Newly Enlightened

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Posts by Newly Enlightened

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  44

  slavenomore

  by Slavenomore in

  1. jw
  2. friends

  leaving the org was not a doctrinal choice for me as it was for many on this board.

  i left mentally because of the boredom and then i physically left by being dfd.

  i have been reading here for about a month or so and now i know i made the right decision.

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  Newly Enlightened

  WELCOME Slavenomore. Glad to have you here with us.
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  25

  Jury duty as a JW, were you summons for Jury service.

  by jam in

  1. jw
  2. experiences

  for over 12 years i have been summons for jury service.. each year i receive a summons and each year my physician.

  send in my medical excuse.

  don,t get me wrong, i would love.

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  Newly Enlightened

  In AZ [U.S.A] they used the driver's license list. I served on the COUNTY Grand Jury for 6 months because at the time, I had no excuse not to. But after my own research and asking a dear friend who was an elder. The Grand Jury was different than a regular trial hearing. You are only read details of a case and then you decide if there is enough evidence for it to go court.

  I learned alot in that 6 months! I also learned which JW's had got arrested for DWI's/DUI's
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  8

  anyone handsome?

  by bigmac in

  1. jw
  2. friends

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  Newly Enlightened

  
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  12

  The Cult Test

  by AndDontCallMeShirley in

  1. jw
  2. friends

  after reading this, is there any doubt watchtower is a cult?.

  the following information describes cults in general but is not specifically focused on the jehovah's witnesses, although they are mentioned several times.

  the characteristics of cults are so much in line with wt tactics, down to similar phrases and buzzwords.. .

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  Newly Enlightened

  Their own literature condemns them!

  WT 1994 2/15 pg 5-7

  ? Are Jehovah’s Witnesses a cult?

  What

  theEvidence

  Shows

  A government official of the city of St. Petersburg, Russia, explained: “Jehovah’s Witnesses were presented to us as some kind of underground sect sitting in the darkness and slaughtering children and killing themselves.” However, the people of Russia have recently become better acquainted with the true nature of the Witnesses. After working with Jehovah’s Witnesses in connection with an international convention, the same official observed: “Now I see normal, smiling people, even better than many people I know. They are peaceful and calm, and they love one another very much.” He added: “I really do not understand why people tell such lies about them.”

  Jehovah’s Witnesses do not hold ritualistic meetings, nor is their worship cloaked in secrecy. Non-Witness author Julia Mitchell Corbett notes: “When they meet, usually more than once a week, in Kingdom Halls (their meeting sites are not called churches), most of their time is spent in Bible study and discussion.” Their meeting places are clearly marked with a sign. The meetings are open, and the general public is invited to attend. Unannounced guests are more than welcome.

  The “Witnesses have earned the reputation of being honest, courteous, and industrious,” adds Corbett in her book ReligioninAmerica. Many who are not Witnesses readily acknowledge that there is nothing freakish or bizarre about Jehovah’s Witnesses. Their conduct does not clash with what is accepted as normal social behavior.TheNewEncyclopædiaBritannica accurately states that the Witnesses “insist upon a high moral code in personal conduct.”

  The director of news and special projects for a television station in the United States wrote to Jehovah’s Witnesses in response to a biased report about the Witnesses on the TV news show 60Minutes. He said: “If more people lived the way your faith does, this nation wouldn’t be in the shape it is in. I am one newsman who knows that your organization is founded on love and a strong faith in the Creator. I want you to know that not all News people are as biased.”

  A

  Well-Known

  Religion

  Is it fair to say that Jehovah’s Witnesses are a small fringe religious group? In a sense, Jehovah’s Witnesses are few in number compared to some religions. However, recall what Jesus said: “Narrow is the gate and cramped the road leading off into life, and few are the ones finding it.”—Matthew 7:13, 14.

  At any rate, the Witnesses are far from being a small fringe cult. In the spring of 1993, more than 11 million people attended the Witnesses’ Memorial of Christ’s death. But more important than their number are their moral character and exemplary behavior, which have brought them worldwide commendation. Undoubtedly this has been a factor in countries that have given them official recognition as a known, bona fide religion.

  Outstanding is a recent ruling by the European Court of Human Rights. It declared that the Witnesses should enjoy freedom of thought, conscience, and religion and that they have the right to speak about their faith and teach it to others. This would hardly be the case if Jehovah’s Witnesses were known to use deceptive and unethical techniques to recruit members or if they used manipulative methods to control the minds of their followers.

