if you are single, you will be fortunate if you find a mate in the JW/s - ratio of males in JW og - about 40% to 60% female therefore not enough men and you are counseled not to marry outside.
-If you need a blood transfusion, you cannot take it or you will be shunned
-you cannot celebrate any holidays as they are satanic in origin, no voting for a new president of the USA- Witnesses are neutral in all societies and do not go to war - not a bad thing, but not allowed
-no smoking, no med Maryjane -
-if you want to pioneer - it has been noted in many articles for those who were in full time service, no kids - now they find themselves childless and are older with no support from those unknown kids.
- Look at the recent information re closing down of worldwide work but they are still taking money out of congregation accounts and wanting more
- there are child abuse cases recently they were found guilty and have had to pay millions also there were at least 16 abused that received confidential payments - some as much as $750,000
-The Governing Body is much like the Pope - they are the " mouthpiece" for God on earth. Many JW's look to them for their salvation when indeed, you are your own salvation with your relationship with God and Jesus
-they do not encourage higher education
I do hope you find your way but if you are suffering from emotional issues, please note you may - when you are in the JWs for a long time- find it may not be your answer... we all have to hold onto something so you alone can make that decision, just know what you are getting into
Do your due diligence before jumping into the fire
somebody mentioned in a recent topic that they had a conversation with a former elder whose breaking point was when the overlapping generation was highlighted in recent times and how he would never serve again until somebody gave him a scriptural reason to believe it.
i am in a similar position.
i have gone in the last 18 months from taking the wt study, leading fs groups, and doing talks on the mtngs to doing almost nothing, as i resigned a little over a year ago as an elder due to a combination of family responsibilities and huge doubts.
New Day:
Is your wife receiving calls and visits from those in the congregation? If so, they may be the reason why she is fully in.. if the shoe were on the other foot and she was not, she would see things differently. So, at this point, are they speaking to her of your pulling back? If they are scratching their heads about you, they are probably passing this onto her when they do visit. I mentioned slowly as it will affect her, especially is she is sick, it will intensify that illness. She has a hope - that in the New system she will be well and happy, that is the hold on her. I think, truth be told, we all hope for better days....
You, for all intents, must be "healthy" as you held the position as elder and saw it all.. this is emotionally draining as many elders don't get the support from other elders - who can you turn to? You know many body of elders head bang in their private meetings, and some elders even get blind sided when two or three want to get rid of others. It is definitely your decision - all the best in that and keep us updated. There is a lot of support here.
losch's refusal to appear in court when subpeona'd to give testimony before a judge over his involvement in child abuse cover up and endangerment lawsuit .
i think such conduct should take away his freeness of speech and label him as a supreme hypocrite for giving such a talk about letting one light shine when he seems to be afraid to let his light shine in a court of law.
this man's hypocrisy knows no limits, and is extremely shameful.
Oubliette:
Anyway can this be enlarged?? I tried but it would not work for me
Thanks
TL123
somebody mentioned in a recent topic that they had a conversation with a former elder whose breaking point was when the overlapping generation was highlighted in recent times and how he would never serve again until somebody gave him a scriptural reason to believe it.
i am in a similar position.
i have gone in the last 18 months from taking the wt study, leading fs groups, and doing talks on the mtngs to doing almost nothing, as i resigned a little over a year ago as an elder due to a combination of family responsibilities and huge doubts.
Your wife is the key to you missing meetings... many on board have faded just by implying they are depressed, having so many pressures on them its hard to get ot the meetings and especially if the mate is sick.. you need to be there to assist in anyway you can..
I am sure, as an ex elder you have heard this yourself in conversations with those who are not regular meeting attenders - and as you know, these folks were talked about in the elders meetings as to their spirituality, not fully appreciating these folks saw the same thing you are now seeing for yourself..
Note that those who do fade, or those still in don't leave--( or many don't) --Jehovah... they are not Apostates if they don't believe the party line anymore.. and to saddle people with this term does them harm - as you will find out, if you haven't already... we became witnesses because we thought it was the truth, stayed for years, the truth today is not like it was even 10 year ago.."". those now living WILL die"", not " those now living will never die", which they changed to "those now living MAY never die" another eye opener- in the WT several years ago.
The word generation now known as contemporaries - (where they have made changes to support the Biblical wording) what a disgrace to the Bible where it does say time after time the word(s) "Generation" and Generation after generation" -- not "contemporary after a generation.....
You know too the private and confidential memos that go to the COBOE and elders to be discussed by the body but not to be read to the congregation i.e. increased funds to cover worldwide building work - page 2 - that after a period of time if the congregations was not making their resolution, the body would once again ask the congregation to submit new amounts to be covered. What did you think of that money grab?
When I came into the truth (or thought it was) the thing was that only contributions would cover costs -- no money would be asked of the congregation like the religions do!! Hasn't that changed!! and the WTBTS went to court years ago when the contributions were stopped to back an evangelist TV preacher.... Now its resolution after resolution -( If you don't put your hand up to agree, all eyes are upon you- guilt trip!).....and monies to be taken from the congregations and IF they need, it they can get it back!! What's chances.... WW building has been stopped.. Co's are on the hook if the elders make congregation mistakes...now with the increased spotlight on child abuse, over 1000 pedos in Australia (Royal Commission report on line from the court) may be investigated and victims to be paid... major cases found the WTBTS liable for payment in the US recently for millions...Britain is a hot bed for JW sexual predators (they are supposed to be setting up their own Commission) ..... and you wonder where money is going??
Rutherford said when the money stops, the preaching work will stop ... Jehovah will provide til then - apparently it is stopping.. they are taking money out of all the congregations accounts...leaving enough for 1 -2 months hall expenses ..
It is indeed a troublesome time for the society....
You should take your time and back out slowly
anyone coming to a hall near you?
or your hall?
or your circuit?
So far one couple - Bethelites --got their Cdn walking orders -- no job, no money, looking for a place to stay --
no furniture -- no Cdn pension plan fr govt, nothing!!! and they are in late 50's... what's chances????
Of course, there is free medical care...
hello first of all to those that remember me.
i'm doing well, 10 years since my missionary trip to cameroon.
i've met a couple of goals.
Don't know if you noticed any CO lately, they are sporting the marketing lapel pin of JW.ORG-- I would love to find out who exactly, is behind all this marketing strategy.. not that I could do anything about it other than say they sold their "souls" to a WORLDLY company... and are now part of the world they condemned only a few years ago.... The marketing firm does not understand apparently, what turns people on in this organization... society is floundering, treading water, soon to sink - much like Peter who lost his faith when he tried to walk on water.....
