Posts by Muddy Waters

1

ARC - Case Study 54 - Opening Address by Angus Stewart QC published and available to download

by jwleaks in

downloads available:.

download opening address by angus stewart qc - word doc.

download opening address by angus stewart qc - pdf.

ARC Live Streaming site ?

by Gayle in

jw
friends

what is the exact live streaming site for the arc today in sydney?

i hope someone or more here will be watching and giving info/quips throughout the case.

also, will someone here or elsewhere be able to 'save' a video of this (all or part).

It was pathetic.... Spinks could never give a straight answer....

It's like WT has thrown them under the bus, and they are getting eaten alive! All these new "letters" and directions from the Society (within only the past TWO WEEKS!) to get ready for today (presumably). Unbelievable!!

Just like they hadn't prepared for the first time around, though in some ways they were better prepared today, but their organization sure dropped the ball. You could almost wonder if they'd been groomed to parrot special phrases repeatedly: "Yes, we will absolutely report child sexual abuse if there are mandatory reporting laws to do so."

And when the judge asked Spinks/O'Brien, "But why should you need a law to do so...? What about basic compassion for the victim, and seeing they get the help and protection they need?" (paraphrasing), It was like that was a whole new weird idea to them....

And LOVED the point about the age of consent, and that if the law had a specific limit for that, then why not simply follow the law...? (They were talking about a minor who could be found "guilty" of sexual misconduct because they would be close to the legal age... And Mr. Steward and McClellan tried to press them on what, exactly, would be an age considered to be "responsible" (or giving consent)....?

Lots of gems brought out.

Loved the part too, where Mr. Stewart was expressing frustration about trying to find anything on a new policy that was in writing somewhere, without the WTS referencing out-of-date (regarding these new policies) publications and materials and elders-only letters.

Oh, there was so much gold in these first few hours....!!

When will it resume?? I don't want to miss a second of this fascinating, and unbelievably inept (on the part of WT/JWs) hearing!!!

12

"You know that the Memorial is April 11 right?"

by stuckinarut2 in

ah, yes, so mid-way through a conversation about work, a family member just had to say "oh, you know the memorial is tuesday april 11, so i guess you will have to schedule your work so you can make it right?".

i simply said "oh is it?

" and then went back to what we were talking about.. has anyone else had the pressure to attend put on them?.

Muddy Waters

Unstuck, you have a pm...

13

New Letter from the GB

by Coded Logic in

dear brothers and sisters,.

it has come to our attention that many you, especially in the developed world, have chosen to outfit your homes with artificial lighting.

while there is nothing wrong with husbands wishing to see more clearly while studying - or for sisters to want to add some extra lighting when cleaning the home - we need to be careful how we choose to use this technology.

Muddy Waters

You've got all their buzzwords, too, lol.

"Consider...

Surely...

Appropriate...

Of course..."

and lots more WT"isms"!

Nice work

13

New Letter from the GB

by Coded Logic in

dear brothers and sisters,.

it has come to our attention that many you, especially in the developed world, have chosen to outfit your homes with artificial lighting.

while there is nothing wrong with husbands wishing to see more clearly while studying - or for sisters to want to add some extra lighting when cleaning the home - we need to be careful how we choose to use this technology.

Muddy Waters

Bwhahahaha!!! Perfect! This is gold! -- It sounds exactly like something they would say! -- Even down to their wishy-washy, double-talking, speak-out-of-both-sides-of-their-mouth ways! So clever!

Thanks for the laugh and brilliant mimicry! Enjoying the comments and responses, too! Haha!

35

February 26, 2017 TO ALL BODIES OF ELDERS Re: Witnessing in Public Places

by wifibandit in

february 26, 2017 to all bodies of elders re: witnessing in public places.

and.

february 25, 2017 to all congregations re: magnetic boards and posters for public witnessing.

Muddy Waters

Yes, thank you, WiFi Bandit -- much appreciated.

24

Blondie's Comments You Will Not Hear at the February 19, 2017 WT Study (DECEMBER 2016)(ANXIETY)

by blondie in

jw
friends

blondie’s comments you will not hear at the february 19, 2017 wt study (december 2016) (throw anxiety jehovah).

https://www.jw.org/en/publications/magazines/watchtower-study-december-2016/.

excellent general website: www.jwfacts.com .

Muddy Waters

Blondie, thank you for doing this…. I know you used to do it consistently for a very long time (amazing!) and I always appreciated your comments and insights.

To see you do this again is a rare and wonderful treat -- though I'm sure it is hard-going at times!!

I thought I'd inject a little of my own "commentary" as I read these WT paragraphs… And I almost had an anxiety attack just reading it!!

It's incredible how I can now see the snippets of mind-control directives... But I also can see how an indoctrinated JW would "hear" or understand these directives or instructions…. It's subtle stuff at times!!!

Anyway, here goes! Into the rabbit hole!!

...

Title Scripture: "Throw all your anxiety on [Jehovah], because he cares for you" -- just reading this caused me to feel a spark of anxiety.

When I saw the bracketed [Jehovah]… one realizes that the original must have said "the Lord" or something similar and much friendlier sounding.

Right away, we have the authoritative, temperamental "Jehovah" presence looming above us, but then are immediately assured that he cares for us.

The questions, Can you Explain? - direct us to the only places (read: only one place!) where we can ever really feel "free" from anxiety, or in a reduced anxious state. And that is with THEM! of course.

...

Paragraph 1: Right off the bat -- "We live in very stressful times." -- gloom and doom and stress. Not just ordinary stress. VERY stressful. And they right away launch into our big, bad, scary enemy, SATAN! -- walking about like a lion who wants to devour us.

