2024 Regional convention releases with Part one of Jesus Drama

[PJ54]

I'm pretty much disgusted with religion, period! Thanks again.

I don't blame you for feeling this way. Something to remember is that this entire realm (including the spiritual realms) is corrupted (a terrifying thought to behold). The tragedy is many have fallen into disbelief. There's a letter from Albert Pike to Mazzini that stuck out to me in regards to our time. Check it out when you have a chance!

Albert Pike Letter To Mazzini : Albert Pike : Free Download, Borrow, and Streaming : Internet Archive

The following is a letter, that speculation claimed that Albert Pike wrote to Giuseppe Mazzini in 1871 regarding a conspiracy involving three world wars, that...

archive.org

 

[Goldie]

I don't blame you for feeling this way. Something to remember is that this entire realm (including the spiritual realms) is corrupted (a terrifying thought to behold). The tragedy is many have fallen into disbelief. There's a letter from Albert Pike to Mazzini that stuck out to me in regards to our time. Check it out when you have a chance!

Albert Pike Letter To Mazzini : Albert Pike : Free Download, Borrow, and Streaming : Internet Archive

The following is a letter, that speculation claimed that Albert Pike wrote to Giuseppe Mazzini in 1871 regarding a conspiracy involving three world wars, that...

archive.org

Thank you pj. I will.

 

[JMJLG]

A watcher! I really don’t mind people moaning over my “walls of text”. I take it in good spirit. I simply write from the joy of faith that grows in me and wish to share what I find. We never were given the choice to share in watchtower, only repeat. I do not ever, ask anyone to read what I write or assume my thoughts worthy of being taken note of. They often are not as there frequently show me here. I just write. I always have done - books, diaries, thesis, I have written since I was at school, and my walls are lined with non-fiction from Plato, to Freud, to great war diaries, to 16thC cook books. I have only ever read one book of fiction - the lord of the rings trilogy, fifty six year ago when I was bored in Holland. It’s not difficult to be bored in Holland and they were desperate times and so desperate measures were required to remain sane. I live in a small space within the spectral plague of autism along with my equally affected crazy and isolated children and though I cannot ever hope to understand the common and somewhat superficial game-playing-face-down-in-a-phone civilisation you guys experience today (not necessarily personally) I have to peer into it to survive it, it seems. But you guys are not ‘normal’ to me either, but I don’t blame you for it! I just wonder how on earth some can only glimpse at times the depth of creation and why others do not seek an explanation to all the laws of physics that Jehovah has created out of nothing - why few investigate why “love” is the prime element in the function of Jehovah’s Holy Spirit and how this effects the entire spectrum of His attributes - as He tells us it does! If one substitutes the overworked word “love” for “the mechanics of existence”, then it might sound more appealing to the enquiring mind in this awful world we live in.

For instance, the effect that love imposes upon justice is the very means by which humanity will survive the wrath of Jehovah. Why there is so much angst and argument over definition is simply because the greater expression of the attributes of Jehovah and their application is limited by our own superficial reasoning. We should therefore seek to ask “why?” what is said, and discuss that point, and simply add to the possibilities in outcomes. We would benefit from that, right? There are few areas of non-compromise in the bible that must be adhered to and Jehovah is emphatic in pointing those out, but as for the rest, it is the variety in freedom to praise Jehovah that is significant - we do not have to be correct except where we should be. But that too can be amicable if we recognise that obligation to truth. It requires yet another act of acceptance demanded by love upon our understanding of the attribute. I do not think it’s a good idea to block others off either, because negotiation is far better than isolation and improves our levels of tolerance and introspection and inclusion.

I for one , am very glad for your walls of Text . They are at times humorous , and at other times scriptural and uplifting . Having known you for a few years , I thank you for being you . You are doing what we were told to do , be all things to all people . John

 

[Deborah]

Way back in the day when I was in my 20's, some of us used to study the WT together.
We would take turns opening up our homes to do this. Afterwards there were snacks and we had a great time. Usually an elder would conduct. I loved it because it helped me understand some scriptures I did not before and it helped me to comment better. The best part was that it brought us closer together.

