Patiently waiting for Truth

Exceptional mental effort is required to constantly re-examine one's own and others' opinions, ideas, beliefs, rules, doctrines. That is hard to achieve and I think we rarely succeed in that. And we need more time. That is why we have success only at periodic intervals. :)) This is so true. In fact I do not examine myself so much now as i know I will only find excuses for my reasonings.. The one thing I've come to know is that i do not know the 'truth' about anything. Everything is just opinions and even scripture can be interpreted in many different ways. This forum gives proof to that point.

@Anna Thank you for a very funny comment. I do find it funny how you. like many others, accept the 'pigeon holes' which 'the world' creates for people. Reminds me of Arauna with her OCD. But anyway I thought I'd add this scripture from the NWT which shows that even way back then they had depression. Now I wonder how many of those who were depressed, are now anointed ones. ! Thessalonians 5 :14 14 On the other hand, we urge you, brothers, to warn* the disorderly,q speak consolingly to those who are depressed,* support the weak, be patient toward all Quote :We would expect elders, such as the GB to be sound in mind. We also expect the faithful slave to be of the anointed. In truth, you have no proof that the GB are either anointed or the F&DS. You just take their word for it.

@Space Merchant I am not frightened to mention you by name, why should I be ? It was more the use of sarcasm not to mention your name, and look it got a reaction . I tend to disagree with most things you say, but I laugh too, because you try so hard to come across as someone who is superior. I know for myself that i am an individual. It matter not to me if you and others feel the need to add me to some 'make believe' 'collective'. I did quite like this bit though :- A more in-depth definition is: A governing body is a group of people that has the authority to exercise governance over an organization or political entity. The most formal is a government, a body whose sole responsibility and authority is to make binding decisions in a given geopolitical system (such as a state) by establishing laws. Now here in the UK the ruling Government has an opposition party. I know very little about politics but I do know there are two 'houses', the House of Lords and the House of Commons. So there is debate and questioning. Also the people of the UK can vote for a different government every 5 years. And, parliament can be dissolved in some cases. However the Governing Body of CCJW rules over millions of people without debate and questioning. Those 8 men that has the authority to exercise governance, and are a body whose sole responsibility and authority is to make binding decisions, cannot be removed, according to some JWs on this forum. They have given themselves the title 'Faithful and Discreet Slave', and they cannot be disfellowshipped by other JWs. But you seem to think that is ok, however you do not want to become a JW . I totally disagree with most of what you say SM, but. Have a good day.

@Kosonen What you say in the first above comment to JWI, makes good sense, whereas your letter seems to be making too many demands or too much to focus on at once. And your idea of literally flying off to the wilderness is just your personal viewpoint, which you are entitled to of course. But you do not sound mentally unbalanced in your above comment. And I like the idea of people from the Anointed making direct remarks to the GB. The idea of giving the GB a warning sounds sensible, but of course will upset the GB followers. Whether any letters at all actually get to the GB is another thing, but as I've mentioned before, 'With God all things are possible'.

Quote "as is with Witness and the others, whom as a collective, do not understand a thing. " Someone else it seems that has a need to put people into one group. Quote "but never can it be an excuse to assume that because one person did something, everyone else is the same " The Governing Body of CCJW say they are the Faithful and Discreet Slave. So the 8 men act as one. They work together, they make the rules for CCJW, they are responsible for Watchtower material. They are not individuals, they are a 'body'. Therefor they are jointly responsible.

@b4ucuhear The reason I thought the letter was a joke or joke like was because it included so many points. Some of the points were valid of course but I would think three points would be plenty if he wanted them to take it seriously. However, you seem to have joined forces with others on here that think that all people that mention the bad points of CCJW should join together as one. You also seem to have dropped yourself into the trap of calling many people opposers, though whom you refer to in that way i don't know, but you do seem to group them together. Quote :- Why don't all you opposers fight it out between yourselves first, and then present one winner - one Goliath - instead of all the moving targets you usually present. We shouldn't have to fight all your battles and do your thinking for you. That way we don't have to "hopscotch" from one personal/conflicting opinion to another like some crazed "jack-in-the-box." Sure, you may be united in your opposition to JW's, but at least get your stories straight. You guys don't even agree amongst yourselves. So some questions to you and others. Who do you class as opposers ? Why do you think those 'opposers' should be united as one ? Exactly who are they opposed to ? Do you really think they are all opposed for the same reason ? Might even make a good new topic. @JW Insider you first paragraph seems to fit the GB very well and I quote :- you have also provided an "audit trail" of failed time-based interpretations and predictions. you continue to present yourself as an anointed person who actually wants to be seen as a modern day prophet. And Para 2 : I do think you will be seen as one of hundreds of mentally disturbed and imbalanced persons who has associated with Jehovah's Witnesses. Now that fits the GB perfectly. I remember a certain person saying how 'dangerous and perverted' the GB appear to be. In truth though I think it is sad that you've brought this idea of being mentally unstable into the equation. I know this is a ploy of the GB to say that some people are mentally disturbed, but I think it is wrong to put such a label directly on someone. Another quote from another JW on here : My old Bethel friend told me long ago that about 10% of the letters received would appear to be from persons who are mentally ill. A clever way of easily discarding letters that may have probably spoken truth. Just say the letter was from a mentally ill person, then bin it. The excuses from the CCJW Co increase. All people that do not worship the Governing Body and do not obey without question, must be either, Apostate, Opposer or / and Mentally ill. But what must be remembered is that we are all imperfect, so none of us are mentally well balanced.

