Alligator Wisdom

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Posts by Alligator Wisdom

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  20

  Why is it so hard for people to be kind ?

  by oldflame in

  1. jw
  2. friends

  recently i have noticed a difference in peoples attitude towards others.

  i remember the day when others would open the door for you or smile when they look at you.

  i remember the day when you were merging onto traffic and people would let you in.

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  Alligator Wisdom

  There can be several factors for it, as mentioned by some of the previous posters.

  1) Stress. I feel that can be a prime factor. It tends to block out the needs of others.

  2) Upbringing. Some good habits are learned or bad habits are learned from the home environment while growing up.

  3) Ignorance. I'm sure that I unknowingly cut someone off while driving. Sometimes we all zone out and are not aware of our surroundings.

  But we do need to try and look for the good in others or give them the benefit of the doubt.

  Alligator Wisdom (aka Brother NOT Exerting Vigorously by WTS standards)
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  14

  Watchtower Progress, One Funeral At a Time

  by metatron in

  1. jw
  2. friends

  there once was a scientist who cynically observed that science seems to progress one funeral at a time, as older men depart (as obstacles).

  and new theories are allowed to flourish.

  in the case of authoritarian regimes, the demise of the "old guard" can bring about sudden changes.

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  Alligator Wisdom

  The Watchtower Society has changed over time and will continue to do so. The past 120 years were evidence of such. History has proven it as metatron highlighted. Changes? Yes. Some subtle. Some not.

  I can't imagine a 19th century Bible Students organization still functioning in 2007. The same goes for the current policy of the Watchtower in the future light of the year 2146.

  And yes, I have heard various ones taking the lead (elders and COs) expressing their concerns privately to me. That being the case over my 35 years being associated with the WTS, the trend toward exhaustion is about the same.

  Alligator Wisdom (aka Brother NOT Exerting Vigorously by WTS standards)
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  18

  DA by making own announcement at KH

  by Alligator Wisdom in

  1. jw
  2. friends

  a brother would state that he is "no longer a jehovah's witness" after his part on the service meeting.

  a sister would state the same after her talk on the tms.

  or anyone for that matter can express such after making a comment at the watchtower study.

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  Alligator Wisdom

  Has that ever been done before? Would any here consider it?

  A brother would state that he is "no longer a Jehovah's Witness" after his part on the Service Meeting. A sister would state the same after her talk on the TMS. Or anyone for that matter can express such after making a comment at the Watchtower study. Then walk out. The air will be thick and silent, but the point made loud and clear. Would an official announcement be necessary after that?

  Has anyone here experienced such?

  Alligator Wisdom (aka Brother NOT Exerting Vigorously by WTS standards)
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  29

  Changes at NY Bethel

  by architect in

  1. watchtower
  2. beliefs

  last dec 2005, the ny bethel gave talks indicating that they had to downsize (word is mine) due to "improved technology" and that as a result of this simplification some bethel family members would be invited to serve in the united states field in various assignments at various congregations where the excellent training they have recieved at bethel could be put to use and contribute much to the preaching and disciple making work.. what do you make of this?.

  i wonder how they would determine who stays or goes?.

  are there any former bethel members out there who can comment on rather this would be an easy transistion for those who have to leave?.

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  Alligator Wisdom

  What if your goal was to stay there for life?

  You're right in some respects. There may be some of those whose goal was to be a lifer at Bethel. But who dictates our goals? Us? WTS at Bethel? Jehovah? What happened to "unforeseen circumstances"?

  Your mind forgets that whole voluntary part real quick.

  If the correct motive is there, then volunteering isn't forgotten. The mind forgets, IMO, when a person gets too comfortable, when an individual has been tricked/swindled cunningly or if a person has a change of agenda which is urged on by ulterior purposes.

  And why wouldn't it, you just want to stay right in the middle of Jehover's Universal Theocratic Earthly Part of His Organization TM .

  I would call that fleshly thinking. Wouldn't you? Location doesn't really factor in on spirituality. Would you agree?

  Reality bites.

  OUCH!! It does. I'm sure that we've all been nipped at or even chewed up here and there in our lives.

  SirNose586, I'm sort of familiar with your neck of the woods. Maybe we crossed paths before.

  Alligator Wisdom (aka Brother NOT Exerting Vigorously by WTS standards)
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  45

  I can be honest here.

  by RichieRich in

  1. jw
  2. friends

  (sorry hit enter a little early).

  so, i looked at my cell phone today, and i had a voicemail from my mother.. i called my voicemail and listened to it:.

  "hi richie, this is your mother, just wanted to say i hope you're doing ok, and i love you.

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  Alligator Wisdom

  Do you believe what she said? If so, then in your own words...

  Part of me wants to drive straight to my parents house and hug her.

  Alligator Wisdom (aka Brother NOT Exerting Vigorously by WTS standards)
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  24

  Is It true what they say about you?

  by OUTLAW in

  1. watchtower
  2. beliefs

  your all apostates!..every last,god forsaken,one of you..you`ve left jehovah..thats why your all,so unhappy!

