Posts by NeverKnew

51

what are the JW rules once baptised??

by Kate82 in

on my other post 'thinking of becoming a jw' people mentioned that once i was baptised i would be told / given rules of what i can / cant do, things like: how i act, dress, how i can have sex with my husband??

what i can and cant eat ( according to some research ive done).

i would be really interested to hear as many of these rules now - as i think its too late after one is baptised.. i would be grateful of as many as possible about anything any topic even thouse i havent mentioned.. thanks x.

NeverKnew

From what I've read, you needn't worry about today's rules for today's rules may not be tomorrow's practice.

Why waste the energy?

15

Why dont xians take oaths like Abraham and Jacob ?

by mP in

hey if its good enough for someone who speaks to god then it should be good enuff for everybody else.. .

http://www.jw.org/en/publications/bible/genesis/24.

28. now abraham was old, advanced in years; and jehovah had blessed abraham in everything.2hence abraham said to his servant, the oldest one of his household, who was managing all he had: put your hand, please, under my thigh,3as i must have you swear by jehovah, the god of the heavens and the god of the earth, that you will not take a wife for my son from the daughters of the ca'naan?ites in among whom i am dwelling,4but you will go to my country and to my relatives, and you will certainly take a wife for my son, for isaac.. .

NeverKnew

Could someone tell me if this thread is about:

a. the validity/obsolescence of the Covenant of Law, or

b. whether men should be feeling each other up to solidify oaths, or

c. both or neither of the above.

29

Update:Jonathan Holt

by Iamallcool in

jw
friends

http://www.kgw.com/home/docs-holt-had-guns-child-porn-and-stolen-iphone-176052031.html.

NeverKnew

Refried: Excellent BBC documentary on child abuse !!!!!

Don't you think this needs its own thread!?!?

17

long time study

by happy-n-alive in

jw
friends

so i am 20 now and i had my first study when i was 14. no jehovahs witness relatives and i am currently in my second book with one more chapter to go.

the reason it took so long is because it started out very sporadic andd short.

anyways, a friend and i were talking and i said i dont think i want to get baptise anytime soon and she said they may want to 'see a return on their investment' -_- so my question is if any witnesses ever got pushy with you about taking the next step after you have studied with them a long time.

NeverKnew

Nambo's technique has worked VERY effectively for me. I wasn't trying to chase anyone off, but I have a saved message of a JW pioneer telling me that she would not longer be studying with me because I was.... oh, ... what was the term. OH! A "fault-finder".

33

Thinking of changing my life/ long rant

by DATA-DOG in

jw
friends

i want to drastically change my life.

i am stagnating and will eventually drive my truck into an oncoming semi truck.

short of faking my death there are only so many things i can do.

NeverKnew

After reading your post, I realized how much has been taken from you as a result of being an adherent. TAKE YOUR LIFE BACK! IT'S YOURS NOW!!!! :)

I didn't have a college degree and was tired of not being recognized for salary increases. I also recognized that the degree was ALWAYS the reason others were making more money even though they didn't work as hard. After learning that my job would *help* me pay (still in debt, but it was worth it), I, a single mother, went back to school at 42 years of age. My goal was to get OUT of college before my daughter graduated high school. I wanted to be her role model. I wanted her to realize that if I could do it, she could too. In 2009? We BOTH graduated!

I did my entire 4 years at a VERY well recognized university ALL ONLINE. Some say that the online courses can be harder because you do not have an instructor who hints at what might be found on the test. Personally, I needed the flexibility and HATE having to be places at certain times so I absolutely loved it!

Many community colleges offer online courses so to save money and get acclimated to the learning environment a CC is WELL worth it.

DD, you're a great writer which is PERFECT for online classes. GO FOR IT!

4

WTBTS - Go on and pay up....

by NeverKnew in

i'm trying to force myself to learn how to ask questions.. remember, i'm a worldly (i'm beginning to hate that term, but can capitalize on my alleged "stupidity" if necessary).

if i talk to my jw friends about my hearing about the reduction in the size of the magazines and the new credit card tithing system (ouch, that would probably really make some armhairs stand up straight, huh), then follow with whether or not they are worried about that $86,000 payment the wt might not be able to make this month, it may make them want to see the actual court filing.. at this point, they either have to accept the wt is broke, or deny it and say that the wts is lying.

wouldn't i be totally justified in asking if it's appropriate for the watchtower leaders to lie instead of believing that jehovah would care for them?.

NeverKnew

Yes, academically I come from a strong Christian background. In practice in the form of attendance?... I've probably been to 5 services in as many years. I do not equate attendence with level of faith. Hell, if I wanted to convert someone, I guess I'd have to decided on a faith to convert them in to. This fact makes me a little hard for my friends to attack me. I have no affiliation with ANY religious organization.

It kills me to come here and read about the pain the families are inflicting on the ex-adherents and then visit my JW friends who so honestly believe that they are following the "right" religion. I had no idea what they were really being told until I came here.

They can preach all they want but they've tamed that down. I keep tripping them with my worldly questions such as, "You say this corruption in this wicked system will be over 'soon'? In light of Luke 21:8-9 could you help me by defining 'soon'?"

My goal is not to convert them to Christianity. I can be secure in my own relationship with Christ. I just want them to realize that this organization is as flawed (if not more) than every other.

