zophar

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Posts by zophar

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  29

  I Smell Fear...

  by pale.emperor in

  1. watchtower
  2. bible

  msoneone of fb sent me this.

  looks like they know they're being exposed as the frauds they are.

  this plus the theme of the next convention "don't give up" just reeks of desperation.. stash: /intesoft-inc.appspot.com/post/b21fe47ca2644a0ea2f6e28fe6401145.html

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  zophar

  "What is propaganda? In this context, it is the use of biased or misleading information to manipulate the way people think and act. Some equate propaganda with “lies, distortion, deceit, manipulation, mind control, [and] psychological warfare” and associate it with “unethical, harmful, and unfair tactics.”—Propaganda and Persuasion." 7-15-17 WT

  The "unfair tactics" that "Apostates" use are often merely quoting what the "Channel" has published.

  
  

  The apostle Paul was spearheading the Christian missionary activity. He was also laying a foundation for a work that would be completed in our twentieth century. (w1989 1/1 12)
  

  At least that is what the original copy of the magazine said. Then in the bound volume we read:
  

  The apostle Paul was spearheading the Christian missionary activity. He was also laying a foundation for a work that would be completed in our day.

  So which one do I trust? No admission or acknowledgement of the change, just magically changed. Did they hope no one noticed?

  That is not propaganda but just another example of the audaciousness of their supposed authority. One need not listen to propaganda, just listen to them! Over time there words will show their falsehood.

  Mt 12:37 for by your words you will be declared righteous, and by your words you will be condemned.”
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  41

  Observations From an Ex-Elder Part 3 - Searching for the Lost Sheep

  by doubtfull1799 in

  1. jw
  2. experiences

  "what man among you with 100 sheep, on losing one of them, will not leave the 99 behind in the wilderness and go after the lost one until he finds it?

  " - luke 15:4. disclaimer: by posting the following observations i am not complaining.

  i am happy to be left alone.

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  zophar

  How many men serving as elders currently are struggling with their own cognitive dissonance? Your fellow elders may have some of the same thoughts you have about the organization, or at least may be struggling with doubts and questions. Therefore they don't shepherd because they have nothing to offer. Of course, many of the other reasons listed in this thread may be correct as well.

  It is my experience that there are many, many JW's that have a lot of questions but don't share their thoughts yet. As time progresses and things like Australian RC is exposed and the org continues the hard line on shunning children and producing "Bunker" videos, people will gradually wake up. Most people don't like to be confrontational so they will quietly fade. It is a long process for some of us, mine has gone on for the last ten years!

  Be content and happy. .....and I agree with others. Why DA yourself, it's just another way of recognizing their authority over your life.
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  27

  Talked to a JW at a literature stand today

  by nevermind in

  1. watchtower
  2. beliefs

  guys,.

  i need your help in trying to wrap my head around this strange experience i had today talking with a jw lady sitting at a literature table in a busy outdoor shopping center.. i'm a very shy person, but i always wanted to ask these jws at their literature stands questions to start them thinking about the validity of watchtower teaching.

  i finally mustered my strength today to talk to this jw lady.

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  zophar

  1914 failed prophecy didn't happen. All Russel did was just say something significant happened

  It might have been interesting to see what she would say if you asked her: "if you read in your own literature that Russell did predict the end of the world in 1914, would his wrong prediction or false prophecy cause you to re-think your position?"
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  29

  What's your degree of anti-JWness?

  by Landy in

  1. watchtower
  2. beliefs

  so, on a scale of 1 to 10, where 1 is absolutely pro-jw, 5 is neutral and 10 is youtubing nutjob apostate, where do you stand?.

  i'm probably around a 6. i have the view that jws are a nothing marginal religion.

  if i hadn't been brought up as one i doubt they would have ever entered my consciousness.. the reasons it's a 6 and not a 5 is that i have some concerns over their child baptism and safeguarding procedures, but i think it's down to them being a bit dim rather than any pro child abusing ethos.

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  zophar

  You often hear, "Hate the sin not the sinner." That' kind of sums up my feelings regarding the organization vs the individual JW.

  Label me 6.5
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  65

  Short stay

  by midnight in

  1. watchtower
  2. bible

  after much research and prayer i am returning to being a jehovah's witness i can find nothing that eliminates them from being god's directed people , in the end they will reach the end of there journey despite mistakes and errors just like the israelites entered the promised land , thanks for your input and all the best on your personal journey ☺.

  midnight..

