ok, so it's not from the wts but it's funny.. http://www.planetx2003.com.
supposedly planet x is due to pass by earth very soon with catastrophic results.
this happens every 3,000 years or so.
There was a pyschologist named Immanuel Velikovsky who made a fortune off a book entitled, "Worlds in Collision" which stated that a planet erupted out of Jupiter, flew past the Earth causing many miracles in the Bible and is, today, the planet known as Venus!
If that doesn't sound crazy, get this: my old presiding overseer actually recommended I read this book.
Bradley
do you ever just want to kick yourself, really hard, preferrably down a flight of stairs?
(no suicidal tendencies here, just frustration with myself!
) i am such a people pleaser, have been all my life (no doubt in part due to being a very faithful jw for 24 years of my 25 years of life) and it seems to get me into so much crap.
Kitties,
I have no problem with the following parts of the Bible:
Ecclesiastes, some of the Psalms and Proverbs and most of the Serman on the Mount. Everything else burns prettily in the fire.
Bradley
i'm wondering if there are many truly militant apostates out there....... some real god hating watchtower bashing hard guys....i just read the "bill bowen update" thread and feel that all opposition is good opposition, and knowing that the wt society can see any posts we make, also feel its a shame they can see squabbles among their enemies.
Whew! For a minute there I thought you wanted to start your own anti-JW cult, what with good 'ol Jack from the Shining as your avatar.
There are certain people in the religion I guess I really could do some nasty things to. But, then again, I don't feel like ending up in the slammer and having some unwanted body parts shoved up where the sun don't shine.
Bradley
i'm wondering if there are many truly militant apostates out there....... some real god hating watchtower bashing hard guys....i just read the "bill bowen update" thread and feel that all opposition is good opposition, and knowing that the wt society can see any posts we make, also feel its a shame they can see squabbles among their enemies.
I couldn't agree less.
First off, isn't it great that we are out of an organization where we all had to believe the EXACT SAME THING? Why the hell should we all lump ourselves together into one massive anti-Society? Give up our opinions for "unity"? No thanks. I'll take my independence anyday.
It's just not realistic to think that we all should be behind each and every complaint against the organization with unqualified allegiance. What affect would it have on the Society if they found out not all "apostates" were the same? Well, it should be rather perplexing to them since they seem to think we are all part of some massive worldwide conspiracy to topple them. "Say Brother Jarass, the apostates actually don't all think alike! Maybe we should re-think this "Evil Slave Class" thing after all?"
Bradley
PS -- I'm not anti-SilentLambs, btw. I was just stating some rather gaping problems in Bowen's tactics and thinking.
do you ever just want to kick yourself, really hard, preferrably down a flight of stairs?
(no suicidal tendencies here, just frustration with myself!
) i am such a people pleaser, have been all my life (no doubt in part due to being a very faithful jw for 24 years of my 25 years of life) and it seems to get me into so much crap.
Kittie,
When I left the JWs,I left the Bible as well -- many people do, so you have plenty of company. You'll be amazed at how the Bible makes so much more sense now that you can look at it as a fallible document. That doesn't mean that God or a spiritual realm don't exist -- I'm skeptical, but open to the possibility.
Anyway, keep in mind that many "born-again" Christians are not as interested in getting you to go to their church (which isn't anything like the organization) as they are in getting you to confess Jesus. So, the "Big Commitment" is just not the same as if she was trying to convert you to JWism. Anyway, I think you can play it safe if you listen respectfully, tell her you'll "think about" what she's said and will continue your search. Be calm and subtle and everything might just fade.
Good luck,
Bradley
she has always been there for me and i love her to bits!
what a wonderful woman she is and we should all tell her!
here's to you sweetie!
Oh yeah, well if Pettygrudger is so wonderful why hasn't she paid me back that ten bucks I loaned her?
Bradley
PS -- I'm just foolin Rhonda seems like a wonderful lady and I like her a lot in the brief exchanges we have had. Hell, we have at least two common enemies 'ya know.
the public talk today was on mercy.
at first glance you think "oh, just another rehash of old stuff we already have heard, just general, sanitized stuff".
but i believe there is a method to this madness.
I have a talk outline which I only gave once which was about mercy. I believe the title was, "Mercy -- A Dominant Quality of True Christians." I highly doubt the outline has changed to extend the meaning toward being merciful to the FDS. It seems like that admittedly subtle point was there all along.
Bradley
(It was one of the better outlines I had, though)
an update on bill bowen & his meeting with the wt.....this is an eyeopener and a disgrace on the watchtower:.
i am sitting here looking out the tenth floor window of my watchtower paid for room at the manchester holiday inn.
the events of the day before are difficult to comprehend as i reflect on what happened.
Brummie,
Absolutely. And I probably bring up the negative aspects of BB just to counter the near idolization of the man that is sometimes apparant. But, that's just the way it goes.
For the record: I really do hope BB can bring the Society to justice in those instances where it is deserved. I also realize that to those who have gone through abuse themselves, this issue is pregnant with implications. And, of course, I don't know the whole story myself.
Bradley
when i joined the jw's many years ago, i couldn't get over how many were working in the cleaning business.
i know this permitted them to go to the meetings, out in the field service, and work without any conflict.. where did this trend start?
is it like this world wide?
JH,
It's a relatively easy business to start: low start-up cost, low overhead, no real training or experience necessary. And, of course, being self-employed allows JWs to devote more time to "Kingdumb interests."
I started a window cleaning business right out of high school so I could begin pioneering. I just left the JWs last year and I still have it. Of course, I don't really like it and am currently going to college. All the same, it actually does pay rather handsomely if you have good salesmanship and people like you. I regularly make over forty dollars an hour doing it, and probably will have the business till I start my new career in a couple years.
Bradley
PS -- So knock off the window-washer jokes, people! Hehe...just kidding :)
an update on bill bowen & his meeting with the wt.....this is an eyeopener and a disgrace on the watchtower:.
i am sitting here looking out the tenth floor window of my watchtower paid for room at the manchester holiday inn.
the events of the day before are difficult to comprehend as i reflect on what happened.
Avishai,
There was a civil rights leader who one time stated that what his movement needed was people "with soft hearts and strong minds." I think this is similar to the child abuse situation in the organization today (and in compensation for past abuse). Of course, anyone with a heart will grieve and be angered by any act of child molestation or abuse. It's sickening what has happened, and it's sickening to see how the Society "covered their asses" instead of helping abused victims and demanding justice fully. I'm with you and Bill Bowen on that 100%.
But, it seems that the latter part of what that civil rights leader said is sometimes missing in this sensitive issue -- "strong minds." You see, this controversy needs backing by people who can see issues clearly, without exaggeration and without resorting to juvenile behavior. Juvenile behavior? Yes. Take Bill Bowens sensational letter to the GB calling them all to a hearing to be disfellowshipped (this from a DFd man!). Or his accusations stating that a number of men including Ted Jaracz, Fred Franz and other GB members all were child sexual abusers. That could be true but, honestly, it's quite far-fetched. Or maybe we can bring up his comments about Ray Franz...no, I'll stop where I'm at.
I give credit where credit is due. Bill Bowen deserves credit for helping abuse victims and bringing this "secret" issue open to the public. Richard Nixon deserves credit for ending the war in Vietnam and opening up talks with China. But, just because a person deserves commendation for things he does right does not mean that he cannot be criticised -- at times harshly -- for things he has done wrong. That's where I stand on this issue.
Bradley
PS -- My comments regarding Bowen and the gloved one were obviously meant as humor given the direction in which the thread was moving at the time.
