Posts by Island Man

29

To DA or not to DA, that is the question?

by dubstepped in

let me preface this by saying that i don't expect anyone here to make my decision for me.

i do however note that like the bible says, in the multitude of counselors there is wisdom, and this is a huge decision, so i wanted to put it out there for discussion.

i really appreciate your words of wisdom, as this affects not just me but my wife also, as we find ourselves in the same boat.

Island Man

I think the decision really comes down to balancing two competing interests - planting seeds with JWs by means of a powerful, factual DA letter vs the freedom to speak with JW family by not DAing.

If you don't have JW relatives and/or friends whom you wish to stay in contact with, then I think DAing does more good than harm. I no longer buy the whole "playing by their rules" argument. To me, such an argument smacks of useless petty pride. It really does nothing to help those inside think seriously about the organization. It's nothing but a selfish assertion of personal ego/power.

On the other hand a good DA letter - emailed to all the publishers in your congregation before giving it to the elders - does a lot to help those still mentally trapped inside.

6

Glory, glory, HalleluAPA!

by Island Man in

after describing apostates as being "mentally diseased" apostates may soon have good gounds for describing jws as being "mentally diseased", according to this news story.

Island Man

:smirk: :smirk: :laughing:

6

Glory, glory, HalleluAPA!

by Island Man in

after describing apostates as being "mentally diseased" apostates may soon have good gounds for describing jws as being "mentally diseased", according to this news story.

Island Man

After describing apostates as being "mentally diseased" apostates may soon have good gounds for describing JWs as being "mentally diseased", according to this news story

20

Futility of being right

by JWdaughter in

so, on another thread, about pluto, grreat teacher said something that speaks to my feelings about religon.

"i've kinda been sad since pluto has been demoted to dwarf planet.. you talk about 9 planets and all the little kids at school will correct you real quick and tell you that now there are only 8 planets in the solar system!".

nothing in the universe has changed but the opinion of men.

Island Man

The JW religion is all about being right and pointing out everyone else as being wrong. JWs make it seem like the smallest inaccurate belief about God or the bible makes you into a false worshiper doomed to destruction unless you get your facts correct.

The most innocent and irrelevant inaccurate beliefs of another religion are cited by the JWs as evidence that they are a false religion that cannot possibly have God's favor. And what do JWs think about the JW religion's own falsehoods? As far as they're concerned, the JW religion has no falsehoods. They just get increasingly clarified understandings of the truth. Besides, they're just imperfect men, right? Jehovah sees the heart. Like I said on another forum:

"Being a JW is like being a prisoner in a glass cell painted black so you can't clearly see that it's actually glass and, at the same time, being deceived into thinking that you're actually free and inside of a strong stone tower for your own protection and, at the same time, you're throwing stones through the bars of your cell at all other buildings outside which you imagine are made of glass."

lol.

19

As a Work of Literature The Bible is Just Dreadful

by cofty in

of course it's easy to criticise the bible for all manner of serious flaws, but it fails on a more basic level.. it is just a terrible piece of literature.. this piece on "southern skeptic" is well worth a read.. god is a terrible writer....

Island Man

I don't believe it's fair to characterize the bible as a terrible piece of literature. The bible certainly has its flaws and certainly isn't divinely inspired and it certainly isn't a remarkably good source for moral enlightenment.

But viewed purely as a literary work of art, the bible is actually good. You can't judge the literary quality of the bible based on English translations. You have to look at the writing in the source text - Hebrew. It is actually a good work of Hebrew literature.

9

Does it say anything in the bible about being a “spiritual head” or the head being responsible for everyone’s “spiritual growth”?

by My Name is of No Consequence in

my wife is really getting on my case about not being spiritual and leading the family spiritually.

at this point, i really dont go to meetings anymore nor do i have the desire to go.

i guess its not enough that i work 50 hours a week and pay the majority of the household bills with no complaints.

