Posts by mizpah

14

What do the 'Pillars of the Congregation' think of new light

by Gadget in

jw
friends

i was reading a post on another thread about a 70yr old sister who's husband was a pillar of the circuit in times past now just drowned out most of what she heard from the platform as someones personal oppinion and served jehovah the way she felt was right.

is this typical of someone who has been in the org for that long, the difference being that she felt comfortable enough with the people concerned to actually voice it?

what about the people who joined in the 20s and 30s and have seen all the new light coming in over the years, has any asked them how different it all is now to the religion they joined?.

mizpah

Gadget:

I've thought a lot about this one. My wife and I left the organization when we could no longer accept some of the teachings. We began to question "this generation" even before the "new light" gave it a new meaning. We had also been disturbed by the unchristian conduct that we observed in the congregtions we attended, particularly by the elders. Since this was not a uncommon experience among our peers, we have often wondered why they could stay in an organization that was obviously worng.

I've come to the conclusion that many stayed because of emotional ties they have with other JWs and the organization. Many left another religion to become one of Jehovah's Witnesses. They had to sacrifice all past associations with "worldly people." They also have committed a good part of their lives to the Watchtower cause. To leave, they would have to admit to themselves that they were wrong again. They would "have to start all over again." Some are too old and too tired to do this. On this site we've seen how many young people struggle with the decision to leave. And they have all the advantages of youth. But try to imagine a person who has committed 30, 40 or 50 years to the organization and you may begin to sense the overwhelming difficultlies they have!

14

They treat child molesters better than they treat us!

by Swan in

i have been thinking about this a lot.. my family treats child molesters better than they treat me.

my sister-in-law's father was accused of child abuse by her sister.

since there weren't two witnesses to this terrible violation, he is still in good standing in the congregation to this day.

mizpah

Swan:

The Watchtower Society is full of double standards and hypocrisy. But this sexual abuse problem may be the iceberg that sinks the organization. The very fact that it refuses to acknowledge it has a problem and is fighting "tooth and nail" to disassociate itself in the courts will expose it to more unfavorable publicity. Not only is it causing many outsiders to question the veracity of the organization, but it also is causing some Jehovah's Witnesses who have dealt with the problem to doubt its claim to be "God's organization."

This problem is not about to "go away." As more cases reach the courts, the more the public and Jehovah's Witnesses will realize that it is a real problem.

32

A question for those familiar with Bethel Policy and Child Molestation??

by badolputtytat in

i cannot go into great detail just yet, because a lot of what i have going with my family hinges on what will happen on the weekend of october 10th.

a short background of this topic before the question: at a very young age.

very young i was sexually abused, by more than one member of our congregation.

mizpah

My guess is that the Society wants nothing that could be used against itself including the history of its workers. So, it probably is starting to scrutinize every applicant to Bethel...being particularly sensitive in the area of sexual abuse.

It certainly is a travesty that sexual experimentation of such young children would be recorded and used against them as adults. But I guess your friend can count it as a disguised blessing that he is not qualified for Bethel for whatever reason. Perhaps, this situation will lead him to question other policies of the Watchtower Society.

Sorry to hear of your problems, badolpuddytat. I guess you can classify your reasons as "theocratic strategy." But I do hope you and your mom reunite under these tragic circumstances. The inheritance is not important. But your own relationship with your mother is! May her last days be as peaceful and happy as circumstances allow.

32

Was Governing Body Member Gerritt Losch Ever Disfellowshipped?

by minimus in

a rumor has come around, saying current gb member losch, was df'd.

as anyone heard of this??

?

mizpah

The Society has used 1 Timothy 3 as a litmus test to see if people qualify to be elders and ministerial servants. The NWT says that an elder should be "irreprehensible" and should have good reputation from outsiders as well as commendation from believers.

If this is true of elders and ministerial servants, it would be even more so for those serving in an official capacity of a Governing Body member.

This being said, though, I have seen how the rules are bent and how recommendations from CO or DO can supercede all restrictions. I knew a PO who was disfellowshipped for leaving his wife and going with a young "sister." He divorced his wife and married the "sister." Both were eventually reinstated. And the "brother" was once again appointed as the PO in the same congregation. Both insiders and outsiders knew the circumstances. Yet, the Society didn't hesitate to appoint him upon the recommendation of the CO. (It helped that this "brother" had a successful business and was very generous to visiting CO.)

41

Are You Surpised By What You Don't Believe In Anymore?

by minimus in

jw
friends

.

jehovah's witnesses must "believe" whatever the watchtower bible & tract society publishes.

now that you aren't forced to accept beliefs that you might not have wholeheartedly endorsed, there must be many different things that you don't accept.....what comes to mind?

mizpah

minimus:

While I still hold on to some of the doctrinal teachings, I have discarded all the prophetic interpretations of the Watchtower Society. Also, it has been such a relief not to be judgmental with regard to other religious beliefs. I no longer feel that a person is judged because of his religious association or doctrinal beliefs.

