Posts by Faithful Witness

62

I'am in the Penalty Box! I asked the Circuit Overseer "Who Donates Blood For Jehovah's Witnesses Blood Fragments".

by AuntConnie in

told my husband to put a muzzle on my mouth over the blood dogma.

we all were driving around in field service when the topic of "which fragments would you take if you were in a car accident or cut yourself badly".

said his choice is a personal one, another sister with chronic health problems said she had no problem with the governing body's new light on taking various fragments.

Need advice: Witnessing to a JW at my door

by Faithful Witness in

i have been waiting for this moment, and it has finally come!

i was actually in the middle of typing in the other thread, about householders who caused you doubts, when a jw rang my doorbell.

my barking german shepherd didnt scare him away, but did knock all his books out of his hand and onto a wet porch, which i really felt bad about.

Thanks, Robert. I like your advice and understanding. He was quoting that passage in Matthew 22, when he was at my door. I've updated my Bible. Gateway app, and will make myself more familiar with it. Ive been reading the freedomofmind.com website, and do plan to get the books mentioned, although possibly not in time for the first meeting.

Do you think I should agree to the bible teach book? Or just ask questions about current articles? i need to try to focus, or maybe should set a time limit with the excuse of an appointment or even have someone show up or call me at a set time To get me out of the situation.

I don't think he will be able to indoctrinate me. My husband is planning to be present also, so that will help focus the topic if it sways around in the JW habit of flipping thru the bible or a publication.

31

Isn't the new light exciting???

by wannaexit in

jw
friends

well, for some jw's the gb new light is very very exciting.

in fact its the most exciting thing that has happened in a very long time.

this is what a long time jw told me.

Faithful Witness

Some more gobbledy gook about 1914. Jesus came or maybe he didn't, but he didn't start the harvest or he did, and most of the stuff is coming in the future, depending on if you agree that the words "come" and "arrive" mean the same thing, and if they refer to the future, as in "return." I'm a little bit confused myself, but I only read the articles 6 times, and I don't speak JW as well as I did when my brain was numb. I just am pretty sure that Jesus came or visited or arrived invisibly, inspetted the bible students in 1914 and appointed the ones remaining in 1919... The slave was selected because of their dedication and preaching work. jesus was proud to see they'd distributed millions of books and magazines, declaring the end of the world And the news of the kingdom.

43

Need advice: Witnessing to a JW at my door

by Faithful Witness in

i have been waiting for this moment, and it has finally come!

i was actually in the middle of typing in the other thread, about householders who caused you doubts, when a jw rang my doorbell.

my barking german shepherd didnt scare him away, but did knock all his books out of his hand and onto a wet porch, which i really felt bad about.

Faithful Witness

Ok, I've been thinking and praying about this guy and what to ask him when he comes over. I'm replaying some of the statements he made to me, in his attempts to throw me off course in our conversation together.

Two issues are standing out for me.

He was tring to make a case for the need of a Jehovah's organization on earth. I'm forgetting now what he compared it to, but he did use the "feeding many out of the hands of a few" As his example.

Another thing he was taking a stand on, is the LOVE, the unparalleled love that exists within the JW organization. He emphasized Jesus's command to love God and love your neighbor.

I'm thinking that these two arguments don't really hold water, when you combine them. I don't see love coming from the GB.

How can I phrase my questions about this, to this couple, and inspire them to think for themselves to get an answer? I see evidence of lots of things coming down from New York, but i wouldn't call it "love." How can I ask this question in his language?

31

Isn't the new light exciting???

by wannaexit in

jw
friends

well, for some jw's the gb new light is very very exciting.

in fact its the most exciting thing that has happened in a very long time.

this is what a long time jw told me.

Faithful Witness

As someone who never quite bought the old truth, I find their reaction to the new truth very interesting.

When I discovered the fact that things were getting switched around, I called up my old jw friend and had her deliver the watchtower to me. I figured she could use the points on her score card.

She was so excited! Wow! I love it when the light gets brighter! Then she said something about a sailboat, and adjusting your course. All I kept thinking, was being tossed around by every breeze that blows.

