Robert began this forum more then a decade ago. Several years ago he left the forum and the remaining members decided to carry on our fellowship, and the result is the progression we have here today.
I would highly recommend all of Roberts work including his book which you can read on his website, "Jehovah Himself Has Become King". I came across his work in 2007 and it changed my life for sure. None of us are right about everything, but we all have pieces. Robert's work as it pertained to me was to finally answer that dang 1914 question that I had been asking for decades... In do time Jehovah will uncover what direction he wants us to travel... In this I have faith, and the reason we continue to unite here.
Please don't include links to other forums here... I had to exclude it... Robert will not except your invitation... He's not interested in that format currently...
Well, thanks, Joshua. I didn't know he started this forum. That is dismaying, because I do believe we are to encourage one another. He does seem aloof...but maybe that has changed? I will let you know if he comes to share his thoughts at our site. I still think you should allow me to post our site. It is very wacky in some ways, but it is definitely 'thinking outside the box.'...which we must do, lest we stay imprisoned inside.
When I first found Robert in 2003 I thought he was ... interesting [grouchy] His grouchy exterior is simply a defense which stems from not wanting to be a "adored" by his fans, or turned into some sort of idol. I have the utmost respect for Robert on many levels; "the real deal" is probably the best description for him, in my opinion. (regardless if we agree / disagree with his framework)
People can think what the want to about Robert. Actually, he doesn’t care what they think. He stands by what he says, and he does not take what he says lightly. He can back it up with scripture when it involves anything about the Bible. I had been away from “the Truth”, and the Bible for over 22 years. While at work, a conversation about the Bible came up. It was erroneous and I wanted to defend it. When I went home, I couldn’t find my old “book bag”/ briefcase, so I had to use one of the Bibles in my personal library. Once I started reading it, I started searching the internet for JW’s. I also found by briefcase wedged in the far corner of one of our closets. At that time I came across E-Watchman. I found someone who “knew what he was talking about”. So, I started reading and studying the Bible to see if he was correct. Check. How could he possibly be doing all this research and quotes, keep a website up to date, write a book, etc. I thought it was a group of individual working together. Then, I found out it was just him, doing it all. It took me a while, of reading posts on the forum. I didn’t want to get into all that turmoil. It took me about six months of “lurking” before I joined. I carefully looked for a “nam de plume” that fit who I had been and who I was. I chose the Hebrew word for watcher from Micah 7:7. I have to thank Robert for getting me back on track. I think of those lost years as time I could have been studying and learning Hebrew, Aramaic, and Greek a lot better than I do now. Of course those were not totally lost years. I also experienced quite a bit about my fellow man, culture, history, philosophy, music, screen writing, the entertainment business, etc. I met quite a few "famous" people. Most were jerks, but a few were really down to earth people. Some were even sorry that they became famous, and wished they had spent more time with their families. Instead, they were hooked into unbreakable contracts. Most of their time was spent on the road or in the studios. I was glad that I didn't pursue that career. The rest is history.