Maybe Blondie or somebody can find something in print somewhere, but I vaguely remember hearing or reading at the meeting about using the obits and writing letters to "spread the kingdom message". I remember thinking as we covered this material, that this was in very poor taste. I thought maybe that I wasn't being spiritual enough in my thinking. What better time than when one is greiving to share the hope of a paradise and resurrection in the name of God. Actually, what better time than when one is greiving to catch them off guard and offer a hyped-up(unrealistic) hope in the name of God in order to gain a recruit. Disgusting really. I never came to grips with that preaching system and never, ever tried it. Never did phone witnesseing either. I hate telemarketers and I would be damned before I called people and bugged them to listen.
undercover
JoinedPosts by undercover
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18
Received "recruitment" letter following death of father
by John K infirst, let me start by saying i respect and honor the right of anyone to spread their message.
i do not descriminate against anyones church.
in the u.s. we are fortunate enough to enjoy that right.. that said, a jehovah's decided that the death of my father would be a good time to send a letter to my mother.
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63
Do You Know Of Reasons Why Some Got Removed From Their Privileges?
by minimus inpioneer, ms, elder publisher???
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undercover
Welcome, Santiago.
I know of a similar case. Two weeks after being announced as an elder came the announcement that this same brother was being publicly reproved and was removed as an elder. I found out later that he fell off the fidelity wagon. His wife eventually forgave him and he is a regular publisher with privledges restored for answering and giving talks again.
The inconsistency of removals verses the crime committed(or not committed) lends one to wonder, "just where is the holy spirit in directing who should or should not be appointed". Some are removed that should be. Some are not. Some are appointed that shouldn't be. Some should step down but don't. Wouldn't the holy spirit detect that and see to it that the removal happens anyway?
I was an MS on more than one occasion. When the elders came to me to say that I have been appointed and they asked, "Is there any reason why you can't accept this appointment", I lied and said, "No." As a young, unmarried man, I of course masturbated, to both porn mags and movies. I also liked to drink. Not to drunkeness, but enough that I would not be a shining example to other young people in the congregation. Apparently this was ok with the holy spirit if it saw fit that the GB, CO and my elders could appoint me.
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"Reinstatement Party" Called Off Per The Society
by minimus ina number of weeks ago, i mentioned how my niece was seeking reinstatement.
well, after all was said and done, the elders allowed her back in.
my brother and his wife were giving her a little "coming back" party with about a total of 35 guests.
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undercover
Good application of verses 25-32.
Thank you for sharing that with us.
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90
Why dont you leave....?
by anotheropenviewpoint ini have been reading quite a few of these threads and post and through it i feel as though i have come to know some of you and your behaviors.. i notice that there are many of you who are still associated with the hall, and have not left yet... yet, bring up very "strong" points on the board.. i have a question for all of you who fit this description.... why dont you just 'effin leave already?
whats holding you back?
if you feel soooo strongly that this is "wrong" are you too chicken to state your opinion to a family member?
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undercover
I have walked away, more or less. I go to the occasional meeting and will probably end up going to the DC. I choose not to DA myself, because I refuse to play by their rules anymore. By playing by their rules, I lose what friends, acquaintances and family that I have in the org. By not playing by their rules, I keep my family. My family may not grasp why I have "fallen away", but outside of religious discussions our family ties are strong. By not playing by the WTS rules, I can remain friendly with others in the cong. and not have to feel the shunning or put them on the spot when they see me. I don't believe in their rules anymore, so subject myself to them?
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96
"Reinstatement Party" Called Off Per The Society
by minimus ina number of weeks ago, i mentioned how my niece was seeking reinstatement.
well, after all was said and done, the elders allowed her back in.
my brother and his wife were giving her a little "coming back" party with about a total of 35 guests.
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undercover
I haven't read all the replys yet, so my point might have already been covered, but this just burns me up.