I was single then and living at home. My mom who did not like the witness (thought they were too controlling and had stolen her daughter, me, from her) even allowed me to have the study at home. It was a beautiful time back in the 70's for awhile. Then all of a sudden BAM!!! From Brooklyn Bethel NO MORE STUDIES TO BE CONDUCTED LIKE THIS. The reasoning I heard from some young friends I had in Bethel was groups were meeting together and calling into question some WT accepted teachings.

I remember a married couple I was close to who lived in Bethel writing to me and telling me the goings on in Bethel. That was back in
1972-1974 and after. They were in Bethel for years and kept me informed of some things. The wife said they were doing a cleaning out up there. There was crazy stuff going on also in the congregaton I attended as well. Homosexuality, lots of immorality boy what a mess.

At that time I really did not understand, disassociation and disfellowshipping. As I look back it seems like this was a beginning of lots of that going on, even in my family. Don't ask it was really awful. I believe the WT shut certain groups down because they were beginning to get too personal as Lady Blue mentioned. WT wanted to be in control. But on the other hand some of the things I witnessed and saw needed to be stopped. They really were against Bible principles. I will just mention for example, lots of unscriptural divorces. Folks were doing things to get out of marriages and marry someone else. I used to hang out with my cousin and three other sisters. We were always together. Then one left and joined another religion.

So there were good times back then and not such good times. I don't agree with the heavy handed way things are done today at the top (GB) but I wonder if they had not intervened in some things back then what would have happened to the org. There were some pretty disgusting dirty things going on back then. Anyway just my thoughts.

AFTERTHOUGHT:

I guess Jehovah would not have allowed the org to go totally south at that time. So some cleaning had to be done to continue with the preaching work, etc. Just an afterthought.


Thanks.

 

[Innocent as Doves]

Way back in the day when I was in my 20's, some of us used to study the WT together.
We would take turns opening up our homes to do this. Afterwards there were snacks and we had a great time. Usually an elder would conduct. I loved it because it helped me understand some scriptures I did not before and it helped me to comment better. The best part was that it brought us closer together.

I was single then and living at home. My mom who did not like the witness (thought they were too controlling and had stolen her daughter, me, from her) even allowed me to have the study at home. It was a beautiful time back in the 70's for awhile. Then all of a sudden BAM!!! From Brooklyn Bethel NO MORE STUDIES TO BE CONDUCTED LIKE THIS. The reasoning I heard from some young friends I had in Bethel was groups were meeting together and calling into question some WT accepted teachings.

I remember a married couple I was close to who lived in Bethel writing to me and telling me the goings on in Bethel. That was back in
1972-1974 and after. They were in Bethel for years and kept me informed of some things. The wife said they were doing a cleaning out up there. There was crazy stuff going on also in the congregaton I attended as well. Homosexuality, lots of immorality boy what a mess.

At that time I really did not understand, disassociation and disfellowshipping. As I look back it seems like this was a beginning of lots of that going on, even in my family. Don't ask it was really awful. I believe the WT shut certain groups down because they were beginning to get too personal as Lady Blue mentioned. WT wanted to be in control. But on the other hand some of the things I witnessed and saw needed to be stopped. They really were against Bible principles. I will just mention for example, lots of unscriptural divorces. Folks were doing things to get out of marriages and marry someone else. I used to hang out with my cousin and three other sisters. We were always together. Then one left and joined another religion.

So there were good times back then and not such good times. I don't agree with the heavy handed way things are done today at the top (GB) but I wonder if they had not intervened in some things back then what would have happened to the org. There were some pretty disgusting dirty things going on back then. Anyway just my thoughts.

AFTERTHOUGHT:

I guess Jehovah would not have allowed the org to go totally south at that time. So some cleaning had to be done to continue with the preaching work, etc. Just an afterthought.


Thanks.

