Posts by gingerbread

56

GB (Splane) says JW parent should "force" their children

by Gayle in

to go in "service," "baptism," etc.. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rsqmosgj710

gingerbread

The speakers that represent the WTBS - in this case a member of the GB - say things in talks that are only implied in print. A fading JW friend told me a couple of years ago that they tell us everything to our faces. It's just that after a while (years) we turn it off - it doesn't register in our minds anymore.

A few years ago, a circuit overseer commented - during a service coffee break - that the society is being (now more than ever) run like a 'business.' He was right!

McDonalds is an appropriate illustration for Splane to use. The employee structure in this company works. Hire young, energetic workers who are delighted with their first job - at minimum wage in the US. The store/corporate environment is all about working together and hittings goals. From this young employee pool the managers will groom future managers and weed out the slackers.

56

GB (Splane) says JW parent should "force" their children

by Gayle in

to go in "service," "baptism," etc.. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rsqmosgj710

gingerbread

We watched the original videos (posted on youtube) that Cedars took clips from (for the JWSurvey video) last night. The long version is worth watching!

Because the 'talk' is interrupted constantly by the interpreter, we could really listen to what Splane was saying. It seems to make him very uncomfortable. He continues his talking before the interpreter is finished. The arguments made become obviously asinine.

And the Bible is barely even refered to during the whole talk. It's all about organizational rules and guilt tripping.

My better half summed it up by saying "They've lost their minds. That guy couldn't even get a job a McDonalds."

21

1914 must go... they have no choice now (at least it would seem)

by sosoconfused in

i am sure this may have been discussed previously and if so just disregard this.. .

as a born-in 1914 is a date stamped into my head that is pretty much the foundation of our religious beliefs.

nearly everything that sets jw's apart from everyone is this date of 1914. forget all the chronology that proves that daniels prophecy and the 2520 years is incorrect - there is far worse damning evidence that makes this date useless and in error.. with the magazine that shines new light on the whole faithful slave thing - charles taze russell is no longer a member of that faithful slave class that jesus is using to feed his people./ by getting rid of russell the no doubt were able to distance themselves from all his crazy ramblings and teachings that are appearing all over the internet.

gingerbread

Twenty years ago the WT Society began to disconnect the date 1914 away from the understanding of "generation". I think 1914 will continue to be seen as a pivitol and historically important date in WT theology.

The current 1914 pickle they find themselves in is that the date 1914 is seen as the "end of the gentile times" - meaning the end of man made governments ruling without the intervention of God's heavenly kingdom. But, for 100 years now the governments/nations continue to manage the worlds affairs without divine judgement. That's rather odd...

When you begin to research the origins of these beliefs, the errors become brilliantly obvious. That's why C.T. Russell had to be demoted from the FDS. He is now being seen as filling the role as modern day John the Baptist - who announces the arrival of Jesus Christ.

So, Russell (John the Baptist) announces to the world the coming of the annointed Faithful and Discreet Slave (Jesus Christ). The FDS no longer exists as a class - all the annointed on earth - but has been reduced to the Governing Body (8 men) of Jehovah's Witnesses in New York.

Is that not a real twist of scripture??

41

exJW Psychology 101--Keeping Your Cool While Fading

by Billy the Ex-Bethelite in

jw
friends

in an effort to get some help and hopefully help others, i'd like to start this thread about psychology, specifically starting with the subject of anger management.. .

personally, i don't have much of a temper.

what i do have, i've learned to control.

gingerbread

This is the kind of practical information that those of us who are not disfellowshipped or disassociated and were born in/raised in need as we are exiting. Thank you Billy!

It's difficult enough just deconstruction ones belief system. Keeping the disbelief, frustration, anger and fear inside can become all consuming. I'm not an angry 'apostate' with a driving desire to 'expose' the WT or lash out at elders or family for what they hold to be true. And I'm not allowing resentment to overshadow the search for personal fulfillment and spiritual bliss.

