We needed another bully ... things were tilting dangerously towards JW apologists.
Welcome back Focus. Just like Mark twain, the reports of your demise were greatly exagerated.
This forum can really use your superior insight.
Eden
hello, i am focus.. yes, that focus.. is there anyone here who remembers me from the "good" old days?.
my sig may provide a jog to the memory.. my vision is undimmed, my views unchanged and my claws are sharper than ever.
the filthy old whore is to be taken down with maximum prejudice.. focus.
We needed another bully ... things were tilting dangerously towards JW apologists.
Welcome back Focus. Just like Mark twain, the reports of your demise were greatly exagerated.
This forum can really use your superior insight.
Eden
take this 72 yes/no question test to find out.. http://www.humanmetrics.com/cgi-win/jtypes2.asp.
INTP - it's a pretty accurate discription of myself. Also explains why it was so difficult for me the d2d witnessing, while I enjoyed a lot conducting bible studies.
Portrait of an INTP - Introverted iNtuitive Thinking Perceiving
(Introverted Thinking with Extraverted Intuition)
As an INTP, your primary mode of living is focused internally, where you deal with things rationally and logically. Your secondary mode is external, where you take things in primarily via your intuition.
INTPs live in the world of theoretical possibilities. They see everything in terms of how it could be improved, or what it could be turned into. They live primarily inside their own minds, having the ability to analyze difficult problems, identify patterns, and come up with logical explanations. They seek clarity in everything, and are therefore driven to build knowledge. They are the "absent-minded professors", who highly value intelligence and the ability to apply logic to theories to find solutions. They typically are so strongly driven to turn problems into logical explanations, that they live much of their lives within their own heads, and may not place as much importance or value on the external world. Their natural drive to turn theories into concrete understanding may turn into a feeling of personal responsibility to solve theoretical problems, and help society move towards a higher understanding.
INTPs value knowledge above all else. Their minds are constantly working to generate new theories, or to prove or disprove existing theories. They approach problems and theories with enthusiasm and skepticism, ignoring existing rules and opinions and defining their own approach to the resolution. They seek patterns and logical explanations for anything that interests them. They're usually extremely bright, and able to be objectively critical in their analysis. They love new ideas, and become very excited over abstractions and theories. They love to discuss these concepts with others. They may seem "dreamy" and distant to others, because they spend a lot of time inside their minds musing over theories. They hate to work on routine things - they would much prefer to build complex theoretical solutions, and leave the implementation of the system to others. They are intensely interested in theory, and will put forth tremendous amounts of time and energy into finding a solution to a problem with has piqued their interest.
INTPs do not like to lead or control people. They're very tolerant and flexible in most situations, unless one of their firmly held beliefs has been violated or challenged, in which case they may take a very rigid stance. The INTP is likely to be very shy when it comes to meeting new people. On the other hand, the INTP is very self-confident and gregarious around people they know well, or when discussing theories which they fully understand.
The INTP has no understanding or value for decisions made on the basis of personal subjectivity or feelings. They strive constantly to achieve logical conclusions to problems, and don't understand the importance or relevance of applying subjective emotional considerations to decisions. For this reason, INTPs are usually not in-tune with how people are feeling, and are not naturally well-equiped to meet the emotional needs of others.
The INTP may have a problem with self-aggrandizement and social rebellion, which will interfere with their creative potential. Since their Feeling side is their least developed trait, the INTP may have difficulty giving the warmth and support that is sometimes necessary in intimate relationships. If the INTP doesn't realize the value of attending to other people's feelings, he or she may become overly critical and sarcastic with others. If the INTP is not able to find a place for themself which supports the use of their strongest abilities, they may become generally negative and cynical. If the INTP has not developed their Sensing side sufficiently, they may become unaware of their environment, and exhibit weakness in performing maintenance-type tasks, such as bill-paying and dressing appropriately.
For the INTP, it is extremely important that ideas and facts are expressed correctly and succinctly. They are likely to express themselves in what they believe to be absolute truths. Sometimes, their well thought-out understanding of an idea is not easily understandable by others, but the INTP is not naturally likely to tailor the truth so as to explain it in an understandable way to others. The INTP may be prone to abandoning a project once they have figured it out, moving on to the next thing. It's important that the INTP place importance on expressing their developed theories in understandable ways. In the end, an amazing discovery means nothing if you are the only person who understands it.
The INTP is usually very independent, unconventional, and original. They are not likely to place much value on traditional goals such as popularity and security. They usually have complex characters, and may tend to be restless and temperamental. They are strongly ingenious, and have unconventional thought patterns which allows them to analyze ideas in new ways. Consequently, a lot of scientific breakthroughs in the world have been made by the INTP.
The INTP is at his best when he can work on his theories independently. When given an environment which supports his creative genius and possible eccentricity, the INTP can accomplish truly remarkable things. These are the pioneers of new thoughts in our societ y.
the society has improved their game.
i just got home from the regional assembly.
it was a well-choreographed, technically excellent affair.
Jehovah's Witnesses used to point out that other [false] Christian religions made appeal to primal emotionalism to engage their audiences, in order to supress their reasoning abilities to the "truths" found in the Bible. Well, after this convention, I'm more than persuaded that the WTS is now just as invested as all others in the appeal to emotionalism and sentimentalism in order to engage its audience into buying into their theology. Damn effective it is, btw.
