Posted by Tantalus [Tantalus] on November 22, 1999 at 20:20:22 {k/.KBikg625mhrmu9.YkAJToxO4pJo}:
In Reply to: Double standards? posted by C on November 18, 1999 at 20:12:44:
Howdy C,
I enjoyed your post. It was some of the best tongue in cheek humor I have read in a while. I particularly liked the part about how if you don't like it make comments at the meeting, don't wait till later. Of course the part about how they are "researching" and talking to people with more "knowledge" was ripe too. Now let me see, where would they reasearch, out of the WT publications. What kind of knowledge might those others they go to have, knowlege about not running ahead of the organization and such. I remember making some comments like you are talking about. They don't lead to interesting conversations but to pregnant silences until someone else is called on to give an answer consistent with the questions at the bottom of the page. I think you mentioned the word "regurgitate?" That is why so many just highlight, or did when I went, the answers were always right there in the paragraph! The challenge to most seems to be in paraphrasing it.
As to being a Presbyterian, or a Baptist, as it happens those were the two religions I attended also, and I have really come to appreciate the freedom they have. You know, I don't think either of them has ex-member support groups! Or hate filled ex-members saying they destroyed their families or kept them from living a real life. They do have a very small per centage of ex-members running around making snide, negative comments that they could have made to the people they are talking about. Did you ever make any suggestions for changes before you left?
I was in those Sunday school classes, I really enjoyed them as they were grouped according to age. The Watchtower Society would do well to consider that, as their current policy is obviously not working well. It also kept a lot of kids from being whipped. Forcing a three or four year old to sit and listen to a WatchTower Magazine STUDY (ha) is almost as cruel as forcing a fifty year old too.
It doesn't do to be too critical of your bedfellows either. As they weren't too good to be seen in court with, the Hare Krishna's and Jimmy Swaggart, it seems a little hypocritical to spurn them here. What were they to the Society? Their backstreet companions that they wouldn't want the congregations to know about or own up to in a Watchtower Study Article on Sunday morning? I can hear the question now:
"How did the Faithful and Discreet Slave justify throwing itself into bed with the Great Harlot??? Highlighted answer, hands up all over the place...Sister? "Yes, well given the tax situation in the United States, uh It paid well, very well." Thank you. Ok Brother, would you like to elaborate? "Yeah, well, uh they were whoring after the tax money, on orders from Jehovah of course. Sometimes we get special situations and do things that might usually seem wrong. Sometimes you just have to lie to Pharaoh and let him sleep with your wife, you know, say she is your sister or something." Thank you brother... Same thing now, on this deal with the internet. Other people are not to uh,associate with Apostates but some brothers have special gifts of patience and arguing abilities and it is OK for them as long as they win. If not then we might need to look at their priviliges and re-examine the situation. Lets look at the next paragraph, Brother would you please read the next paragraph under "Why Some Blood is OK, Especially in Bulgaria."
As to why I come here, well I quit attending meetings about twenty years ago and I think other than losing a daughter and a few more distant relatives to them, I am about over it. For altruistic reasons I like to try and help current members achieve their freedom by pointing out some of the hypocricsy and lies so deeply embedded in the Jehovah's Witnesses.
Say I would like to ask you a similar question you asked above only apply it to yourself and the group of door-knockers you hang with:
We should all try to be positive – I think. If you don’t like, can’t stand, the churches of Christendom – why not stay away. Say “no thank you” and stay away from their door, simply say "Hello" when they meet you on the street, etc.
Look at your own ’house’ first.
And before you rush to judgement of so many others to the point of not speaking to immediate family members for not continuing to be a part of your religion remember James 4:12
One there is that is lawgiver and judge, he who is able to save and to destroy. But you, who are you to be judging [your] neighbor?
I know how a lot of Witnesses hate to have the Bible quoted to them, just wanted to give you a little adrenalin surge. I also am afraid the fact that it is true, and applies will probably never register with you. Still, you cast your bread upon the waters.....
Tantalus