sarahsmile: That is horrible! I'm so sorry to hear about your father, and the way you were treated by the "shepherds" who were supposed to be caring for you and your family.
Faithful Witness
JoinedPosts by Faithful Witness
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31
Was There Anything A JW Said That Made You Raise Your Eyebrows?
by minimus inwe had an elderly pioneer/ms in our hall and he used to like to rattle the elders.
he liked using the "n" word in his comments.
he one time started to comment about the "ni##er pool" that he would observe among the poorer blacks.
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I'm not trying to brag, but being an EXJW is awesome!!! Status Update-
by Coffee House Girl inhello jwn!
i don't get to check in here or comment as often as i would like because i have been working so hard at school...but i just have to share my news in hopes that newbees can see that taking the leap to enroll in higher education is worth it-.
i am graduating this spring with a bachelor degree in art history, minor anthropology...many people (including nonjw's have given me flack for choosing a "dead end" career path) but since leaving the watchtower organization's group-think mentality and "leaning on my own understanding" instead... i decided to say fuck everyone else's opinion...i am going to pursue my passion to work in a museum as a curator or archivist-.
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Faithful Witness
That is a great accomplishment! I liked the way you even recognized the fact that you took some value from your JW education: good study habits and discipline, and applied that discipline to something YOU are passionate about. You have not only defeated the mind-control attempts of the WTS, but you have beaten them at their own game.
Way to use your talents and passions, to achieve your goals and dreams. I wish you much success and happiness. Good luck in your decision!
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Are book studies still going on outside the USA?
by L3G intruthseeker's fine thread got me thinking.
there are plenty of forum members from europe, australia, and latin america here.
did the book study in publishers' homes end a few years ago at the time, or near the time, that it did in america?
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Faithful Witness
Yes, be mindful to use the correct and most current terminology.
You don't want to be accused of apostasy.
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20
Wheat/weeds parable defeats "organization' teaching
by Zoos inin his illustration at mathew 13: 24-30, jesus made it clear that the wheat and weeds were to grow together until the harvest.
this parable runs contrary to the concept put forward by the wt about getting out of the world and running to their organization for salvation.. first of all, the parable says that the weeds will be gathered, bundled and burned first then the wheat will be gathered into the storehouse.. wt teaches that we need to gather up the wheat first.
not only are they doing it backward, they are teaching that true christians must isolate themselves inside a special wheat organization, separate from the weeds.
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Faithful Witness
Thanks for the explanation. I'm not necessarily agreeing or disagreeing with you, because I don't yet grasp what you're saying.
Ok, so Jesus is doing the work. I'm not sure I see that happening, but I admit I am still learning...
What about my other questions? Can you define the separation that you claim is occurring?
Who is the wheat? Who are the weeds?
What is being done to separate them? The "fire" is not a literal fire, evidently... what is the "fire?'
I appreciate your help on this, because I am really trying to understand. Can you explain this a little bit more? Thanks!
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25
Has anyone ever used a NONO??
by DATA-DOG injust curious.
i hate shaving, ect.
ummm..errr...i mean "my friend" was asking about this device.
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Faithful Witness
"No No! No no no no no... " is what I imagine myself saying, every time I try to use it.
I tried the "Epilady" back in the late 80's... a rotating spring that rips the hair out so easily on the TV commercial. Each hair follicle screamed in pain. I didn't even get an ankle done, before I gave up.
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Detroit DC is NOT filling up? Please book a hotel room!! -letter
by ?me? inwe have had a letter read the last 2 meetings to all congs attenidng the detroit dc's... seems people are not going, or not booking their hotels.
and the society is pissed!
they are imploring every one to not wait for a new list with new hotels, it is not happening.
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Faithful Witness
I live in Michigan, but not Detroit. I recently heard that Detroit was trying to get Obama to reserve a whole slew of Visas, exclusively for Detroit. I think the idea was to get some business owners to come into town. (I'm not sure if Obama is the one who is supposed to do that, but he will do as he darn-well pleases, thank you very much!)
The city also seems to have a growing Muslim population, at least in one area of the city.
My parents are planning to attend. They have booked a hotel in Novi, which is about 30 minutes away. I'm sure it's not on the list.
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34
Atlanta International Convention Hotels Not Being Filled Up!
by James Jackson inthis week our kh devoted the whole service meeting to the upcoming international convention in atlanta.
they read a 5 page letter from the branch which stated basically that we should feel priviledged to be invited to this convention.. however, many are not using the "recomended lodging list", "many hotels still have plenty of rooms available", "we must be loyal to this arrangement", (or the organization will not get their comp rooms)..
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Faithful Witness
We attended one convention as bible students. We booked at the same hotel as many in the congregation, following their instructions. We opted to pay $5 a day for parking, to be right next to the entrance... we could have parked for free in the parking garage 2 blocks away, but why wait in line to get in and out?? How silly they looked.
Katewild: Thanks!
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20
Wheat/weeds parable defeats "organization' teaching
by Zoos inin his illustration at mathew 13: 24-30, jesus made it clear that the wheat and weeds were to grow together until the harvest.
this parable runs contrary to the concept put forward by the wt about getting out of the world and running to their organization for salvation.. first of all, the parable says that the weeds will be gathered, bundled and burned first then the wheat will be gathered into the storehouse.. wt teaches that we need to gather up the wheat first.
not only are they doing it backward, they are teaching that true christians must isolate themselves inside a special wheat organization, separate from the weeds.
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Faithful Witness
I really thought that timeline was going to show up in my post above. I wish I could figure out how to insert an image!
