gingerbread

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Posts by gingerbread

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  21

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

  by sosoconfused in

  1. watchtower
  2. beliefs

  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.

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  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??
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  41

  exJW Psychology 101--Keeping Your Cool While Fading

  by Billy the Ex-Bethelite in

  1. jw
  2. 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.

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  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.
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  53

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

  by steve2 in

  1. jw
  2. 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.

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  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.
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  23

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

  by DATA-DOG in

  1. watchtower
  2. beliefs

  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.

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  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!
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  24

  Being a jw almost killed

  by moley in

  1. jw
  2. experiences

  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.

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  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.
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  43

  2034 is going to be a huge letdown for the dubs

  by wha happened? in

  1. watchtower
  2. bible

  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:.

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  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.
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  122

  Suspicious

  by Suspicious in

  1. watchtower
  2. beliefs

  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.

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  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."
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  28

  Conversation with Substitute CO

  by BU2B in

  1. jw
  2. experiences

  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.

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  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?
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  17

  "The Finished Mystery" - William Miller, a member of the "little flock"

  by EdenOne in

  1. watchtower
  2. beliefs

  wiki: "william miller (february 15, 1782 december 20, 1849) was an american baptist preacher who is credited with beginning the mid-nineteenth century north american religious movement now known as adventism.

  among his direct spiritual heirs are several major religious denominations, including seventh-day adventists and advent christians.

  later movements found inspiration in miller's emphasis on bible prophecy.

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  gingerbread

  I've made the history and sources of WT beliefs and doctrines a bit of a hobby for the past two years.

  Russell and Barbour are direct "descendants" of Miller and the resulting Second Advent movement. Doctrines borrowed or refashioned from Adventist theology include : Biblical chronology based dating to predict the Second coming of Christ, "soul sleep " (the dead being conscience of nothing), a "remnant" of Christ's annointed followers rising during the final days and proclaiming the Second Advent, the "remnant" being raised to heaven before Jesus cleanses the earth of wickedness, after the "cleansing" all the dead would be resurrected and taught by the "remnant", those resurrected ones that are redeemed will live forever on a paradise earth, Jesus uses one channel of communication (the "remnant") to communicate with the world before the Advent, the "remnant" receive special understanding of bible prophecy by holy spirit, and more...
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  82

  British zone visit from David Splane - a report from the special meeting in Glasgow

  by slimboyfat in

  1. jw
  2. friends

  well i went to a "special meeting" in the armadillo today where a 2 & 1/2 hour programme was relayed from london at 1pm.

  apparently the letters of invitation only went out a month or so ago and not all congregations were invited.

  there were 2,900 of us from around scotland.

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  gingerbread

  The GB is the only segment of the JW population currently living in a "paradise" like situation. EVERYTHING is taken care of for them and they have millions of dollars and potentially billions in other assets available to them. They carry on (and even expanded) the tradition that J.F. Rutherford began as second president of the WBTS. The extensive legal and service departments serve as "bodyguards" for these men. The GB gives attention and favor to the powerful (usually wealthy) individuals in the worldwide organization. All the while the average publisher gives their time and money - all they can scrape together.

  These guys are in for the long haul. New construction of facilities (headquarters, assembly halls and kingdom halls) is full steam ahead. They have no plan to "simplify" their lives. They're looking forward to living out their days in the lap of luxury.