On second thought, out of respect for your sincere replies, take it either way.
Posts by Gig
-
8The single question of simplicity
by Gig inhaving made the somewhat selfish decision to minimize my wts research, it has been necessary for me to attempt several generalizations and summaries for the sake of personal closure.
this investigative process consumed approximately two of my years and i'm approaching my oh-so-sought-after final statement, for my own finality and for anyone who may also have interest.
because i consider many of you my friends i felt it appropriate to ask your opinion and comment.
-
-
-
8
The single question of simplicity
by Gig inhaving made the somewhat selfish decision to minimize my wts research, it has been necessary for me to attempt several generalizations and summaries for the sake of personal closure.
this investigative process consumed approximately two of my years and i'm approaching my oh-so-sought-after final statement, for my own finality and for anyone who may also have interest.
because i consider many of you my friends i felt it appropriate to ask your opinion and comment.
-
-
Gig
HEY! The sincerity was the joke! Have some fun...please do make a mockery!
-
4
The bigger the better
by Gig init seems there's alot of speculation about what may be introduced at the upcoming international conventions.
given that the wts depends on speculation, i would expect jw's are even more excited than normal...if i can use that word.
anyway, my thought is...let fly!
-
-
Gig
It seems there's alot of speculation about what may be introduced at the upcoming international conventions. Given that the WTS depends on speculation, I would expect JW's are even more excited than normal...if I can use that word. Anyway, my thought is...let fly! The bigger the better! I hope they announce something that again throws a torture stake in their unequalled unity and accurate knowledge. Another blatant doctrinal reversal or some lightening bolt revelation that calls as much attention to the untruth as it does the truth. I hope it's classic GB expertise to the point that I'm not even inclined to argue about it, I can just smile the smile that comes with a sudden drop in membership followed by further reductions this time next year with another elder purification raid.
Because it would be so satisfying to see them do it to themselves, it reminds me of an old statement...
As much as injustice stings, it is true justice that really hurts.
-
8
The single question of simplicity
by Gig inhaving made the somewhat selfish decision to minimize my wts research, it has been necessary for me to attempt several generalizations and summaries for the sake of personal closure.
this investigative process consumed approximately two of my years and i'm approaching my oh-so-sought-after final statement, for my own finality and for anyone who may also have interest.
because i consider many of you my friends i felt it appropriate to ask your opinion and comment.
-
-
Gig
Having made the somewhat selfish decision to minimize my WTS research, it has been necessary for me to attempt several generalizations and summaries for the sake of personal closure. This investigative process consumed approximately two of my years and I'm approaching my Oh-so-sought-after final statement, for my own finality and for anyone who may also have interest.
Because I consider many of you my friends I felt it appropriate to ask your opinion and comment. As much as I've endeavored to find a single, all inclusive descriptive word for the WTS, I am as of yet unable to satisfactorily reduce it less than two. I submit to you the consumation of my effort, to this date, for your consideration...The WTS in two words: Holy $hit. At first it might seem inaccurate given that the term is an oxymoron, but wouldn't you first of all be willing to agree that 'moron' has its rightful place in this calculation? Secondly, not only is the word 'holy' a wonderful ironic accompanyment...mainly because it cannot be properly (no partial-quoting) interpreted independent of the remainder of my summation, that being self-explanitory...but also it is correctly incorporated everybit as carelessly as the WTS's frequent assigned usage, therefore being further, if not entirely, representative of the subject attemted to be described.
In the interest of fair play I'll respectfully ask that none of you make a mockery of my very genuine effort as it has come at a great price. But if you find yourselves disagreeable with my findings, perhaps you'll offer your insight and possibly even your own renderings at their most elementary point, explanitory elaboration is welcomed. I believe we could all enjoy, in fact appreciate each others perception and answer to the question........ The WTS in a single word?
-
6
No charity programs for witnesses
by freedom96 ini remember witnesses in no way partaking in charitible organizations, helping out etc.
not only would they not help with other ones, but in reality there is no form of charity work at all even for fellow witnesses.
you have older ones who have spent their entire life in the wts, only to find themselves practically on the street later.
-
-
Gig
Man cannot serve both God and money.
-
6
No charity programs for witnesses
by freedom96 ini remember witnesses in no way partaking in charitible organizations, helping out etc.
not only would they not help with other ones, but in reality there is no form of charity work at all even for fellow witnesses.
you have older ones who have spent their entire life in the wts, only to find themselves practically on the street later.
