Smoldering Wick

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Posts by Smoldering Wick

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  13

  Meeting Clothes

  by Smoldering Wick in

  1. jw
  2. friends

  does anyone want my old suits?

  i only wear them to meetings, so i haven't used them for years.

  http://www.jehovahs-witness.com/forum/thread.asp?id=22552&site=3 .

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  Smoldering Wick

  
  A former JW sporting a transitional mullet

  How long does it take for the JW geekness to wear off?

  I'm thinking of starting a web page called www.freehair.com where we all can show off our post-JW "do"s.
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  37

  Apostate Literature

  by YoYoMama in

  1. jw
  2. friends

  is it possible after researching the net on jw beliefs, background and reading apostate information that a jw would still research the bible and find watchtower teachings as truth?

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  Smoldering Wick

  Is it possible after researching the net on JW beliefs, background and reading apostate information that a JW would still research the Bible and find Watchtower teachings as truth?-YoYoMaMa

  If a JW really did research with an open mind he/she would likely find many untruths that have been taught as truths. This can be quite disturbing to the average JW. A person's beliefs becomes their "truth" and no matter what evidence is presented to the contrary...it is highly unlikely that once you have accepted something as a belief (a "truth")...that he/she will be swayed.

  A JW who is content as a JW has too much to lose for his/her mind to actually see another viewpoint. It is only when doubts have been sown in their mind, or disillusionment has set in that their mind is willing to accept a new idea of "truth." JWs who believe they are in sole possession of the "truth" and who visit anti-Watchtower views online will only find what they were looking for...confirmation that Apostates are wicked, evil, immoral and demonized, strengthening their resolve and solidifying their beliefs as "truth."

  JWs who have seen errors, who have questioned certain Watchtower viewpoints, who have been told to "Wait on Jehovah" or are "curious" as to why so many people (seemingly normal, intelligent and articulate people) have chosen to leave a man-made organization...could not possibly walk away from thorough research still believing Watchtower teachings as "truth."

  Truth

  a) Conformity to fact or reality

  b) exactness

  c) constancy

  ARE JWs BEING LIED TO?

  B J Kotwall

  (From: Investigator No. 28 1993 January)

  In INVESTIGATOR No. 23 I demonstrated that the Watchtower Society (WTS) encourages Jehovah’s Witnesses (JWs) to deceive when it suits their purpose. The WTS calls this "Theocratic War Strategy". (The Watchtower 1957 May 1 p.285)

  Most JWs are not aware that the WTS also practices Theocratic War Strategy on its own JW followers! The following are a few examples culled from a vast collection:

  The WTS’s second president, Judge Rutherford, gave a series of lectures starting in February 1918 titled "Millions Now Living Will Never Die". (1975 Yearbook of JWs p.127; The Watchtower 1979 October 1 p.26; Revelation - Its Grand Climax At Hand! 1988 p.173) Rutherford also wrote a book in 1920 of the same title and essentially the same message.

  The message was that the ancient "worthies" mentioned in the Bible such as Abel, Enoch, Noah, Abraham, Issac, etc would return in physical form to Earth in 1925 to take charge of the affairs of Earth and paradise on Earth would then start.

  Despite the fiasco when none of this happened the WTS now lies and says that the lectures and the book were "based on the Bible" and "fulfilled Bible prophecies". (Awake! 1990 April 22 p.7) The WTS also recently implied that the lectures and book were titled "Millions Now Living May Never Die". (Awake! 1990 April 22 pp. 6-7)

  In anticipation of the return of the "worthies" a large house was built for them in the late 1920s at San Diego, California and named "Beth Sarim" meaning "House of Princes". (Salvation 1939 p.311; The New World 1942 p.104)

  The WTS now lies by claiming that the house was built for Rutherford because he was ill and needed to be in a different climate and that someone donated $75,000 to build it and that the WTS had nothing to do with it! (1975 Yearbook of JWs p.194)

  The WTS published a "Biography of Pastor Russell" (its first president) in special editions of the book The Divine Plan of the Ages from 1924 to 1927.

