The Berean

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Posts by The Berean

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  17

  Could I get some advice, please?

  by vikesgirl101 in

  1. jw
  2. friends

  sorry to make such a self-centered post (again), but you guys are the only ones who can help me.

  so here is a rundown:.

  i am a 33 divorcee with two girls ages 13 and 8. i am not df'd or da'd; just shunned (also reproved).

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  The Berean

  Oh how I wish there was a way to use your difficult situation as a teaching tool for those contemplating marriage. People (and their families) give precursors of future conduct that are too often ignored by young ones caught up in their hopes, dreams, and desire. May you find peace.
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  20

  Did You Have A Favorite Elder?

  by minimus in

  1. jw
  2. friends

  or did you hate them all?.

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  The Berean

  Please excuse my cynicism but ...

  All elders belong to a body of some size. There exists corruption at some level in every body I hane been associated with. ALL elders are aware of such things as nepotism, bias, and character assasination of the flock, yet most choose to ignor it in the name of unity. It's kinda of a "club."

  To me, there exists a community responsibility on the part of any elder who allows such unloving treatment which may on this board could attest to. So while some may appear better than others, they are all part of a fraud. Sorry ...
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  25

  The Future of Jehovah's Witnesses

  by The Berean in

  1. jw
  2. friends

  historically, not all religions survive over time.. .

  will the organization of jehovah's witnesses:.

  a) eventually evolve into a mainstream religion.

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  The Berean

  Historically, not all religions survive over time.

  What is most likely? Will the organization of Jehovah's Witnesses:

  A) Eventually evolve into a mainstream religion

  B) Maintain its role as a "minor player."

  OR

  C) Become extinct ...
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  5

  Just who or what am I mad at ?

  by The Berean in

  1. watchtower
  2. child-abuse

  to be sure, i have waisted decades of productivity due to a great extent to the control of a religious phantom force.

  but who am i actually upset at?.

  a) am i upset at some supreme being with a textbook case of sadistic personality disorder who has constructed this spinning funhouse for his/her own entertainment?.

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  The Berean

  To be sure, I have waisted decades of productivity due to a great extent to the control of a religious phantom force. But who am I actually upset at?

  A) Am I upset at some Supreme Being with a textbook case of Sadistic Personality Disorder who has constructed this spinning Funhouse for his/her own entertainment?

  B) Am I upset at other oppportunistic humans who used alleged spirituality to humiliate and enslave me while elevating themselves to a self-appointed position of superiority?

  C) Am I really upset at myself for allowing this control to linger long after evidence proved that I was not of that sort?

  D) Or should I not be mad at all, accepting such history as little more than a common part of the human experience, compelling me to put any resentment behind?

  Comments ...
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  6

  Without pain could any God exist?

  by The Berean in

  1. watchtower
  2. bible

  if our world was a paradise with no sickness, pain, or death, would anyone have ever considered the concept of a supreme being?

  who would care how we got here?

  would not eternity be taken for granted?.

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  The Berean

  If our world was a paradise with no sickness, pain, or death, would anyone have ever considered the concept of a Supreme Being? Who would care how we got here? Would not eternity be taken for granted?

  Could it be that in order for any God to get attention ... he/she/it must create sin, fear, and sorrow ... making human choice to do good or bad only an illusion?

  Hmmm ...
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  8

  Is "Pay for Pray" ahead for the WBTS?

  by The Berean in

  1. jw
  2. friends

  c t russell was an accomplished businessman before his time as a religious activist.

  by age 12 he had begun negotiating contracts and soon was a managing partner in his father's five haberdashery and clothing stores in pennsyvania.

  he would eventually sell the business and with the proceeds form a publishing corporation for the distribution of bible-based literature.. yet, russell's greatest accomplishment was the pyramid structure of financial support he fashioned which has lasted far beyond his lifetime.

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  The Berean

  Just an added note

  In the local congregations in my area a letter was read recently RECCOMENDING a contribution be sent to New York at the rate of $7 per publisher. To me, any time a specific percentage or amount is requested ... that is a tithe ... it all gets down as to what one wishes to label such a levy ... did anyone else hear such a motion in their hall?
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  8

  Is "Pay for Pray" ahead for the WBTS?

  by The Berean in

  1. jw
  2. friends

  c t russell was an accomplished businessman before his time as a religious activist.

  by age 12 he had begun negotiating contracts and soon was a managing partner in his father's five haberdashery and clothing stores in pennsyvania.

  he would eventually sell the business and with the proceeds form a publishing corporation for the distribution of bible-based literature.. yet, russell's greatest accomplishment was the pyramid structure of financial support he fashioned which has lasted far beyond his lifetime.

