Posts by Fernando

178

Honest survey question on effectiveness of 'apostacy'

by Simon in

jw
friends

it seems like lots of people have big dreams of 'destroying the watchtower'.

it's usually linked to a story of how they were wronged and want some revenge.

do these 'in your face' attempts to convince people that the truth isn't the truth really have an effect?.

Fernando

I am truly saddened by Cedar's awesome strengths and talents being so completely undermined by his weaknesses (blinding pride and a low tolerance and patience threshold). This is not to say that others, myself included, are not similarly challeged by our weaknesses.

As Simon says there is always the possibility of maturing and becoming less self-centred - a psychological detox - something we all need after years of toxic Watchtower propaganda.

If Cedars (and the rest of us) could channel a balanced mix of Gandhi, Mandela and Luther, we too could rewrite history and change the world.

The OP really resonated with me, and it would be great if we could forget our egos and agendas and get back on topic.

Maybe we need to recognise that we all go through various phases and thinking on our journey out of the cult - and that we do mature and become more rational over time. It is also impossible for all to be on the same page at the same time.

What about celebrating what we have in common and being more tolerant and accepting of inevitable differences?

24

Do you miss the sense of superiority?

by Diest in

jw
friends

this is and odd topic but there is a part of me that really misses feeling that i knew more about the world than 99.9% of the people.

i spent so many years in school being the odd person because of religion.

i embraced it to some extent.

Fernando

I have come to conclude that supremacist thinking is damaging to mental health, and plays into the hands of powermongering propagandists and cultists.

21

We the rank and file are prophets

by Crazyguy in

i have the elders coming to my home soon and need help finding a watchtower where thay stated that the regular publishers were also prophets, i think it came out about 2007 i think but not sure..

Fernando

According to this discussion and the quotes above, Watchtower followers are not false prophets on the basis of false predictions alone or per se.

The problem is that they speak for the "god of religion", whilst turning their back on the "God of Abraham" and his message (the full, true and liberating Good News).

This is easy to check.

Ask any follower of the Watchtower to explain the "Good News" according to Paul, or Moses, or Isaiah, or Psalms.

It is simply not in their hearts and not on their lips.

Despite their claims of being "publishers of the Good News" (sometimes for many decades).

21

We the rank and file are prophets

by Crazyguy in

i have the elders coming to my home soon and need help finding a watchtower where thay stated that the regular publishers were also prophets, i think it came out about 2007 i think but not sure..

Fernando

Awesome quotes and discussion.

Splash

BluesBrother

26

John 7:53-8:11 - taken out of the new bible

by cognac in

jw
friends

what is the proof it should be there?.

i've brought up to jws that revelation says not to take anything out or you will get the second death.. but they are ok with it because they compare it to not using the book of thomas, mary, etc.. what would you say to that?.

Fernando

Thanks Phizzy.

Enjoyed your take and explanation of this passage and the WBTS' attitude toward it.

13

Is their a table/list comparing what the WT & Awake magazines print that differs from their bound volumes ?

by smiddy in

i have seen quotations from time to time that says the wt & awake magazines have been changed when the bound volumes come out , has anybody ever been able to list these changes ?

and make a comparison .?

to me this is quite deceptive , like speaking out of both sides of your mouth .if you pick them up on one thing then they quote something different , and have the printed page to prove it.surely they need to be nailed down on this.. smiddy.

Fernando

One imagines someone has taken the time to compile such a list.

56

How can I stay motivated for field ministry?

by jgnat in

jw
friends

thus asks my beloved and slow-on-the-uptake jw hubby, who is finding it increasingly difficult to drag himself out the door.

so far, i've tried to avoid sarcastic comebacks (i'ts boring and useless!

duh!

Fernando

How long have you been a "publisher of the good news" dear?

Would you like to study the "good news" according to Paul with me?

Would it be OK to start with the book of Romans dear?

I heard that more than half the Bible's references to "good news" are by Paul - do you think it is true dear?

73

Maintaining Faith In God As An Ex-JW

by pronomono in

as i fade further from the jws, i'm finding it increasingly hard to maintain faith in god.

i've been exploring many alternatives from atheism, agnostic, apathetic, pagan, and satanism (not devil worship, but the promotion of self-indulgence) to name a few.

i'm thoroughly intrigued to learn how those of you who remained christian managed to maintain your faith in god and christ, especially after enduring all the lies that we've been told about them.

Fernando

At a blank slate time in my life I had a simple encounter with the unabridged gospel message.

It was very different from what I had been taught as a 3rd generation born in and member for 4 decades.

Oddly enough their own publications corroborated what I was learning.

My experience of this composite yet simple message is that it acts as a map and a medicine which by design leads to faith (a higher state of consciousness and intelligence which is granted as a free gift).

38

What IS the meaning and purpose of EVIL?

by Monsieur in

reading about the massacre of the jw family in mexico brought up all kinds of questions again.. from the standpoint of someone who doesn't in believe in 'god' or a 'conventional' god,.

what is the meaning and purpose of evil?.

how does it relate to the overall universe and its balance?

Fernando

Psychiatrist Morgan Scott Peck defined evil as "militant ignorance" and characterised it as "malignant self-righteousness".

This resonates with my personal experience with the "elders" / Pharisees / "ruling religious clergy class".

21

We the rank and file are prophets

by Crazyguy in

i have the elders coming to my home soon and need help finding a watchtower where thay stated that the regular publishers were also prophets, i think it came out about 2007 i think but not sure..

Fernando

You are right.

The Watchtower publications agree too.

But don't expect the spiritually blind and apostate Pharisees ("ruling religious clergy class") to be delighted with your insights.

Quite the opposite, as millions before have discovered, often too late.

It's not really worth it, unless you absolutely have to experience for yourself to believe.