Posts by 4horsemen

8

Shepherd #2 - Someone Stole George!

by Amazing in

jw
friends

someone stole george!

in memory of george westerlin, veteran of wwii.

not all shepherding visits are by two elders making formal calls.

4horsemen

Amazing, as usual thanks for sharing your amazing experiences. If there is a true "religion" it is to be found in your words which I amended just a bit...

"When helping any person, one gets a sense that this is the test of our Christian spirit, regardless of what religious affiliation we have."

My family on my mom's side is mainly JW. Some are apathetic, some "true believers", some just pay it lip service, some are very, very militant about it.

But what is incredible to me is when the rubber meets the road most religions adherents and especially JW's "good works" seem to stop when they dont want to be inconvenienced unless it is to a 3rd party authority figure to gain/get its approval.

And it is especially in short supply when rendering assistance to people who are NOT in their belief group, even if it's their family!

It's as if they are so exhausted by their regimen of "necessary" works they have no room in their hearts for more meaningful acts of kindness.

This is what drove a wedge in my heart. You can go out in service speak to fornicators, murderers, idolators, thieves, greedy persons, drunkards, apostates(shudder), people of Babylon the Great, blah, blah, blah, and rejoice when the least (or worst) of them show the slightest interest in "the message". Yet with the same heart condition somehow be qualified to JUDGE da'd/df'd ones or ones who dont answer at the meetings or rarely go out in service, or somehow dont behave in a condition of which YOU approve.

Hypocrites!

What did Jesus say? "Go and learn what this means, I want mercy and not sacrifice."

In our efforts to help others especially when there is nothing in it for us, do we see how "enlightened" we really are. It could be a smile, a greeting, going to the store for your grandma with RA, or giving 5 minutes to some kid who one day will be an adult to whom the future belongs.

27

My Dad called

by Elsewhere in

jw
friends

the other day i sent my family a framed studio photograph that i had made for them.. i called to make sure they got it and my mom said that she did and that it was placed with the other family photos in the living room.. a few days later my dad called to thank me.

he then went off into a tangent about how he wants me to come back to the "truth".

i told him that i respect his right to believe as he will, but i expect the same in return.

4horsemen

JT,

You forgot the other black/white issue someone mentioned before if you're a JW:

If you have a successful business (or a "wordly" job where you make more money than most JW's) you're materialistic

BUT

if you're old, have to rent, have no insurance, and cant retire you're a poor planner.

Talk about all or nothing value system. I think I'll change my screen name to Xanax

27

My Dad called

by Elsewhere in

jw
friends

the other day i sent my family a framed studio photograph that i had made for them.. i called to make sure they got it and my mom said that she did and that it was placed with the other family photos in the living room.. a few days later my dad called to thank me.

he then went off into a tangent about how he wants me to come back to the "truth".

i told him that i respect his right to believe as he will, but i expect the same in return.

4horsemen

Elsewhere,

You mentioned your dad at times reminded you of a "broken animal". This struck a chord in me of my grandfather. He was born in 1915, and not certain how long he's been JW but he was already one at the Yankee Stadium assembly. Obviously, he's seen a thing or two.

My question to you is how did your father respond/react to the 1914 "generation" flip flop? My grandfather of course accepted it on the surface, but subconsciously I think he realizes he's been duped. What can he do though? It's all he's got left and it is my feeling that since that change his mental outlook (read that as depression) has adversely affected his health. He very much reminds me of a "broken animal". It's a sad sight because, physically, he has outstanding health, but mentally he is destroyed, and his spirit without question is sickened.

I can not imagine such a feeling and can only hope you dont see signs of this with your father.

20

Pioneering slips Again

by metatron in

jw
friends

april 2001 - lists number of regular pioneers.

for january 90,477. april 2002 - lists number of regular pioneers.

for january 89,007 (u.s.).

4horsemen

Simple explanation for decreasing pioneer numbers...

The elderly are dying and not being replaced.

The middle aged are getting older feeling those aches/pains that come with the aging process and feel even worse when they realize they have no med. insurance.

The young pioneers at least in my experience work minimum wage jobs, no way they can rent a place on their own. Even when they band together, rent increases will outstrip wage raises.

