Posts by Separation of Powers

28

What do you think are the future doctrine changes will be?

by thedepressedsoul in

the whole organization is going through huge and big changes.

it can be seen by names of departments, to how things function and teaches.

my questions to you is, what do you think the future changes will be, both in teaching and organizational matters?.

Separation of Powers

Hey theDS,

I respectfully disagree with a few on your expectations! Here are the reasons why:

1) 1914- They are actually ramping this up. With the coming DC they are CELEBRATING THE 100 YEAR ANNIVERSARY! There is no intention to distance themselves from that date. It is a divine date, an oracle approved date, the only date in the 20th century that will ever mean anything to them.

2) Disfellowshipping- Although it would be nice, the ORG is looking to intensify the SPECIALNESS (if that's a word) of the rank and file. TO do so, they must marginalize some among their ranks...it's the old "they were not of OUR sort" mentality. Sure, they think that they are special, but the world thinks they are loonies. So, how do you remain special? You ostracize those among you who have faltered who at one time thought they too were special and then watch them as they jump through the hoops to get back into the SPECIAL mix! No, disfellowshipping is the psychological tool by which the masses are kept in line!

3) Elders- I think you are on point here. With the advent of multi media capabilities at the DC and upcoming CA's, the venerable GB will be able to have their faces plastered on HD screens throughout the world! If that doesn't sound like something out of the Wizard of OZ, I don't know what else would. Yes, the elders will continue to plug along and fewer and fewer will get their due by giving talks at the assemblies which will make the upper crust of the elder elite even more "upper crust." Unfortunately, that will breed a disgruntledness that wasn't noticed before in elder bodies as there will be fewer and fewer carrots and the new wave of CO's will be hardliners with no real life experience or compassion. It will be slow...It will be painful...

4) The END- Ahh, the end. I don't agree with this so much. There HAS to be an end! Hope is an amazing thing, as it outweighs every other formal thought process. Give them hope and they will go on. There is an excellent quote by a man named Giroux, he said,"I can understand pessimism, but I don't believe in it. It's not simply a matter of faith, but of historical evidence, JUST ENOUGH TO GIVE HOPE, because for hope we don't need certainty, only possibility." THAT possibility is all they need. Yes, the END is right around the corner, unfortunately it is a LONG block.

SOP

24

Do any ex JW' s/ God believer's, Agnostics or Atheists believe in Karma? And WHY?

by rip van winkle in

just reading a thread and the mention of karma popped up.

( it happens, lol).

a lot of people believe in karma: what goes around comes around.. some months ago, while on another exjw site, karma was mentioned and i thought it a little odd, as they are atheist.

Separation of Powers

Depends on your interpretation or definition of Karma. If, like a traditional Buddhist, you believe that every cause has an effect, than yes, as an agnostic I firmly believe that. It is, in fact, a widely held belief among most belief systems. Among Islam, Judaism, and Christianity, there is the "reap what you sow" mentality. For strict Buddhists, that is all karma is.

If, on the other hand, you believe that karma means that if you do something bad, then something bad is going to happen to you, then I would say no. Case in point, many politicians and many of the uber-wealthy consistently do things that someone would deem as "bad," yet, they continue on with the status quo. This would mean that the notion of karma is not accurate.

If, however, you believe that ULTIMATELY what you do in your life adds to your overall contentment and/or suffering, then karma is the reason.

Just a thought,

SOP

21

Ever feel like you were faking it as a JW when you weren't?

by punkofnice in

i guess this is cognitive dissonance calling loud and clear!.

i remember being proud to be a jw yet at the same time i felt that i was just fooling myself.. i think this also applies to the stupid doctrines of the watchtower(r).......they made sense but at the same time they didn't.. i had secret self loathing for not being 'zealous(tm)' enough but on the other hand i didn't.. seems to me i had a separation of authentic persona from cult persona.. anyone else get this?.

Separation of Powers

Part of the delusion is to convince yourself that what you are doing will merit "life eternal." Another part of the delusion is that you are not doing enough, so you are constantly striving to do more. Because those around you are suffering from the same delusion, everyone puts a smile on their face and acts like life is peachy. The fact of the matter is...life is not peachy. The routine and its monotony begin to eat at the very fiber of your individuality and you are never the same.

Your life becomes a shadow, detached from your true persona. You are part of the collective, what you do is what you ought to have done!

Guilt and shame, shame and guilt, a vicious cycle that serves to break your spirit.

SOP

7

"You must work hard"

by Separation of Powers in

had the opportunity or should i say "chore" to goto the ca a couple weeks back...haven't had the chance to post this... do giving the final talk about "work," you know, "god and christ keep working and so should you..." what kinda blew my mind is the co gives the talk before him and says, "i know you are tired, tired of this system of things, but we can keep going can't we?

we know it's just around the corner.

