Posts by The Searcher

24

BEARE OF INDEPENDANCE - Leaked Talk On My YouTube Channel

by pale.emperor in

brother melvin mallett delivers a talk entitled beware the spirit of independence.

(because, you know, thinking for yourself is not what jesus wants.. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7znpzkakaki.

oh, and remember folks... this isnt a cult or anything!.

The Searcher

Some of the org's past "independent thinking" statements:

w58 8/1 p. 460 Dawns a New Era for the Irish - "To ask a sound religious question is a demonstration of lack of faith in God and the church, according to the clergy. As a result, the Irish people do very little independent thinking. They are victims of the clergy and fear; but freedom is in sight." (LOL)

w66 6/1 p. 324 Intellectual Freedom or Captivity to the Christ? - "Today, too, there are those who, by their independent thinking, question Christ’s ability to have and use on the earth a specially appointed governing body of imperfect humans, to whom he has entrusted all the Kingdom interests or "belongings" on earth."

w72 3/15 p. 170 par. 7 The Delight of Jehovah Will Succeed - "Man possesses a mind and a heart, not controlled automatically by instinct, but capable of independent thinking and reasoning, making plans and decisions, exercising a free will, building up strong desires and motivation. That is why you are capable of exercising the fine qualities of love and loyalty, of devotion and integrity. That is why you are also capable of understanding what God has revealed in his Word respecting his will and purpose, and how you can find achievement and contentment in bringing your own life into complete harmony therewith." (due to your thinking abilities - your independent thinking!)

w83 1/15 p. 22 par. 21 Exposing the Devil’s Subtle Designs - "How is such independent thinking manifested? A common way is by questioning the counsel that is provided by God’s visible organization."

(yup, become a J.W. and your "very little" independent thinking will quickly become "zero" independent thinking!

39

Can Someone Explain To Me, Are The Org In Debt Or Rich?

by pale.emperor in

hi guys.. im aware of the orgs blatant hints to donate, donate, donate to the org, the sacking of bethel staff, selling of buildings, reducing mags and books, emphasis on digital rather than physical books etc which is obviously a money saver - but are the wt org in money difficulty?

because elsewhere on here and on youtube there's stories of the watchtower being mega rich, one even called it "a billion dollar organization".

and if there is any money in there, who's benefiting off it?

The Searcher

Hi SBF - someone put up some info a while ago which showed the U.S. Branch income was about $900m back in the early 2000s. It seemed to be a nice little earner. Since then, the org seems to have pushed the self-destruct button with all of its cost-cutting measures, redundancies, changes to meetings, huge money-grab, and numerous "new lights." It should have money pouring out of every orifice, and yet they continually beg for more!

I reckon many J.W.'s are feeling alienated from the religion they once knew as "the truth", and are bewildered at the direction this corporation is taking. And I personally know of two zealous J.W. households who have ceased contributing.

39

Can Someone Explain To Me, Are The Org In Debt Or Rich?

by pale.emperor in

hi guys.. im aware of the orgs blatant hints to donate, donate, donate to the org, the sacking of bethel staff, selling of buildings, reducing mags and books, emphasis on digital rather than physical books etc which is obviously a money saver - but are the wt org in money difficulty?

because elsewhere on here and on youtube there's stories of the watchtower being mega rich, one even called it "a billion dollar organization".

and if there is any money in there, who's benefiting off it?

The Searcher

Shortly after the 2008 crash, a very trustworthy old J.W. friend told me that he'd had a conversation with one of the Greenlees dynasty in Scotland. (most prominent J.W. family in Scotland years ago) My friend informed me that Brother Greenlees told him that a senior U.K. Branch Committee member had said that the org had serious money problems - but that he was certain it would be sorted.

Hence my belief that the org's money-grab is the result of need - not greed!

I'm of the opinion that the org had to implement all of their draconian measures in order to stave off being made bankrupt by some serious Wall Street creditors.

Maybe wishful thinking on my part, but killing the goose that lays the golden eggs doesn't add up.

