Posts by Magnum

30

73 years old, a Witness for 48 years, an elder for 24 years, Baptized just before 1975. WOKE UP!

by pistolpete in

i thought i would post an encouraging experience i found today.

i've been seeing a lot of 70-80 year old jws waking up, and their children are posting their experience on reddit.

these are old elders, pioneers, circuit overseers who have given their everything and finally at the end of their life, are walking away.. maybe the key to waking up is that a person has to have a deep sense of right and wrong.

Magnum

Thanks for posting. I've been wondering about the old-timers, the real true-believers who were around back in the deeper days when doctrine mattered.

Somebody on reddit asked what the turning point for him was. See the following:

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platinum717

1914. 607 BCE. 2520 Years.

That's what did it. It had been bothering him apparently for quite some time. So he decided to do independent research.

Down the rabbit hole he went.

chinapomo

That's the thing that helps a lot of old timers. Because the newer generations have no clues whatsoever about the doctrines.

Uncle_Homunculus

That’s why the organization has switched from being super analytical to slowly transitioning into a mega church. Can’t point out contradictions if you only have a vague idea of what’s in the Bible in the first place.

Suzzanne75

They're going to end up like the Mormons. They 'feel' its true. Warm fuzzies are the Holy Spirit telling you its true.

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I thought this...

That’s why the organization has switched from being super analytical to slowly transitioning into a mega church. Can’t point out contradictions if you only have a vague idea of what’s in the Bible in the first place.

...was a really good comment. So true. The org is no longer analytical. Gone are the old days of the Freddy Franz deeper books. Gone are the days of the focus on doctrine that brought in so many intelligent, studious types who were really seeking. It does seem that the org is transitioning into a mega church.

I get the same feeling today about JWs that I did about churchies in years past. They don't know their own doctrine and get a deer-in-headlights look when asked doctrinal questions.

19

The Amazing Solar System

by LoveUniHateExams in

jw
friends

i gotta say, i don't know much about the solar system.

i never was particularly interested in it.. but i've recently read professor brian cox's book (which accompanies a bbc series) and it's completely fascinating.. i'm quite interested in pictures of mars.

martian landscapes seem familiar and different at the same time ….

Magnum

Martian landscapes seem familiar and different at the same time

Very good description. I agree. I just stared at that Martian landscape photo for a while. It's so weird to me that that is out there just hurling through space with no life on it. It's beautiful and yet lonely - even eerie.

Which book are you referring to? I'd like to read it. I just googled and found two that fit your description: Wonders of the Universe and Universal: A Guide to the Cosmos. I'll probably get both, but I'm wondering which one you read.

52

Collapse of JW Org - Possibly on the Horizon?

by JWTom in

this topics get a great deal of discussion here.

what i find interesting is even some of my pimi family is embracing the reality that all is not well with jw.org and that many current jws are just going through the motions due to not having a good way out of the org.

wondering what could realistically lead to the collapse of jw.org in the not distant future?

Magnum

I agree thoroughly, Pete Zahut.

Off the subject, but, Pete Zahut, you're back!!! I swear I was depressed because I thought you had left for good. I know you got pissed off, and I am truly sorry for any part I might have played in that. Really glad you're back. Please don't leave. I have always really appreciated your input.

8

"Congregation Bible Study" - Pure Worship

by Jeffro in

the pure worship book will be 'studied' at the weekly jw 'congregation bible study' starting next week.

anyone 'lucky' enough to attend might like to consider my review of the book for some salient points in the coming weeks.... .

Magnum

Just looked at link you posted. Don't have time to examine all of it now, but looks like some good stuff. Saving link so I can read it all later. Thanks a lot. I love this kind of stuff.

193

My Prediction: Trump Wins Big

by minimus in

jw
friends

a month ago it might have been questionable.

not now.

after bader’s death and biden’s inability, this shouldn’t be close.

Magnum

why do you suppose in natures evolutionary survival of the fittest, that stupid is not eliminated as quickly as physical ineptness?

I was going to answer exactly as DesirousOfChange did. In a system wherein they weren't provided for and given stuff, they wouldn't last.

DOC, humans don’t breed, animals do.

I beg to differ, a lot of humans do "breed" - like the ones being referred to in this context.

52

Collapse of JW Org - Possibly on the Horizon?

by JWTom in

this topics get a great deal of discussion here.

what i find interesting is even some of my pimi family is embracing the reality that all is not well with jw.org and that many current jws are just going through the motions due to not having a good way out of the org.

wondering what could realistically lead to the collapse of jw.org in the not distant future?