  !...outlaw

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  Alligator Wisdom

  I`ve heard it,I have had it said to me.

  I would consider those ones foolish for even saying to you directly that you aren't happy because you decided to part ways. How can they determine your happiness?

  Too bad that you were called or labeled as such directly by those whom you knew.

  Just as much as JW's shouldn't lump together, as you mentioned they did, nor should we.

  Alligator Wisdom (aka Brother NOT Exerting Vigorously by WTS standards)
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  18

  What did the Watchtower do for you as far as education goes?

  by The wanderer in

  1. jw
  2. friends

  untitled document <!-- .style1 {font-family: verdana} --> education and the watchtower understandably, this is one of the more controversial subjects involving.

  individuals and the watchtower society.

  the reason being is that on the.

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  Alligator Wisdom

  Fortunately not all JW's buy the teachings of the WTS.

  Regarding education in my congregation that I grew up in, the elders never said anything to anyone who attended college. Myself and my siblings included. I suppose that it didn't interfere with our meeting attendance and such, so that's why we didn't get any flack. My peers in the congregation went on to obtain all sorts of degrees and it wasn't frowned upon. CO never said anything. No Local Needs parts on it.

  Sometimes it has to do with the local body of elders in some congregations. Perhaps some are "discreet" in the eyes of Christ. Like I said, not all (including elders) believe what the WTS teaches and they don't push it. Perhaps it may be different in your Kingdom Hall.

  Consider me not being effected by what the WTS teaches regarding education.

  And for those contemplating higher education, if it isn't unscriptural then why refrain?

  Alligator Wisdom (aka Brother NOT Exerting Vigorously by WTS standards)
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  29

  Changes at NY Bethel

  by architect in

  1. watchtower
  2. beliefs

  last dec 2005, the ny bethel gave talks indicating that they had to downsize (word is mine) due to "improved technology" and that as a result of this simplification some bethel family members would be invited to serve in the united states field in various assignments at various congregations where the excellent training they have recieved at bethel could be put to use and contribute much to the preaching and disciple making work.. what do you make of this?.

  i wonder how they would determine who stays or goes?.

  are there any former bethel members out there who can comment on rather this would be an easy transistion for those who have to leave?.

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  Alligator Wisdom

  Isn't serving at Bethel voluntary service?

  Did those who accepted such an assignment realize this?

  Who is to blame? Those who volunteered? The WTS for not showing fellow feeling? Should there even be blame?

  This is a life lesson for those involved directly with this situation and for those of us who aren't involved directly.

  Alligator Wisdom (aka Brother NOT Exerting Vigorously by WTS standards)
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  24

  Is It true what they say about you?

  by OUTLAW in

  1. watchtower
  2. beliefs

  your all apostates!..every last,god forsaken,one of you..you`ve left jehovah..thats why your all,so unhappy!

  !...outlaw

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  Alligator Wisdom

  OUTLAW : You`ve left Jehovah..Thats why your all,so unhappy!!.

  I've only heard similar statements like that mentioned on this discussion board. (I know that you were saying it in jest for this topic).

  However, is it really true? Of my 35 years being associated with the JW's, I have never heard that said even once among those in my congregation. Maybe it has been said directly to some of you from JW's that you know, but I myself have never heard any such accusations being said nor will I ever say something like that either.

  If any of you had such things said to you by JW's, then they really don't know what they are talking about. Many JW's haven't left Jehovah and are unhappy.

  Alligator Wisdom (aka Brother NOT Exerting Vigorously by WTS standards)
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  21

  whats it all about?

  by andyg in

  1. watchtower
  2. beliefs

  my mum used to be a jw, she was baptised after about 3 years and carried on for about another 2. she first started taking me to the meetings when i was about 8, and carried on week after week until she was disfellowshipped (she went a bit mad and left home, but that's by the by).

  the point is im 21 now and trying to make sense of the stuff i was brought up with for 5 years.

  if anyone could shed light on one or two things i'd be most grateful (and some of it i might have wrong anyway).. - before noah's flood, all animals were vegetarian.

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  Alligator Wisdom

  Welcome AndyG!

  Asking questions? Wonderful. That is the way to grow. It seems that you may not have had your questions answered while associating at your local Kingdom Hall. Or was it because asking questions were deemed as thinking too independantly or a sign of resistance to the general movement?

  Whatever the case, your inquiries are welcome here. Your questions are varied and interesting. Perhaps doing as was suggested, by posting them individually so you can get concentrated responses on each one in relative detail.

  You said : before noah's flood, all animals were vegetarian. obviously the questions here are endless.

  I always wondered myself as to what scriptural reason the WTS taught as that being the case. Speculation I suppose, if they admit it. Fossil records show that carnivorous creatures existed eons ago.

  Glad to have you posting.

  Alligator Wisdom (aka Brother NOT Exerting Vigorously by WTS standards)