Posts by Fernando

10

To understand cults we need to start understanding ourselves

by paranoia agent in

there are books out there that talk about why it is so difficult to convince someone that they are wrong.

hassan and singer specifically address destructive cults.

hassan refers to cult members under mind control and singer under thought reform.

Fernando

In my experience and opinion, and in CBT (Psychology), we are all irrational, albeit to varying degrees, and all addicted to our particular worldview (or mindset, or paradigm).

Of course our worldviews sit on a spectrum ranging from narrow minded to broadminded.

The more expansive our worldview, the more room to move.

So allowing ourselves to be challenged can be a good thing.

Although life and adversity sometimes do it all for us.

The most compassionate of our species have often been to hell and back...

65

Seriously considering stepping down as Elder

by fader77 in

i have been an elder for 6 years.

it's been the last 2 years or so that i've really seen the hypocrisy, but the ability to know the shenanigans of the society through the body of elders letters has kind of kept me in there.

i'm to the point now that i can't stand the hatred and bitterness that the body of elders has towards myself and my whole family.

Fernando

Hi and welcome fader77!

Stepping down strategically may help you avoid saying or doing anything you later might prefer you hadn't.

Transformation is a process, not an event.

The outcome is likely to be better if we're calm and rational along the way.

We're here for you.

Best wishes.

8

What is the Biblical Leadership Model for Christian Communities?

by fulltimestudent in

nb: i'm using the word 'community' in lieu of the word 'church' or congregation.. --------------.

i know what i used to believe about organisational leadership in a community of christians.

1 timothy ch.3 was firmly fixed in my mind.

(Matthew 23:10, 11) . . .Neither be called ‘leaders,’ for YOUR Leader is one, the Christ. 11 But the greatest one among YOU must be YOUR minister.

(1 Samuel 8:5-7) . . .Now do appoint for us a king to judge us like all the nations.” 6 But the thing was bad in the eyes of Samuel inasmuch as they had said: “Do give us a king to judge us,” and Samuel began to pray to Jehovah. 7 Then Jehovah said to Samuel: “Listen to the voice of the people as respects all that they say to you; for it is not you whom they have rejected, but it is I whom they have rejected from being king over them.

(Psalm 118:8) . . .It is better to take refuge in Jehovah Than to trust in earthling man.

(Psalm 146:3) . . .Do not put YOUR trust in nobles, Nor in the son of earthling man, to whom no salvation belongs.

(Jeremiah 17:5) . . .“Cursed is the able-bodied man who puts his trust in earthling man and actually makes flesh his arm, . . .

(Luke 12:12) . . .for the holy spirit will teach YOU . . .

(John 14:26) . . .But the helper, the holy spirit, which the Father will send in my name, that one will teach YOU all things. . .

(1 Corinthians 2:10) . . .For it is to us God has revealed them through his spirit, for the spirit searches into all things, even the deep things of God.

(1 John 2:27) . . .YOU do not need anyone to be teaching YOU; but, as the anointing from him is teaching YOU about all things. . .

(1 Corinthians 2:14, 15) . . .But a physical man does not receive the things of the spirit of God, for they are foolishness to him; and he cannot get to know [them], because they are examined spiritually. 15 However, the spiritual man examines indeed all things, but he himself is not examined by any man.

8

What is the Biblical Leadership Model for Christian Communities?

by fulltimestudent in

nb: i'm using the word 'community' in lieu of the word 'church' or congregation.. --------------.

i know what i used to believe about organisational leadership in a community of christians.

1 timothy ch.3 was firmly fixed in my mind.

Fernando

This is admittedly a challenging topic humans have grappled with since the beginning of our history.

Autonomy vs control.

Leadership vs management.

www.greenleaf.org paints a clear and compelling picture of authentic leadership.

http://www.gore.com/en_xx/aboutus/culture/ shows there are other ways than hierarchical command and control systems.

Our idolatrous materialistic passions impede us from understanding transcendent Biblical Leadership which would otherwise be clear.

No carnal human authority over other humans.