  Yet in the book Jehovah’s Witnesses in the Divine Purpose (1959) we’re told that JWs have never published a biography of Pastor Russell! (p.63)

  From 1896 Pastor Russell taught that the "faithful and wise servant" in Matthew 24:45 was one individual—himself. (Zion’s Watch Tower 1896 March 1 p.47; 1906 July 15 p.229; 1923 March 1 p.68)

  The WTS now says that Russell considered the Servant of Matthew 24:45 to refer to a group and that he never claimed to be that Servant! (God’s kingdom of a Thousand Years has Approached 1973 pp.345-346)

  The books The Finished Mystery (1917) and Millions Now Living Will Never Die (1920) contained hundreds of false statements and false predictions. In the book Jehovah’s Witnesses: A Statistical Survey (1992) a sampling technique is used to show that The Finished Mystery contained over 1,000 points which even the JWs no longer accept! Yet The Finished Mystery is still often mentioned positively in WTS literature although access to it to inquirers is denied.

  The WTS now interprets the "two witnesses" described in Revelation 11 as referring to the JWs around 1914-1918. The WTS reasons, "The fact that they were symbolized by two witnesses confirms to us that their message was accurate and well founded…" and that they ware at that point in time "God’s prophets". (Revelation—It’s Grand Climax At Hand! 1988 p.164)

  Until 1914 the WTS maintained that 1914 would see the full establishment of the Kingdom of God on Earth. (Thy Kingdom Come 1891 p.126)

  The WTS now pulls the wool over the eyes of JWs with statements like this:

  "In the ‘Watchtower’ magazine of March 1880, they said: ‘The Times of the Gentiles extend to 1914, and the heavenly kingdom will not have sway till then.’ Of all people, only the witnesses pointed to 1914, as the year of God’s kingdom to be fully set up in heaven." (From Paradise Lost to Paradise Regained 1958 p.170)

  Only part of the sentence of 1880 is here quoted. The actual teaching from the 1880s onwards was that the Kingdom was set up in Heaven in 1878 and would be established on Earth by 1914. (Studies in the Scriptures Vol. 4- pp. 604, 624-625) The full sentence in the 1880 Watch Tower reads:

  "The Times of the Gentiles extend to 1914, and the heavenly kingdom will not have full away till then, but as a ‘stone’ the kingdom of God is set up ‘in the days of these kings,’ and by consuming them it becomes a universal kingdom—a great mountain and fills the whole earth."

  Russellism taught the Kingdom of Christ was established in Heaven in 1878. Studies in the Scriptures Volume 4 (1897) says:

  "A "generation" might be reckoned as equivalent to a century (practically the present limit) or one hundred and twenty years, Moses’ lifetime and the Scripture limit. (Gen. 6:3.) Reckoning a hundred years from 1780, the date of the first sign, the limit would reach to 1880; and, to our understanding, every item predicted had begun to be fulfilled at that date;—the "harvest" or gathering time beginning October 1874; the organization of the Kingdom and the taking by our Lord of his great power as the King in April 1878, and the time of trouble or "day of wrath" which began October 1874, and will cease about 1915; and the sprouting of the fig tree." (p.604)

  Pages 624-625 predicted the "earthly phase of God’s Kingdom" from 1914, to be rule by physically restored "ancient worthies" like Abraham, Issac and Jacob.

  The WTS now publishes numerous lies about what was predicted concerning the Kingdom. For example:

  "They particularly heralded that the year 1914 was a marked year for the ending of "the times of the Gentiles" (Luke 21:24, AV) and for the establishment of Christ’s kingdom in heaven. All this proved to be true and was verified by the beginning of World War I…" (The Watchtower 1966 September 15)

  In 1941 the WTS wrote that World War II would not end in decisive victory for either side as Bible prophecy would not permit it, and America and England would turn into dictatorships. (The Watchtower 1941 December 15 p.372) Also the end of Nazi rule would mark the end of demon rule. (p.377) Furthermore The Watchtower of 1941 speaks of:

  "the remaining months before Armageddon." (September 15 p. 288)

  Despite clearly linking World War II to Armageddon in this way the WTS later lied to JWs:

  "During WWI God’s people expected it to lead directly to Armageddon, but Jehovah prevented such climax at that time. We didn’t succumb to such an expectation during WWII." (Kingdom Ministry 1968 January p.5—USA edition)

  The WTS has experienced complete failure of all its predictions including for the dates 1914, 1925, 1942-45, 1975. In addition it has made thousands of ridiculous statements. The following claim about The Watchtower being "consistently…dependable" is therefore a brazen lie:

  "Since 1879 it has been published regularly for the benefit of sincere students of the Bible. Over that extended period of time The Watchtower has consistently proven itself dependable." (New World Translation of the Christian Greek Scriptures 1950 p.793)

  Obviously the WTS has regularly lied to JWs to further its hold on them. The WTS claims that "Jehovah’s witnesses" are not false prophets because they admit their mistakes! (The Watchtower l972 December 15 p. 762)

  Actually, the false prophecies do not originate with JWs as a whole since a vote by all JWs to teach them is not taken. The false prophecies originated solely with the leaders including directors of the WTS. Furthermore, the WTS is very coy about what it admits to JWs and, often, doctrinal somersaults are made without alluding to previous beliefs.