" the brothers all clap, cause he's like an old grandpa type...the do then comes up and starts talking about how much people are slowing down, he talks about the "snares" that satan is using and the need to keep busy, he then states, "brothers, you must work hard.

Separation of Powers

Fun indeed! (Like a root canal)

7

"You must work hard"

by Separation of Powers in

had the opportunity or should i say "chore" to goto the ca a couple weeks back...haven't had the chance to post this... do giving the final talk about "work," you know, "god and christ keep working and so should you..." what kinda blew my mind is the co gives the talk before him and says, "i know you are tired, tired of this system of things, but we can keep going can't we?

we know it's just around the corner.

" the brothers all clap, cause he's like an old grandpa type...the do then comes up and starts talking about how much people are slowing down, he talks about the "snares" that satan is using and the need to keep busy, he then states, "brothers, you must work hard.

Separation of Powers

Had the opportunity or should I say "chore" to goto the CA a couple weeks back...Haven't had the chance to post this..

DO giving the final talk about "work," You know, "God and Christ keep working and so should you..." What kinda blew my mind is the CO gives the talk before him and says, "I know you are tired, tired of this system of things, but we can keep going can't we? We know it's just around the corner." The brothers all clap, cause he's like an old grandpa type...The DO then comes up and starts talking about how much people are slowing down, He talks about the "snares" that Satan is using and the need to keep busy, he then states, "Brothers, you must work hard. Only those who are working will have the opportunity to survive the coming end of this system, that is oh so close."

Kinda sounded like the counselors to Rehoboam. The CO-"ease off the pressure, you can make it!" The DO-"Hey what are you doing slowing down! Let's get a move on!"

Funny, which one should they listen to?

28

I should'nt let them get to me, but.......

by quellycatface in

jw
friends

.

one day, i'll have the courage to ask why she looks at me like that..

Separation of Powers

Indoctrination into the group included believing that the group was special. So, when you are treated poorly by someone who is still in the group, it will make you feel bad until you finally break away from the indoctrination. When you realize that they are not special, just simple minded people willing to risk their lives and happiness for an expectation founded by another group of simpletons, then it won't hurt as bad. In fact, it will move you toward compassion, kinda like when you see a movie like Titanic. You know the ulitmate outcome of those on the boat, they will die, lives unfulfilled, dreams lost to the vastness of the deep, that will be the lot for those you have left behind. You have found a spot on the lifeboat...it is called hope, it is called purpose. Don't take it for granted. Grasp it with both hands and complete your journey, for this is all we truly know.

SOP

12

Update on my fade

by Jon Preston in

i apologize for the strangeness of my topics of late.

im in antight spot.

i havent been to a meeting for over a month...wife is sick again and wants me to attend but i am having the most difficilt time getting motivated to go...i mean every molecule in my body wants to stay home..but ive got an elder friend texting to ask if we are going and another asking for our service reports....grrr.

Separation of Powers

Ignore requests.

Get occupied in something else.

Does your wife have non witness family?

Does she have any outside interests?

Distraction is the key.

Just like when you were in...The ORG keeps you distracted from the fact that the end hasn't come and may never come with the constant meetings, service, hall cleanings, etc.

Do the same in reverse

4

Pondering The Increase in Memorial Partakers

by piztjw in

it has been discussed in other threads, but in pondering what the real reason for the increase in partakers is i have a personal theory.. this theory would naturally have to be based on ones actually believing the bible, and not just simply what the wt&t$ dictates that one must believe.. when jesus made a covenent with the apostles at the last supper to rule with him in heaven, is it possible that that covenent was with them only?

jw's will say that it also extended to all the rest of the 144,000. but nowhere is there a lliteral claim of only 144,000 in the bible.

in revelation, a book that jw's claim is filled with symbolism, that number is suddenly claimed by them to be literal.

Separation of Powers

Delusion perhaps?

13

Praying To Jehovah To Find Something Lost

by minimus in

jw
friends

my mom begged me to find some wt.

(rag) literature that she had been looking for, for 2 days.

she had been praying to jehovah to find it and she figured he used me to quickly locate it..

Separation of Powers

Prayer...yes prayer. I am glad that the powers above intervened for her. I just feel sorry for that child whose parents prayed that he wouldn't die of cancer and yet...he did. where was their answer?

13

Elder friend is reading 1984 from George Orwell - How to make him relate?

by alonein321 in

jw
friends

hey everyone.

i have and elder friend, he is 33, and he likes to test his faith by reading some science books.

he didn't wake up yet, but he is reading 1984 from george orwell now.

Separation of Powers

The simple act of reading the book is all that he will need if he is open to questioning. There are few books that address the type of authoritarian structure that is visible now in the ORG.