Posts by problemaddict

198

Rutherford's smear campaign (a must read)

by Leolaia in

there has been some interest recently about the moyle case, and how it may have set a precident in what became the society's disfellowshipping policy.

in july 1939, the chief legal counsel of the watchtower bible & tract society, olin r. moyle, resigned from his position in a protest over conditions at bethel and rutherford's mistreatment of workers.

he did not want to continue living under those conditions and he felt he could effect positive change for his brothers by taking such a stand.

problemaddict

My goodness what a find! Leolea I will pay for the third act of this thing!

Two small questions. When did the policy as we know it become "official" and practiced in multiple venues.

When did it begin to be called "disfellowshipping"

67

How Can I Kindly Kick Weak And Unproductive Publishers Out Of My Kingdom Hall?

by AuntConnie in

unproductive kingdom proclaimers won't leave my kingdom hall, how do i rid our hall of these vultures or turkeys?.

"you can't fly like the eagles if you hang out with turkeys".

after visiting your site, i decided to allow one of the spiritual weak individuals into my car group, it was not easy but you have made valid points i find very self condemning.

problemaddict

I honestly don't know what to make of this.

9

JW's disdain for the Papacy, and their new light

by zed is dead in

jw
friends

i love how the witnesses have contempt for all other religions, especially the catholic church.

their big gripe is about the pope being the spoksman of god.

they pride themselves in not having a clergy.

problemaddict

Actually its more like the Catholic church than that.

The FDS started with the appoinment of those "in charge" in 1919 right? So Rutherford and maybe the board of directors? Well they are dead. The GB appoints its own members. Noting is done with special prophetic or miraculous guidance according to them.

Apostolic succesion anyone?

54

Planning exit, alternative venues to preach?

by Goodstein in

background:.

i've come to the conclusion that many doctrines of the wts are unscriptural after many years of privately disagreeing with some of them but feeling that the society was "mostly right" and still being used by jehovah.

this turning point has happened in the last year or so.

problemaddict

Hey Goodstein,

I am pretty sure you know this but please don't think my thoughts on fading in any way would be advise in accord with deceit. I thnk lying in any form takes away a persons integrity, and the only way to get it back is to tell the truth. Its an ugly buisness. But you don't have to tell someone everything on your mind in order to be telling the truth. Truth has branches. But the stump is still the truth. Give them the stump and feel it out. I guess I am just thinking don't act emotionally. Having your mind somewhat free makes it harder to relate to those still "in" in ways most if not all of us here don't give enough credit to. A simple statement from me that seems totally normal, all of a sudden sets the hairs on the back of someones neck on fire. Why? I don't "sound the same". I can't use the same "pure language" lingo without feeling like I am once again, giving back to the GB that I no longer seaks exclusively for God. (that is a great example of a phrase that would instantly label you an apostate)

May I ask what it was that kind of got the mind flowing? Do you still have any beliefs you hold onto in particular? I certainly don't mean to pry. PM me if you feel like it.

My personal thought knowing nothing about you, is go to him with something you think is iron clad and tell him you are kind of agonizing over it. Ask some questions, seek his advise so to speak, and leave it open and undefined for future conversations. Patience is the only way out of this with your family. Let me tell you it is grueling. I am making headway with my wife. For the first time in 6 months, I believe she will unequivocably be loyal to me over the elders. That is a pretty big deal! It has taken alot of time. I made alot of mistakes along the way. Still working on it.

54

Planning exit, alternative venues to preach?

by Goodstein in

background:.

i've come to the conclusion that many doctrines of the wts are unscriptural after many years of privately disagreeing with some of them but feeling that the society was "mostly right" and still being used by jehovah.

this turning point has happened in the last year or so.

problemaddict

Hey Goodstein,

Welcome. Isn't it interesting that our situations always feel so incredibly unique, and then you come here and realize it is almost on reset? I still find that incredible. I am fairly new to the board. But I have benefited from some key advise that I will paraphrase. Do not do what you think is reasonable, but act with reason.

