Posts by scratchme1010

11

My Mother reach out to me AGAIN!

by HereIgo in

about 3 weeks ago i created a thread due to my mom reaching out to me (we hadn't talked in over 2 years due to typical jw politics).

well, today she reached out again thought facebook messenger saying " i'm so sorry i hurt you my beautiful baby boy.

i'm hurting very much also.

scratchme1010

She said " Because I love you, but our difference keep us apart"
I replied,
"They only will if you let them. Because I could be the most sinful person on planet earth and yet you would still talk to me if I was never baptized. But, because I made the decision to get baptized at age 16, barely old enough to drive, I am being responsible for it. At the end of the day, I believe we have to walk our own path and be responsible to God directly and I'm fine with that. What I'm not fine with is being accountable to imperfect men. Men, who I have seen say and do things that are not so Christian. Being "imperfect" is an excuse you can only use so far when you claim to be God's mouthpiece. I'm not the only one. I believe half of witness have doubts. The question is, who is afraid to speak up? Who is afraid to lose family? I've never been a follower."
She never responded back.
Did I come across too strong? Do you think what I said was thought provoking enough? Thoughts?

I remember your previous post, and I remember my reply, and this is exactly what I mentioned. Again, there is a possibility that she is just being a mom. JWs are human too.

Not sure if you were too strong or not, but I want to ask you, would you be open to the possibility of having her in her life as a JW if she's respectful of where you stand?

She is your mother and she (may, I don't know the specifics) love you. She may be reaching out as a mother. I have some relatives who have reached out to me in spite of what the WT says. it is possible that she may be doing that on her own.

Don't shut the door. Not yet at least. Try to find out where she's coming from. She may be hurting, or she may be looking for a way to push the JW agenda. Only one way to find out, have a talk with her.

27

Here's a morbid thought...

by Rainbow_Troll in

it probably will never happen but... imagine the gb recieved some new light that told them the great tribulation was imminent.

the world is going to hell and all jws can expect until armageddon is terrible persecution the likes of which no christian has ever experienced in two thousand years.

but jehovah has a solution: put yourself and your family 'to sleep' and after armageddon's over, jehovah will 'wake his people up' at the resurrection.

scratchme1010

Frankly, this is one of my nightmares. I know it seems improbable now, but keep in mind that even Heaven's Gate explicitely taught that suicide was wrong.. until Applewhite got his new orders from the saucermen. It wouldn't be hard to pull off either. The Org has a very efficient private grapevine that allows them to swiftly and discretely communicate with any congregation in the world. No need to publish anything in the official publications. It could be done in a matter of hours.

It's a real possibility. Cults do have people make decisions they would never otherwise made for themselves or their loved ones. However, that said, I don't think that that's the WT's style. It's not in their best interest, as of now to have people take such drastic measures.

Remember, the WT has a real estate business. They are flourishing and growing financially, so there's no need to have their crop killed (yet).

12

Why was corruption of scriptures not prevented?

by anointed1 in

many bracketed portions in the scriptures, influence of foreign myths and unscientific teachings … etc show that scriptures have been corrupted.

even when they are not corrupted, religious teachings have often no effect even on direct disciples (when jesus was teaching, his immediate disciples were thinking about who was going to be first in the organization—something that happened in all religions which led into their infighting and divisions).

at the same time there are many good people among materialists, why?

scratchme1010

Ok, so I am sticking to the topic title:

Why was corruption of scriptures not prevented?

It was never meant to be considered holy, nor the word of god, simply because, well, it isn't.

Many bracketed portions in the scriptures, influence of foreign myths and unscientific teachings … etc show that scriptures have been corrupted. Even when they are not corrupted, religious teachings have often no effect even on direct disciples (when Jesus was teaching, his immediate disciples were thinking about who was going to be first in the organization—something that happened in all religions which led into their infighting and divisions)

Even if the "scriptures" were never corrupted, there are a few thinks I think are very important to consider:

Today, any tweet is 1,000 times more reliable and clear than anything written in the bible. Yet, people claim that the bible has such an important message, and it's from no more and no less from the being that it's supposed to know everything, including the future, including what has happened to the original writings of the bible.
Why the idea of leaving a book written for thousands of years? Why writing it in languages that were so limited? Why writing it in visions, prophesies, parables, and symbolisms? That doesn't sound to me like such an important message that is meant to save as much people as possible.

