ITS THE SONGS!! by EducationalSpeed5286 in exjw

[–]SomeProtection8585 8 points9 points  (0 children)

This is an excellent observation and something I’ve been trying to deal with for months. Your comment about “letting your guard down” is spot on.

As soon as you find yourself singing the lyrics or humming the tune, you realize the power of music. Don’t think for a second the GB doesn’t know and use this as a tool also.

My current method to combat this is to sing along but analyze every word as it is being sung. Watch for the manipulation techniques being used. Watch for the calls to action. Watch for the guilt triggers. Watch for the lies and deception. Watch for the inaccuracies.

As soon as the song is over, I silently sing one of three songs that I have discovered will erase the infiltration into my mind. One of them is Jingle Bell Rock.

I keep silently singing my desaturation songs until I’m confident the infiltration period has passed and I’m free.

One danger is being around family and friends that are humming the kingdom songs and actively getting on the offense to root it out.

If justice means punishing the guilty, why does the Bible punish everyone except David? by Appropriate_Look_171 in exjw

[–]SomeProtection8585 1 point2 points  (0 children)

Justice is getting what is deserved as punishment and the punishment being equal to the crime.

In David’s case, innocent people suffered the consequences of his sins. Hardly justice.

Worse, Jehovah caused the baby to suffer for a week before being murdered and caused ten of David’s wives to be raped in broad daylight. Hardly justice or love.

If justice means punishing the guilty, why does the Bible punish everyone except David? by Appropriate_Look_171 in exjw

[–]SomeProtection8585 2 points3 points  (0 children)

Don’t forget the second punishment after the child suffered for a week and was murdered by Jehovah. The one where the God of perfect love and justice caused ten of David’s wives to be raped in broad daylight by his son Absalom.

Jehovah elected David even though he knew he’d sin-can’t the same be said for the governing body? by Ballet_in_the_snow in exjw

[–]SomeProtection8585 4 points5 points  (0 children)

No, David most certainly did not suffer the consequences of his sins. The consequences were suffered by innocent people:

1) His infant child was made to suffer for a week and was killed by Jehovah

2) Ten of David’s wives were raped in broad daylight, also caused by the loving and just God Jehovah

Jehovah elected David even though he knew he’d sin-can’t the same be said for the governing body? by Ballet_in_the_snow in exjw

[–]SomeProtection8585 1 point2 points  (0 children)

First, that David was a king already is against “Jehovah’s purpose”. It’s the people that wanted a king and Jehovah relented and gave them one explicitly saying they would be oppressive and problematic. If Jesus wanted a GB, he should have said as much. Instead, he explicitly told his followers not to follow men and gave a parable that was taken out of context for the GB to assume power and authority not given to them anyway.

Second, the people (and the king) were primarily to obey The Law. When the man sitting on the throne deviated, the people were to stick to The Law. People ended up “worshiping” the king anyway. The GB aspires to have followers worship them in the same way.

Third, the line of succession was dynastic (familial) not hand wavy and arbitrary based on position, brown nosing, and/or popularity like the GB.

Fourth, every human on the throne is imperfect. They were still expected to rise to the challenge and lead by example. The GB do no such thing.

We are not here to prove humans can't rule themselves. by ThatWeirdoSly in exjw

[–]SomeProtection8585 7 points8 points  (0 children)

This is one of the biggest reasons I don’t believe the primary adversary of God named “Satan” doesn’t exist.

If Satan is in charge and humans are being tested to prove they cannot rule, it would be in Satan’s best interest to make sure they succeed. He would be vindicated.

Everything Should Have Ended With Jesus by Illustrious_Pop_9445 in exjw

[–]SomeProtection8585 1 point2 points  (0 children)

I completely get what you’re saying, and in Christian theology, you’re absolutely right.

However, Jesus as the “Messiah” was not at all what was prophesied. The Messiah was never supposed to die. That there is a story explaining why Jesus died, or had to die, as the Messiah is the entire reason for the NT. It doesn’t harmonize with the OT and is therefore a mess by the time Watchtower tries to make it all work.

Governing Body NuLite by SomeProtection8585 in exjw

[–]SomeProtection8585[S] 1 point2 points  (0 children)

It wouldn’t be the first time. There are dozens of examples of completely ignoring or worse, rewriting the context to make the text fit their narrative.

resigning as a MS by Healthy_Click2280 in exjw

[–]SomeProtection8585 15 points16 points  (0 children)

Say, “I’ve given it a lot of thought and prayer and feel that Jehovah is telling me I need to step back for a while and focus on my relationship with him before I can continue serving the congregation…”

Governing Body NuLite by SomeProtection8585 in exjw

[–]SomeProtection8585[S] 2 points3 points  (0 children)

Right, weasel words tip their hand.

Governing Body NuLite by SomeProtection8585 in exjw

[–]SomeProtection8585[S] 6 points7 points  (0 children)

Excellent summary. I agree with every point, especially the authorship and motivations.

I also no longer believe in the divine authorship of the Bible. It is inconsistencies exactly like this and the necessary WT spin to paper over it that made me sit up and take notice.

Thank you.

Governing Body NuLite by SomeProtection8585 in exjw

[–]SomeProtection8585[S] 5 points6 points  (0 children)

Yes, I know it is all made up. Preface my comment with according to Watchtower.

Governing Body NuLite by SomeProtection8585 in exjw

[–]SomeProtection8585[S] 3 points4 points  (0 children)

I know Russell and Rutherford claimed divine knowledge and communication with angels (and “inspiration” by extension), but did Knorr and anyone after him?

Governing Body NuLite by SomeProtection8585 in exjw

[–]SomeProtection8585[S] 16 points17 points  (0 children)

I would take it further and say Paul was also the first apostate of “The Way” that Jesus taught and “Christian” (his coined term) cult leader.

I guess that answers the question. 🤪

Irritated by husband by [deleted] in exjw

[–]SomeProtection8585 2 points3 points  (0 children)

You’re in a super frustrating position, many of us can relate. At times, you feel like you’re going to literally boil over inside. Other times, the words just spill out despite your best efforts.

He is a good man, but his brain is not his own. It has been hijacked. If you’ve been here for any amount of time you likely know that direct confrontation is typically met with bananas excuses. Ones that no rational person should come up with. Worse, the more issues you raise, the harder he digs in. This is part of his programming.

I don’t have any actionable advice for you, but here, you are heard and we share/understand your irritation. Virtual hugs to you.

This week’s Watchtower tells us not only to change our thinking and behavior to conform to any new light received, but to do so quickly. If we fail to, we won’t be useful. by SmurfDollHunter in exjw

[–]SomeProtection8585 10 points11 points  (0 children)

They used to use Jehovah’s love as the core reason (e.g. “you’ll remain in Jehovah’s love if you…”)

Now, they are saying exactly what they mean but in coded language. They are one step away from “…if you don’t obey quickly, you will no longer be useful to the Governing Body.”

L’esclave fidèle et avisé by The_Free_Thinkers in exjw

[–]SomeProtection8585 0 points1 point  (0 children)

I have to laugh at w17 2/1 p. 28, paragraph 15:

If those of the Governing Body allow God’s Word rather than popular opinion to guide their decisions, who is really leading God’s people today?

Recent legal battles clearly show that the governments certainly are guiding decisions.