rocketman

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Posts by rocketman

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  43

  Why did you leave?

  by greendawn in

  1. watchtower
  2. beliefs

  if someone asked to state briefly why you left the jw brotherhood what would you say?

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  rocketman

  If I were to put it to a one-word answer, it would be: extremism.

  The WTS and the jw religion is in my view extreme in virtually every facet of life. They are today's Pharisees.
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  45

  Music that debases

  by katiekitten in

  1. jw
  2. experiences

  which albums did you throw out after that landmark talk at an assembly round about the mid 80's?.

  i got rid of:.

  elo (widely regarded as having back tracking on one song).

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  rocketman

  I didn't throw anything out. But most of what I owned, by Billy Joel, Elton John, The Eagles, Genesis etc, was pretty tame.

  The ridiculous over-reaction of the WTS and many jws to pop/rock and many other music genres has never ceased to amaze me.
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  52

  Went To A Church Today

  by rocketman in

  1. watchtower
  2. beliefs

  i've been waking up so early on sunday mornings that i finally decided to attend a church today.

  it's lutheran, and a work associate invited me some time ago.

  taking the risk of being uncovered as an apostate (or at least being under suspicion as one) if i'd have been seen entering or leaving the place, off i went anyway for the 8 am service.

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  rocketman

  Oops - I meant to say "I personally have a hard time accepting the Trinity".

  The Biblical Unitarians differ from the Unitarian Universalists. But the definition you looked up seems correct. The BU take on the Holy Spirit is that it's taught two ways in the Bible - God is "the Holy Spirit" while the holy spirit is a gift from God. I'm not sure I totally agree with their assessment. On the other hand, it may explain the seemingly different portrayals of the Holy Spirit in the Bible.
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  31

  Hi you all.

  by chrissy in

  1. jw
  2. friends

  new to the forum & simply introducing myself.

  i've enjoyed reading some of the posts here.

  it is so nice to know these forums exist for poor ex-jw girls that suffer from post tramatic sheltered-from-the-rest-of-the-free-world syndrome.

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  rocketman

  I hope to make some friends here cause lord only knows, not many people understand things like a grown woman fearing demonic forces, armaggedon coming, and so on and so fourth.

  You'll find that many people here understand and are willing to help in whatever way possible.

  A few years back, when I came across this site, I was amazed to find that there were indeed people who had experienced the same frustrations with the jw religion that I had. For a while, I thought I was pretty much alone in the way I felt.

  Welcome!
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  14

  Mark 13:14 and 1 Maccabees

  by Leolaia in

  1. watchtower
  2. bible

  the "little apocalypse" of the synoptic gospels include a prophetic reference to something that would provoke the people in judea "to flee to the mountains".

  this reference varies considerably between the three versions: .

  mark 13:14: "but when you see the abomination of desolation (to bdelugma tes eremoseos) set up where it ought not to be (let the reader understand), then let those who are in judea flee to the hills (pheugetosan eis ta ore)".. matthew 24:15-16: "so when you see the abomination of desolation spoken of by daniel, standing in the holy place (let the reader understand), then let those who are in judea flee to the hills".. luke 21:20-21: "but when you see jerusalem surrounded by encamped armies (kukloumenen hupo stratopedon ierousalem), then know that its desolation (eremosis) has come near (engiken).

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  rocketman

  From what I recall, what happened in the Maccabean period so closely paralleled Jesus' warning that the parenthetical phrase "let the reader use discernment" was needed. Leolaia, do you think this assessment is accurate?
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  36

  JWs required to report medical information to elders

  by Elsewhere in

  1. jw
  2. friends

  there was an article, i believe in the awake!, that talks about a hypothetical medical worker who in a hypothetical situation comes to find out that a jw has accepted a medical procedure that is not accepted by the wts.

  this hypothetical worker must decide where or not she will report the hypothetical violation to the elders.

  does anyone recall where i can find this article?

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  rocketman

  HIPAA laws exist that govern medical privacy. As we know, these regulations are very strict and even the closest family members are not entitled to medical information on a patient unless that patient signs a waiver. The actions taken by "Mary" (probably a make-believe character in a hypothetical WTS-created scenario) or anyone who would choose to act as she did are clearly illegal and unethical.

  This article raises serious concerns over whether a JW should ever be employed in any profession where privacy is paramount.... hence, stick to cleaning floors and windows.

  Absolutely. Any such employer who would consider hiring a jw should be told ahead of time that such an issue could arise. But of course, jws wouldn't volunteer such info, because they'd want the job they applied for. They shouldn't apply for such jobs or withdraw their application if confidentiality is a condition of employment.
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  85

  Add your own Awake caption!

  by doodle-v in

  1. jw
  2. friends

  ok guys, it's awake caption time!!.

  here's a blank one for you to use:.

  here is the original one:.

