THE GLADIATOR

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Posts by THE GLADIATOR

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  8

  Have You Read This Ex-JW Book by Trevor Willis?

  by mentallyfree31 in

  1. jw
  2. friends

  i just finished reading the book entitled "opening the door to jehovah's witnesses" by trevor willis.

  it's a 205 page book, and it's very easy to read.

  i found it to be an excellent book.

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  THE GLADIATOR

  Hi mentallyfree31. Apologies for taking so long to reply. I'm under p-p-p-pressure at the moment.

  You asked if I have made any progress with family members since writing the book?

  My entire family, with the exception of one brother, and my wife's clan, have not said a word to me or her for 10 years. Some have written but I informed them I will no longer reply to letters. To be fair, for many years we did maintain a fragile truce with most relatives after leaving the Borg.

  On one occasion my elder brother and the presiding elder of his congregation, all came to stay with us, along with their wives and children. We regularly stayed with them too. Unheard of in JW land. Going ahead and publishing the book did not make their day. Driven by a fear of displeasing their god, they run for the hills.

  Please don't feel sorry for me, I brought this on myself and my wife and I knew what the consequences would be. Silence is golden and I would not want to be involved with them again after so long. Life does move on.

  I hope your life unfolds for you as you would wish it to.

  Trevor
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  101

  Understanding Christ's Sacrifice

  by tec in

  1. jw
  2. experiences

  i haven't always understood how christ could have carried our sins for us, and had them forgiven.

  i've sort of understood because that's what people say he did, but the ransom (in a legalistic adam/jesus way) never held weight for me.

  but something recently happened that allowed me to understand.

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  THE GLADIATOR

  aSphereisnotaCircle

  Tec, I firmly believe that you would be just as loving and compassionate even if you were agnostic.

  Credit where it's due and so true.

  People are often attracted to beliefs that uphold the heartfelt values that they want to live by.
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  8

  Have You Read This Ex-JW Book by Trevor Willis?

  by mentallyfree31 in

  1. jw
  2. friends

  i just finished reading the book entitled "opening the door to jehovah's witnesses" by trevor willis.

  it's a 205 page book, and it's very easy to read.

  i found it to be an excellent book.

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  THE GLADIATOR

  mentallyfree31 Thank you for drawing attention to this.

  A free download is available. If you are interested, go to Lulu.com and type or paste into the search box the number 5456415

  You will be able to read the about the book before downloading it. The book was first published in 2002. This edition is still available from Amazom.co.uk but not shipped abroad. It was a success and has long since covered its costs. In 2006 it was updated and offered as a print to order book on Lulu.com.

  The free download has been made available as part of an awareness campaign. You are allowed to send the download on to whomever you want or direct them to the Lulu site. It is already quite well know that I am the author.
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  282

  Non-evidence reasons why people embrace Evolution.

  by hooberus in

  1. jw
  2. friends

  evolutionists always claim that the reason why they believe in evolution and reject creation is due to "evidence".

  they frequently use the opposite term "no evidence" in relation to any type of intelligent design, or creation, (and especially to genesis creation and flood history !).

  their advocated beliefs always tend to include whatever is necessary to believe in to intellectually "explain" the existence of the universe, world, and its creatures without needing god).

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  THE GLADIATOR

  AGuest

  Must still take pokes. May I ask why? My apologies, but I just don't get why people resort to such things just because others don't agree/see things their way.

  Perhaps, what you see as a poke is simply humour. If you want to know what a poke is, perhaps you should re-read the comments directed at you on this thread and many others. I am capable of ridiculing and poking but have chosen to hang up my sword and enjoy a little banter.

  Peace to you...
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  195

  Is Forgiveness Overrated?

  by leavingwt in

  1. jw
  2. friends

  .

  is forgiveness overrated?.

  if i'm being completely honest with myself, there is a short list of folks who i haven't forgiven.

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  THE GLADIATOR

  Is forgiveness Overrated? Personaly, I don't think forgiveness is either overrated or underrated.

