Posts by Zoos

31

"The Devil is at Work!"

by HeyThere in

i consider myself a christian.

seriously did not even think that jw was that much different...but now i know better and it has my mind spinning.

i have stopped answering questions, say my own prayers to god at the meetings, and plastr on a fake smile.

Zoos

HeyThere, as I was reading your post I thought of the experience provided in this thread by Don Cameron, author of Captives of a Concept - highly recommended reading for you.

http://www.jehovahs-witness.net/jw/friends/229474/1/Applying-Chapter-21-e2809cCaptives-of-a-Concepte2809d#.U1Jlq_ldXdd

Sounds like you're very fortunate in that your husband and in-laws don't appear to be hard-core against what you are saying, taking more of a Christian-esque approach to your difference in understanding. Use that card wisely. It is unique. May I suggest you get Don's book and try the method used by the guy in this experience.

And best wishes on your surgery.

12

Here is my prediction.

by Iamallcool in

jw
friends

i think next year they will have the memorial at a larger event space like where they held their circuit assemblies.

i noticed each first congregation at each kingdom hall has to leave immediately because each 2nd congregation is coming afterwards.

the first congregation does not really have the time to greet new people after the memorial.

Zoos

Emeth that is the way my old congregation started doing it, just about the time I was waking up.

In fact, that first time in a large banquet room at a local Marriott Hotel was also the last time I met (in a JW atmosphere) with my then bible study. I had admitted to him during our last few studies together that I was beginning to have doubts about the religion I was teaching him. He rightly asked, "If you don't believe this stuff, what's the point of continuing this study?"

Anyway, he met me at the Marriott for his first and last Memorial out of respect. When the singing started, it sounded terrible and pathetic as this was also the first year the new song book came out and nobody knew the melody. I was SOOO embarrassed - not only in front of this soon-to-be ex bible study, but also the hotel staff that was supporting the event.

Watchtower craziness is bad enough when it is conducted within the confines of a Kingdom Hall. When it starts leaking out into other people's buildings... YIKES!

BTW - that ex bible student and I are now awesome friends.

26

Why?

by SuperBoy in

why does the wtbs do what it does?

if it's just to make money, they are easier ways.

online bingo websites for example.. what is the motivation to have millions of followers "voluntarily" giving of their time?

Zoos

BINGO! is gambling. They've already come out and said too much against it to use it as a money-maker now. Although, I sure if there was a way for them to do it covertly, like flipping real-estate without the flock knowing what's going on, I'm sure they would.

Televangelizing makes them look too much like every other religion on the street - and they're all about looking different, separating themselves from mainstream religion.

11

JWS CELEBRATE 100 YEARS SINCE 1914: HAPPY BIRTHDAY 1914 HAPPY BIRTHDAY TO YOU

by steve2 in

jw
friends

the us edition of the june kingdom ministry urges the still-active witnesses to get out and preach in august saying that it is fitting because the anniversary of the start of the time of the end will be in that month.

what arch hypocrites!.

they won't allow children to have birthdays but they celebrate a date on a calendar that suits their doctrinal purpose...which is itself virtually the "birthday" of the start of the time of the end - according to their doctrine.. perhaps the "celebrations" will backfire when they try to load 100 candles on the celebratory cake and there will be a huge burnout of faith in this man-made date.. besides, the organization was incorporated in 1876 - decades before 1914.. there may well be moments of unease when the few witnesses with operating brain cells realize the organization has kept them in panic-mode to urgently preach about an end that never comes.

Zoos

This might actually be a good thing. I think most JWs have not given any real thought to the significance of it being 100 years later... that there are only 900 years left of Christi's reign... that they were supposed to have an entire 1000 years to grow to perfection, but they're still dying.

For the WT to highlight the anniversary could very well be a good thing, especially when they send the flock out to celebrate it by doing something most of them hate anyway

We'll see.

36

Where were you? / How old were you?... during the Ray Franz witch trial?

by Zoos in

jw
friends

i was 13yo and largely clueless to what was going on.

i think i remember hearing something about an apostate being weeded out of bethel but really couldn't have cared less.

i didn't start getting zealous until a couple of years later.. .

Zoos

I was 13yo and largely clueless to what was going on. I think I remember hearing something about an apostate being weeded out of Bethel but really couldn't have cared less. I didn't start getting zealous until a couple of years later.

What are your memories of those events? How did you react? Did you have suspicions? Were you in awe of how effective Jehovah was at keeping his people clean?

5

A really Good Friday service.

by quellycatface in

jw
friends

hope you don't mind me sharing my experiences of holy week in my new christian life.. went to my church for good friday.

it was really moving.

some lovely christian songs.

Zoos

That's awesome! I'm happy for you.

It's been 4 years since my exit and I think this Sunday I am finally ready to stick my nose into a small, non-denominational community church for the first time. Kinda nervous.

Eh... we'll see what happens.

10

Yahoo answers for the question: Why do Jehovah's Witnesses shun former members?

by DuvanMuvan in

why do jehovah's witnesses shun former members?.

loads of jws answered on this one.

kind of old but thought people would still wanna see it..

Zoos

Kate, YAHOO doesn't decide. The person asking the question can select the answer he/she likes best or leave it to be voted on by participants.

------------------------------

It seems most JWs have a clear disconnect when it comes to the disfellowshipping/shunning matter. When they hear "disfellowship/shun", their minds automatically go directly to "unrepentant fornication, adultery, theft, lying, etc..." There does not seem to be a mental pathway that allows them to hear, "doctrinal questions, conscientious objection or peaceful exit."

59

Any gay exJW's?

by Trapped in JW land in

jw
friends

was just wondering how many gay exjw's were on this site, and how did you deal with being in this organization?

and also, how did you end up leaving?.

Zoos

Matt - I used to pioneer, special pioneer, be a ministerial servant, an elder, attended an early MTS class, worked at Brooklyn Bethel and Watchtower Farms, and served as a missionary in South America. But all of that pales to the joy I now have of living my life as God created me, with my partner of 8 years.

I imagine it would all pale to the joy brought on by a mediocre bowel movement.

But what do I know?

23

136th Gilead Class Graduates-JW.Org

by Brother Mike in

i just found this video they released on their official website.

sorry if this was already posted.

(if not i thought some might have some thoughts about it).

Zoos

138

A farce elder here

by His Excellency in

just to share a little about me:.

i was recently appointed an elder, about 6 months ago now, and that is exactly two years after my awakenning, but funny that the appointment came also about 2 years after i had completely lost all faith in god and had been leading a full time anti-jw life .

makes you wonder the role of the holy spirit in the entire nomination or appointment process.. .

Zoos

Cofty: Why did you accept the appointment?

That's the million dollar question.

If you were completely awake 2 years ago, why accept a promotion? I think awake elders can do a lot of good also; ease JCs, drop nuggets to help others awaken. But in my mind, that scenario only works if the elder awoke as an elder. Losing all faith in God and then 2 years later accepting an elder appointment casts serious doubts on your motivations.