The article about blood is the second study article in the June 15th WT - only I haven't picked my order up yet.
truthseeker
JoinedPosts by truthseeker
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New WT study article on blood
by scotsman inflicking through what seems to be the latest watchtower i noticed there's an entire article on what blood products witnesses can/not take.
my brother was at a recent hospital liaison meeting and said that the rank & file seem to find it all rather confusing.
the article does a big bit on blood extract products being a conscience matter, and then includes the 'you must not stumble your brother' principle.
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Does the Watchtower Society stunt personal development and growth
by truthseeker inwith so many "responsibilities" given to the witnesses by the "faithful and discreet slave", there is little time for them to do anything these days except sleep - and that is when they're not out preaching at unearthly hours in the morning.. .
the enormous pressure to perform, and to be under the watch of the elders to make sure you perform, is a draining experience.. .
a book i have on sociology says this regarding jehovah's witnesses, when discussing sects, that "they require intensive commitments and demonstrations of belief by members.
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truthseeker
With so many "responsibilities" given to the witnesses by the "faithful and discreet slave", there is little time for them to do anything these days except sleep - and that is when they're not out preaching at unearthly hours in the morning.
The enormous pressure to perform, and to be under the watch of the elders to make sure you perform, is a draining experience.
A book I have on Sociology says this regarding Jehovah's Witnesses, when discussing sects, that "they require intensive commitments and demonstrations of belief by members. Partly owing to their "outsider status" in society, sects frequently exhibit a higher degree of religious fervor and loyalty than more established religious groups."
It is these "intensive commitments" to attend all the meetings and prestudy for them, preach at least 10 hours a month, and, if you are a brother, reaching out/or being expected to reach out, that contribute to the de-individualization of themselves.
Yes, I made the word up - but it's the best I could come up with.
De-individualization - a gradual erroding of the personality that we used to have prior to coming into contact with the JWs. If you were born in "the truth" then you probably felt like you never really developed the way you wanted to anyway, as is evidenced by the numerous experiences given here in this forum regarding growing up in the truth.
This process of personality errosion causes other problems as well. Lack of individual reasoning ability starts to diminish, as Watchtower programming takes hold.
You begin to forget your wants, your dreams, and your desires; as you devote your life to the bigwigs at Brooklyn and your congregation elders.
In my old congregation, an elder remarked that many of those present seemed to have "no personality". Hillary_Step recently posted that one circuit overseer referred to "a shiftless generation"
Why is it that Witnesses can't develop as individuals? The Society won't let them.
Consider the following:
(The sections below are not in any order, and also not everyone conforms to these. This is simply how the Society would like its members to behave and function)
1) No one must shine - Individuals are not allowed to shine, or be skillful at anything. Were you ever encouraged to use your talents (other than for WTS purposes)? Did a friend suggest going to college/university to "be something"? Likely, if they were party-line followers, they would not have done this. Did your parents let you go to college? Did they want you to succeed in a career? Or as a full time preacher?
Step 1 - errosion of individal worth, through lack of education, and lack of encouragement to get an education.
2) All must be equal - While it's true that no one wants to be less than equal, the cultural transmission in the Society is that there is generally no healthy competition among the friends. Ever watched a bunch of witnesses play sports? There are exceptions of course to what I state here, but many of the elders seem to hate competition, or winning. True, it is just a game, but discouaring healthy competition can make a person feel that they have already achieved their potential and feel that they don't have to try any harder. One sister recently said regarding a game of football, that "no one should think they're above one another."
Step 2 - all must be equal - no healthy competition of any kind.
3) No time to develop serious hobbies/interests
How many times have you heard the friends say, "I wish I had time to do this or to do that..." You realize then, how much time is taken up by the religion, and how little time they let you have. Truly, they devour our time, leaving us with little or no energy after a hard weeks work to even want to develop our hobbies and interests. Some friends never explore their potential, rather they just talk about what they'd like to do. Five meetings a week, endless personal and prestudy, and regular preaching activity, kills any time one may have for their own interests. The Society piles on the guilt to auxiliary or regular pioneer, making some of the friends feel they are not doing enough for "Jehovah,"
Step 3 - devoting your time to the Society, kills off most of the time you would have for hobbies and interests
4) No recognition
Have you ever been recognised for the time you put in the ministry? While preaching is a commandment, there is generally no recognition for a job well done. From recent reports and experiences, it seems that the elders just aren't commending the friends enough. But you don't have to be an elder to say, "Job well done." Short of having your name read out when you apply to pioneer in some way, there is little recognition for the many hours that the friends put into the ministry.
