Posts by Faithful Witness

41

The dumest thing an elder ever said to me..

by new hope and happiness in

conversation with an elder...i said " did you watch due south yesterday" and he said " ive got far more important things to do".

i mean that comment of his got me to thinking and wondering, and made me see he was missing out on living..and i think that comment was the straw that broke this boys faith, and started my i dont want to be a witness anymore.

kind of wierd how a simple question opened my eyes.. and now as i write this i am watching " the rebel" a 1950s western series, and its great and its even better my 9 year old is watching with me..and there is nothing more important than being happy.. .

Faithful Witness

Well said, Oubliette! :)

36

Why Did the Governing Body Change Their Interpretation Of Matthew 24:45-47?

by Cameron_Don in

jw
friends

some have wondered if "captives of a concept" had anything to do with why the governing body changed their interpretation of the most important scripture in their theology at their annual meeting on october 6, 2012.. this is because the book places great emphasis on the societys interpretation of matthew 24:45-47 and then holds them to it while examining the organizations history to make sure that went on in its history fits their interpretation.

this comparison is essential to the societys claim to being gods organization.. their previous interpretation came from their former most imminent bible scholar president frederick franzs in his "gods kingdom of a thousand years has approached.

" their history comes from their "jehovahs witnesses proclaimers of gods kingdom.".

Faithful Witness

Wow, punkofnice... How did you do that?

36

Why Did the Governing Body Change Their Interpretation Of Matthew 24:45-47?

by Cameron_Don in

jw
friends

some have wondered if "captives of a concept" had anything to do with why the governing body changed their interpretation of the most important scripture in their theology at their annual meeting on october 6, 2012.. this is because the book places great emphasis on the societys interpretation of matthew 24:45-47 and then holds them to it while examining the organizations history to make sure that went on in its history fits their interpretation.

this comparison is essential to the societys claim to being gods organization.. their previous interpretation came from their former most imminent bible scholar president frederick franzs in his "gods kingdom of a thousand years has approached.

" their history comes from their "jehovahs witnesses proclaimers of gods kingdom.".

Faithful Witness

It's all about the money and maintaining absolute power. Keep the people confused, and prepare their minds and hearts to blindly obey any forthcoming instructions.

Didn't the Bible say that the light would keep brighter, during the time of the end?

If you don't understand, that's PROOF that their prophecy is being fulfilled!

JW's need only understand one thing: Keep Kingdom interests above all else.

(Put aside all your selfish thoughts: Recreation, Eating & Drinking, Health Concerns, Weddings, Family Ties, Material Pursuits)

2

How Important Is Progress?

by metatron in

jw
friends

i realize that people from many cultures come to this site,though mostly english speaking.

i watched a bbc report about a 3rd country and wondered:.

how important is a sense of progress in your culture - and in the "truth"?.

Faithful Witness

The Americans are on to them, so they are emphasizing their "worldwide" efforts. The people in foreign lands have no idea, but we've been subjected to these people knocking on our doors for how many years??

30

You Americans are the friendliest people I've met

by not bitter in

jw
friends

........ well at least the ones i encountered on my recent holiday to orlando.

now i know that its a tourist destintion so everyone working in the hotels and parks are on their best behaviour.

but i have been to tourist towns here in the uk and europe but not one is on a par with you guys.. my husband and i haven't stopped talking about to anyone that wants to listen.

Faithful Witness

not bitter: I'm glad you had a nice time! It's good to hear that you had a good experience, and that the people of Florida was friendly and welcoming.

Y'all come back now, ya hear? :) Thanks for visiting us!

(I'm in Michigan... haven't made it to Florida yet. Your story is encouraging!)

17

LONGEVITY IS A HALLMARK OF STUPID RELIGIONS

by steve2 in

jw
friends

we credit religious believers with far too much interest in and/or ability to engage in reasoning.

we overlook two hugely compelling factors that drive and revive "faith": emotional need for religious meaning, including to be consoled over awful events, and being born into the religion.

raised from day one to recite stupidity, it is then hard to assess stupidity for what it is.. that is why there is no shortage of stupid religions who turn date-speculation into a near-art form.

