knowing is good.. not knowing is bad.. knowing that you don't know leads to inquiry, research and education.
that is good.. assuming you know the validity of your research material is bad.. sometimes you are stumped but you don't know that you are stumped.
you proceed anyway.. .
Terry,
Ignorance has a strong negative meaning- while I am in full agreement with you and I am happy you put into words something I have observed, I prefer to think of it more as curiousity.
JWS are totally lacking in natural curiosity towards life, knowledge, how, why. They cant even form the questions, because every one has a thought stopping answer.
Wow, this is so fascinating.
Those images of all the bodies.
I can imagine a JW convention ending this way- all it takes is direction for the GB- how many would even have the mind to walk out.
after leaving, i still couldn't wrap my head around evolution (after the years of seing "intelligent design" in everything around me).. there's a series of videos that give a good intro to evolution and critical thinking.
they've probably been posted here before, but, for any new members, these are worth watching.. evolution: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xdddbyilel0.
critical thinking: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6olpl5p0fmg.
I never understood why people are so anthropocentric and stingy with souls.
Why cant everyone have one.
the worst thing an "elder" ever did to me was in 2008. i was in one congregation, but i wanted to return to my home congregation because i've been reproved there twice ( once private and the last one public ).
when i came into this congregation in 2007 i thought i was going to move up the food chain ( this congregation was full of older people, so i thought i would move up faster ).
but i got into some trouble in the congregation.
LOL EE
i've had a rough time lately with my jw relatives.
they are aware of my spiritually weakened condition and have known about my doubts for some time.
i would like to hear your experiences about "coming out" to your loved ones.
I said this to someone else, recently.
Avoid the strange JW impule of letter writing.
Yes, you want to lay out an argument, a detailed, nuanced argument explaining yourself.
DONT.
buy a journal.
then continue to have face to face conversations with your doubting family.
Letter writing and giving does nothing but produce evidence against you. The cult mentality can snap back on again at any moment, and the person may feel the need to report you or burn it or you name it to your letter. In the present moment, when things come up, you can draw them out and try to share these taboo ideas. There are small windows where a believer has doubts. Most people cannot live in a state of uncertainty and close their minds back up to something more comfortable- in this case the lies and tragic message of the WTS.
I believe letter writing must come out of the JW mindset that you are the speaker and your audience needs to listen, and you will line up your points and scriptures like giving a talk.
This is really not effective communication, iit is one sided. Trying engaging in a conversation, where there is an exchange and you listen and respond to the person and what they need from you rather than presenting your case, as you say.
the worst thing an "elder" ever did to me was in 2008. i was in one congregation, but i wanted to return to my home congregation because i've been reproved there twice ( once private and the last one public ).
when i came into this congregation in 2007 i thought i was going to move up the food chain ( this congregation was full of older people, so i thought i would move up faster ).
but i got into some trouble in the congregation.
a- based on what you are saying it sounds like their idea of why you did what you did is accurate
my answer is: The worst thing an elder ever did to me was pinch me very, very hard.
30 that seems to put jw's at a cross-roads?
i've known so many who have decided to abandon ship at either the age of 30 or either after 30 years of being baptized.
i fall into the former category.
Sky Green, you are not stuck! I hope you find your way to freedom!
to the household of god, israel, and those who go with... may you all have peace!.
from time to time the issue of how to fulfill the "form of worship that is acceptable to god," mentioned by james in his letter, namely, looking after widows and orphans "in their tribulation"... comes up.
given the issue of tithing, the plethora of institutionalized charity choices, and the existence of ones in need, perhaps in our own households and families... but certainly in our towns, countries... and around the world... how does one fulfill this requirement?
goodbye thread.
to the household of god, israel, and those who go with... may you all have peace!.
from time to time the issue of how to fulfill the "form of worship that is acceptable to god," mentioned by james in his letter, namely, looking after widows and orphans "in their tribulation"... comes up.
given the issue of tithing, the plethora of institutionalized charity choices, and the existence of ones in need, perhaps in our own households and families... but certainly in our towns, countries... and around the world... how does one fulfill this requirement?
Yes, Ziddina!!!
now that I see where tec gets her yall and peace to you from, I am a little creeped out.
this is baffling me...someone suggested a day or so ago that outlaw is female?
and what about bandontherun ?
is that a lady too?.
I AM A PURPLE MONSTER END OF STORY
