gingerbread

Joined 13 years ago

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Posts by gingerbread

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  13

  Is their understanding of unity a form of mind control?

  by I_love_Jeff in

  1. jw
  2. friends

  12 years ago

  note the following comments and research taken from a concise dictionary of cults and religions:.

  what [jehovah's witnesses] define as unity is actually, in effect, a rigid organizational structure and policy.

  unity, as the bible teaches it, is a oneness of spirit and humility under the lordship of jesus christ.

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  12 years ago
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  gingerbread 12 years ago

  JW's are a restorationist religious movement that has over time become an organization that centers it's authority on a theology of legalism.

  During it's history it eliminated all ceremony and ritual from the church in favor of rules and codes of conduct. In the process, this destroys the self worth of the individual member. The result - which we can see for ourselves - is people (unfulfilled, depressed, anxious, stressed) who work hard every day to control their own behavior (and thoughts) by complying with the rules of religious legalism.

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  27

  Another bash at education - wt13 9/15

  by Splash in

  1. watchtower
  2. bible

  12 years ago

  page 20:.

  the unwary may adopt the same view of theocratic arrangements.

  they may be unwilling to go along with congregation procedures and may even complain about anything not to their liking.

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  12 years ago
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  gingerbread 12 years ago

  "The WTS basically knows" about higher education? I don't think so.

  Larsinger, I appreciate your view...but your looking for a compromise. This just doesn't work within the WT agenda.

  Those of us who chose (or were allowed to) pursue a degree know that we did this to receive an education....not to just get "a job." This notion that the WTS spreads is a complete distortion of the facts. Nobody goes to school to get that "big shot" job, to be rich or get prestige...

  I earned a degree in the liberal arts over 20 years ago. I was fortunate to have JW parents that thought past the pages of the Watchtower and YPA Book. You know .... balanced folks with common sense who cared about their kid's future.

  That degree has put me in an excellent position when job searching, interviewing, landing a job and being able to live well within my means.

  Link
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  18

  Tech 49: My Tripping Point, Part 2

  by Tech49 in

  1. jw
  2. experiences

  12 years ago

  after reading some of your other posts and experiences, especially regarding the elder's school, i am reminded of part 2 of my experience down the rabbit hole.. the last elder's school i attended was in 2011. i remember vividly the 3 day event.

  i remember vividly being bored out of my mind!.

  as has been stated by others, the hours of monotone counsel and examples and experiences were continually beating on your brain with the usual stuff:.

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  12 years ago
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  gingerbread 12 years ago

  Thanks for sharing!

  I liken my gradual awakening to a clogged artery. After years (or a lifetime) of junk floating through the veins, a blockage develops that reduces blood flow to the brain. You become sluggish in thought, unsure on your feet and dependent on others.

  The body understands the importance of getting blood to the brain and it will develop mini-arteries around the blockage. By researching and having honest evaluations about the Org. and oneself, a person develops a greater awareness about the realities of 'the truth' - eventually circumventing the flawed ideology.

  The blockage will remain but you'll begin to think with a clear head again!

  Link
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  7

  Telegram About Russell's Death

  by Bangalore in

  1. jw
  2. friends

  12 years ago

  .

  bangalore.

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  12 years ago
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  gingerbread 12 years ago

  - Love. 'Watchtower'. -

  Now they sign the letters to 'all congregations' as : "Please accept our warm Christian love and best wishes. Your brothers 'Christian Congregation of Jehovah's Witnesses'"

  The corporate body still takes precedent over the individual. Heartwarming, isn't it!

  Link
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  27

  Another bash at education - wt13 9/15

  by Splash in

  1. watchtower
  2. bible

  12 years ago

  page 20:.

  the unwary may adopt the same view of theocratic arrangements.

  they may be unwilling to go along with congregation procedures and may even complain about anything not to their liking.

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  12 years ago
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  gingerbread 12 years ago

  Last spring (March 2012), all bodies of elders in the US received a letter about higher education. It lays down the ground rules. Higher education is defined as a program of four years or more - not specialized certification or an Associates Degree.

  The 'danger' of a four year education is that "it often erodes faith in Jehovah and the Bible."

  Elders, ministerial servants and pioneers can be 'removed' if they pursue (and promote) higher education for themselves, their wives or their children.

