Hard To Keep Silent

by Frenchy 16 Replies latest jw friends

  • Frenchy
    Frenchy

    The C.O. was visiting this week and in his talk he got on the subject of movies. He began by admitting that he was not familiar with the rating code but that it was wrong for a Christian to see an ‘R’ rated movie. He stayed at least five minutes on the subject.

    Afterwards there was the usual, ‘abbreviated’ WT study and I found paragraph four particularly interesting:

    :::Jesus spoke to many who were desperately trying to do what was lawful but who were “loaded down” because the Jewish leaders made religion a burdensome thing. (Matthew 23:4) They focused on endless rules for virtually all aspects of life. Would you not find it stressful to keep hearing “you must not” do this or that?… :::
    WT 12/15/2002 p. 9 pp 4

    I could not help but shake my head when that paragraph’s question: “To whom did Jesus speak, and why might his listeners have found it hard to do what was asked of them?” was answered. I was tempted to raise my hand and say: Some religions today go just as far and even presume to tell its members what movies they can watch! I’m a civil person but it was hard to keep silent.

  • ozziepost
    ozziepost

    Come to think of it, how are you able to keep going?

    I think as time goes on, you'll find yourself being more and more indignant at hearing the contradictions, hypocricy, and arbitrary rules at the meetings.

    Going to the KH is a health hazard!

    Cheers,
    Ozzie

    "It's better to light a candle than to curse the darkness."
    Anonymous

  • RunningMan
    RunningMan

    "Come to think of it, how are you able to keep going?"

    Well, I keep going because they keep giving me talks. Tonight, I have the #4 talk on the subject "What does the new testament say about everlasting life".

    There's nothing quite like delivering the hypocrasy and contradictions yourself.

  • zev
    zev

    i have to give my 2 cents here.

    i went for almost a year before i called it quits. i tip my hat to you gents for doing what your doing. nearing the end of my tenure as a borg drone, the talk slips were handed back with no more than an excuse of, i can't do it. sitting through those meetings was abosolute torture, knowing what i know, and trying to keep from moaning out load at some of the stuff said, was impossible. there was a point in time, where i slept through almost every meeting, but nearing the end, i found staying awake {no pun intended} was more fun, as i could easily see the inconsistancys and brain control used to manipulate the "sheep".

    you will find, as was mentioned, and i experienced, that there will come a time when you cannot do it anymore. it was literally, killing me, from the inside out.

    you have my thoughts with y'all as you continue on your journeys.

    be careful. watch out for yourself. your life, health and happyness are most important.

    just ask me.

    -Zev
    Learn about the Wtbts and the U.N.
    ** http://www.geocities.com/plowbitch69 **

  • Mister Biggs
    Mister Biggs

    Frenchy,
    When I read that in the article I felt the same way as you.

  • Bandit
    Bandit

    I was very surprised at the hypocrisy of that paragraph. I wonder how many JWs just nodded their heads in agreement without really thinking about what it said. If they did think, they would have realized that their pointing their finger at themselves. Jesus spoke often of needing only love and compassion (that was half of the refreshing part) instead of a list of doo’s and dont’s

  • TR
    TR

    Fortunately or unfortunately, I left because I couldn't handle the "load" anymore. Hadn't yet formed any concrete dismissals of WT doctrine at that time. I'm sort of envious of you guys and gals that are still 'in', knowing what you know. How maddening it must be to listen to the crap when you know better.

    TR

    "Those who would give up essential liberty to purchase a little temporary safety deserve neither liberty nor safety."
    --Benjamin Franklin, 1759

  • nytelecom2
    nytelecom2

    It is indeed unfortunate that you found such counsel as burdensom Frenchy. The Bible does not tell us we should not go to
    Live Sex Shows..But should we?..It is important that your review bible
    Principals in your life.and strive to maintain them..this in itself should be a rule.....Jesus did mention the load of being a Christian..but he never said there wouldnt be one...

  • Frenchy
    Frenchy

    Hello, Ozzie
    I go to see old friends and family still there. I don’t want them to ever think that the reason I am no longer ‘active’ is because I have simply lost interest or am too lazy to go to meetings, etc. I see in their faces that they are puzzled and I’m just waiting for the opportunity to tell them why I stepped aside.

    Zev: ::: you will find, as was mentioned, and i experienced, that there will come a time when you cannot do it anymore. it was literally, killing me, from the inside out.:::
    I know that feeling well. I feel that I have been able to move past that and keep a detached view on what is happening. I truly hope that I will be able to help someone else.

    Mister Biggs: Really? I called it to the attention of one of the publishers and he had to admit that it was very incriminating to the witnesses. Not even publishers like to be told what to do!

    Bandit: ::: I was very surprised at the hypocrisy of that paragraph.::: After I took off the glasses I became quite astonished at the profusion of hypocrisy in the talks and the articles from Brooklyn. During the public talk the C.O. admonished the publishers not to think themselves superior to others, that there were non-JW workers that were very diligent and honest as well. Then he went on to tell them that since they ‘had the truth’ they should strive to be different from everyone else. I leaned over and whispered in my wife’s ear…”I guess that means that the witnesses should NOT be honest and diligent!” Everyone else just nodded.

    TR: ::: How maddening it must be to listen to the crap when you know better.:::
    At times it’s amusing but at other times it makes me very angry.

    nytelecom2

    I don’t find the counsel burdensome because I simply choose to ignore it. What that idiot who admittedly didn’t even understand the rating system failed to understand is that it was not his job to tell me how to exercise my God-given conscience. I appreciate the discussion of Bible principles and I have a strong sense of right and wrong but I do not tell people what to do.

    I found the movie: “Saving Private Ryan” to be especially moving. There was some very graphic violence and some rough speech. The movie was not glorifying violence and adult language but rather it was an honest effort to portray the situation as it actually was. The movie was rated “R” but I would recommend it to anyone who ever had a father or grandfather who was in a war. I think they will view that person in a completely different light after seeing that movie. There are many Biblical accounts that would certainly be rated “R” if a movie were made to accurately portray what is reported in those accounts. The Garden of Eden scene, for example would have to feature extensive full nudity and would get the “R” rating. The Israelite wars would certainly earn that rating for the violence. The list is long.

    BTW: I've never been to a live sex show. I suppose I'm old fashioned.

  • Latte
    Latte

    Frenchy,

    Yes, many do feel loaded down. When I look back I can hardly believe the way of life we had......so free now...

    I recently when to a meeting (don’t ask me why …I think it was more for a laugh than anything!)

    I had to watch an elder advising his son (20+yrs old) to not put off pioneering any longer, ‘it will not lead to disappointment!’ The KM stated. Kinda makes me angry when I hear such rubbish, I know many pioneers who are depressed and disappointed, the system having gone on….and on…and on. They/we were told it was to end sooooon.

    I would enjoy going to the odd meeting here and there, just to see what I’m notmissing!….and of course to report my finding back to you guy’s…..LOL

    Thanks Frenchy

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