Posts by Anna Marina

36

If you saw a governing body member being pummeled would you help them?

by Tenacious in

before you answer; .

think about how they could care less how many families are broken up just to retain their power.

how they could care less if members are driven to suicide because of the deep programming and severe depression or strained family situations.. how they would rather let members die in order to retain their power and refuse to acknowledge their faulty bible reasoning regarding blood.. i could go on and on and on.

Anna Marina

I'd wonder how the fight started in the first place.

*** w60 8/1 pp. 451-452 Do You Turn the Other Cheek? ***

Jesus said: “Do not resist him that is wicked; but whoever slaps you on your right cheek, turn the other also to him.” (Matt. 5:39) Now, Jesus did not say that if someone strikes you on the jaw you should get up off the floor and hold up the other side of your face for a target. No; how foolish and ridiculous that would be! A slap is not intended to injure physically but only to insult or provoke into a fight. What Jesus was saying was that, if anyone tried to provoke you into a fight or an argument, by either literally slapping you with an open hand or stinging you with insulting words, it would be wrong for you to retaliate. “Return evil for evil to no one. . . . Do not let yourself be conquered by the evil, but keep conquering the evil with the good.” Peter said that Christians would not be “paying back injury for injury or reviling for reviling, but, to the contrary, bestowing a blessing, because you were called to this course, so that you might inherit a blessing.”—Rom. 12:17, 21; 1 Pet. 3:9.

48

Are You Still “Technically “ A Jehovah’s Witness?

by minimus in

jw
friends

if we haven’t associated with the congregation in years, could it be said we are not jws?

or must you be disfellowshipped or disassociated to officially say you really aren’t a witness?.

Anna Marina

Wasanelder Once - yes I did start reading you post and thought, "no, no that's how it is."

I went to IKEA today. I was df'd for sticking with the prophet Daniel, who I reckon was a Jehovah's Witness, and in IKEA I bumped into a good number of the old club members today. I noticed a slight difference in behaviour. Some heads definately turning in an opposite direction or remained resolutely staring into their coffee and not looking up. Therefore, that's one up on them not visiting you.

Also, another person who was not in my cong, greeted me very warmly so I told her what had happened and she remained very warm and friendly. But she didn't know what to do with the basket she'd been looking at. She was nervous.

In addition to these changes, I have noticed that many who have never joined this man-trap of a club, are interested in hearing what has happened to you. They also appreciate being able to ask about the Bible without feeling they are going to be hit with a Watchtower, an invite to KH or anything else that makes them uncomfortable.

15

US & UK difference

by Olig in

so i was wondering, is there a difference between the baseline attitudes of jw's in the us and the uk?

i hear tonnes and tonnes of experiences regarding elders chasing people up and hounding them.

and people having to devote their lives to fading out.

Anna Marina

You are both extremists. There must be a middle way.

14

Is there any appointed one disfellowshiped?

by Roxie in

i was wondering... are here people who used to be appointed ones and left the jws?

if yes: what was the reason you left and do you believe in god now?

i am just curious.

Anna Marina

They do mess with semantics - Jesus is the one who is anointed. That's what Christ and Messiah means. Anointed to be king. The term 'Christian' inherantly contains some meaning of that word but it means they are following Jesus, they don't claim his status.

However, when you study you get told that the anointed read the Bible as if it is written personally to them. Well that's how we are are supposed to read it. How else will you apply the lessons in it to yourself? It was written to teach us.

Also the concept 'children of God' gets muddled up. In one way all are children of God, that's why Christ died because God loves all of us. But many, like Stephen Lett, Anthony Morris III, David Splane are wayward, so Jesus would chastise people like that and say they are doing the will of their Father, the Devil. They are lost sheep, acting like goats. But they are still precious and God doesn't want to destroy them. He wants them to repent.

If you read the Bible carefully because you like the way Jesus was towards others, you do draw closer to God. But WBTS mess with that concept to imply that if you feel like that you are anointed to be a king. Well, it doesn't belong to anyone to say they are going to rule with Christ. All you can do is hope to be approved by Jesus Christ. (Revelation 3:21), (2 Timothy 2:12)

So I'd be very cautious with the use of the term anointed. I'd suggest keeping this quote in mind, "beware the leaven of the Pharisees." (Luke 12:1)

14

Is there any appointed one disfellowshiped?

by Roxie in

i was wondering... are here people who used to be appointed ones and left the jws?

if yes: what was the reason you left and do you believe in god now?

i am just curious.

Anna Marina

Hi Roxie - Ray continued to believe in God - after all what has an apostate corporation got to do with the Bible? Nothing. This is how Ray ended one of his letters to me:

I hope that things may go well for you and wish you God's guidance, comfort and strength as you face up to life's problems. Hope your studies of Greek and Hebrew prove successful.
Sincerely,
Ray

15

If You Were Invited To A Judicial Committee How Did It Go??

by minimus in

was it awful?

did you feel freedom?

was it a kangaroo court!.

Anna Marina

Thank you Vanderhoven7

15

If You Were Invited To A Judicial Committee How Did It Go??

by minimus in

was it awful?

did you feel freedom?

was it a kangaroo court!.

Anna Marina

I was invited twice. So I didn't attend twice. But I did turn up over an hour before the 2nd one was due to be held and told them they had no right to do this and that I did not recognise their authority, nor did I recognise them as Jehovah's Witnesses and I told them their behaviour was appauling and that they all ought to be ashamed of themselves.

Before this I also turned up to an elders meeting with letters detailing pretty much the same as above. There were probably about 16 or 17 men at this elders meeting and they were unwilling to come to the door. I sensed the one who opened the door was even trying to pretend it wasn't an elders meeting so they could all hide. But I made it clear that I knew what was going on and invited them to step outside. Only 3 did and they didn't linger.

Anyway they had no Christian authority so effectively they've done nothing to me in relation to anything scriptural. Except they have proved themselves to be a bunch of lying, bullying, apostates.

15

US & UK difference

by Olig in

so i was wondering, is there a difference between the baseline attitudes of jw's in the us and the uk?

i hear tonnes and tonnes of experiences regarding elders chasing people up and hounding them.

and people having to devote their lives to fading out.

Anna Marina

Hi Olig

I think it depends on your situation and how you handle it. I am in UK and I know ones who have left quietly and others who get hounded.

45

Getting disfellowshipped to marry and return

by confused in

i was just wondering if there is any official rules on dealing with this.

a sister in the congregation is planning to divorce her husband who is also a witness so she can marry a different brother in the same hall!

yes this is a huge scandal!

Anna Marina

I am aware of this happening. People don't seem that bothered by it anymore. Guess the shock of it has worn off and people think its acceptable now.

What I can't figure out is this. They know Jehovah disapproves of fornication, so they do it in order to divorce. If they had any concern about how Jehovah feels, they'd at least just get divorced and remarried. It would be better than fornicating first. Not much, I grant you but a bit.

But they are not bothered about God's standards. They are bothered about what others think and so long as no one is too shocked and no one asks questions...

34

What Do You Think Would Make A Witness Decide It Was Now Time To Leave The “Truth”?

by minimus in

jw
friends

is there anything that will make that loyal witness ever see the light??

you know, that well respected elder, pioneer, or witness who has been in the “truth “ for decades..

Anna Marina

The grace of God.