i had dinner tonight with a woman that i knew in my old congregation growing up.
she was an elder's wife, and i was friends with her daughter.
she has written a new book that is being published by prometheus books and is being released in january 2002. she will be doing upcoming radio interviews to publicize the book, and i'll post more information when i have it.
Vienna,
I found her name on an ex-jw list that is posted on the internet. I have found a few long lost ex-jw friends there. It's a nice resource.
She had two children, who are both out of the religion now and living normal, well adjusted lives. One was my age (28) the other was a little older.
Stacey
i found this and i had to share..... (with permission from the author of course).. are cats for christians?.
(completely fiction, but shows how anything can be manipulated into wtbts reasoning) .
by dave.
I found this and I had to share..... (with permission from the author of course).
ARE CATS FOR CHRISTIANS?
(Completely fiction, but shows how anything can be manipulated into WTBTS reasoning)
By Dave
QUESTIONS FROM READERS
"Is it appropriate for a Christian to own a cat in light of their past pagan religions affiliation and the new medical information that is now coming to light?"
Many conscientious ones among Jehovah's people today have wondered if Christians should own cats in view of their sorted past and many health risks. What may be acceptable to one person may, although unintentionally, stumble another. This can become a life-or-death issue since to stumble a brother that Christ died for is tantamount to "putting a millstone around the neck and being thrown into the sea." Clearly our eternal salvation is involved.
First let us consider what most scholars agree is the original Koine Greek for the English word "cat". Felos Domesticus meaning literally "a contemporary housecat with all of its beastly identifying characteristics and behavior." A faithful servant of Jehovah would quickly notice that the nature of a cat is "beastly". The bible makes clear reference to this condition when describing parts of Satan's organizations past and present. For instance the fearsome "beasts" as described in Daniel or the "scarlet colored wild beast" in Revelation. The demons entered the swine when rebuked by Jesus showing the potential harm and demon control that a Christian may potentially expose themselves and others too. Lest we forget the condition of God's enemy when being humbled by Jehovah, Nebuchadnessor. Is it by accident that the Bible describes his experience as a "beast" of the field? Hardly!
Clearly the Bible by using this kind of Original Greek shows beyond a doubt that the basic nature of cats is evil or "beastlike". This is condition is reflected in the "Original Serpent", the "Great Dragon" Satan the devil!
There are numerous reasons why a loyal dedicated servant of God should use their Bible-trained conscience to arrive at a proper understanding of why cats are not for Christians.
Consider the following facts.
It was a common practice in ancient Egypt to worship or idolize cats as "gods". As Christians we are to "guard ourselves from idols" and "worship no other gods". Such feline influence could lead to idolatry and thereby "grieve Jehovah's Spirit" with tragic consequences. May we never take for granted Jehovah's wise council!
The Bible does not say that cats were not present at Herod's birthday party when John the Baptizer was beheaded. History shows that cats were most likely present at this tragic party that Jehovah did not approve of. Clearly then, as loyal Christians, why would we even want to associate with animals that are without a doubt of such bad influence, remembering that "bad associations spoil useful habits"? To invite cats in our house is to toy with disaster. Can one deny that the chance exists that the same grave consequences could visit your home that fell upon John the Baptiser? Clearly, God disapproved of this "birthday" party. Should we not then disapprove of cats the way God does? Surely!
Throughout history, particularly in the middle ages and reaching its climax in the Salem Which trials of the 1600's, cats were recognized as carriers if not direct incarnates of demons. Since cats were associated with the devil, could we as faithful and dedicated servants of God therefore associate ourselves with a "living symbol" of satanic incarnation? How would this reflect on Gods name and his earthly organization? Would we want to be associated with a symbol of Satan, the "god of this system of things"?
Nowhere in the Bible are any type of cats spoken of in favorable terms. In fact was it not lions of the first century who the Devil used to devour faithful Christians? Jehovah Himself "Stopped up the mouths of the lions" in Daniel's day. True, the small housecats of today are not lions, but being of the same cursed animal family used by Gods enemies on numerous occasions throughout history, would it be wise or appropriate to own one? In addition, by owing any type of cat (feline), would we not give an appearance of condoning their evil deeds throughout recorded Bible and secular history? The Bible makes clear that God's people are "no part of this world" and that we are "not to share in the sins of others."
