Is it because of the "apostate" uprising in the eighties that they may have changed the questions? Seems like maybe they felt they needed to crack down and have a legitimate reason for kicking people out if they decided to have their own views on anything.
atypical
JoinedPosts by atypical
-
22
What Was I Agreeing to at my Baptism, Anyway?
by prophecor ini was so awash with emotion during the day of my being baptised, i think i would've answered yes to having a root canal.
what was it i was swearing my allegiance to on that ominous day?
are there a standard set of questions that they ask all baptismal candidates at these cermonial offerings?
-
-
-
30
My conversation with an elder
by Dune inwell this happened to me a few weeks ago, but i chose to post it later because i'm paranoid.
anyway, i was riding in field service with an elder and our conversation turned to apostasy.
well, he turned it to apostasy because he usually dominates 99% of the conversations we have.but i digress, this is how our conversation went.
-
-
atypical
Good job with the self-control, Dune! There is no way I could have kept from saying something. I mean, you can totally refute that crap with nothing but the new Watchtower CD-Rom!!
The last meeting I was at, during the watchtower study, the conductor mentioned that there was a time when some witnesses started thinking on their own that the end was about to happen. He said, "When was it, oh I don't know, 1975 or something" and then went on to say how some people took it upon themselves to sell their houses or do other extreme things like that. He turned it into an example of going beyond what we are told. I couldn't believe it.
After we left, I told my wife that if she ever wants to know the truth about what he said, just to look up 1975 on the Watchtower CD-Rom and see for herself.
-
25
What were your best moments and souvenirs of 2005?
by JH infor me, 2005 was a great year.
i travelled a good distance to meet wonderful people last july at an apostofest (thank-you mumsy and gary) .
i met a wonderful person here on jwd, and she became a great friend (that's you buttlight) .
-
-
atypical
Bought a nice, brand new house. Downside is, the witnesses in our territory are mostly poor, so that increased the gossip mill interest an hundred fold.
Other than that, not much good. I am happy for all of you who have seen positive changes in 2005.
-
12
The appearance of the dreaded ellipsis [. . .]
by LDH intwo well known posters have made references to the wbts use of the ellipse in the publications within the past week.. what, you may ask, is an ellipsis and why should i care?.
ellipsis ( p ) pronunciation key (-lpss).
n. pl.
-
-
atypical
LDH, thank you, I did not know the word until this thread. However, I have noticed for a long time the society's use of the "brackets" to insert whatever they want. I have been going back and reading WTS material with my new mindset, and I am amazed each time I see the ellipsis (sp?) at how much they can change the meaning.
Paradigms, paradigms........
-
1
WTBT$ will always come out on top
by darth frosty inonce again i will give you time to pick your jaw up off the floor while i explain what i mean.
all of us who are ex-jw's have speculated on signs of the end.
now the key sign as shown in 2tim 3:1-5 (how do i remember these scripts) so all the problems in the world are proof that we are living in the time of the end.
-
-
atypical
It's all about supply and demand, just like any other business. As long as there are people frustrated with their current life and ready to turn over the reins to an organization, the WTS will be there. I honestly don't think it will die, it will just evolve as needed to maintain members.
-
22
What Was I Agreeing to at my Baptism, Anyway?
by prophecor ini was so awash with emotion during the day of my being baptised, i think i would've answered yes to having a root canal.
what was it i was swearing my allegiance to on that ominous day?
are there a standard set of questions that they ask all baptismal candidates at these cermonial offerings?
-
-
atypical
Yes, it really is a very good read for someone who is not concerned with the authority of the wtbts. All you have to do is ignore the last few sentences of each chapter, which is where the writers try to explain why the particular religion is wrong.
Also, I had not heard of the book you mentioned. I am going to search it out and read it. I firmly believe that the WTS' biggest downfall will be their own words, which is why I enjoyed Quotes' site so much.
cheers
-
22
What Was I Agreeing to at my Baptism, Anyway?
by prophecor ini was so awash with emotion during the day of my being baptised, i think i would've answered yes to having a root canal.
what was it i was swearing my allegiance to on that ominous day?
are there a standard set of questions that they ask all baptismal candidates at these cermonial offerings?
-
-
atypical
Auld Soul, you are so right. I have mentioned points out of the Mankind's Search book many times to elders and ministerial servants who just looked at me curiously. When I was still attending book study, I would make a point to comment and incorporate something from that book. I never understood why most of the witnesses I knew didn't read it.
The book tries at the end of each chapter to give a reason why the particular religion is wrong, but as you said, it actually gives a ton of food for thought. It even maps out Protestantism, which was very enlightening to me.
It seems like the society made a variance by printing that book; they usually try to steer everyone away from any kind of knowledge about other religions.
-
62
Beards are evil, but do you know why?
by free2beme inas a witness, i knew several men who attempted to grow beards.
when they did, and attended meetings, it did not take long to be talked to by elders and told, "as spiritual men, they should not display an outward form of rebellion.
" why was this a form of rebellion?
-
-
atypical
I am considering going back (only for a visit) with my new goatee. I have been so frustrated with the stress of fading that I almost feel like it will be a relief to walk into the hall with a big bunch of facial hair and smile at everybody.
-
22
What Was I Agreeing to at my Baptism, Anyway?
by prophecor ini was so awash with emotion during the day of my being baptised, i think i would've answered yes to having a root canal.
what was it i was swearing my allegiance to on that ominous day?
are there a standard set of questions that they ask all baptismal candidates at these cermonial offerings?
-
-
atypical
Good thread, Prophecor. To me, this is a major, major issue. I hate to admit it, but I never even thought about my baptism questions until reading on this forum. And yes, I was baptized after '85, so I had the new set. At the time, like you say, I was swept up in emotion and would have done whatever I was told.
It's interesting, not only did I not notice the questions, but I agonized the entire weekend (I was baptized at a District Convention) that I was maybe not ready to baptized. I felt very guilty that I was somehow unqualified to get baptized, and that Jehovah would be unhappy with me. I was only 13, and I honestly had never done anything - no smoking, no lying, no masturbating, nothing. I was very caught up in the fever to be perfect and free from blame, and I was afraid that somehow something was wrong with me.
It was the convention where they released the Mankind's Search For God book, and I read the entire book on the way home Sunday (2 hour drive). Interestingly, that book is what got me thinking outside the box as far as witness beliefs go.
That second question is just one more example of the society learning to protect themselves in every way. All liability is on the individual, and none of it is on them.
-
120
very very important read important!
by iamtherealjesus ini would like to first off stating that my name is migu jandhiki.
i am the prophet of jesus that u have all been looking for!
i have been fallowing all the studys of jehovah's witness very carefully.
-
-
atypical
Well, I don't care if it rains or freezes
Long as I got my internet Jesus