aboveusonlysky

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Posts by aboveusonlysky

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  19

  Critical Thinking-is that phrase a stigma?

  by PaintedToeNail in

  1. jw
  2. friends

  when i first heard the term 'critical thinking' it was as a teenager during a watchtower study.

  the study went on to elaborate how we shouldn't be swayed by critical thinking.

  there was no explanation that the term didn't mean 'to criticize' thoughts and words, but rather that it means 'to objective think and to evaluate thoughts and words'.

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  aboveusonlysky

  The following is a quote from the June 22nd 2000 Awake article 'do not be a victim of propaganda!'

  Ask questions: As we have seen, there are many today who would like to ‘delude us with persuasive arguments.’ (Colossians 2:4) Therefore, when we are presented with persuasive arguments, we should ask questions.

  First, examine whether there is bias. What is the motive for the message? If the message is rife with name-calling and loaded words, why is that? Loaded language aside, what are the merits of the message itself? Also, if possible, try to check the track record of those speaking. Are they known to speak the truth? If “authorities” are used, who or what are they? Why should you regard this person—or organization or publication—as having expert knowledge or trustworthy information on the subject in question? If you sense some appeal to emotions, ask yourself, ‘When viewed dispassionately, what are the merits of the message?’

  
  

  
  

  
  

  Although criticle thinking isn't specifically mentioned in the article, some critical thinking skills are discussed here.
  

  I've used the reasoning in this article to good effect with some of my family to show that looking at the organization's real history is not 'critical' in a bad way.
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  4

  Ideas for cult cart questions.

  by aboveusonlysky in

  1. jw
  2. friends

  feel free to drive on if this subject has been posted before.. the 'bible teach' book is usually always on the cult cart so i thought it could make for an an easy intro for some counter witnessing.. just pick one up and start reading chapter 1, if the dubs are following instructions they will approach you.

  chapter 1 is all about how great it is to ask questions, par 3 then says -.

  "yet, many people have given up trying to find the answers.

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  aboveusonlysky

  Good point

  I guess the latest isn't 1975 if you count the generation thoughts that are well past their expiry date.

  With the adding to God's word I suppose a quick jdub would say that the publications are not inspired, but then you could ask why do the GB issue orders to df anyone that disagrees with their uninspired error?
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  4

  Ideas for cult cart questions.

  by aboveusonlysky in

  1. jw
  2. friends

  feel free to drive on if this subject has been posted before.. the 'bible teach' book is usually always on the cult cart so i thought it could make for an an easy intro for some counter witnessing.. just pick one up and start reading chapter 1, if the dubs are following instructions they will approach you.

  chapter 1 is all about how great it is to ask questions, par 3 then says -.

  "yet, many people have given up trying to find the answers.

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  aboveusonlysky

  Feel free to drive on if this subject has been posted before.

  The 'Bible teach' book is usually always on the cult cart so I thought it could make for an an easy intro for some counter witnessing.

  Just pick one up and start reading chapter 1, if the dubs are following instructions they will approach you. Chapter 1 is all about how great it is to ask questions, par 3 then says -

  "Yet, many people have given up trying to find the answers. Why? Does the Bible have the answers? Some feel that its answers are too hard to understand. Others worry that asking questions could lead to shame or embarrassment. And some decide that such questions are best left to religious leaders and teachers. What about you?"

  This could lead to a number of questions like -

  'Is it okay if I ask you some questions about JW beliefs?'

  'do you feel your questions are best left to your religious leaders?

  'Is it true that JW's shun members who openly question the leaders or find that they can't agree with one of the practices?'

  This opening chapter stinks of smelly hypocrisy and so I thought it might be a good conversation starter, I have to lay low at the moment because the thought police are onto me but I'm hoping to try some cult cart questions next time I'm in another city. Any more ideas?
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  12

  Finding my mental condition getting worse not sure what to do?

  by Crazyguy in

  1. jw
  2. friends

  i'm pretty sure i have ptsd because of this cult.

  i now experience headaches pretty much daily and find myself poping excedrin migraine pills 3-4 a day.

  also i'm drinking alcohol a bit to take the edge off.

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  aboveusonlysky

  Like Lisa said, please see a doctor, I get migraines but not nearly as common as yourself, they increased significantly when I started waking up along with some other health problems, eventually I saw my doctor and told him about my situation.