Faithful Witness

Steve: When you become convinced that it is the TRUTH, you will be glad to submit and follow!

I've never heard any other religion tell me that I could have a close relationship with God himself. The gospel message I've heard was always different than the JW promises of paradise earth and a friendship with God.

It's all about "pleasing Jehovah" and "vindicating His name" (the name of their religion, not an accurate name) and "enduring to the end" and doing the "preaching work!" I have never seen such vigor in people, to try to please God, and prove their worthiness. (isn't that what Jesus told us to do?... oh, wait... he's just a tool to get to God...)

I can't believe I almost fell for that... and that it took me 3 years to realize how many outright lies they were telling me!

Thank GOD we never joined this strange organization.

2

We are escaping reality! It is time for our LONG-AWAITED vacation!! :)

by Faithful Witness in

jw
friends

each may, my husband takes me to the most wonderful place.

we escape to the jewel of our state, a small island where there are no cars, and the life is slow-paced and so relaxing.

we explore the history of the island, and the part it played in the american revolution.

Faithful Witness

Each May, my husband takes me to the most wonderful place. We escape to the jewel of our state, a small island where there are no cars, and the life is slow-paced and so relaxing. We explore the history of the island, and the part it played in the American Revolution. We stay at a luxury hotel, where I thoroughly enjoy the experience of being SERVED and treated like royalty.

Five course dinners, fancy evening receptions, mints on our pillows at night... AHHHHH, take me away! The sound of the waves, and the clip-clop of horses going past day and night. It is absolute bliss! If you ever have a chance to visit Mackinac Island in Michigan, DO IT! My favorite place in the world, and it's only a few hours away!

This year, we are taking our 6 and 7 year old with us, so it will be a little different... less of an escape, and more of an adventure. I've already mourned the loss of my freedom from "Mom, mom, mom!" (haha) We plan to have a splendid time. We are bringing our bikes, and will bike around and explore trails and beaches... picnic at the top of the fort.

For the next 2 days, I am packing and making sure the house is properly set for our absence and (UGH) return. I'm already dreading the fact that we have to come home!

I wish you all well!

I'm sad to know that my parents will leave for their International Convention, on the morning after our return... I was hoping to see them before they go, and ask them about some of those speeches they are preparing to sit through. I guess I will have to hear about it after the fact... assuming they come out alive, of course, and still want to speak to me. ;)

Not bragging or anything, but this is my one and only escape each year, and I am so glad to finally be going (although I sort of wish it was not already here, and therefore almost over... haha). I will be eating lots of fudge, and forgetting about my worries for a whole week. What a Grand experience we will all be having!

It is also a theme weekend, where we participate in a re-enactment of the Titanic's final dinner and the crash. We all get boarding passes of actual passengers, and then find out after dinner, whether we survived or not. We are renting costumes, and dressing for the big gala on Saturday night. It will be so fun to see how the kids react! I love my family, and I love this chance to get away with them. Life really is good!

Bon Voyage!

5

My memorial visit this year.

by TweetieBird in

jw
friends

so i have a jw relative now living with me so i went to the memorial this year with him since he is new to the hall and doesn't really know anyone.

the warmth was amazing (insert sarcasm here).

one witness couple that has been stopping by and relatively new to the area saved us seats so they talked to me, one other sister and her brother talked to me.

Faithful Witness

My mom did not attend hers, due to a work conflict. I found that interesting, but she said their attendance was great. "There were so many people there from the public, they didn't have enough seats for them! People were standing in the hallway!... of course, I think the MEMORIAL is the strangest thing to invite people to. If that is your first time at a KH, you would think it was very strange..."

Our recent (last fall) visits to 2 different KH Sunday meetings, were of the same level of friendliness you describe. About 5 years ago, when we entered a KH for the first time here, we were love-bombed and swarmed with people, wanting to meet us and know who we were. But not this time! (relievingly so...)