Magnum

About six or seven years ago, I thought the org would maybe would have collapsed by now. It was just changing so much - dumbing down, becoming more mainstream, cutting back. Its predictions looked more and more wrong with the passing of time. The "generation" teaching was ludicrous. I thought most JWs would finally wake up, but I overestimated their intelligence, honesty, reasonableness, etc. Now, it seems that it will be a slow, gradual fading out of existence.

However, I still do believe there could be a turning point followed by a crash. I mentioned this some years ago on this site, but I'll mention it again. In physiology, one learns about various systems in the body connected by feedback loops. A healthy body is able to maintain homeostasis - a condition in which all systems are functioning within normal parameters. When an animal or human is sick, one or more of these systems can become unstable and cause instability in other connected systems. If corrections aren't made, the whole overall system can become so unstable that a point of no return can be reached, the body crashes, and death ensues.

JWdom functions like a big body with certain interconnected systems that have to be maintained. It's not like a religion that can continue to exist through small independent units like, for example, Southern Baptists. Baptist churches are basically independent of each other. One can collapse without affecting others. There is no central unit that is idolized (as is the JW GB) and that controls all. If one or more JW "systems" become(s) unstable, it could lead to collapse.

What could some factors be that cause the "health" of JWdom to become unstable? Maybe finances. Maybe apathy caused by disappointment due to failed predictions and not physically meeting together, Maybe young ones having even less motive to stay in because they're not meeting with other young JWs and being influenced by peer pressure. Maybe more and more waking up. These factors could all work together and feed back on each other to cause the org to reach a point at which it collapses.

I really wish it would collapse in the next few years. I would love to see the reaction of my JW relatives and a lot of other JWs.

32

If Biden wins

by mickbobcat in

if biden wins i hope trump starts the trump news network and hires out from fox the good casters.

the people who made fox what it is are starting to get sick of how its turning to the left or dark side.

this would give trump a voice and keep alive real journalism.

Magnum

mickbobcat, I swear I was thinking the exact same thing, and I haven't read or heard anything about it. Just popped into my head. I can see how it could happen and hope it does, but I want it to be honest and to truly be "real journalism" and not just picking facts that suit its purposes.

I've seen how the left selectively picks info and slants (or changes completely) the narrative, but I think the right might be guilty some, too. I want honesty.

32

If Biden wins

by mickbobcat in

if biden wins i hope trump starts the trump news network and hires out from fox the good casters.

the people who made fox what it is are starting to get sick of how its turning to the left or dark side.

this would give trump a voice and keep alive real journalism.

Magnum

There is a huge market for "aggrieved white guys complaining about how life is so, so, SO unfair"

Hey, so true. Let's go into business and cater to that market. But, if we really want to make some big money, let's not just include that market. Let's include the far, far bigger market for the aggrieved lefties who are "complaining about how life so, so, SO unfair" for non-conservatives and that everything wrong with their lives is white man's fault and who want to take money from conservatives (mostly white males) and spread that money to illegal border-jumpers and welfare baby-makers (with loser baby daddies) and who want hard-working conservatives to pay their medical bills and pay for their education, etc. Wow, I'm getting excited thinking about it. There are so many whiny, complaining, clueless losers on the left. We'll make big money.

But, hold on... now that I think about...are those white guys complaining that life is so unfair OR are they actually complaining about lefties who think that life is so unfair and who want their (the white guys') money? Hmmmm.

70

Mr. Minimus, how do you feel?

by AbelJohn in

jw
friends

just going by the topic titles you've been using these last few weeks.. do you think you can survive a whole four years with someone that's not exactly your favorite candidate?.

i know i'm in the minority from what i've been reading here, but i'm glad for the change!.

well, we all can't be satisfied altogether can we?.

Magnum

HowTheBibleWasCreated, no problem. I just have strong feelings about peace & love "enlightenment". That could only work in a perfect world with no meanies or bullies.

70

Mr. Minimus, how do you feel?

by AbelJohn in

jw
friends

just going by the topic titles you've been using these last few weeks.. do you think you can survive a whole four years with someone that's not exactly your favorite candidate?.

i know i'm in the minority from what i've been reading here, but i'm glad for the change!.

well, we all can't be satisfied altogether can we?.

Magnum

HowTheBibleWasCreated, The reason those places you mention can be "enlightened" is that the U.S. carries a big stick and that provides them the opportunity. If the U.S. becomes all peace & love enlightened, then it won't last long for the U.S. or those other places because it will allow all the bullies (China, Russia, Iran, N Korea, etc.) to step in. Europe won't be so enlightened then.

Somebody has to be tough and carry a big stick and I get tired of hearing the U.S get bashed for that. Europe ought to be glad the U.S. is what it is.

edited to add: Where does racism come into play? To whom are you specifically referring?