Just Curious: Do JWs Count Their Time Spent in Chat Forums "Witnessing?"

by LauraLynn 4 Replies latest watchtower beliefs

  • LauraLynn
    LauraLynn

    Hi, All--I was just wondering, since there is emphasis on counting your witnessing hours in the JWs, if they indeed count their time here and in other chat forums? I happened to check the JWs own chat forum, and it is closed to non-members. I thought that it was interesting that they are free to come here, but we are not free to go there to discuss the bible. Isn't that what they desire to do? I'm assuming that they keep non-members out of their forums because they are "protecting" the flock.

  • nicolaou
    nicolaou
    I happened to check the JWs own chat forum

    The JW's don't have an official forum, you've no doubt found a group that have set one up despite the organisation's counselling not to do so.

    Don't expect to get an honest debate on any forum (including this one) with anyone still calling themselves a Jehovah's Witness. Most fundamentalist Christians are the same.

  • LauraLynn
    LauraLynn

    Hi, nicolaou--This is the forum I found when I searched. Here is the link to sign up (but please don't!) https://jwtalk.net/register/

    They want you to answer all the questions to make sure someone's legit (and not an apostate or opponent). You are correct in saying they claim it is not "official," or directed by the GB (I wonder if for legal reasons), but reading the membership policy it sure sounds like the GB behind a very carefully crafted mask!

    https://jwtalk.net/topic/1450-jwtalk-community-membership-policy/

    I am new to the site here, but have seen quite a few JWs participating in the forums, and they seem dyed in the wool members. Maybe they were older posts and the GB has now said "worldly" forums are a no-no?

  • Journeyman
    Journeyman

    Hi LauraLynn,

    Your information is a bit out of date. Since last year, there is no requirement for JWs to report hours (unless they are pioneers), so the issue no longer arises for most.

    Besides, the org has always strongly counselled against JWs debating online, as nicolaou said. In fact, it took them some years to get beyond the "Internet is bad" attitude and even make their own website!

    JWTalk has been around for a while and to my knowledge (although I've never signed up for it) it's mostly JWs who do still consider themselves 'loyal', although the very fact they frequent that site means they're not strictly following the org's direction.

  • LongHairGal
    LongHairGal

    LAURA LYNN:

    Yes, the Witnesses took away their long held teaching of counting time and turning in a slip at their 2023 annual meeting! ..No more. They just need to tick a box now that indicates they did some witnessing.

    Even though I am long out, learning about this change came as a shock to me as I was judged over ‘low hours’ years ago because I worked.. But, today I am very Glad that I never listened!

    But, active JWs surely did come on here to count time.

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