47

CO visit... Circuit is not growing at all, he said during midweek meeting

by StarTrekAngel in

so that was a "shocker".

i was not able to attend the meeting.

i had a more important one with my other apostate friends in the area.

The Searcher

Isn't it faith strengthening to see the huge increase in the "true religion!"

Oh sorry, I forgot - it's religions like Mormons and Islam which are growing faster! :)

22

Feeling very lonely

by BlackWolf in

jw
friends

the past few months i've been feeling really depressed and kind of hopeless.

the few people that actually were a little bit friendly to me at the hall recently moved away, and i'm feeling like more of an outcast than i already was.

every meeting i just stand by myself by the wall and nobody cares, i feel really lonely and unloved.

The Searcher

I know that it's easier said than done Blackwolf, but try and look for the really big positives in your life, in your thinking, and in your potential future.

The greatest positive is that you are a very bright and inquisitive person who has the intelligence to recognise what is good for them and what is not, especially when it comes to very destructive cults.

Your life is now a blank canvas - go and paint a beautiful picture!

13

Community Outside of a Religious Setting

by What Now? in

jw
friends

this is the one thing that i have struggled with since leaving the organization.

i recognize the need and value of belonging somewhere, being a part of something, showing up weekly to a community where me and my husband and children are loved and utilized and incorporated and cared for.

a place where are my kids qualities are nurtured and encouraged , and then reigned in and developed when needed.

The Searcher

It's hard for many to adapt to a non-judgmental, non-restricted, and liberated life after being in the org for so long. Can take a bit of getting adjusted, especially trying to make a new social circle with folks whose outlook on life and attitudes are radically different from what we were used to.

Better the devil you know.........................?????? Why need to know any devils?

50

Elder asking for help

by untruth in

this is my first time posting on here so i’m not sure where to start.

i’m trying to keep it as short as possible since i could expand much more.

i’ve been in the process of waking up in the last year and a half.

The Searcher

Welcome UNTRUTH. Now that you've taken the huge step to join others "in the same boat", just take your time and plan your strategy. Personally, I wouldn't focus on the org's personalities or business practices when speaking with a J.W. - especially your wife. As you've already shown, she's got her "conversation stoppers" ready, stuff such as "wait on Jehovah", "they're imperfect men", "there's nowhere else we can go."

Concentrate on the doctrinal lies by asking her questions about a certain topic. Let her reason on the gulf between what the org says and what the Bible says. Only then can she begin to see that the WTBTS is not God's organization - that it's no better than any other cult/sect which claims to be "the true religion."

You have a P.M.

35

More money-grubbing: Give us your money even if you can't afford food

by bohm in

jw
friends

the message would appear to be that jehovah needs money more than that old lady needs food:.

.

The Searcher

Hi MENROV - You can read without downloading. Just click on the cover picture of the Watchtower and it brings up all of the contents for reading.

46

Anionted mom says Jehovah may ask her to kill all her family!!

by Witness 007 in

yes my holy anionted mom who has cancer is concerned that the loving god jehovah may ask her in heaven to destroy here non believer family including her 5 year old grandchild during armagedon....how messed up are these crazy people!!?

?.

The Searcher

I'm not surprised that's what she (and many more J.W.'s) believe, based on the G.B.'s recent Watchtower propaganda which stated that all "anointed" J.W.'s on earth will be evaporated up to heaven before Armageddon starts - in order for them to have a share in the mega-slaughter with Christ.

If it's in the Watchtower, it must be true! (at least for a few months - until a new light says different!)

28

Hello

by UnshackleTheChains in

jw
friends

i decided to join this forum as have been lurking awhile.

there are lots of interesting topics on here that appeal to me.. i have been a witness for almost 3 decades and am very disillusioned with the organisation at this time.

i am beginning to see it in a new light as i am getting older.

The Searcher

Welcome to the forum UTC. Good to know that J.W.'s continue to lurk/join due to "mother's" abuses.

I hope you'll quickly appreciate your freedom to discuss information and express your thoughts here - something which is sinisterly forbidden by the WTBTS and labelled as "independent thing."