Faithful Witness

Joined

• started 82 topics
• posted 804 times   see topics posted on
• send a message

Posts by Faithful Witness

• 
  25

  Converts

  by Alive! in

  1. jw
  2. experiences

  i've noticed there seems to be a higher percentage of born-ins here....who are the converted jws?.

  does anyone care to share how they got converted?.

  1. 
  2. 
  3. 
• 

  Faithful Witness

  My mother, father, sister, brother-in-law, and niece (now 13) are all baptized converts. My sister no longer speaks to me, or allows her children (nephew is 11) near me.

  My mom and I had a long talk a couple of weeks ago, and I got to hear some of her reasoning about the JW's. It was very interesting.

  She doesn't really seem to have any true friends in the congregation, or anyone she would feel comfortable asking questions. She admits to being confused, and really put that confusion in a spotlight, when she attempted to explain the idea of an overlapping generation and how 1914 was still important.

  She couldn't answer any of my real questions, but seems to be in love with a few of their unique beliefs.

  - She would prefer to live forever on earth, than to go to heaven ("What would you do up there, anyway?")

  - No hell.

  - The resurrection of anyone who dies before Armageddon, so she can see her own mother again, and hopefully convert her.

  She also claims to enjoy field service. "It's actually kinda fun!"

  I can't speak for my other family members... but my mom, while admitting, "I know I'm not 100% in this," seems to have herself convinced that it's all worth the effort right now. This religion has torn our family apart. It's sad.
  
• 
  25

  Converts

  by Alive! in

  1. jw
  2. experiences

  i've noticed there seems to be a higher percentage of born-ins here....who are the converted jws?.

  does anyone care to share how they got converted?.

  1. 
  2. 
  3. 
• 

  Faithful Witness

  Thanks for starting this thread. You got some good replies.
  

  Alive!:

  It almost seems like perhaps born-ins consider the converts to be a bit stupid, to have been sucked in by it all.

  I couldn't agree more with this statement! I was never actually converted, but I did fall in love with the idea for awhile. Luckily for us, we awoke in time to get out before it was too late. Our withdrawal was very easy. However, my parents and sister ended up joining, and I often wonder if I could have rescued them before they jumped in the pool.

  For me, the first approach by JW's, was when I was separated from my husband. I loved my new "friends," and it was so easy to feel loved and accepted. They seemed so happy! I ended up going back to my husband, and they sent a follow-up referral to our home a few months later.

  Again, I was courted by new friends, and was eager to become a better person and learn about the Bible. Their program was so organized, and I think the structure gave me some comfort, when my life felt so chaotic and without purpose. Little by little, they worked on me, encouraging me to ask as many questions as I could think to ask... "Do your research, and see! We have the TRUTH!"

  It all fell apart, when our independent research turned up some evidence of past events and prophecies that they hadn't mentioned. When I asked about them, we were suddenly accused of "listening to apostates!" (first time hearing that word...)

  That reasoning didn't make sense to us. Why can't you listen to an ex-JW, if you want to know what it's like to be a JW?
  
• 
  211

  Where are you from?

  by BeautifulMind in

  1. jw
  2. friends

  i know we are all anonymous for our own personal reasons, so i understand if you would rather not say.

  but if you don't mind sharing that would be cool.

  i currently live in georgia, usa.

  1. 
  2. 
  3. 
• 

  Faithful Witness

  We are in Michigan, USA. :o)
  
• 
  23

  Halloween / Birthday celebration

  by River Song in

  1. jw
  2. experiences

  new to the board, first time posting a topic.

  i just wanted to say how refreshing and sometimes funny it has been lurking here.

  so much so that i decided to sign up to this message board.

  1. 
  2. 
  3. 
• 

  Faithful Witness

  Welcome, River Song! Hope you have a great time today! :)
• 
  5

  Term "Sect" in Galatians 5:19-21 from the New World Translation of the Holy Scriptures

  by Loi_241 in

  1. watchtower
  2. bible

  i read the watchtower magazine from january 1, 2008's god's kingdom what is it?

  i believe that god's kingdom is in heaven.

  although that god's kingdom can be both heaven and earth that jehovah's witnesses believe.

  1. 
  2. 
  3. 
• 

  Faithful Witness

  Welcome, Loi_241!

