Topics Started by rocketman

12
Losing My Religion
by rocketman in
1. jw
2. experiences
.

i thought it best to post this brief experience at my weblog instead of here.

http://blogs.salon.com/0001963
CBS Evening News Broadcast
by rocketman in
1. jw
2. friends
tomorrow (tuesday), during the eye on america feature.

6:30 pm edt.

the feature normally airs about 15 minutes into the news broadcast.
2
CBS News feature airs tomorrow
by rocketman in
1. jw
2. friends
watching the cbs evening news, they just did a promo for their eye on america feature tomorrow (tuesday) night dealing with the child abuse situation in "another" religion.

the news broadcast begins at 6:30 pm edt.

the "eye" feature usually airs about 15 minutes or so after the broadcast begins.
9
The "Times Of The Gentiles"
by rocketman in
1. watchtower
2. bible
luke 21:24 reads, in the american standard version: "and jerusalem shall be trodden down of the gentiles until the times of the gentiles be fulfilled".

the nwt refers to this period, as we all know, as the "appointed times of the nations".. i've always wondered about the application of this verse, even when i was a jw elder.

the society applies the beginning these "times" to the destruction of jerusalem by the babylonians in 607 bce (according to jw understanding, of course).
13
Pioneers Assist Others program
by rocketman in
1. jw
2. friends
i was still an elder and i was present at the elder's school about three years ago when it was announced that the pao program would be re-introduced (it was evidently in practice some years before).. the program was a problem from day one.

it was very hard pairing publishers with pioneers.

publishers who were approached and asked to participate felt that they were being thought of as "weak".
11
Do You Ever Think Of This While Driving?
by rocketman in
1. jw
2. friends
.
11
One Reason Jws Can Be Duped Easily
by rocketman in
1. jw
2. friends
what i am about to state here has been said many times before in various ways, but i am offering some observations that i made as a bookstudy conductor over a period of 12 years, 9 of those as an elder, and before that as an ms filling in.. i was the type of conductor who would attempt to 'probe beneath the surface' as it were, when i conducted.

i was often amazed and sometimes a bit frustrated (though i tried never to be impatient with the people there) by the lack of comments at the bookstudy that would offer anything more than just a re-read of what the paragraph said.

i realize that many folks have busy lives and of course have little time for extra thought or research.
21
Birthdays - I may need some input
by rocketman in
1. watchtower
2. beliefs
we had a birthday "party" for my daughter at a local restaurant today, with a group of her friends invited.

we are "inactive" but i still attend some meetings.

i do not comment or want any 'privilages'.. anyway, one person whom my daughter invited is a jw, though she has said that she may want to get out soon.
16
Does This Board Have A "Teaching"?
by rocketman in
1. jw
2. friends
having frequented this board for about two years, i've noticed over time that, in a sense, there has come to be almost a 'religion', set of beliefs, or 'teaching' that has kind of evolved here.

there seem to be certain things that the majority, in some cases even a consensus, of members here agree on.

some examples that come to mind:.
10
"Us and Them Mentality"
by rocketman in
1. jw
2. friends
from newsweek magazine, march 10, 2003, page 33: .

"but, as theologians in a number of faiths remind is, the demonization of the enemy - an "us and them" mentality - can inhibit self-examination and repentant action, critical components of any faith.

this statement appears in an article about us president bush's religious faith and how it factors in with regard to the current campaign against iraq.