We went to a meeting, and no one greeted us at all. The meeting commenced, and I realized I'd forgotten our song book. The lady behind us lent us hers. When I returned it to her after the meeting, she said, "Where are you from?" When I told her we were just visiting after not attending for a long time, she made no comment. I said, "This seemed like a good time to come and catch up on things." (it was the new light about 1914 and the wheat/weeds parable, and the timeline... extremely bizarre and jarring meeting to observe). She smiled widely and merely said, "Oh yes! It was a good one!"

We scurried out of there, while they all gathered for field service. Not one other person said a word to us, or even glanced in our direction. We were properly dressed, and we even had the "right" Bibles. We'd expected to see people we knew, but none of the 3 families were there for that new prophetic revelation.

It was a relief that we didn't have to explain ourselves or talk to anyone, but also a disappointment... My parents really fell in love with that concept of a worldwide brotherhood. I wonder what kind of greeting they get, when they visit KH's out of town now. Of course, my dad is a salesman, so he will just go up and introduce himself to people, to the embarrassment of my mother.

Thanks for sharing your experience! The atmosphere in the KH has definitely changed over the last few years. It ALWAYS has felt more like a funeral home, but now the people seem even more robotic and scared... but that's just my outsider's observation.

59

STARTING OVER with my Elderette - What Does the Bible REALLY Teach?

by Faithful Witness in

she said, "so, what made you decide to study this book?

at this point, she opened with a prayer.

"...and some decide that such questions are best left to religious leaders and teachers.

Faithful Witness

Yes, the more I think about it, the more I realize how she has me dancing on a string. Any time I even hint at a suspicion or observation, she will jump in with something like, "Like what?" or "What are you referring to?"

Regarding the students who don't end up convinced... she seems to have several of those also. She has mentioned a few times, "Some people study for quite some time, and then just stop. I don't know why." She told me that if at any point I just come to the conclusion that this isn't for me, I can just tell be honest with her and quit. She doesn't want me to "Keep studying, just so I won't hurt HER feelings."

I told her before she came over the first time, and she was saying "I don't want to waste your time EITHER..." I did inform her that I had no plans of becoming a Jehovah's Witness. I think that comment lit a spark in her, and motivated her to help me find the truth.

To this, I told her that I still have a lot of questions, and that I'm still willing to see what a JW has to say about them. "I am a fair-minded person, and will listen to both sides of the story. Although, that is what got me in trouble before!"

She said something like, "You do seem to be an honest person, and I know you have concerns for your family. You don't strike me as one of the 'Take Down the Watchtower!' types."

I was slightly taken aback, that she even knew such people existed! I just said, "No... I don't have the power to do that!"

Anyway... I am learning a lot about how a fully programmed JW mind works against opposition. I'm hoping that as I recognize the patterns and reactions I get from Miss K, I will be able to find some ways to peck away at my dad's wall. The cement is still freshly poured around his once critical mind. I know he will be full of vigor, after the upcoming convention... but I do look forward to making arrangements to see him in a few weeks.

49

The List, by "Prominent Bethelite"

by morloc in

i occasionally pop through here to catch up on the latest, but this time i'm going to pop my own post on here.. some of you internet oldsters may even remember this.

my first experience on the internet regarding discussions about jehovah's witnesses and the watchtower took place on a now-obscure usenet group, before i eventually stumbled across hourglass2.. during those days, there was a poster who went by the name "prominent bethelite," an otherwise anonymous individual whom i remember most for an extensive, exhaustive compilation of date-oriented remarks, predictions, and expectations by the watchtower organization down through the decades of its history.. it became known as "the list" and it's definitely lengthy... but a fascination look at the abundance of errant statements made through the watchtower's history.. if you're curious, it's been available for a long time on hourglass2's site, and can be seen using the link provided below.. the list, compiled by prominent bethelite (1999).

that's about it for this stop through here.

Faithful Witness

marked thanks!