...you refuse to eat pepperoni pizza in a Canadian restaraunt.
...you make believe multi-day religious gatherings are vacations.
...you think "truth" changes on a regular basis.
TR
...you refuse to eat pepperoni pizza in a Canadian restaraunt.
...you make believe multi-day religious gatherings are vacations.
...you think "truth" changes on a regular basis.
TR
this is a quote from pathofthorns on that really long thread with several different topics.
i liked it so much that i thought to start a new thread about it.. instead of "hanging in" for the "end" to come, enjoy doing what you can to change things now in your life for the better.
do what you can and what you need to to be happy, and when the "end" comes, you'll have made the wait so much better in the meantime.. the society has oft told us that pursuing activities of charity other than the preaching of the good news(their version only)is a waste of time since it is not leading people to god's organization, and thus to god's kingdom.
This is a quote from Pathofthorns on that really long thread with several different topics. I liked it so much that I thought to start a new thread about it.
Instead of "hanging in" for the "end" to come, enjoy doing what you can to change things now in your life for the better. Do what you can and what you need to to be happy, and when the "end" comes, you'll have made the wait so much better in the meantime.The Society has oft told us that pursuing activities of charity other than the preaching of the good news(their version only)is a waste of time since it is not leading people to God's organization, and thus to God's kingdom. We are told that we should be serving God for unselfish reasons, not just to get everlasting life. Of course, those of us that became JW's and were not born into the religion joined mainly because of the benefits of serving God(WTS)imho. We are told that if we mainly pursue activities outside of the org., we are not on Jehovah's side, thus doomed to be left out of the blessings of paradise earth, or serving with Christ(if of the 144,000).
My question is; how can God look toward us in disgust if we: 1)love God and have a relationship with him and Christ, 2)love our neighbors as ourselves, 3)do charitable works in accord with Christ's teachings, 4)show other people the benefits of behaving in a Christlike manner. This may include showing proper respect for authorities, obeying laws that don't conflict with the bible, and being honest in all things, being humble and admitting our wrongs.
Those who are Christians or not, can have all of these qualities. Is God really so jealous(as the WTS likes to point out from the O.T.)that he can condemn people to everlasting destruction for not belonging to an often flawed, and imo, deceitful organization? If God really isn't that way, and I don't think he is, why are, or were we so willing to buy it? Is it as simple as conditioning and mind control like in a cult? When I was a JW, I definately was conditioned to avoid anything that was negative toward the WTS. Why is the WTS so bent on dismissing the many good and charitable acts of non-JW's? Is it really the Devil's work to do good, but not in the name of God's supposed org.?
As I look back on my activity as a JW, it was all geared toward making people believe what I believed as a JW. None of the charitable works I did were in the name of God, or the WTS. In fact, I kept secret most of these works of charity that I accomplished, lest it be known that I was working outside the auspices of the WTS, going against God. It was a strange feeling indeed to feel guilt for helping people. Yet, I felt compelled to go against God(WTS) to do these things. Am I just strange, or do any others feel this way?
The bible brings out that there are people of different abilities. Teachers, organizers, helpers, etc. The WTS focuses on teaching others their view of how we should worship God. My focus is on helping others that are in need of immediate help. Physically, emotionally, financially. My expertise is not teaching theology. Am I going against God, or am I handling one of the other responsabilities delegated to non-teachers.
Helping others makes me happy. I'll just have to be satisfied doing that "until the end comes".
TR
Edited by - TR on 11 December 2000 2:40:33
hi all brothers and sisters.
i am simply looking for friends to talk with over email or icq.
i am adjusting to living alone after my wife left me and then was disfellowshipped.
Hi Margaret, and welcome!
I hope you stick around. Some very good conversations here.
Path,
Instead of "hanging in" for the "end" to come, enjoy doing what you can to change things now in your life for the better. Do what you can and what you need to to be happy, and when the "end" comes, you'll have made the wait so much better in the meantime.
This is what I like to see. There are so many worthwhile endeavors that we can enjoy that it's a shame to let an organization limit our potential.
TR
just got this in my latest local mensa bulletin, and i wanted to share it with you.
enjoy!
merry whatever.
Red,
I have a few questions for you on the "sports" forum.
TR
the brochure "the new millenium- what does the future hold for you?
" was just deliverd to my house this morning.
my wife answered the door and took it from an elder jw that i saw walking away as my wife shut the door.
Jehu,
There is no way to pray to God and come up with a different conclusion than the WTS, in their eyes. If a JW needs to pray on any matter, it's answer had better parallel what the WTS teaches, lest ye "run ahead" of the org. Why pray at all? The WTS has all the answers every JW needs in their literature. The Society has already done all the "deep bible study" a JW needs.
IMHO, for the Society to recommend bible study and prayer, is another way of saying; "you already have all the answers from us, just confirm them with prayer and bible study".
TR
just curious red,.
my daughters love horses, and i wanted to figure out the costs.
could you clue me in on the basic needs and costs incurred by such a beast such as: acreage, feed, vet bills, grooming, maintenance, boarding, etc.
Just curious Red,
My daughters love horses, and I wanted to figure out the costs. Could you clue me in on the basic needs and costs incurred by such a beast such as: acreage, feed, vet bills, grooming, maintenance, boarding, etc. What does a good riding horse cost? I realize prices will vary from area to ares, but just a rough estimate?
Both my daughters and my son took some riding classes at a local riding stable, and the girls would love to someday have their own horse. I want to know how much it's going to set me back.
TR
hi all brothers and sisters.
i am simply looking for friends to talk with over email or icq.
i am adjusting to living alone after my wife left me and then was disfellowshipped.
Helen,
You're my kind of woman!
Where were you when I needed you? Red and Frenchy were kicking my butt!
TR
hi all brothers and sisters.
i am simply looking for friends to talk with over email or icq.
i am adjusting to living alone after my wife left me and then was disfellowshipped.
Red,
I would and do consider it an honor to get my butt kicked by you on a regular basis.
Seven,
I would like to know more about these games and how they are played.
TR
hi all brothers and sisters.
i am simply looking for friends to talk with over email or icq.
i am adjusting to living alone after my wife left me and then was disfellowshipped.
Hey, cast of the virtual knights round table! Just wanted to say I've never had more fun getting my butt kicked.
However, I, being of a chivalrous nature, tend to concede in the cases of arguements with the Lady Red.
TR
hi all brothers and sisters.
i am simply looking for friends to talk with over email or icq.
i am adjusting to living alone after my wife left me and then was disfellowshipped.
Frenchy,
I think this sitcom idea is great! Even though lawnmower man touched on it, it would make a good tv series. A new type of "X Files".
I could be the character that always has a hair-brained idea that has a down side he didn't forsee. The sort of ideas that are futuristic, but just aren't well thought out. They end up being worse than what is presently being utilized.(horses and dirt bikes?) The rest of the cast spends most of their time trying to convince me that my ideas suck. Frenchy and Red(Mulder and Scully) are the real stars when they end up solving the problems in very practical but old fashioned ways(horses). Simon, the big boss, is always threatening to shut down the project.
TR- expecting the cast to tell me that THIS hair-brained idea sucks
Edited by - TR on 30 November 2000 11:20:45