Hello Deborah! I don't post much on here because I'm going through some hard times right now, but just wanted to say 'Welcome Back' to you also. I'm semi-new here and it's taking all my brain power as it is to absorb 'picking up what is being put down' as it is! My head is in a whirlwind right now and finding the forum to me now is comparable to when I was first studying with the JW's back in the 80's. I thought Armageddon was going to come before I got baptized and that I would lose my life because I was so 'late to the game'.

FF to now, everything I'm learning from all the 'old-timers' on this forum and definitely from RK is putting my head in a similar spin mode. Added to this, I am now 40+ yrs older and my brain is not braining as well as it did back in my 20's. (As at least some of us on this forum can attest to) I'm just so happy I found this forum to be able to ask questions and share my thoughts and gratitude to all the like minded brothers and sisters here! Unfortunately, I cannot do that with ANYONE else in my current relationships....and it is so hard. Without all of you here I might have turned into one of those 'Ex-JWs' that have a vendetta. I don't want to be like those ones. The things I've been learning here have been mind-blowing to say the least....but all in a good way!

Anyway, keep on sharing your thoughts with us! I always think of Daniel 12:4 whenever I'm reading this forum! True knowledge is certainly becoming abundant now!

 

[Bk Kevin]

Thank you br. King. I appreciate your kind, patient reply as well. I will watch and consider your videos, and you're absolutely correct it is very confusing and I'm just trying to put the pieces together. BTW I am not trying to start my own religion here as some claim..lol . I'm pretty much disgusted with religion, period! Thanks again.

Then forget about man-made religion and seek Jehovah through his son.​

Jeremiah 6:16​

16 This is what Jehovah has said: “Stand still in the ways, YOU people, and see, and ask for the roadways of long ago, where, now, the good way is;a and walk in it,b and find ease for YOUR souls.”c But they kept saying: “We are not going to walk.”d

1 John 5:3​

3 For this is what the lovea of God means, that we observe his commandments;b and yet his commandments are not burdensome,c

Matthew11:​

28 Come to me, all YOU who are toiling and loaded down,+ and I will refresh YOU. 29 Take my yoke+ upon YOU* and learn from me,*+ for I am mild-tempered+ and lowly in heart, and YOU will find refreshment+ for YOUR souls.* 30 For my yoke is kindly and my load is light.”+

 

[Goldie]

Then forget about man-made religion and seek Jehovah through his son.​

Jeremiah 6:16​

16 This is what Jehovah has said: “Stand still in the ways, YOU people, and see, and ask for the roadways of long ago, where, now, the good way is;a and walk in it,b and find ease for YOUR souls.”c But they kept saying: “We are not going to walk.”d

1 John 5:3​

3 For this is what the lovea of God means, that we observe his commandments;b and yet his commandments are not burdensome,c

Matthew11:​

28 Come to me, all YOU who are toiling and loaded down,+ and I will refresh YOU. 29 Take my yoke+ upon YOU* and learn from me,*+ for I am mild-tempered+ and lowly in heart, and YOU will find refreshment+ for YOUR souls.* 30 For my yoke is kindly and my load is light.”+

That's exactly what I'm doing. Thanks for the encouragement.

 

[Bk Kevin]

That's exactly what I'm doing. Thanks for the encouragement.

Proverbs2:1-22​

2 My son, if you will receive my sayings+ and treasure up my own commandments with yourself,+ 2 so as to pay attention to wisdom with your ear,+ that you may incline your heart to discernment;+ 3 if, moreover, you call out for understanding+ itself and you give forth your voice for discernment itself,+ 4 if you keep seeking for it as for silver,+ and as for hid treasures you keep searching for it,+ 5 in that case you will understand the fear+ of Jehovah, and you will find the very knowledge of God.*+ 6 For Jehovah himself gives wisdom;+ out of his mouth there are knowledge and discernment.+ 7 And for the upright ones he will treasure up practical wisdom;+ for those walking in integrity he is a shield,+ 8 by observing the paths of judgment,+ and he will guard the very way of his loyal ones.*+ 9 In that case you will understand righteousness and judgment and uprightness, the entire course of what is good.+10 When wisdom enters into your heart+ and knowledge itself becomes pleasant to your very soul,+ 11 thinking ability itself will keep guard over you,+ discernment itself will safeguard you,+ 12 to deliver you from the bad way,+ from the man speaking perverse things,+

