The Searcher

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Posts by The Searcher

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  9

  UK The Times: "We need to do more to tackle sexual abuse among JWs"

  by darkspilver in

  1. watchtower
  2. child-abuse

  article written by kathleen hallisey appearing on the website of the uk's times newspaper - the article does not appear (yet?

  ) to be in the print version.. kathleen hallisey is a senior solicitor at bolt burdon kemp, specialising in child abuse.

  she acted on behalf of the claimant in the landmark case of a v watchtower [2015] ewhc 1722 (qb), the first judgment against the jehovah’s witnesses in the uk for historical sexual abuse.. in the article she refers to the wt uk child safeguarding policy - click here for a side-by-side 2012/2017 comparision of the document.

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  The Searcher

  "A disfellowshipped person is shunned entirely, including by immediate family members, even if living in the same household."

  Can't say I've heard of this scenario - yet. Maybe others here will have.
  
  
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  63

  Is it possible to decline preaching in the carts?

  by Skepsis in

  1. jw
  2. friends

  hi folks,.

  i have a difficult dilemma.

  since i'm not pioneering any more, i'm reducing my hours wasted at that artifact known as cart or trolley.

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  The Searcher

  The Glorious Ones wallow in their positions as elders, so suggest to them that they "exert themselves" to take the lead in the art of "trolley zombieism."
  

  (Hebrews 13:7) "Remember those who are taking the lead among you....."

  (Hebrews 13:17) "Be obedient to those who are taking the lead among you...."

  Regardless of when you stand down as a mini-servant, the reaction from your family is definitely going to be the same, so why prolong your agony?

  Bite the bullet, and save yourself having to provide different reasons for quitting pioneering and then quitting as an M.S. Simply give one answer for both - "I'm having to deal with private & personal issues - thanks for your concern."
  
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  20

  Death and Judgement Day

  by Tirisilex in

  1. watchtower
  2. beliefs

  i'm having a hard time with this.

  what does the bible say what happens when you die?

  when jesus was on the cross he said to the man that when he dies he will be with jesus in heaven.

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  The Searcher

  @ TIRISILEX: J.W's believe in a two-tier system - some are going to heaven, and most will be on the earth.

  Most other Christian denominations believe in a one-tier system - all good people will live in heaven.

  Bible verses appear to indicate otherwise. Matthew 20:28; Mark 10:45; & 1 Timothy 2:6 each refer to a ransom.

  A ransom does not buy back more than what has been lost/taken. If your girlfriend was kidnapped and you paid the ransom, I'm sure you'd be surprised if the kidnappers sent J-Lo to you instead.
  

  Likewise, Psalm 37:9,10, &25; Matthew 5:5; & Revelation 21:3,4 each describe the righteous inheriting/living forever on earth, (not in heaven) thereby supplying a ransom for what Adam lost - nothing more. My 2 cents.
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  21

  Kingdom Hall Master Plan. - letter - Consolidation.

  by Lostandfound in

  1. watchtower
  2. beliefs

  just seen reference to a recent letter read to congregations about this, anyone got more info please?.

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  The Searcher

  Edit out.
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  50

  If "the Truth" is the truth, why are witnesses so scared of research?

  by stuckinarut2 in

  1. watchtower
  2. beliefs

  it is an often asked question i know, but it perplexes me.. if witnesses are so convinced that they have "the truth", why is the act of researching information from external sources so taboo?

  didn't the bible itself tell people to "use their powers of reason" and also praised ones like the boreans for researching things they were told??.

  seriously, if there is no doubt about the organization being "god's channel" on earth, and it alone having the "truth", surely researching would only enhance such 'facts'?.

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  The Searcher

  km 9/07 p. 3 Question Box - "Does "the faithful and discreet slave" endorse independent groups of Witnesses who meet together to engage in Scriptural research or debate?—Matt. 24:45,47. No, it does not."

  The implications of this directive has flown over many/most J.W.'s heads - accept the org's reasonings without question or discussion.

  If the Vatican issued such a decree, J.W.'s would be jumping for joy at being able to show Catholics what 1 John 4:1 commands Christians to do - "TEST the inspired expressions, to see if they originate with GOD."

