mizpah

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Posts by mizpah

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  45

  JW's Give Go Ahead for Birthdays???w/t 22/9/03

  by Latte in

  1. watchtower
  2. beliefs

  the pinata

  an ancient tradition

  by awake!

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  mizpah

  Closer:

  The use of wind chimes was discouraged because in Asian countries these were used to appease the spirits and gods. I always loved the sound of them in the wind. When I was a child, we had one on our back porch. It was made of small glass pieces that had oriental characters written on them. Whenever the wind blew, we had a small musical concert that was very relaxing and peaceful. I can't remember the exact reference in the publications. But I do know it was the accepted view of Jehovah's Witnesses in the 1960s.

  Needless to say, our garden has four of them now. I may be appeasing the spirits and gods....but not the wrath of the Watchtower Society...haha
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  6

  True Faith JWs - Romania?

  by mizpah in

  1. watchtower
  2. beliefs

  does anyone have further details about the dissident true faith jehovah's witnesses in romania?

  i understand they left the watchtower society because someone in the organization betrayed them to the communist officials of that country.

  is any more information on this group?

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  mizpah

  Blondie:

  Many thanks for the information. It seems the Watchtower Society has shot itself in the foot on this one. It's encouraging to know that changes in the Watchtower's teachings has an effect on others in the world. But it is frightening to think TFJWs cite Rutherford as an authority. Good Lord!!!
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  21

  What to expect at a JW funeral

  by lovinglife in

  1. jw
  2. experiences

  i hope someone can "enlighten" me.

  my grandmother recently passed away (91 yrs old) and they are having her funeral at the kh.

  i can't remember ever having to attend one when i was a kid.

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  mizpah

  It always bothered me that a funeral or marriage was became an opportunity to "preach" to the captive audience. Many in the audience were not JWs. One could visibly see them shifting in the chairs or yawning as the "lecture" continued. They obviously did not come to hear a doctrinal discussion on death or marriage. But they were also much too polite to get up and leave.

  I rarely saw any elder give comfort to the bereaved. I guess the talk was considered enough. It is this lack of love and compassion in the congregations that have turned many members away from the Watchtower Society.
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  10

  Official Watchtower Website Listed as Protestant!

  by Voyager in

  1. watchtower
  2. bible

  .

  go here and scroll down to the bold black letters (protestant)--look at the 5th name down.. http://www.dialogueaustralasia.org/5strandslinks.html .

  voyager

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  mizpah

  Generally speaking, most Christians come under the catagories of Catholic, Orthodox or Protestant. If one is not a Catholic or Orthodox, one is usually grouped under the loose term of Protestant. Of course, JWs would usually argue that they are not Protestant. But, as already noted, protesting other religions is the favorite past time of the Watchtower Society.
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  9

  Preaching style

  by oldcrowwoman in

  1. watchtower
  2. beliefs

  do jw's preach by phone now?.

  i had jw on my id caller.

  no message left.

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  mizpah

  Years ago a note would be put in the territory maps not to call on certain people. Not all were disfellowshipped individuals. Some were people who called specifically asking not to be called upon. A notation would usually be included.

  Some elders encouraged the publishers to ignore these notes since a person could move away or die. In this case, a lot of "ill will" was created when it was the same person who come to the door.
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  13

  Birthdays (looking for)

  by Gordy in

  1. watchtower
  2. beliefs

  .

  i saw a posting not long ago stating that the wt link birthdays or similar, with "creature worship.

  can anyone direct me to it.. thanks

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  mizpah

  I guess John should not have been celebrating the angel's birthday...haha
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  45

  JW's Give Go Ahead for Birthdays???w/t 22/9/03

  by Latte in

  1. watchtower
  2. beliefs

  the pinata

  an ancient tradition

  by awake!

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  2. 
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  mizpah

  I don't think we can draw the conclusion that the Watchtower Society is changing its views on birthdays. The article merely pointed out the use of the pinatas in Mexico during birthday celebrations. Undoubtedly, the use of it during social gatherings was in question. And that is what is left up to the decision of those attending such gatherings.

  It is worthy to note, though, that many JWs often celebrate "special days" to make up for the losses of birthdays, holidays, etc. It may be on such occasions that pinatas are used.

  However, I do agree that the suggestion that such things should be viewed as they are now and not as they were a hundred years ago can have great implications for many things. (Wind chimes, for example?)
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  6

  True Faith JWs - Romania?

  by mizpah in

  1. watchtower
  2. beliefs

  does anyone have further details about the dissident true faith jehovah's witnesses in romania?

  i understand they left the watchtower society because someone in the organization betrayed them to the communist officials of that country.

  is any more information on this group?

  1. 
  2. 
  3. 
• 

  mizpah

  Does anyone have further details about the dissident True Faith Jehovah's Witnesses in Romania? I understand they left the Watchtower Society because someone in the organization betrayed them to the Communist Officials of that country. Is any more information on this group?
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  17

  my brother is so frustrating! arrgh!

  by jwbot in

  1. jw
  2. experiences

  ok, well my brother is really the only one in my family that continues to freely associate with me.

  he is two years younger than me (19) and has always looked up to me-for some reason.

  he has been dating a girl name tess for the last couple months or so in the traditional dub fasion (barely any contact).

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  mizpah

  It reminds me of the normal way it was when I was growing up. No one talked about sex except in the locker rooms in school And usually the information was incorrect. Parents simply did not talk to their chldren about such things!

  The best advice I can give your brother is to go to a good library and get books on the subject. Sex is always a personal and private matter. The choices that a couple make with regard to it is for them to decide. A husband must always be sensitive to his wive's feelings. He should never force practices that she finds repugnant. But it is important to determine some of these things before marriage to see if a couple is going to be compatable.

  In spite of the difficulties, marriage can survive if the husband and wife love each other. My wife and I were very naive and innocent on our wedding day. But 45 years later with four wonderful children we can look back and say we made good choices and had a wonderful marriage.
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  18

  Looking for old friends of mine...

  by Billygoat in

  1. jw
  2. experiences

  if you see your name listed below, i'd love to get in touch with you!

  you can pm me privately - your privacy will be highly respected and under no circumstances will your board presence ever be told to any jws.

  you have my word on that.

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  mizpah

  billygoat: (How come not nannygoat?)

  Like you, my wife and I have often wondered about friends we had in the organization. Although we left the Watchtower, we still have love and affection for many who remain in it. We realize they are victims of a system much as we were. It's a good reminder that it is not the people who are at fault. It is the Watchtower Society that forces people to act abnormally by shunning former members. And I'm sure this is just as hurtful for some of them as it is for us who are on the receiving end of their shunning.

  We can only hope and pray that they may sometime escape this cruel and unchristian organization.