Posts by Richie

4

The message or the messenger?

by Simon in

jw
friends

it seems that the wts is keen to ascribe certain bible prophecies to itself as having fullfilled them.. the 'trumpet blasts' in revelation become district conventions (or announcements at the conventions) and they make a great commotion about other things they 'announced' such as "millions now living" or "advertise, advertise, advertise".. it seems though that they always miss a key bit out - what exactly the announcements were or what they were to advertise!.

i am pretty sure that all the original messages and beliefs that these were based around have long since been abandoned but they still cling to the idea that their announcing something was somehow linked to bible prophecy and had jehovah behind it.. do they think the message doesn't matter, just that there was a message (just don't ask us what it was).. or perhaps the message doesn't matter at all and the messenger is all important?.

i doubt many jws know what was in any of these announcements, just that they are a fullfillment of bible prophecy (because it says so in the proclaimers book).. i know one old announcement they made that is still true:.

Richie

Those "trumpet blasts" are supposed to be coming from a perfect God and then to think that these "blasts" or holy messages were the wrong ones to begin with. What that does is make a mockery out of Jehovah, as if to say that the Almighty doesn't know what he is talking about. The WT cannot whitewash these blunders with their trademark reaction that the light is getting brighter and brighter. It sounds more like blasphemy rather than "truthbearers", but then again you Simon put it correctly by saying that indeed religion is a snare and a racket and who needs a kick in the behind? You guessed it....the Governing Ghost Busters!

Richie :*)

24

What's Your New Years Resolution............

by ladonna in

jw
friends

no, i haven't told you mine because i need some ideas from you guys .

giving up spending so much time on the forum????.

nah!!!

Richie

After I came to this board, I started to come to my senses by accepting life without the Borg and become stronger thanks to all the friends here. For the coming new year my resolution is to develop much more appreciation for life by making others happier and more contented and at the same time showing this love even to witnesses, regardless if they ignore me - I will go out of my way to "love" them to death as it were and making them feel embarrassed in the process. Also I want them to observe my happiness outside the Borg, so that they remain puzzled why I should be happy. That will make my day each and every day during 2002 and beyond....

Richie :*)

51

Sum everything up with just one sentence???

by Celtic in

jw
friends

what you got to say, in a nutshell?.

peace.

celtic

Richie

....and be aware of the benefits that each day, hour, minute or second will be presented to you. Stand still and think about each moment in time so that you can feel life flow in all its power and beauty...

Richie :*)

21

Disfellowshipping: A protection in the end?

by Esmeralda in

jw
friends

well, the year is nearly out, and as the new one approaches i'm thinking back on 2 years of being in the online exjw community and, in june 2002, my four year anniversary of my df'ing.. when first i came to h2o seeking comfort and support in january 2000, i had been df'd for a year and a half and online nearly 4 years but never had the guts to type "jehovah's witnesses" into a search engine.

that search led me to freeminds (thanks, randy *hug*) and then, to h2o.. what a journey its been.

i've gone from devastation at losing my family, to anger, through the anger to numbness, back through sadness, and now after much soul searching and a chance change of circumstances last summer, come to look at my disfellowshipping in an entirely new light.. those who know my history know that i was born into the borg, baptized at 12, married at 19, and was a very loyal, unquestioning dub until the age of 24 when the elders told me that my miscarried babies had no status with god.

Richie

Thanks Esmeralda for your revealing post where, as you stated, disfellowshipping is really a protection for all of us. Little do we realize at first, that by being thrown out of this unloving arrangement, it is actually for our benefit - NOT to go back to the Borg of course - but in order for us to compare genuine love with plastic love, the latter naturally referring to the Society.
You correctly stated in one paragraph the full reason why it is beneficial for us to be shunned and at the same time recognizing that a come-back would be fruitless:

"I have come to realize that as sad as it was, their cutting me off has been one of the biggest blessings in disguise that I've ever gotten. Because I would have put up with their continuing emotional abuse of me, disrespect for my feelings, and all the JW-baggage that goes along with that (and we are not talking carry-on, folks!) Now, I don't. And even if they opened their arms up to me tomorrow, there would be new rules of behavior required for them in my new life."

I couldn't have said it better Esmeralda! Thanks for the wise words....so true!!
A Happy New Year to you too!

Richie :*)

7

Hark! ...I Need a Herald Please

by Perry in

jw
friends

dear posters,.

since i've been out of the loop for about 5 years i was wondering if anyone could comment on the questions below.

also, if there has been any other changes i would love to hear about it.

Richie

LOL Perry...I think you got my point. Your response was quite adequate that I am "keeping up with Jehovah's fast moving organization", so I am more confused than ever today LOL.

Take care,

Richie :*)

10

unreasonable nit-picking by witnesses!

by Richie in

jw
friends

how many of you have had experiences where elders and others in the congregation presented and even pushed their own viewpoints on matters which should be left to each person's own conscience.. we are all aware of the frowns and negative opinions on the way we sometimes dressed; one elder commented on my tie as it was too bright - i once bought a pretty ornament which had a pyramid shape, afterwards a sister said that i should not have this in my house (she did not know precisely why...but sort of felt it was wrong!).

we got a few frowns when we had a wind chime, but at least there we did some research on and told the individual to mind his own business.. how many of you know the "demon inspired" proctor & gamble sign, which prompted many witnesses to abstain from purchasing any p & g products.

how silly!