 

[a believer]

Then forget about man-made religion and seek Jehovah through his son.​

Jeremiah 6:16​

16 This is what Jehovah has said: “Stand still in the ways, YOU people, and see, and ask for the roadways of long ago, where, now, the good way is;a and walk in it,b and find ease for YOUR souls.”c But they kept saying: “We are not going to walk.”d

1 John 5:3​

3 For this is what the lovea of God means, that we observe his commandments;b and yet his commandments are not burdensome,c

Matthew11:​

28 Come to me, all YOU who are toiling and loaded down,+ and I will refresh YOU. 29 Take my yoke+ upon YOU* and learn from me,*+ for I am mild-tempered+ and lowly in heart, and YOU will find refreshment+ for YOUR souls.* 30 For my yoke is kindly and my load is light.”+

One more...

Yeshua said to her, “Woman, believe me that the hour is coming in which neither in this mountain nor in Jerusalem will you worship The Father. -- John 4:21 Aramaic Bible in Plain English

--Timothy,
a believer.

 

[Edith]

We have become a living temple. (2 Corinthians 6:16)

Hello Timothy, you provide very interesting lectures. Could I ask you to explain this comment of yours a little further? I have always understood that this “living temple” consisted only of anointed ones. In verse 18 Jehovah says: - 'And I will become a father to you, and you will become sons and daughters to me,' says Jehovah the Almighty.' Aren't the "other sheep" only recognized by Jehovah at the end of the 1,000 years, when Satan is destroyed forever and are seen only as "friends" of Jehovah? Or did I misunderstand that quote?
Thank you in advance. Edith

 

[a believer]

Without all of you here I might have turned into one of those 'Ex-JWs' that have a vendetta. I don't want to be like those ones.

This could have been me back in the waaaaay back of yesteryear, when I jumped into Usenet with both feet, thinking I knew all that and more and was just going to set all those Usenet alt.jehovahwitn "aposto-dubs and dumbers" straight... and got myself body slammed!

My posts are still out there, of course (Google never forgets). I was ill-prepared, to say the least, although my heart was in the right place. The Watchtower organization doesn't prepare its members for the tough stuff... just the typical conversation stoppers reported into the organization from the door-to-door ministry. And it's probably right to discourage any of Jehovah's Witnesses from opposer sites, groups, and Reddit subforums, because the typical Witness will be chewed up and spit out.

The Truth can be defended... but that wasn't the problem: it was all the other stuff that was attached at the hip with the Truth. Organizational Midrash, misappropriation of authority and abuse of justice... among other things.

In due course, I did tire of the bottomless cesspool of spite and disdain because it never went anywhere. It was just the same old rehashing of complaints and grievances, day after day, and I began to realize that while the accusations were true, the posters were so fixated and stumbled at this that they couldn't (or wouldn't) move past it. They were as stuck in their vitriol as Witnesses are in their "right or wrong, you go along until Jehovah straightens it out," and this wasn't where I wanted to be.

Hourglass2 turned up on my radar then, and at first it seemed like I'd found a place where serious discussions could take place, and constructive answers could be sorted out. Maybe I had arrived late to the party there, though, because now that I was sensitive to the attitude and inclination of people in the Usenet group, I saw the same on H2O. As I mentioned in my "introductory" post elsewhere on this forum, I approached Robert by private message to get some matters sorted out in my mind without the exchange getting drowned out by the H2O regulars who had become opposers and naysayers.

After H2O closed its doors, I started Pathways-Online because I felt there had to be an online place that people like me could come to and talk about the matters that were having an impact on one's faith and hope when all one wants to do is draw closer to Jehovah God. Since there wasn't one, I set up Pathways-Online. The forum was available for quite a few years, but eventually the regulars outgrew it and moved on; I archived the forum and moved on as well.

