Posts by darkspilver

21

REVEALED: The number of Bethelites over the years

by darkspilver in

jw
friends

in response to this thread.

i've put forward the argument that i believe that the 'organization' is financially effectively bleeding itself dry - it is actually financially imploding.. i believe that over the last 45 or so years, in particular, it has evolved from a relatively 'lean machine' into what is now a huge unwieldy organization.

as an organization grows i would expect increased efficiency through by both economies of scale, and advances in technology.. how has the watchtower organization fared?....

darkspilver

_Morpheus: Another factor in this would be the staff held for construction in warwick.

Yes, and it admittedly gets a bit hazy regarding who the WT are counting - but the overall trend over the last 55-or-so-years seems very clear when viewing the ratios.

This is what I commented about in an earlier post in this same thread:

I understand that Bethel is VERY hierarchical and specific with reference to what you are - ie are you an 'actual' member of the Bethel Family. I understood from those that have worked full-time on construction projects alongside working Bethels, including international, they had to be 'careful' - although the congregation they were assigned to viewed them as Bethel Family, they were not! they were construction.
Also note the language used below
Awake 22 December 2000, page 19
Truly, it is remarkable that the number of branch offices has increased from one a hundred years ago to 109 today that serve the needs of Jehovah’s Witnesses in 234 lands. And to think that these are staffed by some 13,000 dedicated Christian volunteers! Surely, their work along with that of the some 5,500 volunteers associated with the Society’s headquarters has been vital to the fulfillment of the prophecy of Jesus Christ that ‘this good news of God’s Kingdom would be preached in all the inhabited earth before the end comes.’—Matthew 24:14.
I haven't included the 13,000 in my table (as it is not precise) but it fits for the number of Bethelites [added: as per late 1990s on above chart] - notice WT makes a clear distinction with 'volunteers associated with the Society's headquarters' - they're not 'Family'.

3

WTBTS Puffing out the chest.........................

by The Fall Guy in

...................................and blowing it's own trumpet.. "oh look at us, anyone who gives a damn.

satan's system has given us a worldly certificate because of the design of our new money-maker complex in the u.k. this proves we have god's backing!".

https://www.jw.org/en/news/releases/by-region/united-kingdom/branch-office-breeam-rating-sustainable-design/.

darkspilver

FYI - there's been on going discussion regarding this here in a thread topic started by The Searcher

https://www.jehovahs-witness.com/topic/5638409936699392/_post/6510646818504704

1

Australia: Caught in Web of Evil (murder of Philip Quayle)

by darkspilver in

jw
friends

"caught in web of evil" is the headline spashed over the front page of today's copy of the cairns post newspaper (thursday, september 7, 2017) in queensland, australia.

the online version appears to be the same, apart from the headlineunlikely backgrounds of pair revealed after being sentenced for their part in cairns murder.

the cairns post / herald sun, wednesday, september 6, 2017. she was a top student as a child, he finished as school dux and was studying medicine at university.. how samantha french and alexander hansen became caught up in one of the most chilling recent murders in cairns defies belief.. but yesterday they faced court, charged with their parts in helping jake livingstone cover his tracks after he beat chef philip quayle to death in a cruel, random attack on spence st.. the cairns district court heard how, in the hours after they watched 21-year-old livingstone attack the 27-year-old hospitality worker in february 2015, the trio drove around the city, dumping and burning clothes in white rock, retrieving evidence from a cbd bin and disposing of it in mangroves near the cairns airport.. later that night the horror of what unfolded became too much for french.

darkspilver

"Caught in Web of Evil" is the headline spashed over the front page of today's copy of the Cairns Post newspaper (Thursday, September 7, 2017) in Queensland, Australia

The online version appears to be the same, apart from the headline

Unlikely backgrounds of pair revealed after being sentenced for their part in Cairns murder

