Posts by doubtfull1799

69

What food are you grateful for?

by punkofnice in

jw
friends

i'll start: stilton cheese.. (it was a toss up between that and sweet pickled beetroot).. thank you folks..

doubtfull1799

Except chocolate, my other favourite food...

69

What food are you grateful for?

by punkofnice in

jw
friends

i'll start: stilton cheese.. (it was a toss up between that and sweet pickled beetroot).. thank you folks..

"Best life ever" ?????

by charity7 in

is this a slogan that was recently come up with for jw's?

i've seen it used as a hashtag on instagram for jw's, key chains, cakes, about me biography description... the first thing i thought was, isn't that a little pretentious?

they complain so much about this life.

doubtfull1799

We should add a different hashtag on those forums, just simply remove the "f" #bestlieever

32

Uniting Church apologises to victims of sexual abuse, Jehovah's Witnesses defend treatment

by NikL in

apologies if this has been posted already.... http://www.abc.net.au/news/2017-03-10/uniting-church-in-australia-apologises-to-victims/8344496.

When watching the Salvation Army issue a formal and unreserved apology a while ago, and now the Uniting Church doing the same thing, it made me ashamed to be associated with an organisation that holds itself up as morally superior to both those organisations, yet cannot bring itself to make a simple apology as they have done. I know an apology is only words and it's the follow up actions that count. But those words are very important, especially to the victims. And the actions will not happen without the state of mind that those words express coming first.

When discussing redress it was made clear by O'brien and friend that they were more concerned with being treated "fairly" in any redress scheme, than they were about the victims. They made the statement that they had not acted to help a single victim via compensation or redress, because they had not received any official legal claims or requests to do so! Well that speaks volumes in my mind about, about 1. The fear victims have of seeking help, and 2. The heartless & legalistic approach taken, instead of true "good samaritan" type compassion that they espouse. I don't remember the "good samaritan" only acting because he was legally obligated to, or because the victim lodged an official request? No, wait, that's because that was the attitude of the two Jewish passers by...

46

How many years did you waste away in the Org?

by Tallon in

in my case; 27 years.

7 of which were as a ministerial serpent ... sorry, i mean 'servant' ;).

doubtfull1799

Not all of it was wasted. Made some great friends, gained lots of practical experience in public speaking and dealing with different personality types etc...

46

How many years did you waste away in the Org?

by Tallon in

in my case; 27 years.

7 of which were as a ministerial serpent ... sorry, i mean 'servant' ;).

doubtfull1799

Nearly 40 years...

46

Do You Trust The News Media?

by minimus in

jw
friends

obviously, trump doesn't.

but do you?

do you think that they are generally fair, unbiased and honest?.

doubtfull1799

Not necessarily. They have their agendas and biases and limitation too. Some I think have a higher standard than others as the chart above well illustrates. If I may recommend another book to add to the reading list - I think this one well some up the limitations and problems with news organisations. I think news is best consumed with those things in mind:

The News: A User's Manual

Book by Alain de Botton

24

My new answer to an annoying question we have all been asked.

by doubtfull1799 in

well new to me anyway, i'm sure someone smarter than me has thought of this before.

the next time i get asked the perennial (and tired old) question: “but you do believe that the gb are god’s channel of communication, the organisation he is using, don’t you?” or some variation thereof, i am going to reply with two verses and reason as follows:.

the matter to be established: have the gb of jehovah’s witnesses received divine appointment to act as god’s representatives and channel of communication on earth?.

doubtfull1799

That is not to say they were capable of good reasoning in general. They continued to minimise other issues I brought up or wouldn't simply say "they were not going to debate with me" when they felt they could not bring good evidence or arguments to the discussion.

24

My new answer to an annoying question we have all been asked.

by doubtfull1799 in

well new to me anyway, i'm sure someone smarter than me has thought of this before.

the next time i get asked the perennial (and tired old) question: “but you do believe that the gb are god’s channel of communication, the organisation he is using, don’t you?” or some variation thereof, i am going to reply with two verses and reason as follows:.

the matter to be established: have the gb of jehovah’s witnesses received divine appointment to act as god’s representatives and channel of communication on earth?.

doubtfull1799

I dont let people get away with questioning my motives or integrity. I point out my decades of faithful and zealous service. Like Paul says of himself, "I was more zealous than my contemporaries." My track record proves my character.

A case in point: During one their visits I was discussing with my colleagues (from the elder body I stepped down from) how I had prayed earnestly to Jehovah for answers to my questions, and for help with my distress, but had not received any answers or any comfort. One elder then (without thinking) used the old faith-healer fallacy: if you are not getting the results the problem is with you - you don't have enough faith. Only he worded it in a way as to question my sincerity and motives - that I was not genuine on my prayers or not working in harmony with them etc.

I immediately challenged them on this and asked them to leave. Lo and behold, they soon after arranged another visit to "apologise." They admitted to overstepping their authority and crossing a line they shouldn't cross when making those accusations. I think they realised they had no valid grounds. I respect them for acknowledging that at least.

11

Scriptures that now have such a different meaning?!

by stuckinarut2 in

it struck me that so many of the scriptures that the society uses to condemn others, can actually apply to them!.

when we read them without the application that the society enforces, they can make you have that "ah-ha!

" moment.... for instance, how about:.

doubtfull1799

Great list Island Man