Posts by Alligator Wisdom

: I grew up and lived as a JW for 35 years. Never did I think that the WTS and JWs are the same in any way, shape or form. I felt that my relationship with God was personal with him only, regardless of it being close or not. Hence, a JW. There is no mistaking that, in my testimony.
Here you seem to be switching from "JWs" to "God" without a pause.

"Hence a JW" = meaning a witness of Jehovah. My relationship with Jehovah God was personal and didn't include the WTS in any manner.

I really do think you're confused, so let me give you a bit of history.

I appreciate the time and effort it took for your detailed explanation. I am aware of most of the facts that you are telling me. Perhaps I didn't make myself clear and I apologize if the question I asked seemed hazy. (I'm the Far East and the time now is in the wee hours of the morning. Yes, burning the midnight oil).

What I'm was trying to ask was that if any here think that the WTS and those who call themselves JW are the same? I feel that I'm a JW, but not a part of the WTS in my relationship with God. Even though the WTS may claim to have the Religous order of JW and the Christian congregation of JW, it doesn't necessarily mean that they are JWs. The WTS can even say that they are JW, but then again, anyone can make the claim.

All the futile attempts of Russell, Rutherford, Knorr and the old gang in their lengthy explanations trying to gather men for themselves isn't well hidden. Who would actually believe that God spoke only thru the WTS and that the Society were the equivalent to God? Inquiring minds wouldn't. And yes, I know of many JW who don't believe what the WTS teaches. If it isn't in the Bible, then it doesn't hold water. The Holy Scriptures are the authority in any teaching.

An individual who is a witness of Jehovah God (JW) isn't a Watchtowerite (WTS member). The head office in Brooklyn may claim otherwise, but it isn't true. How can man be the intercessor between humans and God Almighty? Impossible. Only Christ the King is.

Who really cares what the WTS teaches if it isn't in the Bible?

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

21

whats it all about?

by andyg in

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.

Alligator Wisdom

what is meant by WTS?

Watch Tower Society

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

75

I am a "semi-apologist"!

by slimboyfat in

jw
friends

well, according to our pontiff in residence alan f anyway.

what is this some kind of promotion?

after all, i used to used to be an unreformed apologist troll.

Alligator Wisdom

Confession said : I also know that this organization (managed by the Watchtower Society) very definitely teaches that there is no legitimate faith in God apart from faith in them.

Thanks for your reply even though I didn't want to hijack this thread.

I refused eldership twice because of what the WTS teaches on certain matters along with my personal relationship with God.

I was taught from the age of 5 years old being raised as a JW that being a servant of God was a personal one. Regarding the quotes that you kindly posted, I am well aware of. What Christian of any demonination would believe that? That includes many of JWs that I know. From what I was taught from the Bible and from my congregation was that Jehovah uses a "channel of communication (true, whether it be an individual, the Bible, HS or a group/organization), but that Jehovah also can use any channel he wishes. It may be outside our perception, which may include the WTS angle or stand.

Many JWs know that some of what the WTS teaches just doesn't fit into the Bible. Yes, many do! You feel/felt the same and so do most of those who post here. I myself am included. Who really can seriously believe what the WTS teaches if it isn't in the Bible? A Christian with a pure motive is what matters to Jehovah in that we follow Christ as our Leader. The WTS may print things, but it is up to each individual to "make sure of all things" (1Thessalonians 5:21).

So, did any of you out there really think that the WTS and JWs are the same? Especially even after reading some of the quotes that the WTS had printed that through an organization is how we may see Paradise? That alone would throw up red flags that being a JW is not the same as being a Watchtowerite. I doesn't matter what any humans say. It only matters what Jehovah says.

Sorry again to SlimBoyFat for highjacking your thread. Perhaps I committed an infraction by violated posting guidline rule #10. (Forgive me)

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

75

I am a "semi-apologist"!

by slimboyfat in

jw
friends

well, according to our pontiff in residence alan f anyway.

what is this some kind of promotion?

after all, i used to used to be an unreformed apologist troll.

Alligator Wisdom

Sorry if I threw this thread out of tangent with my remarks above.

I should have made it a seperate topic on an exclusive post.

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

75

I am a "semi-apologist"!

by slimboyfat in

jw
friends

well, according to our pontiff in residence alan f anyway.

what is this some kind of promotion?

after all, i used to used to be an unreformed apologist troll.

Alligator Wisdom

Finally-Free said : Any organization that physically or psychologically segregates its membership from society as a whole is dangerous.

Something about that reply to the initial statement that "JW's are not an evil cult" stood out to me and I would like to get clarification from other posters.

Do any of you think/understand that the WTS (an organization) is the same as JWs (an individual)? I always thought that they were seperate. The Bible says that each will render an account to God on an individual basis - Romans 14:12.

I grew up and lived as a JW for 35 years. Never did I think that the WTS and JWs are the same in any way, shape or form. I felt that my relationship with God was personal with him only, regardless of it being close or not. Hence, a JW. There is no mistaking that, in my testimony.

The WTS, on the other hand, was a human run organization/corporation. This is what I was taught from my childhood from the elders, my mother and the older ones in my congregation. They (WTS & JW) are not the same. Apparently many here feel that they are the same. Why? Is it because you were taught such or just believed it because it seemed somewhat parallel?

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

255

Going out with a bang

by LittleToe in

jw
friends

after much deliberation, i decided to go "out" at the end of a public talk.

it didn't go down too well, but at least i was able to give some of my reasons for leaving.. i've put some of the details on my homepage.

i'll update it more when i get the time and the strength.

Alligator Wisdom

Back To The Top

Thanks for directing me to this thread misspeaches.

This method has crossed my mind.

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

20

Why is it so hard for people to be kind ?

by oldflame in

jw
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.

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)

14

Watchtower Progress, One Funeral At a Time

by metatron in

jw
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.

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)