Blondie: As to searching "spiritually weak" try separating the words spiritually weak, no quotes
I didn't say the expression didn't appear in WT literature, clearly it does.
I said it didn't appear in the Bible, not even the rNWT.
lack of self-control in eating, drinking, and pursuit of pleasure;.
so, let me get this straight.
enjoying a fancy meal, appreciating the finer qualities of libations and deciding to enjoy life by pursuing pleasures (bike riding, hiking, camping, fishing, reading, movies, golfing, etc.
Blondie: As to searching "spiritually weak" try separating the words spiritually weak, no quotes
I didn't say the expression didn't appear in WT literature, clearly it does.
I said it didn't appear in the Bible, not even the rNWT.
i've been lurking for about 3 months now and thought i'd better finally sign up.
you have all been an immense help to me as i have come to realize that this isn't the truth so i want to say a great big thank you!
what a crazy, emotional ride it is to finally face the truth about the doubts that i have carried for many years.
Stumpy,
Welcome!
I just saw your thread; it's early morning here in SoCal.
I'm guessing your prayer has been answered by now (or not).
Can't wait to hear the results.
Oubliette
fellow witnesses - do you think the kingdom hall belongs to you, just because you all paid for it and personally finance its maintenance?
think again, sheep!
the "shepherds" have announced the fleecing in black & white for you, in case you decide to question them!.
Splash: [The] July 2013 WT changes when it was shown that the F&DS have not yet been appointed over all Christs belongings, meaning that the KHalls did not, in fact, belong to the GB as previously taught. As a result, maybe some congregations thought the KHalls now belonged to them.
It would be a mistake to confuse "theological" concepts with legal realities.
You can be sure that whoever is running this religion does not.
ok, so if you haven't as yet watched the new cartoon clip on the website, be prepared to throw up!.
it is called "jehovah loves all sorts of people", and features an awful song about how "jehovah loves everyone" even "different colors", etc....yep...they actually say that!.
huh??????.
NY44M, oh you're no fun!
There ya' go being all logical!
ok, so if you haven't as yet watched the new cartoon clip on the website, be prepared to throw up!.
it is called "jehovah loves all sorts of people", and features an awful song about how "jehovah loves everyone" even "different colors", etc....yep...they actually say that!.
huh??????.
Q: How can you show it too? By shunning anyone that disagrees with you.
So go out and love all sorts of people, except gay ones, people with differing beliefs, former JWs, current JWs that speak out against injustices and wrongdoing in the organization ... you get the idea!
Let's review: It's a cult!
as many of us saw in the pbs news hour program and the abc news nightline program the elders from one congregation failed to communicate properly to the elders in another congregation concerning the child molester jonathan kendrick when he moved to a new congregation.
i have parts of this " introduction letter " from the fremont congregation to the oakley congregation elders so you can read it for yourself and decide how irresponsible these wt appointed elders were.
dated 1/16/98 it opens : .
Wasn't this letter part of the discovery process in the Conti case?
If so, the actual letter (or a facsimile) should be available online as part of the public court records.
i have thought about how ttatt came full circle for me.
how the connecting the dots was simple and just made sense,.
how silos of information are literally at our fingertips today.. why is it that the ones we love cannot get ttatt?.
D4G, I totally agree that the majority of manipulators don't read some book on How to Manipulate and Control Others, but that doesn't mean that some people do not.
The WTBTS has published many articles on the subject proving that they have at some time given conscious thought to the subject. (See for example the series of articles on the subject of Propaganda in the June 2000 Awake! magazine).
Again, CD theory explains why many people continue to hold on to beliefs that are demonstrably wrong.
There are a large number of manipulative techniques which do not require disconfirming evidence and a corresponding "doubling down" on the part of the person being manipulated.
