You've got all their buzzwords, too, lol.
"Consider...
Surely...
Appropriate...
Of course..."
and lots more WT"isms"!
Nice work
Muddy Waters
JoinedPosts by Muddy Waters
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13
New Letter from the GB
by Coded Logic indear 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.
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13
New Letter from the GB
by Coded Logic indear 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.
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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!
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February 26, 2017 TO ALL BODIES OF ELDERS Re: Witnessing in Public Places
by wifibandit infebruary 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.
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Muddy Waters
Yes, thank you, WiFi Bandit -- much appreciated.
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24
Blondie's Comments You Will Not Hear at the February 19, 2017 WT Study (DECEMBER 2016)(ANXIETY)
by blondie inblondie’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 .
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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.
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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!!
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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! :)
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12
Intelligent Disobedience
by George One Time indid 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!
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Muddy Waters
Veey interesting comments, HalfBanana! It sure sounds plausible!
And have to laugh at their illustration! "Blind owners!" !!!
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What has been your own personal experience of shunning?
by UnshackleTheChains ini 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.
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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
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Why the need for 144000 imperfect humans to Rule with Christ Jesus for 1000 years ? Is he incapable of ruling by himself ?
by smiddy indoes 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?
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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
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What have been some of the funniest local needs talks that you have heard?
by DaPriest ini remember once in berlin south germany there was a local needs part for the men only, and how they should use the toilet.
in all seriousness for ten minutes a retarded nigerian was going on about how men need to sit down when using the toilet.
no mention of anything else.. it transpired that some little kraut boy from an "interested" family would aim for the side of the toilet and leave a great big puddle for others to clean up.
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Muddy Waters
Remembered another one... We had a family in our hall who had lots of kids, they were two blended families, he had four she had four (or something like that), making eight kids altogether!! They were almost always late for meetings, and we kept getting Local Needs talks about the importance of punctuality, the importance of appreciating our spiritual food, etc.
When this family kept being late, the brothers really stepped it up, soon the Local Needs talks became more strident, more extreme. "Brothers and Sisters, are we showing by our actions that we truly appreciate being at Jehovah"s house, increasing our efforts at being on time for his spiritual banquet..? (read scripture about how good and pleasant it is to dwell with brothers in unity, blah blah blah, from Psalms 133:1)... "Do we not know that if we are late for meetings, it shows that we are thinking more of ourselves than is necessary..? Yes, dear brothers and sisters, it means we are PUTTING OURSELVES ABOVE GOD. We are saying we are more important that he is, that our time is more valuable than his. We are, in effect, WORSHIPPING OURSELVES!!" -- (Insert crazy laugh: bwhahahaha! If only they knew!! Bwhahahaha!! Idiots!!! Anyway... back to narrative...) -- "Yes, consistently being late for our meetings can show that we have a weakness in our spiritual armour.... even a possible defect in our personality...What things can we do to overcome this weakness? If you have children, could they perhaps blah blah blah..." On and on it went. I felt so bad for that family.
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My families shunning has gone to a whole new level
by pale.emperor in8 months df'd.
loving a life of freedom.
however, my family are all shunning me.
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Muddy Waters
I am so sorry to hear of this extreme behaviour.
"By this all will know that you are my disciples, if you have love among yourselves." Well the JWs certainly take that scripture literally, they love only those among themselves.
It it is way extreme to destroy your baby pictures... I mean what if you came back? (Not that you would, but still -- What if??? How could she do such a thing?) That's just total dispensation of existence, another earmark of a cult. So very sorry.
I have many many sorrows and regrets in my life, and with JW issues, but for my mental health, I've learned I must protect myself and my health including my emotional state. It hurts us to suffer emotionally, but sometimes there's no avoiding it. It sounds like you have your own lovely family who truly loves you and who truly appreciate you. Let them be your focus and joy. Peace.
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What have been some of the funniest local needs talks that you have heard?
by DaPriest ini remember once in berlin south germany there was a local needs part for the men only, and how they should use the toilet.
in all seriousness for ten minutes a retarded nigerian was going on about how men need to sit down when using the toilet.
no mention of anything else.. it transpired that some little kraut boy from an "interested" family would aim for the side of the toilet and leave a great big puddle for others to clean up.
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Muddy Waters
Geez. Yes, we had some ridiculous local needs talks where the ruling Pharisee's, excuse me I mean the glorious ones, the stars in Jesus' right hand, spoke to the congregation of their latest pronouncements ... colored shirts that some of the brothers were wearing! Some were wearing BLUE instead of white, it caused a big commotion for awhile, then it went away and tons of brothers were wearing blue shirts, green shirts, even the odd pink shirt!! the occasional black shirt!! oh my god!/Bhudda/Great Spirit, etc.!! And then suddenly, poof, it wasn't a big deal any more.
Then we had other talks, I mean we had Great Spiritually Upbuilding Encouragement from our Brothers: we had a talk on proper dress and grooming and respect for Jehovah's household following a sister who wore a slipper to the meeting when she had a foot injury....