Posts by Alligator Wisdom

116

The Scotsman...this thread is started for you if you wish to comment....

by FreedomFrog in

jw
friends

the scotsman said:.

<< tee hee - dubs will believe anything, lol.>>.

that's good because you shouldn't believe everything you hear in this world.

Alligator Wisdom

Have you not heard how bad the internet is, why are you posting here when you know it could get you into serious trouble?

This only goes to show that there are many JWs out there that are lurking/posting on many many many discussion boards.

Proving otherwise that the R&F JW DO NOT always listen and believe what the GB in NY has to say about anything.

Curiousity, doubts, unwavering faith in the leadings of the headship in Brooklyn, bad experiences with the organization...etc. These and other factors have fueled the minds of almost every JW in wondering what else can happen next, to them or to the WTS. Thus, perusing on discussion boards as this. On the otherhand, die-hard JWs stumble on such discussion boards as this when surfing on the internet among the JW web ring blogs.

It's a good thing...."to make sure of all things". (1Thessalonians 5:21)

So, all active JWs out there, apply that scripture in all areas of life. Even your faith!

Alligator Wisdom (aka Brother NOT Exerting Vigorously)

39

Why There Will Always Be JWs

by minimus in

jw
friends

i think it's pretty simple.

jws will never completely die out.

because there are always going to be people who stay in a rut, don't like to adjust, are lazy.

Alligator Wisdom

This organization will splint off into splinter groups as the decades and centuries go by.

Just look at its history.

Bible Students : http://www.biblestudents.net along with their various factions and offshoots.

True Faith Jehovah's Witnesses : http://the-true-jw.oltenia.ro/index.html

And how many former JWs have their own groups, but still believe in many of the core doctrines of JWs (such as e-watchman)?

The Watchtower Bible and Tract Society will always exist to a degree. But as long as it does, it will give birth to many other branches.

Alligator Wisdom (aka Brother NOT Exerting Vigorously)

12

Do JWs actually believe the things they're taught?

by R.F. in

the governing body has much control over the lives, thoughts, actions, etc..of many.

i was thinking of the "new light" policy and this gives the gb virtually unlimited power to do what they want.. take this for instance: we know how doctrines such as no trinity, no hellfire, and no immortal soul, are all considered the core beliefs that will never change.

lets just that today the gb just happens to reverse them all...what would happen?

Alligator Wisdom

About 10% ~ 20% of JWs believe "everything single thing" that they are taught from the GB in NY.

The rest have doubts in one way or another. I'm sure that many of us do/did.

Most JWs believe what the entire Bible teaches, but not everything what the GB teaches. If the R&F aren't sure about an issue, they may opt to try and understand the reasoning from the GB. From that point, they are willing to accept such teachings. However, some may have doubts and will still harbor these.

For example, I mentioned to several in the congregation about Jesus being our Mediator. They agree because that is what the Bible says. When I told them and directed them to the WT articles and Insight Book saying that Jesus was mediator only for the annointed, they acknowledged that fact as WTS reasoning, but they still didn't believe that Jesus wasn't their personal mediator and Savior.

There are many issues and a variety of teachings in WTS theology. If you were to lump them all together, honestly you will only find 10%-20% of all JWs who believe every single tidbit of it. If you were to filter out any who don't believe, then you'll have various ones who can't line up the Bible's reasoning with the WTS.

They only doctrines that almost every single JW believes in is the non-Trinitarian view, no Hellfire, no immortal soul and living forever either in heaven or on earth. Funny, isn't it? These teachings that haven't changed since the conception of this religion are the teachings that most Christian religions don't accept. The core doctrines of what JWs don't believe in are the ones that never change. All the other "understandings" are just that, understanding. Not truth. Truth and understanding are two different things.

Alligator Wisdom (aka Brother NOT Exerting Vigorously)

8

cat naps, power naps and siestas

by Gregor in

jw
friends

usually mid afternoon, even ten minutes can rejuvenate.

if only more employers realized that employee productivity and work quality would be improved with a 30 min siesta.. i can grab a nap just about anywhere.

when i was traveling by air a lot i could fall asleep during take off.

Alligator Wisdom

A nap is sooo refreshing....(the real truth is ...I'm getting old! lol)

Oh how true!

The older I'm getting, the more I look forward to naps. I remember being in my late teens and mid-twenties where I can go on with only two or three hours of sleep a night. I'd work all day, go out with friends till the wee hours of the morning and then would go home to catch a few winks. Then I'd wake up and head off to work to start at 6:00am. I would do this again and again, day after day.

Now my naps are more like two or three hours!

Alligator Wisdom (aka Brother NOT Exerting Vigorously)

4

Gilead

by logic in

the many years i was in the 'truth' i've never known what was taught at gilead that made them so 'special'.

has anyone here ever been to gilead or know what goes on there?

i't was something i have always been curious about.

Alligator Wisdom

Has anyone here ever been to Gilead or know what goes on there?

