Out of all this speculation, I think the tithing has gotten me thinking the most. It fits the bill of something that would require elders to 'help others accept the change', and something that would meet quite a bit of opposition. Personally, it's something that I wouldn't go along with, which would probably mean some kind of sanction, which is perfect, since I don't want to be part of this garbage anyway.
sseveninches
JoinedPosts by sseveninches
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375
The Governing Body intends to announce significant changes in academic literature (DOCTRINES) - Brazil
by Dogpatch indear randall.
good morning!.
here is the daniel of brazil (former bethel).. this week at the forum of former jehovah's witnesses had an interesting news!
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When you see some beautiful creations, then they say that Jehovah is wonderful...
by Iamallcool inhave you noticed that the dubs have mentioned from time to time when you see some beautiful creations, then they say that jehovah is wonderful?
is there something wrong with their thinking?.
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sseveninches
How does one explain that Jehovah created the universe perfectly once, and yet had to give and change the laws for the jews at least two times and then according to xians these laws are over and dont count ? Does this sound like the handiwork of the same architect ?
Not entirely true. I mean, technically, those laws are indeed supposed to be over and don't count. But for some reason, the WT picks and chooses which parts of the Mosaic Law to still follow.
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Why did you become a Jehovah's Witness ?
by Gnosis inwhy did you become a jehovah's witness ?.
initially upon entering the religion what were the positive things you experienced ?.
how did that particular way of thinking both benefit and harm you ?.
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sseveninches
I'm not a born-in, but I got into it pretty young (baptized at 14). My dad was home when a couple of JWs passed by one weekday morning and left a brochure, which he then shared with my mom. They MADE us (my sister and I) study, and encouraged (read: pressured) us to get baptized.
Whenever my parents discover something new, I quickly do some internet research to see what it's really about and what people are saying about it. I wish I was smart enough to do it before I got baptized...if I did that, I would have never joined. Now I have to go through the painful process of leaving it, and no longer having a family, unless they wake up too, which is unlikely.
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Anyone in Miami?
by sseveninches inwhere you're an ex-jw or still a jw, if you live in miami, florida (broward/palm beach county is cool too), i want to hear your story.
i've already given mine, but i'll tell it again just for the purpose of this thread.. i was researching masturbation because of the fact that the wt makes it out to be such a bad thing despite admitting that it isn't even mentioned in the bible.
along with that, i was researching "porneia" in general, and then i discovered this site.
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sseveninches
Knowsnothing - I'm kind of new to the forum, and I wasn't really aware of the members-only section until after I posted it. I will nex time though, thanks!
Also, you have a PM.
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Blondie's Comments You Will Not Hear at the 07-29-2012 WT Study (GLORIFY)
by blondie inhelp us to reflect gods glory?.
god and reflect his glory.
10 to reflect gods glory, we also need.
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sseveninches
I also heard the summary for this article at the assembly. I was asleep through most of it though, so this is really the first time that I went through it in detail.
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If you are reading this title, everything you know needs to be questioned
by King Solomon inthe title of this thread is like one of those bumper stickers, "if you can read this, you are too close".
it's true: if you are reading this, you accepted certain assumptions in the past, or need to do so.. the jws deliver a well-honed message that is targeted to individuals who's prior experiences and psyche makes them pre-disposed to accept their version of reality; attending meetings is really just a way for individuals to correct their thinking so as to be more in accord with the beliefs of the group.
btw, the process of aligning one's thinking to a group is not inherent evil, eg doctors attend continuing education courses so they can stay abreast with their colleagues in new findings of research, thus enabling them to deliver the best possible care to their patients, not practicing using turn-of-the-century ideas (blood-sucking leeches, etc).. however, when it comes to religion and faith, accepting assumptions into one's world view without critically-analysis leads one to a conclusion that may be flawed.
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sseveninches
The Oracle - I once believed in the concept of meat in due season, or food at the proper time - coming from God to the faithful slave class and then to us.
This allowed my mind to rationalize all kinds of failed prophecies, and allowed me to accept new teachings without questioning anything.