The Cairns Post / Herald Sun, Wednesday, September 6, 2017
She was a top student as a child, he finished as school dux and was studying medicine at university.
How Samantha French and Alexander Hansen became caught up in one of the most chilling recent murders in Cairns defies belief.
But yesterday they faced court, charged with their parts in helping Jake Livingstone cover his tracks after he beat chef Philip Quayle to death in a cruel, random attack on Spence St.
The Cairns District Court heard how, in the hours after they watched 21-year-old Livingstone attack the 27-year-old hospitality worker in February 2015, the trio drove around the city, dumping and burning clothes in White Rock, retrieving evidence from a CBD bin and disposing of it in mangroves near the Cairns Airport.
Later that night the horror of what unfolded became too much for French. She got her then boyfriend to drive her to the police station where she told detectives a sordid and tragic tale.
It was the moment the 25-year-old’s life, which had been on a downhill slide for eight years, finally took a turn for the better.
A Gold Coast girl, she excelled in school and had all the makings of a success when, as a young teenager her mum was diagnosed with epilepsy.
She quit school to get a job and help her family, but two years later rebelled against her strict Jehovah's Witness upbringing and left home.
As the cliche goes, she fell in with the wrong crowd and a few years later found herself drinking and smoking cannabis with Livingstone and Hansen one fateful night.
...
While French came to the police station willingly, it was her that dobbed in Hansen and led police to both him, Livingstone and the evidence.
...
The court heard, through her barrister Stephanie Williams, that French’s life is back on track.
After the murder she returned to live with her parents under the condition of sobriety, got back custody of her two young children who were removed from her care several years before, and has rejoined the church.
She parted ways with partner Glen Liam Cetinich — who she also dobbed in for trafficking ice and ecstasy, despite it also revealing her involvement.
He was jailed earlier this year.
French began a chef apprenticeship, although took leave during the court cases, but expects to return and qualify.
“She has very good prospects of becoming a positive contributor to society,” Ms Williams said.
...
French received a nine-month jail term but was granted immediate parole, while Hansen got 12-months jail fully suspended for 18 months
READ MORE: http://www.cairnspost.com.au/news/cairns/unlikely-backgrounds-of-pair-revealed-after-being-sentenced-for-their-part-in-cairns-murder/news-story/139341abb7e9f3a532aab16984ebf747
READ MORE: http://www.heraldsun.com.au/news/national/unlikely-backgrounds-of-pair-revealed-after-being-sentenced-for-their-part-in-cairns-murder/news-story/139341abb7e9f3a532aab16984ebf747

FYI - some background including a timeline

https://www.sunshinecoastdaily.com.au/news/random-street-attack-turned-murder/3172243/

21

REVEALED: The number of Bethelites over the years

by darkspilver in

jw
friends

in response to this thread.

i've put forward the argument that i believe that the 'organization' is financially effectively bleeding itself dry - it is actually financially imploding.. i believe that over the last 45 or so years, in particular, it has evolved from a relatively 'lean machine' into what is now a huge unwieldy organization.

as an organization grows i would expect increased efficiency through by both economies of scale, and advances in technology.. how has the watchtower organization fared?....

darkspilver

UPDATE: 2016 Service Year

There appears to have been a dramatic 24% drop in Bethelites,

The number is now down to the level it last was in 2008.

The ratio of bethelites-to-publishers seems to be down to early 1980s levels (!)

45

Britain Branch to Cease Printing Sooner Than Expected

by The Searcher in

i've received the following news from a reliable and trusted source: .

the demise of printing literature in the u.k. is being brought forward by one year - to march 2018. graphic design and printing support will go too.

large numbers of "disposable" bethelites will now have to make their own way in the world, when their "mother" abandons them.

darkspilver

slimboyfat: At its peak the worldwide "bethel family" was, what 26,000 or something?

FYI

https://www.jehovahs-witness.com/topic/5639304585936896/revealed-number-bethelites-over-years

The ratio of bethelites-to-publishers is interesting - though the WT does a lot more translating now, but still....

45

Britain Branch to Cease Printing Sooner Than Expected

by The Searcher in

i've received the following news from a reliable and trusted source: .

the demise of printing literature in the u.k. is being brought forward by one year - to march 2018. graphic design and printing support will go too.

large numbers of "disposable" bethelites will now have to make their own way in the world, when their "mother" abandons them.

darkspilver

sparrowdown: Surely there would be cheaper ways and places to print.

Yes, apparently it's called 'Selters'....

sparrowdown: I honestly foresee a time when books, DVDs etc will be available from the website.

Well that happened quick! They already make books and DVDs available from their website!

In fact they DON'T even give out any physical copies of new releases at the annual conventions now!

If you want a physical copy you need to specifically order it after the convention from your congregation!