  That led to me having some counselling and it really helped get rid of a lot of stress and the headaches eased off, I would recommend it to anyone providing you find the right professional.

  Hope you get it sorted bud.
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  44

  The smug arrogance of "having the truth".

  by stuckinarut2 in

  1. jw
  2. experiences

  has anyone noticed that witnesses (from the top down) seem to have a quiet form of smug arrogance toward all non witnesses?.

  perhaps it comes from being told how "special and unique" they are but they end up looking down on all normal members of the community because they are not witnesses.. so any form of "love" they show those in the territory is also limited as long as they accept the message...otherwise they are viewed contemptuously as "worldly" and therefore of little value...after all,they will be destroyed right?.

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  aboveusonlysky

  A few years ago a c.o. gave an illustration about how worldly people hang on their walls photographs of what they consider the most important moments of their life, like their wedding or university graduation. He said really they should have a photograph of the last time a jw knocked on their door as that was the most important thing that had ever happened to them.

  At the time I thought it was a brilliant illustration, now I think what a load of shit.
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  19

  Could they make not donating a disfellowshipping offence?

  by purrpurr in

  1. jw
  2. friends

  i'm wondering at how far the borg could go in begging for money?

  their halls are already resembling the"money changers in the temple".

  as they get sued more and more due to their pedophilic paradise their coffers will be ever more drained.

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  aboveusonlysky

  I could see them wanting to keep tabs on contributions more as time goes on, remember the handing out slips last year for publishers to write what they were willing to contribute? Many genuine jdubs were shocked at that one.

  Contributions to have a column on field service reports? They could say it was for tax reasons and then push the publishers for bank transfers rather than cash to limit the amount of jdubs that would inevitably lie, also contributions would be taken into account when privileges were discussed at elders meetings .

  They love keeping records and power hungry brothers would like it too as it would be a way to literally buy yourself a position, it would also be another way to identify faders.......I really hope they don't read this and get ideas!
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  1

  Great Quote!

  by stuckinarut2 in

  1. jw
  2. friends

  “growth is painful.

  change is painful.

  but nothing is as painful as staying stuck somewhere you don't belong.”.

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  aboveusonlysky

  Well said bud
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  91

  My brother died last night

  by LisaRose in

  1. jw
  2. friends

  i found out this morning that my brother died last night, he was also an ex jw, 73 years old and died of heart disease and kidney failure.

  it was not totally unexpected, as he had been in poor health, but it's a blow, especially as i just lost another brother two years ago.

  there were six of us, now only four.

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  aboveusonlysky

  So sorry lisarose, I'm quite new but I've been reading through some of your posts and you're clearly a very caring beautiful person

  Many condolences
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  13

  Contradictions of the "no blood" policy....

  by stuckinarut2 in

  1. watchtower
  2. beliefs

  so according to witnesses, the bible states that all blood is sacred, and once it leaves the body's circulatory system it must be "poured out on the ground" to show respect to jehovah.. it mustn't be eaten or transfused.. so how do they justify it being ok to take in fractions of blood components when these have been produced from donated whole blood?.

  the whole blood was not "poured out".

  it was taken to a laboratory, stored, manipulated, put through processes to separate parts of it, broken down etc.... it certainly was not "dealt with in a sacred way".. and yet these blood fractions are deemed "ok" by the society?.

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  aboveusonlysky

  "So how do they justify it being ok to take in fractions of blood components when these have been produced from donated whole blood?"

  Is it possible that the GB need to have blood fractions when they are inoculated for traveling around the world?

  if so the whole blood fractions thing could be just for their own benefit.
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  23

  So can you pray for others that are not JW's ? Or only JW's

  by tor1500 in

  1. jw
  2. friends

  i'm a witness, so i need to know...can we pray for someone that isn't a jw.

  reason i ask, once a friend of mine was going for an operation.

  i asked an elder could he pray with her before she goes into the hospital.

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  aboveusonlysky

  "Can we pray for someone who isn't a JW"

  1Tim 2:1 "First of all, then, I urge that supplications, prayers, intercessions, and thanksgiving be made concerning all sorts of men"

  Matt 5:44 "However, I say to you: Continue to love your enemies and to pray for those who persecute you"

  That's what the Bible says, but if an elder says different......