Some years later, Robert set up "Paradise Cafe" for people, but the forum was eventually handed off to the people who wanted it to be theirs, and that forum was around for a little while before being shut down by its new handlers/owners.

Fast-forward and here we are on this forum.

I'm still convicted in belief that it's essential to have a way for others such as me and others who awaken to issues and problems among Jehovah's Witnesses to then have a "soft landing" so that there is time to sort out matters for one's self and, ideally, get the experiences and perspectives of those who formerly stood where such ones find themselves, to encourage them and edify them so that such ones don't end up throwing out the baby with the bathwater, as the expression goes.

The apostle Paul, in his letter to the believers at Phillipi, puts it this way:

Finally brothers and sisters, whatever is true, whatever is honorable, whatever is just, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is commendable—if there is any moral excellence and if there is anything praiseworthy—dwell on these things. -- Philippians 4:8 Christian Standard Bible

Submitted for perusal and consideration,
Timothy,
a believer.

 

[JMJLG]

This could have been me back in the waaaaay back of yesteryear, when I jumped into Usenet with both feet, thinking I knew all that and more and was just going to set all those Usenet alt.jehovahwitn "aposto-dubs and dumbers" straight... and got myself body slammed!

My posts are still out there, of course (Google never forgets). I was ill-prepared, to say the least, although my heart was in the right place. The Watchtower organization doesn't prepare its members for the tough stuff... just the typical conversation stoppers reported into the organization from the door-to-door ministry. And it's probably right to discourage any of Jehovah's Witnesses from opposer sites, groups, and Reddit subforums, because the typical Witness will be chewed up and spit out.

The Truth can be defended... but that wasn't the problem: it was all the other stuff that was attached at the hip with the Truth. Organizational Midrash, misappropriation of authority and abuse of justice... among other things.

In due course, I did tire of the bottomless cesspool of spite and disdain because it never went anywhere. It was just the same old rehashing of complaints and grievances, day after day, and I began to realize that while the accusations were true, the posters were so fixated and stumbled at this that they couldn't (or wouldn't) move past it. They were as stuck in their vitriol as Witnesses are in their "right or wrong, you go along until Jehovah straightens it out," and this wasn't where I wanted to be.

Hourglass2 turned up on my radar then, and at first it seemed like I'd found a place where serious discussions could take place, and constructive answers could be sorted out. Maybe I had arrived late to the party there, though, because now that I was sensitive to the attitude and inclination of people in the Usenet group, I saw the same on H2O. As I mentioned in my "introductory" post elsewhere on this forum, I approached Robert by private message to get some matters sorted out in my mind without the exchange getting drowned out by the H2O regulars who had become opposers and naysayers.

After H2O closed its doors, I started Pathways-Online because I felt there had to be an online place that people like me could come to and talk about the matters that were having an impact on one's faith and hope when all one wants to do is draw closer to Jehovah God. Since there wasn't one, I set up Pathways-Online. The forum was available for quite a few years, but eventually the regulars outgrew it and moved on; I archived the forum and moved on as well.

Some years later, Robert set up "Paradise Cafe" for people, but the forum was eventually handed off to the people who wanted it to be theirs, and that forum was around for a little while before being shut down by its new handlers/owners.

Fast-forward and here we are on this forum.

I'm still convicted in belief that it's essential to have a way for others such as me and others who awaken to issues and problems among Jehovah's Witnesses to then have a "soft landing" so that there is time to sort out matters for one's self and, ideally, get the experiences and perspectives of those who formerly stood where such ones find themselves, to encourage them and edify them so that such ones don't end up throwing out the baby with the bathwater, as the expression goes.

The apostle Paul, in his letter to the believers at Phillipi, puts it this way:

Finally brothers and sisters, whatever is true, whatever is honorable, whatever is just, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is commendable—if there is any moral excellence and if there is anything praiseworthy—dwell on these things. -- Philippians 4:8 Christian Standard Bible

Submitted for perusal and consideration,
Timothy,
a believer.

