june 28, 2017 to all bodies of elders re: important reminder—volunteers.
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Dear brothers,
Apparently the Holy Spirit doesn't make sure the godless, unclean and unqualified (I.e. didn't write enough service hours) are not used to move Holy Furniture. (Do the have the Ark of the Covenant in there?).
So please cover for the Holy Spirit and update the privacy-sensitive data we have collected on our cult members in a timely fashion.
Cheers!
Well at least Watchtower acknowledges that their behavior is anything but normal.
the watchtower has held for many years that jesus died on a stake and held strongly to this teaching.
w 1951 3/15 the above agrees with the new world translation of the christian greek scriptures in its appendix, page 769, in saying that the instrument upon which jesus was nailed was a stake without a crossbeam, and not the religiously represented “cross”; and that the greek word used for that instrument in ancient time meant a “stake” and not the conventional religious cross.
they are no longer certain on this point.
i would pick this one https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=th2w6oxx0kq.
i don't know how so many are happy or fine if thinking this life is it.
haven't lost parents yet, but when with them, sometimes i'll think of this song.
St. James Infirmary. Somehow I'm always identifying with the man making that sad, lone, fearsome walk.
There are many versions but I know the one by Van Morrison best: https://youtu.be/s_Tc08tIBR4
And then there is Anywhere I lay my head by Tom Waits. The feeling of both abandonment, loneliness and acceptance that anywhere can (or must) be home. I guess it appeals to me as I've been known to say (when abroad) that as long as my wife (and now my daughter too) are with me, I wouldn't really care if my whole country and everyone I know suddenly disappeared. Probably that is what also made me have less issue with losing all JW friends. That country just disappeared and I don't care too much.
I heard this song the first time in an acapella version, and I like it much better. Somehow Tom Waits' voice distracts me from the song. Unfortunately that acapella version isn't online (except a tiny sample here http://www.montezuma.nl/sites/default/files/Anywhere%20I%20Lay%20My%20Head.mp3?uuid=5955511dce3e3 ) Somehow it's much sadder like that.
here in holland jw.org is organizing for the first time the yearly conventions like circuits.
the whole summer the new convention hall is used for small group conventions instead of 10.000 seat external halls.. it keeps the money in the organization.
not renting external buildings.. the 29.000 witnesses here are divided now into 2.000 seat audience.. g..
From the Borg's perspective:
Upsides:
Downsides:
Well money is their first and only priority anyways....
this is a question for those who officially left the organisation and are married; and your spouse and kids are still in.'.
i just wanted to find out what your experience has been when you dissacociated.the following questions go through my mind all the time.
it always comes back to the what if's!.
I'm not officially DA. But I didn't fade either.
I went from being an active bro with some privileges (reading WT, public prayer) to atheist evolutionist apostate in a single day. For myself it took about 4-6 weeks, but everyone else only saw the result. After I told my wife my findings, I never went to a single meeting, and she told everyone why.
By the way, if you're capable of pretending/faking, I suggest to fake starting research and bring your wife with you on your trip. My wife was mostly shocked that I didn't inform her when I started my research. It was a breach of trust. I might even have gotten her out...I've heard more than one exjw relate the same. Don't keep your spouse in the dark too long.
i was baptized 4 years ago, i have 2 little girls who love their bunnies, so this year we reached out to 4h and started our own 4h group - this was after asking the elders for counsel.
none provided.
now after doing this for 3 months i am being brought before a judicial committee for neutrality.
Honey, everything is between you and your God. Nobody has any authority over you but you!
I hope you stand for your principles.
I don't know much about 4-H, but it doesn't look non-neutral to me?
Also, I know a brother in Brazil who works for CISV (see http://www.cisv.org/ and https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/CISV_International ) and that kinda looks similar? He doesn't get into trouble for it.
As for neutrality:
How dare any of those who speak for Watchtower condemn you?
And by the way, welcome to the forum! We don't bite!
i appreciate 10 commandments because they try to ensure law and order in the society.
however, i have problem with introductory statements that say: “you shall have no other gods before[a] me… you shall not bow down to them or worship them; for i, the lord your god, am a jealous god, punishing the children for the sin of the parents to the third and fourth generation of those who hate me, but showing love to a thousand generations of those who love me and keep my commandments.” (exodus 20:3-6).
1) this contradicts the characteristics of god described in mathew 5:44-48 where love is described as loving everyone without thinking whether others reciprocate or not.
Only after I woke up I actually read about other ancient laws with great interest.
I had always simply accepted the claim that 'God's law' (or so the myth tells us) was highly superior to the barbaric practises of the heathens.
Until I actually read the contents of these old laws. They are very much alike....except that Moses was almost 1500 years late. So much for being superior.
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_ancient_legal_codes?wprov=sfla1
i realize that prayer is a really personal thing, but representing a group in prayer has become so full of cliche's that i just want to vomit sometimes.
co week almost every prayer has the phrase "special week of activity" in it.. then there's "please look after the sick and afflicted.".
not so much anymore, "please bless this food and the hands that prepared it.".
Pomo with pimi wife here.
I get slightly amused whenever my wife says a bedtime prayer for our 2 year old child.
So whenever my wife is not there and my kid asks atheist me to pray, I do.
Hi grandma, you made lovely dinner tonight, thanks you for that! Oh and we had ice creams, thank you random dude! Also thank you dad for providing. Thank you teacher for being nice. Thank you [child] for being lovely today and making fun with mom and dad. Thanks everybody for a nice day. Now let's sleep well!
'Prayer' is for atheists too ;-)
i would like to thank the operators of this website and all the others here who support those who are walking up.
perhaps i'll share some personal story stuff at another time but i've been lurking here for a while, maybe 2 years or so.
finally got the bearings to create an account :).
Was the Wrongdoer’s Baptism Valid?
46. When dealing with wrongdoers,the elders should not raise questions about the validity of the individual’s baptism.If the individual raises the issue, the elders may refer him to the February 15, 2010,Watchtower,page 22. Further information on rebaptism can be found in the February 15,1964,Watchtower,pages 123-126, and the March 1,1960,Watchtower,pages 159-160. Rebaptism is a personal matter.
48. There are rare occasions when it is obvious that the baptism was invalid because serious wrongdoing did not cease before baptism, even for a brief period of time. For example, it may be that at the time of baptism, the individual was living immorally with a member of the opposite or the same sex, was a member of a non-neutral organization, or some-thing similar. If there are questions, the branch office should be consulted.
Source: Shepherd the Flock of God (secret elders manual).
According to these rules, your buddy may get what he wishes since the military is a 'non-neutral organization'. But I doubt it will really fly.
Especially if he ever signed some paperwork (for Bethel service, RBC or whatever) after he left the military reserves; then they might argue he signed with Watchtower showed his decision to be a true Christian (e.g. a JW).
And fear not, even if his baptism is declared null and void, the effect will most likely be the same as when DFed or DAed: the big shun will start. After all, those who ever chose Watchtower Jehovah cannot simply walk away.
