Posts by SAHS

28

I Am Celebrating 6 Months' Sobriety Today

by agonus in

jw
friends

yay for me!.

please take a minute to visit my blog and leave your comments: benpogge.blogspot.com.

have a good one!.

SAHS

Congratulations, Ben Pogge (“agonus”)! You’re doing better than I am right now. I’ve gotten so many of those 24-hour “desire chips” due to relapsing that it’s not funny. And, unfortunately, I relapsed yet again fairly recently.

I realize that I’ve started to think mistakenly that since I’ve already relapsed so many times, what would it really matter if I just gave up? Also, upon observing all the terrible evils in the world which people do deliberately to each other (such as fighting, torturing, murdering, raping, stealing, etc.), I’ve caught myself mistakenly thinking that, compared to all of that, I might as well give up because going back out drinking could never be as bad and rotten as all those other bad things people are doing.

But now I keep telling myself that I should never give up – regardless of all the relapses I’ve had, regardless of all the worse evils I hear about going on in the world, and regardless of the way I have been treated and judged by others – regardless of all of that, I have to just forget the past wrongs and mistakes of myself and others and just let the past go. I have to make sure that I just keep my side of the street clean, . . . . and, of course, NEVER GIVE UP!

All I can say to you, Ben, is to just keep going on the right path for you and keep working at your sobriety daily. There is no “magic bullet” to cure alcoholism. Sobriety is a constant journey on which one must keep walking, one step at a time, one day at a time.

Take care, and all the best of luck to you.

14

Solving the Problem of a Generation that never ends ...

by fulltimestudent in

jw
friends

luke 21 is a difficult text to interpret.

and jesus' failed prediction that the end would occur in the lifetime of those who heard him speak, makes the whole thing border on farce.. recall what he said:.

30 when they sprout leaves, you can see for yourselves and know that summer is near.. 31 even so, when you see these things happening, you know that the kingdom of god is near.. 32 truly i tell you, this generation will certainly not pass away until all these things have happened.. 33 heaven and earth will pass away, but my words will never pass away.. .

SAHS

“fulltimestudent”: “. . . Jesus' failed prediction that the end would occur in the lifetime of those who heard him speak . . .”

I believe that the end did occur in the lifetime of those who heard him speak . . . . for the Jews in 70 C.E.! Remember, their big temple was destroyed and their nation there and then was basically destroyed, with millions of them slaughtered by those ruthless Romans.

The problem is when folks such as Russell and Rutherford (a pair of narcissistic shysters if there ever was one!) try to link prophecies such as by the prophet Daniel, the apostle John, and Jesus Christ to supposedly modern times by using sleight-of-hand, illusionary, “mind-freak” techniques. Apparently around the Biblical numerology/eschatology heyday of the late 1800s and early 1900s, there was basically every single year marked by someone or other as a significant year in “end times” chronology. Around the time of the first issues of the Watchtower (beginning in 1879), those sort of folks were a dime a dozen.

Jesus’ words about the “end” occurring make more sense when considered in their basic simplicity (without pulling stuff out of hats) and related to the times when they were spoken; i.e., during Jesus’ earthly lifetime and the political circumstances around that time involving the Jews and Romans. The more people try to complicate it or force it to relate to something or somewhere or sometime else, the more false and unfulfilled prophecies you’ll see from charismatic self-appointed “leaders.”

Jesus’ words were simple and naturally relevant to that time. Forcing his words beyond that scope to which they were intended is where the problems begin. Like anything else, I say, “If it ain’t broke, don’t fix it!”

52

This new JW video is so stupid that it has to be a troll

by Pacopoolio in

jw
friends

recently, my mother, who had stopped talking to me because i was 'apostate,' started speaking to me again.. (note that i successfully faded as opposed to ever being disfellowshipped due to dodging every elder question with "i'm not sure, i'm still searching and trying to find the answers.").

the reason why?

at the international convention this year, they receieved a new video called something or other.

SAHS

[me]: “. . . the couple who rents the downstairs in the latest video.”

“DesirousOfChange”: RENT the downstairs? ARE YOU CRAZY? Those kind of JDubs never RENT the downstairs or rent the rental house or apartment!”

Actually, you’re right. Now that I think of it, I remember that the father told the brother – in a rather matter-of-fact, nudge-nudge-wink-wink manner – that he wouldn’t have to pay anything to dwell in the family’s basement (apparently temporarily).

“WingCommander:” “Why doesn't the Org put it on Youtube, on their OWN channel? Why was it taken down? What is the WTBTS so afraid of?”

