Red Alert - Propaganda is Being Used!!!!!!!!

by The Searcher in

check out the latest watchtower:.

"your defense?

be determined to stick to jehovah’s organization and loyally support the leadership he provides—no matter what imperfections may surface.

darkspilver

stuckinarut2: It sounds like that classic quote from a WT study few years back (can someone remember where it was from please and quote it?)

Here goes, updated from previous posting

Watchtower (Study) 15 November 2013, page 20

Seven Shepherds, Eight Dukes—What They Mean for Us Today
Paragraph 17: Elders who are reading this article can draw some useful conclusions from the account we have just considered: (1) The most practical step that we can take to prepare for the coming attack of “the Assyrian” is that of strengthening our faith in God and helping our brothers to do the same. (2) When “the Assyrian” attacks, the elders must be absolutely convinced that Jehovah will deliver us. (3) At that time, the life-saving direction that we receive from Jehovah’s organization may not appear practical from a human standpoint. All of us must be ready to obey any instructions we may receive, whether these appear sound from a strategic or human standpoint or not. (4) Now is the time for any who may be putting their trust in secular education, material things, or human institutions to adjust their thinking. The elders must stand ready to help any who may now be wavering in their faith.
https://www.jw.org/en/publications/magazines/w20131115/seven-shepherds-eight-dukes/

Watchtower (Study) February 2017, page 23

Who Is Leading God’s People Today?
Paragraph 12: The Governing Body is neither inspired nor infallible. Therefore, it can err in doctrinal matters or in organizational direction. In fact, the Watch Tower Publications Index includes the heading “Beliefs Clarified,” which lists adjustments in our Scriptural understanding since 1870. Of course, Jesus did not tell us that his faithful slave would produce perfect spiritual food. So how can we answer Jesus’ question: “Who really is the faithful and discreet slave?” (Matt. 24:45) What evidence is there that the Governing Body is filling that role? Let us consider the same three factors that directed the governing body in the first century.
https://www.jw.org/en/publications/magazines/watchtower-study-february-2017/who-is-leading-gods-people-today/

Watchtower (Study) June 2017, pages 30 to 31

Uphold Jehovah’s Sovereignty!
Paragraph 15: What is our response to divinely authorized headship? By our respectful cooperation, we show our support for Jehovah’s sovereignty. Even if we do not fully understand or agree with a decision, we will still want to support theocratic order. That is quite different from the way of the world, but it is the way of life under Jehovah’s rulership. (Eph. 5:22, 23; 6:1-3; Heb. 13:17) We benefit from doing so, for God has our interests at heart.
https://www.jw.org/en/publications/magazines/watchtower-study-june-2017/uphold-jehovah-gods-sovereignty/

Watchtower (Study) July 2017, pages 27 to 30

Winning the Battle for Your Mind
Page 28 (last paragraph): Keep in mind that Satan does not want you to think clearly or reason things out well. Why? Because propaganda “is likely to be most effective,” says one source, “if people . . . are discouraged from thinking critically.” (Media and Society in the Twentieth Century) So never be content passively or blindly to accept what you hear. (Prov. 14: 15) Use your God-given thinking abilities and power of reason to make the truth your own.—Prov. 2:10-15; Rom. 12:1, 2.
Page 30 (first paragraph): Your defense? Be determined to stick to Jehovah’s organization and loyally support the leadership he provides—no matter what imperfections may surface. (1 Thess. 5:12, 13) Do not be “quickly shaken from your reason” when faced with what appear to be damaging attacks by apostates or other such deceivers of the mind—however plausible their charges may seem. (2 Thess. 2:2; Titus 1:10) Follow the advice given to the young man Timothy. Stick to the truth you learned, and remember where you learned it. (2 Tim. 3:14, 15) Surely there is ample evidence to show that you can trust the channel that Jehovah has used for nearly a hundred years now to lead us in the way of the truth.—Matt. 24:45-47; Heb. 13:7, 17.
https://www.jw.org/en/publications/magazines/watchtower-study-july-2017/propaganda-winning-battle-for-your-mind/

8

Walmart settles JW religious discrimination lawsuit

by darkspilver in

jw
friends

pennrecord, monday 20 march 2017. in his lawsuit, pressley claimed a wal-mart store manager remarked to him: “you don’t have to go to those meetings.

you can be spiritual here,”.

pressley then claimed a store manager gave him an ultimatum to either stop attending his meetings or be fired.. wal-mart and ex-assistant manager who claimed religious discrimination settle lawsuit.