This is something Ive wondered about for a long time. Most JW's did not go to/graduate from college. But only 23% of working age population in USA can say they did. With the reality of inflation and in some areas of the country (California, NY) home prices being bid up, what percentage of JW's own their own homes? Trailer park ownership does not count. Will we one day see missionaries engaging in special work in more expensive areas (and what place isnt expensive to live?) because JW's simply cant afford to live there even in trailer park?

Expect to see pioneer requirements KEEP dropping.

116

WHAT ABOUT THE STUMBLING BLOCKS?

by You Know in

the underlying assumption of the apostasy is that if the watchtower falls short to a significant degree then it cannot be jehovahs organization.

thats why apostates are hopeful that if enough fault can be found with the organization and brought to the attention of the faithful, then they too will accept the conclusion that jehovahs witnesses are not who we say we are.

unquestionably, many have been stumbled over a multitude of stumbling blocks.

4horsemen

In regards to stumbling blocks what are the two main banana peels?

1)Doctrine/Teaching
2)Fellow believers.

If you can figure out #1 on your own, why do you need to associate with #2?

The problem lies in most people dont think:

A)they can understand the Bible on their own

or

B) they are not "worthy" to understand it

Watchtower apologists would argue, "Well, how would you hope to understand/explain Daniel, Revelation without us?"

My answer: I wouldnt. Speculation only wearies the bones. But maybe John slept on a rock that night. He was in prison after all, so perhaps it was hunger induced hallucinations? Who knows? Certainly not the FDS of which only a miniscule make policy. Why no majority? Dont they all have "the spirit"? Or is a quorum sufficient? Or do the 20-30 that make the rules have "more spirit" or certain "teaching gifts"?

I cannot believe I was ever part of an organization which was so reluctant(fearful?) to demonstrate it chain of command in regards to its teachings and tenets. And then hid behind semantics and sophistry.

AF, Iarc, YK, anyone. How does policy at WTBS get decided,implemented
and finally implanted at the dub level?

This YK thread of stumbling is one of the more crazy themes I have heard in dubdom.

"We(who is we?) have "THE TRUTH" but some of us dont because "TRUTH"
is not in them. They are just play acting that they have the "TRUTH"

"These people are necessary, even at are highest levels to make policy that probably in your life will stumble you. The good news is, if you're not stumbled by the life affecting effects your life will be harder but you'll be happier because you'll be in an god approved condition because you weren't stumbled."

"We also need people who have "THE TRUTH" to oversee the Gods congregations so when they behave in a condescending, judgemental and imperial manner, you can be properly humbled thus not stumbled."

"We especially need those hypocrites who have "THE TRUTH" to go out in field service with you and LIE about their hours in the most holy and important of works because when they are done play acting their part of "THE TRUTH" and you are stumbled, we dont have to bear any responsibility whatsoever for failing in "THE TRUTH" which would of course not reflect at all on whether WE still had "THE TRUTH" or were in "THE TRUTH" or most importantly taught you "THE TRUTH"

At this point "THE TRUTH" cites you a few scriptures regarding stumbling, infers your lot is among them if you dont repent back to "THEIR TRUTH" and somehow you are shown to the door.

92

How many hours are falsely reported?

by badboy in

jw
friends

in the january 1 issue of each year, they harp on about how many hours the jws did last year etc etc.. how many hours are possibly falsely reported?.

discuss,please

4horsemen

It never occured to me to pad my hours. Maybe that's why I was always getting admonished by my bookstudy elder to "keep up with the celestial chariot or get run over"

But apparently the idea of lying to men rather than God is more palatable when you subconsciously realize you're serving men and not God.

The door to door work is probably the most inefficient witness there is. A better question is not how many hours are phantom but rather of the phantom hours how much time was actually spent talking to a human being. Being seen by people driving in their cars as you walk down the street in not a witness.

How many doors, even in apartment complexes did you find people at home? 20 percent? 10? Of those, people who held a conversation with you and did not blow you off? 5%? 2? Even that seems a little high.

It would be far more efficient and effective to tape assemblies or assembly like forums and transmit them via TV or radio.

But that costs money and when you have free labor that pays for your materials and then sells, I mean places the same materials for more $ why bother?

99

Is SEX all men care about??

by butalbee in

this thread is dedicated to all of the horny stud's out there who think with their penis: "big breasts, nice ass, i wanna mound her, blah, blah, blah...." i suppose then this would include ever man in the entire world, as horny as they are, just thinking about one thing and one thing only, sex...not that sex is a bad thing, sex is very nice, except maybe if you're a single jw, then your hand is your personal best friend.

but even so, they still think of sex, they just won't admit to it, or have lost the key to their chastity belt.

when a man see's a nice looking woman, what's the first thing they think about: "wow, wonder what she looks like naked", not "i bet she has a wonderful personality.

