Posts by Thirdson

2

Is there life after JW?

by chrisauld in

jw
friends

hi everyone, i'm new to this whole internet thing, i always thought that the internet was 'wrong', i guess.

i was just wandering if anyone else was finding it hard to get on in life after deciding that jw's are not the 'truth'.

does anyone else feel the struggle to find a substitute?

I'll try again with this post. Welcome to the board. You are not alone or the first by any means to go through the realization that JW's and the WTS are wrong and that beliefs have to be formulated yourself. You will find many people here in various stages of transition from JWland to a life of freedom of thought and freedom of belief.

I found that after a period of denial of the problems and faults with the Watchtower organization that breaking away and spending time reading and researching on my own was helpful. I used the library, the Internet and discussion boards to research and answer my own questions. In many ways I had to treat everything I once believed as suspect and decide for myself what I thought was right and what I want to choose to believe. It is a learning process and I don't think it will stop. Gradually I became more involved in helping others in doing good through charitable work without the need or requirement of others to conform to a standard set by me or my controlling religion.

Do I have all the answers? No. Do I believe I have the only true faith? No. Am I certain there is a God, another life after this or a higher purpose for my life? I am not sure, I hope so but I am content to wait and see. I believe that if God does exist he is not the killing monster that JW's believe in.

Am I happy. You bet I am!

There is a whole new life waiting for you. I am glad you have started on the path to something better.

Regards,

Thirdson

8

GUNS???

by Jimmer in

jw
friends

i've always wondered, what does that organization of stiff shirts teach and/or believe about hunting?

target shooting?

gun ownership?.

Thirdson

Slipn'

There are a very few that still fish. I wonder when exactly the Society came down on Hunting and Fishing?

I am not sure they have come down on fishing. Wasn't there a Watchtower illustration a couple of years back showing a boy fishing off the dock in the "New System"(tm)? I guess as it was the new system he was fishing for sea Cucumber or maybe Orange roughy.

Thirdson

'To avoid criticism, say nothing, do nothing, be nothing'

18

In what order were the NT books written?

by GinnyTosken in

jw
friends

"jude," she [sue bridehead] said brightly, when he had finished and come back to her; "will you let me make you a new new testament, like the one i made for myself at christminster?".

how was that made?".

"i altered my old one by cutting up all the epistles and gospels into separate brochures, and rearranging them in chronological order as written, beginning the book with thessalonians, following on with the epistles, and putting the gospels much further on.

Thirdson

Hi Ginny,

I am interested in any further things you want to say on this subject. Like you I grew with the WTS version of the dating and authors of the gospels but I can't find anything that agrees with their ideas. I have read the gospel of Thomas and a version of the Book of "Q". The modern theories on how the gospels came to be written make a lot sense.

Thanks for posting your thoughts so far.

Thirdson

'To avoid criticism, say nothing, do nothing, be nothing'

17

Why I had no choice..and why it's not any easier.

by LDH in

jw
friends

first of all, i'd like to say a warm hello to everyone here.

i'm going to try to be coherent in this post, but if i should stray, please forgive me.

i hope you'll enjoy what i'm about to say; i look forward to reading your responses.

Thirdson

Hi LDH,

I know a little of the things you have gone through at least the part of breaking away and the comparison between our lives growing up and that of our kids.

Thankfully, I was able to marry into a normal family, where religion and judging others is not the prime motivator/goal/reason-for-living.

Life is good now if not wonderful. And according to Uncle Bruce I'm a pessimist. I suppose if I were Australian I'd be in paradise and only an endless supply of free beer could make it heaven.

Thirdson

'To avoid criticism, say nothing, do nothing, be nothing'

17

New field service tactics!

by NikL in

jw
friends

new regular pioneer techniques .

these are untried and untested techniques to get .

they're called goats in the bible.

Thirdson

Funny post NikL.

My all time favorite response in the reasoning book is to "I'm not interested in Jehovah's Witnesses"

The RB states "I appreciate your letting me know how pissed you are at me. Would you mind telling me what there is about us that you don't like? Is it what we show you from the Bible or is it our knocking on your door at 9:00 AM on Saturday every other week that bothers you?" Top of Page 18..slightly paraphrased.

