You are right about not keeping your words whenever possible. There are a few things that can be pointed out without sounding too apostate. The CO arrangement is one of them. One thing I always mention when someone speaks of how Paul had to work for a leaving is "Sure he did, but somehow the COs are not able to cut their own grass" or "Somehow the brothers that record the songs have to pay their own tickets to NY twice a year but the CO can't clean his own apartment"
StarTrekAngel
JoinedPosts by StarTrekAngel
-
48
The elderly sisters are at it again.
by John Aquila inawhile back, about a year and a half ago, when i was starting to wake up, i explained to my mom that when the circuit overseer is in town, they schedule shepherding calls after lunch, not because they care, but because they dont want to work door to door in the hot summer or cold winter.
and they know that a prepared call means some nice hot chocolate and cookies or some ice cold tea and snacks.
i remember her looking at me kind of funny so i ended the conversation and left it at that, and never brought it up again.
-
-
-
44
WE NEED MORE MONEY! (Letter sent to Mexico re: JW Broadcasting of May 2015).
by avaddohn94 ini don't know if they're making similar arrangements in other parts of the world but below you will find the letter (and the translation attempt) they're sending to all the congregations in mexico and central america asking them to modify their september 21 and september 28 service meeting programs.. after watching jackson's gold apple watch and lett's pinky ring one can only assume they are a bunch of brazen, shameless and greedy bastards!.
the letter has already been uploaded at the spanish forum and you can find it if you click here or see the attached picture.. the translation "attempt" is as follows:.
august 1, 2015. to all congregations.
-
-
StarTrekAngel
Everyone has something, poor or not. Wether is time, access to others, access to land or political influence at any level (high or low). In order of importance, they need people first, lots of people. Having a handful of rich individuals is good, but they also need to diversify. They don't care how many people they have to squeeze. Wether you get a dollar from a rich guy or a poor guy, it still a dollar. The video is already made, so if you get a dollar every time you play it again, why not?
Having lived most of my life in South America (can not disclose country at this time) and having the chance to visit fairly often, I can tell you that the insecurity is reaching levels comparable to those in Mexico. Consider this in contrast with the fact that Mexico borders the US and such border is one of the hottest when it comes to illegal activities. People are getting desperate and have lost most faith in their governments. The only hope left at the end of their list is spirituality. Hoping that a superhero would come to their rescue.
In addition to that, the more socialist governments in South America are more than ever recurring to tactics not seen since the years of the dictators (Pinochet, etc). People are getting scared into submission by the media and convicted felons are being taken in buses to presidential speeches to show mass support in the media. They are creating a plethora of social programs to buy support. This goes beyond giving foods stamps. People are getting free directv service with paid subscriptions to sport channels. Free TVs, free computers, etc. Somewhere in there, a church is bound to benefit from this perks, especially when you couple this with a need for hope in a better future.
I also have plenty of friends and family in Mexico. I am not as acquainted on the political situation there as I am with the situation in SA but being in the border, we do get all the news. I know similar social programs are available but what I really wonder about Mexico is this. How soon before the org begins to be so noticeable that the gangs begin demanding protection money from the K halls? They are already doing it with businesses and business owners are fleeing to the US. In the RGV we already have plenty of restaurants that were staples from "across the bridge" but became out of reach for the US residents once the violence settled in.
-
20
need input: My wife is at it again...this time about the faithful and discreet slave
by goingthruthemotions inso you all know that i go with my wife to the meeting to protect the kids from the drival and pacify her.
tonight we are sitting there and she points to mathew and says something about the faithful and discreet slave and she said eplain this.
so breaking away from what i was reading in the meeting..." in search of christian freedom by franz"...i said.
-
-
StarTrekAngel
Definitely this irrational thinking has nothing to do with your/our spouses self. Is undue influence at its best. Give them a break. Keep reminding yourself that this isn't the personality you fell in love with. Its hard, I know cuz I go thru the same things sometimes. Try and not rationalize in yourself that she/he is stupid or can think for herself. His/Her ability to do so is there, is just been deactivated.
