Posts by AnnOMaly

36

Open challenge to "Dr" Rolf Furuli and Greg Stafford - DEBATE.

by Focus in

to me af's.

see below for more on af.

"prominent" (lol!

AnnOMaly

he is just a one-trick pony hired by the Tony the Turd to conjure up more BS about 1914

Furuli and his chronology 'research' long predates AMIII.

36

Open challenge to "Dr" Rolf Furuli and Greg Stafford - DEBATE.

by Focus in

to me af's.

see below for more on af.

"prominent" (lol!

I cannot make head nor tail of what this is about, Focus - gusting into the forum after a decade, unearthing long dead threads and airing grudges from obselete DBs dating from 1999? WTH? If you want an apology or thanks for whatever, contact Stafford directly. Find him on Facebook. Go to his site, email him.

Furuli isn't a "Dr." but a Dr. It's a real doctorate from the University of Oslo. What your challenge is to him, I'm not clear. Care to summarize?

AF's around - just not on JWN anymore.

Ann (of the 'bemused and amused' class)

41

International Convention...Same Message, Same Emotional Manipulation

by HeyThere in

well, of course nothing else would be expected, but it passes me off.. for example, they show this short video that shows a child dying, shows her father crying as he visits her grave...and then she is reunited with her family in "the new system" and then it shows a handicapped girl who is sad she can't ice skate with friends...fast forward to tns, she can skate!!!

then an elderly couple is shown happily young again.... .

and of course the end is "so close!

AnnOMaly

It was in the first half of day 1...can't remember the specific speaker...it was a very short clip

Got it. Thanks.

10:20 Symposium: Appreciating the Thrones of Divine Rulership

- Jesus’ Throne (Matthew 25:31)

Wow. They've really tapped into the power of slick videos and music to manipulate people's thoughts and feelings. Sure, they are late in the game as anyone from cults to political parties to business has been using this means for many decades. It's like a commercial.

52

2014 Convention Audio available?

by gbrn in

i was wondering if anyone is aware of any recordings of the convention as of yet?

i know its relatively early, so i may just have to wait.

just curious if anyone had a copy yet.. thanks!.

AnnOMaly

Only watched bits and pieces, maybe 3 or 4 whole talks (hard to stay awake through some of them). A few highlights from Saturday p.m.:

3:20 As Kingdom Subjects, Remain “No Part of This World”! (John 18:36) - Anthony Griffin (U.S. Branch Committee)

[After reading Jn. 18:36] "So Jesus openly identified himself as the prospective king of God's heavenly kingdom, and Jesus clearly said that that kingdom was no part of this world. It would not be established, it would not be ruled through, it would not be allied with any human agency. Jesus' followers back then remained no part of the world; they were Christian neutrals; and the same must be true of us today."

Interesting choice of words: "human agency." The WTS' past alliance with the UN's DPI and recent involvements with the OSCE don't count, huh?

Later:

"Remember, only those who remain no part of the world by maintaining their neutrality in their heart will remain when the world passes away."

.

"Our strict neutrality involves, not just our actions, but it involves our feelings and our thoughts and our motivations. We would not think of joining a political party or promoting some social issue, but where is our heart?"

.

"Brothers, be determined, right now, to maintain your neutrality in your heart on any and all issues ..."

Isn't freedom of religion, belief and conscience a 'social issue'? The WTS has been very busy in lobbying and promoting this one (e.g. Russia). OK, it's really to serve its own organization's interests but still it's a wider social issue affecting more than just the org., and it has joined with other religions to promote that cause.

Such hypocrisy.

4:15 Jehovah’s Organization—100 Years of Seeking First God’s Established Kingdom (Psalm 48:12,13; Luke 10:1, 5-11) - David Splane (Book release talk)

"Like their master, Jesus' disciples love to talk about the kingdom. But there has been a problem, especially in the early years after the kingdom's birth. In the decades following 1914, zealous kingdom publishers were willing to do the work, but they really didn't know what they were supposed to say. They lacked confidence in themselves. They needed to be equipped. And our master came to the rescue. He gave them different tools that they could use in order to get the work done."

In the 'decades following 1914' BSs/JWs lacked confidence and didn't know what to say? Whaaa...?

