isn't it unbelievable that a jehovah's witness must accept whatever the organization says or they can be disfellowshipped??
unless they tell you that their understanding has changed, you cannot believe anything unless they say it's ok. .
many years ago i questioned them about their ridiculous view that whenever the word "heart" was mentioned, it was a literal blood filled organ.
Obedience before all else...
I remember a Circuit Assembly part that stated that from time to time brothers have become aware of basically "New Light" before the organization (i.e. Governing Body). In such cases brothers were instructed to keep their ideas to themselves so as not to "get ahead of the organization."
In other words - blind obedience is all that matters.
The fact that they moved to their own private compound out in the middle of nowhere is another nail in the cult coffin.
a person may sometimes get swelling on his leg and may have limped a few times—but he is never called lame.
similarly, sometimes a person may slip into selfishness and use his free-will to his own harm or to the harm of others—but this does not make him a sinner because the ability to do the contrary (ability choose to commit virtuous act to any extent) too exists in him.
if one’s occasional sinning does not make him a sinner, sin of another person (such as first human couple) can never make others sinners.
To sin is to make a transgression against God's law or to rebel against God.
The doctrine of sin is that we are also imperfect and inherited the inclination to transgress against God's law from Adam.
My dad asked me in my teens "How could Adam and Eve have sinned if they were perfect, free from sin?" I could never come up with a good answer.
My question is, if we only grow old, get sick, and die because Adam and Eve passed sin onto us, why do plants and animals grow old, get sick, and die? They were created perfect by God. They never sinned against God.
on sunday morning in the watchtower study, a "study" who was their for the 1st time put his hand up and said; "i have a question.
when the paragraph says give up everything, it doesn't really mean give up everything like the pearl merchant, does it, like be willing to lose my modest house, cheap car and other basics i own?
i mean, that sounds a bit much".. the watchtower conductor said in response; "no, it's just a parable and it doesn't mean give up everything.
It does mean give up everything. Literally. Even your life or the lives of your loved ones.
Have to work overtime to pay the rent/mortgage? Get rid of your house. Even if it is a modest one.
Have to work overtime to pay your car loan/car insurance? Get rid of your car.
Have to accept a blood transfusion to live? Die.
Have to allow your unconscious spouse or children to have a blood transfusion to live? Let them die.
someone said on forum they knew someone df for not going to assigned meeting in old days .
For reasons still unknown.
My dad was disfellowshipped. The didn't tell him why, but I was told that one of the elders in the congregation told a group at a get together that it was for apostasy. One year later he was re-instated at the urging of the congregation presiding overseer.
Until this very day some 25 years later, my father still doesn't know the actual reason he was disfellowshipped.
_______________by the time 1967 arrived, my religious leaders in the kingdom hall had taken me aside and given me the straight dope.the vietnam war and the draft created existential problems for young jehovah's witness males.
the governing body was unusually silent (in public) about issues of this nature except to pontificate in print in the most general terms.
jw's didn't fight in wars because we were neutral.
I remember how much of a deep impact his made on me. Not because I was personally effected. Rather, I watched how it effected those brothers who personally went through this.
I remember working in the Accounts Department at the Circuit Assembly in which this change was mentioned. An elder who was not a Witnesses during the Vietnam War, but was a conscientious objector had accepted working at the Post Office in lieu of military service. He made a profound comment, but it was his physical demeanor that had a more profound effect on me. He said something along the lines of "This will be difficult."
This elder was so troubled he looked like he was about to have a stroke. Until this very day that experience has stuck with me. I cannot say for sure, but this change may have been what eventually lead to me leaving the organization.
according to the "new light" the faithful slave class appeared after jesus came 1914 (rather 1918 he inspected the temple) and was bestowed with assigement to provide spiritual food.. there are a number of problems with this new concept:.
how did russel and co found out about certain unique teachings diffferent from mainstream christendom?.
option 1) apparently by himself, as there was no fds at his time.
This change in doctrine (aka "New Light") is probably the single most important fact that could open the eyes of Witnesses right next to the "overlapping generations".
Traditionally, New Light has been minor adjustments in doctrine. Even the Overlapping Generation still has the final point that "this generation will by no means pass away." They just kicked the can down the road...again.
