Posts by Separation of Powers

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.

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

41

Surrounded - Yet All Alone at the same Time

by offgrid5150 in

jw
friends

i've been lurking for a while,but figured i'd introduce myself.

i was born in, and i'm 30 years old.

it's hard to just read as a guest, and not share with anyone eventually.

Separation of Powers

Know PRECISELY how you feel!

Hang in there...sometimes there is joy in solitude. Imagine it is as if you are sitting at a cafe in Paris or Venice watching all the foolish tourists looking at their maps or waiting to board a gondola. They are missing out on the joy of just being where they are in life. In the immortal words of Ferris Bueller, "Life moves pretty fast. If you don't stop and look around once in a while, you could miss it."

SOP

8

Inactive and the RBC

by ekruks in

ok, i'm inactive..... as for qualification for the rbc, what are the bare minimum requirements.. is it merely to be active, i.e.

go on the ministry one hour a month (or hand in a report saying that?

), or to be in "good standing" does one have to be regular at enduring (all?

Separation of Powers

It is all about "usefullness." Consider the analogy of a tool in a toolbox. The mechanic throws the tool to the back of his toolbox because it has become outdated. The current model of cars he works on don't require the tool. However, a gentleman drives into his shop with a rare automobile, a car that this man once specialized in. The tool, now discarded at the back of the toolbox, is necessary and required. It has become useful again.

I have found that, in general, your so-called spiritual status is not as important as your "usefullness." Please...no tool jokes.

SOP

23

Dying to Believe

by Watchtower-Free in

just saw this and thought i would pass it along .

its about a young jw who died.

because of jw blood policy.

Separation of Powers

Tragic....someone will have to pay. You may not believe in hell, but someone will pay eternally for persuading this young girl that she should make a life and death decision based on a policy that did not come into existence until the 50's and has changed and morphed for decades...could she have taken one of the now "conscience" matter components or fractions and her life saved?

Cannot continue expressing myself on this subject....I am ready to put a fist through my monitor!!!

SOP

70

JW morale reaching new low

by kneehighmiah in

jw
friends

many friends i've spoken with are becoming discouraged.

because of this it's becoming tempting to privately share my views with friends, but i know this is still too dangerous.

most witnesses in my circle are intelligent free thinkers.

Separation of Powers

You can only take so much. People are tired. They hear about preachers like this Joel Osteen and others who may not speak much about the Bible, but their congregations are thriving and happy. They preach a message of grace and blessing. People walk out of their services feeling inspired and ready to face the world. True, they may not get you closer to God in the WT sense, but when people feel they are blessed they attribute it to someone!

Most JW's are burnt-out, plain and simple. They are tired of the monotony. The constant, "you have to do more" "you need to look at your circumstances" the constant drivel about how we are "right around the corner." The meetings are a constant rehash of last week, last month, last year. The majority of the elders just go through the motions. Many of them know that they will NEVER be used in CA or DA parts and lose all interest in improving their ability or trying to liven up their parts.

With the constant move toward multi-media, in time, you will not be able to maintain the interest of the young people. Their attention spans are declining toward pen and paper, audible stimulation alone is not sufficient. This, in turn, will bring the morale further down and parents see their kids simply zoning out or using their JW.org equipped iPads used to do homework or watch YouTube videos, even play games.

In the immortal words of my grandfather, "Mark my words"

SOP

692

abortion vs holocaust

by unstopableravens in

Separation of Powers

Ethics 101....First, you can't compare abortion to the holocaust. The comparison simply doesn't fit. It diminishes the lives of millions of innocents in comparison to the one, and diminishes the one in comparison to the millions. The life of an innocent is invaluable, particularly if there is no one to stand up for the innocent. The deplorable nature of the holocaust in its immensity and scope should never, I repeat...NEVER be compared to anything else! It is an aberration, an abomination that should be indelebly written on the consciousness of all mankind forevermore. There is nothing that will ever compare to it.

"Abortion is wrong!" That hardline position lacks reasonableness, just as the statement, "all murder is wrong." The value of life is inherent. The reason for taking a life must be inherently more valuable than the life taken. Some could argue, "who is to justify what is more valuable?" Well, fortunately, I don't need to answer that. As this discussion has progressed, it is apparent that some values may be shared, but they are still singular in nature, peculiarly our own.

Society dictates the value of life, you are either swayed by society or you choose your own path. Ask yourself a question, when you hear about a child dying in some third world country due to malnutrition or malaria, do you react the same as when you here about a puppy that was killed for sport? Have your principles been affected by society?

Just s thought,

SOP