I’m guessing that the WTS wants to wait until this year’s regional conventions are all completed before posting it onto the Internet so as not to spoil people’s surprise when it’s released at their own convention site. (As if JWs won’t be getting their own “sneak preview” one way or another.) Although, strangely enough, the WTS will no doubt still be making copyright infringement complaints to YouTube, or any other Web site that has the video posted, even after it’s been released at all the convention sites, which illuminates their true bureaucratic and petty nature – while, of course, still claiming to philanthropically be making every efforts to spread the “life-saving kingdom message” worldwide. I guess they think that everything must go through them, even if that means trying to legally stifle anyone’s own personal efforts to help spread the WTS’ message, regardless of how sincere they may be. (It’s always their way or the highway.)

52

This new JW video is so stupid that it has to be a troll

by Pacopoolio in

jw
friends

recently, my mother, who had stopped talking to me because i was 'apostate,' started speaking to me again.. (note that i successfully faded as opposed to ever being disfellowshipped due to dodging every elder question with "i'm not sure, i'm still searching and trying to find the answers.").

the reason why?

at the international convention this year, they receieved a new video called something or other.

SAHS

I have seen the entire video. They released the DVD at our convention on Sunday, June 15, 2014, and my dad picked one up. My folks and I saw it together. (I can’t remember the title of it. It’s at home, and I’m out right now.) I noticed that this DVD video, as well as last year’s (2013) video called “The Prodigal Returns,” slyly tries to foster a general fear of “the world” around us.

A common theme of these new Watchtower videos is that normal and innocent things – such as dating, music, recreation, association with friends, leaving home, education, knowledge, secular work, etc. – are put in a dangerous or even negative light. For example, the message in the Prodigal video is that leaving home and focusing on making a living always leads to disaster. This latest 2014 video touches on – and, of course, vilifies – casual friendly relationships with the opposite sex, popular music (you know, the kind with that heavy low beat), and parents each holding down a secular job. And, of course, it presents the “desired” goal of “moving to serve where the need is greater” (i.e., the couple who rents the downstairs in the latest video).

This type of operant conditioning (brainwashing) is somewhat subtle and covert to those still on the inside the Watchtower religion, but it becomes rather obvious to those outside. Once you can zoom out and see the whole forest from above, it becomes quite obvious what they’re up to – i.e., push, push, push the doctrine, policy, and, um, “suggestions” of the tower. Yes, to the Watchtower Society, “normal” can only be “normal” according to the rules of their game.

9

What stage are you in after leaving or waking up to TTATT?

by suavojr in

jw
friends

i can honestly say that although still in, i have lost the fear of wts dooms day version and in all sincerity i don't care what others inside the cult think of me.

at first i was mad of being lied to, i was sad that paradise is not coming, and i felt fear of death.

i happy to report, that i am now at peace with my eventual mortality and i am enjoying every second i have while i am alive.. .

SAHS

I have already completely left the WT cult in my heart. I don’t make any financial contributions in the contribution boxes. But since I’m still living with my folks right now, I’m not able to vote with my feet as well as my wallet.

I’m trying to get my debts paid down (which is certainly not an easy thing for me now) so that I can finally move out on my own again. I keep thinking that I’ll be able to do a proper and complete fade once I manage to get my debts close to being paid off, but I can never seem to pull that off. Financial independence is like the carrot in front of the donkey for me. I keep thinking, “Someday, someday.”

My folks are around their mid-70s, so this current living arrangement isn’t going to last forever. When I get my inheritance from my well-to-do aunt, I’ll be able to make a run for it. But, of course, how long will that take? Who knows. So, ‘what stage am I in after leaving or waking up to TTATT?’ I’m still stuck in frikin’ limbo! That’s what stage I’m still in now. My heart has already made the choice – I’m just waiting until my feet can follow.

39

How Would Your Being Disfellowshipped Affect You?

by minimus in

jw
friends

would you care?.

would there be any repercussions?.

SAHS

“minimus”: “ I would be only affected negatively due to my mom's circumstances. But if they decided to shun me, that's their choice.”

I take it that you have not been actually disfellowshipped as yet. If you are not actually disfellowshipped by now, then I would say that you have been doing quite an excellent job of being able to remain under the elder radar, and my hat would certainly be off to you, sir. That would be quite the chameleon act!

48

watchtowers army assault on our vulnerable elderly in nursing homes

by friendaroonie in

jw
friends

its been a long time since i have been this enraged at the evilness and shameless exploitation by the jws.

i just got back from the meeting (dont ask) and sat through the km article laying out plans to mass convert nursing homes all over the world.

i am not going to labor the obvious ethical travesty of this plan but i will say that it constitutes a major public health risk.

SAHS

“friendaroonie”: “I know this is the wrong site to go on to find people who want to leave their homes or lift a finger over anything . . .” “I seriously have no faith in jwners to help . . .”

First of all, I don’t think that it is appropriate to begin a post by blatantly insulting everyone here. The best way to motivate people is by being positive and respectful. Coming across in an arrogant, condescending manner tends to do nothing but put people off, thus discouraging any willingness to cooperate. Just thought I would let you know.

