Posts by Faithful Witness

14

Blondie's Comments You Will Not Hear at the 03-09-2014 WT Study (KING OF ETERNITY)

by blondie in

w = watchtower.

wt publications http://www.a2z.org/wtarchive/archive.htm (old).

united nations http://www.randytv.com/secret/unitednations.htm.

Faithful Witness

(sound of record screeching to a stop)... What? Wait! WHO is King? I thought they said Christ was King!

Are they about to reveal that Jehovah and Christ ARE actually one?

This is so confusing!

How can a JW honestly serve and believe these ever-changing statements?

I am really beginning to understand why I never made it into the JW's. I was unable to follow and believe what constantly shifted. I really thought JW's believed that Christ was King. My mother told me recently that Satan is actually ruling right now, so she also appears to be confused.

I checked jw.org and searched "Jesus is King." Here is some of what I found. I have included links for each article and page I found.

Book: Draw Close to Jehovah

Jesus Sets Justice on Earth

Chapter 15, Paragraph 20:

Since becoming the Messianic King in 1914, Jesus has promoted justice in the earth.

Chapter 16, Paragraph 16: (another interesting fact - elders are princes)

Notice the prophetic description of “princes,” or elders, recorded by Isaiah: “Look! A king will reign for righteousness itself; and as respects princes, they will rule as princes for justice itself.”

Do You Believe in Jesus?

We also believe that Jesus is now ruling as King of God’s heavenly Kingdom, which will soon bring peace to the entire earth.

Appeared in Good News from God

Who is Jesus Christ?

Paragraph 5: What is Jesus Doing Now?

Now Jesus is ruling as King in heaven, and his followers are announcing that good news worldwide.

Soon, Jesus will use his power as King to put an end to all suffering and those who cause it. Millions who exercise faith in Jesus and obey him will enjoy life in a paradise on earth.

More clarification coming soon to a KH near you:

WT Study Edition February, 2014:

Hail Christ - The Glorious King!

Jehovah installed his Son as his Messianic King in the heavens in 1914. ‘The scepter of his kingdom is a scepter of uprightness,’ so the righteousness and equity of his reign are guaranteed. His authority is legitimate, since ‘God is his throne.’ That is, Jehovah is the foundation of his kingdom. Moreover, Jesus’ throne will last “forever and ever.” Are you not proud to be serving Jehovah under such a mighty, God-appointed King?

What is the Kingdom of God? Bible Questions

Rulers. God has appointed Jesus Christ as King of the Kingdom and has given him more authority than any human ruler could ever have. (Matthew 28:18) Jesus uses this power only for good, since he has already proved to be a reliable and compassionate Leader. (Matthew 4:23; Mark 1:40, 41; 6:31-34; Luke 7:11-17) Under God’s direction, Jesus has selected persons from all nations who will “ rule as kings over the earth ” with him in heaven.—Revelation 5:9, 10.

Awake December 2012: Accurate Bible Prophecy, Part 8

"Let Your Kingdom Come" from paragraph 2:

As the appointed King of this Kingdom, Jesus Christ carries out God’s will in heaven and on earth.

14

Subliminal Messages Dispensed Through Memes and Imagery

by Faithful Witness in

this might sound like an abstract idea, but i would love to hear your thoughts.

there seem to be so many questions that can not be answered in their literature and research materials.

there are things they just "know," even though they are often unable to find where it was published in printed material.. how many of their beliefs are being changed, shifted and spread throughout the congregation, through use of comments alone?

Faithful Witness

This might sound like an abstract idea, but I would love to hear your thoughts. There seem to be so many questions that can not be answered in their literature and research materials. There are things they just "know," even though they are often unable to find where it was published in printed material.

How many of their beliefs are being changed, shifted and spread throughout the congregation, through use of comments alone? I have observed my father (JW convert of just a few years) using strange phrasing, and repeating statements... "They are smarter than me..."

Many of these believes might fall under JW "common knowledge." Those "in the know" have their ear to the ground, and are hearing thoughts and speculations repeated.

"Will this memorial be our last?" It could be! I know I won't miss it!

MEME

noun [meem]

a cultural item that is transmitted by repetition and replication in a manner analogous to the biological transmission of genes.

a cultural item in the form of an image, video, phrase, etc., that is spread via the Internet and often altered in a creative or humorous way.

Is it possible that they are planting these comments in their public talks and WT studies, so the flock will have something new to "think about" and expand on, during those times when they are looking for appropriate topics they can discuss together? (such as in field service... are worldly topics ever discussed, or do they stick to rehashing JW ideas?)

Really, the same old conversation that they have been having since before 1975, about this "definitely" being the time of the end... has to get very tiresome. How can they help the faithful JW's to keep their zeal, if they don't have any new things to say?

Or new pictures to look at...

Also, consider the images used in their literature. I am not going to suggest that there are any subliminal images being inserted (Jehovah would not allow THAT!)... but I noticed that the back cover of the July 15, 2013 Watchtower magazine is dedicated to "Look at the Artwork!"

The beautiful pictures and photographs that are painstakingly produced are there for a purpose. They are teaching aids that make us think and feel. They can be especially helpful when we prepare for and participate in the Watchtower Study.

I am just making my own observation. The comments made about photographs, illustrations and timelines are sometimes quite interesting. When I was a Bible student who attended meetings, I remember making note of some of the comments made, as if they somehow "added" to my understanding. I also made a few comments myself, that received praise after the meetings. That was such a good feeling, to be recognized as a good student. It encouraged me to come up with more new ways to reinforce ideas that were in the articles. (argh! SO glad I woke up before it was too late!)

