the organization has always pointed to god's spirit as the force that brings increase.
this spirit has always been directed/channeled to bring praise and honor to jehovah.
in light of this information i find it difficult to understand how god's spirit can be operating on an organization that has kept silent about pedophilia and were low key about making it public and to safeguard 'all' children in 'all' congregations and in the pedophiles neighborhood?
Excellent use of scriptures. If in fact the JWs follow the bible as they claim and not the Society, any one of them can plainly see that WTS in NOT spirit directed and God's spirit is in NO WAY among them. It's a shame so many are so blind...
Who needs initiative when being pushed?
imo and in my experience i think that sexual harassment is common among witnesses, and much like the victims of molestation the congregation elders usually cover up the actions of some or just totally ignore the allegations.
i was subjected to it often by an ms and an elder's brother, when i complained to my mother about it her response was 'well they have known you since you were born, and they didn't mean any harm' or something along those lines.
i dont wish to downplay the seriousness of pedophilia as opposed to sexual harassment, nonetheless, to all those lurking witnesses out there you all should know that these things can happen and does happen everyday, whether you care to admit to it or not.
IMO and in my experience I think that sexual harassment is common among Witnesses, and much like the victims of molestation the congregation elders usually cover up the actions of some or just totally ignore the allegations. I was subjected to it often by an MS and an elder's brother, when I complained to my mother about it her response was 'well they have known you since you were born, and they didn't mean any harm' or something along those lines. I dont wish to downplay the seriousness of pedophilia as opposed to sexual harassment, nonetheless, to all those lurking witnesses out there you all should know that these things CAN happen and DOES happen everyday, whether you care to admit to it or not. If your child tells you that someone is using inappropriate language or touching him or her in such a way that is disturbing, PLEASE I am pleading that you take those things seriously. I cant even begin to describe how vulnerable and disgusting I felt as a 13 year old child being subjected to that. Dont allow your children to go thru the same. Open your eyes dammit!!
Who needs initiative when being pushed?
i am on the mailing list for the jw public info dept.
they just sent me an email on that list with information about their stand on child molestation issues.
the email takes you to the public relations site with a video by brown and some sociologist.. they must be feeling the heat these days.. jeff s.
HEhehehehehehe.....I love it!!!!!!
Who needs initiative when being pushed?
this is a new post but the continuation of a thread that was called 'wanting to believe in god'.
i thought the information was important, so i figured it would be best to start something new, rather than hijack a previous topic.
two people made similar comments, which i believe to be mistaken, and not what the facts of history tell us.
It's not about RELIGION, nor is it about ATHEISM
It's about RELIGIOUS INTOLERANCE.
I would add to that FANATICISM, EXTREMISM, FUNDAMENTALISM.....
Who needs initiative when being pushed?
forgive me if this is already covered.
this came from the ny post via watchtower observer.. see if you can catch the theocratic warfare language at work ..... ----------------------.
bowen fights excommunication for criticizing witnesses.
GRRRRRRR........... I SOOOOO hope the WTS drops dead for the whole world to see
most people are familiar with the account of job where satan makes the claim that the only reason humans serve god is because of selfish reasons.
god allowed satan to test this theory on job, so job was beset by numerous trials but he refused to give up on god or blame him in anyway.. it would appear that satan was proved wrong in this particular bible account but was he really?
would the majority of mankind follow jobs example if they were faced with similar trials?
This is also why the Free Will concept among Christians is such a crock. How can you freely make a choice if you are punished or rewarded when you choose?
I have had that debate with my mother for YEARS now--is there such a thing as free will? I ask everyday. BTW great post! Im gonna burn too, believe me!
What the head makes cloudy the heart makes very clear.
We judge ourselves by our intentions; others judge us by our actions
I would like to contact any x-witnesses from these areas.
most people are familiar with the account of job where satan makes the claim that the only reason humans serve god is because of selfish reasons.
god allowed satan to test this theory on job, so job was beset by numerous trials but he refused to give up on god or blame him in anyway.. it would appear that satan was proved wrong in this particular bible account but was he really?
would the majority of mankind follow jobs example if they were faced with similar trials?
I always thought that the bible and its writers were extreme and plain ridiculous with stories like Job......now I know for sure. Why would God go to such lengths to prove Satan wrong? Isn't God almighty and powerful? Isn't Satan himself a wayward creation of God????
dungbeetle said this in another thread and i thought it could prove helpful to those that are still in contact with jw friends and relatives.. jw's defense of the watchtower is merely a thinly disguised effort to defend themselves personally.
recognizing this defense mechanism for what it is will be a first important step to breaking down these psychologically harmful barriers.. i was thinking that perhaps we could talk about how we speak to jw friends and, even more important, how they speak to us.
i found dungbeetle's very insightful.
manicmama you're right on point, witnesses don't talk they dont know how to have a conversation they just know DOGMA and repeat it over and over.....
What the head makes cloudy the heart makes very clear.
We judge ourselves by our intentions; others judge us by our actions
does god work through an organization?.
the question seems silly to me now, but not that long ago, as i stood dazed and confused on the edge of the watchtower, wondering if i should jump, would i survive, and where i would jump to, it was crucial to me.. thirty six years of jw brainwashing told me that god just *has* to have an organization.
my thirty six year old gut was telling me that god doesn't *have* to have or do anything.. this bit of writing by a former bethel elder helped set my mind at ease: http://www.caic.org.au/jws/organization/godorg1.htm.
to leave God's Organization is certain death"
I remember having a conversation with my mother prior to my disassociation about free will. I asked her how she can say that witnesses have free will? She repeated over and over again that God's word is clear: leave the org, you die, remain loyal to the org, you live. I told her that does not answer the question. To this day she still can't answer that question undogmatically. She goes over the example of Adam and Eve, how God gave them free will but they disobeyed, the same way we are given free will......is it just me or are all JW's arguments this circular and inconclusive???
What the head makes cloudy the heart makes very clear.
We judge ourselves by our intentions; others judge us by our actions