Island Man

The bible doesn't use the term "spiritual head", as far as I can remember. However, it does say that:

The man is the head of the woman. (Ephesians 5:23; 1 Corinthians 11:3)
That the woman is to be in subjection to the husband. (Ephesians 5:22,24)
That women were created for men and not men for women. (1 Corinthians 11:8,9)
That women are not to teach or exercise authority over men. (1 Timothy 2:11,12)
That men are God's glory, but women are man's glory. In other words, it says that men are closer to the image of God than women. (1 Corinthians 11:7)

So the bible does in fact convey the idea that the man is the head of the household. There's no denying it, just as there is clearly no way of denying that the bible is a misogynistic book.

39

Just an introduction

by Israel Ricky Gonzales in

just wanted to say hello since i am new to this forum.

allow myself to introduce myself.

lol.

Island Man

I imagine that it would be difficult for your marital relationship if you started teaching your children TTATT directly, or started sharing with them your religious beliefs.

The better approach might be to teach your children certain core values and principles that are antithetical to JW indoctrination. For example, you can teach them to value logic and critical thinking. Teach them the importance of independently researching claims and not accepting things at face value. Teach them to value intellectual honesty. Encourage them to think outside the box and not let anyone stifle or discourage their freedom of thought. Basically teach them skills that would help them to see the JW indoctrination for what it is and be immune to it.

You can even use movies to do this. You watch a movie with them then afterwards you can have a discussion about what lessons can be learned from the movie. Take Tangled, as an example. Rapunzel was forbidden from leaving the tower and so she had no way of knowing that the evil witch was misleading her. This can be used to teach your children that they should not be afraid to question the validity of claims made by an authority and that they should be wary of any authority that forbids them doing independent research to verify its claims or that tells them not to listen to what its critics have to say.

All of this can be done without ever mentioning religion or Watchtower. When you do this your children will discover TTATT on their own, and they will "make the TTATT their own".

33

How Many JWs actually Watch JW.TV?

by Oubliette in

i'm curious.

what do you know from your own experience and talking to other active jws?

i know from my own informal, non-scientific survey that most jws do not watch jw.tv.

Island Man

I think it's safe to say that most active JWs watch the monthly JW broadcast. I say this because I know that kingdom halls have a monthly airing of the program for the benefit of those who don't have internet access.

As for the other shorter videos of morning worship and other things, I can't really say.

25

All quiet on the western front

by campaign of hate in

recently it seems very quiet in jw land.. jw broadcasting has been in full swing for months now, nobody bats an eye lid at that anymore.. so the question is, what is next?

the next organisation change, the next doctrine change.

it seems like this is the quiet before the storm.. the way things are going, it's almost like they try and one up their last change, things in jw land get that bit more crazy every year.. i'm hedging my bets toward a monthly public talk broadcast straight from new york.

Island Man

"Next big move get rid of shunning there fighting almighty God on this one ha."

I seriously doubt it. If anything, I believe they will expand the grounds for shunning to include those who have faded and have stopped meeting attendance and field service for a certain period of time. They will probably spin it as the person disassociating himself by virtue of ceasing association with JWs. They must know by now that many secretly apostate JWs are leaving the organization quietly by fading, without having to suffer the penalty of shunning by JW families.

25

All quiet on the western front

by campaign of hate in

recently it seems very quiet in jw land.. jw broadcasting has been in full swing for months now, nobody bats an eye lid at that anymore.. so the question is, what is next?

the next organisation change, the next doctrine change.

it seems like this is the quiet before the storm.. the way things are going, it's almost like they try and one up their last change, things in jw land get that bit more crazy every year.. i'm hedging my bets toward a monthly public talk broadcast straight from new york.

Island Man

Maybe they will start charging for their photographs?

How can you suggest such a thing?! Unlike the evil churches of christendom, JWs never pass a collection plate or charge money. So there's no way they will start charging for photographs with Governing Body members. They will just mention that publishers in good standing can have the privilege of having their photo taken with a member of the Governing Body without charge, but that they accept voluntary donations to support the worldwide work, from those who truly value such a great spiritual privilege.