But it is always the same scriptures. Same repetition. Same old stuff they say, over and over again.

I instantly notice the weird way they talk and word things in the paragraph, attempting to draw you in (like an expert salesman) -- to get you to agree with them, or to share a common state or frame of mind: "Therefore, it is not surprising that at times, even we, God's servants, experience some feelings of anxiety…"

(The "therefore" is supposed to be a comforting word, drawing a person to a reasonable conclusion, namely, theirs.)

They list a few examples of faithful servants whom they call "God-fearing servants of Jehovah" -- but lookee the loaded language in that phrase alone: God-fearing! Servants!

This phrase alone and its meanings and contexts and details have been studied to the 9th degree in other WT studies and books over the years and years and years…

For example, the phrase, "godly-fear"…. and their correct definition, as only they can define it and truly understand it (unless it changes with new light!! bahahahahaha!!) - means to have "reverential awe", "godly respect", a "healthy fear of displeasing Jehovah", and a studious JW might want to look these WT articles up and refer to in their comments to win extra spiritual Brownie points.

And their use of the word "servant" -- again studied to the 9th degree and all the ways to be that way: meek, submissive, obedient, respectful, humble, blah blah blah… !

Notice the rather condescending & assuming question at the end of Paragraph 1: "But what can we do when we are overwhelmed by feelings of anxiety?"

Oh my god. Not only may we be anxious, but we may be *overwhelmed* by anxiety!!! Heavens to betsy! Oh my goodness!! Oh no!! What oh what to do???? Quick, let us read on because the answer must be forthcoming!!

...

Paragraph 2: Oh whew!! Our "loving heavenly Father" comes to the rescue! And again, they use the word "servants" and yet another Bible verse we've heard over and over and over again…

But what are we to do wih this bible verse?? How do we meek, humble, obedient, submissive SERVANTS *apply* this verse?? oh, how oh how oh how? oh, what oh what to do?

No fears, never worry! INSTANTLY come their answers, packaged up in a nice, neat, note-taking package -- there are 4 WAYS WE CAN DO SO!

And any time a JW hears a number, they know that they need to "pay close attention" Because here will come a list of things we need to remember, do, look up, strive for, etc., to know how to apply this spiritual counsel. This becomes "behaviour control." What are the 4 steps…?

The first three are fairly innocuous: pray, read God's word (rarely does any JW actually do this, they are too busy reading all the JW publications!), "tapping into Jehovah's holy spirit," (whatever the hell that means!) and AH HA! - HERE IT COMES: "….sharing your feelings with a trusted confidant."

Did you get that?? It is only the 2nd paragraph, and by the end of it, the "direction from the Society", the "wisdom and teaching from the Governing Body", the people to whom we should SHARE OUR ANXIETY WITH --are who?? -- a trusted confident! In a JWs mind, this usually, or often, means the ELDERS. Maybe a spouse or friend or family member. But usually the direction this "confessional" goes is toward an elder.

Anyway, wow, I'm only at the end of paragraph 2 and feel exhausted, lol.

This stuff is INFURIATING to read now!!

I shall continue a little later, if I can stand it, haha.

My hat is off to you, Blondie, for having the where-with-all to stand this! :)

12

Intelligent Disobedience

by George One Time in

did you notice the expression "intelligent disobedience" in the febuary 2017 broadcast (at 7:30)?.

it was used with the illustration of a guide dog for blind persons, that sometimes has to disobey it's owner.. what a fine example for us!

.

Muddy Waters

Veey interesting comments, HalfBanana! It sure sounds plausible!

And have to laugh at their illustration! "Blind owners!" !!!

45

What has been your own personal experience of shunning?

by UnshackleTheChains in

i am interested in finding out on a small scale the extent of which shunning has impacted on you personally.. my own experience is that when i faded about 12 years ago.

the woman whose house the book study was held at (and who was virtually a neighbour) walked right past me in my own street.

i remember it so well.

Muddy Waters

UnshackleTheChains, that's EXACTLY how it feels, like you are being kicked when you are down. Stupid cult.

I remember going to one meeting after I was DF'd (and working toward reinstatement) when a sister from another hall saw me and said a cheerful hello and waved happily at me. I was about to smile back while thinking how kind she was, but then you could see that she remembered I was "unclean" -- it was almost comical -- she suddenly gasped in horror & shock and covered her hand over her mouth, while staring at me with the same stupid, horrified, shocked expression on her face. Like she just said hello to Satan.

It made me feel so ashamed at the time. Now I feel sorry for her and wish I had said "Boo..!!!!" lol

45

Why the need for 144000 imperfect humans to Rule with Christ Jesus for 1000 years ? Is he incapable of ruling by himself ?

by smiddy in

does this make any sense whatsoever ?

isnt jesus christ the king ?why the need for 144000 king priests to help him ?.

is he not up for the job?

Muddy Waters

Haha, Smiddy! Love your post and questions! There was always something off about that 144,000 thing.... If Jesus had our "blueprints" as he was creating/helping create human beings, wouldn't you think that having all that intricate knowledge would give him a lot of insight into how we work..?

And if he is so closely interested in us (".. and the things he was fond of were with the sons of men..."), then wouldn't Jesus watching us from heaven also help him to know what we humans are all about? After all, Satan and all his demons are supposed to know us pretty well, the way they craftily tempt us, etc. Or has Jesus been sleeping up there..?

Don't-cha just love "Reasoning from the scriptures"..?? lol