Step 4 - no recognition for hard work makes the friends feel like they're not doing enough. Therefore, a guilt trip develops.
5) No Society sponsored gatherings, festivals
Most religions have organised celebrations and festivals. This brings people together, forms friendships, and provides recreation for the kids and teens. But, the Society, with their billions of dollars, cannot even organise through the congregations, a JW Youth outreach program, or a day trip for the elderly. In my congregation, there was only ever 1 day out for the elderly in about 25 years. The only sponsored events, are of course the assemblies and conventions. Here, the Society tell you that you should not go out for lunch as you should be spending your lunch break associating with the friends. But, how many strangers came up to you at the intermission and asked about you or where you come from? How mcuh real association goes on between strangers?
Step 5 - no association means no friends, no social life, no sponsored JW Youth events, no outings or day trips for the elderly. This contributes much to loneliness, even suicide because of the lack of human interest. Any free time is usually encouraged to be spent in the ministry.
6) Don't pursue education
Some of this is covered in section 1, but the emphasis is for JW youth not to pursue a career. Hence, any thoughts that a young witness has about becoming a doctor, a nurse, an artist or any other profession is laid to waste. The Society only encourages education, for the soul purpose of supporting yourself in the "full time pioneer mininstry."
Step 6 - no encouragement to pursue a career kills off desires that you had to work in a desirable profession.
7) Lack of social skills
when you take into account all that is required of the witnesses, very little time is left to pursue anything else. This means, that some of the friends grow up socially dysfunctional, unable to hold a conversation for more than 20 seconds. After asking the usual, "how's it going, how's work", most of them leave you. Others never really listen to you and are looking for someone else to "love bomb" The constant "encouragement" the Society gives to "widen out in your association" only makes the friends feel like they are doing this to obey the Society - hence, spontaneous and genuine interest in other people is sadly lacking - even non-existent.
Step 7 - with a lack of social skills, particularly holding conversations about "off-world" topics, witnesses find it hard to be themselves, and have something interesting worth saying.
8) Lack of interest in the environment and community
Because the "end is soon", the friends are not encourged to do charitable works, to develop their people skills, or to become a more developed member of society. Hence, any thought of doing something to help the environment, volunteering in a hospital, or a soup kitchen is discourgaged, as "Jehovah will see to it."
Step 8 - This lack of interest in environment and the communities does not foster personal growth and satisfaction. The JW never thinks about the homeless man on the street and how he gets fed. The JW sees volunteers in action at hospitals, but never stops to think, "What can I do to help." Always waiting for the, "end" their desire to help others is never nurtured.
Why is personal growth and development so difficult for JW's to develop? Most of the above points are the reason for this.
If you came into the truth, ask yourself - how did the programming of the Society affect me individually. While you may have quit smoking, taking drugs and other practices, and put on the "new personality" to some extent, were you ever encouraged to be a somebody instead of a nobody?
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June 1st Watchtower - The brothers are tiring out
by truthseeker inhere's a little gem from the june 1st 2004, wt.
second study article: blessed are those who give glory to god.
para 7 .
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truthseeker
Here's a little gem from the June 1st 2004, WT
Second study article: Blessed are those who give glory to God
para 7
The apostle Paul also reminds us that "we have a wrestling...against the wicked spirit forces in the heavenly places"
We are constantly exposed to the "spirit of the world," the spirit of rebellion and moral corruption that Satan and his
demons promote. Like God-fearing Lot, we today may be distressed by the immoral things that people around us say
and do. We are also exposed to Satan's direct attack. Satan is waging war with the remnant of anointed ones, "who
observe the commandments of God and have the work of bearing witness to Jesus." Jesus' "other sheep" too experience
Satan's attack in the forms of bans and persecutions.
para 7 introduces the aspect that Satan is attacking every witness on earth. Little evidence is given to support exactly how Satan is "waging war" against the remnant.
but, are the brothers allowed to be tired? Of course not, paragraph 8 kicks in...
Give In or Fight Back?
para 8
What should be our response to Satan's attacks? Like the ancient tribe of Gad, we must be spiritually strong and fight back in
accord with God's directions. Sad to say, some have begun to give in under the pressures of life, neglecting their spiritual
responsibilities. One Witness said this about why meeting attendance in his congregation was low: "The brothers are just
getting tired. They're all stressed out." Granted, people today have many reasons to be tired. It is, therefore, easy to view God's
(WTS) worship as another pressure, a burdensome obligation. But is that a healthy - or correct - view?