I looked at lots of Ex J/W sites . All with hateful comments . At the time , many years ago , I came across Roberts site . There were many doing the same on Roberts site , but they were sorted out over time . Robert answered questions , and asked for more . I count myself fortunate to of also come across Barnaby , Kevin and Mick there as well .

 

[Jerry&Phyllis]

I'm still convicted in belief that it's essential to have a way for others such as me and others who awaken to issues and problems among Jehovah's Witnesses to then have a "soft landing" so that there is time to sort out matters for one's self and, ideally, get the experiences and perspectives of those who formerly stood where such ones find themselves, to encourage them and edify them so that such ones don't end up throwing out the baby with the bathwater, as the expression goes.

Finally brothers and sisters, whatever is true, whatever is honorable, whatever is just, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is commendable—if there is any moral excellence and if there is anything praiseworthy—dwell on these things. -- Philippians 4:8 Christian Standard Bible

Have you been "Eavesdropping" on our conversation?
Soft-landing was exactly what we needed! Thanks for the insight.

 

[Jonah]

In due course, I did tire of the bottomless cesspool of spite and disdain because it never went anywhere. It was just the same old rehashing of complaints and grievances, day after day, and I began to realize that while the accusations were true, the posters were so fixated and stumbled at this that they couldn't (or wouldn't) move past it. They were as stuck in their vitriol as Witnesses are in their "right or wrong, you go along until Jehovah straightens it out," and this wasn't where I wanted to be.

This is exactly what I would think most here would not want this site to be, but sometimes it appears headed in that direction. It's human nature of course, especially when one has been repeatedly personally wronged, but in the long run positive building up and rejoicing in truth is much more helpful and edifying than falling into the feedback loop of continuous negativity, even if the underlying complaints are righteous and just.

 

[a watcher]

A watcher! I really don’t mind people moaning over my “walls of text”. I take it in good spirit...

Don't mind me. I'm just a fan of the old "Dragnet" show: "Just the facts, ma'am".

 

[Jerry&Phyllis]

This is exactly what I would think most here would not want this site to be, but sometimes it appears headed in that direction.

We're a firm believer that the cracks in the organization must be exposed before the "deluding influence" aspect can be accepted.
So, in that aspect, the exjw sites were helpful, initially; but since they didn't offer a reasonable alternative.....for us, it became a dead end street.

However, after we came across Watchman, we realized this was not an exjw site. Since we still believed the basic WT doctrines, we quickly bought into the "deluding influence". It was scriptural and made perfect sense. We got on board rather quickly and haven't looked back.

 

[Ms_ladyblue]

We're a firm believer that the cracks in the organization must be exposed before the "deluding influence" aspect can be accepted.
So, in that aspect, the exjw sites were helpful, initially; but since they didn't offer a reasonable alternative.....for us, it became a dead end street.

However, after we came across Watchman, we realized this was not an exjw site. Since we still believed the basic WT doctrines, we quickly bought into the "deluding influence". It was scriptural and made perfect sense. We got on board rather quickly and haven't looked back.

I felt exactly the same J&P. That is why I truly believe that Jehovah led persons like us to this forum. If not for finding this site shortly before losing my husband I don’t know where I’d be or what I would’ve done.
Jehovah knew we were trying to search him out and he led us here to learn the truth about those prophecies, particularly about the “deluding influence.” How amazing was that? I always wondered about that chapter in Thessalonians, who it was referring to. After years went by WT’s explanation did not make any sense. But now I know. You see Jehovah does answer our prayers.

 

[Jerry&Phyllis]

But now I know. You see Jehovah does answer our prayers.

Yes, he does. We've been doing a lot of that lately. We have our judicial meeting tonight so we're praying, not that we don't get disfellowshipped, but that our resolve and understanding of the "truth" will be a testimony to Jehovah and an encouragement to those who are sincerely searching for Him.

