Posts by gingerbread

61

Accepting my own mortality, and the naturalness of death - the final step in my JW recovery.

by fresh prince of ohio in

jw
friends

for people who have a paralyzing fear of dying, to where it seems like it's this horrible, stalking monster, jwism is a powerful sedative.. but really, the idea of living forever, in human form, is nonsense.

living forever isn't about living forever, it's about not dying.. death is natural.

it can be painful, sudden, or both.

gingerbread

As a JW, we all were 'praying for the end of time' to come a.s.a.p to relieve ourselves of the difficulties and troubles of life. This real motivation is thinly veiled behind a curtain of 'works' to bring mankind our message of salvation.

If we really believed this message, we would be spending every waking minute going from 'door-to-door'. When I realized this, I began to question the validity of this religion.

Before birth you know nothing. After death you know nothing. Period.

To loosely quote Joseph Campbell - There is no meaning to life. Life has meaning when you engage with it.

ginger

28

AGM - did anyone miss this?

by Anony Mous in

according to the live blog: god's will to be completed by the end of the millennium.

very casually said by louche (;-)).

i think this is one of those things that is supposed to rile up the r&f.

gingerbread

SBF

It's best to discontinue looking for secret messages in GB talks and WT publications.

From it's beginning, the Society has taught the doctrine of 'paradise restored' by the end of the thousand year reign of Christ.

ginger

293

AGM 5 OCTOBER 2013 (UNOFFICIAL RUMORS)

by WatchTower87 in

- 23 day to go .. annual meeting unofficial rumors.

- new bible.

- new nwt (revision).

gingerbread

I've felt ( and heard the same sentiment ) that this meeting is going to be a big 'tent revival' sales meeting.

Announcing new developments in 'streamlining' the organization to be more cost effective (selling off of old properties, reducing the worldwide staff, reduction of paper publications, etc.)

Announcing a revised edition of the NWT Bible (maybe a simplified version).

Announcing that Jehovah is 'speeding up the work' and the org needs "all hands on deck" for volunteer service (new construction, moving to areas where the need is greater, increased donations, pushing full time service on children, etc.)

The meeting is broadcast to affluent areas of the world - for a reason. I'm expecting statements like 'we all need to make sacrifices for our less fortunate brothers around the world'.

Announcing a new regular program of live / streamed talks and meetings given by members of the 'Governing Body'.

They've stirred the doctrinal 'pot' enough this year. I'm not expecting any changes in Biblical interpretation - but they will repeat over and over that the GB is in CHARGE and how we are all so fortunate to be under their direction, care and protection.

ginger

15

Annual Meeting : where is yours?

by gingerbread in

jw
friends

if the original announcement still hold for this weekends 'open' annual meeting, it will be streamed live to (only) english speaking members.

is this still the plan?.

i'm interested in hearing from all on the forum where 'their' program will be broadcast.. our local kingdom hall will be live streaming the meeting.. .

gingerbread

I wonder if any Halls that will be streaming the meeting will allow people to listen in by telephone?

88

Today's WT Study (Who is the FDS - Sep 2013)

by ohnightdivine in

please share how your wt study went today...

gingerbread

I was observing with eyes wide open!

One elder began a comment and then stopped...said he was confused...

Two were corrected by the conductor when they refered to the 'faithful and discreet slave class'.

Other than that, it was a pretty typical WT study - except it went about 15 minutes overtime.

I had to remind myself that the people in attendance in their 20's were toddlers when the 'generation' definition changed in 1995. They know nothing about the change in baptismal questions in 1985, the Brooklyn headquarters clean-out of 'evil slaves' in 1980 and nothing about the WT's conclusion that 1975 marked the final year of 6000 years of human existence (with the very real threat of the beginning of the 'great tribulation').

Most took it all in stride - though some close friends and family are admitting the bizarreness of some of the conclusions.

ginger

15

Annual Meeting : where is yours?

by gingerbread in

jw
friends

if the original announcement still hold for this weekends 'open' annual meeting, it will be streamed live to (only) english speaking members.

is this still the plan?.

i'm interested in hearing from all on the forum where 'their' program will be broadcast.. our local kingdom hall will be live streaming the meeting.. .

gingerbread

If the original announcement still hold for this weekends 'open' Annual Meeting, it will be streamed live to (only) English speaking members. Is this still the plan?

I'm interested in hearing from all on the forum where 'their' program will be broadcast.

Our local Kingdom Hall will be live streaming the meeting.

I'm in the United States.

ginger

Is the program not being shared with JW's in France, Germany, India, Japan, Mexico, Sweden, Russia, Brazil, etc...???

Does anyone know if the program will be recorded and later distributed to these parts of the world?

Is 'your' congregation having the program at the Hall or are they travelling to another location?

5

Did anyone ever?...

by nolongerconfused in

jw
friends

pick up a girl from your own or neighboring kingdom hall and messed around?

how did you feel?.

how many of you were surprised at the promiscuity that existed or currently exists in your kingdom halls (tm)?.

gingerbread

This is the single, most often used method to guilt a JW boyfriend or girlfriend into marriage.

Fear of an elder's meeting and possible disfellowshipping gets a ring on a finger.

The new couple now can share a secret as they enter a marriage. And ... it can be used as a control weapon for years to come!

ginger

22

JW's planning for retirement

by FirstLastName in

i had an interesting discussion with a jw family member recently and he brought up his plans for retirement.

according to his age bracket, this will not be for another 20 years or so.

he plans to buy land, build a house, move the parents nearby.

gingerbread

Never take financial advice from broke people.

Or - from people who live off the government, social welfare or 'voluntary donations'.

ginger

46

No bibles at any kingdomhalls, strong rumors the annual meeting is regarding the bible...

by EndofMysteries in

from relatives and contacts in 2 states, there have been no bibles available for a couple months.

one person mentioned to me as well about supposed quotes in the magazines from other bibles.

rumors are that they will announce a new bible, or possibly tell everyone to buy a bible from another place that they approve of.

gingerbread

They're going to announce the new 'Simplified Edition' of the NWT.

ginger

19

The Elders have been demoted to Dukes

by Quarterback in

according to the november wt study article, there a study lesson about 7 shepherds, and 8 dukes.

the interesting thing is par 17. it instructs the elders to not question the instrutions they receive during an modern day asyrian attack.

maybe some kool aid is coming.

gingerbread

The men on the Governing Body are 'elders' as well.

I don't think the reference to 'Eight Dukes' is a coincidence...

ginger