Posts by Faithful Witness

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

He didn't show up today. Either I scared him away, or he had something else come up.

This is a disappointment and a relief at the same time. Now I am left wondering if he will come back.

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

OTWO: thank you. I will do that... "Enjoy your life and put this behind you." But before that...

Adam: I know that i do not have the power to save anyone. I am too small to take on the org that controls an honest hearted JW. I can't convert anyone, but am hoping that something might plant a seed in his mind, and he might later realize that he might want to question the reign of the GB over his life. He has at least one daughter.

In dealings with this man, and every other JW I meet, my intent is always compassion and love For that person. God has been changing my heart, to do this work. I am not going to put up any big tent and start yelling on a bullhorn or anything (even though I believe that is what needs to be done). My mission is small, and is leading toward my ultimate purpose. I'm on a path, just like everyone else here.

Everything JW's, from any level, current, new, born-ins, fading, disfellowshipped, elders, GB members... Everything they say has value. They are all clues. Windows into the mind of the borg itself. The organization in itself, has become a living, breathing animal that needs to be fed. Is it a sheep? Maybe... But it does not act like one. The Borg has swallowed a part of my family. I have walked away and left it behind... but something is calling me back. I think it might be the voice of my 12-year old niece. It is going to be extremely difficult, I know... But my ultimate mission is to get the message to her. There is life outside the Watchtower. Please God, tell me she is not baptized! (i don't dare to ask, and would prefer no guessing or speculating).

So yes, in a way, I am USING this poor JW man, to get inside info. I am also keeping him off the street, so he can't go deceiving any of my neighbors. While doing that, I can still care about him. He comes from a foreign country, and has been JW for 32 years. He has no idea there is a chance for a life out here. Maybe something I say will make him do some thinking of his own, someday. I'd rather be remembered for trying, than as someone who slammed a door in someone's face, for doing what they think is a good deed. His intentions are good, and mine should also be.

I admit, I was confused about the purpose and intentions of this message forum. I am really appreciative of each one who is wiling to share their story and opinion Here, regardless of your beliefs or practices. Especially the ones that do not agree with me. I am here to learn and move on. Thanks to everyone for your honesty.

Edit: I am reaching my posting limit. Everything i hear from JW's has value, especially what I am learning from those on this forum. Thank you again!

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

Thanks! I'm now watching the driveway, and wishing I'd made an actual appointment.

23

Using the name Jehovah when praying

by Ding in

i know of number of jws who believe that if anyone doesn't address god as jehovah when praying that the prayer really goes to satan... especially if you pray to someone else (jesus, for example).. i haven't been able to find that specific teaching in wt literature.

they do say that we are to pray only to jehovah, but i haven't been able to locate a publication that says the prayer really goes to satan if you don't.. is there such a reference?.

.

Faithful Witness

I was having this conversation with my husband the other day. Correct me where I am wrong here (I must be):

YHWH was used to refer to the name of God the Father.

YHWH was not spoken aloud by the jews, because his name was so holy it was not to be spoken, except by certain people (???)

I can not find a single time that Jesus uses the name Jehovah or YWHW when speaking of his father. Does this appear in the NWT somewhere?

At some point in history, someone decided we should be calling God by his first name, in case He thinks we are talking to someone else. They come up with a way to pronounce it, by adding vowels in there and changing the consonants so it's easier to say worldwide. Did this instruction come from God, from Jesus who told us exactly how to pray, or was this some new light, or where did they get this policy? (I don't know)

"Jehovah" is not the way anyone would ever accurately pronounce YHWH.

When addressing your father, tradition dictates calling him by his title, not his first name. Is there a culture, where people call their dads by their first name either for respect, reverence or religious purposes?

To call your father by his first name is disrespect.

Now here is a biggie for me... Has anyone ever mispronounced your name before??

How did that feel, and what did it tell you about your relationship with them? It shows they do NOT know you.

The WTBTS has made it so that all JW's recognize the name "Jehovah" as representing God's "visible organization on earth."

When a JW hears the name Jehoval spoken, there is a connection made in the brain, and they submit.

I am not God, but if someone had convinced millions of people to call me by a mispronounced version of my name, I'd be pretty disappointed.

With all the new light that is being revealed, why doesn't God at least tell them how to say his name correctly?

I won't post my suspicions or conspiracy ideas here, but I think that using this name the way they do, could be a high crime in the eyes of God... Right up there with refusing to partake and accept the blood of Christ, as they literally pass it around and REJECT Christ every year at the memorial.

Who is the world's greatest deceiver? He has deceived many In this case.

20

JW's now believe in The Rapture

by Oubliette in

jw
friends

jw's now believe in the rapture.

notice this curious doctrinal change in the controversial july 15th, 2013 watchtower: .

one of the events mentioned in these verses is the gathering of the chosen ones.

Faithful Witness

I found it interesting, all the new light in one magazine, culminating in the redefinition of the slave... And oh, by the way, we have another member on the GB! I think the new guy wants to be raptured, so they are changing the interpretation, or at least saying it's a possibility. They never have committed to any of this, of course. They dont know, and they admit it... But we just know it's the truth, even though were not really sure, since

"Pointedly, the Bible doesn't say."