I only up vote or down vote an individual comment, not the person whom made the comment. If I can find sense and reasoning in a comment, even though i might not totally agree with the comment, i might up vote it. It does no harm, this is only a forum not the coming Judgement. I do feel sorry for Arauna though, with her OCD about OCD. It reminds me of when the GB said concerning Child Sexual Abuse accusations, that the accusations only came from Apostates. Maybe the whole CCJW / W/t have OCD about apostates and oposers

Ye of little faith. Luke 18 v 27 He said: “The things impossible with men are possible with God.” Your acceptance of the immorality and lies within your Org makes you a part of the problem James.

If I could be bothered I'm sure I could find it, but there is no point. If I remember rightly TTH said 'No one can disfellowship them' referring to the Governing Body. But no matter, you JWs are all alike anyway. (And yes that is a reference to something TTH says)

Well Tom and James seem to think your GB cannot be removed or fired, so it would seem that your GB have absolute power over the CCJW and Watchtower soc. Your GB also say that God and Christ trusts the GB, so all of you JWs should trust your GB. And it is known that if anyone disagrees with the GB on anything that they will be d/fed for 'causing a division in the congregation', and that will be carried out by the congregation police known as Elders. Add to that the point of the GB telling the Anointed not to make themselves known and not to gather together and not to have Bible study together. So there is a form of dictatorship within the CCJW. Your outlook seems a bit bleak considering the scriptures say that 'just as it was in the days of Noah ... etc' people eating and drinking and going about daily life, when the end comes.

@Arauna I really get the feeling you are frightened of my words. The hate seems to come from you not me. As I've said before though I must be careful with my words, remembering that john Butler was disfellowshipped from this blog by the Elders here. Moses was not of the Anointed so his resurrection will be here on this Earth. The Governing Body say that they are Anointed, and have only recently admitted to not being inspired by God. If they are of the Anointed then i would presume their sins are sins against the Spirit which may not be forgivable. They are saying that they are the 'faithful and discreet slave', but they act more like the evil slave that beats their fellow slaves. They misuse scripture and make up rules to put pressure on the congregation. To quote you That is why you can not be a JW..... you have lost your humanity and mercy on other humans. But I say to you that your GB have lost their humanity and mercy, because they allow the Victims of Child Sexual Abuse to continue to suffer and they continue to hide paedophiles in the CCJW. The GB continue to degrade the Anointed whilst giving praise to the Elders. They continue to tell congregants to do personal Bible study but condemn those same congregants if they find truth from the scriptures which proves the GB wrong. Concerning your GB :- Matthew 7 v 19 Every tree not producing fine fruit is cut down and thrown into the fire. Matthew 7 v 21 through 23 “Not everyone saying to me, ‘Lord, Lord,’ will enter into the Kingdom of the heavens, but only the one doing the will of my Father who is in the heavens will. 22 Many will say to me in that day: ‘Lord, Lord, did we not prophesy in your name, and expel demons in your name, and perform many powerful works* in your name?’a 23 And then I will declare to them: ‘I never knew* you! Get away from me, you workers of lawlessness!’

And Tom says I'm a crackpot. When i read that letter I thought it was a joke. I agree that the CCJW needs to make lots of changes if God is to use it, but that letter is like starting 20 topics in one. Tom, 8½ more years to go, and the CCJW will need it if it is to be Cleansed and used by God. James you seem to have the same thought that Tom has about the GB. 'They cannot be fired' Matthew 19 v 26 Looking at them intently, Jesus said to them: “With men this is impossible, but with God all things are possible.”

We gave it up willingly to serve where-ever we were needed, through hardship, hunger, beatings, shipwreck, adversity etc... as Paul said. The challenge hasn't hit earthwide yet. Here in the UK JWs have an easy life, and possibly in America too. Time will tell. And as for books, there is only one book a person needs.

