Posts by problemaddict

14

Is there going to be a new NWT or what ?

by sieborg in

jw
friends

i dropped off my wife the other day at the cuircit ass and driving out of the car park i was flagged down by an elder i know.

he was and still is one of the genuine ones, a real solid guy.

anyhoo, he tells me to come back as we are so close to the big a and he also tells me that a new bible is gonna be released.

Suspicious

by Suspicious in

i guess i'm new here.

born in and an ms. things just hasn't been making sense the more i think about it.

i'm starting to get suspicious.

I wanted to respond to your question about the motives of the GB. I wanted to respond, because I once said the EXACT same thing. Maybe not on this board, but I did some apologetics for JW's elsewhere.

My point then was always that these guys don't roll around in Rolls Royces, they don't have penthouse suits, and they don't have villas in the south of France. So why vilify the guys? I honestly believe most of the GB are true believers. I think most of them are guys continuing on a path they put themselves on many years ago. But then someone suggested to me something I had never thought of.

You ever been in a hall with that one elder that just runs the show? I mean he just comes in there and pretty much directs the body. I have known a few of them. Guys that tried to tell you what kind of shirt to wear, how loud your tie may be, and go after someone because they had a beer in their hand at a graduation party. That kind of guy is not after wealth or money. What is he after? He is after what he considers respect, but is really a form of power.

Power is more of an influence on men than money. And the GB members have power. It doesn't mean they are twisting their mustaches in a tower thinking how to screw the little guy. In fact, I think many of them are sincere believers. However, when faced with their own questions, reasonable information from their congregation, and the ability to change things for the good.....they hold onto the status quo. The only way to improve the organization is to lessen its grip and power over people. Allow people to have varying opinions on doctrine that may or may not be biblical. TEACH THEM TO USE THEIR CONSCIENCE. But instead, the very clear message, is "you have to listen to us to live"!

I was at the convention this past weekend, and the message is clear. Not listening to those with "divinely inspired authority", is the same as disrespecting God and sealing your doom. You are Korah, you are Diotrophese. This is simply not biblical, when you actually go and read these accounts. And if those are parallel accounts, then how do we know the GB today is the equivalent of moses or the apostles? There are no signs or gifts of the spirit as there were in those days. So how would we know? Well one way (I think), we would know, is if they are consistantly right and ahead of the curve.

But they aren't. They are consistantly wrong, and changing doctrine after doctrine. Blood is a MASSIVE blunder. So where is the proof they should be followed? If there is none, what do you do?

These are questions many of us here have asked. Many that are still going to the occasional meeting, or trying to remain in for family or friends. It can be very hard. Make sure to keep your mouth shut. If the elders hear anything that makes sense even a little bit, they go into full wall building mode and could easily turn you into an enemy, because that is what their own level of faith dictates.

The GB doesn't have to be incencere, to have the very human problem of coveting power, or to be wrong.

34

Apostate Symposium 2013 San Diego District Convention

by problemaddict in

sorry i did not get audio.

too much going on around me that would give me away anyways.

i think someone posted audio, but it is different from what i heard on some levels.

problemaddict

Oubilette - I agree. The narrative is to create a preconcieved idea that anything they see.....no matter how much sense it might make.....is going to harm them anyways and is just a lie so no reason to believe it or look into it further.

Designs - I don't know if they have a sense of humor. :)

Londo - I actually corrected a couple of attendants I know making small talk. They asked if I "had their back" as a joke. Good guys, just super JW's. I told them those guys were just zealous evangelicals. We used to hand out leaflets and wear plackards outside of churches. So turnabout is fair play. You guys would get further if you didn't call them apostates, but showed love like Jesus told you to. (crickets)

COBE - No worries

Tylin - I could think of a few good sign ideas too, but then again I am not the ones out there with them. i am pretty sure it was church sponsored. There were alot of kids with signs.

Piercing veil - Yo. I am in English. I know alot of people here, I am pretty sure we might have met. I am still "in" and trying not to get DF'd, although I haven't been to meetings in about 9 months now. My fade is taking a while. You know time moves slow out here. PM me.

ArbolesArabia - I too think they are concerned. But honestly, the crowd was eating it up my friend. I mean EATING IT UP. Lots of laughs for the silly apostates, death and estruction, and toungue in cheek judgements.