(Hebrews 11:5, 6) . . .the witness that he had pleased God well. 6 Moreover, without faith it is impossible to please [him] well, for he that approaches God must believe that he is and that he becomes the rewarder of those earnestly seeking him.

 

[Ms_ladyblue]

This could have been me back in the waaaaay back of yesteryear, when I jumped into Usenet with both feet, thinking I knew all that and more and was just going to set all those Usenet alt.jehovahwitn "aposto-dubs and dumbers" straight... and got myself body slammed!

My posts are still out there, of course (Google never forgets). I was ill-prepared, to say the least, although my heart was in the right place. The Watchtower organization doesn't prepare its members for the tough stuff... just the typical conversation stoppers reported into the organization from the door-to-door ministry. And it's probably right to discourage any of Jehovah's Witnesses from opposer sites, groups, and Reddit subforums, because the typical Witness will be chewed up and spit out.

The Truth can be defended... but that wasn't the problem: it was all the other stuff that was attached at the hip with the Truth. Organizational Midrash, misappropriation of authority and abuse of justice... among other things.

In due course, I did tire of the bottomless cesspool of spite and disdain because it never went anywhere. It was just the same old rehashing of complaints and grievances, day after day, and I began to realize that while the accusations were true, the posters were so fixated and stumbled at this that they couldn't (or wouldn't) move past it. They were as stuck in their vitriol as Witnesses are in their "right or wrong, you go along until Jehovah straightens it out," and this wasn't where I wanted to be.

Hourglass2 turned up on my radar then, and at first it seemed like I'd found a place where serious discussions could take place, and constructive answers could be sorted out. Maybe I had arrived late to the party there, though, because now that I was sensitive to the attitude and inclination of people in the Usenet group, I saw the same on H2O. As I mentioned in my "introductory" post elsewhere on this forum, I approached Robert by private message to get some matters sorted out in my mind without the exchange getting drowned out by the H2O regulars who had become opposers and naysayers.

After H2O closed its doors, I started Pathways-Online because I felt there had to be an online place that people like me could come to and talk about the matters that were having an impact on one's faith and hope when all one wants to do is draw closer to Jehovah God. Since there wasn't one, I set up Pathways-Online. The forum was available for quite a few years, but eventually the regulars outgrew it and moved on; I archived the forum and moved on as well.

Some years later, Robert set up "Paradise Cafe" for people, but the forum was eventually handed off to the people who wanted it to be theirs, and that forum was around for a little while before being shut down by its new handlers/owners.

Fast-forward and here we are on this forum.

I'm still convicted in belief that it's essential to have a way for others such as me and others who awaken to issues and problems among Jehovah's Witnesses to then have a "soft landing" so that there is time to sort out matters for one's self and, ideally, get the experiences and perspectives of those who formerly stood where such ones find themselves, to encourage them and edify them so that such ones don't end up throwing out the baby with the bathwater, as the expression goes.

The apostle Paul, in his letter to the believers at Phillipi, puts it this way:

Finally brothers and sisters, whatever is true, whatever is honorable, whatever is just, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is commendable—if there is any moral excellence and if there is anything praiseworthy—dwell on these things. -- Philippians 4:8 Christian Standard Bible

Submitted for perusal and consideration,
Timothy,
a believer.

By the way @a believer nice picture.

 

[Proverbs 14 v 15]

Thank you very much brother for your kind patient reply. I enjoyed your comment very much and the time you took to answer me without harsh criticism, accusations, blockings lol. Truly a mature Christian response. I appreciate your presence here. Thanks again

Couldn't have said it better myself

 

[Goldie]

Couldn't have said it better myself

Thank you.

 

[Ms_ladyblue]

Yes, he does. We've been doing a lot of that lately. We have our judicial meeting tonight so we're praying, not that we don't get disfellowshipped, but that our resolve and understanding of the "truth" will be a testimony to Jehovah and an encouragement to those who are sincerely searching for Him.

