Posts by Spiral

52

The Deep Things of Jehovah(tm). What are they?

by punkofnice in

i just wondered.

.

Spiral

"Half Banana: So the deep things of God were a reference to the exclusive things which only the cult hierarchy were privy to. It was for for the initiated only...(like those who believe in the sacred but unbiblical Watchtower mystery of 1919!)

Then why was it written down? To bamboozle the ignorant and poor so they reverence the “holy” mysteries and thereby become slaves under the control of the religious hierarchy."

Yep. Ever changing gibberish that makes the members (and certainly the leaders) feel special.

When I was a child I used to wonder why Jehovah never did anything in a direct and forthright way, everything was always convoluted. Now of course I get it, it's all a cult construct.

Edit: Half Banana, great info on the development of early Christianity.

43

It amazes me...

by punkofnice in

..to think about how the congregations actually function....even down to the individual level.. the biggest bully on the boe (or his wife), controls the show.. ones within the congregation are treated like they're dirt and still they return.

stockholm syndrome?.

i've heard ones say that 'jehovah(tm) will sort it all out.

Spiral

I just was confronted with this attitude again, "no matter how messed up the org is and all the problems, it's still the Truth (TM) and you have to stay loyal." This from an old friend (who doesn't know I've faded).

I wanted to say "do you HEAR the NONSENSE you are saying????

Oh, but that paragon of efficiency, GOD will fix it in his due time.

If I did my job like that I'd be fired, and this person would understand that. But they think it's okay for "God's organization" to be run like that and they need to "stay loyal".

Brainwashing at its finest.

40

WT Study 1/10/16 Encouraging Child Baptism And More Nonsense

by JW_Rogue in

i've noticed that each wt lesson really only has one or two points they want remembered.

normally they build up to these by about the third subheading.

this week's lesson though was different, the main point was insidiously made through an experience in the first paragraph:.

Spiral

This is something that really proves to me that the current GB are convinced that that rank and file are just stupid. Growing up, many of my generation that got baptized young left, so there was a lot of talk about the sacredness of baptism and not getting baptized too young. This lasted for 15-20 years I think. Now, the push is on for even pre-teens to get baptized. Obviously to boost the numbers and control families, keeping the congregations intact and to boost contributions.

But recently I've heard a lot of grumbling about this from ones in my age group, who have seen too much damage from this. It is child abuse. At some point even the more indoctrinated ones with damaged families are saying "hmmm, would this have turned out better if we had never been JWs?" But the 30-something elder families are really pushing their children. So sad.

43

It amazes me...

by punkofnice in

..to think about how the congregations actually function....even down to the individual level.. the biggest bully on the boe (or his wife), controls the show.. ones within the congregation are treated like they're dirt and still they return.

stockholm syndrome?.

i've heard ones say that 'jehovah(tm) will sort it all out.

Spiral

Hey Punk ~ Yep, just saw an example of this today. Apparently the day's text is warning people that they better be on God's (read: GB) side or you will DIE. I'd look it up but I don't want to lose my breakfast.

So, the conversation went on to say that even though there is trouble in the congregation, with this one, because of bullying from that one, not being as loving as before, etc., at least you're not with worldly people! (I thought they were losing that term, anyway.......) So, as poorly as you're treated inside, at least you're not OUTSIDE. (No escape!!!)

This from a couple of overly controlled, don't think for themselves, look to the brothers for guidance type middle aged sisters.

I excused myself to go to work ;-) lol

23

Women in this Org are looking for a Father Figure

by xjwsrock in

this is a rant mainly in response to my wife's reaction to the stupid clam meeting last night.

bear in mind, while i am not sexist, i am also not politically correct.

.... it is no secret that the women in this organization outnumber the men.

Spiral

This is really an interesting thought and I need to think it through.... I do know "off the top of my head" a few sisters that this would definitely apply to. I've always wondered what is wrong with some of these sisters, almost as if they are the 100th wife of a polygamous man. They get so little attention and are able to participate in almost nothing BUT they are so happy to be in that sorry state.