Thirdson

'To avoid criticism, say nothing, do nothing, be nothing'

7

support group in MN area...

by AuSet in

jw
friends

hi everyone!.

i am in the beginning stages of starting a support group in the mn area and would like help from others who have expertise in this area, or from those interested in attending/joining.... thanks, annette

Thirdson

AuSet,

Would you e-mail me.

Thanks,

Thirdson

'To avoid criticism, say nothing, do nothing, be nothing'

8

GUNS???

by Jimmer in

jw
friends

i've always wondered, what does that organization of stiff shirts teach and/or believe about hunting?

target shooting?

gun ownership?.

Thirdson

I think this is a question about different standards, cultural differences and where you live.

When I moved to Minnesota I was surprised that a large number of JW's including elders were hunters. I saw several photographs of "brothers" with their trophies. I don't think hunting deer for the table is wrong at all. In many ways deer have a far better life than farm cattle and pigs. If they aren't hunted with a what else will cull large populations...starvation and disease?

Growing-up in the UK even fishing was frowned on since it was considered that anglers are sport fisherman.

I can't remember much being said against hunting for food. Handgun ownership is always cast in a bad light and statements about crime frequently mentioned. No JW can carry a firearm as part of his job, (police, security officer) I think that is either a DF offense or at least self DAing. I guess the gray area is DNR employees who carry rifles for animal control, they are not likely to use weapons on people.

I am no longer a JW, I enjoy fishing.

THirdson

'To avoid criticism, say nothing, do nothing, be nothing'

8

Has a Religion Ever Died From Boredom?

by metatron in

jw
friends

it's quite amusing to read the self-exaltation contained within.

the watchtower and contrast it with the organization's sterile.

reality.

Thirdson

Was there/is there a tract campaign this year? There was supposed to be one last year but no-one called on me. I haven't had a visit in 4 years and I have never seen a car group in the road either.

On exciting tract campaigns, a few years ago a commentator related on the radio about the two Witness ladies who called at his home with the latest tract. They said, "We are distributing this tract to everyone in the whole world." He replied, "Ooh you two must be very tired!"

I thought it was funny when I was a dub.

Thirdson

'To avoid criticism, say nothing, do nothing, be nothing'

71

My Identity!

by qwerty in

jw
friends

that got you to read this!

what country are you from?.

i find it encouraging to see where different posters are from in the world, especially for me, if you are from the uk or europe.

Thirdson

Western suburb of the Minneapolis/St. Paul metro area, Minnesota. (Home of the Vikings and Jesse Ventura)

Used to be in Worcestershire (like the sauce) #1 circuit, have a brother in the Newcastle-upon-Tyne area, another in London and other family in the Engish Midlands. Also attended the Elizabeth Vale cong, South Australia between 1970 and 72.

That's enough of a giveaway for old acquaintances.

Thirdson

'To avoid criticism, say nothing, do nothing, be nothing'

18

What are they preaching?

by neyank in

jw
friends

hi all,.

i was wondering what the newest thing being preached by the wts is.. since they changed the 1914 generation teaching, what has replaced it?.

neyank

Thirdson

Regarding preaching the WTS likes to draw parallels between itself and various Biblical characters and events. (e.g. the Flood, Noah, the Babylonian conquest, Jeremiah etc). Jeremiah was a prophet all his adult life 40 years, and Noah (who in those days had a life expectancy 9 times the best we expect today) had to accomplish a building work (and preach)within 120 years. Moses led the people 40 years and lived to 120.

What then of the modern day preaching work, soon to be accomplished, in these final and last days, where the Devil knows he only has a short time remaining? The WTS has been preaching doom and gloom since 1879 over 121 years...and longer than any Biblical warning period. Of course, the WTS won't make the connection, or could weasel out of it by saying the preaching began after the Cedar Point convention, (which one? insert date here).

The point is after all of the failed expectations of the end, the generation, the surviving of the annointed leaders to the end pretty soon the whole preaching work (another apparent sign) is going to suffer a big demise.

Thirdson

'To avoid criticism, say nothing, do nothing, be nothing'