Posts by azaria

26

What Do You Call Calling on a Do Not Call?

by ezekiel3 in

it is a little known policy outside jws that all you have to do to stop jws from coming to your door is to be put on the "do not call" list.

this is a record that is attached to the back of every territory card (a map section assigned to jw members) and carefully avoided by jws in future visits in your neighborhood.

to make sure that the list is valid and up-to-date, it is procedure for an elder (usually the service overseer) to call on these addresses at least once per year to verify that the resident still does not want visits.

azaria

A few years ago my daughter (15 at the time) was coming home from school when two young ladies (witnesses) stopped to talk to her, asking her name and where she lived etc. A few days later I found out about it when these same ladies came to my door. They told me that they had talked to my daughter. I was extremely upset about it and told them (in a friendly manner) that if they wanted to talk to me, an adult, I had no problem, but that they leave children alone. I sent a signed letter to the congregation nearest me and told them of my concerns and that I didn't want any more visits. It wasn't just because they were witnesses. I would have been upset if any group had stopped my daughter on the street. They never (that I know of) came to visit again. I now live in an apartment. They did buzz my apt once and I told them I was not interested. I often wonder if my mother requested these visits. I periodically check the front entrance to see if they've left any magazines and I take them.

Also a friend of mine related to me how two ladies came to her house last year and my friend said in a friendly manner that she had her own faith. A couple of weeks later my friend was working in her front yard and these same ladies saw but completely ignored her.

4

Observing the Sabbath

by azaria in

a while ago my mother mentioned not observing the sabbath which surprised me.. ray franz also mentions it in his book coc.

one day while reading my bible i came across these verses.

hebrews 4:1 therefore, since the promise of entering his rest still stands, let us be careful that none of you be found to have fallen short of it.

azaria

A while ago my mother mentioned not observing the Sabbath which surprised me.. Ray Franz also mentions it in his book CoC. One day while reading my bible I came across these verses.

Hebrews 4:1 Therefore, since the promise of entering his rest still stands, let us be careful that none of you be found to have fallen short of it. 9-11 There remains, then, a Sabbath-rest for the people of God; for anyone who enters God’s rest also rests from his own work, just as God did from his. Let us, therefore, make every effort to enter that rest, so that no one will fall by following their example of disobedience. NIV

These verses show that the Sabbath should still be observed so why does the GB state that it doesn’t apply anymore? Because Jesus healed the crippled woman on the Sabbath?

23

Reading CRISIS of CONSCIENCE

by azaria in

jw
friends

im borrowing it from the library and am almost half way through.

at times i have to put it down because it makes me so furious.

i had a difficult time getting into it at first because its definitely not an uplifting book.

azaria

I’m borrowing it from the library and am almost half way through. At times I have to put it down because it makes me so furious. I had a difficult time getting into it at first because it’s definitely not an uplifting book. This may well be the last book I will ever read about the org. I’m presently reading the chapter Double Standard regarding Malawi & Mexico. This chapter is extremely upsetting. For those who haven’t read it yet I highly recommend it. In Tradition and Legalism: the policy change (after 50 years?) regarding alternative service in place of military service (where so many went to prison because of GB policy)

Aug 15, 1998 Watchtower: Was it unrighteous on Jehovah’s part to allow him to suffer for rejecting what he now might do without consequences? Most who have had that experience would not think so. Rather, they rejoice that they had the opportunity of demonstrating publicly and clearly that they were determined to be firm on the issue of universal sovereignty. (Compare Job 27:5) What reason could anyone have to regret having followed his conscience in taking a firm stand for Jehovah? By loyally upholding Christian principles as they understood them or by responding to the proddings of conscience, they proved worthy of Jehovah’s friendship.

The bolded part really upsets me; to state that it was God’s doing that these people suffered. What amazes me is that so many people readily accept what the GB says, and when a policy is changed that people accept that too. I will never understand how my own father accepted it without question. He hated anyone telling him what to do.

