Posts by My MILs worst nightmare, a nonJW

22

Active JWs: lurkers and posters, is your religion ritualistic?

by AuldSoul in

watchtower october 1, 1998, p. 14, par.

2. the coldhearted attitude of the pharisees constituted a crime against humanity and a sin against god.

(john 9:39-41) with good reason, jesus warned his disciples, "watch out for the leaven" of this elitist group and other religionists, such as the sadducees.

My MILs worst nightmare, a nonJW

Auld Soul I apologize in advance if this is slightly off topic
One of the most disturbing rituals that WTS practises to me is their use of certain words and language. It's scary. I'm not a JW. but having been around them for 30 years, I can easily identify the buzzwords and hear the mantra that nearly everyone within that org. says. For instance when someone dies all the left behind JW's will talk amongst each other about how the eulogy if given by a JW in a KH will be a fine witness to all the "worldly" in the crowd. What about euligizing the dead. They have also rendered many words completely useless. Take the word "worldly" . It is usally meant as an insult by JW's, yet the true definition is something completely different. No wonder people outside the JW's scratch their heads. They repeat words and phrases and thoughts over and over again without questioning or consulting a dictionary. This to me is the epitomy of ritualistic behaviour.

23

Issuing a Statement to the Discussion Board

by The wanderer in

jw
friends

issuing a statement to the discussion board since becoming a member of this discussion board it.

is important for me to come clean as it were.

the topics that are written by me are varied, from contro-.

My MILs worst nightmare, a nonJW

Wanderer,
You have style and focus and your posts contain substance. As far as taking yourself too seriously, I don't think you really do. I think you take the process of uncovering the half truth very seriously. Keep it up. Peace to you as well.

9

Would a JW or exJW please answer these FDS questions for a nonJW? Please

by My MILs worst nightmare, a nonJW in

jw
friends

i am a nonjw.

i posed a couple of very straightforward questions to my mil and asked if she or any other jw would please explain them to me?

i've read alot of jw material from this time period and i find very little in the way of clarification.

My MILs worst nightmare, a nonJW

OTWO and Greendawn
Thanks for your responses.
The WTS assertion of being God's Channel hinges on the FDS passage saying Christ came back in 1914 and found and identified the FDS (at that time Russell) to his liking. But since many if not most of the doctirnes being practiced by Russell in 1914-1918 were later changed or dropped by Rutherford and Knorr (including the FDS), then what sense does it make that Christ would choose Russell to begin with. This is illogical.

9

Would a JW or exJW please answer these FDS questions for a nonJW? Please

by My MILs worst nightmare, a nonJW in

jw
friends

i am a nonjw.

i posed a couple of very straightforward questions to my mil and asked if she or any other jw would please explain them to me?

i've read alot of jw material from this time period and i find very little in the way of clarification.

My MILs worst nightmare, a nonJW

I am a nonJW. I posed a couple of very straightforward questions to my MIL and asked if she or any other JW would please explain them to me? I've read alot of JW material from this time period and I find very little in the way of clarification. I am trying to understand.

Nothing difficult, something every JW must get taught in the beginning. . Please explain how the “Faithful and Discreet Slave” governed and made doctrinal decisions between 1914-1935 and when, where, how and why did they create an entirely new group called the Governing Body and turn all of their power over to them.

What I expected was clarification… something along the lines of in 1926 all of the FDS got together at the polo grounds and voted, and the following doctrines were adopted.

An elder was kind enough to take the time to respond, however he did everything but answer the questions. He did refer me to McMillan’s book “Faith on the March” which I found on line and read in its entirety. It provided a great insight in terms of a gentlemen who actually knew Russell, Rutherford and Knorr and how decisions at the top came about since 1914. His personal ideas as to why this was God’s channel was that since other sects of that time made predictions about the time of the end and later disintegrated, but this one survived, then God must have been behind them. This proves nothing to me, but does show how little it takes to convince some people. Nothing mentioned of the FDS.

Later when explaining the GB arrangement he stated that because the early Christians used a Theocracy then the current JW’s would use one. What jumped out was the following reasoning:

Faith on the March page 157
Besides taking the lead in the preaching work the governing body was responsible to make reproofs and corrections and direct the conduct of the organization. This could not be done unless those in responsible positions in the congregation were representatives of the governing body, being appointed by it. These appointments were not made by an organization of men, but by the power of God's holy spirit. Hence, those who opposed or resisted the theocratic arrangement were not opposing or resisting men; they were striving against the spirit of God.

According to this reasoning then if I put on a Chicago Bulls uniform #23 and walk onto the Chicago Stadium court and declare that I am doing what Michael Jorden did, then I must be the modern day Michael Jordan? This is a joke right?

Again…. Nothing mentioned of the FDS. I was hoping for something like, under the current system it is difficult for Brooklyn to communicate with all of the FDS, so we are switching to a Theocratic organization and the Circuit overseers will meet monthly with all the FDS anointed and report their insights to the GB. In this way the FDS will continue to run the organization.

I’m losing patience here. Just a straight answer.
Please explain how the FDS governed and made doctrinal decisions between 1914-1935 and when, where, how and why did they create an entirely new group called the GB and turn all of their power over to them.
Thanks in advance for your comments.