-
-
-
14
Damage control
by Gig ini could spend many of your minutes describing how helpful this forum has been for me, suffice it to say that it's the way things should be...offer an idea and everybody else have opportunity to put it on the table too, pro or con.
my opinion is that jw's haven't realized (or have been denied) the benefits of such an appropriate arrangement that also provides the best method for discovery and growth.. my offering today is prompted by what i've found to be a recurring theme here...one that never fails to bother me.
as many witnesses "get out", too often (for me) they along with now rejecting the wts, reject many of the good things the wts tried, however horribly, to represent.
-
-
Gig
I could spend many of your minutes describing how helpful this forum has been for me, suffice it to say that it's the way things should be...offer an idea and everybody else have opportunity to put it on the table too, pro or con. My opinion is that JW's haven't realized (or have been denied) the benefits of such an appropriate arrangement that also provides the best method for discovery and growth.
My offering today is prompted by what I've found to be a recurring theme here...one that never fails to bother me. As many witnesses "get out", too often (for me) they along with now rejecting the WTS, reject many of the good things the WTS tried, however horribly, to represent. Namely christian behavior, religion as a whole, and even God himself. The WTS's all too common tactic is guilty by association, and as much merit as it has I am unaccepting of that platitude in this case. Just because the WT misrepresented so many things, it doesn't make those things then unacceptable.
My belief is this, if anyone studies the Bible and correctly applies what is taught, they are a better person...not only within themselves making life alot easier, but also to any others that they encounter. None of us, NONE know it all. Truly intelligent people will all likely tell you the same thing, the more you learn...the more you learn there is to learn. Whether physically, mentally, or spriritually, it never ends. So given that we're all under the same limitation, knowing that belief has nothing to do with truth and that the worst advice can be made to sound just as plausible as the best advice, go peacefully on. There will ALWAYS be greater and lesser than yourself.
So back to my point, I would ask all of those who have made the good things bad only because they had ANYTHING to do with the WT to reconsider. I hear objection to organized religion, fine, find yourself an independent Bible based place to fellowship and study. No doubt some of the good you've learned from the WT world is to verify what you are told...if they are going beyond what is written and making judgements, then they aren't the ones for you, but keep going. Start by eliminating the sectarian (we're saved and you're not) "religions" and various other self-righteous denominations and find those that have no headquarters and no centralized leadership other than the Bible.
I understand the pseudo-peace that comes from having figured it out, but real satisfaction comes from being unafraid to consistently put your views to the test of scrutiny. If you have the truth of the matter it can become the greatest preventative of reaching deeper understanding, a barrier called belief that allows us to only seek what we have already found.
Humility is happiness, not a disguise. Peace is a reward, not a vague description. Love is a gift and there is no limit. Knowledge is acquired easy enough but it's just information, apply knowledge correctly and it's called wisdom. Please don't disqualify the best things in life just because the WT taught you the wrong way to see them. The Bible describes a mature christian as one who, through consistent use, has developed the ability to determine right from wrong.
Gig, from the "just another friend of yours" class
-
31
What about praying NOW???
by JNS2 innow that my decision to leave the organization is made, there is definitely a sense of relief.
i know i'm leaving a controlling organization, not my faith in god.
so i'm still praying at various times during the day, but it has become a very odd thing now.
-
-
Gig
By Him we cry Abba, Father...and the Spirit intercedes for us with groans that words cannot express. All in Christ's name.
-
18
The Holy Spirit IS a person?
by Brummie inwhat say yea?
active force or person ?
question only aimed at those who still believe in something.
-
-
Gig
Adam and Eve had DIRECT fellowship with God himself. Since God can't be in the presence of sin He was outey after the forbidden fruit. The entire old testament is about men trying to obey God well enough to get back into direct fellowship. Well, they failed. And nations were destroyed as God gave chance after chance. The old testament also consistently points to Jesus as the perfect way of salvation. The law system was used by God to prove to men that they had the need for a savior. So with Jesus' perfect life and sacrifice for ALL of us, on his ascent back to heaven the GIFT of the Holy Spirit was given. The undeserved GIFT of direct fellowship with God is ours because of Jesus. We are to honor Jesus JUST AS we honor God the Father. The Spirit IS God. The Son IS God.
Thank you Oh my Father, for giving us your Son...and leaving your spirit 'til the work on earth is done
-
37
Door to door work really being done?
by freedom96 inobviously the witnesses are going door to door, but is it as effective as could be?
in all my years as an adult, only once has any witness come to the door preaching "the good news.
" this is once in over 15 years.
-
-
Gig
I've actually NEVER had a JW knock on my door. I asked my family and they've had only a few that they ever remember. Maybe door to door is like the annointed, they're trickling off and soon will be none. Oh, happy day.
Ever since I "educated" myself on the WTS I've actually prepared for a visit, hoping to ask just the right questions and offer a little new light. But if I had my choice, they'd cease and desist all by themselves...the truth never changes and belief has nothing to do with it.