The Searcher: "Can any fellow Witness explain to me how we end up having THREE kings ruling over us at the same time????????"
Great question, Searcher! I like your references.
Maybe they are about to adjust their understanding.
first, i cannot believe how dumbed-down and simplistic the writing is now.
we used to have study articles with substance.
the writing style now is for people with slow minds or at the level of junior high students with learning disabilities.
The Searcher: "Can any fellow Witness explain to me how we end up having THREE kings ruling over us at the same time????????"
Great question, Searcher! I like your references.
Maybe they are about to adjust their understanding.
circuit overseer said to the congregation last night:.
some are having problems going to detroit for the convention- some say it's too far, some say it's dangerous, some say i never been there before- why are you disobeying jehovah since "he said" you should go to detroit to worship me!!
huh!!!
My parents are going to Detroit for the "International Convention." My mom was very excited to tell me about it.
I think she said it is the weekend of June 7-8.
first, i cannot believe how dumbed-down and simplistic the writing is now.
we used to have study articles with substance.
the writing style now is for people with slow minds or at the level of junior high students with learning disabilities.
Bob: Was your grandmother a JW her whole life?
what do you think of this picture?
a friend of mine posted this on her facebook page.
she is not a jw and has never been one.
Most churches have separate programs for kids that are this age, and a lot of kids really think it is fun. My daughter used to love her Sunday School class when she was that little.
I would actually be asking questions about who is tending the children while I'm in church service. They could just have a mean teacher, or there could be a bully in class. My son freaked out about his Sunday School class once, and we figured out it was because he was just scared of his teacher. She was very big and even though she really is a kind and loving lady, she intimidated him.
I was pretty worried when he had this reaction about going to his class. (WHAT are they doing to him???) He and I went to talk in private, and were able to let the other teacher know about his worries. "She's just so BIG!!" (I was so embarrassed but also wanted to laugh out loud from relief).
About this drawing: Who is Bibi & why is Bibi crying? Could the child just be sad to leave a friend?
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?
tornapart: If those around them believe it and repeat it enough, they might come around.
The idea of the "meme," is that it morphs like a gene, and without conscious effort, a thought becomes "your" thought.
Have there ever been any other "loaded" or over-the-top idea, that they have adopted as their own?
thought-stopping platitudes, like "we are in the last days!
"jehovah's witnesses are the only ones with the truth...".
what statements or claims did you use, or hear, that made you feel comforted by the fact that you were part of jehovah's organization?.
Teach them early and remind them often, not to trust themselves, or to "lean on your own understanding."
As my father repeated to me three times in a recent conversation, "They are smarter than me!"
When we were Bible students, they would encourage us to "do your own research! I did!" The problem with that idea, is that you are only really allowed to look at WTS literature. If you find anything that is not agreement, it is discarded as a lie from Satan's system.
"Keep a waiting attitude."
"We are the only ones following Christ's commands."
thought-stopping platitudes, like "we are in the last days!
"jehovah's witnesses are the only ones with the truth...".
what statements or claims did you use, or hear, that made you feel comforted by the fact that you were part of jehovah's organization?.
Thought-stopping platitudes, like "We are in the last days!"
"Jehovah's Witnesses are the only ones with the Truth..."
What statements or claims did you use, or hear, that made you feel comforted by the fact that you were part of Jehovah's organization?
yesterday, i had a chance meeting with an acquaintance from the kh we used to attend.. after being away from the meetings for so long, and really starting to feel like i've almost entirely shed their false teachings, i have somehow lost sight of the fact that there are actually still people who really believe it.
i read the magazines now, and find it virtually impossible to comprehend how anyone can actually swallow those ideas.
it seems so warped and twisted to me now.. i guess the best way i can describe this encounter, was being "cornered" in public.
Her decision seemed to be prompted by the fact that I sent gifts to my niece and nephew, but she wrote:
"While I appreciate the thought, please do not send us gifts.
Our kids are not missing out on anything other than things we try to protect them from.
At this time, based on prior encounters and their affect on me emotionally, I think it would be best if we didn't communicate.
I hope you can understand my decision and the fact that it is not meant to offend anyone."
She has not responded, to tell me what specifically I have done to effect her emotions. I think I might make her doubt.
We were never baptized, but when we stopped studying, my brother in law confronted me (alone, without my husband). He accused me of "turning my back on Jehovah." After that day, my sister stopped attending any event at my house. She has never been upfront about her decisions or why she is making them. Her husband has always been in control of the family, and it has grown progressively worse since the JW's have "saved their marriage."
yesterday, i had a chance meeting with an acquaintance from the kh we used to attend.. after being away from the meetings for so long, and really starting to feel like i've almost entirely shed their false teachings, i have somehow lost sight of the fact that there are actually still people who really believe it.
i read the magazines now, and find it virtually impossible to comprehend how anyone can actually swallow those ideas.
it seems so warped and twisted to me now.. i guess the best way i can describe this encounter, was being "cornered" in public.
Outlaw: Exactly!
problemaddict: What a sad story. I'm so glad I escaped with most of my mind intact. To be totally honest, I don't think they ever would have had enough answers to satisfy my husband, and he would have done whatever was necessary to protect his family. (Even though there was that one time, when the BS teacher cornered him alone, and threatened him, "Are you going to progress here, or are you going to sentence your family to death at Armageddon?"... death threats, really? Didn't have much power over a college educated Gulf War veteran... PULL, don't push, silly JW!).
Robert: What are the 5 most often used WTBS platitudes, and how do I overcome them? I haven't thought of it in these terms before. I'm pretty sure she used at least 2 or 3 on me yesterday, and I didn't challenge her. I don't know her, and really didn't go to the gas station, prepared for battle. ;)
But now I do feel like I definitely should be better prepared, as she has spent many years practicing her techniques.
obedience is key in the paragraph below and the urgency is also emphasised with an exclaimation mark.. .
10 the earthly part of gods organization is moving ahead in many ways.
it helps us understand bible truth more and more clearly.
DD: You have every right to be pissed. I would be too. Remember you have friends here. I love your jokes and stories, but you can't keep your feelings bottled up forever.
I hope the new job turns out to be a good change in the long run. I would use any excuse possible to miss meetings. Be strong and keep ranting here.
Less drinking and maybe some exercise, might help with your mood. I got into that habit myself, and I don't have JW's trying to control my life.
Get a punching bag, hang it in your basement, and tape someone's face to it.