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  rocketman

  Great stuff.....and I'd love to see another Awake! cover or two.

  Btw, I am surprised that the women aren't running in dresses. Sounds ridiculous, but I wouldn't put it past the WTS, since they've always shown women in dresses, even at picnics. I'd be willing to bet there was some heated debate about this cover before it was used. You'll note that the person in the photo showing the most leg is the guy....who does seem to be running like a fairy, as per drwstn.
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  52

  Went To A Church Today

  by rocketman in

  1. watchtower
  2. beliefs

  i've been waking up so early on sunday mornings that i finally decided to attend a church today.

  it's lutheran, and a work associate invited me some time ago.

  taking the risk of being uncovered as an apostate (or at least being under suspicion as one) if i'd have been seen entering or leaving the place, off i went anyway for the 8 am service.

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  rocketman

  While I personally have time accepting the Trinity (which is why I like the Biblical Unitarians...Heathen, was under the inpression that the BU's [sounds like a university] teach the divinity of Christ; in fact, they assert that he enjoys "functional equality" with the Father) I can certainly understand that many do accept it and that it may not need to be a major stumbling block, at least not for me anyway, especially since there's no BU fellowship around here. Interestingly, many BU's attend church services of other religions because their fellowships are so few and far between.

  Back to the Lutheran service - people did kneel, but not to the cross. There were kneel thingys attached to the back of each pew. I did not kneel but simply sat. I noticed others doing the same, so it didn't seem like kneeling was a must.
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  52

  Went To A Church Today

  by rocketman in

  1. watchtower
  2. beliefs

  i've been waking up so early on sunday mornings that i finally decided to attend a church today.

  it's lutheran, and a work associate invited me some time ago.

  taking the risk of being uncovered as an apostate (or at least being under suspicion as one) if i'd have been seen entering or leaving the place, off i went anyway for the 8 am service.

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  rocketman

  Thanks Carla...after checking out the church's web site last night (after I went of course) I saw that they do have full choir (including youth) for their 11 AM worship. I'm sure that sounds much better. Also, they have a 9:30 AM 'informal' service, which would obviously differ from what I experienced and could be more suited to me.

  In time, I would like to sit down with the Pastor and discuss some jw-related issues, should I keep attending. You hit the nail on the head too when you mentioned that jws make such major issues out of stuff that is minor or a non-issue. This to me is one of the biggest turn-offs with the jws. Things like playing organized sports, a guy with facial hair other than a mustache, supposedly "immodestly" dressed women, and such matters, which are inconsequential, do become major jw issues and create a suffocating atmosphere that stifles spirituality.

  Heathen - I forgot to answer your question about other icons and such in the church. Besides the Flag, there was the usual stained glass windows and a cross or two. I have no objection personally to such objects. I figure that if the Israelites were instructed to have various images in the Tabernacle and Temple, then Christians can have a few too, as long as the images themselves are not worshiped.
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  52

  Went To A Church Today

  by rocketman in

  1. watchtower
  2. beliefs

  i've been waking up so early on sunday mornings that i finally decided to attend a church today.

  it's lutheran, and a work associate invited me some time ago.

  taking the risk of being uncovered as an apostate (or at least being under suspicion as one) if i'd have been seen entering or leaving the place, off i went anyway for the 8 am service.

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  rocketman

  Talesin - the Mrs wants nothing to do with the jws....or any religion, even her former one (Lutheran) for that matter. I didn't mention my plans to go, and she was asleep when I left. The church I went to was not the church she attended because I didn't want her family wondering why I was there but not her.

  Heathen - Of all the religions I've looked into after going jw-inactive, The Biblical Unitarians impress me most. But, there are no fellowships in my area, or even close for that matter.. I have been corresponding with a representative from their affiliated site, Christian Education Services. He mentioned that if I want, I could start my own Fellowship. But I'm not sure I want to do that as of yet. Perhaps in time I will, but that poses problems such as finding people with whom to meet and finding a place in which to gather.

  hmike - Oddly enough I wasn't nervous, though I knew no one there (I do know a couple that attend but they weren't there when I went). I do like the idea of more contemporary music. I've seen some stuff like that on TV and it looks kind of cool.

  freedom96 - It sound like you've found a great place. I'm glad you're enjoying it so much. Non-demoninational sounds like a better bet in some respects than other churches.

  Markfromcali - good observations.

  AuntieJane and LT - Thanks for your kind comments.