  Multitudes around the world are well acquainted with Jehovah’s Witnesses. Of the millions of non-Witnesses who are studying the Bible with the Witnesses or who have studied with them at one time or another, we ask, Were there any attempts to brainwash you? Did the Witnesses employ mind-control techniques on you? “No” would doubtless be your frank response. Obviously, if these methods had been used, there would be an overwhelming number of victims in contradiction to any argument in favor of Jehovah’s Witnesses.

  “Absorbed

  in

  Humanity”

  Cult members often isolate themselves from family, friends, and even society in general. Is that the case with Jehovah’s Witnesses? “I do not belong to Jehovah’s Witnesses,” wrote a newsman in the Czech Republic. Yet he added: “It is obvious that they [Jehovah’s Witnesses] have tremendous moral strength. . . . They recognize governmental authorities but believe that only God’s Kingdom is capable of solving all human problems. But watch it—they are not fanatics. They are people who are absorbed in humanity.”

  And they do not live in communes, isolating themselves from relatives and others. Jehovah’s Witnesses recognize that it is their Scriptural responsibility to love and care for their families. They live and work with people of all races and religions. When disasters strike, they are quick to respond with relief supplies and other humanitarian assistance.

  More important, they are engaged in an educational program that has no comparison. How many religions have an organized system to pay personal visits to every individual in their community? Jehovah’s Witnesses do this in more than 200 lands and in more than 200 languages! Clearly, Jehovah’s Witnesses are “absorbed in humanity.”

  Strict

  Adherencetothe

  Bible

  Admittedly, the teachings of Jehovah’s Witnesses are different from those provided by the churches. Jehovah’s Witnesses believe that Jehovah is the almighty God and that Jesus is his Son, not part of a triune deity. Their faith is anchored in the belief that God’s Kingdom alone can bring relief to suffering humanity. They warn people of the imminent destruction of this corrupt system of things. They preach about God’s promise of an earthly paradise for obedient mankind. They do not venerate the cross. They do not celebrate Christmas. They believe that the soul is mortal and that there is no hellfire. They will not eat blood, nor will they accept blood transfusions. They abstain from involvement in politics and participation in warfare. Have you ever asked yourself why the teachings of Jehovah’s Witnesses are so different?

  A Massachusetts newspaper, the DailyHampshireGazette, explains that Jehovah’s Witnesses’ “strict interpretation of the Bible forbids many activities others take for granted . . . , all in an effort to follow the example of first-century Christians and the word of the Bible.” TheEncyclopediaofReligion agrees that “all that they believe is based on the Bible. They ‘proof text’ (that is, supply a biblical citation to support) almost every statement of faith, taking for granted the authority of the Bible, which entirely supplants tradition.” The book ReligioninAmerica states: “The group has never wavered from its focus on Bible study, and its teachings are supported by an elaborate system of references to scripture.”

  Who

  IsTheir

  Leader?

  It is precisely because of this close adherence to Bible teachings that the veneration and idolization of human leaders so characteristic of cults today is not to be found among Jehovah’s Witnesses. They reject the concept of a clergy-laity distinction. TheEncyclopediaofReligion aptly states about Jehovah’s Witnesses: “A clergy class and distinctive titles are prohibited.”

  They follow Jesus Christ as their Leader and as Head of the Christian congregation. It was Jesus who said: “Do not you be called Rabbi, for one is your teacher, whereas all you are brothers. Moreover, do not call anyone your father on earth, for one is your Father, the heavenly One. Neither be called ‘leaders,’ for your Leader is one, the Christ.”—Matthew 23:8-12.

  It is clear that Jehovah’s Witnesses are as far from being a cult as Jesus was from being a glutton and a drunkard. Admittedly, not everyone who was influenced by the false reports about Jesus and his disciples fell into the trap of slandering him. Some may simply have been misinformed. If you have questions about Jehovah’s Witnesses and their beliefs, why not get to know them better? The doors to their Kingdom Halls are wide open to all who seek truth.

  You can also benefit from their careful search for accurate Bible knowledge and learn how to worship God in harmony with Jesus’ words: “The hour is coming, and it is now, when the true worshipers will worship the Father with spirit and truth, for, indeed, the Father is looking for suchlike ones to worship him.”—John 4:23.
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  12

  The Cult Test

  by AndDontCallMeShirley in

  1. jw
  2. friends

  after reading this, is there any doubt watchtower is a cult?.

  the following information describes cults in general but is not specifically focused on the jehovah's witnesses, although they are mentioned several times.

  the characteristics of cults are so much in line with wt tactics, down to similar phrases and buzzwords.. .

