Alarm bells went off in my head as well when I read this article. The 2nd paragraph makes the statement,"We recognize maturity in a person when we see discernment,insight,wisdom and so on." How can a mature person manifest this when he is 'encouraged' not to voice or harbor his conclusions? This is truly classic mind control technique. This reminds me of the previous weeks' study article on pg.9 par.8 where generalizations such as "they often,many feel and some" is concluded as 'all standards' in paragraph 10. another classic persuasion technique not discernable to most loyal dubs.
wokeup
JoinedPosts by wokeup
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Witnesses instructed not to harbor private ideas
by cyberguy intoday's watchtower lesson instructs witnesses not to think for themselves when it comes to bible understanding:.
augest 1, 2001, p. 14, par.
first, since "oneness" is to be observed, a mature christian must be in unity and full harmony with fellow believers as far as faith and knowledge are concerned.
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New to the Forum
by wokeup inhi to all in the forum.
i am new here and would like to briefly share how i arrived here.
i was born and raised a witness.i'm in my 40's and married.i had some doubts as regards to some docrinal teachings and changes in the 80's.
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wokeup
Nice to meet you arkangel,welcome to the forum. You'll find the discussions here quite stimulating.From thought provoking to plain silly at times.I too disagree as well with aspects of WT doctrine.It is a shame that the WTBTS is intolerant with freedom of thought and freedom of expression from its' members. Simular to totalitarian societies. Vilify,label and excommunicate those with differing opinions who opening voice themseives. Undoubtedly there are countless others who feel the way I do. I'm also quite aware with the fact that participation here is also grounds for disfellowshipping. These efforts by them is to squash the transmission of the truth about the trooth. The elders at the KH know who have computers and internet access.Those here locally paid me a friendly visit a couple years ago out of "concern" I might "stumble across apostate propaganda". What really stimulated my thinking was researching persuasion techniques used in selling things.I then got interested in researching the pschological and socialogical methods employed by individuals and Orgs after I had read an article stating the Scientologists employed those methods. To my surprise, I realized the WBTS utilizes them all the time.I thought if I was ignorant of them, what about all those with much limited education or blinded by years of indoctrination? It's a mistake to openly challenge the WBTS unless one is ready and prepared to live with the consequences at that moment.By the way, my observations have helped me to put my faith not in manmade organizations but in my Lord Jesus Christ.Look forward to your posts arkangel.........Allenin
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Coming Clean
by wokeup ini have a question.
if for instant bro.ingoodstanding comes to an elder and says he wants to confess a serious sin, and says " i raped and murdered 6 boys 15 years ago and they're buried in the backyard.
would the elder(s) report it to the police wether or not the bro.
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wokeup
What if there's a lack of physical evidence, say perhaps he dumped the bodies in the ocean and says to the elder he asked for gods' forgiveness years ago but his conscience has been eating at him and would deny the allogation if ever confronted by the police. What would the elder or body of elders do in that senerio? Let it go? Have a JC meeting? Revoke privledges? Just curious. Maybe this would be more fitting.......Allen
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Coming Clean
by wokeup ini have a question.
if for instant bro.ingoodstanding comes to an elder and says he wants to confess a serious sin, and says " i raped and murdered 6 boys 15 years ago and they're buried in the backyard.
would the elder(s) report it to the police wether or not the bro.
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wokeup
I have a question. If for instant Bro.ingoodstanding comes to an Elder and says he wants to confess a serious sin, and says " I raped and murdered 6 boys 15 years ago and they're buried in the backyard. would the elder(s) report it to the police wether or not the Bro. tearfully says he's asked god to forgive him? I pose this senerio in light of the various threads I've read on the pedophile issue.......Allen
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mindset is the same as hellfire doctrine...
by Richie injust an observation; when a witness decides to write the congregation that he or she does not want to be associated anymore for personal reasons, why is it that this person must be disfellowshipped?
or why is it that if someone makes an issue about a wrong in the congregation such as pedophilia, and this witness decides to officially warn the elders about this wrongdoing or suggest to contact the police, that this person must be disfellowshipped?.
get my drift???.
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wokeup
You know the mindset,Incest,Rape,Murder, they're weaknesses of the "flesh" you can say you're sorry and be forgivin. To openly disagree with doctrine,thats unforgivable, you're a disease a virus to the "body" to be destroyed, you see, you don't forgive a disease ;)
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DISFELLOWSHIPPED RANSOM SACRIFICES
by Englishman ini posted yesterday regarding a df'd young lady who is attempting to get re-instated into her local congregation.. she doesn't believe a word that jw's teach.
when she is eventually re-instated, this lady will say goodbye to her relationship with her boyfriend, her dancing, even the clothes she wears will all have to go.
she will submit herself to the iron will of her elder father and attempt to enter her mothers tut-tut world of submissive sisterhood with its demure prissiness wrapped up between peter pan collar and ever longer skirts.. this lady is paying the ultimate price - her very self - to redeem her hostage family from its kidnappers.
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wokeup
I've seen this play out too many times , the lost sheep came back to the 99 but don't think the Shepherd found 'em and the other sheep are mistreating her.
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Jesus' illustration of the Wheat & Weeds Ma...
by wokeup inthis question is addressed to those who still esteem and value gods' word.
those of us who were raised in the "trooth" we were taught that the "sons of the kingdom" pertained only to the "faithful slave".
in jesus' illustration of the end time harvest period, the angels separate the wheat from the weeds , distinguishing two distinct parties.
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wokeup
Thank you outinfree and room215 for your responses,I feel the same way basically. I probably didn't make my question clear, I was asking an open question for those who were and are practicing JW, did this illustration raise any questions to you personally.The WBTS's two class teaching didn't fit in this simple illstration Jesus gave to his disciples and yet so many loyal to the Society seem to not have any problem with it.. ............Allen
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Jesus' illustration of the Wheat & Weeds Ma...
by wokeup inthis question is addressed to those who still esteem and value gods' word.
those of us who were raised in the "trooth" we were taught that the "sons of the kingdom" pertained only to the "faithful slave".
in jesus' illustration of the end time harvest period, the angels separate the wheat from the weeds , distinguishing two distinct parties.
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wokeup
This question is addressed to those who still esteem and value Gods' Word. Those of us who were raised in the "trooth" we were taught that the "sons of the kingdom" pertained only to the "faithful slave". In Jesus' illustration of the End Time harvest period, the angels separate the Wheat from the Weeds , distinguishing TWO distinct parties. One being burned up and the other will shine forth as the sun in the kingdom of their Father. Never any mention of a 3rd party (Great Crowd).How did you rationalize the existence of the 'other sheep class" when you read this passage?..........Allen
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New to the Forum
by wokeup inhi to all in the forum.
i am new here and would like to briefly share how i arrived here.
i was born and raised a witness.i'm in my 40's and married.i had some doubts as regards to some docrinal teachings and changes in the 80's.
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wokeup
Thanks outnfree,freedom of expression here is something I'm not used to. I have found so far a wide diversity of personalities from all around the globe and have learned alot already.
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Well, Howdy, Yall :).wanted to introduce myself
by Gimme3steps ini found this place, purely by accident, and have been very amazed, at all of these touching, personal revelations, that many are sharing, here.
i actually was doing a search, jus tryin to learn how michael jackson's appearance came to be so radically changed..(that's a whole nother topic, and i came away, feelin sorry for him, after all i read, but, another time ) and ran across this forum.
im 41, was "raised" in the truth, my mother and her whole side of our family are long time witnesses, my father converted when i was around 4 years old.
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wokeup
Welcome to the forum! I'm new too .Stick around and you'll find alot encouragement and support here...Allen