Posts by FairMind

Our CO who had served in California asked if we knew what a California Bible was. He then told us it was one that had never been opened. He semi-serious.

FM

23

What do you recommend after reading C.O.C. and I.S.O.C.F

by jt stumbler in

i have read c.o.c twice.

im 1/4 of the way through i.s.o.c.f.

i would appreciate any recommendations as to the next good read.

I would recommend Captives of a Concept by Don Cameron. This book helped me to better understand why the mind control of the WTS is so strong even in the face of absolute truth that contradicts their teachings.

FM

32

The Assumption Widely Ridiculed .. But Rarely Discussed

by metatron in

jw
friends

if you are a christian, a jew, or a muslim, you belong to a revealed religion.

you believe that an angel, a prophet.

or other divine being came to earth and truthfully explained what your place in the universe should be.

FairMind

This is a very deep subject. I for one believe in Extra Terrestrials. Jesus, the angels and the demons are all Ets.

FM

60

What Is THE Number One Reason For JWs Leaving???

by minimus in

jw
friends

from what i can see, it's the "lack of love" that gets people to realize the witnesses don't have the "truth" after all!

FairMind

Lonely Sheep said it best "Lack of love, compassion and understanding". The hositility I sense toward me by some in our KH is something I just don't understand. I remember asking one of the elders, "doesn't anyone care how I feel". His answer was "not very much".

FM

36

Next WT Study....... Alcohol!!!

by Doubtfully Yours in

it should be most interesting.

1 out of 3 in my actual congregation has a heavy drinking problem.

i'd say that's the 'sin' that is way, way overlooked by the wtbts.

FairMind

Alcohol abuse is a problem in society in general. I don’t think it is any worse in the congregations of JWs then anywhere else but it is just as bad. I remember a CO in an address to our congregation mentioning that statistically one in seven adults (JW or not) had alcohol problems. He went on to say that there was no reason to think that this same ratio did not also apply to JWs.

Drunkenness is a sin that the WTS has failed to address in a serious manner. In the past, information as to the seriousness of alcohol abuse has not been anything other than lip service and I wonder if the current WT article really suggests a change. Years ago I went to the elders in my congregation to confess what I felt was a drinking problem (I actually wanted help). There was neither action taken against me nor help given. In fact I was led to believe that whether or not one had a drinking problem had to do with how well they could hold their liquor. Eventually I stopped drinking but with no support from the brothers.

FM

34

Do you really believe his name is Jehovah?

by Why Georgia in

.

i read an article somewhere when i first started studying with the jw's that said that the name jehovah was actually just a hypothesis from a monk in the year 700 or some other thing.. i don't remember if this is correct in the year or where i read it - i read so many things when i first learned what the witnesses were really about.

everything i could get my hands on.. but for some reason i don't know why but calling god jehovah just really bugs me and always makes me think of the witnesses.. does it bother anybody else and do you think if he exists his name really is jehovah?

FairMind

Jesus did say "Our father who is in heaven hallowed be thy name" and he also said he had made God's name known and would do so again. So, yes God's name is important. I think though that the actual pronunciation of the Divine name is not important. What is important making known the purposes (will) of God and God's righteousness, holiness, etc., as these are the things that are God's reputation or name.

FM

4

Is the WT envirementally friendly/aware?

by badboy in

jw
friends

?

FairMind

I don?t think that they are unaware,environmentally or unfriendly environmentally but again the environment is not their focus. It seems to me that concern for the environment differs from individual to individual within the WTS and outside of it as well. My philosophy is that if all of us as individuals (including businesses) do the right things then the environment will reap the benefits.

FM

11

You think too much...!

by Gill in

jw
friends

discussing jw doctrine with my parents this week, ..sigh!...i was told by my mother that i think too much and that i should just have faith in the governing body, because it 'is a progressive organization'....sigh!...what can you say?

i told her that the wtbts was just a business and unfortunately she was in a cult and 'brainwashed'.

at this she screeched, 'me!

FairMind

I?m thinking JW man in his late fifties. Learning that the truth about the WTS has not burst my bubble or caused me mental harm. What has actually happened is I now understand why the WTS does things that are inconsistent with what the Bible teaches. So I am set free from their mind-control and able to coldly analyze their current actions and their lack of honesty. This is a good thing! When one has been part of the WTS as long as I have and has family, mate and life time friends who are "believing" JWs, they may physically remain in the organization so as to not be cut off from loved ones. Remaining a JW under these circumstances is simply a matter of keeping your mouth shut, minimal monthly FS and semi-regular meeting attendance.

If you can lead someone (anyone) to real truths, which are simply honest facts, you have done them a favor and should feel good about what you have done.

FM