Doing more research in the bible, it becomes very evident that despite being called "witnesses" we put very little attention to the countless times that men of bible times demanded proof or witness from God himself. Churches have exploited the "we go by faith not by sight" and "happy are those who believe without seeing", twisting the meaning and taking it out of context to manipulate people to quash their doubts. Just like you compared gospels to show that the FDS was an illustration, try and compare Matthew 24:13 with its parallel in Mark 16 (now conveniently removed from the silver bible) and compare with Romans 15:19
Even if the FDS was a prophecy, the GB can not provide witness of their appointment as such. They now say they were never appointed and that the appointment will happen at a later time. Even then, they still demand obedience as if they were already appointed. The illustration said the slave was supposed to provide, not force his co slaves to eat.
-
29
Paint, Barney, and Jehovah
by John Aquila ini made a quick run to lowes to buy some paint and ran into a brother.
he is one of those elders that is very, very, petty.
if he drops by your house unexpected and notices that your kids are watching one of the star wars movies, he will counsel you for allowing your kids to watch any movie that has to do with war he will then make sure you are not recommended for any privilege.
-
-
StarTrekAngel
John... this post is priceless! -
39
JW UN Rumor
by ivanatahan inyes, i have returned.. a short recap of major events since my inactivity began: i finally revealed to my parents that i do not believe the same thing they believe in (after i was caught smooching my girlfriend by a family of good-for-nothing pieces of human feces), and of course they view themselves as failed parents who were unable to brainwash their children.
that is, of course, the reason why they are much more controlling over what i do in my life now (my mom even tried having a "bible study" with me).
i told them everything and i was unable to dent their jw imposed mind force field, while also exposing a clear jw misunderstanding of probability, evolution, history, logic/reason, and the big bang theory.. in a conversation i had with my mother a few weeks back (i also heard this rumor before, but my mother told me it again), she mentioned how the un held a summit of all religions and when the jws presented themselves and mentioned their preaching work warning of the coming un ban on religion (referring to an international organization who can't even prevent genocide, much less impose human rights), a un official came up to the jw who presented the cult and told him to "speed up the preaching work", because they plan on doing the ban soon.. it saddens me to think of how ignorant jws are in relation to the principles upon which the un was founded and being unaware that the un at least has some sense as to not ban religion, but this rumor, as ridiculous as it is, needs to be put at rest.
-
-
StarTrekAngel
Yep. Heard the one about the plane too. Which one is the one about the two pioneer sisters and the walnut? -
23
Baby steps taken with a grain of salt
by Israel Ricky Gonzales inseeing how my jw wife nearly lost it when i woke up to ttatt and was df'd just over a year ago, she has been showing cracks in her armor.. 1. she has stopped pioneering to resume her good-paying career, working full-time.. 2. she suggested marriage counseling.. 3. she suggested going to a latin rap concert at a casino for our anniversary.. 4. when we reconciled recently and began living together as a family again, she agreed to alternate weeks of jw activity with the kids, one week doing the jw thing with her and the next week not doing the jw thing with me .
5. she hasn't had perfect attendance at meetings or for field service since she started working full-time.
just last night, she skipped meeting to help co-workers prepare food for an employee appreciation luncheon held today.
-
-
StarTrekAngel
Mr Hassan said in his book. True love will always win. Congrats and don't let the excitement take over your patience. -
15
December 15 2015 Watchtower - Blowing a Trumpet for RNWT
by The Searcher inself-praise is no praise, brooklyn!
however, having skimmed over this latest offering - which was neither researched nor written by the f.d.s., according to geoffrey jackson's sworn testimony in oz - here is my favourite statement: .
p. 26 par.
-
-
StarTrekAngel
I guess this means that indeed then, the bible is written by men and not by God. Since God may have read it but there is no stamp of approval in it
Or wait, may be it means that the WT mag is actually inspired. Not by God but by the GB.
