Skeptic

Joined

• started 29 topics
• posted 809 times   see topics posted on
• send a message

Posts by Skeptic

• 
  22

  Life is good, good, GOOD!

  by onacruse in

  1. social
  2. relationships

  getting all settled in here...sort of says that most of the boxes are unpacked (why won't she let me look into the closets?)..

  don't women ever throw anything away???!!!

  roflmao.

  1. 
  2. 
  3. 
• 

  Skeptic

  (((Craig and Katie)))

  You two are a fairy tale romance come true.

  I can relate to both of you so well, as I had a fairly tale romance as well....in my case, the fairy tale ended. So I am glad the folks here can see one that will not end.

  Your love for each other seems as intense as the one Windrider and I once shared. I remember the feeling when I moved in with her.

  I am so happy for you both. My heart glows when I read your posts. You give hope to the rest of us, especially me.

  Richard, who believes that fairy tales sometimes come true
• 
  22

  My JW story

  by Aztec in

  1. jw
  2. experiences

  i don't think any of this is really all that unusual so i'm sorry if you find it dull.

  i was raised in the jw cult from birth, a third generation member to boot.

  my family was full of elders, ministerial servants and overseers of all sorts.

  1. 
  2. 
  3. 
• 

  Skeptic

  Aztec,

  You are a sweetie, and I am touched by your story. Something tells me there is a lot more that has yet to be told.

  I welcome you to this looney bin of a board. Lots of good souls here. You will fit right in, I am sure.

  Richard
• 
  18

  Sharing on a judicial committee

  by zev in

  1. jw
  2. friends

  in this day and age of tightening watchtower policy, it is good to reflect on spiritual food at the proper time.

  here is your meal.

  eat in in good health.

  1. 
  2. 
  3. 
• 

  Skeptic

  And the JC members are so out of touch with how to deal with that kind of person, they're very likely to foul up and violate that person's civil rights, and then it's time for a visit to the nearest United States District Court for a little chat before a judge and jury about how much money the WTBTS owes you for violating your rights.

  Francois,

  Legally, the WTBS is not liable. The individual elders are. I wonder if they are told that before they are made elders.

  Richard
• 
  18

  Governing Body! Worshiped like Kings!

  by Alligator Wisdom in

  1. jw
  2. experiences

  i can't get over the fact the the gb of the wt society are treated like kings.

  aren't they supposed to be "one of the brethren"?

  the wt always accuses others of being guilty of "idol" worship when it comes to people of fame (i.e.

  1. 
  2. 
  3. 
• 

  Skeptic

  Fred Franz gave a few talks in Ottawa when I was there. I did not notice any "worhsiping" of him. Maybe Scully can give her opinion. The only thing was that the talks were given on fairly short notice.

  I had heard that a GB member can fly anywhere in the world if they give a talk, and that this was used to visit friends or vacation. That might explain why Fred's talks were all the same: the history of the organization. I wondered why we all had to drop what we were doing to attend these "important" talks. That is the closest to special treatment I have seen him get. Mind you, I was not in any inner circle, so who knows what goes on.

  He could barely speak and was very hard to understand. However, I admire the man because he was 94 and blind. If I am in that good of shape at 94, I will be proud of myself. And his ability to remember scriptures is remarkable.

  Fred's prominence compare to Ray's is obvious. Fred was the maker of predictions, basically the Society's Oracle and theologian. Many of the Society's beliefs are because of Freddy. I believe the 1975 fiasco was his invention.

  Fred made the more wacko sensational stuff that made JWs feel special. Ray's work was more solid, more balanced, and not as sensational. So Ray would not get the same attention as Fred. Plus, Fred was part of the Society for what seemed like forever.

  Richard
• 
  17

  Internet Influence

  by JH in

  1. jw
  2. friends

  .

  if it wasn't for the internet, and sites like these, would you still be an active witness?