Richie

VM44...
Regarding SUV's and cell-phones being a stumbling block, I guess Outnfree summed it up quite truthfully: it is none of their business!
Personally, I never felt comfortable with this CO at the time, as I found that he was too afraid of stumbling witnesses in matters of personal preference and behavior. And by doing so, he overruled the freedom of others by forcing his own preference, thinking that he would be protecting the congregation from the "evil outside world". The CO's always receive guidelines and recommendations from the GB on how to deal with prevailing problems in many congregations because of the current trend. Some CO's are more eager than others in applying the "suggestions" given by the WT and in so doing they oftentimes cross the threshold by regulating the conscience of others on issues of personal choice. Pertaining to SUV's they may reason as follows: It's a sporty and expensive looking car - that would be a little difficult for the "poorer" brothers to accept, also the sporty nature may suggest an indirect rebelliousness by wanting to appear "cool" and be "in" with the world - a cellular phone in the car may give that added luxury where some other witnesses would feel deprived and....could be used extensively during service hours and would distract from actual service time by diverting attention from the more important things - then what about the reaction of the householder when they see a SUV parked nearby - it may stumble them too and so on....I am not joking, but that must be the exact reasoning of some elders and CO's in determining their own preference on matters which should be left on the basis of one's own conscience. This CO may have put too much emphasis on the import of Romans14:21, where in essence "we are not to do anything that could stumble our brothers".
Of course, in this instance as in so many other areas, those in power of "lording it over" would make it a burden for other because they overstep the bounderies of common sense by not letting others decide on the basis of their God-given free will and conscience. Basically, this mode of thinking and behavior has perpetrated the Borg since a long time and we can see how this has affected the rank and file negatively. This attitude of the Society well reflects the self-righteous Pharisees in the past, as they too were biased in their application of the Law that they made it burdensome for the people, insisting that it be observed according to their own concepts and traditions. They completely lost sight of the important matters, namely, justice, mercy, faithfulness, and love of God. And so it goes similarly with the WTBTS today...

Richie :*)

3

The best form of defense is.......

by ozziepost in

jw
friends

......attack!.

recent events appear to indicate that the wts has adopted a more aggressive stance toward dissenting views.

the son cannot be an angel, not even an archangel.

Richie

Ozzie...
This was an interesting post. With reference to the Society's reaction on cathedral buildings I have to make a few comments. It is true that many religious buildings have been constructed with the "blood" of men, but it also must be admitted that most cathedrals have a sort of glorious air of magnificence as they were built with the express purpose of manifesting worship to God the Creator. The cathedrals were built with the finest and most expensive materials, paying utmost attention to the tiniest details where even gold and silver were used as part of their interior makeup. Just look at Michael Angelo's paintings drawing attention solely to the Creator. And what about the temple of Solomon: it was a building dedicated to Jehovah and the most expensive elements were used to accomplish that feat - just to paraphase: "Solomon's throne itself was of ivory overlaid with fine gold. It had a round canopy behind it; six steps led up to it, with six lions on each side, and two lions stood beside the throne's armrests. For his drinking vessels only gold was used - many other ornaments were constructed of the finest materials available - the temple was constructed in such a way as has never been seen before in Judah". Many large churches were built in essence to bring praise to God and consisted of impressive and luxurious architectural structures similar to what Solomon accomplished. Moreover they stood the test of time where most cathedrals exist hundreds of years, whereas Kingdom Halls and Assembly Halls may only last for a couple of decades (if that long) or be sold to another institution or business.

Richie :*)

15

1934 German letter

by oscartheduck in

jw
friends

i've been looking at this letter for some time.. and researching it's origins.. i can't find anything conclusive, really.

i can't locate a denial of its existance from the society, but i haven't got access to any literature anymore, having left it all behind when i moved country to america from england.

so...is there any reference to it in, for example, the proclaimers book?.

Richie

Just read the letter from James Penton to Milton Henschel of the Governing Body about the alleged declaration of support for Hitler and his 3rd Reich. To be truthful, I find this hard to believe but I will attempt to research further and determine whether this is not just a misunderstanding gone astray or in fact a truthful occurrence which had the Watchtower's backing at the time. If in fact this were true, then I believe it would be the worst kind of collaboration ever by the Borg. In that case I personally think that the Society's proven fornication with the United Nations would actually dwarf in seriousness by this revelation of siding with the Nazis. Yes, Babylon the Great is revealed in many forms...

Richie :*)

80

To those who need no purpose in life

by gumby in

jw
friends

after reading the comments from many on the thread "is there a purpose in life" by itsjustme , posted a couple of days ago i am confussed.. i cannot understand how anyone can be content and not believe life has a purpose.. to not be compelled to wonder how all the design around us is just here because who knows why ......totally baffles me.. at this point in my life believe in a creator but have so many unanswered questions.

things do not make sense in the bible.. if i were to come to believe that the bible were a fairytale of myths...i would feel as stupid as i did when finding out the borg was a crock.. i also would be emotionally devastated.. here are some samples of your comments about lifes purpose.

we may have been put here by someone, or we may not have.

Richie

Gumby, you pasted your message 3 times...You can edit your comments back to one post...I guess you didn't know that? Well, now you do LOL.
And by the way - I do believe that there IS a purpose in life as much as I believe there is a caring God, and you know what....? Most others on this board do believe this as well!

Richie :*)

29

Have they sunk to new lows?

by duped in

jw
friends

my husband came home from the grocery store yesterday (christmas eve).

and said he saw a witness couple driving around the parking lot handing out mags from their car window.

i mean how lazy is that?

Richie

Proplog2...
You are right that X-mas is certainly a pagan celebration and I would not celebrate it although I tolerate it. Scully mentioned about a witness who unilaterally condems all of us, "because we are not in the truth anymore and therefore should be an apostate and we must be celebrating X-mas as well". This is the very mindset of incoherent reasoning of the witnesses at large, as they automatically assume you are celebrating all holidays after you left the Borg....
That is a uniformity of thinking which I personally despise: it reeks of total ignorance and wayward presumptuousness.

Richie :*)