it looks like 5 of us will get together tomorrow at a starbucks on camp bowie in fort worth, texas.. this is one of those impromptu occasions which either suddenly come together or else just get jaw-jacked into a non-event:).
ricky g is a recently minted ex-jw who is moving to my vicinity from denton.
he has posted his story and other videos on youtube.
I've been to probably 4 or 5 get-togethers in ten years and the people are so normal I can't understand why I subconsciously expect the classic "apostate" to show up with a bandolier and hand grenades :)
If the Ex-Jdubs I've met are a sampling of the rest worldwide, the Kingdom Halls are much worse off without them. Who would want to exclude such fine people?
i found once a list on the internet on novels about the new world written by jehovah's witnesses.
don't seam to find it anymore.
does any of you happen to know any novels about the new world?
I don't know if this is exactly what you're looking for or not.
Jehovah's Witness Science Fiction novel
THE MONORAILS of MARS
“The Monorails of Mars” is certainly quite a creative, eclectic, amusing, and provocative work, on many levels. It combines a graphically descriptive narrative like that of Wilbur Smith, the unnerving twists and turns reminiscent of Alfred Hitchcock, and the degree of cosmic fancifulness of the classic series “The Hitchhiker’s Guide to the Galaxy” and “Dr. Who” (although “The Monorails of Mars” is absolutely a unique and distinct work). It uses clever hyperbole in daring to compare rational objectivity against Orwellian-type, corporate-run American “religion” (referred to generically in the book as the “Tower” Society). It takes a cynical look at the monarchial leadership of contemporary evangelical corporate societies using somewhat macabre black humor to convey a deliciously cathartic irreverence – which many would find most fitting, deserved, and gratifying given the deceitful, self-serving shenanigans still very much alive within exclusivistic, parochial, high-control fundamentalist groups. The material is worded, organized, and presented in the manner of an astute and seasoned novelist. The content is divided into brief chapters to provide sufficient variety to keep the flow fresh and free from monotony or stagnation. The uniquely personal artwork has a stark sophistication which lends itself to the raw yet pensive theme woven throughout. The overall flavor exudes cerebral intrigue wrapped in old-school sophisticated banter yet liberally garnished with raw visceral descriptions. This book will surely satisfy the palate of any traditional or contemporary reader, and it is particularly geared toward rational, thinking folks who dare to question the operation of mind control and religio-corporate hypocrisy. Terry Walstrom’s book is an excellent and riveting read for all types and ages!
i am working on a writing project.
just give me your opinion on this subject.
if you worked for your respective government and you were tasked with doomsday preparations, what would you decide to save for future generations?
HERE ARE 10 survival bunkers
http://www.survival-spot.com/survival-blog/10-impressive-doomsday-bunkers/
what is the most obvious thing you can think of about jehovah's witnesses from the standpoint of worldwide recognition?.
wouldn't it be 2 primary things: the name jehovah and secondly, the public testimony or witnessing?.
let's begin deconstructing those two things.. first, why would christians refer to themselves by any other name than christian?.
If you stop and think about it since the vowels FORCED into YHWH are arbitrary and the use of Adonai is pulled out of thin air as a model, the correct pronunciation of God's 'name' could well be ANYTHING.
I vote for: “YaHoo WaHoo!”
as a member on bart ehrman's blog, i am able to ask him direct questions.is jehovah in the bible?.
question:.
how firmly grounded in reality is the claim of jehovahs witnesses that the divine name (jehovah) belongs in the new testament?.
If you stop and think about it since the vowels FORCED into YHWH are arbitrary and the use of Adonai is pulled out of thin air as a model, the correct pronunciation of God's 'name' could well be ANYTHING.
I vote for: “YaHoo WaHoo!”
it looks like 5 of us will get together tomorrow at a starbucks on camp bowie in fort worth, texas.. this is one of those impromptu occasions which either suddenly come together or else just get jaw-jacked into a non-event:).
ricky g is a recently minted ex-jw who is moving to my vicinity from denton.
he has posted his story and other videos on youtube.
It looks like 5 of us will get together tomorrow at a Starbucks on Camp Bowie in Fort Worth, Texas.
This is one of those impromptu occasions which either suddenly come together or else just get jaw-jacked into a non-event:)
Ricky G is a recently minted Ex-JW who is moving to my vicinity from Denton. He has posted his story and other videos on YouTube. He'll be there and we'll meet for the first time.
Also, I'm thrilled to report, a young man who is still a JW (but whose eyes are now open) will attend. Add to that an old alumnus from JW-net, James Woods will drive over in his Rolls Royce from Dallas to keep us company. Rounding out this dangerous pack of Apostates is my old friend Quentin and myself.
If any other eyes see this rather hasty notice and want to join us, PLEASE DO!
On this map (below) the Starbucks is directly across the street from La Madeleine bakery.
as a member on bart ehrman's blog, i am able to ask him direct questions.is jehovah in the bible?.
question:.
how firmly grounded in reality is the claim of jehovahs witnesses that the divine name (jehovah) belongs in the new testament?.
Yes, the tradition going back to Papias is that Matthew produced a Gospel in Hebrew. Later Christians thought he meant the Gospel of Matthew that has come down to us. There are very good reasons for thinking that he meant a different book, however, since the two things he says about Matthew are not true of our Matthew. Ours is not simply a collection of Jesus’ sayings (Logia) and it was certainly not originally written in Hebrew, as is almost universally recognized on very solid grounds (e.g., it copied stories from the *Greek* Gospel of Mark)
ever wonder why jehovah's witnesses have almost nothing but words instead of love?.
every wonder why jw's praise their corporate leaders rather than jesus?.
every wonder why faith is only demonstrated by allowing children to die and molesters to escape, or disasters to be welcomed through obstinate demonstrations of loyalty to the org?.
Terry a question in the 3rd last paragraph you write: " --Few can replace this emptiness with anything resembling a formal worship ritual. --"
why should formal worship ritual be so important?
__________________________
The first time an EX-JW decides to participate in Christmas, Easter, Halloween, donating blood, voting, etc. can be quite a neurotic crucible of existential angst!
I vividly recall the day I donated blood for my newborn daughter who was experiencing severe jaundice. I had to run a 'mental gantlet' of self-talk to arrive at that decision. It was nothing more than superstitious reaction to a bugaboo! Any other parent would not have hesitated even a half-second! I even knew intellectually it was the correct thing to do--and it disturbed me emotionally for a while afterward!
We tend to formalize important things in our life with ritual: weddings, funerals, graduations, etc.
My essential thought centers on the absence of alternatives for Ex-JW's to formalize through ritual practice because of the TAINT psychologically implanted by association with Watchtower doctrine.
two ball bearings manufactured at the same time, in the same factory, by rigorous engineering standards, and produced to serve the same function inside a particular machine.. question: are they identical?.
answer: no.
there is one on your left and there is one on your right.. these do not occupy the same space.. you can remove one and the other will not follow.. _________________.
as a member on bart ehrman's blog, i am able to ask him direct questions.is jehovah in the bible?.
question:.
how firmly grounded in reality is the claim of jehovahs witnesses that the divine name (jehovah) belongs in the new testament?.
If Jesus or his apostles had uttered the Tetra., don't you think it would have caused a tremendous accusation by the Pharisees who were looking for any pretense whatsoever with which to accuse them?
Beautiful reasoning; simple and elegant!
