They Just Never Get Anything Right!

by Englishman 26 Replies latest jw friends

• 

  larc

  Ozzie,

  Friday is proud to show off his ignorance. It would be simple to put all the spelling differences into a data base - software package and make all the necessary changes in miliseconds.
• 

  ozziepost

  G'day Larc,

  Exactly! And I think expat was making a valid point that it wouldn't take too much to recognise that there are different spellings of the English language.

  No wonder the French are so protective of their language!

  Cheers,
  Ozzie

  "If our hopes for peace are placed in the hands of imperfect people, they are bound to evaporate."

  
  - Ron Hutchcraft Surviving the Storms of Stress
• 

  Englishman

  I just want to clarify something here. I don't mind how Americans spell their words, it's their country after all. My point is that i't's nice to have a choice, because if I read a book that's been printed in the US, although I can enjoy it and understand it, it is still quite hard work. If you like, it's like Americans watching the "Full Monty" and trying to follow the dialogue, although the sense of what is said is there, it's still pretty exhausting having to concentrate so hard.

  Now, as the WTBTS has such bloody great presses operating in Mill Hill, London, wouldn't it be a considerate gesture for them to simply adjust the writing from American English to English English just as a matter of courtesy?

  The most succesful ISP over here is AOL. AMERICA on line! I tell you this, those boys took the trouble to respect national preferences in the way that they present their stuff, it's proper Queen's English, otherwwise they wouldn't get any business.

  Pity the WTBTS can't do the same, that's why, in the UK, the JW's are simply regarded as another crackpot Yankee religion. No offence intended to you guys BTW.

  Englisshman.

  Truth exists;only falsehood has to be invented. -Georges Braque
• 

  Gozz

  Gozz!
  A fascinating bit of satire and wit, old boy!
  Lisa

  Dear Ma,
  it is heartwarming that you find such writing fascinating. But beware of giving worshipful praise to humans. There are many of our brothers making themselves available for use in the Vineyard. Their goal in getting educated has been to use such education not in meaningless argumentation about words that contribute nothing to their spirituality, but in the furtherance of the good news emanating from here, and supported by angels in mid-heaven. Some are continuing in this fashion, making arguments about the choice of words in the magazines, and speaking ingloriously of the spiritual banquet made available by the slave. We here remind them of the punishment of those murmuring over manna as provided in the wilderness. We mean such ones to repentance, and join the multitude of praisers of what is fine, now numbering more than 6 million in more than 235 lands and islands of the earth. Indeed, the little one has grown to be a thousand!

  Now, we turn our attention to your reference to the above comments as ‘satire’ and ‘wit’. You well know that the holy scriptures hardly ever refer to humour; but we encourage nothing other than healthful laughter in preparation for the abundance of happiness and peace that would be enjoyed in the culmination of our joy as survivors in the great war that comes soon.

  We take no offence to your reference to ‘old boy’. But you do well to develop a pattern of expressing yourself in a manner in accord with pure language. And while we are well aware of the age of those currently taking the lead among God’s people, those of that number being advanced in years, we notice the hope embedded in your words, namely, the restoration of such ones – and several other associates with them – to the days of youth and youthful vigour, just as a boy. Be informed however that in accordance with the prophecies of Ezekiel, now finding fulfillment in our time, several younger members of the other sheep are being groomed to serve in the inner courtyard, as those of the anointed class hurry to their heavenly reward.

  May you have peace.
• 

  Gozz

  I have a question about stumbling. Why does it take 6 months to a year to convince someone to become a Witness, but a simple word choice distinction would "stumble" them? Do they think something like this: Oh my God, they used the wrong words, I'm outa here.
  I could comment on a whole lot of stumbling issues, that just don't make sense to me, but that's enough for now.

  Dear Sir,
  ****We commend you for this question about stumbling. But we marvel at the reasoning you have advanced. May you note that the process of convincing a person to embrace the way of the truth does not begin with any human effort. Such ones who are favourably disposed to everlasting lives have done a preparation of their hearts; they are deserving ones. The fine work we do is to seek out those ones, and offer them the opportunity to serve, along with millions of their brothers doing so earthwide. You must also know that humans are not readers of hearts, and may not know what may culminate in a stumbling block for the delicate ones who have been shown the way to life. Such ones are tender, and precious, even in our eyes. You may also call to mind that those in the Lord’s time, although being versed in the Law, allowed themselves to be led astray by the words of the Lord concerning the drinking of his blood and the eating of his flesh; they were spiritually immature, and left the Way.

  And as you know that all the things written are written for our instruction, we do well to learn a lesson from this, we being not readers of hearts but encouragers of all lovers of truth to do what is right. Indeed, some have chosen to dwell upon words, and have been misled; a number of those frequenting this board are of that class. But with respect to the very matter at hand, we declare that the use of the word ‘Great’ by any nation of the earth built by human hands, constitute a veritable stumbling block for true Christians. This is more so at this time of the end, when the greatness of the great ones shall come to nothing, and the haughtiness of the unappreciative shall swallow them up.

  What is important, then, is the conscience of the one entrusted with writing. In accordance with the principle stated by the disciple James (we have avoided quoting scriptures, preferring to reason with you) that if anyone knows what is right and does not do it, it is then a sin for him.

  We hope you will continue to conform to the pattern of healthful language in your conversations, and forever be mindful of stumbling others by your choice of words!
• 

  Nemesis

  Englishman:
  I wrote to bethel a while back about their use of American English, and how they are forcing British English out of the picture. Needless to say they didn’t reply. It’s not just the spellings; it’s the grammar and punctuation also. How they boast that they can translate their magazines in to 144 languages, and yet they cannot set their spelling, grammar, and punctuation to British English for the magazines and literature that are printed here in England is astounding. It’s pretty obvious they are doing it deliberately; even on my humble Microsoft Word I have 13 basic settings for different country’s English spellings and grammar. How they can refuse to click a few buttons on their multimillion pound printing industry and give us our language in our own country I will never know.

  We have a large wealth of language, inherited and created words, spelling, and grammar to our history, and culture—especially with English history, and our rich 1,600-year-old Anglo-Saxon heritage. Why then are we getting the Watchtower, of all organisations, trying to erode our very language; and force yet more Americanisation on our country, history, and mother tongue? Surely part of being Christian is to respect other people’s history, culture, language, character, and inheritance? They seem to forget we invented the language!

  Nemesis.
• 

  Englishman

  "and yet they cannot set their spelling, grammar, and punctuation to British English for the magazines and literature that are printed here in England is astounding.

  Englishman applauding!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

  Truth exists;only falsehood has to be invented. -Georges Braque