  The WTS has the temerity to claim that the "faithful and discreet slave" organization has replaced Jesus as the repository and dispenser of truth! (The Watchtower 1981 February 15 p.19)

  Why do the JWs not see through the lies taught by the WTS?

  Firstly the WTS has presented itself to JWs in such a Godly light that most JWs think it a sacrilege to question any of its pronouncements. Secondly most JWs have never read the older books of the sect nor have access to them since copies have been removed from the libraries in their "Kingdom Halls". Thirdly, the JWs are a "captive audience" which hears only one viewpoint. Opposers are labelled "apostate" and "like Satan" and their writings compared to "pornography" and JWs are ordered to shun them completely!

  The WTS has backed itself into a corner with its own writings! Its own voluminous literature is its most potent enemy! The WTS has ignored Jesus’ warning:

  "For by your own words you will be justified, and by your own words you will be condemned." (Matthew 12:37)

  Find out for yourself
  http://www.watchtowerinformationservice.org/investigator.html
• 
  13

  Meeting Clothes

  by Smoldering Wick in

  1. jw
  2. friends

  does anyone want my old suits?

  i only wear them to meetings, so i haven't used them for years.

  http://www.jehovahs-witness.com/forum/thread.asp?id=22552&site=3 .

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  Smoldering Wick

  Does anyone want my old suits? I only wear them to meetings, so I haven't used them for years. Or my neck-ties?-avengers

  http://www.jehovahs-witness.com/forum/thread.asp?id=22552&site=3

  I don't go to meetings but all my clothes do.

  I was walking in the mall one day (after being inactive for several months)and caught a glimpse of myself in a passing window. I was wearing a service/meeting outfit. It felt like I was wearing maternity clothes months AFTER I had had the baby!! YUCK!!

  One day my sister-in-law (an active JW) was visiting and I pulled out most of my JW clothes and gave them to her! I had A LOT! (Assembly dresses, Meeting dresses, Service outfits, Book Study outfits, Memorial outfits, book bags, sensible shoes) She was so happy to have a "new" closet full of JW Wear...and I was sooo happy to get rid of them! When my sister visited, I gave her the rest! *whew*

  I'm just wondering if this is like giving all your pagan idols, saints, crosses and Jesus pictures to a Catholic relative when you become a JW. Maybe I shoulda just burned them.

  Wick
  (of the now nakid class)
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  24

  Who are the most reliable Common Sense Posters?

  by Celtic in

  1. jw
  2. friends

  who are the most reliable common sense posters in this community that can be relied upon to help out others the most?

  can you describe your online friends positive qualities?

  how has this person or persons helped you?.

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  Smoldering Wick

  well, I knew I'd be editing this post. *sigh*
  My answers were honest. No popularity contest or clique here.
  In the words of my 9th grade English teacher Mr. Totah, "There are no right or wrong answers here...I just want your opinion people!! So commence with the writing!"

  A special shout out to all you reliable, common sense posters who didn't respond to this thread. lol
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  8

  What Religion Is Your Bra?

  by DakotaRed in

  1. jw
  2. friends

  a man walked into the ladies department of a macy's and shyly walked up to the woman behind the counter and said, "i'd like to buy a bra for my wife.

  "what type of bra?

  " asked the clerk.

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  Smoldering Wick

  If you go without a bra,
  your boobs point straight to hell.
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  9

  How do I thank you?

  by WindRider in

  1. jw
  2. friends

  hi everyone, my goodness....i dont know how to thank all of you!

  your posts touched me so deeply; i dont know how to thank you all or how to tell you how much your kindness and love have meant today.. i know we all have so many of our own problems and issues to deal with; i feel kind of foolish for.....god, i dont know what?

  for feeling so lost, so utterly impotent to change all that is going on, both inside my head as well as in my family, that i would be weak enough to want to give up and give in.

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  Smoldering Wick

  ..you are..the kindest, sweetest and gentlest soul that walks this planet. you are everything I have ever dreamed of and even more.
  -Richard, who is proud to belong to Robin

  That is so beautiful.