Then in the recent (part 2) lesson, they were looking at that timeline. They commented how the devil "the sneaky guy," was hunched over, but Jesus was standing up straight and tall. Later, in the same talk, someone started talking about a weed that looks like wheat... but the wheat "bends" in the wind, while the weeds stand up straight and proud (just like all those ignorant "imitation Christians," acting like they are the queen!) I guess no one realized that they were, therefore, saying the wheat was stooping over like the sneaky guy That planted the weeds in the first place. (I am referring to the timeline that illustrates the new timing of the harvest season, in the parable of the wheat and the weeds, from Watchtower study edition, July 15, 2013, illustrated on pages 10-11).

They just keep referring back to the illustration and the timeline, because the rest of it is too complicated. "Jehovah will unite us. Be confident in his deliverance. Opposition will surely come, but we will stick together on this." (some of the planted comments that week). Oh and don't ignore, "We are grateful to Jehovah's writing department, for providing us with this information at the perfect time."

I find myself wondering... Are they excited about the new truth, because they never really believed or understood the old truth? Isn't that a relief and a comfort?!? If you are serving a religion that is not fulfilling or satisfying your needs, and they keep dropping little tidbits and breadcrumbs for you to pick up along the path, I can see why I would be exciting... Give us something new! Anything but this! Please deliver us! We are starving!

21

How did I get here? From Bible student to baby missionary

by Faithful Witness in

jw
friends

my name is valerie.

i thought i would add my story to the archives, in case anyone else can relate.. i am a homeschooling mom of 2 young children, ages 7 & 5. i was "saved" (overused expression) when i was a child, attended awana until middle school, and then led a basic, worldy life as a "good person.".

one day, during a short separation from my husband, the doorbell rang.

Faithful Witness

I am carefully considering all your varying advice, and appreciate your experiences.

My parents are already aware that I am trying to warn them about the organization. I've said it out loud. My dad claims that he is "still" looking for what is wrong (does that mean he actually knows something is wrong, he just can't put his finger on it?)

Also, I wanted to add that I am not using anything but their own words and the bible, to pose any questions to my sister and brother in law. The book I placed in my mom's bathroom, was a book full of photocopies of things they printed from the early days, along with notes to help you navigate the pages of fine print and see their bizarre teachings at the turn of the century. I placed this book, right after a conversation we had, in which I challenged them to question the truth. If someone is declaring that Christ came in 1919 and appointed them as his exclusive channel, then you really should look at what they were saying in 1914 and 1919.

I myself, was not ready to view opposing evidence until recently. Despite watching that one tv program (and only part of it), I still felt it was wrong to listen to anyone who spoke against the JW's. I have listened to the opinions and advice of people who have experienced this, but only after I feel I have exhausted my resources with Christian people and pastors that I know. I am well aware that they won't read a news story about child sexual abuse. I tried that before my mom got baptized and she ran to an elder to check my story.

I do feel that God is working through me somehow, to reach more than just my parents and sister. Sending a random JW to my door, in the middle of my prayer to reach one, was simply too much of a coincidence. BUT I appreciate the advice given, that my parents could get wind of my reaching out to witnesses in my area. I have so far been able to explain my interest, by telling them I am confused by the changes, and that I am worried about them. Even my sister went along with that excuse. They are still praying that we will come back to the truth. If i keep it low-key enough, hopefully my questions won't be of obvious.

At some point, they are going to have to drop this whole house-to-house ministry. They don't want to have a householder blurt out some current event that could reveal their wrongdoings to the very ones sacrifcing their very lives to promote their magazine business. Who will be left to recruit?

21

How did I get here? From Bible student to baby missionary

by Faithful Witness in

jw
friends

my name is valerie.

i thought i would add my story to the archives, in case anyone else can relate.. i am a homeschooling mom of 2 young children, ages 7 & 5. i was "saved" (overused expression) when i was a child, attended awana until middle school, and then led a basic, worldy life as a "good person.".

one day, during a short separation from my husband, the doorbell rang.

Faithful Witness

Are old articles from the Watchtower, considered apostate literature? For example, the articles referenced in the current magazine... From 1990-1999?

I have obtained photocopies of the articles mentioned in the endnotes of the July 15, 2013 Watchtower study edition. This is the magazine that reveals the new light about the FD&S and the 1914-1919 changes. I couldn't understand the lesson, without access to the referenced material. That took some searching...