Once I learned about this new change I became downright baffled why any Witness who has been in the organization for over 30 years didn't just pick up and leave. The Watchtower Bible & Tract Society was founded by Charles Taze Russell. The Governing Body literally just tore out about 25% of the Proclaimers book, burned it, and denied it ever existed.
Then to add insult to injury, they say the Faithful and Discreet Slave Class has been reduced to 7 men in New York. 7 people does not constitute a class of people. It was a giant middle finger given to all those who claim to be of the annointed.
My dad has claimed to be of the annointed since he joined the religion way back in the 1960s. I am shocked that he is still in.
one of my strangest things that happened to me during my life as jw was that i loved (and still i do) video games.
i started playing super mario bros in a nintendo entertainment system (nes) from my cousin and from there i developed an attachment to the video games.
i remember that i asked for a gift the nes to my dad and my wish come true!
Great memories! The NES classics are the best. My dad pitched a fit and made me return Golgo 13 for the NES. Just another reason I hated growing up a JW.
My passion was role-playing games. I never got into Dungeons & Dragons because there was no hiding that. I played rpgs based on sci-fi and Lord of the Rings. My player group was all JW young adults who just moved out on their own. I spent my high school years hanging out with them.
this is probably going to unnerve some on here or make them uncomfortable.we always hear, why didn't the elders call the cops first instead of the wt society (lawyers/attorneys).
in cases of child molestation or other incidents.this video is why and if you're smart you'll follow their example.i'm not taking the wtbts side on this just so you know in advance because i do not agree with the two witness rule at all.but be that as it may,this is by far the best lawyer/attorney and law professor i've ever heard on the subject of why you should never talk to the police and always let an investigation be made through counsel.this is why in the usa you have the right to remain silent when talking to police/authorities but even more important what the fifth amendment really entails and why it would behoove us all to understand what can happen even if you are totally innocent and have nothing to hide but how things can go horribly wrong.if i ever have to go to court for anything i can only hope that i got a lawyer as competent as this one the vid is approx 46 minutes long but well worth investing that time because if you had to talk to a lawyer it would cost you a lot to receive what this professor covers in this.the majority is from the law professor and the remaining minutes are of a former police captain/investigator with his insights and opinions.and just to be clear, i'm not suggesting that the elders not call the police because they should in cases of child molestation but rather they better get legal advice to protect themselves so that they don't have to answer for the wtbts decisions.look how many former (ex) elders we have on sites like this one and others and i'm so happy they got free of the wt but also they didn't get in trouble by accidentally saying/doing the wrong thing.all of us can benefit by following this advice in the video and i hope you enjoy it and to know what your rights arehttps://www.youtube.com/watch?v=d-7o9xyp7ee.
I watched a little over 15 minutes of this video before I stopped.
I have worked in the criminal justice system here in the United States for a little over 17 years with the last 8 directly in the criminal courts system. Based on my training, education, and experience here is my take on this video -
The title seems disingenuous, but I give the speaker the benefit of the doubt for this important reason; he has only been a criminal defense attorney. There are a few criminal defense attorneys that have "drunk the kool-aid." They really believe that the police are out to lock everyone up and everyone is truly innocent. The speaker seems resemble that description. As a side note, if you are ever in need of a criminal defense attorney, I would look for one that has previous experience as a state's prosecutor.
A better, more accurate title to this would be "Never Talk to the Police if you are a Suspect". I would agree with that statement. I also agree with the statement made that it has never helped a suspect's case, if he is charged, to give a statement. Yes, that statement will always be used against you. Even if it your statement is "I do not wish to make a statement."
Lastly, this video has nothing to do with report crimes. In many states here in the U.S., it is actually a crime to fail to report a felony, which any sex crime involving children is. In my state you can be sentenced up to 1 year in the county jail for failing to report a felony.
dont worry, this is safe for work... :).
remember when we were jws and we were told not to "model ourselves after the world"?
meaning no tattoos, no non-approved hairstyles, clothing to be not too tight, not too short etc etc etc?
I'm with OneEyedJoe -
Educated women in power careers is what I'm attracted to. The more intellectual the better. The more independent the better.
