Posts by Separation of Powers

186

Just out of curiosity, how many elders (current & ex) do we have here?

by mrquik in

jw
friends

me.

Separation of Powers

Yep, elder for almost 20 years.

Helped many. When needed, received no help in return. THAT was a defining moment for me.

SOP

8

Generosity in the world

by DS211 in

well tonight my family and i went out to dinner.

we ate, had a good time...then the time came for the check.. the waitress announced some old couple would pay our tab.

total strangers picked up our bill.

I have seen more generosity from "worldly" people than I have ever, repeat...EVER seen from Jehovah's Witnesses. There is a "teach a man how to fish" mentality that befuddles me. Sometimes a person can't wait to catch a fish because they are starving!

Good quote from the movie Angels and Demons, " My church feeds the hungry. My church comforts the sick and the dying. What does your church do?"

"Generosity must emanate from the soul, where one is souless, none can exist." -SOP

31

They made me throw away a windchime!!!

by quellycatface in

i had a lovely mirrored windchime in my house.

my study conductor told me it attracted deemunz and i threw it in the trash.

i've since bought another.. what's the reasoning behind that idiocy??

Separation of Powers

I am glad you replaced it. In any event, enjoy the wind, live in the now and remember that we are all an amalgam of our experiences. Someone will benefit greatly from what you have learned and you will be blessed for passing along that knowledge.

SOP

63

The " HIGHER EDUCATION" thread!!!

by DATA-DOG in

jw
friends

alright.

let's have the ultimate discussion on "higher education.

" let's talk about the good, the bad, and the ugly.

Separation of Powers

Good thread...

Like many, college was out of the question. The end was right around the corner and secular knowledge was NOT important. I applied for Bethel after high school and was rejected while a guy in my circuit was accepted even though he had gone to college and got his degree in computer science. Yeah, double standard...I know. So much for "we can teach a spiritual person to work computers but we can't teach a computer person to be spiritual" which is exactly what our CO said in the needs of the circuit that same year (yeah, kinda burnt in my mind and psyche).

Years went by, I took courses and went to classes clandestinely. Pioneered for years making hilariously little money (funny I could even afford gas money). In time, though, my education paid off and I landed a good paying job with upward potential.

In time, I returned to school. Not necessarily for me, but really to show THEM. I like knowledge. I like to understand. I don't like intolerance or stupidity, two of the most blatant things I have seen from many witnesses. Prejudice and ignorance. Both bred from a lack of understanding and what is worse...no desire to change.

Example:

I recall a sister saying, "Those buddhists worship those big idols of their god."

I said, "That's not their god. It's the Buddha."

"Well, he's their god!"

"No, he's not their god. He is their exemplar, kind of like Jesus to a christian. He is or was the enlightened one. So, they follow his teachings."

"But, he's still a god. They bow down to him."

"No, they are merely paying him homage. Like the bible says the apostles and believers did to Jesus."

"So, you are saying that Buddha is Jesus."

"No, I am saying that he was considered and IS considered to be a holy man with an idea of how people can find answers to many of life's perplexing questions. Millions of people follow his teachings."

"The DEVIL"S teachings!"

"That's not what we are talking about. I am simply trying to correct the misperception."

"So are you sticking up for them now?"

"I am sticking up for correct understanding...nothing more. But, in the spirit of Buddha's teachings, why don't we just change the subject?"

SOP

You can imagine the rest of the conversation....

1

This will be the final home for the anointed....

by Separation of Powers in

i have known alot of people that participated in the rbc, temporary construction projects and international work over the years.

there was always talk regarding a project here or there.

funny comment i heard the other day regarding the new project in upstate ny aka warwick.

Separation of Powers

I have known alot of people that participated in the RBC, temporary construction projects and international work over the years. There was always talk regarding a project here or there. Funny comment I heard the other day regarding the new project in upstate NY aka Warwick

"It's their final home."