The rest of your post, IMO, is just unrelated.

24

Why isnt the overlapping generation( interpretation), consistently applied to these scriptures.?

by smiddy in

why does the wt interpret matt.24:34 "truly i say to you this generation will by no means pass away until all these things occur.

" as having overlapping generations ?

and not applying the same reasoning to any other scripture/s referring to a generation or this generation .?

scratchme1010

Quite frankly the overlapping generation interpretation is even more ridiculous when considering these scriptures about a generation or this generation.
And their is no scriptual validation for the Governing Body to make such a claim of an overlapping generation.

Yet, people still insist in using the bible as a reliable source of information. Go figure.

19

Fight Fire With Fire!

by The Searcher in

wolves use their "loyalty" questions to trap others - "do you believe we're living in the last days/this is god's organization/faithful slave?

" - yet resolutely avoid discussing topics which put their org in a bad light, my "loyalty" question to them would be - "do you accept literature truth over bible truth?

" they will either run or be forced to ask for examples of alleged differences.any other suggestions for "loyalty" questions?.

scratchme1010

Any other suggestions for "loyalty" questions?

I waste no time trying to use their teachings and reasoning with them about what they know. If I want to question people's loyalty, I can't care less about what they have to say about their teachings. What I address is what a lot of people seem to fail to see: their feelings.

I ask them what their "experience" is. They love, love, love to give their charming stories about how they became JWs. I listen carefully to their stories. By listening, I can identify exactly the reasons why they joined. That tells me a lot more about them and about what made them join and remain loyal to the WT than whatever they claim they have learned from the WT. It also put their guards down since they see that I am listening to what they have to say, especially since they are talking about their own personal experiences. I don't interrupt, and I let them say everything and anything related to their story. I only stop them when their story starts becoming about them pushing their WT agenda, then I either redirect or stand my ground and tell them that it's my time to talk.

High chances are that what makes them rethink has nothing to do with the WT teachings and everything to do with what the WT makes them FEEL. Here are the most common present elements in people's stories, along with the feelings around them:

The WT helped me make a difficult decisions (confusion, loneliness, uncertainty around leaving an abusive partner, stop using drugs, put their lives together, go through loss, etc.)
The WT gave me hope about the state of affairs in the world (fear of the future, dissatisfaction with the way life/the world is, social struggles over discrimination, etc.)
The WT gave me a place to belong to (loneliness)
The WT told me that I can see my lost loved one again (sadness, depression over loss)
The WT teaches me that we're the only ones with the only truth, and the only ones doing what's necessary to achieve eternal paradise on Earth (A way/reason to feel superior, feeding their egos)
Soon all bad things in the world, even animals eating other animals, will end (sense of certainty about the future)
The WT praises me for being in the right path (spiritual fulfillment)

In many cases, especially those who no matter what you tell them, they will continue to hold on to their Jehovah, there's not a single thing related to doctrine, teaching, history, events, the WT changing positions and teachings, elders getting arrested, none of that makes a dent, unless you address what keeps them holding on to the WT, which is their feelings.

Think about it, when people decide to join, there are a large number of things that they don't KNOW about the WT and their teachings, so what makes them stick is not what they learn, but what they feel. Furthermore, just look at most of the posts here from people who have left. Many still believe the JW nonsense but left due to something that makes them FEEL uncomfortable.

What I address is the fact that they are holding on to something harmful because they have obtained something that they find valuable, but the price they are paying for it is too high.

6

Witnesses called today

by Lostandfound in

my daughter called today laden down with wrapped presents for all family who are coming over holiday.

she did not say at first but she had seen a group of witnesses working the street.

when the rebellion wen i went expecting the postman, but my daughter rushed first and told me to sit down as it was the witnesses.

scratchme1010

After many years he wrote to my wife and I apologising for his actions. Gave copy of letter to chairman of his original JC, who told me that he now disfellowshipped and branch directed that if e appealed his apple would fail as he Either. A liar or a child abuser . He not been heard of lately tho he was badly beaten up some years ago by unknown assailants. Wonder who told them about him?

