Oubliette

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Posts by Oubliette

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  16

  Another "damned if they do/don't" Thread & the Perpetual Motion Machine

  by DarioKehl in

  1. watchtower
  2. beliefs

  a few days ago, a jw apologist posted a thread with a similar title.

  although he was defending their behavior, i've observed this cycle as well.

  i have a different spin on it, though.. how often do you see posts from people who are upset that "no one even bothers to check in on me," only to read as many threads about "they keep calling & texting--why won't they leave me alone?

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  Oubliette

  Dario, your OP does bring up an interesting dichotomy.

  No one wants to be hounded, but it is also emotionally painful to find out that all of those friendships which we thought were "friends closer than a brother" were simply conditional, superficial, cult-indoctrinated relationships. It's even worse when we find out that family members will often shun us too just because we no longer want to carry on the pretense of belief in their delusions.

  What is missing from your OP is the kind of relationships that should exist in the religion, but doesn't: real ones. Probably none of us would object to people calling to check on us and see how we are if it was real and genuine and not just an attempt to get us to rejoin the cult or worse, find some "dirt" on us and haul us into a judicial committee.

  Let's review: It's a cult!
  
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  23

  How big of a problem is apostasy.

  by joe134cd in

  1. watchtower
  2. beliefs

  i often wonder if apostasy could be defined as the "silent problem", as the majority who leave for this reason choose to fade saying nothing.

  in all the decades i was a witness i could probably count on 2 hands those who were disfellowshipped for apostasy.i must admit it wasn't until i came on the internet that i fully realise the depth and extent of the problem.

  i think of that young girl high school speech that went viral, and you can't tell me all those 300000+ views were all none jws.

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  Oubliette

  With out a doubt I think the majority are leaving or been forced to leave because of immorality.

  Of course once you realize the religion is a false construct of delusional humans you also understand that concepts such as "immorality" are part of the contrived belief system.

  Ultimately, whatever the reason a person leaves or is "kicked-out" it's because they do not share the groupthink delusion of the cult.

  A cult has to demonize such individuals to maintain their fragile beliefs and keep control.
  
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  13

  I may have a friend

  by Defianttruth in

  1. jw
  2. friends

  okay, i am almost forty and outside of my wife i haven't had a friend in decades.

  sure i have tons of people with whom i am friendly towards, but they all share something to do with work or business.

  i remember thinking last year i had no one who called just to talk.

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  Oubliette

  Everyone should have friends. I like to keep my circle small.

  It's nice to have people who like you for WHO you are and not WHAT you (pretend to) believe.
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  10

  List of all the credentials of the Governing Body

  by Watchtower-Free in

  1. social
  2. humour

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  Oubliette

  Well, at least in Stephen Lett's case, it must be important to talk like a big-mouthed frog.
  

  
  
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  11

  Suggested comment to add when answering at the meetings

  by stuckinarut2 in

  1. watchtower
  2. beliefs

  inspired by the humour in cappytan's thread, i thought of a way those who are still forced to attend meetings can have some fun.... especially with the increase in articles with topics about "listen, obey and be blessed", a subtle method of having fun would be to substitute the expression "the governing body" wherever "jehovah" "jesus" is said.. imagine an answer such as this:.

  "yes, this paragraph helps us to see how vital it is to listen and obey the governing body".

  "yes, our strict obedience to the governing body is a way to show how much we love them".

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  Oubliette

  Stuck: True Oub......it is childish and a bit immature......

  That's okay, I'm frequently childish and immature myself!
  

  Stuck: Im just trying to amuse myself in this period while I still have to attend.

  I get that, but ....
  

  Stuck: But yes, more importantly, I need to set a date to be OUT!

  How about June 3rd, 2015? Or better yet, how about TODAY!
  
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  91

  Proof - of what?

  by Doltologist in

  1. watchtower
  2. bible

  a few weeks ago, these two jovies turned up on my doorstep.

  being in a good mood that particular day, i told them that if they could prove that god existed, i'd become a jovie - and i meant every word.. they gave me two documents which they asked me read and told me that they'd be back in a week.

  the first was called "was life created?

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  Oubliette

  Here are some interesting articles on the chemistry of life:

  • LiveScience -The Chemistry of Life: The Human Body
  • edX The Chemistry of Life - take an online course at Kyoto University
  • SAT Exam Test Prep - The Chemistry of Life
    
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  91

  Proof - of what?

  by Doltologist in

  1. watchtower
  2. bible

  a few weeks ago, these two jovies turned up on my doorstep.

  being in a good mood that particular day, i told them that if they could prove that god existed, i'd become a jovie - and i meant every word.. they gave me two documents which they asked me read and told me that they'd be back in a week.

  the first was called "was life created?

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  Oubliette

  
  
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  11

  Suggested comment to add when answering at the meetings

  by stuckinarut2 in

  1. watchtower
  2. beliefs

  inspired by the humour in cappytan's thread, i thought of a way those who are still forced to attend meetings can have some fun.... especially with the increase in articles with topics about "listen, obey and be blessed", a subtle method of having fun would be to substitute the expression "the governing body" wherever "jehovah" "jesus" is said.. imagine an answer such as this:.

  "yes, this paragraph helps us to see how vital it is to listen and obey the governing body".

  "yes, our strict obedience to the governing body is a way to show how much we love them".

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  Oubliette

  Stuck: Imagine an answer such as this: "yes, this paragraph helps us to see how vital it is to Listen and Obey the governing body" or "yes, our strict obedience to the governing body is a way to show how much we love them"

  Here's what I imagine happening after you give such a comment: The first time you feel a little nervous and possibly even a slight thrill for being so bold and daring an undercover apostate hiding in plain sight. The second time you feel slightly amused. But then, when no one says anything except, "I enjoyed your comment!" you discover that you are surrounded by mind-controlled drones that have all lost the power of independent thought and your little game loses all of its excitement.

  If there is anyone in the congregation that suspects what you're up to, chances are they will be too frightened to talk to you about it (for reasons which I am sure are obvious).

  Let's review: You're in a cult!

  The only real question is this: When are you going to quit going?
  
  
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  91

  Proof - of what?

  by Doltologist in

  1. watchtower
  2. bible

  a few weeks ago, these two jovies turned up on my doorstep.

  being in a good mood that particular day, i told them that if they could prove that god existed, i'd become a jovie - and i meant every word.. they gave me two documents which they asked me read and told me that they'd be back in a week.

  the first was called "was life created?

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  Oubliette

  I have a Chemistry degree and I have never heard of a 'non-living chemical'

  All chemicals are non-living.
  

  What is a "living chemical"? There is no such thing.

  It is true that all living things are made of elements combined to form a wonderful variety of complex compounds that in turn form the building blocks of cells which in turn are the structure of living things, but it is not correct to say that chemicals spontaneously form living things.

  We obviously now that life exists, and that we have studied it intensely and can even speak of the chemistry of life, but no one knows how life spontaneously began. To suggest otherwise is to teach another, different kind of religion.

  
  
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  73

  God's Spirit

  by Hold Me-Thrill Me in

  1. jw
  2. friends

  what is god's spirit?

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  i ask this of those who believe in god.

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  Oubliette

  It's the imaginary force of an imaginary God.

  It's kind of like imaginary numbers, they aren't real.

  i^2 = -1