Posts by Hyghlandyr

Um, most likely not. If he existed at all, he was most likely on a stage performing one of countless passion plays that were put on for audiences around the ancient world. Is there controversey? Not really... Most people, atheists and christians and others alike, blindly believe that this man actually existed. Just as there is no "evidence" that he died on a cross or a stake, there is also no evidence extant from the first century that verifies his existence. To further complicate things, any secular evidence exists from the eleventh century onward. Written prior to then? Maybe, though doubtful.

42

Cross vs. Stake: Does it REALLY friggin' matter?

by Funchback in

when did the wts become so infatuated with the cross vs. stake theory?

did they come up with this theory in order to say, "see?

we teach the truth!

Hyghlandyr

Well the reason for that valis is that all the other religions are wrong. You see what sets our religion apart from everyone else's, is that their beliefs are false. They CLAIM to have the Christos who died on the stake or cross. But while the story of that Christos is almost identical to our Christos, their stories are just fantasy. After all it is silly to believe that THAT fable man who never existed could walk on water. OUR Christos though was real, and DID indeed walk on water, he did, verily he did, verily he was born, verily he lived, verily he walked, verily he was arrested, verily he died, verily he was ressurected...verily verily verily. To borrow from one of the Church Fathers...Ireneaus? Maybe it was someone else.

In answer to the question does it matter if it was a cross or a stake? Yes. Both are phallic symbols. But the cross has the addition of the testes. Thus it more fully represents the Christos. After all, you cannot annoint without the annointing,....."oil" and you cannot acquire such without the crossbeam, symbolically and literally of course.

I sense some perplexed looks? Well to bring you up on a bit of history, the word Christos simply meant annointed one. The annointed was not done with olive oil boys and girls. Christianity has its roots in phallic religion, earth centered sun worship. The sun being the ultimate phallus. And the literal phallus of the worshipper that had one, being a symbol of the sun. The annointing not being simply from the phallus either, but also from the moon, representative of the female. So yes cross vs stake does matter.

42

Cross vs. Stake: Does it REALLY friggin' matter?

by Funchback in

when did the wts become so infatuated with the cross vs. stake theory?

did they come up with this theory in order to say, "see?

we teach the truth!

Hyghlandyr

Each belief of the watchtower society is carefully crafted to create an us vs them mentality. By causing members of other christian churches to seem like the "other" their attempts to evangelize the Witnesses can fall flat. The other in this case being relegated, as in many cases historically, to that of a demonized position. Consider these beliefs:

1...Michael dying on a stake instead of Jesus dying on a cross. The instances of christians believing the JW position is almost nil. Even in cases, however rare, that an organization believes in the stake position instead of the cross, they most certainly won't accept the michael theory. This is an immediate and easy red flag for Jehovahs Witnesses then that requires no effort on the part of their leaders once the doctrine is accepted. Visit someone else's congregation and the sight of the cross will immediately cause the Witness to dismiss the person and their congregation as being members of Satan's system, false worshipper, thus satan worshippers.

2...That is assuming the witness would accept the invitation to the person's congregation. Imagine a sunday meeting, and a member from another congregation approaches a witness and invites the witness to visit his congregation next wensday. How excited the witness would be. Now take the same invitation and use a slightly older version of the word congregation, "church." Instantly the person and their belief is demonized.

3...Birthdays, Christmas, Thanksgiving, Flag Day, Memorial Day, Samhain, Mother's Day. Satan inspired, controlled and run. Attempts by christians, false christians, to lead true christians away from Jehovah's Visible Organization. Friend's Day though is ok. I know some of you will say friend's day is like a birthday, but it isnt. For instance it usually occurs a couple days before or after ones birthday. Second the presents are not required, unless you go to the party, of course. Anniversarys are ok. Please do not do as I did and request not to be given a graduation party, or to receive graduation gifts. Because those are ok.

4...Door to door being the keystone of the preaching work. Seriously? Does anyone really believe that this man-god-son-of-god-fable actually had to go door to door to get folks to listen to him? The dude who healed thousands? tens of thousands? raised the dead? He needed to knock on doors? Now knockin on doors is cool. I had lots of fun doin it. But that isnt a mark of a true christian, compared to a christian say who runs a mission? Or another who assists with a youth group? Which as we all know is in itself a sign of being a false christian, a part of satans visible organization.