Let's think about this. Whose commandments are burdensome? Jehovah's or the Watchtower Bible & Tract Society?
who tells us to attend all 5 meetings a week, preach 10 hours a month, pray for Bible studies, attend conventions and assemblies, prestudy every book and magazine, and do personal study in addition to daily Bible reading.
Contrast this with Jesus' commandments: "Love Jehovah with your whole soul..." and "Do unto others as you would have them do to you."
It is no wonder that the friends are tiring out from running on the religious treadmill.
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Salvation by works is why JW's are under the modern day Mosaic Law
by truthseeker inbecause the society does not teach a basic christian doctrine, salavtion by grace, but rather teaches that salavtion only comes through them by works, this in itself creates a dilemma.
if salvation is by works only, then you need a system that puts you under an obligation to perform these works.
what are these works?
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truthseeker
Thanks Blondie!
Our WT study conductor once told everyone, that our ministry was like an installment payment on the new system - so all the dubs there who heard that correlate ministry with survival into a new earth.
It really is a Talmud - my wife was commenting recently how she doesn't comment much at the WT study anymore. One of her friends told her, 'that she was worried and all your friends are worried."
I told her, "if you commented once, why are they so worried." Is this another law? To have at least 2 comments for the WT study?
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Salvation by works is why JW's are under the modern day Mosaic Law
by truthseeker inbecause the society does not teach a basic christian doctrine, salavtion by grace, but rather teaches that salavtion only comes through them by works, this in itself creates a dilemma.
if salvation is by works only, then you need a system that puts you under an obligation to perform these works.
what are these works?
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truthseeker
Because The society does not teach a basic Christian doctrine, salavtion by grace, but rather teaches that salavtion only comes through them by works, this in itself creates a dilemma.
If salvation is by works only, then you need a system that puts you under an obligation to perform these works. What are these works?
Firstly, attending 5 meetings a week, for the rest of your life. This includes the Special Assembly Day, the Circuit Assembly and the three day District Convention. In addition to this, you must go out on field service at least once a week, preferably on a Saturday which is known as "Magazine Day." (See the JW calendar for this.)
Then you must put in a prescribed number of hours each month so that you are doing the congregation average. A brother once told me, it was not enough to do the congregation average, you must do the national average to be approved, especially if you want to reach out.
Then you must do prestudy for EACH of these five meetings as well as the daystext, daily Bible reading and personal study.
How exactly do the Society impose this rigid system of salvation by works?
Blondie notes, that in her "Comments you will not hear at the Watchtower", that more references are made to the Old Testament than the New Testament. The Society writes, that even though true Christians are not under the Mosaic Law, they are under the principles of the law.
How different is this from what Paul says at Galatians 3:13
"Christ by purchase released us from the curse of the Law by becoming a curse instead of us, because it is written: "Accursed is every man hanged upon a stake."
Also, the prophet Daniel said that "sacrifice and gift offering would be done away with."
So the Society keeps its members obedient by using parts of the Mosaic Law as a force in their lives.
How often has the Society declared that Jehovah is our Father and the organization is our Mother?
The Modern Day Mosaic Law
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Attend all the meetings
Mosaic Law: Exodus 20:10 "But the seventh day is a sabbath to Jehovah your God. You must not do any work..."
Example: Numbers 15:32 "While the sons of Israel were contuining in the wilderness, they once found a man collecting pieces of wood on the sabbath day."
Reinforcemnent: Numbers 15:35 "In time Jehovah said to Moses: "Without fail the man should be put to death, the whole assembly pelting him with stones outside the camp."
Attend assemblies and conventions
Mosaic Law: Deuteronomy 31:12,13 "Congregate the people, the men and the women and the little ones and your alien resident who is within your gates, in order that they may listen and in order that they may learn, as they must fear Jehovah your God and take care to carry out all the words of this law."
Encouraged to preach at least 10 hours a month
While the Society does not refer to this practice in principle regarding the Mosaic Law, you can be sure that the smiliarity between an Israelite giving Jehovah a tenth of all his flock and first fruits equates with giving "Jehovah ten hours a month." One example, was of an elder who said in the field service meeting, that "some people only give Jehovah ten hours a month."
Dress and grooming, wearing badges at conventions
We all know the annual ritual of how and what to wear during the convention. In a similar way, the Israelites were told to have a blue thread sown on the edge of their skirt to identify themselves as God's people. In the same way, the Society tells us to always wear our badge, even during leisure hours, so that we may identify ourselves as Jehovah's Witnesses.
Contributions
Never failing to mention how although we are not under the Mosaic Law where we give a tenth of everything, they use coercion and manipulation to pressure witnesses into giving more of their time and money.