What about the prodigal son? Did they not have a feast to celebrate his return? Did they not kill a fattened calf(or sumthin) to feast on? What the hell difference is there? I know it's a parable, but it's a parable to show how to forgive and accept an erring one back in. This wasn't a congregation sponsered event. It was a private party. How the hell can someone tell you that you can't have a private party, no matter the reason for it? Goddammit, this pisses me off.
OK, I'm off to read the replys now.
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63
Do You Know Of Reasons Why Some Got Removed From Their Privileges?
by minimus inpioneer, ms, elder publisher???
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undercover
I knew when they made him an elder, even as a kid, that he was just too nice to be an elder.
That didn't read right. It should be, "I knew, even as a kid, that when they made him an elder..."
Not that they made him an elder as a kid. LOL
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63
Do You Know Of Reasons Why Some Got Removed From Their Privileges?
by minimus inpioneer, ms, elder publisher???
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undercover
I knew a brother who stepped down as an elder after a trying judicial case. This was a good guy, who tried to be loving, understanding and tried to be Christ-like. He was very humble and meek. I knew when they made him an elder, even as a kid, that he was just too nice to be an elder.
Something happened during this one case that soured him from being an elder. He was accused of certain things by the friends who were caught in the middle of whatever mess that was going on. The accusations really hurt his feelings and made him doubt that he was a spiritual enough man to handle the responsibility. He stepped down, to never return to any kind of full-time service. This after pioneering from high school on and then being an MS and elder. His demeanor changed. He never seemed happy again. It was like he knew he could never trust the friends again.
This instance among others I have see, has shown to me that those men who did put on the Christ like spirit, were humble, meek and mild, used love and mercy in their dealings with the congregation were usually the ones that burnt out the quickest. Apparently because they wouldn't play the power trip game as others elders did. Apparently because they knew deep down, that this wasn't how Jesus meant for his sheep to be handled.
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Catch the Holy Spirit...
by OrbitingTheSun inif you haven't seen it in person, you have probably seen cases on television of people catching the holy spirit.
some people cry and wave their hands in the air, others bounce in place while mumbling, and some dance, holler, and "speak in tongues.
" i was just wondering if any of you have witnessed the "holy spirit" in action at your kingdom hall.
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undercover
Can't say if these guys had the Holy Spirit or not, but up in the Appalachian mountains there are snake handling preachers who believe even if they are bit while handling a snake during services, the spirit will protect them. And you thought JWs were nuts to go to a house with a mean dog.
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I'm just kiddin', y'all...
by teejay in10 indisputable truths black people know, but, white people won't admit:.
1. elvis is dead.. 2. having your children curse you out in public is not normal.. 3. jesus was not white.. 4. skinny does not equal sexy.. 5. a 5 year old is too big for a stroller.. 6. n'sync will never hold a candle to the jackson 5.. 7. thomas jefferson had black children.. 8. an occasional butt whupping helps a child stay in line.. 9. kissing your pet is not cute.. 10. rap music is here to stay.
10 indisputable truths white people know, but, black people won't admit:.
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undercover
Who's Tupac?
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16
Do you have more friends or enemies?
by JH ingood friends are quite rare.
they say that you can count the number of good friends you have on the fingers of one hand.. .
i was just wondering, do you have more "good friends" or enemies?
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undercover
Well, this has changed since no longer being active as a witness.
How true, how true.
Since I became inactive, only one person ever called just to talk or try to continue a friendly relationship, and he wasn't someone that I considered a close friend. Most everyone else that I thought was a friend in "the truth" has avoided me. There are a few exceptions, but even that is conditional. If I show up for a meeting, I may get invited to dinner or something. When I miss a month of meetings, not one call. I run into some JWs(in name only) that I grew up with at concerts and clubs occasionally and will hang out with them for part of the evening, but we never call each other.
I have lots of acquaintances, no real friends(outside of my wife) and only two people that I can think of that I would call an enemy and even that is on the harsh side. Like it has been noted, "real friends" are hard to come by. JWs think that they have real friends, but it has become obvious to me that this "friendship" is conditional. Conditional to remaining loyal to the organization. That is not "real friendship".