lol Good idea. Problem is I don't have any Watchtowers. I need to visit some laundry mats.
adjusted knowledge
JoinedPosts by adjusted knowledge
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13
Shipping items to the Philippines. Does anyone have experience shipping to other countries?
by adjusted knowledge ini live in the usa and want to ship my game consoles (xbox, playstation, wi, ect), laptop, and other items to my wife's family in the philippines.
i've used a company locally that ships there at a fix price of $90 per box.
so whatever i fit in the box will ship at that rate regardless of weight.
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Shipping items to the Philippines. Does anyone have experience shipping to other countries?
by adjusted knowledge ini live in the usa and want to ship my game consoles (xbox, playstation, wi, ect), laptop, and other items to my wife's family in the philippines.
i've used a company locally that ships there at a fix price of $90 per box.
so whatever i fit in the box will ship at that rate regardless of weight.
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adjusted knowledge
I live in the USA and want to ship my game consoles (Xbox, playstation, WI, ect), laptop, and other items to my wife's family in the Philippines. I've used a company locally that ships there at a fix price of $90 per box. So whatever I fit in the box will ship at that rate regardless of weight. They ship it by cargo ships so it will take like 30-60 days to arrive. I've done this before but only clothes and other items of low value. I'm nervous to send higher end items because of theft from officials and others in the Philippines. It may be doing better recently but the Philippines still is very poor and has a very corrupt government.
I was going to sell the items here and just send them the money, but the children there want the console and they are even more expensive there to purchase. I just can't seem to find a more secure way to send the items without paying exuberant fees. Also am worried about the Philippine government opening it and then holding the items at customs demanding my relatives to pay a tarrif. They've done that before to extort money.
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One thing that's good about being a witnessi
by dothemath ini went to the mall recently .....omg!
glad i don't have to go through all the craziness over christmas shopping..
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adjusted knowledge
My second christmas with my daughter. She is only 14 months old. I only have memory of one christmas as a child. I was around 4 or 5 years old when my parents converted to JW. It is so nice to experience the holidays now.
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Vomit alert - how many Dubs actually like the noolite .tv?
by hamsterbait inone witless i know actually said "i really like brother lett - his face is soo expressive, the eyebrows go up and he uses his lips to enunciate every word clearly.
and he speaks slowly so it is easy to follow what he is saying.".
another said "iwas so excited after watching the new tv channel.
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adjusted knowledge
I'm not sure if I clicked on this link from this site or elsewhere but I did read about a Western teacher trying to teach a select privelged North Koreans. She was having dificulties because even though these were technology students they didn't know the internet existed. But the biggest problem was the North Koreans lack of critical thinking. Even simple subjects in essay writing was beyond them because they couldn't tackle the problem with the scientific method which relies on critical thinking. This will continue to be a problem with North Korea's advancement. Without critical thinking a society can't evolve.
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What Was Your Body of Elders Like?
by minimus inwere they pretty much a good group of men?
we're they jerks?.
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adjusted knowledge
The BOE when I was attending 20 years ago were decent until towards the end of my attendance. The PO was a good man who was a highschool teacher. He died soon after I left of cancer. The oldest member at the time was active back in the 40's and was a hard liner. He died single never married with no children. He spent a life time in the society. There was member who joined a couple years before I left. He was in his 40's and was a "big shot". He tried being a uber elder and loved power. He was judgemental and was quite funny when he found out his teenage daughter was pregnant. Oh and he also went to college and received his law degree.
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Window-washer is the cover of Feb 2015 WT, "How to enjoy your work!" Hahaha!!
by EndofMysteries in.
after all the jokes and satire on this website about jw's only being able to amount to window washers and house cleaners, the cover page of "how to enjoy your work" showing a window washer and cleaner in the back ground.
i almost wonder if some awakened, still-in, from this site is part of the writing department or illustrations and put that in there as an inside joke for us?.
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8 Year Old Getting Baptized!
by Atlantis ineight year old getting baptized!
(from a jw site.
this 8 year old sister was the youngest of the 31 who were baptized at a regional convention in bogo city, cebu, philippines on the weekend.
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adjusted knowledge
My sister-in-law owns a home in Cebu. I will sometimes stay there for vacation. There are several religious orders that go there to round up members. It is not unusual to see such things but I have feeling membership is fickle there. I would imagine the retention of the youth there must be worst than the USA.
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Your favourite dog breed ...?
by LoveUniHateExams inin an earlier thread, i mentioned that i wasn't a particularly doggy person but that my parents got a husky last year that i've come to regard as a kind of brother.. huskies superficially resemble wolves and for me it's been fun to compare and contrast husky and wolf behaviour.
huskies howl but rarely bark, and seem to have a strong prey drive and a strong pack instinct - a nod to their wild cousins.
this is why i love huskies, i think.. do you have a favourite dog breed and why?.
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adjusted knowledge
I grew up as a child with English Bulldogs. Very loving dogs but with lots of health problems.
As an adult I currently have a Shih Tzu and a West Highland terrier. The westie is so smart and perhaps my favorite breed. My Shih Tzu is loving to me but a little grumpy to others.