This doesn't match up with WT's official version of events - the 'Millions' campaign, the call to 'advertise, advertise, advertise the King and his Kingdom,' the flood of new literature and expectations, the revival of the 'two witnesses' to sock it to the world.

*** re chap. 21 pp. 131-132 pars. 8-9 Jehovah’s Plagues on Christendom ***

... Referring to the recent hard experiences of God’s people, the speaker said: “So pitiless was the onslaught of the enemy that many of the Lord’s dear flock were stunned and stood still in amazement, praying and waiting for the Lord to indicate his will. . . . But notwithstanding the momentary discouragement, there was a burning desire to proclaim the message of the kingdom.”—See the September 15, 1919, issue of The Watch Tower, page 280.

9 In 1919 that desire was satisfied. This small but active group of Christians was set on fire, spiritually speaking, to begin a worldwide preaching campaign. (Compare 1 Thessalonians 5:19.) Fire was hurled to the earth in that God’s Kingdom was made the burning issue, and so it continues to be! Strong voices replaced silence, sounding out the Kingdom message with clarity. Thunderous storm warnings from the Bible pealed forth. Like flashes of lightning, brilliant beams of truth shone from Jehovah’s prophetic Word, and, as if by a mighty earthquake, the religious realm was shaken to its foundations. The John class saw that there was work to be done. And to this day, that work continues to expand gloriously throughout the entire inhabited earth!—Romans 10:18.

*** w86 12/15 p. 13 par. 15 “Be Courageous and Very Strong” ***

It was in 1919 that the small band of anointed Witnesses stepped courageously before the “waters” of mankind. In 1922 they boldly answered the call to ‘advertise, advertise, advertise the King and his Kingdom,’ saying in effect: “Here I am! Send me.”

*** w88 4/1 p. 22 par. 7 God’s Judgments Must Be Declared ***

Especially since the spiritually invigorating year 1919, the anointed remnant of Christ’s brothers fearlessly presented God’s judgments, powerful messages of calamity, to Christendom. (Compare Jeremiah 11:9-13.)

It didn't sound like they were lost for words or lacked confidence to me.

[After talking about Jehovah's fast-paced celestial chariot] "Sometimes we hear brothers say, 'Oy, the Governing Body today are really on the cutting edge.' The fact is that the Governing Body has always been on the cutting edge."

That was a real cracker. LOLOL!

Also worth a listen is Friday a.m.'s "A Century of Kingdom Rule Contrasted With a Century of Satan’s Rule" - it was remarkable in its illogic and non sequiturs: yes, 'Satan's world' has progressed and got better in many ways but it's not real progress; people live longer but that just means they have longer to do things displeasing to God, so is that progress really? No it isn't. Etc.

45

Resurrection talk at convention

by innerpeace in

i didn't go to the convention but have family who did, all are going on about the resurrection talk, how there wasn't a dry eye in the arena.

and apparently a video was shown too on it.

we lost a family member some years back and they are on fb talking about the resurrection and new world coming soon.

AnnOMaly

The talk / video is pure emotional manipulation.

Agreed. I just saw the video (thanks sir82 - I think?). I saw myself as that daughter. Lived through it. Years later, I still have imaginary conversations with my mother. Even though I knew what they were doing, I wasn't prepared for all the feelings of grief that short video suddenly churned up. Had to take a moment then watch the rest with the music muted ('He Will Call' orchestral version for maximum heart-tugging effect). I'm p'd off at them for pulling a stunt like that - especially because of how it will catch a lot of vulnerable JWs sitting in the audience, in public.

41

International Convention...Same Message, Same Emotional Manipulation

by HeyThere in

well, of course nothing else would be expected, but it passes me off.. for example, they show this short video that shows a child dying, shows her father crying as he visits her grave...and then she is reunited with her family in "the new system" and then it shows a handicapped girl who is sad she can't ice skate with friends...fast forward to tns, she can skate!!!

then an elderly couple is shown happily young again.... .

and of course the end is "so close!

AnnOMaly

For example, they show this short video that shows a child dying, shows her father crying as he visits her grave...and then she is reunited with her family in "The New System" and then it shows a handicapped girl who is sad she can't ice skate with friends...fast forward to TNS, she can skate!!! Then an elderly couple is shown happily young again...