My father was the "unbeliever" and he HATED religion. But, I never felt that connected to him so I while I respected his opinions (especially now) I don't know if that has contributed to how I feel about TTATT.

91

Is the Watchtower organisation facing the biggest crisis of its history?

by slimboyfat in

recent developments make me think they might be.

the problems they are facing are not just lack of funds but also draining authority, and the two could be a heady and explosive mix.

one of the best analyses ever written of the watchtower was a book called "trumpet of prophecy" by sociologist james beckford in the 1970s.

Spiral

SBF, I think you make good points. My observation here locally is that a lot of people are uncomfortable with how the GB presents itself on the videos (classless and tacky), but no one is talking. (The silence is LOUD!!!)

As for the book study, eliminating that was a big mistake. They should have eliminated the school/service meeting instead, people really find that boring, at least the book study had some social aspect to it people enjoyed.

When it comes to the overlapping generation doctrine, anointed numbers going up, and the ARC hearings, I notice that if you bring it up the subject gets changed quickly. Hmmmm..... no one is talking.

Meanwhile, my elderly mother (who actually has the means to do so) hasn't given anything in ages. She's so confused by the changes she doesn't think about giving more money. (And will I remind her? Noooooooo) She won't watch the videos either, they make her "nervous".

Everyone else here locally is of modest income and doesn't have much to contribute. Serves them right.

30

What are the economics of cart witnessing?

by slimboyfat in

on another thread shepherdless sketched out the past business model of jws and its demise.

until 1990 they were a straightforward publishing business with the tremendous advantage of free labour in production and free distribution agents.

since then they've been relying on donations for literature to keep the old model going.

Spiral

My understanding is that cart witnessing is a privilege, so you're "special" if you get to do it. However, I still haven't seen much of it. I can't imagine how embarrassing it would be to sit in front of Wal-Mart or the grocery store next to a cart, with everyone you know walking by. I watched one set for awhile (from the safety of my car in the parking lot). They made sure NOT to make eye contact with people walking by, so the whole set-up seemed ineffective.

22

Blood Cards on File with the Elders?

by EyesOpenHeartBroken in

i have a question for elders here or recent elders.

were the elders, in the last 10 years, given instruction to keep a copy of every publishers blood card on file at the kh?.

we moved to our current cong 6 years ago, and shortly after we moved in, the boe requested everyone update and give a copy of card to the kh.

Spiral

The last thing I'd want is an excuse for the local elders to try to use their "authority" during a health care crisis. Even if I liked them, which for the most part, I do not. We haven't been asked here, however.

35

What did being a JW teach you?

by punkofnice in

these are some of the things the wbt$ 'taught' me:.

dishonesty is fine if it's to trick people into joining the cult.. if your spouse stops believeing, the best thing you can do is break up the family.. the laws of the governing body overrule any other laws...or else!.

my friends are conditional.. avoid loving people, they'll only let you down or get df'd.. unintelligent dumbos are better than intelligent ones if the dumbos are elders or above.. hate is better than love.. i am not good enough and god will probably enjoy killing me.. demons will appear in my room at night.. ignore practicallity if being practical or loving prevents the leaders getting money or praise.. god hates.

Spiral

Religion is a snare and a racket!

Growing up in the Borg has cured me of all religion - now I am a happy atheist.

44

Governing Body Letter details things that "have never been done before." - Really?

by cappytan in

jw
friends

[note: copy/pasted this with permission from reddit.].

once each year, the governing body writes a direct letter to the congregation members included in the yearbook.

in his annual message to the catholic faithful (urbi et orbi) delivered on christmas day, the pope spoke about world peace, terrorism, and the refugee crisis.

Spiral

What?!?! Tattoos don't just wash off?

The sad thing is, a lot of JWs will notice this flawed detail, but they'll say NOTHING.

I know several JWs that have recently gotten tattoos (discretely), this will certainly cause them stress if they read it. I believe tattoo removal is expensive as well.

And, turning into an evangelical mega tv church is nothing new.