how they're feeling, coping?.
well, do you?.
thanks to those who respond.. syl.
I care to an extent. Those whom I've met personally, yes. Those whom I know only by means of their posts, kind of. I mean, I care, but until I've actually met a person or talked by phone or linked via facebook or twitter, it's kind of an abstract feeling of caring.
I've never done one of those bracket hugs, you know, these things ((((((((((((((( ))))))))))))))))).
http://jwenvironment.blogspot.com/2008/08/jehovahs-witnesses-and-environment.html.
bangalore.
.
The guy titles the blog "Jehovah's Witnesses And The Environment", then writes all of, hmmm, let's see - a single post, based on what some nitwit jw's response was to his question.
If the Society treated this "letter" seriously, they'd respond with citations of various Awake! issues that deal with global warming, etc, and say, 'see, we're doing our part'.
here are some things that came from the mouth of the district overseer over the course of the two days.
1. the recession isn't going to end.
things are screwed because the demons are controlling the world.
This District Overseer sounds just like one of the C.O.'s we had in our area back when I was active. He too saw demons everywhere and folly in doing anything else that was not jw related.
anyone an expert in english grammar?.
why do the jw writers (annoyingly imo) so often use a one word question after a statement.. .
full-time service protectsus how?.
I've often been annoyed (and embarassed) at this construct - the embarassment came when offering the mags in field service.
Good thread - Why? :)
i know this is a pointless question, but what if this happened:.
you came home from work one day, sat down, and turned on the tv.
there is a sudden announcement that the un has banned all religion.
I can't see it happening; in fact, I think the Watchtower Society will change that teaching the same way they've changed many others.
Before the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan, I figured maybe it could happen - maybe the UN could knock off religion. After seeing what happened in those two wars - we can't even handle the Taliban without a lot of trouble, and they're still a threat and protracting the Afghan war, there's no way the UN, even with US backing, could somehow ensure that people would not attend religious services. There's not nearly enough reach or scope in the UN or US to do this.
Islam would probably be the biggest obstacle. It would become completely radicalized as its adherents fought such a ban. The UN and US are having enough trouble containing the small fraction of Islam that is currently radical. I can't imagine they'd want to take on the entire religion. They'd get a jihad like they've never seen.
I can also not imagine some evangelical US religions ever going along with such a ban.
this was brought up just in passing on another thread.
but i wanted to see if there are any bethelites or ex bethelites that remember some of the crazy rules we had to follow when we were there..
Great thread. While I can see the need for some rules in any place in which a large number of people must function together, most of these rules appear needless and unreasonable - just like the rules of the Pharisees.
(sorry if this is a double post - i haven't been on in awhile).
so spouse and i are completely inactive.
it's great!
I think your approach is very smart mac n cheese - listening and giving the pros and cons rather than coming across as a raving apostate. Many who leave simply want someone who understands what they're going through and someone with whom they can talk and relate.
i thought about this after reading flippers thread about how elders are appointed.
great thread by the way.. i can recall many times when guys were made elders, and sometimes even made ms that their personility would change almost over night.
i knew many nice, kind, elders and ms but many especially newly appionted ones would be, at times, just difficult to be around.
Unfortunately, it's a situation where unqualified* men are given authority over a group of people. It's often a recipe for disaster, an open door to spiritual and emotional abuse.
On top of that, these men are not only given sheperding responsibilities but suddenly find themselves with congregation responsibilities - more talks to prepare, elders meetings to attend, etc.
They become squeezed by all the demands. On top of that, their own "righteousness" must be on display at all times. It can turn the most laid back of men into judgmental shrews. Being given authority often provides a doorway for negative, but previously dormant or subdued personality traits to surface.
*These men are supposed to be "qualified", but in many cases their qualifications have more to do with performance/attendance in field service and at meetings rather than true ability to lead and shepherd.
or, to your knowledge, did anyone ever make any inquiries of your local elders as to your "spiritual health" and suitability for courtship?.
how'd that work out for you?.
om.
," These CO's like Elders to do their dirty work. So if we alert the sister about this brother and she gets upset, who will she be upset with? Us, and guess where the CO will be? At his new assignment never to be seen again. If he wants this sister warned about this brother, he needs to do it himself."
Wow, an elder (and body of elders) who actually stood up to a CO, and a very interesting comment on his part.
what was it that first got you thinking that the society was wrong in how they interpret the bible?.
for me personally, it was the way they always downgrade jesus to be an angel and are promoting the governing body in his place.. also when the society taught that jesus was abaddon/apollyon the fallen angel in revelation..
The comments thus far have touched on several issues that I had - the strange interpretations of Revelation, the failed dates stemming all the way back to the late 1800s. I'll add that the interpretations of some of Jesus' parables didn't make sense. They recently changed some of their 'understanding' in regard to Matthew 13, but their conclusions still are all WTS-oriented, as is the case with just about all their prophetic applications.
