Posts by lsw1961

5

The truth shall set us free!

by Wonderment in

the words below are taken from a post i submitted elsewhere.

i decided to present it here as well.. it is a challenge for us all to stay objective in religious matters.

there is so much faulty information circling us everywhere that the truth often is not so plain.. many christian followers would love to believe that simple answers can be found from one single religious group as a source.

lsw1961

Dear friend,

Jesus himself explained what truth will set you free in Mathew 25:31-46

183

JWs have more good points than bad

by lsw1961 in

1) many who were on the destructive path have been transformed by their teachings (this includes me who was once vicious, and presumptuous and atheistic).

2) equal monthly pay to all members of the bethel community regardless of whether they are bc members or sweepers.

this is something that still remains as an unattainable dream for the world.

lsw1961

Ucantnome

I am sorry for you. Jesus had said: “be cautious as serpents and yet innocent as doves.” You had plenty of examples among brothers and even among Elders. Not all of them were following WT teaching on higher studies blindly. They ensured their children go for higher studies and consolidate a firm position in the world materially. My dad was an Elder (born and brought up by witness parents), yet gave me a secular education of 19 years.

This shows one should take JW teaching in its essence, not in its details (which means: accept Kingdom Message, at the same time choose between other teachings—for example, ensure your own material independence flouting their teaching on higher studies for which there is no punitive measures taken). In Economics we say: do not put all the eggs in just one basket.

183

JWs have more good points than bad

by lsw1961 in

1) many who were on the destructive path have been transformed by their teachings (this includes me who was once vicious, and presumptuous and atheistic).

2) equal monthly pay to all members of the bethel community regardless of whether they are bc members or sweepers.

this is something that still remains as an unattainable dream for the world.

lsw1961

Saintbertholdt

1) You are asking who that ex-PM was? I cannot reveal it (which may lead to my identity that would put me into trouble with my BOE). Bethel has its protective mechanism for long-time servants as they are lovingly taken care of till their death in rooms built near to Bethel infirmary.

2) You say “You have not addressed the matter of the control of and denying access to information.” You have to make some allowances to such inevitable evils as they are also human beings and have to protect the larger interest of an organization. I see the organization in its essence [preaching of God's kingdom], not in its details. Cultic aspects fall into details. You too were enjoying being a JW till the time you had tasted its punitive measures for which you provided the basis wittingly or unwittingly. After that, looking back at the organization through your hurt eyes will not give you correct vision. Transcend your personal hurt, you will be amazed at the results—you will not see your hurt, but will see the grand, beautiful, core cause the JW system stands for. Its all have to do with our view. When I reach New York's airport, I used to be asked to remove my shoes during the security checking process. I willingly start to remove my shoes. Often when had removed one shoe, the security officer said okay with a smile and told me to not remove the other shoe. Yet I find many fellow travellers criticize it or doing it murmuring. Why this difference? The reason is that I took the removing of my shoes as part of a discipline, at the larger interest of a great nation which stands for freedom, while others took it as an instance of being insulted.

183

JWs have more good points than bad

by lsw1961 in

1) many who were on the destructive path have been transformed by their teachings (this includes me who was once vicious, and presumptuous and atheistic).

2) equal monthly pay to all members of the bethel community regardless of whether they are bc members or sweepers.

this is something that still remains as an unattainable dream for the world.

lsw1961

LoveUniHateExams

“paedophilia issue” is the reflection of countries in which JWs are found (if the pan is not baked properly, it will break down under fire—if individuals have not understood the WT teaching or Bible teaching on paedophilia, they will crash under pressure), hence it varies from country to country. There are countries where more number of paedophilia is reported whereas there are countries where no such incidents—not even one—is reported. I do not know any deliberate attempt on JW leadership to protect the predators. If they do, let the law of the land take its course. If JW policy is to protect the pedophilia—a dreaded mental disease—how come many others (who committed lesser mistakes) were not protected by the same JW protective policy you accuse them of?

183

JWs have more good points than bad

by lsw1961 in

1) many who were on the destructive path have been transformed by their teachings (this includes me who was once vicious, and presumptuous and atheistic).

2) equal monthly pay to all members of the bethel community regardless of whether they are bc members or sweepers.

this is something that still remains as an unattainable dream for the world.

lsw1961

Simon, OnTheWayOut, paradisebeauty …..

It seems many could not digest the equal pay (practiced in Bethel) as a good thing—some even called it communism. In fact, this aspect as the good point is from a bethelite who has a glorious past career as a Prime Minister of a country. He was brought to the Bethel as his wife had an exceptional talent Bethel was in badly need of. They agreed to serve in Bethel without taking any pay (what they call monthly allowance or PEA) as they were materially very rich. Once I got a chance to work with him closely during a District Convention, and I invited the couple to my house for a meal which they gladly accepted. When I asked him what he liked the most in Bethel, he said “the equal pay.” Remember, he has multiple Doctorate in subjects such as Political Science, Economics .. and is an ex-PM.