  I know in many ways I am exceedingly fortunate, for having such an exceptional, wonderful man to love -Robin

  Yes, you are.
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  26

  I got a nutter !

  by Simon in

  1. jw
  2. friends

  a good example of fine christian conduct, brought to you by "debbie.williams".. first email.

  i'm glad that jehovah will kill you,yet!.

  there is alot of things that i want to say but you know that jesus said in matt 24:9-11 that you would hate his faithful ones ,but to be honest with you ,we don't hate you ,cause in matt 5;1-9 says that we will be hated,so since we all know that ,than it is a pleasure that you talk about us.and other thing that i want to say is that people in the world thinks that we are crazy ,but if you would read the old testament than you will know that the jews were to serpart themselves from the other nations and that is how jehovah's witness fell about it,see when the jews would be around other nations than they would forget jehovah and they would worship other gods.when they do that ,it would cost them their lives.so it is good that you are talking about us and i would like for you to continue to do so .why?

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  Smoldering Wick

  "JWs are a weirdo magnet,
  and they all move into our hall."
  -a local elder
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  26

  pickles

  by Cygnus in

  1. jw
  2. friends

  what is your favorite kind of pickle?.

  and, do pickles go bad if you open the container and don't refrigerate them?

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  Smoldering Wick

  When I was a kid, I used to make a sandwich with white bread, dill pickles, and mayonase. -larc

  lol larc, that brought back memories. When I was small...we were too poor for pickles or bologna. We made sandwiches outta white bread & mayonnaise (don't know where we got the mayonnaise). I was told that if I closed my eyes while I was eating my mayonnaise sandwich...I could taste the baloney.

  Wick
  (poor white bread class)

  "When I was a kid I used to pray every night for a new bicycle. Then I realized that the Lord doesn't work that way so I stole one and asked Him to forgive me." Emo Philips
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  26

  pickles

  by Cygnus in

  1. jw
  2. friends

  what is your favorite kind of pickle?.

  and, do pickles go bad if you open the container and don't refrigerate them?

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  Smoldering Wick

  favorite pickle: Mini Dill Pickles
  Full sour dill taste in a mini pickle size. Same as the full-sized, full sour, but in a tiny pickle.

  i think pickles will eventually go bad...but, they aren't as crisp if they stay out...so put em back in the fridge, why take a chance on a bad pickle?

  
  DEEP FRIED DILL PICKLES
  
  1 cup all-purpose flour
  1/4 cup cornstarch
  1 tsp. baking powder
  1/4 tsp. salt
  1 cup ice water
  1 egg yolk
  2 tablespoons Full Sour Dill Pickle brine
  4 cups drained Full Sour Dill Pickles, sliced into 1/4-inch thick medallions
  Vegetable oil for frying
  Stir flour, cornstarch, baking powder and salt into large bowl. Make a well in centre; add water, egg yolk and pickle juice, all at once. Stir with wire whisk to make a smooth batter. Cover bowl and refrigerate for 30 minutes.

  Heat at least 2 inches of oil in deep fryer or large saucepan to 375ºF. In batches, dip pickle slices in the batter to coat evenly and lightly. Fry without crowding in hot oil until golden and crisp, 1-1/2 to 2 minutes. Drain on paper towels and serve at once.
  Makes about 8 servings as an appetizer or side dish.
  
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  35

  WindRider needs your love and support

  by Skeptic in

  1. jw
  2. friends

  windrider is seriously depressed today, dangerously so.

  she really needs your support, friendship and encouragement.

  she would have posted on the board herself, but her system is down.

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  Smoldering Wick

  Hi Robin,

  I'm sorry you are going through some rough times. Just know that we are here for you. We don't know your pain exactly, but we can cry with you. Hopefully, between those tears we can make you smile. The fire burns hot in some of our lives...but, it only makes us shine a little brighter for others.

  We love you,

  Wick

  
  Comes the Dawn

  After awhile you learn
  the subtle difference between
  holding a hand and chaining a soul
  and you learn that love doesn't mean possession
  and company doesn't mean security.
  And you begin to learn that kisses aren't contracts
  and presents aren't promises
  and you begin to accept your defeats
  with your head up and your eyes ahead
  with the grace of an adult not the grief of a child.
  And you learn to build your roads today
  because tomorrows ground is too uncertain for plans
  and futures have ways of falling down in mid-flight.
  After awhile you learn that even sunshine burns
  if you get too much
  so you plant your own garden
  and decorate your own soul
  instead of waiting for someone to bring you flowers.
  And you learn that you really can endure
  that you really are strong
  and you really do have worth
  and you learn
  and you learn...

  Veronica A. Shoffstall