i was thinking about this un thing.
on one of the threads, someone had commented how the wt's association with the un would explain a lot of the changes in wt policy regarding blood, disfellowshipping etc.
i think this is likely.. it is entirely possible therefore, that the un association has been a good thing.
Hi again,
I agree that, PER SE what the WTS is attempting to do within the UN framework is, or could be, a fine, constructive step towards joining the Society of Man-- mainstreaming, if you will -- EXCEPT that to do so honorably would require it to forthrightly repudiate or at least temper its vitriol. Clearly impossible for them to do without suffering a major crisis of credibility..
over the past couple of years i've been really questioning myself about why i have doubts about the wts and even the bible.. even though i've been raised as jw all of my life i've often felt that i was'nt really a religious person.
unlike some of the people around me i just could'nt (and still can't) work up any excitement about the bible.. so after much thought i've come to the conclusion that the disturbing thing about all religions is that fear is emphasized more so than love.
some might argue and say that the bible teaches just the opposite, some will no doubt think about the scripture "god loved the world so much that he sent his only begotten son".
Hi Leander,
An interesting post. I think a hunger to make sense of it all, to seek meaning to our existence, is innate. The mistake we make is turning to organized religion to scratch that itch. Life does seem unfulfilling without a spiritual dimension, but our biggest miscalculation is to equate spirituality with piety, or if you prefer, religion.
i was thinking about this un thing.
on one of the threads, someone had commented how the wt's association with the un would explain a lot of the changes in wt policy regarding blood, disfellowshipping etc.
i think this is likely.. it is entirely possible therefore, that the un association has been a good thing.
Bathory,
I wouldn't rush to judgement on anyone, Bathory, least of all Metatron. While it's fair to say that not all JWs are unintelligent or insensitive, it's also fair to say that the bright and beautiful among them are far fewer than pre-1980, when all this ``apostate'' nonsense began.
When all an organization requires is uncritical, unthinking acceptance of every word of its leadership, what is it reasonable to expect deep-thinking persons to do, except to leave or move quietly to the periphery?
looking at the stats, there are well over 14,000 views of the thread about the un.
the next 'most read' thread is around 9,500 so it is clearly a burning issue.. i wonder if the involvement with the un is the biggest threat to the wts?.
they are getting badly burnt because of their covering up child abuse and www.silentlambs.org is doing a great job of raising the profile of this but even so, i can see the 'mental defense mechanism' of many jws excusing this as 'individuals imperfection'.. they cannot excuse the gb getting in bed with the un.
Hi Mommy, et al,
Your mom's reaction is sadly typical of most JWs. I dropped off a copy of the Guardian article at the local Congregation Book Study (I made one of my rare appearances) and the reactions ranged from furrowed brows (``hmmm...'' we'll have wait for the Society's responses), to near-hysterical outbursts of fear: (``Apostates! Lies!).
For JWs the concept that anyone who simply and calmly disagrees with them, criticizes or points out their flaws might actually be an honorable, well-motivated person, and not necessarily evil,is a radical one.
following the link given by kent,.
i have several observation to make:.
(from the link : http://www.un.org/moreinfo/ngolink/brochure.htm).
To all,
The article in the Guardian (www.guardian.co.uk/uk_news/story/0,3604,565005,00.html),available on its website, is well-written and potentially incendiary. I'm surprised no U.S. newspaper/press service has picked up on it.
this site is not an official website of jehovah's .
witnesses.
i cannot believe some of the horrible things i have read here.
Welcome NYC Gal,
One reason the witnesses you are studying with are doing so because you accepted their offer to ``answer your Bible questions.''
THIS IS THE TIME TO ASK THE HARD QUESTIONS; they have to at least try deal with them seriously. Once you're baptised, your opportunity to question any of their doctrines will get you shunned. The door to intellectual freedom will slam shut. PROCEED WITH CAUTION.
i'm debating on when to actually decide and step down as a ministerial servant.
my conscience will no longer allow me to give talks or speak to others in the door-to-door work.. i'm feeling really apprehensive about what i need to do, i know for a fact that my wife is going to be devestated.. .
whats the best way to step down from an appointed position?
Leander;
Certainly, I wouldn't begin to express my misgivings about the Society to them; thjt just plays into their hands. I would cite family,work or health pressures. If that doesn't work, begin to miss meetings and service.
To take it a notch beyond that if necessary, fail to show up or cancel on short notice on the nights you're assigned a big talk or part on the meeting, or go into hiding the week the Circuit Overseer visits. Underhanded yes, but it will do the trick.
an elder told me that a letter was sent to the congregations instructing that tickets for the supplemental meeting to the annual meeting should be signed on the back by 3 elders from the congregation.
anyone else hear about this?.
eby
I don't know, but it sounds entirely in character for them. So much ``cloak and dagger'' secretiveness and paranoia for an organization that forces itself on the public with a challenge for them to ``test, examine, compare'' their belief system against the ``truth.''
``Read the fine print'' is my advice to anyone lurking here who contemplates taking the plunge (literally, in a JW baptismal pool).
in the wake of sept. 11, pacifists, others talk of confusion, anger, forgiveness, defense .
sunday, september 30, 2001. by ann rodgers-melnick, post-gazette staff writer .
- http://www.post-gazette.com/headlines/20010930peacechurchnat4p4.asp.
``Opened their 30-story workers' residence to the refugees?'' Yeah, and I'm the Tooth Fairy... who are they kidding?
i hope to send this letter today although i must seriously consider the consequences if i do.. please let me know if i got the ngo info right.. dear brothers,.
i am writing on two matters of major concern to me.. firstly recently i have become aware of the fact that the watchtower society of jehovahs witnesses in new york is associated as an ngo (non governmental organisation) with the department of public information of the united nations organisation.. at first i was very skeptical of the idea , but when i checked it out on the uns web site i found that jehovahs witnesses were indeed listed in partnership with the un.. this is puzzling to me as by belief has been that the un was taught by the faithful and discreet slave to be part of satans political system of things.. here are some quotes from watchtower literature.. *** re 248 34 an awesome mystery solved ***.
the un is actually a blasphemous counterfeit of gods messianic kingdom by his prince of peace, jesus christto whose princely rule there will be no end.. .
Hi Sleepy,
Your letter, and the suggestions/editing contributed by Madapostate and others are sound.
My suggestion would be to italicize or put in bold print the key phrases in the ``did you notice these criteria?'' section, such as ``support,'' ``promote,'' etc. Also please take care to spell ``discreet'' correctly.
Best regards