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My views.
by ivanatahan inthis is more of an introductory post discussing my views and background than anything else, really.. i was, unfortunately, born into this religion.
my mom was, and still is, a pioneer (or as some call it: "piousneer"), and my father is an elder.
admittedly, up until a few months up to a year back, i was indeed a zealous "servant of jehovah".
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adjusted knowledge
Welcome. One thing I wanted to comment on was
"The organization WAS NOT made to be an organization for making money. This was evident as it doesn't quite seem as though the Governing Body actually used the money donated to them for themselves,"
I once felt the same way. However think about this. These men are treated like the Pharaohs of old. They are living gods among millions of devoted JWs. At the very least they are treated as rock stars. Even their "helpers" they send to the conventions are given special attention. I've been out a long time but when I was active the GB members were not as prominent as they are now. These GB get to be TV evangelists and can now spread their non-sense at a push of a button. These Princes of Christ use the donations to enrich their lives. Do they get to drive in porsches? Perhaps not yet but don't be fooled that they don't use the money to travel where they please, eat what they want, and wear whatever suits they choose. And there has been no focus on these men's wifes. I wonder what they own in their bethel homes and what their wife's own in jewellery.
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How would you respond to this defense made on behalf of The Watchtower's Child Abuse lawsuits?
by adjusted knowledge indetails of the society's child abuse policies have been published in jehovah's witnesses' publications, although more specific guidelines are only made available to elders, or on request.
press releases issued by the watch tower society's office of public information confirm that if a person accused of molestation repeatedly denies the charges of his victim, and there is no other witness to the incident, "the elders cannot take action within the congregation at that time", but would report to authorities if required by local laws.
our families jehovahs witnesses and child protection.
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adjusted knowledge
Details of the Society's child abuse policies have been published in Jehovah's Witnesses' publications, although more specific guidelines are only made available to elders, or on request. Press releases issued by the Watch Tower Society's Office of Public Information confirm that if a person accused of molestation repeatedly denies the charges of his victim, and there is no other witness to the incident, "the elders cannot take action within the congregation at that time", but would report to authorities if required by local laws. [3] [4]
Our Families
Jehovah’s Witnesses and Child ProtectionAlso in Spanish
Child abuse is abhorrent to us. This is in harmony with the principle recorded at Romans 12:9 . Even one abused child is one too many. For decades The Watchtower and Awake! have featured articles to educate both Witnesses and the public regarding the importance and the need to protect children from child abuse. Among others, there was the article “Let Us Abhor What Is Wicked!”published in the January 1, 1997, issue of The Watchtower ; “Help for the Victims of Incest” in the October 1, 1983, Watchtower, “Your Child Is in Danger!”, “How Can We Protect Our Children?”, and “Prevention in the Home”, all in the October 8, 1993, Awake!, as well as “Child Molesting—Every Mother’s Nightmare,” in the January 22, 1985, Awake!
When any one of Jehovah’s Witnesses is accused of an act of child abuse, the local congregation elders are expected to investigate. Two elders meet separately with the accused and the accuser to see what each says on the matter. If the accused denies the charge, the two elders may arrange for him and the victim to restate their position in each other’s presence, with elders also there. If during that meeting the accused still denies the charges and there are no others who can substantiate them, the elders cannot take action within the congregation at that time. Why not? As a Bible-based organization, we must adhere to what the Scriptures say, namely, “No single witness should rise up against a man respecting any error or any sin . . . At the mouth of two witnesses or at the mouth of three witnesses the matter should stand good.” ( Deuteronomy 19:15 ) Jesus reaffirmed this principle as recorded at Matthew 18:15-17 . However, if two persons are witnesses to separate incidents of the same kind of wrongdoing, their testimony may be deemed sufficient to take action.
However, even if the elders cannot take congregational action, they are expected to report the allegation to the branch office of Jehovah’s Witnesses in their country, if local privacy laws permit. In addition to making a report to the branch office, the elders may be required by law to report even uncorroborated or unsubstantiated allegations to the authorities. If so, the elders receive proper legal direction to ensure that they comply with the law. Additionally, the victim may wish to report the matter to the authorities, and it is his or her absolute right to do so.
If, when confronted, the accused confesses that he is guilty of child abuse, the elders take appropriate congregational action. If he is not repentant, he will not be permitted to remain a member of the congregation. Even if he is repentant—is cut to the heart and is thus resolutely determined to avoid such conduct in the future—what was stated in the January 1, 1997, issue of The Watchtower applies. The article said: “For the protection of our children, a man known to have been a child molester does not qualify for a responsible position in the congregation. Moreover, he cannot be a pioneer [full-time missionary of Jehovah’s Witnesses] or serve in any other special, full-time service.” He would not qualify Scripturally. ( 1 Timothy 3:2 , 7-10 ) We take such action because we are concerned with maintaining Bible standards and protecting our children. Everyone in our organization is expected to meet the same requirements, namely, to be clean physically, mentally, morally, and spiritually.— 2 Corinthians 7:1 ; Ephesians 4:17-19 ; 1 Thessalonians 2:4 .