-
54
WHEN people leave a cult...MAN landed on the moon? Or critical thinking......
by The Rebel ini believe anyone who has voluntarily left a cult has shown they can adapt to new solutions, and have used " critical thinking" skills otherwise most would not have left.. yet i believe a safe place for support is still needed and this safe place i believe is searched for.. now i may not measure up to much in ways of education, but for me personally " critical thinking skills" = " new" a " new" way of thinking, that takes time for me the individual to be visual and to contemplate.
and the more i read about " critical thinking," the more convinced i am that i can live with the ridicule of those that claim i do not possess it.
furthermore i would say those that criticise others " critical thinking skills," often luck the sensibility and thoughts to snore, spit, and fart....nor would they understand a room full of tobacco smoke and cheap booze...where " critical thinking " can often be found in its most profound, in the most sensitive poems and "pictures" that were ever drawn.
-
-
StarTrekAngel
Agree. The heart speaks. Is what makes us humans. No amount of education or self inspection is going to turn us into robots, no matter how much you would like to think that you can do that.
I too highly respect people who can articulate so easily. Many of us are not able to do so in one statement and it takes some clarification to get to our point. If this wasn't the case, businesses would run in half or less the amount of meetings it takes today and Scott Adams wouldn't have a job making fun of corporate America.
You may be shocked for what I am about to say, but chances are that the disagreements you read between me and Viviane here, are probably rooted in the above. Although she would probably disagree. There is beauty in that.
-
54
WHEN people leave a cult...MAN landed on the moon? Or critical thinking......
by The Rebel ini believe anyone who has voluntarily left a cult has shown they can adapt to new solutions, and have used " critical thinking" skills otherwise most would not have left.. yet i believe a safe place for support is still needed and this safe place i believe is searched for.. now i may not measure up to much in ways of education, but for me personally " critical thinking skills" = " new" a " new" way of thinking, that takes time for me the individual to be visual and to contemplate.
and the more i read about " critical thinking," the more convinced i am that i can live with the ridicule of those that claim i do not possess it.
furthermore i would say those that criticise others " critical thinking skills," often luck the sensibility and thoughts to snore, spit, and fart....nor would they understand a room full of tobacco smoke and cheap booze...where " critical thinking " can often be found in its most profound, in the most sensitive poems and "pictures" that were ever drawn.
-
-
StarTrekAngel
LMAO! Like you never left a question unanswered? Oh, sorry, I forgot... you were "bored". I told you I could keep going if you wanted to, which is more than a pinch ahead of not answering at all. -
54
WHEN people leave a cult...MAN landed on the moon? Or critical thinking......
by The Rebel ini believe anyone who has voluntarily left a cult has shown they can adapt to new solutions, and have used " critical thinking" skills otherwise most would not have left.. yet i believe a safe place for support is still needed and this safe place i believe is searched for.. now i may not measure up to much in ways of education, but for me personally " critical thinking skills" = " new" a " new" way of thinking, that takes time for me the individual to be visual and to contemplate.
and the more i read about " critical thinking," the more convinced i am that i can live with the ridicule of those that claim i do not possess it.
furthermore i would say those that criticise others " critical thinking skills," often luck the sensibility and thoughts to snore, spit, and fart....nor would they understand a room full of tobacco smoke and cheap booze...where " critical thinking " can often be found in its most profound, in the most sensitive poems and "pictures" that were ever drawn.
-
-
StarTrekAngel
I will choose to be the bigger person and I will quit having to explain everything you get wrong and everything else you read into my comments. Unless off course you want me to continue. I got plenty of energy but I usually take a break from the forums on weekends.
I will respect your right to pick apart my semantics any way you want but I will also exercise mine when and how I choose to. You have shown as many emotions in your critical thinking as anyone else here. You just channel it in a different way. You whine just as much as you perceive anyone else doing it.