New Light on Beards

[xero]

26 minutes ago, George88 said:

Once again, "pudgy," you seem to have completely misunderstood everything about the Org. Why not let go of the negativity and start demonstrating a more mature approach? Pass it on to your friends.

You sure you weren't a stand-in for one of Jobs' comforters?

[Pudgy]

I understand about the “Organization” that their stated goals are righteous, wholesome, and good.

I understand that of all the religions on Earth Jehovah’s Witnesses alone have the core truths.

I even understand why it is normal and to be expected as normal why 85% of Watchtower Policies are irrational, dangerous drivel.

Robots will never be human until they become as naturally ignorantly evil as we are.

[Pudgy]

… and I say that not as a two dimensional cartoon dog who although he does eat out of a bowl on the floor, never poops or pees.

[Pudgy]

Just now, Pudgy said:

… and I say that not as a two dimensional cartoon dog who although he does eat out of a bowl on the floor, never poops or pees.

 

[Many Miles]

11 hours ago, Anna said:

I think this is about unity.

I think the current GB realizes it has a compilation of messes on its hands that can only accrue problematically. It's trying to dig itself out. But the fear is the pile is too deep. Ultimately the 1914 thing will implode on itself. Just a matter of time. Ultimately the blood policy will implode on itself. Just a matter of time. I think the society is looking for an exit ramp. Too many problems, too many informational sources. It'll only snowball.

[Pudgy]

Is it possible, Georgie, that you you and your transparent up and down voting sock puppet that AI  is an acronym for “Applied Ignorance”? 

It’s clear your TDS has evolved to include WDS … “… the sword that cuts both ways …”.

I should ask ChatGBT … it’s only wrong 55% of the time.

 

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[xero]

29 minutes ago, Many Miles said:

I think the current GB realizes it has a compilation of messes on its hands that can only accrue problematically. It's trying to dig itself out. But the fear is the pile is too deep. Ultimately the 1914 thing will implode on itself. Just a matter of time. Ultimately the blood policy will implode on itself. Just a matter of time. I think the society is looking for an exit ramp. Too many problems, too many informational sources. It'll only snowball.

The thing is, that one thing I go back to, is not so much that the humans behind the organization have been brilliant, or their ideas were literally from Jehovah's mouth to their ears (or even what was imagined w/regard to those who imagine themselves to be anointed) is this: Jehovah uses organizations to accomplish his will and purposes. With all it's defects this particular organization has highlighted and stuck to many important fundamental points. No Trinity, no hellfire, the kingdom is a government, Jesus is the king of that government, the need to personally get on board with preaching personally. It was the only one annoying enough to get my attention back when I was an unhappy atheist. "1914? Are you kidding me? That's pretty specific. How did you get that?" It little matters to me now that certain things I'd expected didn't take place as I'd expected, or even as I was led to believe. The people I was introduced to were really different and different because THEY believed what they were saying. There was a personal cost to the individual to become one of Jehovah's Witnesses. One can't say that about most nominally Christian organizations. Disfellowshipping, as painful as it is and has been is a critical factor as well, though I disagree with it's use as a tool to silence those drawing attention to perceived or real failings. In the end it is and has served in my view, Jehovah's purposes, though I'll admit to believing that it is not the only one in history or even today to be doing so. I think of the dragnet illustration,and the organizations admission to be part of that dragnet, and I  believe that this is so, and though I couldn't attach myself to any other organization I still feel that it's up to each individual to work out his own salvation with fear and trembling (all the while I can't admit to so much trembling any more at this stage of my life, recognizing that I'm about as good as I can get right now and that's not so great either, so as the saying goes "so sue me" and "you can't get blood out of a turnip" if someone wants any more out of me. I trust Jehovah will deal with me justly (whatever that might be) and I'm OK with that). If a person feels that some other organization would better suit their spiritual growth, then they have the personal responsibility to go with them. I won't curse them if they choose to go even if that wouldn't be my choice.

What comes to mind as I ramble is "Greetings!  Consider it all joy, my brothers, when you meet with various trials, ³ knowing as you do that this tested quality of your faith produces endurance. But let endurance complete its work, so that you may be complete and sound in all respects, not lacking in anything..." James 1:2

People and organizations are like art. There's a proper viewing distance. Sometimes I see trees, sometimes I see the forest. Sometimes I see defects, and sometimes I see these as an opportunity.

In all this I look for Jehovah and to him and the guidance of his Son, and not to the humans who may or may not be moving in harmony with the Holy Spirit.

For some reason that also reminds me of this clip from "Enter the Dragon"

"Don't concentrate on the finger"

[TrueTomHarley]

22 minutes ago, xero said:

People and organizations are like art. There's a proper viewing distance. Sometimes I see trees, sometimes I see the forest. Sometimes I see defects, and sometimes I see these as an opportunity.

This is very perceptive, very applicable.

[TrueTomHarley]

On 12/16/2023 at 10:50 AM, xero said:

Then I see it all as some kind of useful social exercise. It forces me to think about the benefits and hazards of conformity

this is too.

[TrueTomHarley]

1 hour ago, Many Miles said:

Ultimately the 1914 thing will implode on itself

Says who? 

The veracity of it will not be evident for decades to come. ‘Generation’ can even be stretched further by saying it means ‘era.’

Meantime, those too intent on proving themselves right over this matter tend to miss entirely the greater world’s astonishingly rapid plunge. They effectively join the ranks of ridiculers with their, ‘Where is this promised presence of his?

If the GB simply holds the line on 1914, it becomes a game of chicken with those plotting their downfall. It becomes the movie ending of all movie endings of the Greatest Action Flik of All Time. Let us see who pees their pants first.

 

 

[Anna]

13 hours ago, Pudgy said:

Since neither have any physical bodies, and any beards are just human artist’s concepts,

That wasn't the point

(I know that 😂)

[Anna]

11 hours ago, Srecko Sostar said:

That demand for "answers" from GB is actually a reflection of the devastating spiritual condition of the flock in so called true Christianity aka JW Church.

You are looking at it wrongly