  I rest my case!
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  19

  Has your name or reputation been maligned by the Witness gossip-mill?

  by stuckinarut2 in

  1. watchtower
  2. beliefs

  as we all know, witnesses routinely share in gossiping, slandering or maligning the name and reputation of those who are "spiritually weak" or ones who "fade" or "stop associating".. they feel it is ok to speak badly of such ones who "have left jehovah's organization".. of course, some of the worst perpetrators of this are elders and their wives, who insidiously plant negative stories in the minds of all they interact with in the congregation.

  they may never have actual facts, but since when do facts matter to witnesses?

  however through such conduct they manage to separate people from one another, or cause rifts amongst former friends.. this sort of conduct is plainly inappropriate.. but what scriptures could be used if the opportunity arose to confront such ones about the way they have behaved?.

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  The Searcher

  I have been unilaterally "executed" by my J.W. siblings and accused of "starting my own religion". I know that they are also sharing their sick-minded thinking with others who know me. Why? Because I shared media facts with them about the org sending representatives to OSCE conventions, and gave them information about its finances and multi-million dollar real estate deals!

  Do I care? Oh, of course - I'm breaking my heart night and day thinking about the loss of the loving people who now shun me! :) :) As long as they keep showing love to concealed paedophiles in their cult - that's the important thing.

  Paranoia will reach fever pitch amongst the J.W. zealots as the adverse news stories increase. Excellent! (Mr. Burn's impersonation)
  
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  40

  Wife is Awake

  by freemindfade in

  1. jw
  2. experiences

  following the news of stuckinarut2, over the past few months my wife has completely mentally woken up.

  i've been meaning to post but haven't had the time.

  i saw stuckins post and i figured i'd add my news too.

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  The Searcher

  More great news! Well done Freemindfade - you must be really proud of her.
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  58

  baptised nearly 51 years

  by Phoebe in

  1. jw
  2. friends

  been reading this site for awhile now.

  i have had a long and often tragic life as a jw.

  my story is so long because i'm pretty old :) i feel sad i've been locked in fear and guilt for my entire life.

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  The Searcher

  A very loving and sincere welcome Phoebe.

  Your traumas are/have been shared by many here. One of the biggest and most worrying fears is, "What if this really is God's organization, and I'm turning my back on the truth?"

  May I help you to allay those fears and kill them stone dead?

  Examine thirteen teachings of the alleged and self-appointed "faithful slave" which I'll P.M. you, and if you can scripturally refute any of them, please let me know and I'll honestly admit that I wrongly accused them.

  These anti-scriptural and perverse teachings should reassure you that this "slave" is evil, and it's certainly not working for any organization of God!
  
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  24

  Scriptures rarely mentioned

  by dothemath in

  1. watchtower
  2. bible

  a couple of examples of scriptures hardly ever quoted is 1 tim.

  2:12- "i do not permit a woman to teach, or to exercise authority over a man, but to be in silence".

  or verse 11- "let a woman learn in silence with full submissiveness.".

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  The Searcher

  @ James Mixon: Thanks for highlighting Ezekiel 23:20.

  Once again, the WTBTS changes the meaning of a Hebrew/Greek word to suit their agenda. (whatever that is!)

  (Ezekiel 23:20) "....whose male members are like those of a donkey and whose genitals are like those of a horse." (RNWT)

  The Hebrew word is זִרְמָה and is transliterated zirmah - meaning, "issue of seminal discharge" - not 'genitals.'
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  27

  "Don't listen to apostates!!"

  by Schnufti in

  1. watchtower
  2. beliefs

  next time a jw says that to me, i will ask him to read the following from "what does the bible really teach":.

  watchtower itself uses this illustration.

  so why is it that they throw apostates out of the congregation?.

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  The Searcher

  If you asked a J.W. if God or Jesus would give them a bad example to follow, they'd immediately say "No!"

  Ask them to consider Job 1:7-12, Job 2:2-6, and Matthew 4:3-10 where God and Jesus both had discussions with the arch apostate, Satan.

  When they try to reason on this "apparent" anomaly, remind them that Jesus was always willing to talk about the scriptures - especially with the apostate Pharisees, (offspring of vipers & of Satan himself) in order to either teach them or to highlight their poisonous teachings and practices. (John 3:1-21; Matthew 3:1-12; Matthew 8:13-59) At Mark 5:7-13, Jesus even spoke to apostate demons!

  He never shunned anyone during his ministry.