The scriptures clearly indicate that neither Abraham, Isaac, Jacob, faithful Job, the Apostles or Jesus himself owned a cat. Should we simply assume that this is a mere coincidence? Surely not! This was most likely because they didn't want to be like the Pagan contemporaries of their day who showed no regard for how God feels about owning a cat. In harmony with the pattern set by the faithful prophets and peoples of old, surely it would not be fitting for a Christian today to own a cat.
Finally, cats are unclean animals. Recently the Centers for Disease Control (CDC) announced that "Cats…can shed Salmonella in their feces, which can spread the bacterial infection to humans…" Salmonella (salmonella typhimurium) creates a condition of "week-long diarrhea…abdominal cramps… and in some instances, hospitalization." Would we be showing the proper respect to our life, Creator and to our "neighbor" by exposing ourselves and others to this potentially deadly disease?
Additionally, cats practice many unclean habits not fitting a Christian: Coughing up furballs, licking inappropriate body areas, urination on the floor, eating dead animals often with their blood, sexual misconduct without the benefit of marriage, abuse of catnip an intoxicating herb, and stealing food from the table, just to name a few. What sort of example does this give our young ones endeavoring to serve Jehovah? The Bible clearly shows that "neither fornicators….nor thieves will…inherit the Kingdom." In addition, the Apostle Paul admonishes us to "quit mixing in company" with such unclean ones. Although Paul was speaking primarily about Christians who fell into sin, there is no reason to conclude that this Inspired Biblical principle can not be applied to association with cats. Uncleanness in any form is condemned by Jehovah and the fact that the Apostle Paul made no distinction when it came to associating with housecats proves beyond a doubt that loyal Christians must avoid all association with all sources of uncleanness which would logically include animals that harbor such practices.
Are we not grateful for Gods viewpoint on such matters? True worshipers follow closely Gods mandates on cleanness to their eternal benefit! Sister Catless tells us that since getting rid of her cat, she has not had to be preoccupied with cleaning the litterbox or the burden of purchasing cat food. This has allowed her to spend more time to go pioneering and finds that it is now easier to meet her allotted hours in field service.
Brother Dognow puts it this way, "I'm so grateful that God's organization is kept clean! It has freed me from the burden of owning a cat and all the pitfalls that go with it. I hope all the brothers will realize how the Devil subtly uses cats to corrupt and distract us from the preaching work." (Matt. 24:14)
What fine examples of faithfulness! As loyal followers of Jehovah's thinking on this matter, we can rejoice in the fact that in the new system, the "Lion will lie down with the lamb". Yes, when Satan is finely abyssed the "beastly" nature of felines will be gone! But until that soon approaching time, God will reward all of our efforts to maintain integrity by loyally submitting to the leading of his spirit through the "Faithful and discreet slave".
i had dinner tonight with a woman that i knew in my old congregation growing up.
she was an elder's wife, and i was friends with her daughter.
she has written a new book that is being published by prometheus books and is being released in january 2002. she will be doing upcoming radio interviews to publicize the book, and i'll post more information when i have it.
I had dinner tonight with a woman that I knew in my old congregation growing up. She was an elder's wife, and I was friends with her daughter. She has written a new book that is being published by Prometheus Books and is being released in January 2002. She will be doing upcoming radio interviews to publicize the book, and I'll post more information when I have it. It was so good to see her after not having any contact with her in 11 years. She's a fabulous woman with a great story to tell for all of us....
Here is the book information from the publisher:
[b]Awakening of a Jehovah's Witness - Escape from the Watchtower Society[b]
This tale of mind control, the use of fear to manuipulate vulnerable people, and final escape from a suffocating cult environment is a revealing expose of a secretive contemporary sect, as well as a true psychological thriller. Diane Wilson spent twenty-five precious years of her life, first becoming indoctrinated by the dogma of the Watchtower Society, and then struggling to free herself from its pervasive, intimidating clutches. In this porbing, brutally honest assessment, Wilson describes how a childhood of psychological abuse and lack of self-confidence rendered her vulnerable to the seductive doctirnes of the Jehovah's Witnesses. Yet as time went on and the society demanded rigid control over every aspect of her life, even her every thought, Wilson began to rebel. Her gradual awakening, at first unconsciously as a caring therapist helped her rediscover her true self, is a fascinating story.