One can dismiss this calling it as the aspect of failed communism. This is like calling a nutritious and fruit bearing tree good-for-nothing just because it could not with stand an avalanche. Communism could not withstand the overwhelming and hostile environment around it. So what? Now I have my own personal and intimate circumstances to back up my stand. I had a very nice and peaceful atmosphere at home when my wife and I were working as employees who could afford a decent luxurious life-style. Then my wife started her own business with some people working under her. This gave her huge income. Gradually, she began to view me as good-for-nothing (while I am still the same old loving husband who still earns the same income working as a Chartered Accountant in an MNC). This I have noticed in my family also with my fleshly sisters and brothers. When they earn money using other human beings as mere machinery, that same attitude becomes dominant even towards their close relatives. I also know from my friends who are Chartered Accountants for other companies how private companies make money robbing the Governments.

[Like you, I too do not approve the expensive wrist watches ... and other gadgets the GB members have. It is better they renounce such things if sense of propriety rules them. That is for them to do. But it is understandable that a few witnesses behave like blind devotees of the paganism who believe that they will get special blessings from God if they gift out expensive things to persons such as GB, BC, Elders ...]

183

JWs have more good points than bad

by lsw1961 in

1) many who were on the destructive path have been transformed by their teachings (this includes me who was once vicious, and presumptuous and atheistic).

2) equal monthly pay to all members of the bethel community regardless of whether they are bc members or sweepers.

this is something that still remains as an unattainable dream for the world.

lsw1961

LoveUniHateExams and GrownMidget

I had already responded to your question in my answer to Cofty and jookbeard. All the five points I presented as good points are really good points which you will agree later if not now. Take your own time and try to view it with an open mind. Humans are designed in a unique way that they can see something as good or bad if viewed from above, totally detached. The more detached you are, the better your vision will be! Try this, and you will be amazed at the results.

56

Is it true? Heard a rumor WT postphones Disfellowshipping until further notice!!??

by Olivia Wilde in

i am not sure if it's true but i heard from a good source that wt has given instructions to elders to postponed disfellowshipping members from wrong doing/gross sin until further instructions given by headquarters.

i heard some jws were just reproved either privately or publically.

has anyone else heard anything like this recently?

lsw1961

JWs have different policy in the countries where their work is banned. In some of the Gulf Countries, elders give a very mild reproof to the offender (but of course disfellowshipping if it were in another country which is not under ban). This is at the larger interest of the organization as this creates no disfellowshipped persons to take revenge on the group by leaking information to the Secular Authorities.

183

JWs have more good points than bad

by lsw1961 in

1) many who were on the destructive path have been transformed by their teachings (this includes me who was once vicious, and presumptuous and atheistic).

2) equal monthly pay to all members of the bethel community regardless of whether they are bc members or sweepers.

this is something that still remains as an unattainable dream for the world.

lsw1961

DogGone

Nice, refreshing response. I know the hurt you people experienced for which I express my personal apology.

Actually, this is the reason why I adopted a different strategy—I support JW for their good, but secretly disapprove their failings, thus avoid the heart-break of losing my loved ones.

Confrontation is not a good idea always. Not giving your heart to things you do not approve is a sweet rebellion with no possibility of ever being noticed/punished.

183

JWs have more good points than bad

by lsw1961 in

1) many who were on the destructive path have been transformed by their teachings (this includes me who was once vicious, and presumptuous and atheistic).

2) equal monthly pay to all members of the bethel community regardless of whether they are bc members or sweepers.

this is something that still remains as an unattainable dream for the world.

lsw1961

Faithful Witness

You ask: “Was Jesus telling them to PREACH to the poor, the hungry and the homeless? Or was he talking about actual food?”

I have my own understanding of what Jesus said. I do not interpret it, but take it what is for. The obvious is this: do not do any harm to anyone. If you have the power, do help the needy. Interestingly, Jesus does not any mention about true worship.

183

JWs have more good points than bad

by lsw1961 in

1) many who were on the destructive path have been transformed by their teachings (this includes me who was once vicious, and presumptuous and atheistic).

2) equal monthly pay to all members of the bethel community regardless of whether they are bc members or sweepers.

this is something that still remains as an unattainable dream for the world.

lsw1961

OneEyedJoe

I appreciate all your points which can be summerised into one word—extremism. I agree JWs go to the extreme in some respects which they have copied from the archaic side of the Bible. But individual can practice what he likes in their heart without disturbing the community. This is an option many have not tried. But I have done it successfully.

As you suggested, I have messaged my e-mail ID to you.