For example, Fear, Obligation and Guilt are classic ways that manipulators seek to control others. The person being controlled may or may not rationalize their involvement and participation. Cognitive dissonance is not necessary nor is it always involved in the process.
as many of us saw in the pbs news hour program and the abc news nightline program the elders from one congregation failed to communicate properly to the elders in another congregation concerning the child molester jonathan kendrick when he moved to a new congregation.
i have parts of this " introduction letter " from the fremont congregation to the oakley congregation elders so you can read it for yourself and decide how irresponsible these wt appointed elders were.
dated 1/16/98 it opens : .
Ok then, they mention he has anger issues, recognize that he has an interest in "young ones," without disclosing what that is and completely fail to mention his history of molestation!
Nice.
Let's review: It's a cult!
i have thought about how ttatt came full circle for me.
how the connecting the dots was simple and just made sense,.
how silos of information are literally at our fingertips today.. why is it that the ones we love cannot get ttatt?.
Cognitive dissonance (CD) and mind-control/manipulation are two different things.
CD theory explains why many people continue to hold on to beliefs that are demonstrably wrong.
It does not account very well for why other people call "bullshit" in the same situation.
i know of the local congregation's issues, per an elder i know quite well.
he has said that nearly everyone in the congregation is suffering emotionally and mentally.
he said he has never seen so many witnesses with so many problems.
From Paul Grundy at jwfacts:
The Watchtower claims Jehovah's Witnesses are the happiest people on earth, without any evidence or statistics to support such an outlandish claim. These types of comments are a type of logical fallacy referred to as a sweeping generalisation.
Watchtower 1999 10/1 p. 8 par. 13
Of course, the fact that Jehovahs servants "weep" over the
sorry state of world affairs does not preclude their being happy. On the
contrary! They are actually the happiest group of people on earth.
Watchtower 1999 10/1 pp.6-7
[Pictures on page 6, 7] Although Christians "weep" because of world
conditions ... they are actually the happiest people in the world
Watchtower 1997 May 1 p.23
[Pictures on page 23] The messengers of godly peace are the happiest people on earth today
Watchtower 1995 Jan 15 p.12 par. 7
Our close relationship with Jehovah makes us the happiest people on earth.
Watchtower 1993 May 1 p.21 par. 24
Such loving labors have made the slave class the happiest
people on earth today, and they have made millions of other people happy
too
Watchtower 1989 Mar 1 p.3
In fact, as a group, they are the most privileged, the most
successful, and by far the happiest group on earth today, as you will
see in the next article.
Watchtower 1988 Mar 1 p.17
Indeed, in every country, Jehovah's people are the best and the happiest!
Watchtower 1975 Feb 1 p.92 par. 21
The happiest people on earth are Jehovah's people and they are
chiefly among the poor as concerns the things that the world prizes
highly
Watchtower 1971 Sep 15 p.564 par. 22
All who seek a place in the redeemed society of mankind thereby
come into association with the happiest people on earth, Jehovahs Witnesses. These are the only people who know for a certainty where they
are going.
Watchtower 1962 Sep 1 p.530 par. 22
In the New World society of Jehovah's Witnesses you find people
from all walks of life, many of whom lack diplomas from mans centers of
learning; yet these people know the Bible, they are teachers. They
accept with eagerness the obligation of teaching others Gods Word. They
do it year after year with the same love of God and appreciation for
spiritual food as when they first tasted it. They are the happiest and
most peaceful persons on earth.
Watchtower 1960 Feb 1 p.74 par. 17
Now Jehovah's Witnesses are blessed above all others because they are the happiest, most peaceful and contented people on earth
Kingdom Ministry Feb 2002 p.1 par. 1 The Happiest People on Earth
"Happy is the people whose God is Jehovah!" (Ps. 144:15) Those
words describe Jehovah's Witnesses as the happiest people on earth.
Kingdom Ministry Feb 1994 p.5 par. 16
We are the happiest people on the face of the earth, knowing
that on becoming approved we will receive the crown of life. Jas. 1:12.