"And notice the modest, reasonable language used to introduce this possibility: This May Be Taken as an indication."

maybe and may be are not the same meaning, especially when spoken by your mother. i searched to find that 1990 article, only to find them referring back to some other thing they said in 1928, and another footnote referring to a book published in 1942. No wonder no JW can keep up with this run around! Wow.

35

Do you have any "one-liners" for drive-by witnessing?

by Faithful Witness in

i am looking for things i can say in passing, when i meet some of my jw friends.

we used to attend meetings, but have not been officially recognized yet, as apostates.

we were good and curious students, but fell away and were choked out by weeds.. since i will be renewing my bible student status soon, i am hoping this will open more windows into the organization.

Faithful Witness

Hortensia, I ran across that question also... A real mind-bender, and I might just use it sometime.

Does anyone have any "trigger" words that I should be aware of, when dealing with a JW? I think you know what I mean. I'm running a separate thread, asking for advice about reverse witnessing to the JW that is making a return visit tomorrow.

I know there are certain words and ideas that cause an automatics reflex for JW's.

Truth, Jesus, God, Jehovah, slave, cross, trinity, church...

Are there any words, concepts or ideas that should be absolutely avoided or would be possibly more effective in reaching a JW, or possibly getting them to listen better or turn on their thought receptors?

Im not sure if this question makes sense to anyone or not... But any clues about this would be helpful. I am awaiting the arrival of the books by Steve Hassan, although I don't know if they contain any tips or advice to be used for this purpose or not.

I am just thinking... If the WTS can use their language control mechanisms to control people in such a powerful way, there should be a way we can use this to reach someone, and maybe trigger something in their brain, to make them think... actually THINK... Do you know what I'm asking?

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

Thanks for all the encouragement and prayers this week. I'm pretty sure the JW couple is going to come tomorrow sometime. As it looks now, my husband will be at work. I've been thinking and thinking about this next meeting all week long, and I'm going to trust the Holy Spirit to guide me, and keep a hand clamped firmly over my mouth when necessary.

I'm considering a totally different approach, and treating them like human beings. I am going to see how much I can get to know them as people, and hear their story. After all the things I have read on this forum this week, I am realizing that being a JW is not the simple and breezy life that they try to make you believe it is. Being JW for 30+ years, I'm sure they have some stories to tell. I'm going to see if they let me get to know them better. This could give me some insight into what might reach them.

I ran into our most recent Bible teacher two days ago, and even though questions were burning inside my head, I could tell this man really just needed someone to listen to what he'd been going through. Health problems and unmanageable pain. I didn't get to it, but would love to see how the people at his KH have been treating him lately. It's obvious he can't go in FS, and maybe can't even sit through meetings. Anyway, that's a differen conversation.

I'm wondering how this new one will respond if I show interest in their story. Thoughts?

In any case, please pray for me tomorrow. I hope to plant a seed of doubt at the very least, but possibly begin an ongoing conversation with this JW family. If I have to become a bible student, we will see how far that ends up going. One visit at a time, one step at a time! I can do this, hopefully without screwing it up royally from the get-go.

Thanks for all the help, and I'll be checking here to see if anyone has any last minute advice...

18

will they install credit card readers for the agm?

by hoser in

more speculation, why not?.

will they install credit card readers so the faithful, but cashless, can contribute?.

hoser.

Faithful Witness

3rdgen: they are definitely becoming more catholic!

With the new teaching about a rapture for the annointed, they are making a big shift toward one world religion.

46

No bibles at any kingdomhalls, strong rumors the annual meeting is regarding the bible...

by EndofMysteries in

from relatives and contacts in 2 states, there have been no bibles available for a couple months.

one person mentioned to me as well about supposed quotes in the magazines from other bibles.

rumors are that they will announce a new bible, or possibly tell everyone to buy a bible from another place that they approve of.

Faithful Witness

Another advantage to an online version of the Bible: tracking software can allow them to see who is visiting unapproved websites like this one.

27

Watchtower Society Has Systemically, Methodically Over The Years, Caused All JWs Diabolically To Worship Watchtower Headquarters Leadership [or G.B.]!

by bjc2read in

(of course, this will be "old news" to many of you...but, this is especially written for the "newbies" who may not know of the following.).

... i was just wondering .... .

i remember back when i was very active among the jehovah's witnesses, the watchtower society recommended a special procedure they used to do to put pressure upon bible studies of jehovah's witnesses by doing something they called: "directing attention to the organization.

Faithful Witness

Song 125

"Loyally Submitting to Theocratic Order"

Yes, this is a long post, but a very good topic to discuss. This very issue is a big one for me, and one main factor in why we never were baptized. I have also challenged my father (baptized about three years ago) to think about this one. Are you serving Jehovah God, or are you serving an organization? I asked this of a JW at my door the other day, and he went on to tell me that God does require an organization on earth today.

Now that they are narrowing down the definition of this organization, they ARE worshipping the GB. Thanks for all the research and examples.