Posts by Londo111

85

Are you a Christian Who Accepts Evolution?

by cofty in

if you identify as a christian but you have accepted that the diversity of life - including humans - resulted from a process of biological evolution could you add your name please?.

just to be clear i am referring to the fact that our physical lineage could literally be traced back all the way to non-human species.. if you like maybe you could comment on why you see not conflict between evolution and your christian faith.. there is a tendency to conflate evolution with atheism.

it would be good to show that this is not the case..

Londo111

I guess I’m more and more in the spiritual not religious camp nowadays, but for three or four years after leaving the JWs, I attended a mainline Christian church. I was even a deacon. And I accepted the overwhelming evidence of evolution.

I found that any who lean in that direction should read The Language of God. While I didn’t agree with all his views (the writer is in the Evangelical camp), he makes an appealing case for evolution and science.

Toward my last years as a JW, I was struggling with Watchtower’s literal interpretation of Genesis, they being rigidly opposed to “macroevolution” just because of the words “according to their kinds”. I was also having a hard time believing in the literal Adam & Eve, Garden of Eden story--or a Global Flood. But I kept hoping that their would be “new light” and the Society would make some adjustments in that regard.

Most mainline Protestants denominations do not find evolution at odds with their central belief in Christ. The Catholic Church as well has affirmed evolution.

Of course, most Evangelicals, fundamentalists, charismatics, Christian-based cults vehemently disagree.

55

Why do ones that got out come back in?

by moreconfusedthanever in

i have not been to a meeting for about 2 years now.

i do not intend to go back but one thing has me baffled.

why do ones that have faded and been out for years return?

Londo111

Until a person is mentally out, they are never out.

There are many who are inactive, disfellowshipped, and even some who disassociated, who were not mentally out. Like a boom-a-rang, they are apt to return.

I accidentally faded at one point and didn't even know it or have any concept of what fading is. But I still believe it was "the truth". I didn't want to be destroyed. So like a lamb putting his head in the lion's mouth, I came back and took steps to become active again, and went to the elder's about matters which ultimately got me disfellowshipped. This lead me to waking up mentally.

47

Are JWs "mind trained" to be habitual liars?

by nonjwspouse in

i don't mean overly obvious, or otherwise meaning to cause harm, but taught to lie for the purpose of avoidance.

this type of lying can be pervasive in areas of life that are not just to avoid discussions with people who have questions about the jw, etc.

my husband will lie/be deceitful about the silliest, simple things.

Londo111

The “loaded language” should be considered as well, at least on matters that directly impact their life as a cult member. Like all cults, they have their own lingo and the meaning of many everyday words are redefined. When you redefine the language, you govern how a person thinks.

Relative to the loaded language some untruthful things may be quite accurate in that framework, while being deceitful in the everyday sense.

For instance, “We are not a doomsday religion.” Why not? Well, they will give you their definition of doomsday and then show why they do not meet that definition. But in the everyday sense, they are definitely a doomsday religion. But a JW will not see it that way, because they cannot think that way, because the definitions of the language have been altered.

11

June 20, 2017 TO ALL BODIES OF ELDERS Re: Supplier Arrangements on jw.org

by wifibandit in

june 20, 2017 to all bodies of elders re: supplier arrangements on jw.org.

.

Londo111

When I was a JW, I had in-laws buy cars through this program. It bothered me greatly. It made me wonder, "Jesus threw out moneychangers...what does the Kingdom have to do with selling used cars?"

47

Are JWs "mind trained" to be habitual liars?

by nonjwspouse in

i don't mean overly obvious, or otherwise meaning to cause harm, but taught to lie for the purpose of avoidance.

this type of lying can be pervasive in areas of life that are not just to avoid discussions with people who have questions about the jw, etc.

my husband will lie/be deceitful about the silliest, simple things.

Londo111

I don't think the rank-and-file JWs consciously deceive.

But they are trained to spin, whitewash, dance around or change the subject, leave certain parts out a person isn't ready for, ect... For instance, if asked, "Are JWs the only ones who will be saved?" They will not give the real answer. Or they might say, "Oh, we are not at your door to convert you, just encourage Bible reading..."

In the end, the effect is the same.

28

What does it take to qualify for cart/trolley work?

by Londo111 in

if memory serves me, when it was first introduced elders had to fill out a form to grade a jw, and only those who made the grade could do the carts.. i didn’t realize until sir82 said something on another discussion that the process had changed.. what is the process nowadays?

.

Londo111

Preaching on the drive is not for everyone, says Stet. "We look for people representative:. Young, well dressed, friendly smiles One very bluntly by letting people not convinced a crippled old human being."

This is how Google translate badly rendered it. Can you give a better translation?

23

Aust 2016 Census observations: JW's getting older, more kids leaving, and 30+ group aren't returning

by shepherdless in

1. median age.

experts will tell you that if you want to know if a population is in growth or decline, the best single number to look at is the median age of the population.

i have extracted aust census data and calculated the following approx median ages:.

Londo111

Children have never been valued in this organization. The directive during the Judge's day was, "Don't have children", and then it gradually softened. None of the meetings were designed with kids in mind.

And of course, Watchtower would be loath to have a youth group because that would open more liability for lawsuits.

28

What does it take to qualify for cart/trolley work?

by Londo111 in

if memory serves me, when it was first introduced elders had to fill out a form to grade a jw, and only those who made the grade could do the carts.. i didn’t realize until sir82 said something on another discussion that the process had changed.. what is the process nowadays?

.

Londo111

Do you have a link to that article?

28

What does it take to qualify for cart/trolley work?

by Londo111 in

if memory serves me, when it was first introduced elders had to fill out a form to grade a jw, and only those who made the grade could do the carts.. i didn’t realize until sir82 said something on another discussion that the process had changed.. what is the process nowadays?

.

Londo111

Yes, it's ironic that for door-to-door, even a person marked or reproved is obligated to do so. No matter the problems like poor social skills. Even convicted child predators are made to feel obligated...provided they don't go alone.

But only qualified people who make the cut are allowed to sit or stand by a cart and take it easy.

So I guess this is a "privilege", like microphones or working the soundbox--except women can do it as well.

43

Cart Witnesses Today - I am not impressed

by pale.emperor in

just approached a cart then with two jw girls holding out mags.

they continued chatting to each other about car insurance when i took the watchtower from one of their hands.. ok, so it looks like i'll have to get the ball rolling.

i asked if they were jehovahs witness.

Londo111

The organization seem to be transitioning from actively reading heavy materials about types and antitypes to lighter materials that are lifestyle-centered and passively watching videos. If the trend continues, it would simply be videocentric rather than any reading at all.

Reading takes proactive mental exercise that watching lite videos and cartoons does not.

Another strategy the organization gives JWs is not to engage in “arguments”. So any question that is too tough, it is easier to run citing “we don’t argue” as a thought-terminating cliché.

At best, the offer to go away and do research on the matter and come back later. If it’s too tough, it is good incentive not to come back. But if they do, it may be with Watchtower articles that they themselves do not understand and they hope that the article can explain it better than they do. It is a “cut and paste” type of research. They have no ability to discuss the articles, even if they have read it, which at best is a cursory reading.

Long gone are the JWs of yesteryear that I knew who would go to people’s door and argue how their organization fulfilled the “times, time, and half a time”.