Zordino - Dude you really should have heard it.....and probably seen the look on my face. I couldn't hide it from my family.

Julia - Yeah you got it. And the speaker was so smug (see BRO MAC's photo), that is really came off as just hilarious. Almost like you were an idiot if you felt even one ioda difference.

yadda yadda - yes great post from Moses unedited. Its almost as if the talks were written for a largely uneducated and undiscerning mass of people? oh wait! The most tellign part, is that yes this is just pre-emptive. Changing who the FDS is, is a big deal, even if it "makes more sense" with what they teach now, than what they previously taught. So when people stand there looking at the magazine, and asking questions in the back of their mind, their fear of even their own thoguhts will remind them to listen, obey, and be blessed.

121

Symposium: Beware of Apostates! - 'God's Word is Truth!' District Convention of Jehovah's Witnesses 2013 - not on JW.ORG

by mindnumbed in

symposium: beware of apostates!.

satanhuman apostates also of interest ..... the truth brings "not peace, but a sword" .

problemaddict

Were the people that were there at San Diego, or was it somewhere else. I guess it is somehow comforting to think that among the rest of the crowd, there are a few others that know better.

122

Suspicious

by Suspicious in

i guess i'm new here.

born in and an ms. things just hasn't been making sense the more i think about it.

i'm starting to get suspicious.

problemaddict

Hey Suspicious. I came here a while ago as an MS, searching the same things, having been mistreated while I was remaining loyal to the organization. I did not however progress beyond that initial phase, until I decided to put to the test every inspired utterance. In other words, I had to deal with one thing at a time. First I had to deal with what brought me here. It was questioning the organization. Things ring true to different people. For me, it was us being wrong on the blood doctrine, and the thousands of people who have died uneccesarily. Then when I took objective looks at other things, I could see that it wasn't about how they were wrong or right on anything in particular, it was the fact they were claiming to speak for God, and disfellowshipping those that didn't agree.

My whole life my perception was telling me I was giving men power and authority over me that they did not deserve, but I ignored it. Now, I knew better. NOW, I am getting to the bible, and study of it. Many here are athiest. I would consider myself half Agnostic, half christian. Its about as confusing to read as it is to think. But I'm working on it.

You work on it too. Don't take anyones word on anything. Even those here. You research for yourself.......just make sure to do it quietly.

34

Apostate Symposium 2013 San Diego District Convention

by problemaddict in

sorry i did not get audio.

too much going on around me that would give me away anyways.

i think someone posted audio, but it is different from what i heard on some levels.

problemaddict

I must say, this was an interesting experience. it was hard not to be angry. Micah used to say there was evidence they were chosen by God. People laughing at "satans restaurant gets a triple F", and smug giggleing at every mention of dangerous apostates.

The drama featured a beginning where there was a news report of JW's being banned (presumably in the US), and some arrests made. The family was just beside themselves, and an elder knocks on their door and tells them the story of Queen Ester. Everyone clapps when Namaan gets his and his family and 500 people about to kill the Jews are slaughtered. Mordechi said they had to go after them and kill the rest or else "our victory will not be complete". The drama was so odd sounding.

Don't e mail your disfellowshipped relatives was hit on again. Your loyalty is to God.

But I looked around and nobody got it. It was a great assembly, proof they are on the right track. People from Bethel were out, 187 were baptized, 36K people, and I even met a guy who "came into the truth" from a District convention tract and subsaquent visit 5 years ago.

I don't think 2014, 2034, any "change" in teaching, or revision of history is going to do anything to JW's. I am more resolved than ever, to turn my attention away from it completely, and to focus on my immediate family, and learning how to craft a proper life.

34

Apostate Symposium 2013 San Diego District Convention

by problemaddict in

sorry i did not get audio.

too much going on around me that would give me away anyways.

i think someone posted audio, but it is different from what i heard on some levels.

problemaddict

In honor of a thread regarding grammar and spelling, I felt it appropriate to note that I did not proofread my post. In addition, I tried to edit and it was too late.

Oh well!

6

Facebook "friend" heard a rumor

by Reopened Mind in

jw
friends

i was surprised to get a message on facebook yesterday from a sister in a congregation i hadn't attended in 18 years.

she said she heard a rumor totallyadd and i no longer want to be jws.. funny thing is the last time i messaged her on facebook was january 2011. yes, i had let all correspondence drop with jws as we were well into our fade at the time.. but two and a half years and she wants to know if we want to be jws?

no how are you doing, miss you guys, or news of her family.

problemaddict

^^^^^Well done.