5...Marraige or dating outside the group. Ghastly.

6...Are the Adam's family really that bad? If you do not think so, just watch the reaction of a child raised as a witness, even before baptism, when asked to watch it or something similar at a school mate's home.

Each belief, designed to create an instant emotional reaction, an intense apprehension of the other. Thus demonized, proper conduct, understood to mean remaining in the group and under its control, is assured.

The history of the cross has its roots in pegan crap and I don't suppose, just as the WT points out, its use in worship brings any glory to God.

Of course the history of the cross is pagan. The entire christian myth is a rehashing of far more ancient myths told the world over for thousands, perhaps tens of thousands, of years. It should not be expected then that the fable borrows from other fables?

10

Agnostics-this question is meant primarily for you-what's the best religion

by outbutnotdown in

jw
friends

i consider myself to be an agnostic, and i don't really find the need to "speak" to any particular god.

however, i am going through a custody battle with my ex-wife and a good part of the issue is religion... namely my strong desire to not have my children raised as jehovah's witnesses.

i don't really foresee this happening but if the judge ordered that i had to bring my children up with some sort of respect for god, i wonder which religion i would choose.. when you respond, please state if you are currently affiliated with the religion you are mentioning.

Hyghlandyr

Delusional Mysticism.

All religions, all peoples, all philosophies, all cultures, all thoughts, all of everything is in fact only and always one single religion. Delusional Mysticism. Delusional Mysticism is a make it up as you go along religion. With heavy emphasis on really believing what you have made up and then completely forgeting that you have made it up and sincerly convincing yourself of the veracity of the belief, regardless of its reality and its relevance to your day to day life. After all does it really matter if you are created or evolved, since your poop is still going to smell. (Unless your a scat player).

5

Do You Shun Former Members?

by Hyghlandyr in

jw
friends

members, and former members of the watchtower religion are well aware of the various answers to this question.

and the answers are myriad.

it seems even elders are unaware of the official policy of the watchtower bible and tract society when it comes to the act of shunning "former members.

Hyghlandyr

Members, and former members of the watchtower religion are well aware of the various answers to this question. And the answers are myriad. It seems even elders are unaware of the official policy of the Watchtower Bible and Tract Society when it comes to the act of shunning "former members." But we need look no further for the official teaching of the society than it's very own website jw-media.org. For those that are still in the cult ure of the Jehovah's Witnesses, who may be dubious of any website save for those produced by the society directly, let them attend in their browsers first to http://www.watchtower.org/ from whence they can see the link to MEDIA which will take them to aforementioned jw-media.org website, the official public relations website of the Watchtower. From thence let the weary eyed and the wise select simply the FAQ, though it shall require a search for FAQ as no link to such directly is found as far as this reader has noticed. The link is here produced below for the convenience of all:

http://www.jw-media.org/beliefs/beliefsfaq.htm

Now as of this date in July of 2003 these be the contents of said link:

Do you shun former members?

Those who become inactive in the congregation, perhaps even drifting away from association with fellow believers, are not shunned. In fact, special effort is made to reach out to them and rekindle their spiritual interest. If, however, someone unrepentantly practices serious sins, such as drunkeness, stealing or adultery, he will be disfellowshipped and such an individual is avoided by former fellow-worshipers. Every effort is made to help wrongdoers. But if they are unrepentant, the congregation needs to be protected from their influence. The Bible clearly states: 'Remove the wicked man from among yourselves.' (1 Corinthians 5:13) Those who formally say they do not want to be part of the organization any more are also avoided. What of a man who is disfellowshipped but whose wife and children are still Jehovah's Witnesses? The spiritual ties he had with his family change, but blood ties remain. The marriage relationship and normal family affections and dealings can continue. As for disfellowshipped relatives not living in the same household, Jehovah's Witnesses apply the Bible's counsel: "Quit mixing with them." (1 Corinthians 5:11) Disfellowshipped individuals may continue to attend religious services and, if they wish, they may receive spiritual counsel from the elders with a view to their being restored. They are always welcome to return to the faith if they reject the improper course of conduct for which they were disfellowshipped.