Eden
today, thanks to a brave do and my colleague elkatire 1980, we make make public the manual, guidelines for traveling overseers (tga-s), of which existence many suspected, but even in english, it wasnt available.. from its very title page, this book indicates in bold letters:.
it should not be shown to others, nor should any portion of it be reproduced.
note: for now, this book is only available in spanish, but we are working in translating a brief summary in english, hoping that someone from the english congregations makes it available to you soon.. http://hildeydesa.blogspot.com/2014/06/pautas-para-los-superintendentes.html.
Marking
2014 regional convention:.
on friday, on the last speech of the morning, (the "key speech"), a bethel member slipped in some "new light" rather casually, without much fuss.
he mentioned the out-of-body experience of the apostle paul, in 2 corinthians 12:2-4, where he experienced being "caught up to the third heaven ... caught up to paradise and heard inexpressible words...".
I simply cannot grasp he twisted logic behing a "threefold paradise" that Paul would have seen in a vision. How does one "see" such a thing? Wouldn't Paul break it down for us, if that was the case? This explanation is utter nonsense, and scripturaly unsupported [where's a 'spiritual paradise' in the Bible?] - except that the WTS is introducing the concept of "paradise in heaven" in its theology, perhaps for future developments.
Eden
2014 regional convention:.
on friday, on the last speech of the morning, (the "key speech"), a bethel member slipped in some "new light" rather casually, without much fuss.
he mentioned the out-of-body experience of the apostle paul, in 2 corinthians 12:2-4, where he experienced being "caught up to the third heaven ... caught up to paradise and heard inexpressible words...".
Oubliette,
Certainly you won't find me championing for the WTS here. But I wanted to report that the WTS is apparently changing one of its core teachings : an earthly paradise where the faithful will live forever. The first step towards the change is to allow the notion of a paradise in heaven. They just did it. Quietly. So that nobody will ask many questions regarding this (huge) doctrinal change.
I think it's another subtle shift towards a more mainstream christian theology.
Eden
2014 regional convention:.
on friday, on the last speech of the morning, (the "key speech"), a bethel member slipped in some "new light" rather casually, without much fuss.
he mentioned the out-of-body experience of the apostle paul, in 2 corinthians 12:2-4, where he experienced being "caught up to the third heaven ... caught up to paradise and heard inexpressible words...".
2014 Regional Convention:
On friday, on the last speech of the morning, (the "key speech"), a Bethel member slipped in some "new light" rather casually, without much fuss. He mentioned the out-of-body experience of the apostle Paul, in 2 Corinthians 12:2-4, where he experienced being "caught up to the third heaven ... caught up to paradise and heard inexpressible words...". The speaker then tied this text with Revelation 2:7, that speaks of the reward for the faithful chosen ones: "To the one who is victorious, I will give the right to eat from the tree of life, which is in the paradise of God." The speaker then asked: "What is this paradise that Paul saw and Revelation mentions?"
He then explained: 'We used to understand the "paradise" seen by Paul as the "spiritual paradise" that exists among Jehovah's people, the Jehovah's Witnesses. But now we came to an adjusted understanding [his words] of this passage" [in other words, "new light"]."
The Bethel speaker then explained that the "paradise" seen by Paul is a three-fold reallity: a) A paradise in heavens that will be the reward for the 144.000 anointed christians; b) the present "spiritual paradise" among Jehovah's people; c) the future paradise on earth. He repeated this twice for good measure.
This explanation was slipped in very quietly and without any fuss; at most, it lasted a couple of minutes. Most people didn't even took notice of it, as everyone was getting ready for the lunch break. But wait - isn't this a HUGE change? So now, for the first time, the WT allows for a paradise in heaven?? What next? All christians will have a heavenly reward? :P
What do you think?
Eden
i am on three or four sites and lots of guys are showing an interest and trying to be genuine.
it reminds me of being love bombed by the jws.
i am having so much fun and loving all the attention, i almost got carried away with it all, until i got a pm on jwn.. i have just been absorbing it all and it dawned on me i am still vulnerable, and possibly not ready to date.
Date me - then we can exit together!
oh wait, I'm married. Nevermind.... :P
Eden
it was a long time coming for me.....when i read about the extened generations, after being raised on1914 being the be all end all, and millions would never die....that was the end.
i was part of the 1975 fiasco, the 6 month only truth book studies, suffered through a disifellowshipping and their version of a rewind.
i finally am free and hope others can eventually look in instead of inside looking out!
For me it was when I realized what I had suspected long ago: that "God's Organization" was embarassingly human. "Crisis of Conscience" did that for me. The rest just followed when I allowed myself to research outside the WT box.
Eden
i am not much of a reader as i have two many distractions, but i fancy a challenging read, so please list any book that has changed your entire world view on everything.
i remember as a teenager buying at a yard sale, norman vincent peales " the power of positive thinking" and at the time that had a big impact on me.
but i am a little bit more in to " realistic positive thinking" now..
Crisis Of Conscience - Ray Franz
1984 - George Orwell
The Fear Of Insignificance - Carlo Strenger
The Gentile Times Reconsidered - Carl Jonsson
Eden