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Wheat/weeds parable defeats "organization' teaching
by Zoos inin his illustration at mathew 13: 24-30, jesus made it clear that the wheat and weeds were to grow together until the harvest.
this parable runs contrary to the concept put forward by the wt about getting out of the world and running to their organization for salvation.. first of all, the parable says that the weeds will be gathered, bundled and burned first then the wheat will be gathered into the storehouse.. wt teaches that we need to gather up the wheat first.
not only are they doing it backward, they are teaching that true christians must isolate themselves inside a special wheat organization, separate from the weeds.
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Faithful Witness
Ablebodiedman:
The wheat IS BEING SEPERATED right under the noses of all those weeds!
Can you clarify what you mean by this statement?
Who is doing the harvesting or separating work? From an outsider's viewpoint, it looks like this separation is being orchestrated by the rules of the men in charge of the Watchtower Bible and Tract Society, not by Christ. Who is in charge of doing the work of separating or harvesting? Is it the WTBTS or is it Christ?
Who are you identifying as the "weeds" here? JWs? Or are the JWs the wheat? Or are they neither one, since this parable does not actually have any prophetic meaning for them? I'm confused.
Has harvest time begun? The weeds should already be burning (in a fire that can not be put out).
What evidence do we have that the weeds have been destroyed? The JWs are still here and active, and so are the members of "Christendom." Non-believers are also still walking around, alive and well.
Is Luke 12 referring to the wheat and weeds parable?
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20
Wheat/weeds parable defeats "organization' teaching
by Zoos inin his illustration at mathew 13: 24-30, jesus made it clear that the wheat and weeds were to grow together until the harvest.
this parable runs contrary to the concept put forward by the wt about getting out of the world and running to their organization for salvation.. first of all, the parable says that the weeds will be gathered, bundled and burned first then the wheat will be gathered into the storehouse.. wt teaches that we need to gather up the wheat first.
not only are they doing it backward, they are teaching that true christians must isolate themselves inside a special wheat organization, separate from the weeds.
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Faithful Witness
Here is the timeline that appears in the article of WT July 15, 2013, "Look! I am with you ALL the days."
http://www.jw.org/en/publications/magazines/w20130715/jesus-parable-wheat-and-weeds/
My husband and I visited for this WT study on September 8. We are bible students gone bad (decided not to join, but they don't shun us).
The man at the podium kept referring back to this timeline... again and again... clearly it was scripted, along with a few of his strange remarks.
He helped interpret the images. There are 2 figures depicted. Jesus is the Sower ("notice he is WHITE and STANDING UPRIGHT"). The Devil is the Enemy ("Notice this other SNEAKY GUY... he is BLACK and STOOPED OVER")
Comments from the audience (elder's wife, who claimed to have knowledge of wheat farming in particular) were enlightening. Apparently, there is a particular type of weed that grows among wheat. "When you look out over a wheat field, the weeds are very easy to see. The wheat bends with the wind, but the weeds stand stiff and upright."
Another comment from the audience (another woman): "We can see evidence of this in our modern day society. "Imitation Christians" stand upright and do not bend, but JW's are flexible and able to bend when things change." (convenient, since the wind was shifting dramatically that day!)
These comments were made in response to the question:
13. What does Revelation 18:7 reveal about the present attitude of the harlot, or Babylon the Great, including Christendom?
13 Third, weeping and gnashing. After the angels bundle the weeds, what happens? Speaking about the condition of the weed class, Jesus states: “There is where their weeping and the gnashing of their teeth will be.” ( Matt. 13:42 ) Is that happening right now? No. Today, Christendom, as part of the harlot, still says about herself: “I sit a queen, and I am no widow, and I shall never see mourning.” ( Rev. 18:7 ) Indeed, Christendom feels very much in charge, even presuming to ‘sit as a queen’ atop the class of political leaders. Presently, those represented by the weeds are boasting, not weeping. But that is about to change.
Revelation 18:7
7 To the extent that she glorified herself and lived in shameless luxury, to that extent give her torment and mourning. For she keeps saying in her heart: ‘I sit as queen, and I am not a widow, and I will never see mourning.’
(Just my 2 cents, but I've observed a lot of modern day JW's glorifying themselves and making claims about eternity for themselves)
To summarize... "DID YOU GET THE POINT??"
Interpretation from the podium ("Please refer back to the timeline"):
- Jesus = standing tall and upright
- The Devil = stooped over
Additional interpretation from the audience (comments that were congratulated by the man at podium):
- Weeds = stooped over
- Wheat = standing tall and upright
THE POINT: "Bend over! You are Wheat!" (which could mean:)
- The wind is shifting, be ready to adjust yourself again.
- Be ready to bend yourself in new ways. Instructions to follow. (grooming them)
- If you are a faithful JW, congratulate yourself every time you bend with the breeze. Your abilitiy to adapt proves that you are Wheat.
Many of the comments and remarks that were inserted by the conductor of the WT study, seemed scripted and sometimes awkward. He made a few strange hand gestures that didn't really fit, and the timing of some of his remarks was odd. I grew more and more suspicious as we kept listening to the comments being made, both from the podium and the same few people who kept raising their hands.
I have come to believe that there is a lot more to these comments and remarks, than meets the eye. I think this explains why so many JW's seem to be confused about what they actually believe. They often can't find the answers in their literature, because the ideas and "understanding" was planted verbally. This is why meeting attendance and theocratic work are so vital to your spiritual health.
Not only are you unable to understand the Bible without the aid of the Watchtower commentary, you are unable to understand the Watchtower, without the aid of instructions administered to you at the meetings.