As well it seems all know they do. Of course it should be noted here that the answer is not really at all for former members. Why say you this you daft man?! Is most surely your retort to me. For if you do not go anymore you are most certainly "inactive" and a member still and true. Well perhaps this statement lacks not for fecundity if one is truely a member still and true. But what of those not members, be they former members or never before were members, true or otherwise? For surely one that is not a member, while not active, is in no wise to be thought a member by those high or low. While the same may not without question be said of those still members. For those that retain their membership, might, while being members, be members lacking activity.

I might for the sake of an example in this entire epilogue state that I am a member of my chess club, albeit I never more have attended. But I receive certainly the newsletters of my chess club. I pay the dues of my chess club. I believe the methods of play of my chess club. I defend my chess club against agitators who would assail me with false testimonies of the superiority of their chess clubs, nay not their chess clubs only but even if it should so be declared their bridge clubs! And when all of this is noted it is without question that I am a member of and akin to my chess club.

But what if, through no statements to my chess club, I cease reading its newsletters. I pay it no more dues. I, dare I say, no longer abide its methods, thinking another club perchance against all hope has better methods of play! Though, since I thought several of the members of the chess club to which I am, sadly, no longer a member, were beyond question biologically accomodating to my eyes, I refrain from speaking ought against them, after all why would a man speak rudely of such ones as appealed to his heart mind or loins?

What conclusion then is drawn, yes must be drawn of my club and my membership therein? Am I simply an inactive member? Or am I, aptly and rightly, a "former member"? What fool would say otherwise than a former member? Well this is of course not to be stated to the point enough that it should surprise none if believers in fairy tales and childrens stories, created to frighten old men into submission, should also, blindly state, to all contrariness of evidence, that I am indeed a member of that which I never have or am no longer a member of!

And yet it is the very believers of fantasies and delusions who, through no fault of their own, inspite of themselves, against all imagination, lacking any themselves, accept blindly that which has been fed to them from the troughs of the fauxmongers, that somehow, end up in positions of authority, thus are left to judge these things, in sheer ignorance of the policies of those who placed them in their places in the first place. So what of the elder, who without knowledge thinks that you, kind sir or maam, (hopefully maam and biologically accomodating), are in fact an inactive member and still thus a member true?

Well I am not without an answer in this case, though you, if you are the sort that know me, know this to be the facts. Why I shall simply point you to the archived versions of the FAQ which I directed you in the first place. Why, you say, You mean to tell us that the society keeps its very website archived for the benefit of those who are about to be shunned through no fault of their own, the society, Jesus and Jehovah (both of course fairy tales themselves), or the local weatherman, and only because an elder is unaware of the official policy of the Society? Now you must surely think me daft to so state something in pureness of idiocy! No watchful reader, we have another source. The Internet Wayback Machine. Yes the Internet Archive. To wit:

http://www.archive.org/

Or specificially for the FAQ wherein we seek our answers:

http://web.archive.org/web/*/http://www.jw-media.org/beliefs/beliefsfaq.htm

The careful reader will note that three of the links there, are broken, but shall, hopefully be repaired speedly. The others, from January 24, 2000 to December 17, 2001 are identical. They are thus quoted now for the hapless victim who shall use them to render obsolete the arrows that assail him from the bow of ignorance:

Do You Shun Former Members?
Those who simply cease to be involved in the faith are not shunned. In compliance with the Scriptures, however, members can be expelled for serious unchristian conduct, such as stealing, drunkenness, or adultery, if they do not repent and cease such actions. Disfellowshipping does not sever family ties. Disfellowshipped members may continue to attend religious services, and if they wish, they may receive pastoral visits. They are always welcome to return to the faith.—1 Corinthians 5:11-13.

How plain then can it be that the official teaching of the society is that former members are not shunned. Unless one would dare to claim that these words are a lie. The society does not lie do they? If they did that would make them IDENTICAL TO EVERY OTHER RELIGION would it not? Could not such things be pointed out to the elder who in his ignorance of policy seeks to cause one to be shunned? Does it not plainly state "Those who simply cease to be involved in the faith are not shunned." This is, factual and true as may easily be demonstrated to any elder of right or foul mind. Albeit, it may require a proding not of his conscience, but of his ego, using the statements laid out above. For if his religion is just like every other religion, of what benefit is it to be one of Jehovahs Witnesses?