In a few instances, individuals guilty of an act of child abuse have been appointed to positions within the congregation if their conduct has been otherwise exemplary for decades. All the factors are considered carefully. Suppose, for example, that a long time ago an 18-year-old male had sexual relations with a 15-year-old girl who was a willing participant. Depending upon the U.S. jurisdiction where he lived when this happened, elders may have been required to report this as an incident of child abuse. Let us say that 20 years have passed. He has been living an exemplary life and he is respected. In such a case, the man could possibly be appointed to a responsible position within the congregation.
Our procedures have been refined over time. Over the years, as we have noted areas where our policies could be strengthened, we have followed through. We are continuing to refine them. We do not believe that our system is perfect. No human organization is perfect. But we do believe that we have a strong, Bible-based policy on child abuse. Anyone in a responsible position who is guilty of child abuse would be removed from his responsibilities without hesitation. We certainly would not knowingly allow him to serve elsewhere, either because he moved or through a transfer. Further, we regularly review our procedures to ensure that they are in compliance with the law.— Romans 13:1
The Bible teaches that individuals can repent of their sins and “turn to God by doing works that befit repentance,” and we accept what the Bible says. ( Acts 26:20 ) Still, the safety of our children is of the utmost importance. We take it very seriously.
Critics have accused Jehovah's Witnesses of employing organizational policies that make the reporting ofsexual abuse difficult for members. [5] [6] [7] [8] Some victims of sexual abuse have asserted that they were ordered by certain local elders to maintain silence so as to avoid embarrassment to both the accused and the organization. [5] [6] [7] [8] Jehovah's Witnesses maintain that they have no policy of silence, and that elders are directed to report abuse to authorities when there is evidence of abuse, and when required to by law. In 1997, Jehovah's Witnesses' Office of Public Information published their policy for elders to report allegations of child abuse to the authorities where required by law to do so, even if there was only one witness. [9] Individuals known to have sexually abused a child are generally prohibited from holding any position of responsibility inside the organization. [10] Unless considered by the congregation elders to demonstrate repentance, such a person is typically disfellowshipped. [11]
Jehovah's Witnesses' congregational judicial policies require the testimony of two material witnesses to establish a perpetrator's serious sin in the absence of confession. [3] [17] The organization considers this policy to be a protection against malicious accusations of sexual assault. The Society maintains that this two-witness policy is applied solely to congregational discipline and has no bearing on whether a crime is reported to the authorities in countries where this is mandatory. [
The Society states that it is not necessary for both witnesses to have observed the same instance of child molestation to establish guilt. Since 1991, statements by two victims of separate incidents by the same perpetrator may be deemed sufficient to take action and impose internal sanctions. [
In cases where there is only one eye-witness—the victim—to an allegation of child abuse, elders may monitor the accused individual closely, [17] or even suspend any conspicuous congregation duties—but only if there is evidence based on the testimony of more than one witness to suggest that the alleged perpetrator has abused children. [20] In some instances where there is only one Witness to molestation, elders may discreetly inform parents in a congregation not to allow their children to spend time with someone accused of child abuse provided such a person has been deemed a "predator" by the local branch office based on the elders' observations
According to Witness spokesman J. R. Brown, Jehovah's Witnesses are not required to report crimes to elders before calling civil authorities. Victims and their families are free to call police, he said, although some don't choose to.
The 2012 case is in repeal . In the post-trial motion, the Watch Tower Society's attorney stated in a court memorandum that no United States court has previously found its conduct or policy regarding sex abuse to be unlawful, claiming that the Watch Tower Society's reprehensibility is "very low" if any. [60] The court stated that the elders as agents of the Watch Tower Society failed to disclose to other parents regarding the confession of the molester who inappropriately touched his step daughter, adding that the degree of reprehensibility was of "medium range". Based on the ratio between the compensatory and punitive damages, the court subsequently reduced the Watch Tower Society's total liability to US$10 million, [61] Lawyers for the Society appealed the ruling, calling the decision "unprecedented" and denying responsibility for abuse.
n a press release dated November 21, 2007, Jehovah's Witnesses' Office of Public Information stated: [54]
In the United States, over 80,000 elders currently serve in over 12,300 congregations … During the last 100 years, only eleven elders have been sued for child abuse in thirteen lawsuits filed in the United States; In seven of these lawsuits against the elders, accusations against the Watchtower Society itself were dismissed by the courts.
All of this is in stark contrast to the Roman Catholic Church;
The Catholic sex abuse cases are a series of allegations, investigations, trials and convictions of child sexual abuse crimes committed by Catholic priests , nuns and members of Roman Catholic orders against boys and girls as young as three years old, with the majority between the ages of 11 and 14. [1] [2] [3] The accusations first started to receive wide publicity in the late 1980s; many span several decades and were brought forward years after the abuse occurred. Cases have also been brought against members of the Catholic hierarchy who did not report sex abuse allegations to the legal authorities. It was shown that they deliberately moved sexually abusive priests to other parishes, where the abuse sometimes continued. [4] This led to a number of fraud cases where the Church was accused of misleading victims by deliberately relocating priests accused of abuse instead of removing them from their positions. [5]