34

Apostate Symposium 2013 San Diego District Convention

by problemaddict in

sorry i did not get audio.

too much going on around me that would give me away anyways.

i think someone posted audio, but it is different from what i heard on some levels.

problemaddict

Sorry I did not get audio. Too much going on around me that would give me away anyways. I think someone posted audio, but it is different from what I heard on some levels. So here you go.

PLEASE NOTE: I did my best to not paraphrase but write verbatim when I could. I am NOT adjusting the phrases or words below. I am NOT paraphrasing with my own viewpoints. By and large with maybe minor instances, these are the exact words used in the talks. If I paraphrase my own thoughts, they will be in (...).

It is alo of note that the chairman made sure to express that these were Bethel speakers from Brooklyn and Patterson. All the other talks for the most part were local elders and CO's. Minus Loesch, who was the GB member at our convention. He quite frankly was boring and said nothing of interest.

Beware of Apostates: Satan

Every year millions of cases of foor poisoning occur. These cause a great amount of sickness and yes even death. What is the leading cause? Contaminated food! How does the food become contaminated. ell sometimes by insufficient cooking, but many more times it is because the kitchen staff has ABANDON GOOD HYGENE. This is just like apostate reasoning, which causes spiritual sickness and death. They speak and lie against their former brothers, inciting rebelion. There are two sources of tainted thinking. Satan, and human apostates (as opposed to rabbit apostates?).

What are their methods and how can we protect ourselves! First, Jesus identified Satan as the first apostate. (John 8:44) In John we see the identifying MARKS of apostacy. Satan shows his apostacy in three ways.

1) He is a manslayer.

2) The truth is not in him.

3) He speaks only lies.

Satan plants murdurous ideas in the hearts and minds of believers. For example, Eve. He told her she could be like God, planted that lie, and she in turn through her actions caused the death of millions!

Satan did not stand fast as a servant of Jehovah. He is a traitor to the truth about Jehovah. He is so far gone in fact, that not even a SPECK of truth is left in him. The bible gives him his third marker. He is the father of the lie. The word Devil=slanderer, so every day all he does is try to subvery truth. He has contept of course for truth in a general way, but especially truth coming from Jehovah . (I found this idea of Satans contept for "general truth" to be kind of interesting.) All of HIS food is tainted, and creates "mental disease"! (2 Cor 11:3) Paul writes that as the serpant seduced Eve, so can our minds be corrupted from the sincerity due the Christ. He wants us to question what we ALREADY KNOW to be the truth.

He has formed a league of disobedient angels, in an alliance with himself. Their soul purpose is to keep the world in darkness. They are on a mission to spread apostacy. Sometimes they attack God's people with violence, or bans on our work. We really need to be on guard against what the bible calls his "ploys", such as "flim-flamming". (This is the actual word used). His hallmark is lies, misrepresenting truth. One "flim-flam" he uses is peer pressure. Peer presure is really propoganda is it not? (Numbers 15:39)

He plants ideas in our minds and hearts. Many have grown spiritually sick due to materialism thinking "I simply must have these things!". He also a ppeals to our pride. A certain amount of pride is healthy so that we may carry out our ministry, but Satan twists that "good pride" into us saying "I know better that Jehovah himself!".

(Goes into general conclusion and introduces next part)

Beware of Apostates: Human Apostates

The CDC wrotes of food poisoning that it is "common.....yet preventable". If we knew a restaurant was toxic, we would have avoided it would we not have? Well friends, Satans kitchen is open for buisness and human apostates are his helpers in that kitchen! Ecoli, bochelism, and more......in the form of lies! Titus Chapter one says they are unruly. (1 John 2:19) They are certainly not of our sort! Apostates do not simply "drift away"...oh no! They "decide to go out". (Gen 3:15) Apostates are Satans seed.

How do we identify them? They have been around a long time, but we can identify them through their prideful rejection of Jehovah, AND of divinely given authority. Yo can see their seething bitterness and jealousy.

Now friends, how can we protect ourselves? Lets see what they have on the menu.

First the Norovirus nachos. They reject God's service. (Luke 6:46) also (Acts 20:30) - "men will rise and speak twisted things".