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  Newly Enlightened

  Excellent topic DCMS! Here are some quotes from some different sources that you all might find interesting:

  Definition of a cult

  THE ORIGINAL USE OF THE WORD "CULT" AS WELL AS IT'S USE TODAY DERIVES FROM THE LATIN WORD "CULTUS" WHICH MEANS "WORSHIP".

  DICTIONARY DEFINITION- A GROUP BOUND TOGETHER IN A INTENSE DEVOTION TO A PERSON, IDEAL OR THING; A SYSTEM OF BELIEFS AND RITUALS THAT ARE BOGUS. In other words they are practicing a false system of spirituality while claiming to be authentic.

  In 1912 Ernst Troeltsch in the book social teaching of the Christian church, classified religious groups in three groups: "Church", "sect", and "cult". A cult represented a mystical or spiritual religion to intellectuals and educated classes.

  With a more Biblical perspective, in 1938 Jan Van Baalens' "The Chaos of Cults" critiqued Theosophy, Mormonism, Christian Science, and Jehovah's Witnesses as 'Cults.' Because they were aberrant in their teachings while claiming to be Christian.

  Christian apologist Robert Bowman defines a cult as A religious group originating as a heretical sect and maintaining fervent commitment to heresy. Adj.: "cultic" (may be used with reference to tendencies as well as full cult status.( Robert Bowman, A Biblical guide to Orthodoxy and heresy.)

  Cult's will say they are the way to Christ and Christ Himself is not the way. So they put themselves as a group or their teaching in between man and God. They become mediators between God and man. They do not have the Christian distinctive, but will claim to be Christian in their beliefs and practices. It was Christ himself who Said "I Am the way, the truth the life."

  A THEOLOGICAL DEFINITION A THEOLOGICAL DEFINITION OF "CULT" MUST BE BASED ON A STANDARD OF CHRISTIAN ORTHODOXY. USING THE BIBLE'S TEACHING AS A FOCAL POINT. A CULT IS ANY RELIGIOUS GROUP THAT CLAIMS TO BE CHRISTIAN (OR MAY NOT BE) IS DISTINCT AND HAS DOCTRINES AND PRACTICES THAT CONTRADICT THOSE OF THE SCRIPTURES AS INTERPRETED BY ORTHODOX CHRISTIANITY. THOSE THINGS THAT HAVE BEEN UPHELD IN HISTORIC CHRISTIANITY .

  ORTHODOXY IS REPRESENTED FROM THE BEGINNING OF THE CHURCH, AND IS EXPRESSED IN STATEMENTS SUCH AS THE APOSTLES CREED WHICH ARE DENIED . THEY WILL DENY THE BIBLE AS THE COMPLETE BOOK OF REVELATION AND OUR GUIDE TO KNOWING GOD. THEY WILL DISTORT THE CENTRAL MESSAGE OF THE SCRIPTURES AS CHRIST BEING THE SAVIOR ALONE. THEY WILL DENY HIS DEITY AND DISTORT HIS NATURE. THEY FORM THEIR GROUP AROUND A SINGLE PERSONS INTERPRETATION OF SCRIPTURE, OR CHRIST USUALLY BY A NEW REVELATION. THEY REMOVE THEMSELVES FROM THE LARGER BODY AND OPERATE AUTONOMOUSLY. A CULT IS ORGANIZED HERESY. THEY WILL DISTORT ONE OR MORE OF THE FUNDAMENTALS.

  Walter Martin described a cult like this: "as a group of people gathered about a specific persons interpretation of the bible... from a theological view point, the cults contain not only a few major deviations from historic Christianity. They paradoxically, they continue to insist that they are entitled to be classified as Christians." (Kingdom of the cults p.11)

  In his book The New Cults, Walter Martin defines a cult as “a group religious in nature which surrounds a leader, or a group which either denies or misinterprets essential biblical doctrines.”
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  What if you were DF'd for apostacy, but instead of the expected...

  by respectful_observer in

  1. watchtower
  2. beliefs

  this is a hypothethical, so i'm not looking for whether you would ever do this, or "why would you want to subject yourself to this...", but rather, what would happen if some did do this..... .................... you're half of a married jw couple, and you admit to doubts about certain wts teachings and it leads to an eventual disfellowshipping.

  but instead of walking away from the kingdom hall forever, you stay put.

  you faithfully go to every meeting with your spouse.

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  Newly Enlightened

  WELCOME App-sun01! Nice to have you here with us.
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  19

  Have you seen this book?

  by mouthy in

  1. watchtower
  2. bible

  http:www.amazon.com/crises-conscience-raymond-franz/dp/191475044.

  sorry i cant make it printable ( old age).

