Didn't the apostle Paul and other first century followers of Christ go to synagogues even after they because "full-fledged" Christians?
Alligator Wisdom (aka Brother NOT Exerting Vigorously)
page 27-29 (study article): both of these sisters, lois and ruth, have unbelieving husbands.
article explains that this can create challenges when there is a wedding or a funeral.
lois follows her "bible-trained" conscience and decides that she cannot attend with her husband because she doesn't want to be under pressure to break her integrity and certainly doesn't want to embarrass her husband.
Didn't the apostle Paul and other first century followers of Christ go to synagogues even after they because "full-fledged" Christians?
Alligator Wisdom (aka Brother NOT Exerting Vigorously)
if you can answer yes to the following questions.... .
1) did you have a full share in the ministry?
2) did you have a desire to do more?
If you can answer yes to the following questions....
And yes, basically I can answer in the affirmative to almost all of those questions.
And yes, at the time when I was "accomplishing much", it was sweet. It was because I looked good to others in the congregation. Pointedly, it was only to show the brothers/sisters that I mattered and that they could find substance in me. That I was a worthy servant of JW.
Eventually it became a painstaking experience to maintain that "outer appearance". The motive was wrong. It was because of guilt.
Truthseeker, I liked the way you used JW lingo and lined up the thoughts like that so precisely.
I'm tempted to copy your list and leave it lying somewhere in the KH. Those words words are mirrored in Jw-ism. ONLY JWs know that type of "speak".
However, seeing it compiled so nicely, I'm almost sure that someone in the congregation who stumbles upon this list can see the guilt factor in it....and be repulsed by it. Actually they may be "stumbled" by it. Ironic, wouldn't it be?
Alligator Wisdom (aka Brother NOT Exerting Vigorously)
to all,.
i wish a thread would start where in everyone would explain why they picked the avatar they have.
i have not found one, yet..... v.
Taken from the Greatest Man Who Ever Lived publication chapter 82.
Accompanying scriptural text : (Luke 13:24) "Exert yourselves vigorously to get in through the narrow door, because many, I tell YOU, will seek to get in but will not be able,
Being raised as a JW, I was taught to struggle and contend in order to get approved by Jehovah. It burned me out. Now I realize that God is far more lenient and loving than the WTS portrayed Him to be. This avatar is a reminder of what energy I wasted in the past and to reassure me that Jehovah gives me strength that is not of my own.
Alligator Wisdom (aka Brother NOT Exerting Vigorously)
i know the wts wants to hit 7 million jw publishers and i think that it will go over 7 million but how much beyond 7 million will it go?
we see a slow down in the preaching work and the innoculating effect that the internet has.
the jw virus is not as potent as it used to be.
It was annouced at my meeting last week of the total baptized at all the DC that were held in this country I'm currently living in for the last 2006-2007 service year.
The total? 1,500+ baptized
220,000+ publishers makes the increase 0.0068%
I assume the numbers baptized at all the special assembly days and circuit assemblies will add just a few digits to that increase.
Mind you, I'm living in a well established and respected country on the world scence which just so happens has seen the peak of JW in days gone by. Any country with a less than the meager one percent increase in publishers isn't going anywhere. How many are children of JW instead of adult converts? How many JW have died? How many have faded/DA/DF?
Alligator Wisdom (aka Brother NOT Exerting Vigorously)
today, while i was making my way across my college campus between classes, i encountered a surprising sight.
there in the quad was a table with literature spread out on it, and two jws sitting beside a sign proclaiming "free bible course".
how interesting, in light of all the recent denouncing of higher education, that they should be right there in the middle of academia.
Stop by and ask them if it is true JW's discourage their own children from getting a University education ?
And while you're at it talking about higher education, ask them if they are counting time in their ministry. Actually, ask them if they didn't have to report their field service time, would they still be doing what they are doing. Of course they will deny your claim. But inside, they know the truth about the matter.
Alligator Wisdom (aka Brother NOT Exerting Vigorously)
it would be nice to hear from former bethelites from around the world.
there stories while they were at bethel good or bad..
It would be nice to hear from CURRENT Bethelites who are lurking on this discussion board.
Come on now, we know that you're reading this at this very moment. Don't click your mouse and log off. You must have something to express.
Experiences, good or bad.
Alligator Wisdom (aka Brother NOT Exerting Vigorously)
you know, the one where independent bible research is forbidden, er, discouraged.. .
did anybody actually have the balls to say, "the society does not say such activities are forbidden or discouraged, just not endorsed?
" (nudge, nudge, wink, wink).
Old Goat,
Excellent post. Very insightful. Thanks!
Alligator Wisdom (aka Brother NOT Exerting Vigorously)
i was baptized at the "sacred secret" district convention in 1976. funny thing really i don't remember the 1975 issue as i was studing at that time and some how the subject never came up.
i was baptized at the inglewood california dc...
My mother was baptized in 1974. And yes, it was because of the 1975 fevor.
She had been studying for up to two years at that point. That was when I first stepped into a KH in 1972.
Alligator Wisdom (aka Brother NOT Exerting Vigorously)
YES.
These "rubbish speakers" in my hall are elders.
When a MS gives an outstanding public talk and the audience hems in around him after the meeting to thank him for such a wonderful part, these elders stay far clear from this brother and NEVER offer any commendation. Yes, I've seen it oh so many times. I often was the MS.
"Oh how can a lowly MS be so excellent with his teaching skills? Aren't we, the elders, the highly qualified and experienced ones?"
Doesn't that senerio remind of you of the Pharisees?
Alligator Wisdom (aka Brother NOT Exerting Vigorously)
as a jw, alot of us lead double lives.
i know i did.. in talking about our situations with my sister in law, realized that i now lead a double life as a "fader"!!!
my husband and i are "out" of the religion (my brother, sister in law and the kids too) but for the sake of family, they think we are still "in" although they know we are not active.
Double life?
Is that the same meaning as "being true according to a specific circumstance"?
People change. Times change. Moods change.
Alligator Wisdom (aka Brother NOT Exerting Vigorously)