Posts by WalkTall

9

When the NT references the "word of God" what is it referring to?

by WalkTall in

the nt references the 'word of god' in a number of places.

(for example: hebrews 4:12-the word of god is alive and exerts power and is sharper than a two-edged sword).

it can't be referring to the ot and the mosaic law because those authors writing after jesus's death were trying to put away the old law traditions, and it can't be referring to any of the nt books because many were not even written yet or known to be scripture per se.

WalkTall

The NT references the 'word of God' in a number of places. (for example: Hebrews 4:12-the word of God is alive and exerts power and is sharper than a two-edged sword). It can't be referring to the OT and the Mosaic Law because those authors writing after Jesus's death were trying to put away the old law traditions, and it can't be referring to any of the NT books because many were not even written yet or known to be scripture per se. The WT always uses scriptures that say 'word of God' to mean the moderny day Bible, but what was meant by this phrase at that time?

Thanks.

26

The Awakening

by AK - Jeff in

jw
friends

a time comes in your life when you finally get...when, in the midst of all your fears and insanity, you stop dead in your tracks and somewhere the voice inside your head cries out...enough1 enough fighting and crying and blaming and struggling to hold on.

then, like a child quieting down after a tantrum, you blink back your tears and begin to look at the world through new eyes.. .

you realize its time to stop hoping and waiting for something to change, or for happiness, safety and security to magically appear over the next horizon.. .

WalkTall

Love this thread!!! Thanks to everyone for their insights.

38

Are JWs attracting more and more off-center people?

by undercover in

jw
friends

this thread is prompted by the thread about a jw woman who disprupted a funeral.

i don't know the details as i can't view youtube from work, but it did get me to thinking.... over the last couple of decades, at least, i've noticed that more and more 'fringe personalities', for a lack of a better term, have infiltrated the ranks of the everyday jws.

true, jws are themselves a fringe element to normal society, but even within their own communities, there used to be a sense of normalcy, or at least seemed to be.. has the cultic message of the wt society started attracting people with different thought processes over this time period?

WalkTall

When the whole Heaven's Gate thing went down, I saw a video of those who joined. I remember thinking that many of them had somewhat of a normal existence before they joined the cult, but now they were spouting crazy stuff in all seriousness. What scared me at the time was that I wondered if that is how people looked at me. It was one of those thoughts that you push into the back of your mind because you don't want to believe that you yourself are in a cult. I'm not like them, I'd never eat poisoned pudding!!

I joined at a young age. I was a shy person and I was pulled in by the love and acceptance. And everyone seemed so happy and friendly. It didn't seem crazy like those other cults. It was only after years of growth, maturity, learning, and observation that I came to realize that I indeed had gotten sucked into an off-centered world, and that crazy comes in many forms. No, I was not asked to eat poisoned pudding, but I gave up my life all the same. But, by then, I was in too deep.

I do consider myself a normal person, but one who fell for a con. Yes, I had my years of blindly following and now I look back and wonder how I could have taken such a leave of my senses. I think it's partly because of the 'keep them busy' game. You get so involved in all the activities you don't have time to think. But one day I did, and I woke up. And I think those that do or who know that something is wrong, even if they stay for family reasons like me, are the only normal ones left.

23

How did you feel when they let a 10 year old boy stand up on the podium and a sister couldn't ?

by RULES & REGULATIONS in

one thing that really bothered me about the ministry school was letting a little boy around 10 years old read an outline and scripture.

he faced and addressed the audience.

he was actually teaching.

WalkTall

This is the kind of stuff that makes me realize that normal people would never join this religion. There are so many things about the organization that makes me livid and this is one of them. Beyond that, the way women are demeaned also makes me embarrassed that I ever voluntarily joined this lunacy.

36

Sisters told they strictly can't wear slacks to Meetings to keep them submissive! Why?

by Witness 007 in

yes slacks and pants on women are evil.....the first step to wanting to be elders or even worse lesbians!

so the watchtower in it's wisdom put a strict bad on women wearing pants at meetings, even in siberia or alaska where it is freezing cold....i qoute the governing body who said: "we need to show these sisters who wears the pants in our congregations...literally.".

in the 70's when it was all the rage, my mum tried wearing slacks to the hall....."go and get changed" said the sister who studied with her.

WalkTall

Denim skirts are discouraged (no longer allowed) for meetings and service either.

38

Are JWs attracting more and more off-center people?

by undercover in

jw
friends

this thread is prompted by the thread about a jw woman who disprupted a funeral.

i don't know the details as i can't view youtube from work, but it did get me to thinking.... over the last couple of decades, at least, i've noticed that more and more 'fringe personalities', for a lack of a better term, have infiltrated the ranks of the everyday jws.

true, jws are themselves a fringe element to normal society, but even within their own communities, there used to be a sense of normalcy, or at least seemed to be.. has the cultic message of the wt society started attracting people with different thought processes over this time period?

WalkTall

You are all hitting the nail on the head. I look around at the hall (as in every one I've ever been in) and there are maybe two or three people, if that, that I would choose on my own to be friends with. The rest are loons, leeches, or lobotomized. Wow, that was harsh. Let me just say they are not my cup of tea.

36

Sisters told they strictly can't wear slacks to Meetings to keep them submissive! Why?

by Witness 007 in

yes slacks and pants on women are evil.....the first step to wanting to be elders or even worse lesbians!

so the watchtower in it's wisdom put a strict bad on women wearing pants at meetings, even in siberia or alaska where it is freezing cold....i qoute the governing body who said: "we need to show these sisters who wears the pants in our congregations...literally.".

in the 70's when it was all the rage, my mum tried wearing slacks to the hall....."go and get changed" said the sister who studied with her.

WalkTall

They say it's because it reflects well on Jehovah's name, but it's really about control, control, control. I really think the old guys get off on being able to control women especially.

And to the point on the impression it makes on 'worldly' people, once I stopped at an elderly relative's house after service with my young daughter. We were both wearing skirts. My relative, who was a church-going, conservative type person, remarked "You're dressed up all the time. You look ridiculous".

42

Life On Hold: The CO Visit Week

by sacolton in

did anyone have to cancel a vacation trip because it was on co visit week?

i still don't get why the co visit was as if god himself was in town.

is it kinda like if the pope were to visit with catholics?.

WalkTall

This is a little off topic since he wasn't a CO, but once many years ago when we were raising children we had a 'special' speaker from Bethel come and give a talk. We were asked to take him to dinner. He and his wife ordered drinks and both ordered the most expensive meal on the menu. I almost fell over. Never again!

42

Life On Hold: The CO Visit Week

by sacolton in

did anyone have to cancel a vacation trip because it was on co visit week?

i still don't get why the co visit was as if god himself was in town.

is it kinda like if the pope were to visit with catholics?.

WalkTall

Snoozy, what a sad story, but so typical. It sounds so unbelievable that your husband wouldn't have been a priority at that time, but only those of us who are, or were, in can understand the mentality at work here. I'm so sorry for your loss.

42

Life On Hold: The CO Visit Week

by sacolton in

did anyone have to cancel a vacation trip because it was on co visit week?

i still don't get why the co visit was as if god himself was in town.

is it kinda like if the pope were to visit with catholics?.

WalkTall

One time my husband, who is generally a conscientious driver, was so freaked out that we would be late for the meeting when we had the CO he was racing to the meeting and got a speeding ticket. I couldn't help thinking, was it worth it? The goofball CO never even gave us the time of day.

In general, though, it's really gross to see all the men chasing after titles on their best behavior that week. And all the elders suddenly slapping backs and shaking hands with people they normally would walk right on by. It's politics at its best.