  
  

  Good catch! I commend you on your personal bible study efforts.

  As a non-JW, it is encouraging to see you seeking answers in the Bible, instead of relying on publications that are written by some modern-day men in New York.
  

  
  

  I agree with you on your observation about Galations 5:20.
  

  Aren't Jehovah's Witnesses considered to be a sect?

  Should people avoid sects?
  

  
  

  Random House Dictionary (dictionary.com)
  

  sect: noun
  

  1. a body of persons adhering to a particular religious faith; a religious denomination.
  

  2. a group regarded as heretical or as deviating from a generally accepted religious tradition.
  

  3. (in the sociology of religion) a Christian denomination characterized by insistence on strict qualifications for membership, as distinguished from the more inclusive groups called churches.

  4. any group, party, or faction united by a specific doctrine or under a doctrinal leader.

  
  

  sect in the Bible:

  (Gr. hairesis, usually rendered "heresy", Acts 24:14; 1 Chr. 11:19; Gal. 5:20, etc.), meaning properly "a choice," then "a chosen manner of life," and then "a religious party," as the "sect" of the Sadducees (Acts 5:17), of the Pharisees (15:5), the Nazarenes, i.e., Christians (24:5).

  It afterwards came to be used in a bad sense, of those holding pernicious error, divergent forms of belief (2 Pet. 2:1; Gal. 5:20).

  The King James Version uses the word, "heresies," as you noticed.

  How will you help a confused householder (like me) rectify this discrepancy?

  How can you convince me to listen, when you represent a sect?
  
• 
  5

  Leah Remini talks about her new book - October 30, 2015 at 10:00pm Eastern Time - on ABC News 20/20

  by Faithful Witness in

  1. watchtower
  2. beliefs

  first look at leah remini exclusive: 'being critical of tom cruise is being critical of scientology itself'.

  abc news.

  actress leah remini reveals in an exclusive interview with abc news 20/20 how tom cruise was one of the factors that led her to break from the church of scientology.. being critical of tom cruise is being critical of scientology itself... you are evil, remini told abcs dan harris in a new promotional clip from the interview.. remini, 45, describes how she and her family joined the church when she was a young girl, built a successful acting career in hollywood while being a diligent scientologist, and how she eventually decided to sever ties with the church.. as time goes on, you start to lose touch with the real world.

  1. 
  2. 
  3. 
• 

  Faithful Witness

  First Look at Leah Remini Exclusive: 'Being Critical of Tom Cruise Is Being Critical of Scientology Itself'

  ABC News
  

  Actress Leah Remini reveals in an exclusive interview with ABC News ”20/20” how Tom Cruise was one of the factors that led her to break from the Church of Scientology.

  “Being critical of Tom Cruise is being critical of Scientology itself… you are evil,” Remini told ABC’s Dan Harris in a new promotional clip from the interview.

  Remini, 45, describes how she and her family joined the Church when she was a young girl, built a successful acting career in Hollywood while being a diligent Scientologist, and how she eventually decided to sever ties with the Church.

  “As time goes on, you start to lose touch with the real world. The mindset becomes ‘Us against them,’” Remini said. “The decision to leave is you are giving up everything you have ever known and everything you have worked for your whole life.”

  The actress also details her 30-year association with the Church in her new memoir, “Troublemaker: Surviving Hollywood and Scientology.”

  “I feel that people need to understand this has been my whole life,” Remini said “I want them to understand how it happens.”

  Watch the exclusive ABC News interview with Leah Remini on “20/20,” Friday, Oct. 30 at 10 p.m. ET.

  https://gma.yahoo.com/first-look-leah-remini-exclusive-being-critical-tom-100000667--abc-news-celebrities.html#
• 
  48

  Your thoughts on Halloween , yes, no or maybe ?

  by Finkelstein in

  1. watchtower
  2. beliefs

  well its that time again when the ghouls come out to play.

  i personally think halloween is a bit irresponsible and inappropriate from a sociological perspective.. there's something about the intent of frightening young impressionable children minds with frightening objests.

  and feeding them candy which most likely cause tooth decay and stomachs is irresponsible activity conducted by adults.

  1. 
  2. 
  3. 
• 

  Faithful Witness

  Simon: So what if it had pagan origins - so do many other things like getting married in white and wedding rings but they are OK with those.