These are just a few of the ways the Society has adapted the Mosaic Law to put Christians under the oath to serve God so as to get salvation by works, and not faith.
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Wasn't there a better way to destroy the wicked than using a global flood?
by truthseeker ini've often wondered, what was the real pupose of the global deluge?
what did it achieve?.
surely jehovah could just as easily have destroyed the nephilim as he did the cities of sodom and gomorrah?.
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truthseeker
I've often wondered, what was the real pupose of the Global Deluge? What did it achieve?
Surely Jehovah could just as easily have destroyed the Nephilim as he did the cities of Sodom and Gomorrah?
What happened after the Flood?
Genesis 9:20
And now Noah started off as a farmer and proceeded to plant a vineyard. 21 And he began drinking of the wine and became intoxicated, and so he uncovered himself in the midst of his tent.22 Later, Ham the father of Canaan saw his fathers nakedness and went telling it to his two brothers outside. 23 At that Shem and Japheth took a mantle and walked in backwards. Thus, they covered their father's nakedness, while their faces were turned away, and they did not see their father's nakedness.
24 Finally Noah awoke from his wine and got to know what his youngest son had done to him. 25 At that he said:
"Cursed be Canaan. Let him be the lowest slave to his brothers.
So, before even a few years had gone by, Noah had already got drunk, cursed Canaan and his offspring because his son saw him naked.
Not so many years after that, Nimrod was born and stared another revolution.
What exactly did the flood achieve? Or is there a more sinister reason?
One of my ideas, and I must admit it is a little weird, is that before the deluge, all the earth was one land mass. This has been proved by geologists, Africa used to touch the continental United States.
After the flood, you no longer had one land mass, but you had seven continents, one of them being too cold to live on, Antartica. Any thoughts on this?
Jehovah wanted mankind to spread through out the earth, but Nimrod didn't agree, so God came down to Babel and confused everyone's lingo. eventually, they left off building the city, and did spread throughout the whole world.
As I said, why bother with a global deluge if mankind was only going to go his own way anyway?
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How many were raised as a JW during their teenage years?
by codeblue in.
and how many of you feel because of that, you never really got to be a "teenager"?
codeblue
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truthseeker
Being raised as a JW duirng my teenage years nearly sent me over the edge.
I had no friends, I did badly at school and I wanted to commit suicide by the time I reached 13, I was bullied so much.
things didn't improve until I left school, then the bullying stopped.
But, I had no friends in the Kingdom Hall, no one made an effort, and no one knew what I was going through. I was thought of as a troublemaker, yet I never made any big mistakes, like having sex before marriage.
I did smoke a bit when I was 12, but I never did drugs.
I got drunk a few times when I was about 18 - but then I was really depressed and thinking of ways to end it all.
Combine bullying at school for being a JW with no friends in the Kingdom Hall and you have the perfect recipe for a dysfunctional adult witness.
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The Times They Are A Changing - more active witnesses are posting
by truthseeker inis it me, or is there a 'quiet revolution' going on?
maybe 'revolution' is not the correct word.
i just went on e-watchman's site and looked on the guest page.
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truthseeker
Is it me, or is there a 'quiet revolution' going on? Maybe 'revolution' is not the correct word. I just went on E-Watchman's site and looked on the Guest Page. A lot of people there are active witnesses, who are 'examining their beliefs' in accordance with E-Watchman's works. But, his site is not the only one where a lot of active dubs post.
JW.com is probably the most popular JW forum in the world - there are a lot of active dubs posting (and lurking) here.
I am one of them, but there seems to be a surge of interest into the doings and sayings of what the Society would call 'opposers.'
When I go to the District Convention, I sometimes stop and think..I look..at all the brothers and sisters walking/running down the corridors and think to myself, "Are there any here that go on xJW sites? Do they listen extra intently to the program to post us the latest? Do they cringe in embarrasement when they hear the Society lie on matters such as child abuse?"
Consider this posting on E-Watchman's site a few days ago...
