JW gatherings good for economy

by sf 8 Replies latest jw friends

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  sf

  < http://detnews.com/2001/oakland/0106/08/d04-233294.htm

  Jehovah's Witness gathering spurs economy
  Merchants forecast big sales as followers learn more on faith

  Gathering of faithful
  * Theme: Teachers of God's Word.
  * Sponsor: Watchtower Bible and Tract Society.
  * Site: Pontiac Silverdome.
  * Admission: Free; open to public.
  * Hours: 9:30 a.m. to 5 p.m. Friday and Saturday; 9:30 a.m. to 4 p.m. Sunday.
  * Information: www.watchtower.org on Internet.
  By Valerie D. Lockhart / Special to The Detroit News

  OAK PARK -- To merchants, this weekend's Jehovah's Witness regional conference at the Silverdome is a three-day surge in business.
  To followers like Larry Odett of South Lyon and 10-year-old Tonica Brewer of Oak Park, it means much, much more.
  "I'm going to learn how to be a good teacher," said Tonica, clutching a book bag containing her Bible and notebooks. "I need my supplies to take notes at the convention."
  They will join nearly 40,000 other people at the convention beginning Friday at the Pontiac Silverdome. The free event runs through Sunday and will focus on teaching followers more about their faith so that they can teach others.
  "Before we can be teachers, we have to be students of the Bible," said Odett, who's helping to publicize the event. "We will learn how to apply Bible principles in our family and personal life through a series of talks and demonstrations. Each talk will emphasize how God wants mankind to live."
  Local ministers and headquarters representatives will address members from 233 congregations in Michigan, Ohio and Indiana. The Watchtower Bible and Tract Society of New York hosts similar gatherings in 62 cities this spring and summer.
  Any program drawing tens of thousands of travelers is good news for local businesses, especially hotels.
  Convention delegates reserved 205 of the 415 rooms at the Holiday Inn in Southfield this weekend.
  "With economic conditions being slower this year due to layoffs, the convention is a boost for business," said Jennifer Rexius, director of sales for the hotel.
  Restaurants and groceries also see a sales surge.
  "Each year, there are approximately 50 to 100 customers added each day during that three-day period," said Jerry Yurgo, owner of Hollywood Market in Pontiac. "Conventions have a ripple effect across a five- to six-mile radius, so we all benefit."
  At the sold-out Marriott at Centerpoint, which opened in Pontiac last year, marketing director Patrick Tinetti also welcomed "a nice piece of business for hotels in the area."
  "Most weekends are not sellouts," he said.
  Convention highlights will include a baptism and a dramatic play, Respect Jehovah's Authority.
  On Sunday, actors in ancient-style attire will depict a Biblical story, showing its modern relevance.
  "Each year, I gain a different perspective on how to apply Bible principles in my life," said Larry Logan, an 18-year member from Lathrup Village. "The convention makes me stronger spiritually and betters me personally."

  Valerie D. Lockhart is a Metro Detroit free-lance writer.

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  "WE ARE NO PART OF THIS WORLD OF THINGS"

  Can you spell b u l l s h i t?

  I knew you could!
• 

  bboyneko

  A series of nazi's for satan convention would generate a lot of income to the econmy, or perhaps puppy kickers international conventions. Just because they generate money does not mean it is a good cause. I could generate alot of money for the local economy by dealing drugs and spending the money I earn, or pimping my hos.
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  Bridgette

  Hey, remember when it became a big deal, because JW's were going to these big cities, not tipping the waitstaffs, housekeepers, etc. It got even got rather difficult for them to solicit cheaper rates and city support for their conventions. Of course, them not tipping was usually, BECAUSE THEY WERE SO POOR, THEY'D BARELY MADE IT TO THE CONVENTION!!! But that was beside the point. The "society" had to write instructions on tipping, and not being cheap when going to conventions. Then the article next week would be "not storing up for yourselves, earthly treasures!--is college REALLY necessary?"
  *sigh*
  B.
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  bboynekosgirlfriend

  I could generate alot of money for the local economy by dealing drugs and spending the money I earn, or pimping my hos.

  Ho..you peemp faw me!
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  LDH1

  10-year-old Tonica Brewer of Oak Park, it means much, much more.
  "I'm going to learn how to be a good teacher," said Tonica, clutching a book bag containing her Bible and notebooks. "I need my supplies to take notes at the convention."

  Parents should be shot for subjecting their children to these all dya propoganda sessions.

  It would be far more accurate if she said, "I'm going to learn how to be a good saleslady for the WBTS!

  I can't believe 22 years ago, this was me and probably a lot of you too.

  Thank God my 11 y.o. is going to marching band competition and not to some damn religious convention this weekend.

  Lisa
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  NotBlind

  This idea that every rank-and-file member of the WTS is a 'good teacher' because they sat through 3 days of this convention makes a mockery of the thousands of REAL teachers/educators who truly teach the public and do a good job of it.
• 

  LDH1

  Oh yeah, I almost forgot! WHOSE economy is it good for?

  Certainly not the rank and file JW who have to clean goddamn toilets and save money they should be going on vacation with to attend a three day seminar!

  Many in the congregationcan barely afford to get there, and now that they've taken away the food/donation arrangement (which certainly helped the poorest of the bros.) there is nothing but worry worry worry about where the money to attend is going to come from!

  Lisa
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  Ranchette

  You guys,

  LOL, This is too funny!!

  I feel sorry for this City getting their hopes up about thousands of JW's coming to their town.

  Ihe main business that do well during this time is hotel & motels and resturants.Maybe gas stations too.

  That's pretty much it since the thousands are held as a captive audience for most all shopping hours!!LOL

  Plus the fact that they are usualy poor as others have brought out already.

  Ranchette
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  Utopian Reformist

  Although I am no longer a JW, I must admit that even if I did not discover the real truth heroically published by "whistle-blowers", I probably would have left anyway simply because of the inordinate amount of tedious preparation necessary just to maintain a basic level of participation.

  The additional efforts and arrangements needed to attend these WTBS events was wearing my resistance down, year after year. It's funny, when I was a new convert, I scoffed at catholics in my community who attended church in casual or revealing attire, now almost 20 years later, I couldn't muster up the energy to dress for a meeting.

  The thought of having to wear a suit three more hours after work was just too demanding and claustrophobic in my case. I need to relax, to wind down and collect my sanity, none of which is possbile while attending 5 weekly meetings and switching personalities and performing for the congregation in it's latest production of "Theocratic Blues".