Posts by dynamiterose77

41

kingdom halls

by pepperheart in

do you think the watchtower will sell off any more kingdom hall after the 3,000 have been sold of and why do you think that.

I would say more will be sold off. With, as others pointed out, some sort of statement about things being held in private homes. It's a good way to hide your actual numbers and stats as people fall away. Also, if people are in smaller groups it can be more of a deterrent to people that may consider "drifting" as they would be easier to notice as missing. Propaganda machine would probably invoke images of "family." Elders as benevolent parental figure, RF/brothers and sisters... say something about wanting to make sure that everyone gets all the personal attention and spiritual whatnots they need in "this time of the end."

"We elders need to humble ourselves and focus our personal attention on our brothers and sisters." I can hear it now.

Its like some big box stores... they put a store in a small town, then when they feel they have less competition, they close the first store and open a mega store further out of town that services several towns. So, in like vein, shut KHs and have everyone travel further once a week (or longer in rural communities to make it sound like a favor) to a bigger assembly hall. If my propaganda studies are right, as people are less likely to drift in smaller groups/easier to keep in check by elders, they will at least keep a certain level of numbers and APPEAR like there are more when everyone goes to one of these assembly style halls. It will keep larger numbers of RF from seeing people leaving, deter gossip and mumbling...

At least, that's me putting on my writer hat and asking "well, if I were an evil org. with dropping numbers, what would I do to minimize that?" I'd also probably send extra people to the assembly hall, just in case, make sure there are no empty seats.

I could be wrong. But, would you put it past them?

27

What’s the big deal with birthday cake?

by Addison0998 in

how strict were the jehovah’s witnesses you knew about birthday cake?

i knew a girl who saw a few pieces of cake in the break room at her work, and ate a peice, then found out later that it was left over birthday cake.

she felt so guilty and was scared about a bad impression she left on her work mates.

dynamiterose77

I remember being told that it would be the same as participating in the party itself, or holiday if it was christmas cookies, even if you waited until well after. It was compared to people purposely getting disfellowshiped to date an unbeliever.

In third grade a teacher really took pity on me and let me make a construction paper basket with the rest of the class, before easter. I put the basket in my desk so it wouldn't be confused and I wouldn't get easter candy put in when we went to recess. I figured it was JUST a basket if there wasn't any candy. A volunteer parent must have pitied me too, because they took it out of my desk and filled it up. I didn't know what to do. I didn't want to insult people that were just being nice, didn't want things to be wasted, and hoped that if I explained the situation to my mom I would at least get to keep my basket...

I got into the car, mom saw the basket, I told her what happened... she grabbed the basket, marched into the school, SCREAMED at my teacher. So then I was grounded AND in trouble with my teacher.

good times.

11

Regional JW "Culture" - Did you experience any differences that surprised you?

by Diogenesister in

so this particular comment on another topic got me thinking about "regional" jw cultures.

things that were acceptable in one area you lived in, that were absolutely verboten in the jw hall/circuit you perhaps grew up in etc.

never met jws that cared if people played chess, and i knew a number of people who did play chess.

dynamiterose77

We actually played chess at get togethers, I remember one older person say that it wasn't a good game to play, but no one thought anything of it...

Now I really need to teach my kids chess...

34

The December Broadcast... OMG- what the heck was that?

by Sliced in

"of course not- we want to eat from clean dishes!

dishes that have been cleaned thoroughly inside and out.

" we have to be sure the things entering our minds are clean... rejecting exciting fun stuff that features sex.

dynamiterose77

"inside".... ?

Also, who makes a metaphor about dishes (which would be brains) getting washed with a straight face???

58

Why Do Witnesses Promote A Unhealthy Lifestyle, My COBE weighs 340lbs (5ft 7in).

by BucketShopBill in

please don't take this the wrong way if your battling weight problems, that's not what this thread is meant to talk about.

i am asking this question because jehovah's witnesses claim they have "the best way of life", "god's blessing", "the truth" and are trying to change the habits of healthy people by turning them in to their own makings.

i watched people who were great athletes turn all their muscle in to fat because we would get a elder or circuit overseer make remarks they were spending too much time "working out" and "bodily training is beneficial for little".

dynamiterose77

This is true. There does tend to be a lack of education among JWs. Low income and depression as well...

58

Why Do Witnesses Promote A Unhealthy Lifestyle, My COBE weighs 340lbs (5ft 7in).

by BucketShopBill in

please don't take this the wrong way if your battling weight problems, that's not what this thread is meant to talk about.

i am asking this question because jehovah's witnesses claim they have "the best way of life", "god's blessing", "the truth" and are trying to change the habits of healthy people by turning them in to their own makings.

i watched people who were great athletes turn all their muscle in to fat because we would get a elder or circuit overseer make remarks they were spending too much time "working out" and "bodily training is beneficial for little".

dynamiterose77

I had a complicated relationship with food myself... opposite of over eatting. It's complicated because I know it didn't stem from one thing. My mom grew up exceedingly poor, and though she didn't realize it I think that when we asked for a snack and she'd always say "Those are for lunches" or "Thats dinner" "I was saving that"... kind of made food off limits. At the same time she had body image issues and was always dieting (not eating) so... for a long time it was just what I saw. Then somewhere along the line it became a way to attain a type of perfection... I was convinced that god hated me because I did everything wrong, even though everything I was doing wrong was out of my control... at least I could have food under control. I somewhat remember wondering if I could survive on water and raw veggies like shadrach meshach and abednego... Then as time went on, not eating became my reaction to any stress.

