i would assume that some or a good number of us here as normal humans in this society - consider " lawless " actions to include murder , robbery, extortion, rape, child abuse, war , terrorism, etc.
the wt society has their own definition of what's considered " lawless ".
anything that's considered a disfellowshipping offense in the jehovah's witnesses is now considered " lawless ".
Oh and one other thing. The lawless one condones criminal activity. Allowing convicted pedophiles to remain secret, in a position to wreak havoc on yet more innocent lives is a crime. Those who sweep such behaviors under the rug are aiding and abetting, making them lawless.
And it doesn't have to be abuse of a sexual nature. How many JW kids were unnecessarily beaten and physically abused under the guise of "discipline"??? That too is criminal.
i would assume that some or a good number of us here as normal humans in this society - consider " lawless " actions to include murder , robbery, extortion, rape, child abuse, war , terrorism, etc.
the wt society has their own definition of what's considered " lawless ".
anything that's considered a disfellowshipping offense in the jehovah's witnesses is now considered " lawless ".
I have to get my two cents worth in on this one. First, I never could comprehend where the concept comes from that ostracism will result in an individual's yearning re-acceptance to the group to the extent that he will endure all sorts of humiliation to attain that goal. It is not reasonable psychology. And here is the caveat. A reasonable person of normal intellect and emotional stability will view official dismissal from the group as the insult that it is, and will continue life separate from the group, developing new and improved societal connections. If, however, the person is emotionally or mentally dependent on the group, he may pursue restoration within. I suppose this is the case with those who fight to become reinstated once ostracized from the group. For them, a more suitable remedy would be some good professional intensive therapy, possibly including some pharmaceutical assistance, aimed at rebuilding self-esteem and a healthy sense of self-worth.
Unfortunately, the self-torture route is so ingrained from the persistent drumming in of persecution, misery, isolation and the like, that many once they reach that juncture may feel that regression (i.e. endeavoring reinstatement) is the only solution.
But, in reality, a mentally and emotionally healthy and whole person who is ostracized from a group will walk away. The ostracism in itself is not going to be of any value to get them to return (if that is what the group wants). What will force them back is their own lack of resolve and personal determination.
do you miss the "friends"?.
do you miss the meetings?.
do you miss field service?.
Absolutely, positively, categorically NOTHING!
many outsiders see good in the w.t.
and many insiders see good in the w.t.. so is not the w:t like any other organisation based on idealisam and growth.
acolytes.
They condone child abuse.
They are categorically against education despite claiming to worship the most intelligent being in the universe; the greatest mathematician and scientific force in existence. The universe is ever-expanding, and intelligence should be encouraged, stressed and sought.
Many organizations and groups seek loyalty from their members by using fear and guilt tactics; some are crazy - look at the suicide bombers of the fanatical element of Islam.
They are self-centered believing that they alone have a right to everlasting life whether in heaven or on earth or mars, jupiter, or the asteroid belt or a galaxy several hundred million light years away. They are self-righteous and make blanket statements about "worldy people". They have a distorted view of reality. All these things are negative, but can be found in other groups.....so the "worst"....who knows.
True religion is an oxymoron. There is no such thing. The fact that truth can be twisted into a "religion" negates its value.
i am curious as to what the members here look like.
be totally honest now.
not everyone looks like a knockout or mr. buff.... .
Heather Locklear..........an old fat version.
a couple years ago district convention - a pioneer family with two kids explained how they had ran out of funds and had no dinner...as they turned the corner out witnessing they saw a vegetable truck had spilled some produce in the gutter and so "jehovah provided in our time of need..." i felt like yelling get a job you bum stop starving!!
not encouraging.
this week an elder with pnemonia discharges himself from hospital, promising to remain home...so he can go out preaching!
OMG OUTLAW!!!! the dentist one..........that is hysterical!!!
yeah, these stories actually are pretty pathetic. i don't suppose the family ever considered washing the veggies that fell off the truck onto the street where dogs pee and poop.......
you really can't make this stuff up.
but an organization like the wt society bent on controlling virtually every aspect of the typical jehovah's witness life - would make this up to keep their control through the use of fear and guilt.
so- i thought i'd share what i thought was the strangest, most offensive, weird language dealing with what the wt society calls " disfellowshipping offenses " .
okay.....this is one funny thread. aside from the complete lack of compassion and understanding of the human psyche evidenced by the condescending treatment of rape victims and those so bleak (probably from the damm religion) that they attempt to do themselves in.
seems to me there is a basic feeling that sex in itself is sin...kinda reminds me of catholicism...
in an effort to increase the praise and honor to jehovah and jesus christ at the time of the memorial, the governing body has arranged for a special period of increased activity during april 2011.
you will be pleased to learn that during april 2011, publishers who wish to serve as auxiliary pioneers may indicate on the application whether they will be working toward a 30-hour or 50-hour requirement for the month.
this is a special arrangement for the month of april 2011 only.
Haha How ridiculous. I was kicked off of pioneering 40 years ago because I couldn't manage to get more than 3 or 4 "Bible Studies" (you had to average at least 7 back then)....you had to place 100 magazines have so many RV's.....AND 100 hours a month. But, you were "special" and made to feel superior to the rest of the poor mice.
It seems to me that all this dilution of "privilege/duty" whatever you want to call it is simply an admission that you can't browbeat people to such fanatical levels that were formerly in place. Plus, if you are subsisting solely on wages from menial labor, in this economy you would have to spend more time working just for basic needs and housing. So, where is the time going to come from to go running from empty house to empty house?
I seriously wish I had never known the stupidity.
i owe this question entirely to hadit but i cannot get this thought out of my head.
all i heard growing up was that we have to call god jehovah because they are many god's, this way jehovah knows we are trying to speak to him.
that is just one of many reasons the fds and wt say to why we much call him jehovah.
I have no problem with kids calling the parents by their actual name. Makes perfect sense to me....and I've been doing that for years now. Toddlers, mama, dada....yeah....i see that, but we aren't toddlers for very long in this life....
ever have that conversation with your parents or elders?.
"no need to double check our doctrines, you are lucky that you don't have to put in the hours to prove the truth.
you were born into it!
well put, markfromcali