  Neckties are required for men at the Kingdom Hall, but they were originated as part of a military uniform.

  I have always loved playing pretend, and it is even more fun, now that I am a mom!

  We used to delight in terrifying the big kids who dared to come to our door on Halloween, but my perspective has changed to a more silly and fun attitude.

  I particularly love wearing funny wigs. LOL! This year, we are going to participate in a "Trunk or Treat" for an hour. We will decorate the back of our van like a circus, pass out little candy bars, and make twisty balloon animals as favors for the kids. I'm the mommy clown, my son is the baby clown, and my daughter is the circus tiger.
  
• 
  44

  Money woes show it ain't the truth

  by OnTheWayOut in

  1. watchtower
  2. beliefs

  jehovahs people do not beg for money.

  [...] we have never considered it proper to solicit money for the lords cause, after the common custom .

  it is our judgment that money raised by the various begging devices in the name of our lord is offensive, unacceptable to him, and does not bring his blessing either upon the givers or the work accomplished.

  1. 
  2. 
  3. 
• 

  Faithful Witness

  Sabin: In the u.k you have to pay a licence every year for the privilege of having a television in your home.

  Really? Why do they tax you on television?
• 
  30

  Pledge for Global Assistance Arrangement - $15 per publisher!

  by nmthinker in

  1. watchtower
  2. beliefs

  last night our congregation read a letter for the global assistance arrangement combined with the traveling overseer assistance arrangement.

  the "recommended" amount was $15 per publisher, which was well over $1000 for our hall.. it seemed steep.

  our congregation does not have this type of money.

  1. 
  2. 
  3. 
• 

  Faithful Witness

  How does a JW rectify these arrangements in their mind?

  I have heard so many times, the boasting about how they "never ask for donations!"

  Odd.
• 
  24

  Why JWs record and report time?

  by ThinkerBelle in

  1. watchtower
  2. beliefs

  okay, so yes, i'm a born-in, but this point has always baffled me (and i guess i never bothered to research or ask).

  what is the purpose of counting time in service?

  when was it started and why?

  1. 
  2. 
  3. 
• 

  Faithful Witness

  Tinkerbelle: Great question... one that I have asked to 3 separate pioneers, without a good answer from the Bible.

  In fact, reporting your preaching time, seems to directly contradict Jesus' words at Matthew 6:1-6, where he warns them NOT to report their good works to men.

  The best response I got, came from a pioneer on my doorstep: that they DON'T get recognition from men... but that they had to keep track of their ministry efforts, and make sure they were preaching to every corner of the world. (Can't GOD keep track of those details?) I can understand that they might need to keep track of how many magazines they need to print, but not why you have to write YOUR name on the report card. And even though they "don't" get recognized by men, they still have a requirement of 70 hours per month, for her to maintain her position as a pioneer.

  What would happen, if a pioneer didn't turn in her field service report?
  

  It's all about thought control, keeping them believing that their work is serving God... but they really just want to ensure that you are only having approved conversations with approved JW followers. It's no secret that most of their time is NOT spent preaching. They waste hours, driving from place to place, having coffee breaks, and knocking on doors that won't be opened. (Why did they visit me, but not my neighbor, who was obviously at home?... I always found that very odd.)
  

  The LAST thing they want you doing, is having conversations with someone outside the organization. They need to keep you busy, too busy for your non-believing relatives and friends. Meeting attendance is essential for your spiritual growth, so they can remind you every week that YOU WILL NEVER BE GOOD ENOUGH. (Which is true... that is why Jesus died for you. You can't EARN a gift!)
  

  Our Christian Life and Ministry Workbook for January 2016: "True Worship Requires Hard Work"
  

  http://www.jw.org/en/publications/jw-meeting-workbook/january-2016-mwb/meeting-schedule-jan4-10/

  (Old Testament)
  

  Vidiot: I've heard that point about tax exempt status raised before. I'd love to know if that is true. I heard they used to try to collect money for the magazines. I'm not an accountant, but I did a quick search of the IRS website, looking at the requirements for claiming that you are a charitable organization. There is a 12 page form to be filed, but I can't find any obvious places to report hours or specific activities...
  

  https://www.irs.gov/pub/irs-pdf/f990.pdf