Posts by Pete Zahut

16

I think we are being shunned

by Tallon in

i have not read all the discussions about the recent regional convention where the org is now ramping up the diabolical act of shunning.

i am not sure as to which ‘category’ of persons it now applies.. my wife and i have faded over the past couple of years.

our book-study conductor used to drop by to give us the magazines.

Pete Zahut

Our book-study conductor used to drop by to give us the magazines.

Maybe there was genuine concern for you on his part but it sort of cheapens it when you realize that if you're inactive, they can count the time they spend with you.

I just like to know if we have possibly been added to the esteemed group of people that is to be shunned.

Maybe they've finally taken the hint that you've moved on. I've come to realize that our leaving the JW's was not as big of a deal to them as it was to us. After 30 years fully active in the same Congregation it was 3 years after our last meeting before anyone came to look for us.

137

Mouthy has Passed Away

by Simon in

jw
friends

update on mouthy (grace gough)this is graces granddaughter.

i wanted to send an update that today my beautiful grandmother passed away - surrounded by friends and family.

- may 22 1927 - sept 2nd 2016. mouthys_granddaughter.

Pete Zahut

I enjoyed Grace's (Mouthy's) posts so much. With black letters typed across a white computer screen, she was able to convey who she was with warmth, humor and a bit of sass thrown in for good measure. She reminded me of my old British and Irish aunties who were of a generation where character, grit, empathy and humor, pulled them through some really tough times. She was from an age where such things as the internet weren't even thought of, yet she was able to learn and adapt herself to a new era so as to share her wisdom and companionship across cyberspace with others who benefited greatly from it.

Grace was a fitting name for her and if there is a God who is gracious and who has good things in store for mankind in the future or once leave this world, there's no reason our Grace won't be right there in the middle of it all.

42

Jehovah's Witnesses post 'anti-gay' 'Harness Your Habits' leaflet in North Devon

by OrphanCrow in

jehovah's witnesses post 'anti-gay' 'harness your habits' leaflet in north devon.

devon and cornwall police have said a leaflet posted through doors in north devon isn't a crime – despite it advising gay people to "control their urges".the leaflet, entitled "how to harness your habits", was distributed in north devon by jehovah's witnesses and contains an article asking "what does the bible say about homosexuality?

"in it, the religious group states that "rejecting homosexuality" is completely different to "rejecting people of a different skin colour" and says their views are the same as people who "view smoking as harmful and even repugnant".it also compares gay people to animals, but says "unlike animals, they can choose not to act on their impulses".the journal was contacted by a reader, who wishes to remain anonymous, who felt "belittled" by the leaflet.

Pete Zahut

It's one thing for a religion or group of people to have their own beliefs on certain controversial matters but why go from door to door highlighting them? Isn't their goal supposed to be one of simply alerting people to the hope they believe the bible holds out for mankind and their believe that the end is close at hand? Why send unqualified lay persons and children to someones door with literature that offers overly simplistic ideas on how to deal with complex matters such as a persons sexuality? Why not stick to the gospel message rather than highlighting these sensitive topics and save them for when and if someone actually asks them what their beliefs are. Instead, like the clods they are they choose to blanket an entire community with "leaflets" and alienate everyone from the get-go.

Now that I'm away from this religion, I can see how narcissistic and short sighted it really is.

21

60th Anniversary today - I was baptized 9-01-56

by Bonnie_Clyde in

60th anniversary – i was baptized 9-1-56 .

my parents weren’t witnesses at the time, but my witness uncle studied with my brother and i. i think the only reason my parents let him was because my brother was having mental issues and were hoping it would help him.

my father surprised me a few years later, started studying and was baptized in 1961, later appointed an elder.

Pete Zahut

Thanks for sharing your nicely written and well laid out story Bonnie. In regard to your daughter, where there's hope there's hope. I've seen certain hard core JW's have an about face when something finally happens to them personally to wake them up.

I knew Ray Franz personally, he was my instructor in Bethel and I sat beside he and his wife at meal times. Iknew at that time something was bothering this lovely man deeply, yet he carried out his duties lovingly and was the epitome of what a shepherd of the flock should be. I can tell you that after knowing him and having been at Bethel, everything he wrote in his book is the absolute unembellished truth. I'm glad you started your foray into the real story about the JW religion by researching his story.

Glad you have your husband and sons....we'll hold out hope that your daughter will soften or come around one day.

16

JW hospitality

by Chook in

about 5 years ago when i was in, my son who at the time was 18 needed somewhere to sleep for a couple of nights due to work commitments ,in a city 2 hours from home.

my "best man" who is an elder that lives in this city , was asked could my son stay a couple of nights .

the response was he doesn't go to meetings anymore ,he can't stay here , i ask can he sleep on garage floor instead , still can't stay .