(Hebrews 11:5, 6) . . .the witness that he had pleased God well. 6 Moreover, without faith it is impossible to please [him] well, for he that approaches God must believe that he is and that he becomes the rewarder of those earnestly seeking him.

I know it’s stressful having to meet with the brothers under any circumstances…especially for Phyllis. I know my stomach would be in knots to meet with them with just two brothers. I don’t think that arrangement is natural for Jehovah’s people unless you’re seeking spiritual guidance on some matter. They are suppose to shepherd the flock not constantly be counseling you.

On the other hand if you’re working for a corporation who’s trying to keep a squeaky clean image yes you’ll be called to the office in the back room.

But really, my prayers are with you both.

 

[Ms_ladyblue]

I remember a married couple I was close to who lived in Bethel writing to me and telling me the goings on in Bethel. That was back in
1972-1974 and after. They were in Bethel for years and kept me informed of some things. The wife said they were doing a cleaning out up there. There was crazy stuff going on also in the congregaton I attended as well. Homosexuality, lots of immorality boy what a mess.

Meanwhile, I started to study in 1980. I was hearing little snippets of this going on but didn’t understand what it was all about. I was so engrossed in learning about the Bible ie learning the basic truths at that time. It was all new to me. After all, I’d previously been Catholic and had zero knowledge about the Bible.

AFTERTHOUGHT:

I guess Jehovah would not have allowed the org to go totally south at that time. So some cleaning had to be done to continue with the preaching work, etc. Just an afterthought

I think you make a good point here Deborah. We had to continue on with the preaching work. Since then the numbers have doubled, from approximately four million to eight million. Although now I truly believe the numbers are declining.

 

[BARNABY THE DOG.]

Thank you very much brother for your kind patient reply. I enjoyed your comment very much and the time you took to answer me without harsh criticism, accusations, blockings lol. Truly a mature Christian response. I appreciate your presence here. Thanks again

Having read all of a believers note, I do not necessarily agree with the thought that all religions are subject to the deluding influence. I don’t mind being corrected on the point either! Not that these other religions are not deluded - they are - but that they never had the truth in the first place, so cannot legally be held to account for the abuses of the Word that watchtower brings upon itself. The issue of the Name is paramount is it not? The blindness to the prophesy is subject to the claim of a truthful witness? “Did we not cast out demons in your Name?” There has to be a standard to which judgement applies, otherwise, how can the law be substantiated? How can prophesy be reasoned?

But it is more than that. It is the substance of faith, the understanding of the issues, the representation of the creator - all the things that Jehovah “jealously” holds to His reputation and purity. When held against the growth and development of watchtower, its work - preaching - its assuming of and legally making claim to the exclusivity of the Name (apart from a brief hiccough during the Australian Royal Commission into child abuses - but that only adds to their disgrace rather than detracts from it), there is little to deny that the watchtower has set itself above other religions - it has little to do with what the public think, but a great deal to do with the place that is assigned to it in prophecy.

That place appears pro-rata in size and significance with perhaps the ancient Israelites nation compared with Egypt and Babylonia and later the Romans. Israel was Numerically insignificant just as watchtower is insignificant when set against Rome and Protestant religions today. But on the other hand, its reach and reputation is more to the fore even now. It appears in the great scheme of things in that which is attributed to it, given to it and assumed, far more than what it is in economic importance or compared with other religions. It’s just a thought. I’m not arguing the issue and do not want to be included in the current ill -feeling - I just thought it might be a point worth considering.

 

[Goldie]

It can get confusing. That is because Jehovah has allowed for an operation of Satan to go to those who know the truth. Do you know the truth? I am pretty sure you do. Where did you learn it? The same place we all did. But how can it be true if the leaders are liars? Well, where was the apostle Judas? Right next to Christ and his apostles. I have spent the last 20-some years of my life trying to explain these things to JWs. What did the apostle say? "However, there also came to be false prophets among the people, as there will also be false teachers among you."

This was excellent ! Just watched the second one too. Excellent points.