4horsemen

Butalbee,

What every woman should know about the average male "dog" "pig" etc

Insight that my 12th grade BMOC, football captain, dating women in college, "handsome and built" (per Ldh), and my 2nd best friend wrote in my yearbook when I was in 11th grade.

"To have the wisdom of a wise man, always remember to pick food over chicks and to live one day at a time"

There you are. The perspective of the average male. Like LB said, we're an open book.

Too bad the same cant be said for women.

What a true wise man should know...

"Woman is wayward
as a feather in the breeze,
capricious in word
and in thought.
Always a lovable,
pretty face
but deceitful
whether weeping or smiling.

He who trusts her
or confides in her
is always wretched,
his heart broken!
But he can never be
completely happy
who does not sip love on that breast!"

~La Donna E Mobile

99

Is SEX all men care about??

by butalbee in

this thread is dedicated to all of the horny stud's out there who think with their penis: "big breasts, nice ass, i wanna mound her, blah, blah, blah...." i suppose then this would include ever man in the entire world, as horny as they are, just thinking about one thing and one thing only, sex...not that sex is a bad thing, sex is very nice, except maybe if you're a single jw, then your hand is your personal best friend.

but even so, they still think of sex, they just won't admit to it, or have lost the key to their chastity belt.

when a man see's a nice looking woman, what's the first thing they think about: "wow, wonder what she looks like naked", not "i bet she has a wonderful personality.

4horsemen

Gil,

This is a nice bastard as per Abaddon. Try this. It worked on LDH.

LDH writes:

"Construction guy came up to me and said, "I'm sorry for bothering you I'm sure you get this all the time but I just have to tell you how beautiful you are!"

Now, point being, I'm sure this dog was thinking about sex but HELL he was respectful and that makes all the difference in the world. I responded by telling him if I were not married, I'd go out with him. He was very handsome and built.

So guys if you want play time, play nice-nice. When your woman wants to be treated like a whore she will tell you."

Of course if you're "handsome an built" that helps. :)

99

Is SEX all men care about??

by butalbee in

this thread is dedicated to all of the horny stud's out there who think with their penis: "big breasts, nice ass, i wanna mound her, blah, blah, blah...." i suppose then this would include ever man in the entire world, as horny as they are, just thinking about one thing and one thing only, sex...not that sex is a bad thing, sex is very nice, except maybe if you're a single jw, then your hand is your personal best friend.

but even so, they still think of sex, they just won't admit to it, or have lost the key to their chastity belt.

when a man see's a nice looking woman, what's the first thing they think about: "wow, wonder what she looks like naked", not "i bet she has a wonderful personality.

4horsemen

Butalbee,

This is what most women want.

First, for a man to demonstrate the following sentiment...

"My whole heart is yours!
I cannot live without you-
I am like the flower that fades
without the kiss of sunshine!
My sweetest song is yours,
for it springs from love alone.
Say it once more, my one and only love,
say it once more: I love you!

Where ever I go,
I feel you near me.
I should like to drink your breath
and sink imploringly at your feet-
yours, yours alone! How wonderful
your shining hair is!
Your lovely, radiant gaze
is full of dreams and anxious longing.
When I hear your voice,
it is like music.
My whole heart is yours!"

Secondly, they want him to be able to give them mind blowing sex all day, and all night, and then some.

If either quality is lacking, especially number two(since she'll overlook number 1), that poor soul is not long for that relationship.
Did you yourself not say that one quality your next paramour must have is to be "great" in bed. Quote, unquote. Not good, not average.

As in answer to your question: Did men think only of sex?

No!

We also think about food, water(beer), and a place to sleep.

91

What is you occupation

by Beans in

jw
friends

im a liceinced electrician now working in wireless communication installations.i love the electrical industry,there is so much to learn and so many different things do work with and technology is always changing.never a boaring day especially when we are working in the office buildings downtown,chicks everywhere!.

beans.

4horsemen

You Know would label my profession as the anti-christ but I trade the futures markets. Bonds, DAX index for the most part. Or anything that will give me a bid.