22

The door bell rang today

by ABibleStudent in

jw
friends

just before i started undressing to take a shower to go to an appointment, the door bell rang.

i thought about not answering the door, but then thought what the hell it could be my neighbor, who is a widow and in her 70's, needing some help.. at the door was a frail man about 85+ years old dressed in a shabby sport coat, shirt, tie, and slacks, and a skinny woman about 75+ years old in a long dress that needed to be ironed.

as i grabbed my dog to prevent him from jumping at the screen door, which was partially open, and beating the couple with his tail and making them fall, i thought what am i going to do.

Faithful Witness

The Thin Mints still come in 2 separate cellophane sleeves, so you can easily share the box with a friend. I am also a huge fan of those ones with the coconut and caramel, oh yum! Only 15 cookies per box, so don't waste them on kids hahahaha!!!

Old people would probably enjoy the little shortbread ones that look like the Girl Scout logo. They might be called Trefoils.

21

How did I get here? From Bible student to baby missionary

by Faithful Witness in

jw
friends

my name is valerie.

i thought i would add my story to the archives, in case anyone else can relate.. i am a homeschooling mom of 2 young children, ages 7 & 5. i was "saved" (overused expression) when i was a child, attended awana until middle school, and then led a basic, worldy life as a "good person.".

one day, during a short separation from my husband, the doorbell rang.

Faithful Witness

I am searching for the right questions to present to this nice man who has presented himself to me. He is an elder, but his native land is Cambodia. He has been a JW since 1982.

No other Christian church looks at this parable, as a prophecy or annointing of any men on earth today. I'm just not buying it. Every Christian I ask about this, has never heard the phrase, "The Faithful and Discreet Slave." Does this teaching somehow prove that they ARE the true religion?

21

How did I get here? From Bible student to baby missionary

by Faithful Witness in

jw
friends

my name is valerie.

i thought i would add my story to the archives, in case anyone else can relate.. i am a homeschooling mom of 2 young children, ages 7 & 5. i was "saved" (overused expression) when i was a child, attended awana until middle school, and then led a basic, worldy life as a "good person.".

one day, during a short separation from my husband, the doorbell rang.

Faithful Witness

So far, my parents seem to be operating under the assumption that they can still speak to me, since I was never baptized as a JW. I'm using that technicality, for as long as I can get away with it.

I have placed a book in their home, entitled, "Documented FACTS the Watchtower Does Not Want YOU to Know!" (I hid it under some magazines in the bathroom).

I sent an email to them, explaining the concept of "new light," and how it is used as a thought-stopping tool by the JWs. I included the upcoming warning from the November 2013 WT, that will warn them to "obey, no matter what..." I also included an image of the secret book that elders carry, "Shepherding the Flock of God." I challenged my dad to ask his elders why they need information he is not allowed to read. He has always been a proud and stubborn SOB. I'm shocked he will go along with this...

My mom actually replied to the email (not sure if Dad read it)... she simply said, "Don't worry, we won't drink the kool-aid..." (well, that's a relief... but what ARE you willing to do??)

At a recent funeral, my brother in law and sister actually spoke to me! I think they must have heard we had attended a meeting. I asked her what she thought of the new prophecy and the date change, and the whole 1914 thing... her reply, after a blank stare for about 10 seconds: "It makes sense..."

My BIL simply said, "I wish they wouldn't spend so much time talking about what they USED to believe.... if this is what we believe now, then let's just move forward..." (yikes...)

I kept emphasizing that they should look at the Bible for themselves, and check these things out... They agreed wholeheartedly. That's what JWs DO!!! Read the Bible!! (eyeroll)

I asked,"What happens, when the Watchtower and Bible don't agree... which one is true?" Reply:"That hasn't happened yet."

My BIL went on to attempt telling me a story about something he had tried to rectify in the Bible. When he couldn't, he went to an elder, who showed him how to justify it. It didn't come out very well, but I appreciate his efforts to explain it. I think I actually might have made him thimk that day... (Maybe!!)

I asked my sister about the parable of the sheep and goats, and how JWs can claim to be the sheep, when they don't believe in giving charity, helping homeless or hungry people. Her reply was to tell me how they were doing something better... I resisted the obvious retort (magazines?)

So the good news, is that I do think I have opened up a conversation with my sister. My most recent conversation with her before this, was when she called me up, bawling because I had outed her as an unloving JW. She told me she had to protect her children from me. She called me an apostate and idolator. I think we have made a little progress from that point, even though I am still both of those things (and now I can add the badge of "Imitation Christian," from the recent label given to non-JWs).