Maybe they should make a banner. That's what a lot of us thought about the cemetery at the Farm...aka "The Launching Pad." It would have been cool and would have really attracted the visitors. Maybe they should market Warwick the same way.

Just a thought,

SOP

45

Depression amongst JWs

by tornapart in

jw
friends

has anyone seen this post on facebook?

the comments below it are staggering!

so many suffering from depression... along with the few judgementalists.

Separation of Powers

The old pioneer book, obviously influenced predominantly by Knorr, had a section regarding discouragement. It stated that if you were discouraged, you were essentially not doing enough in the field. Our Pioneer instructor stated, " Knorr used to say, 'Don't worry, work." Years later, after Knorr's death (of a brain tumor reportedly), the tone of the Shining as Illuminators book took a drastic turn. No longer did it blame the pioneer's discouragement on laziness or lack of effort. In a splendid example of balance and compassion, it actually instructed the pioneer to take time off for relaxation and recreation. What a concept!

Over the years, I have witnessed more lives disrupted by depression in this, the "happiest people in the world" then I care to recall. The pioneer book is simply an expression of the reason why SOOO many witnesses are depressed. They just can't do enough! Where Jesus said "my load is light," I have yet to see any witness truly understand that fundamental aspect of Christianity.

Just a thought,

SOP

27

If the GB reinstated the Book study, would it take?

by BU2B in

i have been noticing in recent threads that people have been observing that the zeal has been waning among r+f jws.

i have observed that most zealous, die hards have gone to foreign lands, or foreign language congregations, leaving the others in the stagnant english congregations.

when you think of it, if you cared at all about bringing people into the cult, you probably would be preaching where it is fertile, the foreign field.

Separation of Powers

"If you reinstate it, they will come."

37

Do You Dine out? If so do you return unsatisfactory food?

by KateWild in

i was chatting today in the sauna, as one does if you don't go to meetings about dining out.

one pleasant fellow said he would never return food, he explained it was because he is convinced the staff would do something to the food.. do you agree?.

kate xx.

Separation of Powers

Good question...If my food arrives and it is NOT what I ordered, then I will politely mention, "This must be for someone else's table. I didn't touch it. I had ordered....."

If it is what I ordered and not prepared correctly, I take it on the chin, send it back and eat bread or share with my wife. NEVER, I repeat, NEVER send a plate back to a cook or chef stating that something is wrong with the dish. Unless you accompany that plate from your table to the chef and back again, you can readily assume that it will be "adjusted" in some form or other.

SOP

25

My Mom Wanted To Know If I Would Ever Consider Going Back.... Guess what I said....

by minimus in

jw
friends

never!!!

!.

Separation of Powers

When the ties are cut...HELL TO THE NO!

52

I gave up my job to pioneer, did you? Matt 6.33 did Jehovah provide?

by KateWild in

i was a chemical analyst.

i loved my job, and love chemistry.

i worked in a variety of fields such a pharmaceutical and industrial.

Separation of Powers

Kate,

Like many here, I gave up a lot to remain a Witness. I wanted to go to University, but was systematically psychologically beaten down by my family to remain in "god's love." So, when I finished hgih school I started pioneeering. I enjoyed pioneering. I enjoyed the accolades and the successes of helping people. It was fulfilling to a degree.

I went on to get married. We pioneered together. Our lives simple...those were good times. There is something about being together with the person you love, working toward a goal. It was nice. I think it solidified our relationship.

Career wise....well, I have been lucky. When I decided to leave the pioneer work to start a family, things fell into place. Some people reach out to friends or family to try to streamline the career path, I chose to forego any "connections" so that whatever success I had was due to my own efforts and ability. Call it pride, call it arrogance, I simply called it determination.

So, now, years later, I am successful. My time in the pioneer ministry reaped some benefits that are applicable to the business world, aka the ability to express a thought. I could have had success much earlier in life, financially and career wise, but I don't think I would trade it. I am who I am and what I am. I don't think about what could have been, it is too damaging. I must make a success of the present to justify the sacrifice of the past.

Just a thought,

SOP