53

Due to Ongoing Concern about Dwindling Meeting Attendances, IS THE BOOK STUDY ARRANGEMENT GOING TO BE RE-INSTATED NEXT YEAR?

by steve2 in

jw
friends

i have some family and friends still in the organization.

i don't actively seek updates - my lovely contacts provide me with them unsolicited.

so far the updates have been reliable and confirmed sooner or later by subsequent developments.

gingerbread

Agreeing with the posts above. In addition, the home based 'book study' won't be reinstituted for the following reasons: it's convenient for the publishers, it encourages social interaction, it strengthens personal relationships and newly interested ones are more likely to attend (for the first time) an informal meeting.

But the single most important reason: the 'book study' arrangement in homes does not generate income for the congregation/organization.

23

Maybe I am a little dense, but I just realized...

by DATA-DOG in

the wtbts teaches that, " the soul that is sinning..will die.

" this was re-hashed in the what is truth talk at the dc.

so i got to thinking about the wtbts's doctrine.

gingerbread

Research Adventist's "Soul Sleep."

Charles T. Russell borrowed this doctrine and it's been part of Bible Student and JW theology ever since!

24

Being a jw almost killed

by moley in

this is the first time i've commented on this site, but i do enjoy to come here just to help clarify myself in times of need, ie when those wretched teachings resurface.

a bit about myself.. i was born in 1970 into the wonderful happy organisation (lol) and had a unremarkable childhood or so i thought (apart from being abused by an ms), all i can remember is being terrified of dying at armageddon.

attending 5 meetings a week and being used to preach as people wont shout at a child, studying the literature, not being able to watch popular tv shows, no xmas, birthdays the usual shit.. fast forward to age 16 and i fell in love with a worldly girl (the horror) and got her pregnant, my parents were devasted talking all the time how people in the borg would view them, nothing about what i was going thru, 16 and becoming a father, quite a big thing to me.

gingerbread

It's a wonderful thing that you were able to get professional help and now have the tools to manage your situation!

Elders are NOT trained counselors.

As a result, JW's with mental, emotional, chemical, alcohol & drug problems are ostracized. Many are 'disfellowshipped' and are forced to cease all contact with family and friends - necessary elements for support and recovery.

Unloving. Un-Christian. Amoral.

43

2034 is going to be a huge letdown for the dubs

by wha happened? in

i've seen a few postings of a possible "next date" for dubs of 2034. based on an article they published comparing the last days to the days of noah.

preaching for 120 years.

however, i noticed a little tidbit from wiki about age:.

gingerbread

The WBTS decision makers and writing staff before 1990 held on to the 'biblical chronology' of Russell and F. Franz. Those that came after 1990 realized that it was a real problem. They didn't change the dates. They just changed the understanding. Since then the proof of the 'end times' by dating has been backgrounded (ignored) in favor of fear mongering, guilt, intellectual isolationism and the control of the individual.

122

Suspicious

by Suspicious in

i guess i'm new here.

born in and an ms. things just hasn't been making sense the more i think about it.

i'm starting to get suspicious.

gingerbread

Be patient with yourself. It will take some time to deconstruct your personal beliefs - in order to 'see' them with any honesty. If you wish to remain in "good standing" in your congregation and with your family, keep your research to yourself.

In addition to the suggested reading already mentioned, as some point read (and watch on youtube) Joseph Campbell...

"Every religion is true one way or another. It is true when understood metaphorically. But when it gets stuck in it's own metaphors, interpreting them as facts, then you are in trouble."

28

Conversation with Substitute CO

by BU2B in

so i was talking to a substitute co, he and his wife recently returned from "the school for christian couples" .

anyways this couple has delayed having children in hopes of entering the circuit work, and have been sub coing for a couple years.

they both have well paying, good jobs.

gingerbread

This couple will fit in just fine - until they get tired or grow old. Then they will be released of their duties.

Relationships in the organization have been carefully crafted over the years. Here's how it works: the 'slave' has provided you with the "truth" and the opportunity for salvation and everlasting life (perfection) and the trade is that you give all your time (and now your mind, heart and conscience) and your money to the 'slave' or 'mother'.

The biblical justification is that there is more happiness in giving than in receiving. Simple...right?