Posts by problemaddict

73

How many decades/centuries before 1914 becomes irrelevant?

by jwfacts in

how long do you think the watchtower can speak about 1914 and have followers think it relevant?

i think for people born in the 1900's, it feels like an acceptable year.

but what about those born since 2000, will 1914 seem like a year of relevance?

problemaddict

There is another way to think about this. With 1914 fading into oblivion, it can seem distant to the point that it ISN'T questioned.

Overlapping generations still has an expiration date on it. Lets say the oldest annointed person is 40 which would be very young. The end has to come before that person grows old and dies according to the new doctrine.

So the GB has explained away the number going up by calling them loons, consolidated power making the annointed impotent, then simultaneously will point ot the number as proof of the overlapping generation and that we are still in the "last tick of time".

As 1914 gets older, I think it might just end up making people more lazy as to its significance. And I also do not think it is going anywhere. 1919 is dependent on it for example.

259

The Gentile Times Reconsidered (607 B.C.E.) -Part A1 - Jeremiah 25:10-12 Reviewed

by FaceTheFacts in

during the last three to four months, i have spent a great deal of time sinking my teeth into various critical biblical commentaries and lexicons.

naturally, after beginning to research "the truth about the truth" one of the most commonplace yet controversial arguments revolve around the "gentile times" doctrine (i.e.

the application of the seven times of daniel 4 from 607 b.c.e.

problemaddict

Hey Ann and Jeffro,

I need some help. I think I have an opening to discuss with a loved one the 607 vs 587 thing. She believes 607 is the correct date, basically refferencing Cyrus cylinder, and the 70 years of desolation. She is interested in what the bible says, more that secular history.

I have to be honest, and say that this was never a very big deal to me. I don't even think I can explain the JW stance on it, much less understand a conversation like this thread. Is there any way you guys could point me to not only the official JW explanation, but the for and against arguments in detail so that i could get a redux?

I would have PM'd you but I couldn't figure out how.

29

My Story

by nolongerconfused in

well...where do i start.... i was raised in the truth...always knowing that there was nothing better out there besides the wt...however, recently i have a made a determination to not go "anywhere"...in all of my almost 35 years of being part of this "organization" i can honestly say i never read the bible as i do today...my "personal" study of the bible has more meaning today than it ever did...after reading the bible i have found many inconsistencies in the wt organization...i hold no grudges or hard feelings towards anyone in the organization, including the so called governing body...i just believe that human imperfection has taken it's toll on this organization...however, that is no excuse to act as a false prophet or assume things that only belong jehovah and his son...the bible is the truth, and jesus said such truth will set us free...i served as a pioneer all of my youth, and served as a ms...as of today i don't partake in that kind of manmade "service"... i'm truly against monthly time reports, special titles of service, asking for donations, judicial committees, among other things...some people may ask why?...well, none of these things are biblical!...some have told me, well the gb is now the faithful and discreet slave...and i say, as determined by who?...nowhere in my personal reading of the bible does it say that there was or there would ever be a gb...this group of men was self appointed...anything self appointed or self made up is definitely not discreet or faithful...jesus never ever appointed such a group.... a family member of mine passed away 2 years ago...he was never a "witness"...but i did preach to him once in a while so he "knew" about god...he just never wanted to be part of this organization...yet, when he passed away i was told repeatedly by the brothers and resurrection publications that i will see him in paradise... i thought to myself, but jehovah is the only one that determines or says who will resurrect (weather heavenly or earth)...i always thought...we as men are nobody to classify or determine that being part of a certain "organization" is the only way to salvation...jesus never said such thing...yet some may say that jehovah has always used an organization giving an moses and the israelite "organization" as an example...but then i say, well jesus is the end of the old covenant...we don't need an organization to be our mediator between us and the true god...jesus is the only mediator.... i could just say so many other things, but i felt like sharing this with all of you...as i cannot share this with any family members or brothers since i would be considered an apostate...i truly believe god is the only judge and i will hold myself accountable to him and no one else.... thanks for reading.... .

problemaddict

Welcome. You are with friends. Veyr few people here (VERY few), have the kind of attitudes we were always warned about with "apostates". Alot of anger and frustration can come with feeling like your life and loved ones are being held hostage.

The best way to arm yourself is with scripture and facts if you believe in the bible. Knowing what you think and WHY backwards and forwards will help you. I'm still working on it.

17

How Much Did You Actually Study the Bible as a JW?

by Ding in

the wts says that people should read the bible daily, but did you really do that as a jw?.

or were you kept so busy reading wt literature, attending meetings, and going door to door, that you basically had little time for the bible itself?.

also, doesn't the wts teach that no one can understand the bible without "the slave" to teach its true meaning?.

problemaddict

I read the bible quite a bit, and always did outside research. Of course I stopped short of questioning what was in print from the branch, but I probably read more than alot.