Long timers like JWfacts are right. Remember, with years in, free thinking or not, its always self excused. If you come on, the wall goes up. Better to "confide" in him your problem with something indefensible such as blood. Ask questions so he looks into things he may not otherwise. Suggest implications to him. See where it goes. Don't be in a rush.

I understand your desire to teach scripture. I am in a similar boat as you are in that regard. The truth is, it is almost impossible to maintain personal integrity AND be a speaker in a congregation. Why? Because you are a rep for the GB up there. Even if you do a very good job on a part that does not conflict with your newly freed Christian conscience, all glory goes to those that wrote your outline. Feel me?

I have respect for anyone with a well-considered opinion who also respects those who disagree with them.

Your comment above is fantastic. This should be all of our mentality. But even the most liberal of congregations, does not reflect this simple reasonable statement. They all consider the same material. Some halls just look the other way for the sake of reason. Good for them. It is subject to change with any new CO visit, or new elder that roles into town. i'm sure you've seen it.

You are in a better position than most. Plan well, and be patient. If you want to tell others about Jesus and his father, better to first decide what your message is.

147

Weird "new world" artwork from the 2013 calendar

by cedars in

jw
friends

my mother-in-law has a strange obsession with calendars, and orders the society's calendar each year.

this year's calendar is especially weird.

it features images depicting future events - in particular, the society's vision of the new world order.. i've taken the opportunity to scan some of the images for you all to check out.. please note - there are captions for each of the images, but i don't have the english language version of the calendar so i'd rather just quote the scripture used so as not to reveal which country i'm in.. .

problemaddict

Wow could Jesus look any LESS trustworthy in this?

41

Crazy Weird Quotes in 1/15 WT Article - WT Society Opinions-Nothing More

by flipper in

jw
friends

i won't follow a theme on this thread .

i'm just going to supply weird quotes from the current 1/15 wt article " keep drawing close to jehovah " and then you can draw your own takes and conclusions on these insane " opinions " from the wt society.. paragraph 3 : " marketers cleverly convince people that they must have the latest products.

one young man so passionately desired a particular tablet computer that he secretly sold one of his kidneys to buy it.

problemaddict

I hate it when I almost drown because of the size fish I take! (I get it of course, trying to illustrate the "bite off more than we can chew" scenario).

Just bizarre though.

81

Would Elders You Knew Have Ordered Stonings If They Could Have?

by Cold Steel in

for those of you who used to be jws, or who are active, if the society was in charge of the earth, how many people do you think you would have seen stoned during your lifetimes?

i realize some elders can be zealous about their work, but if they'd actually had administrative authority to have kh members stoned to death, how many elders did you know who would have been zealous enough to really order them?.

did you know any elders who would have ordered stonings, even if the condemned people had been willing to repent?.

problemaddict

I don't know guys. People talk alot of crap, but I think one out of a thousand would actually stone someone. Come on.

43

Anyone here who is still a Jehovahs Witness and havent given up yet, Please answer me!

by Vienna Angelika in

jw
friends

i am wanting to connect to current jws who are going through a tough time and are going through a similar time as me.

not any jw haters, just balanced concerned jws who havent quite given up yet..

problemaddict

Vienna you have a PM.

But don't shy away from a public question. You get a ton of different viewpoints and the cafeteria style wha happened mentioned can be pretty cool.

81

Would Elders You Knew Have Ordered Stonings If They Could Have?

by Cold Steel in

for those of you who used to be jws, or who are active, if the society was in charge of the earth, how many people do you think you would have seen stoned during your lifetimes?

i realize some elders can be zealous about their work, but if they'd actually had administrative authority to have kh members stoned to death, how many elders did you know who would have been zealous enough to really order them?.

did you know any elders who would have ordered stonings, even if the condemned people had been willing to repent?.

problemaddict

Are you asking if the elders would have sanctioned murder?

Ummmm......no......no I don't think so.