James Thomas Rook Jr.

I realize all to well that I should NEVER be granted immortality, as one of the Anointed of God, and my chief value as a human is to set a bad example that should NOT be emulated.

Perhaps that is why all three of my children turned out so well ....they had my example of what they did not want to turn out like.

I do like to discuss philosophy, common sense, practical efficiencies, but consider myself a "theologian" ... nah.

The "dark side of the Force, Luke ..." is unfortunately, very strong within me.

If I had not been associated with Jehovah's Witnesses my whole adult life, I probably would have been rightfully executed many, many years ago, and Civilization would have been a lot safer.

It's a good thing God created a physical Universe as available Real Estate for the sons and daughters of DNA ... or the Universe would have never been created ... and WE WOULD NEVER HAVE BEEN BORN

Only DNA has the ability to make "something new" .... and we should be appreciative that it is God's good pleasure to create and nurture, and create an environment ( currently a 30 billion or so diameter light year in diameter Universe), and to infuse in us a burning, insatiable curiosity about all things in this Universe ... and a hunger to explore .... and to "boldly go where no man has gone before".

Do I want to be a heavenly angel, and never taste ice cold Welsh's grape juice, again... and never sail across an endless sea of stars, forever learning about how this Universe works ... or never pioneer an entirely new planet, somewhere out there in the galaxy, blasting a gap in a mountain pass to get my Conestoga wagon through, with my wife, my animals and a pack of dogs following happily behind. to the lush green valley beyond?

NO

As far as I am concerned, it is the static creations of angelic life that are second class citizens.

But then again, different strokes, for different folks ....,

... and it is not in the slightest what we want ... it is all about what Jehovah wants.

 I agree with the principle for the Governing Body the same as what Jesus said for the scribes and Pharisees, of his day..

(Matthew 23:2, 3) . . .“The scribes and the Pharisees have seated themselves in the seat of Moses. 3 Therefore, all the things they tell you, do and observe, . .

Although I have many points of disagreement with the Governing Body, looking back on my 73 years, half of which were wasted or will be wasted in the natural consequences of self-destructive works, or the consequences thereof, I realize the absolute truth of this scripture.

I see, Space Merchant,  that you feel very strongly about that ....

On 5/11/2020 at 11:17 AM, 4Jah2me said:

Maybe the whole CCJW / W/t have OCD about apostates and oposers  

It has been my observation that WE ALL have OCD, about things that we feel strongly about ...

It's similar to the old joke,

QUESTION:  "What is a cult?"

ANSWER:  "It's the church down the street from YOUR church."

I have often thought .... that in case of Global Thermonuclear War, that my response would be to get a cooler of beer, a lawn chair, and sit out in the middle of the street, and watch the show.

Not the same as "praying for death", but not the "normal" response.

8 hours ago, JW Insider said:

I have followed Asperger's Syndrome very closely. I thought I knew someone who must have had it as a child, but which was only detectable as a mild case when he was older.

1 hour ago, Witness said:

But I have this against you: You tolerate the woman Jezebel, who calls herself a prophetess and teaches and deceives my servants to commit sexual immorality and to eat meat sacrificed to idols. 

If anybody accuses me of "tolerating" any real or perceived errors or imaginary evils done by the Governing Body, I will respond in this way:

Currently, there is no one on Earth that can depose the Governing Body, and because that is true, all things must be endured.

The sole tool any JW has is voting with their feet, or wallet.

There is a difference between "toleration", and endurance.

There is ONLY one excuse for rebellion.

If you win.

I think it was Robert A. Heinlein that once said something like " A Committee is a life form with at least six legs,... and no brain".

1 minute ago, Kosonen said:

But I feel more and more urgency and such a coincidence,

Ever notice that you NEVER see a picture of Elizabeth Taylor and Ernest Borgnine in the same picture?

Coincidence?

I think NOT!

.... Finding the correct balance of words, tone, and emphasis is often very difficult when your wife asks "Do you think I look fat?'

Is it in the Bible the saying "Know thyself"?

If someone needs help .... call the FBI.

They have the files.

I had a good friend once tell me, and I realized it might be true, "You are not crazy enough to be put away ... but if you ever got in, they might not let you go!".

5 minutes ago, TrueTomHarley said:

Make it Pluto, and I’ll throw in 90,000.

Do I get to meet Mickey?

1 hour ago, Srecko Sostar said:

You have fine sense for humor. Our only goal here is to rise numbers of Member's Total Reputation, and best way for that, according to Forum, is to up-vote or like someone's comment.  :)))) 

As of today, I only have 3666 "upvotes".

I understand that when I get 10,000 "upvotes", I get an all expense paid trip to Hawaii !

7 hours ago, Arauna said:

I have lost interest.  If you have not said anything I have not heard over and over before.

... sorta like being stuck in the "third grade" FOREVER ?

... hearing the same lectures repeated over, and over, and over, and over, for 60 years?

I certainly DO know how you feel!

2 hours ago, 4Jah2me said:

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. 

4J:

You seem to get disoriented and confused very easily, about who said what. Your credibility is already shot , with me, irregardless of the credibility of any arguments you may proffer, because of that.

And MY point is there is no one on Earth that has the power to fire the Governing Body for any reason whatsoever ... and I am lamenting that fact ... NOT exulting in it.

That makes them unaccountable to anyone, and immune to consequences for ANYTHING they do, at least inside the WTB&TS.

The same thing was true in Jesus' time ... but Jesus himself commanded that Jews "stay with that system", until he himself replaced it.

The GB is supposed to show mercy to us, but can't, because of policy.

That does NOT mean we can't be understanding that they are deeply flawed men, trapped in a system they created, and have no idea how to change it.

"STUFF HAPPENS" (paraphrased)

Get used to it ... that's the way things REALLY are.

3 hours ago, 4Jah2me said:

James you seem to have the same thought that Tom has about the GB. 'They cannot be fired' 

And 4J:

It is I who have said that perhaps six times on this forum .... not TTH.

You appear to not be a "detail oriented person".

TTH: You are naive ... or perhaps just less scarred than I am ...but you are not delusional.

I read everything you write here, and have for years, and I remember ideas and principles like a steel trap.

(Where I put my shoes ... not so much ....)

On this forum, in the last 5 years, you did not say that which was attributed to you.

Most of the horror in this world is by people with, in their opinions, the very best of motives .... but it is almost always self delusion.

Justice must be tempered with mercy for blind pawns ...

... and also blind "Kings".

John 9:41

What if a frog had wings, and could fly?

Some of his points were very good, and very important.

Some were strong personal opinions with no basis in fact.

Of course, I may be wrong, but it is not probable.

... even as a Barbarian, I was trying to be careful ... like opening a door with two broken hinges.

Whether your points are valid, or not, they are incapable of changing, for two reasons:

1.)  Momentum

2.) Unlike your letter, they cannot be fired.

Fahrenheit 451.

.... fuel at the proper time.

In that second photo, is that rabbit ears sticking up out of that Easter Basket?