i was baptized 30 years ago and have been in the faith for over 35 years.. our organization isn't perfect.
but i'm sick to death of seeing stereotypes about us.
we are not mindless automatons.
The first thing a mindless automaton is programmed to say is: "I'm not a mindless automaton.....beep"
P.S The fact that you are having a nice time does not mean everyone has or had the same experience. Some have suffered terribly due to this org and I find that your arrogant, highly subjective comments bring the quality of your "masters degree" into question.
You cant start an open discussion by claiming our suffering did not happen, BTW.
my draft chapters on the book of revelation is available at:.
http://www.jwstudies.com/the_book_of_revelation_s_nature_and_its_soteriology.pdf.
i am seriously seeking corrections, criticisms, and advice.. thanks,.
I like what you have done, but I must admit that I was hoping to see more about the symbolism.
You say much of Revelation is influenced by the OT, and you say that many things in Revelation are symbolic. My personal study involves how this implies that some OT books we take literally may have had symbolic meaning to NT writers, and that we miss some spiritual insight because of this. Especially the books that are seen as less prophetic and more literal like Genesis. Early chapters of Genesis and Revelation 12 for example; where we see all the same actors: sun, moon stars, woman, snake/dragon etc.
Any plan on addressing the symbolism and its meaning and resulting impact on the rest of the bible? If that is not the scope of the project that's fine, its just of personal interest. Other than that I'm not a writer, so I could not offer much advice, sorry!
a couple of times at the meetings this year we've been told that in the future we might get some strange directions from the society that might not make any sense to us.
then they've said will we show our loyalty to jehovah by still obeying?
seems a rather unusual thing to say.
I get the feeling it is preparation for the great tribulation - which is imminent (according to them). The abomination of desolation may be in, or closely approaching the holy place (according to them), and they may be preparing members for something similar to the 1975 disaster (which they claim was not their fault.)
they seem to think that all they will do is enjoy a carefree life with little or no concerns problems or worries whereas nothing could be further from the truth... according to the bible.. without trying to speculate on these concerns or problems during this one thousand year reign of christ jesus ,lets hear what the bible has to say about the end of his thousand year reign.. rev.20:7-10 satan is to be let out of his prison {as if he hasn`t done enough damage in 6000 years of roaming about in the earth at the same time fraternizing with jesus and jehovah in heaven} i digress.. and the reason he is let out of prison ,lo and behold ,is to mislead those nations in the four corners of the earth gog and magog to gather them together for the war.
{ here we go again ,armageddon didn`t solve anything we have to go through another one.
} 1000 years later.. now get this it`s not just some isolated little skirmish with a few hundred or even a few thousand dissenters ,as the bible states they number the sands of the seashore and they advanced over the breadth of the earth and encircled the camp {not a nation but a camp} of the holy ones.and the beloved city.. with that description it would seem the holy ones are in the minority and the opposes apparently were spread over all the earth.. so that description of the bible to me about jc 1000 rule does not appear to be one of living in a paradise , that is not on the agenda until after jesus christ 1000 year reign and only if you are lucky enough to survive another test/war of your loyalty after all you have gone through previously.. i wonder if this realization is one of the reasons why so many now are claiming to be of the anointed because as one of the other sheep you have to pass another test after the 1000 years of christ jesus rule whereas of one of the anointed on death now you go straight to heaven ..
I remember reading parts of Revelation 21 to people to show them what life after Armageddon would be like. No tears pain etc. This is so sad, and one fiery death and judgement too early.
please tell me how not to think too much and get a good night sleep.
when i was a jw i didn't think too much because i knew everything, but now my mind works overtime.
how in the hell can i shut it down and stop the anxiety???
I experience similar issues, falling asleep late and waking up very early. The mind just doesn't switch off. In my case avoiding caffeine made it a little better. If I only drink a small amount of coffee my mind goes into overdrive and I don't sleep a wink.
Hope this helps.
just wondering if there is any data about how many anointed there were in say 1914, and considering most would have passed 'beyond the veil' already, are the jw's numbers adding up?
we know there are more in 2017 then there were in 2016, but just where are we in the grand total column?.
According to Revelation 22 the trees of life produce 12 manner of fruit each month. Thus 12 (manner of fruit) x 12 (months) x 1000 (millennial reign) = 144 000 of fruit. I always thought some of GB doctrine was fruity, now I understand why.
i was just thinking at how quickly the process was from pimi - pimo - pomo.
i must of spent about 10 years trudging along in the organization very unhappily.
but from the initial stages of learning ttatt to physically walking out the door the process took about 18 months.
When you sit crying your eyes out, begging Jehovah to save you, and you phone the elders and only get voicemail, you realize you are all alone, and your tears have no value. From there its quite fast.
Just nagging habits and points of view that were programmed, are extremely hard to shake and keep surfacing years on.
on another post on this site it tells you that the watchtower is selling the bethel in greece ??
?.
They always attributed the expansion to the action of Jehovah's spirit and his blessing. So what now?
I remember taking part in the building of a 10000m2 architectural marvel to be used as a district assembly hall, it even has under seat air conditioning. I remember thinking if this is really what Jehovah's spirit wants.
the report is finally out.......... ————————.
recommendations to the jehovah’s witness organisation.
recommendation 16.27. the jehovah’s witness organisation should abandon its application of the two-witness rule in cases involving complaints of child sexual abuse.. recommendation 16.28. the jehovah’s witness organisation on should revise its policies so that women are involved in processes related to invesation and determining allegations of child sexual abuse.. recommendation 16.29. the jehovah’s witness organisation should no longer require its members to shun those who disassociate from the organisation in cases where the reason for disassocia on is related to a person being a victim of child sexual abuse..
Why is this not on JWdotorg in the news section? They only report perceived persecution of the work and rebuilding etc. Org taking ZERO responsibility, and hiding this major news!
i have noted that the irritable part of me got the better of me when posting about j f rutherford.
i acknowledge that a few on here have pointed out flaws in my reasoning and the way i reason.
and i agree with them.
What if some of us here are out to supply 'fake information' to undermine the data that your organization is collecting? And we use the resulting lack of integrity in your data to further our own diabolical agenda...mwha haha ha ha ha he.......