Pete Zahut

I remember back in the day we used to go from door to door just before assembly time asking householders if they had a room to spare for out of town JW's needing a place to stay for the convention.

I was always impressed at how many people volunteered to open their homes to perfect strangers.

JW's were willing to stay in the homes of non JW's who were complete strangers but ironically in your case, this JW wouldn't extend this kind of hospitality to the son of someone he knew well, simply because he wasn't attending meetings.

"They have a form of godly devotion but are proving false to it's power"

23

Are GB accountable for deaths for changing policy ?

by Chook in

example blood factions, organ transplants.

suicide from disfellowshipping , breaking up family's with old oral sex policy.

Pete Zahut

The accountability I was referring to in my earlier comment wasn't about legal accountability, I was referring to accountability to the God they profess to be representing.

The Societies literature indicates that a JW could be held accountable/ blood guilty by Jehovah for the lives of the householders if he or she doesn't spread the "good news" to them at every possible opportunity.

If one can be held accountable to Jehovah for not spreading the good news, then it seems reasonable to conclude that one could be held accountable for spreading incorrect information that could bring harm to a potential follower or cause them to turn away from the message because they can see that the humans supposedly delivering Gods message are misrepresenting him or don't know what they're talking about.

I'm sure it could be proven in a court of law that based on what their leaders have insisted upon, JW's are intimidated into refusing blood for fear of displeasing God in a big picture way and fear of losing their friends and family if they don't comply.

We've seen in the past how when the rubber hits the road, the Leaders claim that each JW is free to choose their own actions and that no disciplinary action would be taken against them. Yet we all know the reality of it. If a JW takes a Blood Transfusion, there will be consequences. If an elder, pioneer, ministerial servant were to take a blood transfusion, they would no longer be able to continue serving in those capacities. At the very least a JW who accepts a blood transfusion would be viewed as a weakling, as having failed Jehovah and would be a big disappointment to everyone he knows and loves.

6

Convention(al) Wisdom

by darkspilver in

jw
friends

conventions satisfy a basic human urge: the longing for belonging.. at conventions, people who share similar interests - even obsessions - come together to bond and to be themselves.. the outside world doesn't matter.

in fact, for the weekend duration of most conventions, the outside world doesn't even exist.. the conventioneers have each other and that's all they need.. http://conventionalwisdom.com.

the mermaid convention.

Pete Zahut

The photos below show Jehovah's happy people in various lands enthusiastically showing their appreciation during the release of the silver sword edition of the New World Translation of the Bible and listening intently during the assembly program

Oops ....my mistake, it turns out the photos above are from an Amway Convention and the happy clean cut delegates are paying more than the usual attention as they receive instruction on how to recruit others into their multi-level marketing scheme.

6

Convention(al) Wisdom

by darkspilver in

jw
friends

conventions satisfy a basic human urge: the longing for belonging.. at conventions, people who share similar interests - even obsessions - come together to bond and to be themselves.. the outside world doesn't matter.

in fact, for the weekend duration of most conventions, the outside world doesn't even exist.. the conventioneers have each other and that's all they need.. http://conventionalwisdom.com.

the mermaid convention.

Pete Zahut

Vidiot 9 hours ago
Wont deny it; the JW convention looks a hell of a lot more impressive.

The photos below show Jehovah's happy people in various lands enthusiastically showing their appreciation during the release of the silver sword edition of the New World Translation of the Bible and listening intently and showing appreciation for their spiritual meal, even taking notes during the assembly program.

23

Are GB accountable for deaths for changing policy ?

by Chook in

example blood factions, organ transplants.

suicide from disfellowshipping , breaking up family's with old oral sex policy.

Pete Zahut

In my mind, since they claimed to be directed by Jehovah in all they do, once then they adopted the blood fractions ruling two years after my Dad died from lack of blood, they are responsible for him having died in one of the worst ways possible. Blood fractions would literally have saved his life but according to these men, they were not acceptable to Jehovah at the time but now Jehovah says it's ok. According to them Jehovah also says that a Son, Father, Grandfather and Great Grandfather are all part of the same generation.

13

Are there any scriptures that indicate believers would die at Armageddon?

by Crazyguy in

probably a stupid question and you'll all point a bunch of scripture but i thought i would ask anyway?.

Pete Zahut

Revelation chapter 18 talks about "getting out of Babylon the great lest you share in her destruction"

JW's say that Babylon the Great is Satan's world empire of false religion. As a kid I remember wondering about people who weren't part of Babylon the Great and didn't belong to a religion....would they still be destroyed?

Even though those living outside of literal Babylon weren't effected by her destruction, the answer was still yes...even those who didn't belong to a religion, would be destroyed.

Being destroyed was the go-to, default answer for just about every situation.