Two things struck me when I left the organization. First, I am going to die someday. I always thought in terms of surviving Armageddon. It seems that JWs are always looking toward the future and missing the pleasures of the present. But death is a reality. And every day becomes an important one.

Secondly, I now have a different perspective of other people. I always knew there were good and kind people "in the world." But I no longer feel I have to carry a message to them to convert them to a belief system. I leave all judgment to God. And this takes off a tremendous burden upon one's spiritual "shoulders." If I do talk about religion, it is to share not to convert. And I'm really interested in their viewpoints now. Life is so much easier and happier upon leaving the organization.

21

1 Hour to my sons Judicial Committee

by freeman in

jw
friends

well this is about as real as it gets.

in about an hour my son will be appearing before a judicial committee for the second time in as many weeks.

unfortunately i just happen to be about 3000 miles away right now (business trip) so i cant be there for support and i cant get the ancillary information that i would normally get just by being present.

mizpah

Your son is going to need all the support he can get. He's going to have terrible guilt feelings if he is still a loyal Jehovah's Witness. I think joy2bfree has an excellent suggestion. I can't think of a better book than Ray Franz's Crisis of Conscience for anyone who is dealing with the organization. Ray deals with the subject in a kind and respectful way. But he also exposes the contradictions and double standards of the Watchtower Society.

Our hearts are with you during this ordeal. We pray all will go well for your son and your family.

24

If You Value Love, NEVER Become a Jehovah's Witness!

by metatron in

i was observing my loyal wife sending out anniversary cards to other witnesses,.

as she has done for many years.

if we were ordinary protestants, we would probably.

mizpah

I think it is hard to generalize Jehovah's Witnesses and say all lack love and compassion. I knew a number of them that were wonderful and caring people. They would do Christian acts of kindness that few knew about in the congregation. They were always there when you needed them.

However, it is true that the organization stiffles any initiative in this regard. And the sad things is how they feel justified to turn off these same Christian attributes when one is disfellowshipped. I really don't blame individual Jehovah's Witnesses as much as I do the organization that controls and smoothers any initiative that one may have.

34

Throwing the baby out with the bath water?

by Steve Lowry in

jw
friends

sometimes i think that because we jws were so deceived, tricked and flat out lied to by an organization that claims to be the sole representative of god, when we take the step to leave the group we (may) have a tendency to discard god as well, in the process.

i realize also there are those who by their nature (perhaps) and their point of view and ideology, that its just a natural personal kind of evolution that brings them to the point that god doesnt exist.

or, that if he does, it doesnt really play any kind of a roll in their lives.

mizpah

Steve:

I think many in the organization equate it with God. So, when they feel betrayed by the organization they also feel betrayed by God. And like so many people today, it is easier to blame a parent for one's own failings or problems...or reject a parent completely.

Many substitute their own thinking abilities instead. And that brings us right back to the original temptation: "For God knows when you eat of it your eyes will be opened, and you will be like God, knowing good and evil."

16

By Golly Molly I have the right !!!

by Pepper in

samuel thompson wrote:

i don't believe in santa claus, but i'm not going to sue somebody for singing a ho-ho-ho song in december.

life, liberty or your pursuit of happiness will not be endangered because someone says a 30-second prayer before a football game.

mizpah

Many evangelical and fundamentalist Christians are too simplistic in their views. Do they really think that prayer in school is going to solve all the social ills that permeate society today. In grammar school we recited the "Lord's Prayer" every morning. It was part of the ritual like saluting the flag. It really meant nothing to the children.

For any real change to occur, there has to be a fundamental change in society itself. And I don't foresee this happening any time soon. Drugs, violence, and sex are the real threats in the school systems today. And conditions don't seem to be improving in these areas. There is no single factor. But it is a complex problem for which no one seems to have a solution.

6

Stumbling on John 3:16

by Beans in

from what i can tell having searched the watchtower site and discs there seems to be no reference to this scripture as it goes against the teachings of the watchtower.

when the two sisters came to my door and i brought up the topic they were stumbled and on another jw web site the question was asked if there was anywhere in the bible where it says that other than gods chosen people could they be saved the jw's did not accept this scripture as well.. does is not seem odd that as one of the scriptures avoided by the watchtower, it is so avoided that it has never sunk into there brains to have any meaning!.

beans.

mizpah

Beans:

What an interesting observation you have made! John 3:16 is probably the most favorite verse in the Bible next to the 23rd Psalm for most Protestants. I remember how frequently it was mentioned in the Baptist church I attended as a youth. It was one of the first verses we memorized in Sunday School.

But I never remember Jehovah's Witnesses referring to it. Now, I can see the obvious reasons. They are so anxious to see the destruction of the billions of humans on earth that they fail to see the love that God has for humankind.