Your post gives me mixed emotions. First, thank you for sharing such personal story. It's very good that you as family have remain together and consistent in your stance with the JWs. Other abused children also have to deal with family members still remaining loyal to that bunch of filthy JW pedophiles protectors. I'm sure that you all enjoy the support you get from each other, which should never be taken for granted.

The other thing is, based on what i quoted above is why didn't you report the abuse to the authorities? That filthy JW pedophile could be in jail and (if in USA) also become a registered sex offender. I know it isn't easy to go through the entire thing, but criminal charges may have been filed if the guy pretty much confessed to the crime he committed.

Also, it angers me that the WT and company remains protecting those filthy pedophiles without being sued. As good as it feels to let those filthy pedophile protectors out of your home, after that event, they will go on and continue in their disgusting pedophile protecting cult.

Life is what it is, it's never all good and never all bad. But it's great that you still have each other and see the issue the same way. That matters.

13

JWs and taking blood

by dogon in

i have a brother who works in the medical profession and in particular surgery rooms.

he had a jw woman who needed blood.

while the jw elders were there she said no blood.

scratchme1010

In the end, I think those JWs who do that realize that other people are literally playing with their lives and having them making important decisions based on pure nonsense.

24

Why Jehovah's Witnesses are WRONG about Christmas

by David_Jay in

as you know (and are probably tired of hearing me repeat), i’m jewish.

yes, i was a jehovah’s witness when i was a teenager and into my 20s, but returned to my roots and now celebrate chanukah when the holiday season comes around each year.. so why am i writing about christmas?

well, that’s because i thought i would share something about how jehovah’s witnesses teach against christmas.

scratchme1010

To me it's very simple: they are wrong, period. I don't have to justify, especially to them, my Christmas celebrations. I can't care less about what they believe.

1

Human Blood is biblically not forbidden

by TheWonderofYou in

biblical speaking human blood is not prohibited, in the virtue of thora law, it is only prohibited by the virtue of rabbinic law and the reason is because you may confuse it with animal blood.

the rabbinic tradition is: when you are bleeding internally in your mouth, you dont have to spit the blood out.

blood of fish is biblically allowed to be eaten.

scratchme1010

Thanks for sharing; I'd prefer choose to eat healthy instead of using all that information to make my nutrition choices.

16

Would you trust your Doctor if he got things wrong??

by stuckinarut2 in

just thinking..... assume we had a family doctor that we had seen all our lives, perhaps he had been the doctor for your extended family too.

he is lovely man, very kind and honest hearted.. but if he had prescribed treatment or medication that was wrong, and had bad effects on you, then changed the medication to something else, then randomly changed it again etc, how would you feel?.

if you did some research into him, and found disturbing facts and things in his history that made you question his qualifications, how would you feel?

scratchme1010

thoughts??

True, to some degree. Once again, for some bizarre reason that I can't find, seems like a lot of people in this forum just don't pay attention to more than 80% of what actually make JWs stay JWs, and that has nothing to do with what you state in your analogy. It has to do with THEIR FEELINGS, not with what is logical, not with facts, not with science, not with information that proves them wrong. FEELINGS. A lot of people fail to see the real reason why people still stick with the "bad doctor", which are not only as valid reasons for them to stay, but also should be addressed as much if not more than what the WT teaches.

Experts in the matter of cults explain and agree that the most common reasons for people to stay in a place like the WT organization are:

They continue to believe in their Jehovah - they will always find a reason to think that they are not worshiping pedophiles, nor that they are making all their decisions based on what the WT say, they claim that they are serving "Jehovah".
Protect their investment - they are too involved, family is too involve, their entire social and support system is invested in the WT
Hold onto family - need not say more about this one
Relationships can be real and solid - they feel that there's absolutely nothing for them outside the WT
Pride / embarassment - this is pretty much every other American JW I know
Fear - the way they think the world and their lives will be without the WT is scary; they are afraid of losing what has become their sense of security, even if they know it's a false sense of security

If you look at those things, a lot, in fact, most JWs and ex-JWs agree that those are the reasons why they stay, why they prefer to fade instead of getting disfellowshipped, why they need support when they finally leave. None of it has anything to do with logic or reasoning.

Many JWs are very decent people. Many are very intelligent people too. So it's not about their values nor their capacity to think; its about how they feel.