Next the Ecoli burger. They bring in destructive sects, and corruptible ideas. But make no mistake, they do so in a clandestine manner. Counterfits are supposed to look like the original are they not? So they appear to be the original, but they are not. They use the internet, the television media, even letters written to loyal ones! (I felt this was directed at those they still know to be within the org and try to get people to think by asking questions. It seemed prettty clear to me). They have an "A" from the health inspector in the window, but it is a forgery!

Next is the Bochelism Salad with dressing (the dressing was another virus.....this was clearly meant to be the worst one). Rejecting those whom God has divinly approved with authority. (3 John 9). Diotrophese (sp?), was proud and wanted to be their leader! But Jesus said you have only one leader....the Christ (the irony made me chuckle). He rebeled against divine authority. Apostates lie to and use the media to insight hate!

How do we protect ourselves?! (Rom 16:17) Avoid them! Never have them in your homes or even say a greeting to the evildoer.

(The following is a direct quote). Here is a multiple choice question! "It is reasonable to conclude that lovers of Jehovah will...."

a) Adamantly refuse to read their literature or their signs.

b) Adamantly refuse to watch them on TV programs.

c) Adamantly refuse to read their websites and post on their blogs

d) All of the above.

The answer friends is D! Why? Because we are loyal! NBow because we avoid their twisted thinking and their false claims, does it mean our faith is not strong enough to carry us through their attacks? Well the CDC says that out of all the yearly cases of food poisoning a year, 128K are hospitalized, and 3K die! If the CDC gave a warning, would we listen to it? Apostates are mentally diseased and are attempting to infect you, sometimes with even trace amounts of their sinister bacteria.

We meet people in the ministry with different viewpoints, and we reach out to them to speak to them. we are not afraid of varying viewpoints. But Apostates want to manipulate minds and kill faith. They are puppets for their evil master, and are part of the anti-christ. (John 2:18) - "they are not of our sort".

We thank the organization for these ispired warnings. (Deaut 32:46,47). Well, the spiritual health department has inspected Satans kitchen and given it a tripple "F", tripple "6", triple "minus". (audience giggles). And this warning comes not from the C-D-C, but from G-O-D (ohs and ahs from the audience). Let us never visit that lie filled, diseased restaurant, and risk spiritual death.

-------------END-------------

NOTE: There was another part this day, abotu disfellowshipped family members. The talks were rather vague and not specific clearly on purpose. Loyalty to Jehovah was spoken of as obedience to the branch as though they were hand in hand more than I can remember in recent memory. Of course I have not been for a while. There were two Ironic quotes I wrote verbatim in subsaquent talks below.

Ironic quote number 1 - "Jehovah is not dependant on anyone or anything. He makes this promise to you personally when he says I MYSELF, will help you."

Ironic quote number 2 - "There is an ancient strategist that said 'If you know your enemy, and you know yourself, you need not fear the outcome of a thousand battles.' How true that is!"

Finally, one quick note on those that came to hold signs at the convention in San Diego. Stop with the Trinity stuff! It doesn't do anything at all. Stop with the smug attitude. It just confirms what they were told inside. Don't raise your voice to people rudely, it just makes them look the other way. Put the questions on the sign that can make someone think, not that tell them they are right. Yelling things like "show me 1914 in the bible", makes you as ignorant as those who insist on this date. Saying "JW's have multiple god's and are polytheists is Jesus is "a" god", is equally ridiculous and easy to defer in the mind. Just my 2 cents.

53

Why elders' wives are such gossipers...

by Calebs Airplane in

i have a theory as to why elders' wives gossip so much.

i believe a big part of it has to do with the conversation running dry (between themselves and their elder husbands) after so many years of marriage.

since they don't get to spend too much "quality time" together (because of the elder husband's hamster wheel schedule), when they do have some intimate time alone, the elder's wives will invaribly attempt to engage their husbands in any kind of interchange.

problemaddict

I think it is alot like some people, who always eem to have the conversation drift into "work". It takes effort to be interesting, and in some cases to conversate depending on the audience. So "talking shop" is the easy way out, especially if there is any relation or commonality.

So I think it very much becomes the easy thing to talk about. Elders justify slander and judgement all of the time. Hasn't anyone ever heard of someone in effect (or verbatim) saying, "lets just talk.....elder to elder."