A poster here that goes by the name "AllTimeJeff" graduated from Gilead and went to his assignment with his wife. However, he is on the way out from the WTS now. See his post and thread about his experience. I found it very enlightening about the inside workings of the WTS and their missionary school of Gilead.

http://www.jehovahs-witness.com/12/128220/1.ashx

Alligator Wisdom (aka Brother NOT Exerting Vigorously)

3

WTS Google Earth Placemarks

by RollerDave in

jw
friends

if anyone has google earth, you can actually see russel's pyramid!.

these are links to kml files, i don't know how to link 'em so that it's guaranteed they will open in google earth, but you can easily right-click and save, the resulting files are definitely double-clickable.

http://machinedreamer.com/jw/russel's_tomb.kml.

Alligator Wisdom

Cool!

I found it. It's pretty obvious, isn't it?

It just so happens to be a stone's throw away from that huge masonic temple.

Alligator Wisdom (aka Brother NOT Exerting Vigorously)

5

When is the internal Watchtower edition shipped?

by GermanXJW in

jw
friends

iirc, the wt 1/15/08 will be the first internal-use-only edition.

anyone knows when these will be shipped to the congregations?

Alligator Wisdom

BUT, if you have read some of the BS in WT articles in the last few years you too will wonder if they realise they cannot keep printing this BS and getting away with it with the public.

My question is how many in the public actually read the WT articles if they accept the magazine?

Really now, how many JW actually read the WT articles when they actually have the magazines regularly all the time?

Chances are that those in the public who may accept the magazines are showing a kind gesture to the publisher offering them. I really don't think that it's something that they are waiting hand and foot for. Sure, the general public may peruse a WT magazine while skimming and glancing and trying to look for something that might catch their interest other than just looking at the picture illustrations.

They only ones who read the magazines with heightened interest are (1) only a handful of hardcore JWs (2) apostates who are still interested in the working of the WTS and (3) JW who are still in [like me] who are aware of the misleading of some of the teachings of the WTS.

Bible studies who regularly receive magazines on pioneer routes probably read the magazines as thoroughly as probably 80% of all other active baptized Jehovah's Witnesses. Really, how many of you know of any Bible student who devours the information in the magazines? Right. Just as I thought. Not many. The same goes for the R&F.

I just think this new magazine arrangement is a needed cost cutting measure.

Alligator Wisdom (aka Brother NOT Exerting Vigorously)

18

As A Witness Did You Believe That Jesus Was Your Mediator??

by Lady Liberty in

good afternoon everyone.. happy wednesday!!.

when you were a witness did any of you know that the society actually teaches that jesus is not your mediator unless you are one of the 144,000??

she said to him, "that is apostate talk, where did you get that??

Alligator Wisdom

From what I know, not everything the WTS teaches is 100% foolproof correct.

Jesus is mankind's mediator to God and it is clear in the Bible. I teach it from the platform. I end my prayers at the meetings with Jesus Christ as our mediator...amen! Everyone in the hall says "amen" to that, so they all must agree regardless if the WTS says otherwise. Not a single elder/CO/DO has ever stopped me from saying so. I think because they too don't believe it. Honestly, I don't think many JWs really buy into that reasoning that Jesus is the mediator only for the annointed. Really, they don't.

Sure, the typical R&F may somehow try to understand the reasoning of the WTS for this topic. But really, not every JW believes it. I should know. I talked with several about this.

Alligator Wisdom (aka Brother NOT Exerting Vigorously)

30

Reason for no windows in Kingdom Halls

by purplesofa in

jw
friends

i found this newspaper article online today........jr brown makes a comment why there are no windows in kh's.

http://www.jacksonville.com/tu-online/stories/080106/enm_4104779.shtml.

by phillip milano, the times-union.

Alligator Wisdom

Like the other posters mentioned, it depends on the location, climate and integrity of the neighborhood.

My current KH in the main auditorium, about 20 windows. There are about 10 on each opposing wall.

My former KH had no windows.

My KH before that had 4 long rectangular windows located at the top of the wall. Two on each side. As the ceiling was about 15 feet above the floor with these windows just below them, you couldn't peer out of them.

Alligator Wisdom (aka Brother NOT Exerting Vigorously)

9

Did you avoid becoming a elder in order to take care of your family?

by flipper in

jw
friends

i was raised in the witnesses from the 1960's on and my dad was an elder who invariably was taking care of congregation problems with publishers, constantly.

how many of us remember wives and children sitting at the back of the halls waiting for an after meeting elders meeting to finish, only to get more frustrated as an hour or so would go by?

for those of us raised in this it was always congregation business first, family second.

Alligator Wisdom

I refused eldership twice! Never did want to get into the politics of it.

Funny thing though, the elder body seems jealous. I don't have to do the routine mechanical dry in-step that they "have to" perform all the time. I'm free to help shepherd the sheep in my own way, give attention to the ones overlooked by the elders in the congregation, making myself approachable and available which the elders can't do because they are wrapped up with scheduling and paperwork before during and after meetings.

You know what ticks the elders off the most. When we have guests or visitors in the congregation, they always assume that I'm the elder and that the PO or secretary isn't. These elders really don't like being overlooked or mistaken for not being elders. I'm not that old, in my 30's, in case you were wondering.

You see, that's only one reason why I don't want to be an elder. Your hands are tied while on a power recognition trip. Doesn't sound like fun nor a privilege to me.

Alligator Wisdom (aka Brother NOT Exerting Vigorously)