When I started uncovering flip flops, new light that was actually old light - that entire concept unravelled and fell apart like a house of cards.
It gave me"permission" to start researching past teachings and the "foundation" of the "truth". Once I started discovering the real truth, the fog began to rapidly lift and it was the beginning of the end for watchtower mind control.
I think that this is the basis for every other problem with the beliefs. Once they have you think that they're the "truth", you will readily accept anything and everything they tell you.
For me personally, it's based off The Oracle's comment, just as I said:
- I once believed that questioning the WT doctrine was out of the question, since they've already done all the research and have gotten everything figured out. However, I think a lot, and started questioning certain things that didn't add up (questioning kept to myself). The more I did my research (online), the more I was finding out that not only there are other people with the same doubts, there are answers to those doubts as well. I also thought to myself: 1 John 4:1 gives me the right to question my beliefs, as well as any doctrine. Why then would I be disfellowshipped for doing this? This is definitely contrary to what the Bible says.
- I used to think that the WT doesn't lie, they just misunderstand. But I read on JWFacts.org how the WT deliberately lied in their publications about how long they've been teaching the current doctrine about 1914, and how they've also been inconsistent with their death told figures for World War 1, as well as lying about it being the deadliest war at the time. Those are BLATANT lies, easily disproved by the real facts from many historical sources. The same was said about earthquakes - how their claim that since 1914 major earthquakes have been on the rise, whereas the USGS, which keeps a record of these things, have said that the number of earthquakes have been steady. They BLATANTLY lie about these things to support their 1914 doctrine.
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Jesus is going to kill you.....when he come back!
by trailerfitter inthese are the exact words from the mouth of a 7 year old boy to his father , namely me (the father).
yes i am a non believer but also very concerned that his mother, an active & obsessed jw is filling his mind with this sort of thing.
alarm bells are ringing in my head because last night was not the first time he said it.
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sseveninches
This reminds me of a talk that someone gave in our hall...saying that if we don't obey the organization, it's as if we're against Jehovah and Jesus, and since Jesus died for our sins, he has the right to come down and slit our throats when the time comes. The whole talk in general was pretty violent, and I didn't appreciate it at all.
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Blondie's Comments You Will Not Hear at the 07-29-2012 WT Study (GLORIFY)
by blondie inhelp us to reflect gods glory?.
god and reflect his glory.
10 to reflect gods glory, we also need.
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sseveninches
" Preparing for the Bible Highlights?! It's not like you can read the assigned chapters and share your interpretation. It has to be an interpretation given by the WT before."
So true. If I were to go on stage tonight (I have the Bible Highlights part) and say that the book of Ezekiel proves that Jerusalem wasn't destroyed in 607 BCE, I would be kicked out immediately.
The fact is that this isn't a Bible-based religion. It's a WT-based, mind controlling cult. It's a shame that I have to stay in it for a bit longer, if I want to have a house to live in.
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Anyone in Miami?
by sseveninches inwhere you're an ex-jw or still a jw, if you live in miami, florida (broward/palm beach county is cool too), i want to hear your story.
i've already given mine, but i'll tell it again just for the purpose of this thread.. i was researching masturbation because of the fact that the wt makes it out to be such a bad thing despite admitting that it isn't even mentioned in the bible.
along with that, i was researching "porneia" in general, and then i discovered this site.
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sseveninches
RubaDub - which part of SFL?
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Anyone in Miami?
by sseveninches inwhere you're an ex-jw or still a jw, if you live in miami, florida (broward/palm beach county is cool too), i want to hear your story.
i've already given mine, but i'll tell it again just for the purpose of this thread.. i was researching masturbation because of the fact that the wt makes it out to be such a bad thing despite admitting that it isn't even mentioned in the bible.
along with that, i was researching "porneia" in general, and then i discovered this site.
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sseveninches
Iamallcool - I go that beach pretty often. It might be the only thing that would keep me from moving out of Miami. That and the fact that there's no snow here during winter.