Sad to say, my longtime elder dad actually gave that part about nursing home witnessing in the service meeting last night. I didn’t go because I needed a break after just going with my mom and dad to the district regional convention, but I did read the material for it in the Kingdom Ministry, so I am familiar with it.

The nursing home witnessing approach doesn’t really seem to be anything new. I think that it’s just a matter of reminding publishers of one of the many different forms of field service which at least some folks are expected to try including in their campaign repertoire.

The WTS is basically opportunist – they will always keep seeking any method they think will possibly result in new members, no matter how imposing or awkward that may be. It is just as Jesus told the hypocritical scribes and Pharisees at Matthew 23:15 that they ‘travel over sea and dry land to make one proselyte, and when he becomes one, they make him a subject for Gehenna twice as much so as themselves.’ (RNWT)

32

Scriptural Basis for Obedience to GB?

by mrhhome in

jw
friends

i have a genuine question for the jw apologist.

.

what is your scriptural justification for your unquestioning obedience to the governing body and your unwillingness to question their intepretation of scripture?.

SAHS

“Ucantnome”: “I believe 1919 is the date that is given as the date that ‘From atop this celestial chariotlike organization Jehovah commissioned this dedicated, baptised, anointed class of servants to speak to all the nations in His name. Thus like Ezekiel , they became Jehovah's witnesses.’ (Nations Shall Know That I Am Jehovah – How? 1971 WTB&TS)”

I thought that technically the International Bible Students Association formally adopted the name “The Jehovah’s Witnesses” at a district convention talk given by Joseph Franklin Rutherford in 1931. That book Nations Shall Know That I Am Jehovah – How? was actually published in 1971. It seems that the WTS likes to be consistent in their revisionalist history. This whole idea of a “Governing Body” and also the name “Jehovah’s Witnesses” were formulated well after 1919 – which proves that they were just making things up as they went along.

37

A PERSONAL QUESTION to help me finish my NOVEL

by Terry in

jw
friends

here is a personal question:.

is it disturbing to you when an author jumps into the flow of history and radically departs in order to drive an important lesson home to the reader?.

in this novel i have several watch tower leaders meeting incredibly violent deaths at the hands of --well, i won't give anything away.

SAHS

“Terry”: “Is it disturbing to you when an author jumps into the flow of history and radically departs in order to drive an important lesson home to the reader?”

No, I think that certain historical elements are important to the overall import and flavor of your message. The secret is in the weaving – the historical context should be woven into the story in a manner which preserves clarity and coherence and doesn’t cause confusion.

The goal, I think, would be to allow all types of readers to readily make the intended connection to mind-controlling, totalitarian administrations and regimes – especially the one we’re all to familiar with: the WTS.

It looks like The Monorails of Mars could be an excellent vehicle to allow many lurkers and fence-sitters to get a glimpse of their little sectarian forest from a bird’s-eye perspective and to shine a critical and objective light on the inner workings and operational strategies of that little forest’s leadership. Sometimes it takes the subtleties and nuances of a radical and introspective type of parody to force people to look into the mirror and see the connection with their own personal involvement in their little utopian “spiritual paradise,” even if it’s firstly just on a subconscious level. Such choice eclectic creativity may certainly be up to what it takes to allow those insightful seeds to be planted in folks’ subconscious to germinate and graduate into full-fledged and deliberate conscious thought – and decision.

Perhaps many JWs, especially nearer the fringes, will first look at that and say, “How ridiculous!,” only to soon thereafter exclaim, “My God, that could be about my own story! It looks like that really illustrates exactly what I’ve allowed myself to get tangled up in!”

Your book will be just the thing to show people in WT land what their Society really looks like from the outside. Let the presses roll.

32

Scriptural Basis for Obedience to GB?

by mrhhome in

jw
friends

i have a genuine question for the jw apologist.

.

what is your scriptural justification for your unquestioning obedience to the governing body and your unwillingness to question their intepretation of scripture?.

SAHS

“designs”: “SAHS- you realize that the Church of Rome and the Eastern Orthodox interpret those passages just the opposite of your Protestant take on them.”

True. The Catholic Church cherishes their “apostolic succession” doctrine (supposedly from Saint Peter), as it is the linchpin of authority in their own house of cards. Although, the whole hierarchical institution of the Catholic Church didn’t really start emerging as such until well after the death of the apostles, especially from the Council of Nicaea in 325 A.D. when Roman Emperor Constantine I melded “Christianity” into his secular/political administration. Thereafter came the cultural elements defining Catholicism, such as indulgences, idolatrous veneration of approved saints, etc.

The WTS has a similar claim on exclusive divine authority with their little pope-like clan. But in their case, it’s basically “same sh^t, different day” – they just happen to be “late bloomers” in the game.