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  The Berean

  C T Russell was an accomplished businessman before his time as a religious activist. By age 12 he had begun negotiating contracts and soon was a managing partner in his father's five haberdashery and clothing stores in Pennsyvania. He would eventually sell the business and with the proceeds form a publishing corporation for the distribution of Bible-based literature.

  Yet, Russell's greatest accomplishment was the pyramid structure of financial support he fashioned which has lasted far beyond his lifetime. Consider, even the original Apostles could not posthumously keep "The Way" functioning after John's death.

  Russells technique was textbook: it amounted to low profit and the mass marketing of a product that everyone wanted ... health and life. Just as in ancient times, the building of such a pyramid required the sacrifice of souls, crushed under each advance and replaced by a new flock of sheep being brought to slaughter. Therefore recruitment and mortality was required for longevity.

  Today, the edifice is in decay. The world has changed to improving life as it is rather than hanging one's hat on some hope of eternal bliss The glue that has held it all together for over a century has been a little money from an increasing number of contributors. Evidence now suggests that some are no longer forwarding this "chain letter" of hope.

  Here are possible reasons that "tithing" is likely on the way for the "faithful":

  1) The WBTS was built by distributing the printed page The demand of bound books and magazines is no longer a major player in our world. Result: Cash flow has been reduced for the WBTS.

  2) Door-to-door sales has become the least effective way to reach the public. Result: less and less direct marketing is occurring ... limiting potential new membership and contributions.

  3) The cost of transportation has never been higher per mile. Result: The more money used to travel in the ministry, the less available for the contribution box.

  4) Russell's plan was launched in lands where the standard of living was higher such as the good old USA. Today's growth in the organization is coming from poor third world countries. Result: A greater number of members have little which to give and are actually costing the WBTS to provide services for these needy.

  5) The modern Witness now realizes that they will likely live out their "golden years" in this system of things. 1975 did'nt end it all ... this generation did pass away ... more of the annointed keep popping up ... Result: the freinds are holding back some of their assets to finance tomorrow.

  6) Many JWs have chosen not to have children. Result: Growth inevitably comes from within. Consider the fate of the Shakers.

  In summary, Though Russell has had a good run, he built a business model that was temporary. It required a carrot on a stick at all times. There is little new under the sun at the WBTS. The new proto-type for the organization will require an obligation for all members to financially support the slave's quarters or it itself will become the ultimate "fader."
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  3

  Do I have the plague??

  by Newborn in

  1. jw
  2. friends

  i live in a small town and run into my former "friends"every now and then and i just hate seeing them look away, cross the street not having to pass me and if we ever make eye contact i hate that look of pity...(who do they think they are!??

  and still you know that even if you got the chance to talk to them it would be like talking to a wall).

  i also want to add though that i've also met a few who did not know i left and who actually gave me a hug and said they wish i be back soon...yeah right!

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  The Berean

  At least the plague is treatable. For those who cross the street as a statement of your quarantine, they actually have been infected by a debilitating disease that cannot be cured since they choose to ignor the signs of their own life-threatening condition ... as we are now seeing with the decline of the WBTS, theirs is a sad, painful death.
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  57

  To Fade or Not To Fade... An Opinion.....

  by AllTimeJeff in

  1. jw
  2. friends

  just a couple of set of ground rules i would like to set for this.

  frequently, one of two options for those who want to leave jw's are 1) a purposeful, public, resignation (or disassociation as jw's call it) vs 2) what is commonly called in the ex jw internet world, "the fade".

  i know that emotions run deep on this subject for good reason, because of what is at stake, and all that is perceived to be lost.

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  The Berean

  To "fade" or not?

  There are many youngster who simply did as they were told to do until they reached a point in life when they were no longer under obligation to "obey their parents. " These never really bought the JW package and were simply serving time in an organization they neither believed in nor felt a part of. For them an official notice of separation is of little value. Whatever most expediently puts "closure" to forced servitude seems best.

  I read many posts from those who have taken official steps to make their break known, yet after many years and thousands of posts the anger apparently still rages on. So did that approach work? Are we spending time and energy kicking a dead horse? I once again say: Until one can take it or leave it without emotion, to some extent the WBTS is still a force in ones mind. Let each find their own exit strategy.
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  8

  Could a gay-lesbian candidate be elected President?

  by The Berean in

  1. jw
  2. friends

  there was a time when blacks and women could not even vote.

  so what's next?.

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  The Berean

  There was a time when blacks and women could not even vote. So what's next?