  Like religion, faith, love and hate, it is often subjective. Just one more of humankind's peculiarities.
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  282

  Non-evidence reasons why people embrace Evolution.

  by hooberus in

  1. jw
  2. friends

  evolutionists always claim that the reason why they believe in evolution and reject creation is due to "evidence".

  they frequently use the opposite term "no evidence" in relation to any type of intelligent design, or creation, (and especially to genesis creation and flood history !).

  their advocated beliefs always tend to include whatever is necessary to believe in to intellectually "explain" the existence of the universe, world, and its creatures without needing god).

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  THE GLADIATOR

  The operative word here, is "proven," isn't it, dear Glad?

  Thank you A Guest - that is why I used the word 'proven.' One has to be quick in the arena.

  It's all the speculation that causes me to pause.

  I doubt if you will ever pause, but each of us marches to a different drum, and the variety of tempos allows us to find a pace that suits us.

  Peace to you, and may your gods go with you.
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  282

  Non-evidence reasons why people embrace Evolution.

  by hooberus in

  1. jw
  2. friends

  evolutionists always claim that the reason why they believe in evolution and reject creation is due to "evidence".

  they frequently use the opposite term "no evidence" in relation to any type of intelligent design, or creation, (and especially to genesis creation and flood history !).

  their advocated beliefs always tend to include whatever is necessary to believe in to intellectually "explain" the existence of the universe, world, and its creatures without needing god).

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  THE GLADIATOR

  Embracing either evolution or creation seems to me like a waste of a good hug All that needs to be embraced is life - right now.

  We are the only species on earth that give a moments thought to such matters. Proven scientific knowledge and the breakthroughs it leads to, does influence the future of the world.

  These debates are conjectural; entertaining and mentally stimulating, but our opinions make little difference. Please don't let me discourage you from embracing Darwin or Jesus. Go on - be greedy and embrace them both. Hedging your bets is often a wise move!
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  26

  Observation -- Posters Don't Seem Clueless

  by Band on the Run in

  1. jw
  2. friends

  i'm impressed with sophisticated thinking on this site.

  after all it is an ex-witness site.

  i wonder what changed in the former witnesses.

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  THE GLADIATOR

  As the months passed, I realized that I could no longer live a lie. In the words of a song, I had ‘come to doubt all that I once held as true.’ I had to face the reality that I would not be able to keep up the pretence that I loved Jehovah or even believed He existed. I could not look forward to the destruction of most of humanity to make way for a new world for me and other chosen ones, thinking we were more deserving of life than others.

  Even if such a God existed, I would rather die than be a part of such a monstrous plan. I was out of sync with the other members and it showed. I found myself irritated by the amount of pretence that so many members engage in to toe the party line. I could see clearly behind the curtain and realized there was no Wizard of Oz, just old men pushing buttons and hoping they would not be caught out.
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  57

  To all lurking JW elders

  by Mickey mouse in

  1. jw
  2. friends

  come on in, the water's fine.

  you may even realise you have close friends and family here.

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  THE GLADIATOR

  curiousconfused

  Thanks for taking the time to answer my questions honestly. Given the anti JW content of on this site, your openness is refreshing.

  You come across as a thoughtful and fair man. I hope you are able keep those qualities and that it does not become necessary to sacrifice them to remain an elder. All the best.
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  57

  To all lurking JW elders

  by Mickey mouse in

  1. jw
  2. friends

  come on in, the water's fine.

  you may even realise you have close friends and family here.

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  THE GLADIATOR

  curiousconfused

  Your comments seem both measured and reasonable. In fact I am pleasantly surprised at your tolerant attitude. This is because, bearing in mind that you are an appointed elder, there are some of things that puzzle me.

  How do you, as an elder, reconcile ignoring Watchtower admission to avoid sites such as this because they are demonised?

  You say that you respect anybody's right to leave the Organisation, and to comment positively or negatively about their own experiences. Does this mean that you respect, rather than shun, those that leave your religion? If so, would you refuse to sit on a judicial committee?