Posts by abbasgreta

20

Worry Over Possible "Spying Elders"

by abbasgreta in

jw
friends

this seems to be a real worry for 'faders' on a number of threads.

the responses to ducati's first posting.

is a good example.

abbasgreta

This seems to be a real worry for 'faders' on a number of threads. The responses to Ducati's first posting

is a good example. We chose not to fade, but cut the cord by DA immediately. Cost us family (my mother

has found out we're church-goers and "shunning" doesn't even come close to her feelings) and 'associates'

who, frankly were never our 'friends'. No regrets.

As 'faders' you could suffer under this S.E syndrome for years. Has anyone

actually fallen fowl of one? Does their filthy deceit make them legally culpable?

144

Escaping Indoctrination - Faith Isn't a Virtue.

by cofty in

the unknown writer of the gospel of john put the following words in jesus' mouth, "blessed are those who have not seen and yet have believed.".

persuading countless generations that it is a virtue to believe incredible things on insufficient evidence, is one of religion's cleverest tricks.. the more incredible the claim; the more flimsy the evidence; the stronger the belief; the greater the virtue.. this is the exact opposite of how we operate in every other aspect of our lives.. rational people must demand objective evidence for everything they are asked to believe.

"extraordinary claims demand extraordinary evidence".. leaving the dogmatic claims of the watchtower is only a first step.

abbasgreta

Hi all, hope everyone is keeping fine and dandy. Alas, for this thread my fingers won't stay off the keys! Here is my contribution:-

Faith (in and towards God) is one of the fruits of the Holy Spirit (from Pentecost - of Christ) who dwells in the born-again Christian. Faith is listed as one of the spiritual GIFTS given freely by God and is linked to a Christian's hope (described as the 'anchor' of faith'). Faith is therefore a treasured God-given POSSESSION, not a 'virtue' and is ..."not the possession of all". The Christian gradually 'morphs' into someone more virtuOUS as the fruit of the Spirit changes him making him more kind, gentle and gracious and most importantly, loving - it rules over his very being making him more and more Christ-like. Note: I am NOT saying that non-Christians aren't kind, gentle etc, I'm emphasising the immediate transforming effects of the Holy Spirit. In my case, a former jw 'people-of-the-world hater' began spontaneously hugging complete strangers. Contempt for people and condemnation of them was just literally blown away in a couple of days. Faith in the altogether new, true gospel of Christ was something I never had to work on to 'achieve', it was effortless and gifted to me. Faith on the earth is expressly mentioned by Jesus as what He hopes to 'really find' when he returns. Peace everyone.

58

"Jesus is My Boyfriend" Christianity

by cofty in

there is a trend in modern evangelical, charismatic and "non-religious spirituality" that gets dangerously close to erotic love of jesus.. it's something that i first observed during my christian years especially in the lyrics of christian songs and sometimes during open-prayer times.

if you haven't experienced open prayer you are the lucky ones.

everybody adopts the shampoo position - elbows on knees, head in hands - and whoever is "moved by the spirit" speaks up for a while, followed by an awkward silence, followed by two people speaking up at the same time, followed by silence, and so on.. anyway back to the topic, here are a few random examples .... "lord i give you my heart.

abbasgreta

This "eroticism" credited to having an intimate relationship with Jesus is deeply offensive to me. The love for God and the love received from Him is pure and is as white as snow. Think of the love John had for the Lord, the expressions he used. I have to say some of the greatest male hymn writers who were of all ages speak of their adoration for Christ. Men love the Lord, it is a fact. To dare to credit them with somehow romantic undertones is unspeakable and, well, demonic. If a woman has romantic feelings for Jesus, then she needs spiritual help, and quick.

Jesus is to the Christian our "all in all". Don't attempt to know what it means to be in His presence if you are not "one with Him." Or is that expression too erotic for you? To ridicule prayer groups - a very unique form of prayer- is deplorable.

I am very distressed by this thread. Sometimes this site actually sickens me. I'm away from here. For good. This was intended to shock and hurt. Well, you succeeded.

167

this site sucks! its just a buncha athiest on soap boxes.

by crossquestions6995 in

jw
friends

this site is not a healthy forum for discussion or healing.

its an arena for jaded athiests to bash anything christian or god related.

yes, i know the jw's lied to us about god and the truth.

abbasgreta

Athiests don't believe in God - Christians do. Argument over for me.

I was born-in to the wt cult. I was faithful to them for 50 years until I suddenly and painfully realised I was being lied to. It still took us (all the family got baptised on the same day in an Anglican church) 5 years to "de-brief" and finally disassociate ourselves. I would always expose to others the heritical teachings of the watchtower, but no-one could love jws more than me. I pray for the day when, like lost sheep, they would come in droves to our church - I, all my brothers and sisters and our Vicar especially - would be there with open arms to nurture them and show them the real Gospel. My story is exceptional - no jw hated "false religion" more than me - a real Saul to Paul story. But God is full of Grace and mercy.