One sidenote is that between the last listed and the current, information from the faq at one time it stated explicitely that those who, not only cease to be involved, but that LEAVE THE FAITH, are not shunned. Hopefully when the Wayback Machine is fixed then that page will be one of the ones listed.

Thus, at first glance it seems that former members like me, to those ignorant of words and policy, can in fact be shunned. However, as has without question demonstrated to the eyes of all herein, in veracity, only "inactive members" are mentioned, while the policy has remained the same that those who have ceased to be involved, and have left the faith, are not to be shunned.

Goddess Bless.

13

Sick of it

by Tron in

jw
friends

i am not a jw, i am 100% free to choose born and raised.

well let me get to my story, i have no problem with jw, my wife who i love with all my heart is though.

she was raised in it and didnt have much choice due to a dominating mother in the truth, and at 16 got baptized by pressure, we have 3 young children who attend meetings but i made it very clear that they will choose there own way, i dont worry because she is a believer but still has her own mind.

Hyghlandyr

Yeah I dont object to the morals of the bible either tron. Especially the stuff that says it is ok to buy and sell women. Or the other stuff that says it is ok to just take them. Of course they cannot have lain with a man, otherwise we toast them. Which I used to think was a waste of a perfectly good [lookin] woman. Then I realized maybe it was cause of stretch marks or something. I think Jehovah doesnt want chicks with stretch marks. Or it could be some kinda property thing. I mean what if she was already prego with some other dudes kid. That would bite cause you might think he is yours and god firbid that he should git yer stuff when ya die. That would totally bite.

But I say we reinstute fully the morals of the bible. Like slavery. Especially sex slavery and concubinage. I am all for it. The black chicks are mine. Oh and the platinum blonds. I also say we reinstitute killing little kids with great big stones, smashing them into them, when they talk back, and become a "rebellious youth". Oh and if you take the name of god in vain. Cuz god dangit so many peoples are doin that now they need to have their heads crushed with great big stones when they curse. I also think that since adultery splits up families we should crush the heads of adulterers with GREAT BIG STONES until they die. That will prevent families from breakin up, cuz then the kids can just be told daddy went to see yeeeehovah. I am a big fan of stoning and becuase we aint doin it the homosexu alls are runnin rampant. I mean its sidim and gimmerah ya know what with canada legalizin himilsexual marraige and the supreme court strikin down laws that perfectly logically allow the govt to impose itself on the private lives of its citizens.... APPAULING IT IS!

Well do diddly do I could go on all day about all the things in the bible that are so moral and uplifting, like women being stoned when they are raped, I mean HOW DARE THEY allow themselves to be raped the little tarts! and little girls gettin sold to their rapists. That would surely prevent cases of child molestation. I mean stop lockin these people up you idjits, SELL the girls to them and make them marry them and never let them get a deeeee vorce. Cuz deeee vorce is from satan anyhouse. (Deut 22:28, 29....also verse 13 on) Yes as I said I could go on all day about the winderfil things and morals in the Bible, but I have to go read my bible now.

42

I'm leaving this board for good.

by KGB in

jw
friends

goodbye

Hyghlandyr

I'm Leaving this board for good.
Goodbye.

Meeeeeeee too. So there you buckos!

(well except when I am in the mood for some mindless entertainment..namely my posts in response to yours.)

33

Do You Struggle With Depression???

by minimus in

jw
friends

i know more persons that are depressed than i know that are not.

whether a person was a witness or not, so many are affected with depression.

i've read here that many jw's were on either regular medication or silently accepted their depression with much prayer and tears.

Hyghlandyr

Not yet, but if you send me a picture of her I might change my answer....assuming she's cool enough lookin.

In any case I used to have massive bouts of depression. Then I left JWs in 1995 (and my wife..the first time) and wallah mysteriously the depression went away. Wooohoooo.

85

What's the Highest "Position" You Had in the Congregation???

by minimus in

jw
friends

me----p.o.....you??

?

Hyghlandyr

Bla higher schmigher....

I held the LOWEST position, literally. Honest. It was during the hall build. The had this ditch around the perimeter which was just big enough for a skinny fella like me (back then) to get into if I turned sideways. It had to have more dirt dug out of it. Thus I was lowered away.......