4

WTBTS - Go on and pay up....

by NeverKnew in

i'm trying to force myself to learn how to ask questions.. remember, i'm a worldly (i'm beginning to hate that term, but can capitalize on my alleged "stupidity" if necessary).

if i talk to my jw friends about my hearing about the reduction in the size of the magazines and the new credit card tithing system (ouch, that would probably really make some armhairs stand up straight, huh), then follow with whether or not they are worried about that $86,000 payment the wt might not be able to make this month, it may make them want to see the actual court filing.. at this point, they either have to accept the wt is broke, or deny it and say that the wts is lying.

wouldn't i be totally justified in asking if it's appropriate for the watchtower leaders to lie instead of believing that jehovah would care for them?.

NeverKnew

Perhaps you all can help me on this. I'm trying to force myself to learn how to ask questions.

Remember, I'm a worldly (I'm beginning to hate that term, but can capitalize on my alleged "stupidity" if necessary).

If I talk to my JW friends about my hearing about the reduction in the size of the magazines and the new credit card tithing system (ouch, that would probably REALLY make some armhairs stand up straight, huh), then follow with whether or not they are worried about that $86,000 payment the WT might not be able to make this month, it may make them want to see the actual court filing.

At this point, they either have to accept the WT is broke, or deny it and say that the WTS is lying. Wouldn't I be totally justified in asking if it's appropriate for the Watchtower leaders to lie instead of believing that Jehovah would care for them?

I can follow with "Not sure, but to my knowledge, the Catholics just paid up... "

Now I'm being cruel, huh...

Please do not take my non-response as my not being around. I have to get to bed and won't be near a computer I can post on until late tomorrow night. I can read your suggestions, but I'll be with them tomorrow evening.

Please leave your thoughts as to whether I should convey this or keep my mouth shut.

Thanks all!

8

How to proceed when your teen wants to visit a church youth group.

by Tylinbrando in

jw
friends

age group 14-18.. i have only made one stipulation.

reading steven hassan's book combating cult mind control and a 4 page essay.. over the top?.

invitation is from another youth with protestant christian evangelical parents.

NeverKnew

Oh, and before I forget - yes, Hassan's book would be WAY over the top. I realize you have concerns and they are totally rational given your experiences. If the kid wants to return to participate, it really would probably be more for the social aspect. :)

Will they read the Bible? Depending on the activity they may.... Will the Bible be interpreted differently than the JWs interpretation... Yep. Is that a bad thing? Nope. Personally, I'd rather my child know all views generally so they can challenge their own arguments/perceptions and develop critical thinking skills.

Also, I looked through "Teach your child how to think" when my daughter was a teen. I appreciated the book but she was enrolled as a scholorship student in a very expensive private school. I decided this was their job. *giggling*

I would still HIGHLY recommend this book for life in general!

8

How to proceed when your teen wants to visit a church youth group.

by Tylinbrando in

jw
friends

age group 14-18.. i have only made one stipulation.

reading steven hassan's book combating cult mind control and a 4 page essay.. over the top?.

invitation is from another youth with protestant christian evangelical parents.

NeverKnew

"Invitation is from another youth with Protestant Christian Evangelical parents. Whatever that means."

Aw, I loved that phrase!

My opinion? ABSOLUTELY YES! Don't worry, the child will probably enjoy themselves! Christian churches are NOTHING like what you've experienced as a JW. Some are kinda fun and have neat activities for teens - often in the line of volunteering which is GREAT for the community and strengthens the child social skills.

How do I know? I was confirmed Episcopalian, attended a Catholic high school and university, Presbyterian middle school, have Baptist friends, and enjoyed Jewish summer camps and services at synagogues. NONE EVER REQUIRED MY ABSOLUTE LOYALTY. Your kid will be fine and will get to be around other kids doing normal stupid teenager things. Seeing the variances will both educate your child AND teach them to think! (Isn't this the goal?). There really is nothing to lose. :) Assuming the child really goes (remember, you have a teenager - they do dumb things), appreciate the fact that they're hanging around kids whose parents actually attend church services!

My 21 year old experienced everything from churches to synagogues and has a huge respect for all faiths and belief systems. Might be just me, but I wouldn't have it any other way. :)

15

Words that were really hard to hear...

by NeverKnew in

jw
friends

last night, i listened to words that were really hard to hear.

i'm not sure how much of the conversation i blocked out.. i intentionally initiated a conversation with a jw man that i've grown very fond of who has been talking about marriage next year as recently as last weekend (our anniversary weekend).

we have had the conversation before, but i have to admit, i have a tough time listening and i find that i leave the conversations not believing what i'm hearing so therefore i can't seem to retain the details.

NeverKnew

As for the religion and anyone who chooses to be die-hard adherent who may treat me as a leper? "F" em.... :) That crap may affect those that are or who have been a part of the JW faith, but their perception of me won't affect me in the LEAST bit. Except for him, there are no ties. His concerns seem to be with Jehovah's hatred, not the congregation.

Why have I fallen for him? I love how hard he works at showing me he's suitable. In 25+ years of dating/marriage, he's the one that has shown me more sincere love than more than a few. He and I have known each other for 15 years. This is the first year we've dated.

The security of knowing the person you're dating was a friend first feels good. :)

Gotta run out for a minute but still looking for comments!