Posts by NeverKnew

18

One baptism...

by NeverKnew in

i just realized, i have to explain the joke so you guys will get it.

in some churches, communion is open to anyone who has been baptised regardless of denomination or church affiliation at baptism.

so, even though one may be confirmed or baptised at one church, it can be acceptable to go to another church and receive communion.

It wasn't Retro's post. It was mine, Neverknew's and I'm glad you two worked things out. I'm sorry that my presentation wasn't clear to you but my intentions are sincere. To say my goal was to be disrespectful at a service was way off. My presence here and questions should say more than that.

Steve, my heart goes out to those having a tough time making non-jw friends once away from the organization. If I can help one person avoid an unintended communication challenge with a worldly, my words and time were worth it. As Retro and I are getting insight into the thinking of a JW, I would hope that reading our posts can provide insight towards the thinking (flawed or not) of non-jws.

I do want to address another point in your post, but before I do that I'm curious... Before this post, was there anyone reading this who did not know that some churches acknowledged one baptism regardless of denominational affiliation and that in many circumstances it was acceptable to receive communion in a church of another faith?

22

Are financial transactions being performed at the local Kingdom Halls?

by I_love_Jeff in

is this not inappropriate behavior in the eyes of jah?

surely it must.. .

http://savedfromthewatchtower.blogspot.com/2011_09_01_archive.html.

NeverKnew

Blondie: Now you have me really scratching my head wondering whether any of the churches I've attended were Lutheran!

Definitely going to check!

On the thread's note, I recently attended a cookware party in someone's home. The host whipped out this little cube, stuck it on her cell phone and was able to swipe my American Express card!

This technology could EASILY be used in the halls!

18

One baptism...

by NeverKnew in

i just realized, i have to explain the joke so you guys will get it.

in some churches, communion is open to anyone who has been baptised regardless of denomination or church affiliation at baptism.

so, even though one may be confirmed or baptised at one church, it can be acceptable to go to another church and receive communion.

NeverKnew

and FURTHER, please realize that you're not communicating with someone who has a "my belief or it's the wrong belief" position! You're talking to someone who is open to learning aspects from ALL faiths for I believe it was a religion teacher who pounded Proverbs 18:17 in my head:

The one who states his case first seems right, until the other comes and examines him.

I come from a different school Steve.

But may I never become so arrogant as to believe my knowledge should be everyone's truth.

18

One baptism...

by NeverKnew in

i just realized, i have to explain the joke so you guys will get it.

in some churches, communion is open to anyone who has been baptised regardless of denomination or church affiliation at baptism.

so, even though one may be confirmed or baptised at one church, it can be acceptable to go to another church and receive communion.

NeverKnew

EXACTLY Retro!

First off, I didn't say I was GOING to do it. It was a what if. I'm far from being a mean person so drop that. In fact, it's because of my feelings for someone who still knows as you knew and believes as you once believed that I'm here.

Second, when did I say someone's baptism was invalid? Realize Steve, to some of us, that's EXACTLY what they're saying to the very people they've invited! THAT THEIR BAPTISM WAS INVALID! "Some of our adherents are MUCH more worthy of heaven than you and just a little more worthy than us JWs. Maybe one day you'll be worthy of our Earthly hope..." I'd be thinking, "so, I guess you invited me to see how holy you and your friends are?... PEACE, I'm out."

Did you ever consider that they are inviting people who believe as I do? Have you learned that others who visit other churches might consider asking the question out of respect? Did you learn that in my presentation? Or were you so quick to judge me that you lost the lesson? This forum is a wonderful tool to not only question ourselves and our own perceptions (including mine) but to learn about others as well. I think we can both agree that here, there's a common enemy with quite a few similar perspectives. Mine is on the outside. As an outsider, I hope to offer a glimpse of what you may not know. Take advantage of it. Stop judging.

Here's the irony.... how sincere is it to do a mad push to invite non-jws to an event that only a fraction of, if any of the congregation can participate in with no sincere description of the true meaning behind this event? Are you telling me that NONE of the adherents sincerely know that this isn't cool? Should those who know as I know be insulted by that if they don't?

PLEASE don't talk to me about sincerity where the WTS is concerned. I've learned too much.

I know it's not the adherent's fault. They are victims. My annoyance is with the WTS and THEIR doctrines. NOT the adherents.

18

One baptism...

by NeverKnew in

i just realized, i have to explain the joke so you guys will get it.

in some churches, communion is open to anyone who has been baptised regardless of denomination or church affiliation at baptism.

so, even though one may be confirmed or baptised at one church, it can be acceptable to go to another church and receive communion.

NeverKnew

Mum... I have a secret. I was confirmed Episcopalian. I was educated in a Presbyterian middle school and a Catholic High School and college (Duquesne University). My best friends are Baptist and my parents sent me to Jewish summer camps. I never realized that I had known absolutely nothing about the Jehovah's Witnesses' faith - until I met my boyfriend - THAT'S when I started learning and became overwhelmed with all of this. Being here has helped tremendously.