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  zophar

  Great advice Giles. And very humble to recognize if you were insensitive. It's hard to tell whether someone is sincere or trolling. Like you, I would rather err on the side of kindness and tolerance.

  As Toes Up mentioned, we have had enough experience with not being to ask a reasonable question and expect any kind of answer.

  bravo to both of you on your helpful attitudes
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  4

  Cnn health

  by poopie in

  1. jw
  2. friends

  nice article cnn health.what do people talk about before they die?.

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  zophar

  http://www.cnn.com/2016/12/20/health/what-people-talk-about-before-dying-kerry-egan/index.html
  
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  25

  My oldest friend, Quincy Roberts, Ex-JW died last night at age 66

  by TerryWalstrom in

  1. jw
  2. friends

  the first time i walked into a kingdom hall, i was about 15 years old.

  i shook hands with a 12-year-old named quincy.

  as time passed and we grew older, quincy hung out with us older j-dubs.

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  zophar

  Terry:

  It is so hard watching friends around you die. We are just at that age when we start saying things we used to hear our parents say. "Oh I can't believe so and so died" every time an entertainer or actor dies.

  I see where one of your old neighbors, Malcolm Allen died. Did some Convention work with him in Fort Worth back in the day.

  Be glad you and your friend got to live an authentic life with eyes open. Interesting comment that your friendship was during the pre North Korean JW lifestyle. Some friendships do survive in spite of the iron hand. Be glad that you were there for each other as true companions down till the end.

  So sorry for your loss.

  Zophar
  
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  7

  The Forward to My New Book "New Boy 50 years a Watchtower Slave"

  by new boy in

  1. jw
  2. experiences

  the forward the following story is my fifty year relationship with the watchtower bible and tract society otherwise known as the jehovah witnesses.

  it started when i was just two years old and ended just one week after 9/11, 2001 just three weeks before my fifty second birthday.

  i was basically raised in that thought system i became a full time minister in my late teens.

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  zophar

  Great post and analogies!
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  50

  Elder asking for help

  by untruth in

  1. jw
  2. experiences

  this is my first time posting on here so i’m not sure where to start.

  i’m trying to keep it as short as possible since i could expand much more.

  i’ve been in the process of waking up in the last year and a half.

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  zophar

  Dear Untruth

  I have similar circumstances except older and longer time as an elder. Glad you woke up about 20 yrs younger than I did!

  I have found it helpful to mention how many of the terms we use are not even in the Bible. Like overlap and organization etc. Also, why did we adjust so many times if Jehovah was leading. Generation, we have changed our understanding at least 6 different times. Or Superior Authorities, we said at first it was the governments, then Jehovah and then back to the governments...how is that "tacking" or an adjustment, why would we be directed away from a more correct understanding to an incorrect one and then back to the correct one?

  You have a real challenge ahead of you and I am sorry for you. My wife finally started agreeing with me when she didn't have the answers herself. Also, I have been able to voice opinions to more open minded ones in the cong without acting like a doubter but just, "I can't get my head around this overlapping generation understanding, how about you?" Amazing that this seems to be a signal for them to open up and freely express their doubts, then when alone I comment on this to my wife, "seems like they are struggling with this too." Very helpful, since it is them saying it as well not just me.

  The recent WT Study on undeserved kindness opened the way for some good discussions as well. I mentioned how I used to belittle the, "saved by grace" comments would get in FS but really, they have it right. How nice not to feel condemned or pushed, but just enjoying God's favor or undeserved kindness and being less hard on myself thinking I'm never good enough.

  I use the Interlinear a lot as well and I always strive to share interesting things I learn from this publication, produced by the FDS, to show the inconsistencies.

  I hope things work out for you. This is a long journey if you wish to preserve your marriage and you will have many ups and downs. I really empathize with you.
  
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  37

  What is the Education Level of the Governing Body members?

  by Wild_Thing in

  1. jw
  2. friends

  i would love to compile a list of the education obtained by the governing body members both past and present.

  can anyone provide any information to get me started?.

  it still amazes me they think they can translate ancient languages with an 8th grade education.

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  zophar

  I know Fred Franz had some college, not sure he graduated. Also, I believe Albert Schroeder had some university courses as well. I believe both of them were on the original NWT translating committee.

  Interestingly, Schroeder's son is reported to have went to University and is now an attorney.

  I'm sure that Geoffrey Jackson was instrumental in the newest version of NWT. His biography mentions no university training at all.