with the book crisis of conscience detailing the turbulence at bethel during the early to mid 70's, the transformation from autocratic rule to governance by committee or a body of men, many of us can speak to how that felt among the rank and file of the local congregations during those years.
we learned new concepts based in large part to research done for the aid to bible understanding volume, then we were asked or coerced into unlearning those principles, going back to the old ways.
some of us never readjusted, finding ourselves very different from our more hardline compadres.. the inertia for the changes that eventually were initiated in the congregations came from the discovery that the greek words episkopos and presbyteros were used biblically to refer to all qualified men in a congregation, not just one.
I was lucky the fluctuating lightbulb known as "new light" shone in my favor in the mid-70s.
Receiving medicines derived from blood were considered a matter of conscience then, and I was able to receive a medication that helped ensure the healthy birth of my son.
By the time the bulb dimmed again in the 80s, I was long gone.
todays scientists can and do insert their trademark into dna.. why couldn't jehovah anticipate scientists learning this technique and stumbling across a strand that says "human by yhwh"?.
that would have answered a lot of questions.. he could have even included a model number human2.0.
"Of course, they will say they don't believe in God at all... but it simply isn't rational, IMHO, to be angry with something... or someone... that/who doesn't exist... or to ask "why"... or opine."
I know this is an exercise in futility ... but ...
It's perfectly possible to discuss the idea of God and how one might react to such a concept if it were real. Dragons don't exist, but I can imagine being frightened in an theoretical encounter with one.
Sigh.
todays scientists can and do insert their trademark into dna.. why couldn't jehovah anticipate scientists learning this technique and stumbling across a strand that says "human by yhwh"?.
that would have answered a lot of questions.. he could have even included a model number human2.0.
Faith is used as a poor excuse for ignorance.
i just heard a rumor and trying to verify it.
a current jw just told us that the elder's are now a separate entity and that when brought into court hearings and they try to use the 'clergy confidentiality clause' that the wtbt$ backs off and says the elders are their own separate entity.. anyone heard anything like this?.
Cagefighter: " Basically the WTBS considers it self a franchiser like McDonald's. "
The nutritional value of their spiritual food is about the same as that of fast food, too. A good analogy indeed.
we had an old time jw pass away recently he lived his entire life lie the new system was going to be here tomorrow.. he was a gillard grad and went on to be missionry in west africa.. came back home when wife got pregent(they eventuly had 3 children) ,sold everything pre 75 to see the system out and pioneer then had to work his butt off to rebuild his finances and put a roof over his familys head.. he retired and became a co till his wifes health could no longer alow it.. he got a treminal illness and i wonder in his quiter moments did he think ....".ive lived my entire life for a dream that never came true".
he's only one of many i see,their lives comming to an end and the new system is no closer than it was when they started.. .
karter..
My dub mother is in her mid-80s. She's been a dub since she was 36. When I left, she tried to argue me back in for many years.
For the past 15 years, she has not mentioned the WT at all. She's had to struggle with heart trouble, cancer, and widowhood. Although I don't bring it up, I'm certain she thinks about the WT promises that she and her children would never get old and die.
What a waste.
i can't help comparing the movie "warm bodies" with the current influx of newbies.
one by one the braindead zombies are waking up and reclaiming their humanity.. not trying to insult you, newbies.
but you, like most of us, know how it feels to go from blind unthinking obedience to honest questions and real thinking.
I can't help comparing the movie "Warm Bodies" with the current influx of newbies.
One by one the braindead zombies are waking up and reclaiming their humanity.
Not trying to insult you, newbies. But you, like most of us, know how it feels to go from blind unthinking obedience to honest questions and real thinking. It's like waking from the dead.
Keep 'em coming.
although we all know that there are many disadvantages of being brought up ( vomit sound) in the truth.
but would you say that leaving has maybe caused you to do some things that you would not have normally have done in life ?
for me personally now i have lots of free time ( mine all mine, evil laugh) i have almost finished my first novel.
Yes, I do many horrible, perverse apostate things now:
Think
Read
Discuss anything I want with anyone I want
Love my family
Revel in my freedom
Yes, dubbie lurkers, read these words and shudder. Isn't it great that the WTS protects you from such disgusting practices?
hello, so i have decided to da myself and will write a da letter to the body of elders.... do you have any ideas of what i can include in this letter or samples?...
i really want to make a huge impact with this letter.. i appreciate your help everyone....
Don't waste another minute of your time on those bastards.
the year once 1983 and the brother who use to study the bible with me drove by and had a full on "charles manson" looking facial hair and beard.
i asked tina, a friend what's up with him?
tina was 19 and a hot red-head woman who was partially in the religion but had problems with fornication.
Why do ex-dubs grow beards? Because they can.
Cold Steel: " Do you guys really have to shave in that religion? What is there in the Bible that forbids it? "
The WT has a long laundry list of "recommendations" about how dubs should look. Think 1950s. Women are not allowed to wear pants for any reason, men must be clean-shaven and wear conservative suits and ties.
This is just the tip of the iceberg. None of it is in the Bible.
The WT demands dress codes because they want dubs to appear "wholesome," which supposedly will help them sell more books.
at the site, click on the pictures to read lengthy diatribes against apostates lol.. apostasy "seeing oneself as a victim denied" .
as a result of seeing oneself as a victim denied, there can occur a powerful drive toward disaffection and apostasy.
as is almost inevitably the case, there is a great need on the part of a leave-taker to validate their oppositional stance, and the victim-victimizer scenario greatly assists a person in justifying their course of action.
How did they know I grew fur and long fangs?
Dubbies, come here and say these things to our face. Unless you're afraid.