  Link
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  27

  Another bash at education - wt13 9/15

  by Splash in

  1. watchtower
  2. bible

  12 years ago

  page 20:.

  the unwary may adopt the same view of theocratic arrangements.

  they may be unwilling to go along with congregation procedures and may even complain about anything not to their liking.

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  12 years ago
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  gingerbread 12 years ago

  The negative stance against higher education is a smokescreen.

  They reason that a young (innocent, vulnerable, simple) person will be exposed to immorality, drug and alcohol abuse, politics, evolution and higher criticism.

  In actuality, the GB doesn't want people to become educated. Essential parts of a successful education are to learn to reason, question and prove.

  And the local elders DO NOT want publishers that are 'smarter' than they are. Register for a four year college or university and see how quickly extra 'privileges' are taken away!

  Link
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  30

  It's All Your Fault - 9.15.13 wt Study Ed

  by breakfast of champions in

  1. watchtower
  2. bible

  12 years ago

  "in a similar way, at the beginning of the 20th century, there were a number of wrong expectations among true christians regarding the last days.

  (2 tim.

  3:1) for instance, in the year 1914, some thought that their being taken to heaven was imminent.

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  12 years ago
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  gingerbread 12 years ago

  Unfortunately, too many followers have trusted in these 'false predictions.' For those that came in as adults, you're right slimboyfat.

  Being taught from infancy of an imminent end to everything 'bad' in this life defeats a young persons desire to set long-term goals in life.

  This belief system, enforced by parents and the larger congregational community, creates thinking patterns that are almost impossible to erase.

  Link
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  30

  It's All Your Fault - 9.15.13 wt Study Ed

  by breakfast of champions in

  1. watchtower
  2. bible

  12 years ago

  "in a similar way, at the beginning of the 20th century, there were a number of wrong expectations among true christians regarding the last days.

  (2 tim.

  3:1) for instance, in the year 1914, some thought that their being taken to heaven was imminent.

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  12 years ago
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  gingerbread 12 years ago

  Another blatant misrepresentation of the facts of the Bible Students belief is "For instance, in the year 1914, some thought that their being taken to heaven was imminent."

  ALL followers of Russell (from the late 1870's until 1914) held to the belief that they would be taken away ('in the twinkling of an eye' - 1 Corinthians 15:52) to heaven to rule under Jesus as princes/priests. Every local home group (ecclesia) studied this in their current WT's and the Studies in the Scriptures.

  By using the term 'some' the WT implies that there were only a few that held to this belief and these individuals (weak in the faith) had 'wrong expectations' about 1914.

  Link
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  48

  Genuine repentance - if you can fake that you'll avoid getting disfellowshipped

  by slimboyfat in

  1. watchtower
  2. beliefs

  12 years ago

  to paraphrase a well known saying.

  is it true, in a judicial committee, if you can fake repentance, then they are likely to let you off being disfellowshipped, almost regardless of the "severity" of the sin involved?

  can former elders and perhaps victims of the process shed light on the matter?

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  11 years ago
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  gingerbread 12 years ago

  A decision to disfellowship will be made because the JC feels like they HAVE to - they have no other choice. Either the person confesses/spills his guts or too many people in the congregation have witnessed the wrongdoing (meaning two, three or more people testify against the accused) or he has been previously reproved for the same 'sin'. Also, if the Coordinator puts pressure on the committee, he can sway the decision making process because of pre-existing bias.

  If someone has an elder for a father/uncle/good friend and gets 'coached' about what to say, how to say it, etc., they usually avoid the big DF - UNLESS one or more of the situations mentioned exist.

  If a person ever 'avoids' getting disfellowshipped, he will find himself under constant scrutiny (with a target on his back).

  The closed door judicial commitee has no scriptural precedent for christians.

  Link
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  22

  Me. 2 weeks on.

  by wizzstick in

  1. jw
  2. friends

  12 years ago

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  12 years ago
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  gingerbread 12 years ago

  I began the de-construction of my faith...in this faith...about 2 years ago. The process began not out of anger (though I have plenty of reason), but out of the need to understand why I believe what I believe. Eventually I came to understand the history of basic WT doctrines & customs, the WTBTS, it's founders, the 'organization', etc. The more I dug for answers the more questions I found unanswered.

  The emotional impact on you will be draining. Learn to take breaks and 'catch your breath.' You now have the time.

  Link