60

My husband deleted me as a friend on FaceBook

by cognac in

jw
friends

after this whole thing with him talking to this other girl on fb, now he deleted me as a friend.

i have his username and password.

it's like, he doesn't want this marriage to work at all.. i don't even have it in me to argue with him.

problemaddict

Sorry about that. Take him to the elders, cause a big issue, go nuts on him, and take your pound of flesh......or decide what you want to do with your life, live it with integrity at every moment, and don't be pulled into the mess.

Let him hang himself.

36

Yesterday Grandpa died a faithful JW.... or was he.

by cyberjesus in

jw
friends

yesterday at 3 am my grandfather.. 95 more or less... passed away after a heart attack... i got the call at 8 am.

so i am the oldest grandson (out of 40) he was faithful, (thats what they want to say) reality is he wasnt, he cursed, he drank, he had plenty of women during his life.. he was an elder at some point and he was ultra good with everyone.

he had a heart of gold... he treated me as his son, he never cared about my status.

problemaddict

Sorry about your family CJ. Good that you always told him you loved him. I think about my kids, and their eventual kids, and how I will be remmebered. I hope it is with the same fondness.

Yeah you don't want to pile it on to grieving people. You are taking the high road, and that is the right road to take.

48

When do you think there will be a revised "Reasoning Book"

by Amelia Ashton in

jw
friends

because i was abroad we had to use the original revelation book and only the reader had the new improved version so i don't know if this was the same else where but following along using the old version made the adjustments seem even more ludicrous.. why didn't they ensure everyone had the new version before studying it rather than highlight all the "adjustments" that had to be made in a km and therefore making them more obvious?.

do you think there could be a list of amendments to be inserted into the reasoning book in the same way?.

problemaddict

Hmmmm. Well brothers I accept your correction and my reproof. Oh like fermented honey and oil from the pomogranite does it rain down upon me.

While my corection at the time seems grevious, perhaps it will yield peaceable fruit namely, the abilty to not be a jag when I am wrong.

Or.....

Are you guys sure??? I mean.....it really seems like we studied it. Maybe I am thinking about giveing a bunch of talks, but I remember liking that book more than most. You guys win this one... (shakes fist at sky)

48

When do you think there will be a revised "Reasoning Book"

by Amelia Ashton in

jw
friends

because i was abroad we had to use the original revelation book and only the reader had the new improved version so i don't know if this was the same else where but following along using the old version made the adjustments seem even more ludicrous.. why didn't they ensure everyone had the new version before studying it rather than highlight all the "adjustments" that had to be made in a km and therefore making them more obvious?.

do you think there could be a list of amendments to be inserted into the reasoning book in the same way?.

problemaddict

Blondie,

The Mankind Search for God book was absolutely studied in the book study. I have a copy with all my little notes as a good little teenager in it.

Also, I think you guys are downplaying the importance of the reasoning book. We had parts within the past year on using it, and it is the source material for number 3 talks still.

12

Building New Relationships Outside the JW's

by Pyramid Scheme in

jw
friends

i wanted to share my plans for 2013 and also get some advice from others who have gone through this process.

i have read several threads dedicated to this topic and was hoping to get some personal experiences.. i have been an inactive jw for 4 years, but my social life and association still heavily revolved around friendships built through my lifetime in the organization.

i support my wife by associating with a small group of couples from her hall that i still like and don't irritate me.

problemaddict

Hey Pyramid,

I swear I always trip out on your few posts, at how similar my current situation is. I think your post has inspired me to start looking around. I do have some real friends "in", that so far have not left me. There is a natural rift simply because I have stopped going to meetings (only been about 6 months for me), but who knows if it will last. It is time for me to "widen out".

32

Why are Witnesses so effective?

by Apognophos in

i'm sure some of you chuckled when you read the topic, or wondered if this was sarcasm, but i'm being serious.

yes, witnesses number less than one in a thousand, but that's still millions of people.

people like you and me!

problemaddict

I think it has to do with how the rganization picks its ememies. Harping over and over on low hanging fruit. The Catholic church and its political and commercial ties is low hanging fruit. I personally feel the trinity is low hanging fruit as are some other now maybe more antiquated teachings such as hellfire. They stand out in that sense, and are generally pretty nice people.

More than any of that, they offer stable COMMUNITY. People underestimate the need for community int heir lives. work, friends, school etc...are all communities to take from and give to. The JW's are a close knit community, and as long as you fall in very strict line, you are rewarded by the community for being part of it (with exceptions of course).

So i think that is how they pick off the loners. :)