darkspilver

LAMONTT M. PRESSLEY v. WAL-MART is a highly interesting ongoing 2015-16 Pennsylvania federal employment discrimination case which involves a 47 year-old African-American Jehovah's Witnesss Minister named Lamontt Pressley, aka Lamont Pressley, aka Lamont M. Presley, of Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. Lamontt M. Pressley was employed at Wal-mart's Wyncote store from October 2010 until he was fired in February 2014. Pressley claims that he was an Assistant Manager at the time of his termination, and that one of the Walmart store's higher managers gave Pressley an ultimatum to stop attending the Sunday and Wednesday evening meetings at his local Kingdom Hall of Jehovah's Witnesses, or be fired. Pressley further alleges that upper management informed him on the day of his firing that they would no longer "accommodate" Pressley's attending two weekly meetings at the Kingdom Hall. Lamontt Pressley thereafter filed a complaint with the EEOC in August 2014 claiming religious discrimination, harassment, and hostile work environment. Instead of immediately jumping on this seemingly "slam-dunk" case, the EEOC took until August 2015 to simply issue a Right-To-Sue Letter to Pressley. Pressley's own private attorney filed this action in November 2015 seeking equitable, punitive, and other damages. Outcome pending.

http://jwemployees.bravehost.com/NewsReports/2011.html

42

Walmart settles JW religious discrimination lawsuit

by darkspilver in

jw
friends

pennrecord, monday 20 march 2017. in his lawsuit, pressley claimed a wal-mart store manager remarked to him: “you don’t have to go to those meetings.

you can be spiritual here,”.

pressley then claimed a store manager gave him an ultimatum to either stop attending his meetings or be fired.. wal-mart and ex-assistant manager who claimed religious discrimination settle lawsuit.

darkspilver

PennRecord, Monday 20 March 2017

In his lawsuit, Pressley claimed a Wal-Mart store manager remarked to him: “You don’t have to go to those meetings. You can be spiritual here,”

Pressley then claimed a store manager gave him an ultimatum to either stop attending his meetings or be fired.

Wal-Mart and ex-assistant manager who claimed religious discrimination settle lawsuit
PHILADELPHIA – Litigation between a former Wal-Mart assistant manager and the prominent retailer over the ex-employee claiming he was discriminated against and harassed due to his Jehovah’s Witness religious beliefs has been settled, according to court records.
Lamontt Pressley filed a lawsuit on Nov. 23 in the U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of Pennsylvania against Wal-Mart Stores East L.P., pursuant to alleged violations of the Civil Rights Act of 1964 and the Pennsylvania Human Relations Act (PHRA).

Posted 11:00 EDT, Monday, 20 March 2017
https://www.jehovahs-witness.com/topic/5714189639221248/_post/6546826696065024

32

Watching the World - MEGA THREAD of topics

by darkspilver in

jw
friends

an esoteric hotchpotch of topics, from the mildly interesting to the rather boringi'm posting here to avoid the 'new topic' forum limitations, and besides it also helps to avoid clogging up the forum if you think something is of passing interest, and you wish to comment on it, please feel free to re-post as a new topic - thanks!

.

darkspilver

USA: Wal-Mart and ex-assistant manager who claimed religious discrimination settle lawsuit

Penn Record, Monday 20 March 2017

Wal-Mart and ex-assistant manager who claimed religious discrimination settle lawsuit
PHILADELPHIA – Litigation between a former Wal-Mart assistant manager and the prominent retailer over the ex-employee claiming he was discriminated against and harassed due to his Jehovah’s Witness religious beliefs has been settled, according to court records.
...
Per the complaint, Pressley was hired by Wal-Mart in October 2010. As a part of his religious beliefs, he is required to attend twice-weekly meetings, at 12:30 p.m. on Sunday afternoons and 7:30 p.m. on Wednesday evenings.
In his lawsuit, Pressley claimed a store manager remarked to him: “You don’t have to go to those meetings. You can be spiritual here,” and “Why do you always have to knock on people’s door at 5 a.m.?”
In response, Pressley said he reported this treatment to his supervisors, but despite his complaints, Pressley added the working environment became more hostile. Further, Pressley claimed a store manager gave him an ultimatum to either stop attending his meetings or be fired.

42

UK Kingdom Halls for sale

by darkspilver in

jw
friends

" and a mighty cry went out over all the land: "sell !

sell !

darkspilver

Haha! Cool, interesting pick up.

It was a Tabor Congregational Chapel, original part-built in 1909

http://www.pillars-of-faith.com/chapels.php?Town=Penygraig&Denomination=Congregational&RecNo=1

The Rhondda congregation has around 124 publishers (including nine elders) - so not that small.

http://beta.charitycommission.gov.uk/charity-details/?regid=1068958&subid=0

Their 15 March 2015 accounts make interesting reading though....

To be honest, looking at the above pics (poor access, no car parking and it's not really a great building for maintenance etc), the Rhondda congregation is probably quite pleased to be at the Pontyclun Kingdom Hall - pictured below - which looks larger, newer, and has the added benefit of an adjacent massive car park.

42

UK Kingdom Halls for sale

by darkspilver in

jw
friends

" and a mighty cry went out over all the land: "sell !

sell !

darkspilver

Kingdom Hall, rear of Field Street, Penygraig, Rhondda
Web: http://www.barbararees.com/property_detail1.php?id=875
PDF: http://www.barbararees.com/images/pdf_875.pdf
Still on sale

apparently still on sale, with a price reduction....

10

What Irony! Another Hall Closure!

by freddo in

jw
friends

note these excerpts from awake!

articles: (bold italics mine).