I too during all those decades, was absolutely convinced only jws had "it" right and slaved for them as a pioneer for years. Cults own your mind, control your information and dictate your actions - your life is unknowingly owned by them. Its just terrible. I could never trash people who are trapped in any cult - and try not to judge others - merely pray for everyone else - they don't know what they are missing. How I wish they would all turn to Christ! I really cannot express in words just how wonderful I have found life in Him to be. Please disagree with me and scoff a little if you must, but please try to comprehend my joy (word not good enough) and be glad for me. My struggles are over - I am completely at peace. I really wish the same outcome for you all, whichever way you choose.

Peace

167

this site sucks! its just a buncha athiest on soap boxes.

by crossquestions6995 in

jw
friends

this site is not a healthy forum for discussion or healing.

its an arena for jaded athiests to bash anything christian or god related.

yes, i know the jw's lied to us about god and the truth.

abbasgreta

I said 11 Christians on average are martyred each hour. I did not mention jws who are persecuted for sticking with 8 men's doctrines. How I pity them and may God have mercy on them. I suppose there are many cults and factions who are willing and do martyr themselves for their cause.

I did not say Matt 24, Mark 13 and Luke 21 are "signs" of the last days. The term " last days" was used by Peter at Pentecost as he quoted Joel's prophecy. Looking for the fulfillment of Jesus's words in "overlapping generations" since 1914, as being the"last days" is an erroneous jw teaching. The word I used was "accompanying". The Lord said that those who tried to fix the time of the end of the age (ie His return) by reading prevailing world conditions as a "sign" would exclaim "Now is the Time"! Avoid them." As a jw I used to sing along to a song called exactly that.

I would choose to have been a female disciple of Jesus if I had to pick any time to live. However, now, "for me to live is Christ" as Paul put it. My spirit spends hours in His presence. It is possible for a Christian even "to experience His resurrection" - Paul again. This is an unspeakable possession and treasure that as a jw I could never even have imagined.

Peace

167

this site sucks! its just a buncha athiest on soap boxes.

by crossquestions6995 in

jw
friends

this site is not a healthy forum for discussion or healing.

its an arena for jaded athiests to bash anything christian or god related.

yes, i know the jw's lied to us about god and the truth.

abbasgreta

Cofty: You abandoned Christianity but I hope you found what you were looking for. I merely express here my conviction. I am not looking for agreement or debate on it.

Disasters, wars, persecution et al was predicted by Jesus to accompany the last days of this age.

Every hour 11 Christians (on average) are put to death. They and we "pick up our cross" daily. "Good reason" would say capitulate and stay living. But faith in Christ over-rides "good reason".

Even some of His own apostles met with a terrible martyrs death. Predicted,expected, carried out, and again "good reason" for it didn't come into the equation for them. Yet still they were convinced that God is love. They believed and kept the faith. He is "with us" in this trying age whilst we exercise the same faith expecting His return or our death (gentle or violent), whichever comes sooner. Meanwhile we follow His example and give aid where we can to the suffering. (Matt 25) He asked, "Will the Son of Man really find faith on the earth when He returns?" I have chosen to believe on Him. The new heavens and earth, the fullness of the Kingdom, will bring relief and justice. Pain and suffering will not even be a memory for those who suffer and have suffered.

The emperor may have no clothes but our King of Kings is arrayed in glory.

If even those disciples who once actually walked with the Lord and witnessed his works and signs abandoned him saying "Who can take these sayings of His?", then I guess some individuals will do the same today.

Peace.

167

this site sucks! its just a buncha athiest on soap boxes.

by crossquestions6995 in

jw
friends

this site is not a healthy forum for discussion or healing.

its an arena for jaded athiests to bash anything christian or god related.

yes, i know the jw's lied to us about god and the truth.

abbasgreta

To my jw family I am a completely hated and shunned "mentally diseased apostate" even though I have stressed to them that I follow Jesus now as the Way the Truth and the Life. From one ex-jw now non-Christian on here I (and other devoted new Christians) have been referred to as a "rootin tootin bible thumpin' froot". Hardly different. All I did was share what I had found out from a REAL bible - but even God's word is immediately trashed as unreliable. I have never attacked, immediately dismissed or insulted athiests, new-agers, agnostics or authors/publishers of books relating to such views etc, on here even though I do not agree with them. I have not pursued such information and have no authority to speak on these beliefs but that is NOT my point.