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  Newly Enlightened

  Mouthy, you have a PM from us.
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  10

  Examples please; How does the WTS 'bait and switch' after Baptism...?

  by The Song Remains The Same in

  1. watchtower
  2. beliefs

  i was wondering if there is a list already on here that presents the key 'game changers' or 'bait and switch' points that will happen once you get baptised?

  this can include behavioral changes by the already members towards the newly baptised.. i've read somewhere about the 'love bombing' and how that stops, heard a bit about the time-in-service reporting, and that pressure to attend the meetings goes up (esp.

  if missing a few).

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  Newly Enlightened

  When I was baptized in 1979, I was never told that I would have to OBEY the GB. I didn't even know there was one, until later. I was also baptized to the Father, Jesus & the holy spirit thru the bible.

  But I do know what everyone means about the 'love-bombing'. After your baptized then the elders start in with the meeting attendance, the way you dress, hubby's sideburns, not enough FS time, etc. Then if you ever do anything to be marked as a 'trouble-maker' they mark you as such and really don't want anything to do with you.

  Hubby and I have only had 5 shepherding calls in the 33 years that we've been baptized!

  My daughter Gojira_101 and her hubby have been married 3 years now and haven't had any yet.
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  Flipping out at the meeting

  by BU2B in

  1. jw
  2. friends

  unfortunatley, i still go to many meetings as i am working on getting my wife to wake up.

  for the most part i maintain my composure but there have been two or three times when i actually have gotten so upset and the frustration built so high that i have come very come close to actually slamming something down or pounding the table in the literature room, or shouting out how i felt!

  has anyone else felt this way?

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  Newly Enlightened

  Hubby and I were talking about our old cong. last night after he posted that about the creep. Come to think of it, we had a very high drama cong. There was always something going on. We have another experience about a young brother that Hubby will put in his post on the weekend.

  This one, wasn't really anyone 'Flipping out' I know the poster is wanting to know of anyone losing it and walking out.

  There was an older brother in his 70's that walked with a cane. He had a grand-daughter and great-grandaughter [Megan] that lived with them since she was a single mom. But every meeting they would bribe Megan to be good and quiet and we'll take you to Mc Donalds. The entire family was very large and could barely fit into their seats. Megan was only about 6 or 7 but well over 100 lbs, maybe even closer to 200. She was as wide as tall. But one Thurs night she was walking around in their row, being very restless and saying "I want french fry!" The g-pa always laid his cane on the floor in front of him. Just wait, don't get ahead of me now, but you can see where this is going, can't you?

  Yep she was walking around and stepped on his cane, we heard a large 'SNAP' she fell when it broke and knocked a couple of chairs over. The g'pa yelled Gxxdammit Megan! loud enough for the entire hall to hear.

  Our family started laughing along with several others in the KH. No one expected that from this older brother.
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  My husband MISSED the meeting today! AGAIN!!!

  by Julia Orwell in

  1. jw
  2. friends

  yep, i was comparing the nwt with the greek, which, incidentally uses words like 'grace' and 'spirit' instead of 'undeserved kindness' and 'gifts of the spirit'.

  i pointed out these mistranslations to my dear husband.. then i showed him 2 tim 2:5-6 in the nwt and the original greek (strong's, westcott and hort) as well, where it says jesus became mediator for all and showed him in the wt where it says jesus is only mediator for 144 000. i also showed him an instance in the wt where it raves on about hating 'apostates' and others, then showed him matthew 5:44 "however i say to you: continue to love your enemies and to pray for those persecuting you.".

  i didn't have to say anything 'apostate'; just show him the contrasting texts.. then i showed him the "shepherd" book where it says one can get dfd for "deliberately spreading teachings contraryto bible truth as taught by jebovah's witnesses" (ibid, pg 65) and told him that i've deliberately told him something different to the wt teaching therefore in the elders' eyes, i can be dfd.

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  Newly Enlightened

  AWESOME Julia, so happy for you both. Jgnat is right. You don't have to GO anywhere. Christ said 'Come to me' He is the way. You certainly don't want to run off and get involved in another mind control cult.

  Like Hubby & I, you just need to re-learn the bible and re-invent yourself as a 'thinking' person, as you appear to be.

  Hubby [Brother of the Hawk] says: Your line of reasoning worked on your hubby because he is being honest of heart and obviously has a conscience that you are obviously beginning to get to. This line of reasoning will not work on JW's who are not honest of heart and shut down their minds and consciences. I have for alot of years have been saying 'JW's are the most self-deceived people on this planet." I said that when I was a very active JW.

  Affectionately,

  NE & BotH