I will end with a verse that Ray Franz started with in Tradition and Legalism

Thus you nullify the word of God for the sake of you tradition...their teachings are but rules made by man. Matthew 15:6,9 NIV

23

How do you interact with your worldly relatives?

by pratt1 in

jw
friends

.

now that i am no longer a jw, i can associate, and celebrate holidays and other family traditions with my non-jw relatives.

however i am sometimes bitter because i missed so many experiences as a child with my relatives that they seem almost like strangers rather than relatives.. does anyone else feel this way, and how have you bridged the gap?

azaria

My three brothers and myself (who aren't witnesses) didn't celebrate Christmas either after our parents became witnesses in the early 70's. At least my oldest brother and I have some fond memories of Christmas, mostly with relatives when we still lived in the Netherlands. My two younger brothers weren't so lucky. It was discontinued when my youngest brother was about 5. All the decorations were thrown out. We can't change the past. But I feel that one can learn from it, to really cherish what one does have, and to be sure that one's own children have wonderful memories growing up whatever that may be. I don't have too many fond memories growing up but have so many wonderful ones of when my own kids were growing up.

Almost forgot: I was talking to my brother last night. He's just now starting to learn about this org. He sometimes comes here and is blown away about what he reads. When I mentioned "wordly people". he thought it a compliment, which it actually is. But I had to tell him that to the witnesses it means evil, belonging to satan's world not to God's world.

51

Internet...the best revenge against the Watchtower

by DevonMcBride in

jw
friends

for over 100 years the watchtower was used to getting their way.

they had complete control over their faithful members and those who left had no voice to speak out.

the law was on their side protecting their teachings.

azaria

I haven't read all the responses yet, but will later. I do have to go but did want to respond. I'm thankful for sites like this. When I first wanted to find out about the witnesses quite a few years ago I went to H2O and then I found this site just over a year ago. All I knew about the witness was what my parents had told me. I thought them an odd people, with odd ideas, who wore odd clothes, going door to door. But I had a strong sense that something wasn't right about this belief. There was a lot of arguing, that I had my head in the sand, that this was the truth and it was one of the things that tore our family apart. I was glad to move out when I turned 20. Thankfully my three brothers and I aren't witnesses. My father passed away so now my mother is the only witness in our family. I can't imagine how she feels. She must feel so alone because her brothers and sisters are there for her just to pick her up to go to all the meetings. They don't socialize with her. I've asked her to ask them for tea at her place so she would have company, but all she ever says is that they have their own lives. Don't witnesses ever have fun? What I have learned coming here is to be more tolerant, that it's the religion, not the people that I dislike. I did meet a a couple of witnesses that I liked, but I met a few that I really disliked, very rigid, In the end I think that my own faith became stronger because of it. I looked into things a lot more. But in the end it's the condition of ones heart not head. You can have all the information but if you don't have a loving heart you don't have anything.

27

I motherproof my house...........

by desib77 in

jw
friends

i'm so ashamed.

here i am 26 years old and i have to go through my house and make sure there isn't anything that might possibly offend my mother.

i plan to do this before her visit next weekend.

azaria

Because neither my brother & I are witnesses it’s sometimes difficult to remember what is approved of and what is not. But our mother is critical of everything and everybody. You can’t watch the news or a movie without her commenting on it. Needless to say it’s very difficult to spend much time with her. In my own home I would never hide anything other than JW related items (such as Crisis of Conscience that I am currently reading) She never visits but I have asked if she wants to spend a weekend with us. I won’t hide my bibles, books, cross, mugs, or fridge magnets. Reminds me of the song by Steven Curtis Chapman "the Change". It’s a great song. (Well I got myself a T-shirt that says what I believe/I got letters on my bracelet to serve as my ID/I got the necklace and the key chain/And almost everything a good Christian needs/yea I got the little Bible magnets on my refrigerator door/And a welcome mat to bless you before you walk across my floor/I got a Jesus bumper sticker/And the outline of a fish stuck on my car/but what about the change/What about the difference) I’m very considerate but I will not hide who I am. I realize that my situation is different from other people on this board because I never was a witness. Yesterday I took my mother grocery shopping and while waiting in the car I had a Christian radio station on. Usually when she comes I change it immediately but this time I just turned it down. I feel that I shouldn’t have to but I just don’t want the hassle of her ignorant comments. I feel that we are both bursting to talk about our beliefs. We will both talk in generalities and I think that’s good. But at times I just want to say what are you thinking!, how can you be so ignorant! But she is extremely vulnerable right now and I feel that I can’t take away the one thing that she hangs on to. She has the witness brothers & sisters on the one hand and me on the other and that’s all she really has left in her life. The rest of the family is too far away. I could really take advantage of this situation but feel that would be extremely callous. But I tell you it is soo hard knowing what I know.

