Reflections (page 9)

Pathofthorns

Hey martini

Just because someone "claims" to be "God's People" doesn't mean that they are. Jesus said people would come claiming all sorts of things, but make sure so that you are not misled.

What proof can you share with us that proves that the WTBS is God's chosen instrument? Surely such proof should be so obvious that these claims should be beyond any doubt.

I don't expect perfection from Jehovah's Witnesses. But when someone claims to be led by God, i do expect perfect direction, and if there are predictions, i expect all to come true. God does not lie.

I don't fault you in any way for your wanting to make sure. Probably most of us did the same things. It is good not to make hasty decisions on matters of importance as this. But you need to keep asking yourself on what facts you base this confidence you have in the WTBS being led by God?

Otherwise, you might find that you continue to build your life on a foundation that really is no foundation at all. But to each their own I guess.

Path

Frenchy

Martini: I have made a reply on the other thread.

-Seen it all, done it all, can't remember most of it-

Lady Lee

wow what a powerful thread - a MUST READ

AhHah

Once in a while I check in here. If any who posted on this thread are reading this, please accept my warmest greetings! Hope this finds you all healthy and moving forward with life. I just re-read this post and was very moved again by the sincerity of everyone and the sense of community that I needed so much at this difficult time of my life. So thank you all once again. Peace and love to all of you.

Magnum

Hey, AhHah. I'm saving a link to this thread so I can read the whole thing, but right now, since you've been around for a while, I'd like to know what you think about the current situation / goings-on in JWdom. Have you been keeping up? Have you read about the construction halts, the "firing" of special pioneers and Bethelites around the world, the seeming financial crisis of the org, etc.?

AhHah

Hi Magnum. I had not seen any of this news, but I am curious to read more. If there are any links I should check out please let me know.

Magnum

There has been a lot going on the past few years. It's been interesting to watch. A few years ago, I would not have believed that JWdom could become what it is now.

I looked back at all threads up to about two weeks ago, and I couldn’t find the main ones. Maybe somebody else can find them and post some links.

Following are are some of the fairly recent changes / goings-on / etc. You might be aware of some of this.

-The district overseer position has been abolished. No more DO’s.

-No more book studies. That arrangment has been gone for a few years. (Remember how the Book Study was supposed to be critical to our spiritual well-being?)

-District Conventions now called Regional Conventions.

-JWdom went from demonizing the internet to embracing it. JWs have made a virtual idol of their website (JW.ORG). They have the logo plastered everywhere – even on Kingdom Halls. They wear pins and ties with the logo; they have umbrellas, mugs, etc. with the logo on them.

-There seems to be some kind of financial problem (crisis?) going on with the org. They announced a worldwide buidling campaign with fanfare and then not long thereafter halted and slowed down buidling.

-They took all the extra money (savings, building funds, etc) that congregations had. They “forgave” congregation loans. I put the word “forgave” in quotation marks because they didn’t really frogive anything. They basically said "we forgive the loans, but we want you to pay us a set amount (like maybe the loan amount) in perpetuity." It’s insane. It would be like this: You owe me $100. You’re paying me $10/month to pay off the loan. I say “I forgive the loan; just pay me $10/month from now on.” Their doing that should give them steady income from now on (that is, until everybody wises up). Oh, and they also told congregations that didn't have loans to make monthly donations as if they had had loans. So now they should get set monthly payments from all congregations.

-Many Bethelites around the world are being told their services are no longer needed. Those that remain will do their own cleaning and laundry. I think there is a change in the eating arrangement, too. Something like maybe cafeteria style – no servers.

-Many special pioneers around the world are receiving letters stating that very shortly they will no longer be such.

-The Watchtower and Awake! have been reduced in size and in number of issues.

-Their was a massive selloff of Brooklyn property. The org is leaving there and buidling a new luxury compound in Warwick.

-There are no more Regional Builidng Committees (will explain that one later if you want).

-Last summer JWs went nuts in conjunction with Internation Conventions. They were dancing in Kingdom Halls and in parking lots, playing music they never would have in the past, etc. I have a lot of videos saved.

-Most of us seem to agree that it is no longer the religion we once knew. JWdom has been drastically dumbed down. The old, deeper Franz era stuff has been abandoned.

-There seems to have a been a deliberate, carefully crafted rebranding. Many of us think they hired an outside PR firm.

-They have "new light" on the meaning of the term "generation" in Matthew 24:34. It is absolutely ludicrous.

Here a few interesting links, but, again, I wasn't able to find the main ones. Will look again later. Maybe some others on this site can provide links and more info.

http://www.jehovahs-witness.com/topic/4835746712125440/special-pioneer-sister-law-husband-just-got-their-letter

http://www.jehovahs-witness.com/topic/5738468374216704/special-pioneer-couple-living-kingdom-hall-miami-fl-get-dreaded-letter

http://www.jehovahs-witness.com/topic/4811235803529216/announcement-clip-2015-annual-meeting-sam-herd-confirming-what-we-knew-month-ago-about-slow-down-halt-worldwide-construction

http://www.jehovahs-witness.com/topic/5995604509458432/london-bethelites-living-on-their-nerves

http://www.jehovahs-witness.com/topic/4728967114260480/bethel-germany-same-happening-here

http://www.jehovahs-witness.com/topic/6267333953716224/bethel-layoffs-australia-confirmed

http://www.jehovahs-witness.com/topic/5205240567562240/does-w-t-have-financial-problems-they-just-rebranding

http://www.jehovahs-witness.com/topic/4864903064059904/more-from-london-bethel

http://www.jehovahs-witness.com/topic/6324247186112512/cliff-notes-on-construction-halt-bethel-layoffs

http://www.jehovahs-witness.com/topic/4610935641604096/bethels-all-downsizing-within-year

http://www.jehovahs-witness.com/topic/5660989781442560/co-midwest-gets-pink-slipped

http://www.jehovahs-witness.com/topic/6511546985349120/letter-read-meeting-this-week-about-downsize