Even after I left... when things got bad with my ex I stopped eating... and started adding drinking alone into the mix.

All of that nonsense, I'm pretty sure, wrecked my system... I have a hard time losing weight now that I actually have to.

Anyway... the JW stuff definitely played a part in my depression/stress and that figured into my eating habits for sure.

I also had a huge sad moment when someone in the thread mentioned illness and pioneers... I knew several that died of cancer... One of them, like was stated, wouldn't slow down and go to the doctor even though she was clearly sick. Instead she started drinking mushroom tea when her hair started falling out and she swore by it. She was diagnosed with bone cancer, finally, and died only a few days later. Several others wouldn't go have things checked until it was too late too.

With mental illness, I think it is true that many JWs just ignore it, which causes things to go rampant. Depression particularly... "What do you mean you're sad? PARADISE!!!! BIBLE!!!"

No... sorry... I'm sad because I'm sad. It is a valid emotion. Making me feel bad about it just gives me more issues.

58

Why Do Witnesses Promote A Unhealthy Lifestyle, My COBE weighs 340lbs (5ft 7in).

by BucketShopBill in

please don't take this the wrong way if your battling weight problems, that's not what this thread is meant to talk about.

i am asking this question because jehovah's witnesses claim they have "the best way of life", "god's blessing", "the truth" and are trying to change the habits of healthy people by turning them in to their own makings.

i watched people who were great athletes turn all their muscle in to fat because we would get a elder or circuit overseer make remarks they were spending too much time "working out" and "bodily training is beneficial for little".

dynamiterose77

I didn't read every comment because after a few I remembered some things and just started laughing.

A. Whenever we were out in service, I mean EVERY SINGLE TIME, everyone eventually started talking about food.

B. Every service trip involved a trip through the McDonalds drive through at some point... or donuts.

C. No one ever walked at a pace that would burn more than a calorie. It is what I call "The Witness Shuffle". People rarely pick up their feet.

D. There was an elder and his family that were straight up obese, they made a point to have an ice cream cone every day. They baby sat us once, at their house, they wouldn't allow TV but they sat around eating every scrap of crispy fat from the bottom of the baking dish from dinner.

E. The people that did go to the gym all "fell away" or were disfellowshipped at some point...

I never even bothered to think of any of this...

18

JW.ORG logo on EVERYTHING

by dynamiterose77 in

fine line between idolotry and branding... just sayin.... .

i'm just seeing a lot of home-made or print on demand site items with jw.org logos pasted all over.

as an art director, i laugh, because it's hideous.

dynamiterose77

I don't get on here terribly often enough... You all are hysterical. (product ideas are awesome!)

Meant to post on this but I've been busy with the kids. It was the first week of school last week and on the first day my tattoo and I got a dirty look from a woman with a name badge with JW.org blue box right on it... because its not good enough anymore to have a quiet conversation with the teacher about your beliefs regarding the pledge and holidays, now you have to make a display of everything. Sorry, I was taught that we were supposed to display humility and not be all flashy and in everyone's face about everything.

Also... are "pioneer school gifts" a new thing... I know someone that has been posting a lot about them. (pinterest boards etc.)

18

JW.ORG logo on EVERYTHING

by dynamiterose77 in

fine line between idolotry and branding... just sayin.... .

i'm just seeing a lot of home-made or print on demand site items with jw.org logos pasted all over.

as an art director, i laugh, because it's hideous.

dynamiterose77

"In fact it should be considered to be worse, as it is idolising an organisation instead of Jesus."

Good point...

18

JW.ORG logo on EVERYTHING

by dynamiterose77 in

fine line between idolotry and branding... just sayin.... .

i'm just seeing a lot of home-made or print on demand site items with jw.org logos pasted all over.

as an art director, i laugh, because it's hideous.

dynamiterose77

Fine line between idolotry and branding... just sayin...

I'm just seeing a lot of home-made or print on demand site items with JW.org logos pasted all over. As an art director, I laugh, because it's hideous. But, as a former JW... well I also laugh.

Weren't we all taught that religions of the world wore symbols of faith but JWs did not? No crosses, no stars of david, yin yang, etc... But... seriously... all those things are, from a modern way of looking at it, are branding. I'm seeing gold buttons being sold with JW.org... how is that different than wearing a cross?

Between the logo branding, the gaudy silver bible and these news stand things I'm seeing more and more, its obviously more of a corporation than ever.