What she reveals about the goings-on within the closed Watchtower Society will shock the average person who assumes the polite, well-dressed people who pass out leaflets are much like any other conservative religious group. Wilson contends that membership in the Jehovah's Witnesses requires obedience bordering on psychological enslavement and the complete supression of individuality. Her engrossing memoir will be of great interest to former Witnesses, students of cult phenomena, and anyone who has ever had contact with Jehovah's Witnesses.
i hadn't seen any recent posts about this event.
tonight i spoke to paul thomason, the organizer of the event.
he said that last year they had about 18 in attendance.
I hadn't seen any recent posts about this event. Tonight I spoke to Paul Thomason, the organizer of the event. He said that last year they had about 18 in attendance. He's hoping it will be a larger crowd this year.
The gathering will be at Golden Gate Park, Lindley Meadows starting at noon on Sunday, October 7th. It will end at sunset. He's planning on setting up croquet, and is hoping that someone else can bring volleyball equipment. He said that no one is really organizing food, but to bring a dish to share.
Just for kicks, how many of us will be attending from the board? If you plan to go, please post here!
I'll be there, cant wait to meet some of you!!
Stacey
hello all my hurt fellow exj.w.s out there.. i just recently discovered all these j.w.
sites on the internet when i did a search for jehovahs witnesses on google.
wow, this is fantastic.
i am shocked. you sneaky devil you...
such a rebel you are.
hello all my hurt fellow exj.w.s out there.. i just recently discovered all these j.w.
sites on the internet when i did a search for jehovahs witnesses on google.
wow, this is fantastic.
Cute and apostate! What a dangerous combination for the likes of you... one who is in his early twenties (right?), has not dated much, and is still a poor jw virgin boy.... Heartbreaking!
Stacey
hello all my hurt fellow exj.w.s out there.. i just recently discovered all these j.w.
sites on the internet when i did a search for jehovahs witnesses on google.
wow, this is fantastic.
NYT,
YOU? Go on a date a little apostate girl? What would the elders say?!
Being raised a jw too, I could really mess up your mind. Talk about corruption!
Manhattan is a bit far from California... darn it!
Stacey
hello all my hurt fellow exj.w.s out there.. i just recently discovered all these j.w.
sites on the internet when i did a search for jehovahs witnesses on google.
wow, this is fantastic.
NYTel, when are you gonna figure it out???? Honey, we've got to be affecting you somehow, all of this evil association with ex cult members....
you begin to respect other peoples opinions more...even that fred guy..... .
you begin to appreciate the world more ... and the variety of it all.
you feel special.
Logi, that's exactly what I thought when I saw that image.... cheer up!
hey guys.
i got an idea as to why there is the same bitterness by many/not all, on this board twards christians like there is to dubs.
you feel you have found it to be a crock just as the borg is and it makes you madder than crap to see people duped a second time.
Kinda funny, after I left the JWs I was shown christianity. I lived it and believed in mainstream christianity for a few years. I used to have this -need- to help other ex-jws who I was so sure were very lost without the "real Jesus", without the way the truth and the life. I would have been on this site doing the same thing these people here were doing.
Not to put down what anyone believes. Because I know that many do these things out of their own concern for others, because they believe they have lifesaving information. Just like we all did as jws.
But I no longer think this way. Like many others here, I was put to the place of researching what I believed, and even researching the ideas that were opposite of mine. And with what I found, perhaps I lost "faith". Because nothing that I learned, could be upheld by facts and truth. And I'm sorry, but I have the power of reasoning, and I wont live my life not using it. My reasoning brought me to the conclusion that I was perhaps being blind, yet again, to facts.
I no longer consider myself a christian. I thrive on the questions in life. The path I have taken so far has been wonderful. Every day brings more questions, and my thoughts and ideas change with every experience that I have. Why do we have to think that we know what a god or creator wants from us? Revealed religions? Revealed holy books? They just dont work for me.
Why does everyone think theirs is the correct version of the truth? Kind of interesting.
I have no point, just rambling.
Stacey