Which talk was that in?

I saw the 'resurrection' one shown on Sun. a.m. (Daughter watching mother die; imagining being reunited with her again. Orchestral 'resurrection' k. song played for maximum effect.)

71

Kate Wild

by quellycatface in

jw
friends

i've been given permission to post news of our friend.. kate hasn't been very well.

not well at all.

i think much of it has been a delayed reaction to her df'ing, the general fallout when leaving the wtbs and family issues.. i just wanted to give you guys the heads up and give you a chance to show how much we care about her.. thanks for listening..

AnnOMaly

Kate, you've had an awful lot to deal with mentally, emotionally and spiritually in a short space of time. It's no wonder you've 'crashed.' Take things slow, and get well and strong again.

56

Kicking the "Gay Habit" at the IC

by breakfast of champions in

heard from a reliable source that this was part of friday's program.

they even interviewed a "former gay man" who "kicked the gay habit".. evidently kicking the "gay habit" is difficult, not unlike quitting smoking or avoiding sugary snacks.

the persons who related this to me found the whole thing to be laughable at best, but honestly seemed quite disturbed by it (which is good!

AnnOMaly

You're welcome.

56

Kicking the "Gay Habit" at the IC

by breakfast of champions in

heard from a reliable source that this was part of friday's program.

they even interviewed a "former gay man" who "kicked the gay habit".. evidently kicking the "gay habit" is difficult, not unlike quitting smoking or avoiding sugary snacks.

the persons who related this to me found the whole thing to be laughable at best, but honestly seemed quite disturbed by it (which is good!

AnnOMaly

Not an interview. A related experience.

East Rutherford IC.

Fri. a.m. - David Splane - Keynote Address: Highly Esteem Present Kingdom Blessings! [Relevant excerpt. Direct quote.]

Another brother tells how he overcame a particularly difficult problem. He says,

'It was especially difficult to abandon my homosexual practices as these have been a part of me as long as I can remember. One thing that helped, though, was a change in my environment. I ended my old friendships, and stopped going to bars and nightclubs. Although it was not easy to make these changes, I found comfort in learning that Jehovah cares for me and that he understood my struggle. By 2002, I had stopped all homosexual practices and in that year I was baptized as one of Jehovah's Witnesses. My mother was so impressed by the changes I made that she also began studying the Bible. For the past 8 years, I've been engaged in the full-time ministry.'

But then he adds, realistically,

'I must admit, that I've had to fight improper desires at times, but I take courage that in choosing not to act on these desires I can be pleasing to Jehovah. Drawing close to Jehovah and living in a way that pleases him, has boosted my self-respect, and today I am a happy man.'

Well, your heart goes out to a brother like that. He could have thrown his arms up in the air and said, 'What's the use? Why should I keep struggling?' But he didn't. He kept struggling and he's finally overcoming his habit, and Jehovah is blessing him. And what does this show? This shows that even strongly entrenched habits, desires that we may have had right from childhood, are no match for Jehovah's powerful holy spirit.

30

When Was Ancient Jerusalem Destroyed references

by GoUnion in

this topic has been covered extensively but i just wanted relate what hapopenes with this subject and my elder father.

he called me up one day to check in on me he always asks if i'm going to msettings and i always tell him no im not.

well this time he wanted to know why i didn't trust the g.b.

AnnOMaly

Hi GoUnion.

Well this time he wanted to know why I didn't trust the g.b. and I told him when they uses sources to prove their point they misquote what the sources say. He didn't believe that the watchtower would do this, but he said he would look it up.

You've been given a dizzying array of resources here. Lots of good stuff but it might give you information overload LOL. I am surprised Doug (Hi!) didn't plug his two critiques, where he provides scanned excerpts from the WT's referenced sources.

http://www.jwstudies.com/Critique_Part_A_of_Jerusalem_Destroyed_part_2.pdf

http://www.jwstudies.com/Critique_Part_B__References__of_Jerusalem_Destroyed_part_2.pdf

If you need a specific source material to show your dad, just ask and I'm sure one of us will either have it or can quickly find it for you among all the numerous threads and links. I'll message you with my email address in case you need any further help. Good luck.