Wholly: Nobody would know if you were or weren't, nor would they require you show proof. That's between you and your Lord. :) I really mean that.

18

One baptism...

by NeverKnew in

i just realized, i have to explain the joke so you guys will get it.

in some churches, communion is open to anyone who has been baptised regardless of denomination or church affiliation at baptism.

so, even though one may be confirmed or baptised at one church, it can be acceptable to go to another church and receive communion.

NeverKnew

I just realized, I have to explain the joke so you guys will get it. *sigh*

In some churches, communion is open to anyone who has been baptised regardless of denomination or church affiliation at baptism. So, even though one may be confirmed or baptised at one church, it can be acceptable to go to another church and receive communion.

So I could go to the Memorial as an invited guest and ask an elder, "Uh, you DO believe in one baptism for the forgiveness of sins here, right? Yes? Oh thank goodness, I can receive communion then. THANKS! I feel better."

What could he POSSIBLY say? NO? HOW??? He'd have to explain this "144K-JW-only" heaven REALLY fast! And I might get REALLY loudly confused. "HUH???? You mean you invited us all here to tell us we weren't WORTHY of the sacrifice Christ made??? You're kidding me, right???? WHAT KINDA CHURCH IS THIS???" Every non-JW would be offended if they realized what failing to partake REALLY meant.

15

"Anniversary of Jesus' Death" Invitation wording

by seenitall in

noticed the wording change this year.

no more memorial or lord's evening meal mentioned.. only an invitation to "the anniversary of jesus' death".

so, my question - who has caught this phrase and what does it mean?.

NeverKnew

Wha': as I learned more, my thought was, "okay, well, if only a few are 'partaking', then why not have a closed ceremony just for them? Why does everyone else need to breathe on their crackers?"

Seemed dumb to me.

Oh, I so want to go to watch this, but I don't know how to get out of being counted.

15

"Anniversary of Jesus' Death" Invitation wording

by seenitall in

noticed the wording change this year.

no more memorial or lord's evening meal mentioned.. only an invitation to "the anniversary of jesus' death".

so, my question - who has caught this phrase and what does it mean?.

NeverKnew

I'm going to my cousin's to pick up this invitation to the seance/sacrificial service. I will let ask each in her family to tell me their thoughts. None of us has ever been a jw.

They'll be extremely honest so if you're in, you have to find the thicker skin on your body to read their comments I'm sure.

5

Negative Watchtower articles

by NeverKnew in

bad news all.

i got my head ripped off when i attempted to review the calendar query.

he said he didn't want to talk about it.

NeverKnew

Bad news all. I got my head ripped off when I attempted to review the calendar query. He said he didn't want to talk about it. I could hear the annoyance. He then blurted, "Can't you find something positive to talk about!?!" I made a remark about talking to the women in his congregation about these WT meetings and matters, but not me. He used that as leverage to being disappointed in me for bringing that up. I recognize that for what it is... smoke. He has talked about the fear of learning that that which he's always known isn't true.

He has said in the past that everything around him is depressed. He's been posting and speaking in the last couple of weeks about being positive. Even did a talk about it at the KH last Tuesday. I suspect he's breaking inside but isn't sure about the source. He's trying to keep his head on top of the water where he can see the sun but is starting to go under. Is this where he questions himself with respect to the WT image of God? Is he thinking about praying more? Doing more service?

I asked him to pile up his last 12 months of Watchtowers and Awakes. Didn't tell him why. I want him to review these article titles with me. I believe this is the source of their sadness and depression and I want to point that out to him. (I mean... have you seen the freaking titles of these articles? Rhetorical question - don't answer.) One person has been absorbing this required reading for over 60 years. She's the one that's the most negative but I see what she's been looking at and can do nothing but pray her. He lives with her.

What percentage of this required reading do you remember having negative undertones? Death, destruction, lack of patience, lack of love, crime, what God hates, what rules have to be followed in order to gain acceptance - and don't break them or he'll hate you?

39

Gregorian Calendar

by NeverKnew in

i'm suffering from a vicious cycle.

put the research down - declare i'm not doing it anymore because it sickens me, ponder, make another aha connection, get sickened by it, put the research down, declare i'm not doing it anymore because it sickens me.. ponder.

i'm glad it's not just me.. i think my jw friend has been embarrassed one time too many with wt historical facts and so now he has asked me to help him understand my concerns and present him with some research that validates it.

NeverKnew

Great! Given what you're saying, I'm good. One day's disparity means the calculation is years off.

About a year ago, I presented him with the WT rulership quotes as well as a blank pre-tickmarked sheet to count out the years (you can't imagine how hard it was to get all those darn tickmarks on even a legal sized sheet). I sat while he counted the rulerships out. When all was said and done, I have to wonder if he believed the quotes had been made up. He suggested later that pdf files couldn't be trusted for you never knew the intentions of those who created them...

You would be blown away at the freedom I've had to challenge his thoughts. Many days I feel like I've gotten nowhere.

Thanks for sticking beside me. I need everyone's help.