Posts by Doubting Bro

150

I'm getting baptized

by BlackWolf in

jw
friends

i know i've started similar topics before but this time i'm serious.

my parents have been constantly pressuring me and after yesterday's watchtower study they asked me if i was going to be baptized this summer... and i said yes.

i probably should have thought about it more before making a final decision, but they're pretty much forcing me to do it anyway.

That's great advice Talesin! DW - the unfortunate reality of being a minor in a cult is that your parents likely will put the cult over you. It's their cult personality that is blinding them. I'm sure deep down they are good people who think pushing you into baptism is the right thing to do.

This is a marathon not a sprint. Yes, the next few years will suck as you try to keep the peace but as Talesin said, focus on the future.

The other reality that you'll likely need to face is that your parents will likely shun you the same whether you get baptized and leave or if you simply don't get baptized and leave. There's a chance they would get over it in time if you don't get baptized but you should prepare yourself for that reality.

23

Thankful for my babies

by BeautifulMind in

i hope everyone is having a good day/night.

so i was just reflecting on how happy i am to have my babies, despite the orgs.

not so subtle requests that married couples not have babies in order to further serve the org.

Doubting Bro

DY - the problem is that if you are a true believer, you don't get to pick and choose. I know that when I was first married, I was convinced that the end was right around the corner and "woe to the pregnant woman during that time" and was against having children. Fortunately, my wife had other plans! And, having the responsibility of being a father is one of the best jobs I've ever had.

I think that as time moves on, more and more JWs are picking and choosing which things to obey and there is less stigma around some of those choices. The harder the GB pushes, the more the average JW tunes them out.

241

Another generation....

by joey jojo in

it has been 21 years since the 1995 article that pretty much buried the idea of the '1914 generation'.. remember those guys?

the ones born in 1914 that would still be alive when the end of the system arrived.. i'm glad i'm old enough to remember going from door to door, preaching this belief.

the reason i say that is because i have a lot of 'still in' jw friends and family.

Doubting Bro

It's been awhile since I've researched this, but isn't the teaching that the only ones who don't get resurrected are those that commit the "unforgivable sin" . Of course, in their mind blasphemy against the Holy Spirit = rejecting the WT. The definition I found on the JW website is that the unforgivable sin is working against the Holy Spirit accompanied by a bad attitude. The examples are Judas and the Jewish religious leaders that had Jesus killed. By extension, you could say apostates or anyone that works against JWs are also doing that but as long as they are still alive, they can "repent" by changing their minds.

That's how they get around the problem of the question TD asked. Because if you "know" JWs are right and don't do anything about it, then you will have committed the unforgivable sin and have no resurrection hope.

I think for some people, that teaching makes people stay even more than the shunning of family. I think may that leave but still sort of believe must torture themselves with "what if they are right" types of questions.

63

New Spiritually Weak Label: Not Using Tablet/iPhone

by Doubtfully Yours in

with last night's meeting it became official: here in the states is a must to keep up with 'jehovah's org' that one fully jumps on board with this tablet/iphone crap.. so, now, all of us that up to this point have refused to follow the wtbts in their electronic/wireless revolution will deal with the browbeating from the 'spiritual' ones.. already receiving lots of grief from hubby and rest of the family/close friends when seen at the meetings with paper publications.

damn it!!!

am i alone in this resistance???!!!.

Doubting Bro

LOL - I also have recently given up and started using the electronic stuff. I believe I was one of the few left in the hall that didn't. I still have asked for the paper but it's hit & miss for some reason. Any cent I can make them spend makes me feel good! I know, very petty but its the small victories that keep me going.

43

Waking People Up With Well Thought Out Comments

by JW_Rogue in

is it possible to have an effect from the inside?

with well thought comments that reveal more of the history of the organization?

the next book we study will be "god's kingdom rules!

Doubting Bro

Yeah, I slip stuff into talks or the very rare comment but honestly it's just fun for me. No one pays attention to comments at the meeting anyway! Sometimes I think I could come out with the most "apostate" statement and people would smile and shake their heads.

27

Programme for UK branch visit

by Saltheart Foamfollower in

i've seen this weekend's uk branch visit mentioned a few times.

for those who are interested, here is the programme:-.

1:00 pm song 63 & prayer - p. gillies.

Doubting Bro

No GB visit?? What did you Brits do to not be graced by presence of one of the WT popes??? Man, what disrespect! At least they could have sent Lett or something.

37

San Diego abuse case: stay tuned. Zalkin's motion to be considered this Friday.

by Sugar Shane in

zalkin proposing huge sanctions if jw leadership fails to produce documents.

unredacted this time!

feds need to get involved with this.

Doubting Bro

It's really difficult to figure out why they are so resistant because they don't make their decisions based on logic or known business patterns. The thought that they are concerned with some of the names on the list (Bethel heavies, DOs even GB members) is certainly a possibility and logically that's why they may fight so hard. I know the WT attorney's don't want to see any GB members take the stand because their arrogance would make them awful witnesses. But, what do you expect from a group of guys that run an 8 million person organization where everything they order gets done? Plus they think this is just training for ruling the entire world for eternity! How does that not go to your head if you truly believe it??

The better strategy would be to cooperate, pay for the past mistakes and revamp the system to protect children better. Even from a business prospective, the good will generated would make up for the short term losses. It's really puzzling why they don't do that. Morally, its obviously the right thing and I think long term business strategy it would also be the right thing. But, I believe they think Jehovah will bail them out on this issue.

13

October 2016 Campaign

by rosesinbloom in

hello.

does anyone know what the campaign in october is going to be about?.

Doubting Bro

LOL - the large number of visitors they anticipate as a result of the invitation campaign in Oct. I'm sure whoever wrote that must have had a nice belly laugh. When have those invitation campaigns ever worked? How many people attend the RC as a result of the public invitation? hahah. delusional

15

Status update and hello.

by Darkknight757 in

i haven't posted here in a few months and to be honest i haven't been lurking either.

i hope everyone is doing well.😊 i wanted to take a minute to let you know how things have been the last few months.. recently the brothers decided to finally consider my letter of resignation.

they met with me alone and i let them know why i have become inactive as a publisher and why i no longer wish to serve as an elder in the congregation.

Doubting Bro

Darknight,

So sorry for you and your wife's losses. It's always struck me as crazy that you have to get permission to resign a volunteer position but such is life inside the WTS.

I think going to grief counseling is a wise move. Please keep us updated.

30

To those who attended, attendance up or down at your memorial?

by Crazyguy in

jw
friends

interesting to see if there's a noticeable trend in memorial attendance.

also did they talk more then usual about ones not to partake?

Doubting Bro

Typically they don't applaud or at least that's my experience.

Ours was around the same from last year. Around 150 or so. Average attendance is around 110 so really not much of a bump.