Humans are semi-autonomous beings designed with an internal guidance system comprising heart, mind, spirit and conscience.

These work best when we seek and find God on his terms via the liberating gospel of grace.

We are to be led internally, organically and authentically by the spirit and not the letter.

Law vs grace.

Faith vs works.

Legalism is apostasy.

Moralism is apostasy.

26

Been asked to share my experience at church!!

by quellycatface in

jw
friends

my vicar asked me if i and another lady would like to say a few words about our faith journey.. she said my story was a particular powerful one, what with the da'ing and subsequent shunning.

i can also choose a hymn or christian song.. i was thinking of romans 8:38, 39 to highlight the shunning and the other scripture ne of how true christians will be indentified, if they have love among themselves etc.

i need to look that one up exactly.. any ideas for content for further content??.

Fernando

Maybe you could ask how members share the gospel of grace with those who come knocking?

All one need do is ask a simple question:

"What is the gospel in one word?"

That is exactly how our family found "the truth of the Good News" and left the lie.

60

Goodbye JW net

by snare&racket in

jw
friends

forgive me for indulging in a goodbye but it would feel wrong not to,.

i hope the discussions and atmosphere here do not change for it is a bubbling brew of doubt, bravery and sincere hunger for answers.

these are healthy ingrediants for humans and especially for a jehovah's witness.. this forum offers not just the ability to ask without consequence, but it also offers the means to be real.

Fernando

Thanks for sharing a glimpse into what is possible when we commit and put our minds to it, Dr Snare.

My you be granted the wisdom to always be kind, compassionate, and to make an authentic difference in those many lives you will touch.

Greetings

Fernando

52

reading COC for the first time

by This is my tigersuit in

Fernando

Welcome This is my tigersuit!

I believe shock is one of the emotions that are common to the awakening process for many.

It is a rollercoaster ride.

There might be anger and related emotions.

All in all it is a process of transformation. It is not an event. One can't simply "get over it".

It can also be painful when giving birth to something better.

New found freedom can also be initially confusing.

Professional help from a good Psychologist (who does not push addictive and synthetic psychoactive drugs) can smooth and aid the process greatly.

Best wishes on the journey.

Holler out via PM if I can be of any help.

Greetings

Fernando

SEQ, Australia

ex since mid-2009

32

Hello and Thank You!

by Vintagewife in

jw
friends

i've been lurking here for about 3 months and decided it was time to register and become active.

i left the organization 17 years ago.

like so many of you, i had endured less than christian behavior from the strong cliches that ran our congregation.

Fernando

Welcome Vintagewife!

Bizarre is a Watchtower trademark.

Billions might not care or believe you, but we do since we've been there.

Greetings

Fernando

SEQ, Australia

13

" Why did you leave the truth?", and, "will you come back ?"

by Phizzy in

when in conversation with jw's those questions, or varients of them, often come up.

i have noticed though, that because of their fear of any challenge to their faith, they do not wish to hear the answers, so i have developed an answer which at least i hope accomplishes a couple of things.. what i say to the first question (why did you leave ?

) is "because i am a lover of truth", to the second,( will i come back ?

Fernando

Great responses I believe Phizzy, especially since as you say they generally are not (yet) ready to hear, but are at least put on notice, and know they are welcome to return when ready.

60

The hardship of being a gay Jehovahs witness.

by truthwillsetyoufree in

please spare a moment to consider the difiiculties faced by gay jehovahs witnesses.

i was raised and baptised as a very serious jw.

every waking moment of my day was lived for jehovahs and his organization and for nothing else.

Fernando

Welcome truthwillsetyoufree!

Congratulations on being free of this destructive cult and its apostate moralism and apostate legalism.

Here on JWN you're among friends who care and understand.

I pray for you to find greater peace and stability as well as a good life partner.

Anyone interested in an alternative (gay friendly) scriptural perspective may be interested in:

http://biblehouseofgrace.com/same%20sex%20relationships.html

Best wishes on your journey and your stay here on JWN.

Greetings

Fernando