  1. 
  2. 
  3. 
• 

  Skeptic

  No. I left because I was an atheist. The issue of who was the true religion was a moot point, and it made no sense to remain an active JW. I didn't have much, if anything, against the JW religion at the time. Which is probably why I survived the elders' investigation.

  I am glad for the Net, as it certainly opened my eyes.

  Richard
• 
  21

  WTS and donations

  by freedom96 in

  1. jw
  2. friends

  many christian type religions, organized or not, believe in giving 10% like was done in the old days in the bible.

  you even have the mormons, who must give 10%.. as money hungry as the wts is, why have they not gone for that as well?

  they can always justify anything for any reason.

  1. 
  2. 
  3. 
• 

  Skeptic

  This was one big thorn in my side shortly before I left - I hated how they would get up and and pontificate on how holy they were "Oooo, we NEVER require donations" and yet no 2 weeks would pass without some plea for $$$ for this or that 'fund', the many articles about 'cheerful giving', the thousands of contributions boxes scattered all over every JW event - you couldn't walk convention aisles without tripping over them. The EVERY assembly predictable plea Sunday morning about how o so short they were, wouldn't Jehovah want us to give like the little widow gave her last 2 coins.

  I am tempted to say they weren't that bad about it, though I have heard that the halls with large mortgages were much like Christendom...always pleas to give more, more, more.

  Richard
• 
  58

  Cats and lawnmowers

  by troucul in

  1. jw
  2. friends

  ok guys, (simon probably won't like this thread) what's the worst thing you did as a kid to a defenseless animal?

  me, i liked to throw rocks at frogs.

  my mom was so mad when she saw me..... the girls are gonna be pissed..... rotfl

  1. 
  2. 
  3. 
• 

  Skeptic

  God, and I feel bad for pulling wings off of flies as a child.

  The cat and lawnmower thing, is sick, sick, sick. My mother was ran over four times by a riding lawnmower....I cannot describe the pain she felt.

  Killing animals is one thing. Torturing them is another.

  Richard
• 
  21

  WTS and donations

  by freedom96 in

  1. jw
  2. friends

  many christian type religions, organized or not, believe in giving 10% like was done in the old days in the bible.

  you even have the mormons, who must give 10%.. as money hungry as the wts is, why have they not gone for that as well?

  they can always justify anything for any reason.

  1. 
  2. 
  3. 
• 

  Skeptic

  I don't think so. Not requiring a tithe has always been a distguishing point for the Witnesses, and one that attracts followers.

  Plus, they charge the congregation for the literature, and have other money-making avenues to get cash. They have never been stupid about finances, and have a level of control that can only be envied by other churches and businesses.

  Richard
• 
  11

  Jobs you couldn't have

  by JH in

  1. jw
  2. friends

  .

  having a tight control over us, the watchtower teachings told us what jobs we could or couldn't have.

  did you lose a great job opportunity because of their control over you?

  1. 
  2. 
  3. 
• 

  Skeptic

  Never again will I let what other people "might think" guide decisions I make in my life !!!!! If that causes a "stumbling" forthem, then they should've been paying more attention to their own business than mine.

  Very good policy. And one I am going to follow.

  Richard
• 
  24

  I just couldn't wait :))

  by WildHorses in

  1. jw
  2. friends

  i put up my tree tonight!!

  i bought another artificial tree.

  my old one was getting out of shape.

  1. 
  2. 
  3. 
• 

  Skeptic

  LOL! This will sound weird, but I have never taken my tree down from last Christmas.

  My apartment has ZERO storage space, except for kitchen cupboards. Anywhere I would put the tree, it would just look weird and be in the way. I had no closet until recently, and it is still under construction.

  So the best thing to do was leave the tree in the living room all decorated. The only people who ever visited me were Windrider and Lee, and they understood. One look around the place, and you would understand.

  So I don't have to put up my tree and don't have to decorate it. My son and I will decorate it again though, just because he wants to. It would be a good little father-son project.

  Besides, I find tree decorating to be a good bonding experience. I have fond memories of it from when I was a kid, and from when I lived with Windrider and her boys.

  Richard