606

This is about out beloved Dansk

by mouthy in

how sorry i was to hear from dansk-he is going through a very difficult time.. i would like all prayers, thoughts, please keep this in mind ____ for me!!!!.

the sad news he has cancer.it is lymphoma!!!

they are waiting on the results of the biopsy before determining treatment..... he didnt want me to say anything at first- as he feels you all have your own problems & he didnt want to upset anyone-because he says "they are dear friends".

azaria

Dansk: You and your family are in my thoughts and prayers.

121

Turn away from these wicked ways!

by Proud Witness in

jw
friends

well as you would have guessed from my name, i am a proud witness and i feel obliged to preach to you about the promises that our wonderful creator, jehovah god, has promised each and every one of us, of any race or background.

i know that you already know what he has told us through his word, but i am curious to wonder why you have chosen to jump off the narrow road which leads to everlasting life.

is it because you have had a bad experience in god's organization?

azaria

While writing my response, a number of others have responded, so if I've repeated myself I apologize.

Proud Witness:

I am sure that you are completely sincere in wanting to help people with the truth and I admire that. The problem is that you don’t have the truth. I am not, nor have ever been a witness and I feel sad for you that you think that all "wordly" people are wicked. I am a christian and sinful but not wicked. I read somewhere: eternity is a long time if you are wrong (not sure if I worded it correctly but I think you get my drift. All I ask is that you will look into it. Truth always wins out, and we all owe it to ourselves to seek that truth. Ask God to help you. I will let the bible speak for itself. Here are just a few passages.

First, the New World Translation has been altered (to suit their doctrine). For I testify unto every man that heareth the words of the prophecy of this book, if any man shall add unto these things, God shall add unto him the plagues that are written in this book: And if any man shall take away from the words of the book of this prophecy, God shall take away his part out of the book of life, and out of the holy city, and from the things which are written in this book. Rev: 22:18-19

Prophecy:

When a prophet speaketh in the name of the LORD, if the thing follow not, nor come to pass, that is the thing which the LORD hat not spoken, but the prophet hath spoken it presumptuously: thou shalt not be afraid of him. Duet 18:22 (there is no talk of new or brighter light-you are not to listen to someone who has prophecied falsely as the org has done many times)

Salvation:

For by grace are ye saved through faith: and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God. Not of works, lest any man should boast. For we are his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus unto good works, which God hath before ordained that we should walk in them. Eph 2:810

Believe on the Lord Jesus Christ and you will be saved. Acts 16:31

Individual Christians can understand God’s Word

(without help from any org or religion) But the anointing which ye have received of him abideth in you, and ye need not that any man teach you: but as the same anointing teacheth you of all things, and is truth, and is no lie, and as it that taught you, ye shall abide in him. 1John 2:27

Jesus said

: I am the way, the truth, and the life: no man cometh unto the Father, but by me. John 14:6 ( you don't need any organization as a mediator between you and God. Jesus is our only mediator)

Have to go. My son is here. If I've made any spelling or grammatical errors, sorry..

5

Kit Cars.

by Englishman in

jw
friends

my kid brother, tim, is an avid builder of kit cars.

his wife is an enthusiast too.

he builds amazing model aeroplanes also.. http://www.rcgroups.com/forums/showthread.php?t=226689.

azaria

Thanks for the link. I immediately sent it to my brother. He's building a GT40. I would love that red 1950 Ferrari

33

After 20 Years.....I Can't Believe It!

by RAYZORBLADE in

no surprise, i don't post here much these days.. but today, i have to.. when i first arrived here back in january 2003, i remember looking at this very section of the board.

personal experiences & reunions.. well.....i got the shock...the absolute shock of a lifetime.

some of you, i'm sure, when you remember folks in your jw past, there are those whom you thought you'd never ever hear from.. last night, i get home from work (4:00 a.m.) and i go on-line, open my e-mail, and i see a name i have not seen since my jw days of 1983/84.. how did i feel?

azaria

I'm so happy for you Ray. It gives me a little hope that some day my mother may see it. Have fun getting reacquainted.