*** g93 9/8 pp.

darkspilver

Thank you for your post

We discussed this KH - amongst a number others which where all for sale - last year, here:

https://www.jehovahs-witness.com/topic/6221836369002496/_post/4845123793846272

10

any contractors here that can give an educated estimate of what warwick cost?

by nowwhat? in

just wonderin'.

darkspilver

$640 million US Dollars, for building construction only, excluding the external landscape, any specialized ground-works and costs to buy the land.

Not a 'contractor' here, but let's crunch some numbers!!

Considering that it's a mixed development - I suppose the residential parts would cost more than than the warehousing - and it's in NY State, rather than NY City

So how about saying $400-per-square-foot?

New York remains the costliest construction market in the U.S. and far outpaces other cities internationally. According to the report, building an office building in the city can cost roughly $550 per square foot, whereas a similar building in Berlin would run $174 per square foot and $365 in London.
https://therealdeal.com/2017/02/09/nyc-construction-costs-jumped-4-in-2016-report/

And there is 1.6 million square feet

Those that will be living at the 1.6 million square-foot world headquarters will start moving in this September, with the entire Watch Tower Bible and Tract Society slowly moving out of Brooklyn, the organization's location since 1909.
http://www.warwickadvertiser.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20160609/NEWS01/160609936/0/subscribe-community/Jehovah%27s-Witnesses-new-world-HQ-nearly-complete

so $400 x 1,600,000 square feet = $640,000,000

9

JW Bethel asks for a million euros to be paid to avoid courtroom

by darkspilver in

from cronica (spain).

jehovah's witnesses 'plugged' a one million euro entrepreneurial hole.

the cult asked to maintain the "peace" of a congregation in galicia to avoid that the case of emptying of the company reached civil justice.. jws asked to hide a million-euro business hole at a supply company in la coruña (galicia).

darkspilver

"there is no public basis for establishing that fraud has been committed".

Below is a copy of the letter from the Spanish Bethel (via google translate)

28 February 2017
Subject: Financial matters affecting the XXX
In response to your letter of January 3, 2017, addressed to the Branch Committee, write to us on the 9th of that month, which indicated that the next visit of the circuit superintendent would discuss the issues you raised . After his visit and the meeting with all those involved. The circuit superintendent has sent us his conclusions. Based on these we are pleased to offer you the following comments.
The brothers indicate that "there is no public basis for establishing that fraud has been committed". Because brother XXX and his wife, XXX decided to sell the ship, owned by them, in order to "try to clean up the debts being honest and transparent[s]", so you can not continue with the process Of Matthew 18: 15-17. The one that, later. Brother XXX decided to help XXX in the formation of a new family business, we understand that it is a personal and familiar matter, in which the congregation must be kept out.
We trust that the conversation with the circuit superintendent has helped you to find a peaceful and friendly solution. Dear XXX do not question our criteria for what happened. But seeing the effect that this might have on the relations with your family, the brothers of the congregation and even your spirituality, do not you believe that "the price" that is being paid by all those involved could be much higher That the value that the possessions for which you are litigating could have? In First Corinthians 6: 7 it says, "Truly, then, it is a complete defeat for you who are having litigation with one another: why do not they rather let them do injustice to them? That defraud them? " With these words, Jehovah reminds us that priorities must sometimes be set in our lives. Is money and our rights, or the peace and unity of the family and the congregation, more important to us? What do we value more, money or our spirituality? Does it compensate for everything we strive to achieve if, after that, we leave pain and open wounds? We are sure that as Christians you want to do things the way Jehovah does. You will strive to follow these and other advice that will have been offered, knowing that the love that we feel for you motivates them. Therefore, unless new and clear evidence arises, we give this matter as closed.

CONGREGATION EXPENDITURES
Donations to Watch Tower for WW (Resolution) --------------------	£119.05
Donations to Watch Tower for KHAHCW (Resolution) --------------	£96,446.84
Donations to Watch Tower for KHAA (Resolution) ------------------	£0.00
Donations to Watch Tower for TOAA (Resolution) ------------------	£375.00
Kingdom Hall operation and maintenance ----------------------------	£4,235.16
Hire of coach for convention --------------------------------------------	£1,900.00
Circuit overseer and visiting speaker expenses ---------------------	£341.78
Donations to circuit accommodation committee ---------------------	£0.00
Donations to hospital liaison committee ------------------------------	£0.00
Donations to Mid-Glam No. 1 circuit -----------------------------------	£1,065.00

Other payments
1) RBC Expenses ---------------------------------------------------------	£35.19
2) Legal fees ---------------------------------------------------------------	£100.00
3) Pioneer expenses -----------------------------------------------------	£300.00
4) Sound equipment -----------------------------------------------------	£369.98
5) Estate agent fees -----------------------------------------------------	£120.00
6) Chubb -------------------------------------------------------------------	£14.64

darkspilver

Posts by darkspilver

USA: Wal-Mart and ex-assistant manager who claimed religious discrimination settle lawsuit