44

Challenging the Discussion Board with Unsettling Questions

by The wanderer in

jw
friends

does the watchtower live with you everyday?

this post contains reasonable questions due to the fact.

that individuals who no longer claim to be one of jehovah's.

My MILs worst nightmare, a nonJW

Wanderer,

I don't think these questions are unsettling at all, nor are the reasons people use this forum. Since my wife found this, it has become a part of her daily routine and I don't question it for the following reasons.

It is most definately group therapy and a very important support system for her and others raised as JW's.

Only those raised in WTS can truly understand it, so there is an undeniable bond.

The dynamic of a very healthy group support system like this is that you have a whole range of people with a whole range of experiences.

The next logical question is what about the older posters. Why would someone hang here after they have left WTS and are better mentally and post 5000 times. The answer is to help others who suffered like them. It is for all the right reasons and is a most admirable quality. They are doing very, very good work and helping many people. When people like noble wander on here by mistake, it helps everyone, because it reminds you of what a current WTS mind set is.

In other words its all good. The young, the old, the new posters, the old timers...you learn from everyone.

16

Friends wanted to strenghten my faith in china

by Noble in

jw
friends

dear brothers and sisters, .

it's incredible that such a wonderful forum exists!

how glad i am.

My MILs worst nightmare, a nonJW

OK Noble I'm glad that you finally checked in. The Governing Body has been waiting to talk to you. You are to be given this very important message. Before Armeggedon comes, the truth needs to be preached to all the inhabited earth which includes approximately 1,306,313,812 Chinese people. So, the way we figure it, if you can witness to 1000 people a day. We should be able to cross China off the list in about 1,000,000 years. If you need a megaphone or any additional literature please let us know. Now get out ther and DO IT!

Yours Truly the Governing Body's Faithful and Discreet Slave China Division Anointed Highness Person

46

A story that is hard for me to tell

by under_believer in

jw
friends

once upon a time there was a daddy who really, really liked alcohol.

he drank too much all the time and smelled like wine, cheap wine from a box.

) the daddy's boys also grew up.

My MILs worst nightmare, a nonJW

Courageous story...thank you for sharing it.

There is a saying in a popular 12 step program which goes something like this....

What do you call a horse thief and a drunk that sobers up and quits drinking?

A horse thief.

A pedophile is a pedophile and there is no excuse that explains or excuses it. Just my two cents.

38

HAPPINESS IS ....Giving us your MONEY!!!!!!!!

by Gill in

happiness for the wtbts is loadsa, loadsa money!!!!.

november 1st watchtower, 2006, page 21:.

'those who contributed to temple building rejoiced greatly.

My MILs worst nightmare, a nonJW

Gill and OTWO.

I apologize in advance if this is redundent. Restangled's mom (my MIL) has given the WTS $200K to date. Before her husband died, he had my son help him make out his will on a computer based program, which left both our sons $10K each for college. As soon as he died, Restrangled's mom had a JW come over and wipe the computer clean. Before its all done she will leave the WTS everything. But you know what??? It's OK. And do you know what, after she gives the WTS everything and she's broke and needs help and the end of her days....Restrangled will be there for her.

In the meantime our sons think that WTS is NUTS !?!?!?

But you know what????

Not inheriting alot of money.....boo hoo...

Having our kids and grandkids free from the influence of the WTS....priceless!

One more note....I remember a friend of MIL that converted after her wealthy husband had died back in Chicago. She left everything to the WTS, to the tune of millions and millions. I remember because MIL complained at the time that they were such good friends and she wasn't left bupkis! Personally I think the WTS is being given a lot of money by older, senile people.. It just takes a few widowers like her to make it worth it to print articles begging for their money.

50

Good news: No longer an elder; Bad news: Disappointed wife

by doinmypart in

jw
friends

my wife & i have a good relationship except when it comes to things dealing with the wts.

over the past few years we've both made concessions, and i even made some headway in getting her to think about some things.

but from time-to-time we would end up arguing about something wts-related and there would be days of tension between us.. well, a few weeks ago we were having a casual conversation about wildlife in our area, she mentioned something about jehovah ruining those who ruin the earth.

My MILs worst nightmare, a nonJW

I agree with Bebu ...

Around year 15, things were coming to a boiling point....lots of unspoken undertones....so I told my wife that she had my undivided attention for as long as she needed to talk. I would come home from work and sit in the kitchen while she cooked and talked. I shut up. She talked for two hours a day from August until just before Xmas. I'm not kidding. I learned a lot. I stopped being sarcastic and learned how to not hurt her feelings.

I really agree with Gary....get professional help, even it is just you. It helps. We did 4 years on and off.

I really, really agree with GGG... Start spending way more time with your kids as their father not their ruler. Get them involved in something they've always wanted to do but couldn't..... soccer, little league, dancing lessons, anything. Take them on fun trips to fun places. Just be their supportive Dad. They will dig the new you in no time.

And as everyone says...Love your kids Mom and treat her with respect!

It can be done.

24

Calling all Picture Editors: More GB pictures to ENHANCE

by What-A-Coincidence in

jw
friends

My MILs worst nightmare, a nonJW

After falling into a coma for 4 years Carey Barber awakened in 2010 to find the organization was now being run by some younger more progressive JW's. Like a loyal JW he tried his best to fit in.