Wanted to share my feelings callous elders and congregations. I have been in different congregations. My experience in some has not always been pleasant. I was appointed an elder at the age of 26 so when I was asked to move to other congs sometimes I was not received so well by the older elders. Some viewed me as just a child so whatever I had to say was disregarded. But in my most recent assignment the experience has been opposite. This cong is right next door to the one I was in & the difference in attitude and the spirit of the congregation is like night and day. I was starting to get discouraged as an elder. There I was not consulted on even the smallest of a matter. But now it is the opposite in my newest assignment although I am still the youngest elder on the body at age 32 I am respected and my input is highly regarded by the others. This is the way it should be. Since I have moved there 2 years ago I have seen the congregation increase from 54 publishers to over 100! This in a small town of less than 7,000 with the county population being around 13,000. To me this is how a congregation should be. That is not how the majority seem to be anymore. The other cong. territory has a population of nearly 30,000 and only 52 publishers. Tell me what is wrong with that picture? I'll let him be the judge. Elder don't let your position go to your head. Remember you are just a slave and no better than any publisher in the congregation. Be fair and understanding, not dogmatic and unreasonable.
Aside from his interesting observations, don't you see how major something like this is? When an active elder posts on a forum, we accept it and move on. This has become commonplace. But, it's so big a deal. Why?
A few years ago, I could never have comprehended and active witnesses going on xJW sites, much less Elders, CO's and DO's. Things have really changed in the last few years.
Bottom line? what I am trying to say, is that active witnesses are feeling more comfortable about visiting and joining discussions on JW sites, even arguing with 'professed' apostates.
This change in the JW's programming is similar to the android Data when he first received his emotion chip.
The Society must know this, their trained and trusted elders are going behind their backs, and for good reason, to post on boards like this.
Watchtower - you can run, but you can't hide.
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Some pioneers are being invited back to Pioneer School re Illuminators Book
by truthseeker inlast year, the society confirmed that they were releasing an updated version of the shining as illuminators book.
this book is the manual used in the pioneer school and is about the same size as the revelation book and has a light blue cover.
on the congregation noticeboard, a letter is posted listing names of persons who previously attended pioneer school, and are now being asked to go back to another pioneer school to consider this newly revised book.
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truthseeker
Last year, the Society confirmed that they were releasing an updated version of the Shining As Illuminators book. This book is the manual used in the Pioneer School and is about the same size as the Revelation book and has a light blue cover.
On the congregation noticeboard, a letter is posted listing names of persons who previously attended pioneer school, and are now being asked to go back to another pioneer school to consider this newly revised book.
What is so special about this book that it requires previous Pioneer School Graduates to go back to class?
Does anyone know anything about this book? I have seen the old 1977 version, consisting of units and unit questions. This book is usually covered in 2 weeks, about the length of the Pioneer School.
While on the subject, have any of you here had experiences of attending this school? Were you told NOT to show this book to publishers? And did you 'class' mates sign the book on graduation day?
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Agents for social change - you know who you are
by truthseeker inwhen the child abuse issue first reared its head, at least one person provided bill bowen with information about the number of alleged child molestors that the society had on file.. below is a quote taken from the bbc service when panorma aired.... http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/programmes/panorama/2119903.stm.
bill bowen, who has spent his lifetime as a jehovah's witness and nearly twenty years as an elder, says the organisation covers up abuse by keeping this database secret.
his sources indicate there are 23,720 abusers on the list - who are protected by the system.
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truthseeker
When the child abuse issue first reared its head, at least one person provided Bill Bowen with information about the number of alleged child molestors that the Society had on file.
Below is a quote taken from the BBC service when Panorma aired...
http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/programmes/panorama/2119903.stm
Bill Bowen, who has spent his lifetime as a Jehovah's Witness and nearly twenty years as an elder, says the organisation covers up abuse by keeping this database secret. His sources indicate there are 23,720 abusers on the list - who are protected by the system.
Where would those sources have come from?
Brooklyn Bethel or the Watchtower Patterson Education Centre? It doesn't matter. What does matter is that whoever supplied Bill Bowen with the information, gave a fairly definite number. The individual or individuals concerned must have a conscience, must be able to know and understand the magnitude of the problem, and must feel torn inside serving an organization that protects child molestors and disfellowships whistleblowers.
Over the last three years, the Watchtower has failed..
1) To offer reparation to victims of child sex abuse
2) To report child molestors to the authorities
3) To apologise to whistleblowers
4) To apologise to victims
It doesn't matter how many bad news reports are printed, who is interviewed on the radio or the TV, these wicked men at Bethel refuse to acknowledge a problem and spend WWW donations defending themselves, rather than issuing an apology.
The time has come for more action to be taken.
Those who were brave enough to disclose the existence of the secret database, and the number of child molestors on it, must do more. You are the agents of social change. Make enough noise, email the database to the FBI - but don't sit in your office year after year thinking you've done enough.
Go the extra step. Go the extra mile.
You may lose your position in Bethel. You're friends and family may shun you. You may get death threats.
But think of those that have already made the ultimate sacrifices and lost family and friends.
Be the change you want to see.