How many of these comments are prescribed to the speakers and even members of the congregation? The comments make the articles and topics more pertinent and easier to understand, right? What is the harm in that? Is every morsel of "food" that comes from the society, helping to keep them close in this time of the end?

20

JW vs Jehovah's Witnesses

by Da.Furious in

apologies if this was discussed earlier.

i tried to search for a similar topic but couldnt find one.. anyway, i am an active jw or is it jehovah's witness?.

recently i noticed a trend, mainly found between teenagers and older techie brothers, of referring to themselves as jws.

Faithful Witness

Great observation!

It reminds me of the Mormons calling themselves "LDS."

22

My conversation with my mother in law.

by StephaneLaliberte in

my wife and i recently took the decision to fade out progressively and we are now in the stage where we no longer assist to our meetings.

in this process, we have told the truth to our respective parents but have not forced ourselves upon them; meaning that: we will talk about it when you want to.

as a result, my mother in-law already had some conversations with my wife on why we no longer went, but never brought up the subject with me, at least, up until yesterday.. she was telling us that a good deal of people miss us at the meeting and i answered that i missed them also.

Faithful Witness

"MIL: Yeah, I know it doesn’t make sense, but you take what you need and leave the bad stuff out."

Can you explain why this policy does not apply to any other church? One of the first things they taught me in my BS sessions, was that all other religions are false, and to be avoided.

They told me, "You can't drink a little bit of poison, and expect to live."

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

You made some excellent points! :) Thanks for sharing.

7

"You must work hard"

by Separation of Powers in

had the opportunity or should i say "chore" to goto the ca a couple weeks back...haven't had the chance to post this... do giving the final talk about "work," you know, "god and christ keep working and so should you..." what kinda blew my mind is the co gives the talk before him and says, "i know you are tired, tired of this system of things, but we can keep going can't we?

we know it's just around the corner.

" the brothers all clap, cause he's like an old grandpa type...the do then comes up and starts talking about how much people are slowing down, he talks about the "snares" that satan is using and the need to keep busy, he then states, "brothers, you must work hard.

Faithful Witness

Sounds like a wonderful time!

33

getting away from hurtfull public speaking...

by arimatthewdavies in

my name is ari matthew davies, i am a christian, i was baptised back in 1974 at a jehovahs wittnes convention.. i am now 53 years old.

i no longer go to a kingdom hall or publish written litterature.

simply for the reason that.

Faithful Witness

Ari, Forgot to congratulate you on waking up. Glad to see another man get out of the society, with his faith intact. You Got out alive! Hurray!

33

getting away from hurtfull public speaking...

by arimatthewdavies in

my name is ari matthew davies, i am a christian, i was baptised back in 1974 at a jehovahs wittnes convention.. i am now 53 years old.

i no longer go to a kingdom hall or publish written litterature.

simply for the reason that.

Faithful Witness

This is an interesting plea. I'm not familiar with your story, but it would caution you about painting people with such a broad brush.

Although most of the people who post here on JWN are not in agreement with JW doctrine, I see only rare personal attacks or outbursts.

There are a lot of people who have been injured by the policies of the Watchtower Society. Cut them some slack, and forgive them when they act like human beings.

Perhaps you can give some specific example of the "hurtful public speaking" that is offending you, so it can be discussed. It really seems like a communication gap. I hope no one has attacked you with hurtful comments.

From what I gather, Christians, ex-JW's and non-believers are all welcome to comment here. I find this discussion board is a good place to talk about the ways the WTS has really wrecked my family and so many others here.

25

Went to SAD

by leaving_quietly in

b.o.r.i.n.g.. same ol' stuff.

highlights:.

- reading the bible "must be more than an intellectual experience".

Faithful Witness

Thanks for sharing this. Sorry you had to sit through that!

10

For newbies Lurkers especially , and would appreciate Oldies comments..

by smiddy in

Faithful Witness

I never even joined, and I still feel myself struggling to let go of their false teachings on some things. It wasn't until I was about 1/2 way through my intensive study of the book of Matthew, that I began to realize how much damage had been done to me... Not only my beliefs, but the way my mind works has been altered, if that makes sense.

I am still trying to hold onto my faith, but have suddenly hit another wall. It is very difficult to trust anything people tell me about the bible now.

Great post, Smiddy. Thanks for starting this thread.

The scandals and evidence against this ridiculous organization continue to pile higher and higher. I wonder at what point their system will finally collapse. The writing is ALL over the walls of the watchtower. More and more people are waking up and seeing it.

35

Confused?

by nomorepain13 in

i have been going to meetings since i was a child, long story short only recently i've started taking the truth seriously, i am not baptized but just an unbaptized publisher.

truth is i am so lonely in the congregation.

the other young people in the cong don't like me because they dont think i am going to "stay" for long, i've even worked on the ministry with an older brother and asked her am i giving the wrong impression to people?

Faithful Witness

What Kate said.

This is the site for you. Keep asking questions. You are not stupid.

We don't care who you date, how many hours you put in last month, or even if you've watched an "R" rated movie. (gasp!!)

You will find a lot of people here, who are hurting for various reasons because of their experiences with the JW's. Sometimes they seem unkind, but don't take it personally. Your questions are welcome here.