@Arauna dictator noun a ruler with total power over a country, typically one who has obtained control by force. a person who behaves in an autocratic way. (in ancient Rome) a chief magistrate with absolute power, appointed in an emergency. autocratic adjective relating to a ruler who has absolute power. "the constitutional reforms threatened his autocratic power" taking no account of other people's wishes or opinions; domineering. "a man with a reputation for an autocratic management style" I think this describes your Governing Body very well

I'm not a group of dictators making up rules to suit my own purpose and misleading millions of innocent people. I am only responsible for myself. Whereas your GB pretend to the F&DS and therefore take great responsibility upon themselves, whilst suppressing the rest of the Anointed ones. But what they offer is not true spiritual wisdom and they do not follow the instructions from Christ.

I think they will pay a big price. Moses never entered the Promised Land and I don't think they will enter one either.

Matthew 5 v 38 through 42 “You heard that it was said: ‘Eye for eye and tooth for tooth.’ 39 However, I say to you: Do not resist the one who is wicked, but whoever slaps you on your right cheek, turn the other also to him. 40 And if a person wants to take you to court and get possession of your inner garment, let him also have your outer garment;c 41 and if someone in authority compels you into service for a mile, go with him two miles. 42 Give to the one asking you, and do not turn away from one who wants to borrow from you. The GB and their Lawyers do not understand the spiritual things from God. It also seems they are ashamed of their own videos.

Ah now you can have a beard, but you must keep wearing that neck tie. Just another rule of men.

Quote @Arauna " Beautiful religion heh? Pity no-one writes about these and the many other sexual perversions in the pagan "religion of peace " 'Pot calling the kettle black', if you know that expression. And it seems you are writing about these things yourself. So please do not be unhappy when others write about the Child Sexual Abuse within the CCJW.

@James Thomas Rook Jr. I apologise for misquoting you.

NWT Matthew 19 v 9 I say to you that whoever divorces his wife, except on the grounds of sexual immorality, and marries another commits adultery.” NWT says on account of 'sexual immorality' JW Org, definition :- Sexual immorality From the Greek por·neiʹa, a general term for all unlawful sexual intercourse. It includes adultery, prostitution, sexual relations between unmarried individuals, homosexuality, and bestiality. It is used figuratively in Revelation with regard to a religious prostitute called “Babylon the Great” to describe her consorting with the rulers of this world for power and material gain. (Rev 14:8; 17:2; 18:3; Mt 5:32; Ac 15:29; Ga 5:19)—See PROSTITUTE. @AraunaIt just uses the word porneia.... and what porneia includes ? It seems your Org gives you the answer you want. However I've no idea how recent this info is as @James Thomas Rook Jr. wrote that it didn't include homosexuality, and bestiality.

I can't remember. Was that the film only available in a foreign language with subtitles ?

https://studios.vidangel.com/the-chosen I don't watch television and I'm quite choosy as to films that I will watch, but when it comes to the 'Life of Christ Jesus' I am quite keen to watch films and programmes of interest. I have just finished watching Series One of ' The Chosen'. It is about the Life of Jesus from before He made Himself know to the 'public at large'. Of course it uses a lot of 'artistic licence' and lots of things in it are not facts, but I find it helpful to see the type of lifestyle the Jews lived and to see Jesus and His followers as real people. I don't know if your 'Leaders' will tell you not to watch it, but i found it relaxing and a pleasure to watch. I particularly liked Nicodemus and his meeting with Jesus, the questions asked and answered. I don't think any of you would find it offensive but of course you will note many faults in it, as i did. However, in my opinion it is far better to watch this than watch most other films of our time.

I agree with @Srecko Sostar about acceptance of God, Jesus and Gospels. Most JWs cannot separate their religion, from God, Christ and the bible. Most JWs think that if a person leaves the CCJW then that person has also left God and Christ and no longer believes the Bible. Mr Harley seems to be one of those that cannot get his head around the difference between God / Christ and the CCJW. But even sensible JWs admit to the wrongful interpretation of scriptures by the GB. And honest JWs admit to the horrible CSA problems within the CCJW. And many JWs say how wrong the shunning and disfellowshipping of innocent congregants is. And I would think it came as a shock to some when the GB admitted to NOT being inspired of God. So the GB now admit they do as many others do. They study God's word through prayer, and then make their own interpretations. Many of those interpretations are turned into rules of men and have no real scriptural basis. The hypocrisy seems to appear when the GB 'change the meaning' of scriptures to suit their own needs. But JWs just accept the change as normal. Whereas people outside the CCJW may have known the true meaning many years before. Or in my case I realise that I am not supposed to guess or to know many things. It keeps me humble to know that it is a continuous learning curve.

According to Jesus' words, we are being judged by the inclinations of our heart. I am happy that both God and Christ are merciful and that whomever is judging me knows more about me than i know about myself.