What gives anyone the right to trash someone's beliefs or viewpoints??? My personal take on it is that God doesn't do it - He is too loving and patient, so who am I to do it? For example my pastor knows a lot about jws and the hatred they have for the clergy and is aware of their false teachings (that is a fact, not a theory) but he is just full of pity and compassion for them. One woman at church mentioned his heartbreak to two jw sisters on her doorstep and they just could not believe it. They expected pure hatred back from a Vicar. For a non-Christian surely fellow- feeling should rule. Reasonings/heated debates are good - belittling each other is childish and selfish. We should be wishing each other peace and happiness from the heart - we've endured years of unhappiness whilst in the cult - why bite and scratch each other now?

I made the decision not to share my new-found faith in Christ and His truth, which are the joys of my life, on here ever again. Rants against God re tragedies and suffering and "why he does nothing" just break my heart. Do you really think we Christians don't know the answer as to why it is so in this age? Do you think you really know Yahweh at all - certainly NOT the case when we were jws. I wanted to know who the God of the Christians truly was and I discovered God's grace and love are mind-blowing. Independent research - you can't beat it. Have you done any - are you bothered? If not, and no, then how can you accuse God of not caring? What is this conclusion based upon? I have to conclude that such unjust comments are based on ignorance and the "God" we knew as jws. The irony there is great.

Please, just stick to healthy debates and be kind to one another. As for me,I just click on here to see what noo-lite is being dished out by the cult leaders in case my lost jw family ever get into a conversation again with me and I am prepared. I pray for them every day - "they know not what they do". Peace all.

148

Well it is time for me to say GOODBYE!!!

by mouthy in

it has been nice talking with you.but i seem to upset a few because of my faith.. so have a great christmas.... & be good, i wont be here to send you to your rooms .

i have grown close to many of you.... if i have ever said anything to hurt you sorry!!!!.

when i kick the bucket i am sure "mary" who ssometimes post will let you know.. mouthy grace gough.

abbasgreta

You are in my prayers, my heart and my thoughts. All my love to you Grace and I remain with you forever in Christ. From your sister Ingrid. xxxxxx

310

How I recently handled JWs at my door

by Christian guy in

the jws stopped by my house a couple weeks ago on a saturday morning.

i knew that with others most likely waiting for them out in the car they probably did not then have much time to engage in any serious conversation.

so i let them talk while i feigned interest in what they had to say.

abbasgreta

Christian Guy: Your posting brought me back here after a while away. I too am an ex-jw Confirmed Christian and your loving reasonings with those poor witnesses made me so proud and brought a lump to my throat. Only when you have experienced the "New Birth" as the Lord explained to Nicodemus can you experience the true joy of defending the Christian faith and witnessing for Christ. A big, big thumbs up from me and God Bless You..... from a Christian Lass. (ps. Regrettably you must expect hurtful negativity on here from those who have now turned away from Christ - its heartbreaking). xxx

52

When did the Last Days start in the first century

by wizzstick in

i've been reading coc and rf highlights that luke 21:28 says: "but as these things start to occur, raise yourselves erect and lift your heads up, because your deliverance is getting near.".

i'm thinking on how no one who saw the start of these things is alive from 1914. as a comparison point, does anyone know when the wt suggests the last days started in the first century?.

was it when jesus said the above?.

abbasgreta

mP: I stake my life on the fact that the bible is "inspired" of the Holy Spirit ("God-breathed"). I will admit to no such thing you suggest above and therefore commit blasphemy. Period. I do NOT demand that YOU should admit to anything YOU don't accept - I have merely posted MY findings, which can ALWAYS be refuted by any individual, I appreciate that. I suggest you consult an expert on the New Testament, like Tom Wright for example, or St Johns College, Nottingham. I was humble enough to realise I needed to do that. I believe your reasonings could be merely an expression of what you WISH or would LIKE the "facts" to be. But that's just my opinion and I am going to dare to state it. You are entitled to believe anything you want. Sadly, I have to say that, if this is a forum where someone's faith can be openly negated, then I'm outta here. What - I'm called "mentally diseased" by JWs and secretly thought to be a little that way inclined by some ex-jw "now non-believers" on here?? Comments on here that reflect New Age thinking, atheism, etc, whilst I vehemently disagree with them, are welcome by me. I would never ask anyone to deny their convictions or verbally attack them. So why would someone feel justified in labelling us new-found Christians "happy-clappy bible thumpin' froots", as someone expressed it? That is out of line. I do not need this. I am disappointed in the "attitude" (for want of a better word) to us 'young and fresh' and fulfilled "BORN AGAIN" Christians. (If you've not experienced it, don't knock it!) Peace and contentment to you all in your new lives free of the cult. G.x