41

New Jehovah Witness Convert

by Eddie Fernandez in

.

hello house,i am sorry for bumping in like this, ii am a newly baptized jehovah witness, i have been a christain all my life any but i love this new insight and teaching,so i am looking to find a jehovah witness lady that can help me grow strong in faith,i would rather meet someone here because we would take time to get to know each other before we meet, this is a light about me,i am 37 , single, never married and have no kids,i have a good sense of humor, i am loving, caring and trustworthy.i'm an easy going person and i try to stay clear of any drama.i am presently in living in lexington,kentucky but willing to move soon.i am a reserved man,now i am ready to settle down and i'm looking for a woman i can vibe with on a spiritual and intellectual level, i want love and commitment,i am intelligent and successful but let me not toot my own horns,thanks for taking your time to read this.attached my picture and i did include my mobile number.+1 913-730-5780looking forward to hearing from you .thanks.

darkspilver

steve2: He has a beard and a bow tie - both No Nos in Jw land

depends where they are - and which congregation they're in - it's not b/w - bow ties are generally ok, well apart from comedy or spinning ones (!) (see my post about the CO/DO/Bethelite above) and beards are cool for publishers, MSs and Elders in some congregations, though unlikely to be asked to do assembly/convention items.

Of course, that's not to say there aren't some weird congregations out there that seem to ban everything and anything (!) - apparently some congregations only allow guys on the platform if they're wearing a white shirt.... and the OP is wearing a white shirt....

https://www.jehovahs-witness.com/topic/5742496321634304/what-rules-did-elders-your-kh-make

24

Reveal News: "Jehovah’s Witnesses fight law on reporting child sex abuse to police" by Trey Bundy

by AndersonsInfo in

https://www.revealnews.org/blog/jehovahs-fight-law-requiring-child-sex-abuse-be-reported-to-police/.

jehovah’s witnesses fight law on reporting child sex abuse to police.

trey bundy, february 1, 2016 .

darkspilver

greenhornet: an update please?

According to the Washington Post today (Thursday, September 7, 2017) the case is continuing

Judge talks with attorneys in child abuse reporting case

The Washington Post (by Associated Press), Thursday, September 7, 2017
A lawsuit targeting elders of a Jehovah’s Witnesses congregation for failing to report suspected child abuse continues to wind its way through Delaware’s court system.
The attorney general’s office sued elders of the Sussex County congregation in 2014 for not reporting an unlawful sexual relationship between a woman and a 14-year-old boy, both of whom were congregation members.
A judge scheduled a teleconference with attorneys Thursday to discuss the case.
READ MORE: https://www.washingtonpost.com/national/judge-talks-with-attorneys-in-child-abuse-reporting-case/2017/09/07/29f2959c-938f-11e7-8482-8dc9a7af29f9_story.html

FYI - apart from this thread's OP - there is some more background, and additional links to third party websites etc here:

https://www.jehovahs-witness.com/topic/6389925456904192/hearing-set-delaware-suit-against-jehovahs-witnesses-elders-failure-report-sex-abuse

https://www.jehovahs-witness.com/topic/419220001/attorney-general-jw-congregation-didnt-report-child-abuse

10

Finland, Turku - JW killed in attack

by darkspilver in

jw
friends

now confirmed - fyi following my post yesterday here:.

https://www.jehovahs-witness.com/topic/6355488641908736/_post/6151316533411840.

it has now been confirmed via jw.org.

darkspilver

FYI - Confirmation from WT that the JW lady who was murdered was a pioneer who was "engaging in metropolitan public witnessing" - that's the 'specially organised' cart-witnessing and NOT the standard local congregation cart-witnessing.

Jehovah’s Witnesses Offer Comfort After Attack in Turku, Finland

JWorg, Monday , September 4, 2017
HELSINKI — On Friday afternoon, August 18, 2017, one of our sisters was killed in Finland in what is being investigated as an act of terrorism targeting women. In addition to our sister, the perpetrator killed one other woman and injured eight people in an attack that took place in a market square in Turku, a city on Finland’s southwest coast. Immediately after the attack, representatives from the Finland branch office, the local circuit overseer, and local elders provided comfort and support to those affected by the tragedy.
Veikko Leinonen, a spokesman at the branch office in Finland, states: “This is a very tragic and shocking event. We are especially saddened that one of our dear pioneer sisters was killed in this random attack while engaging in metropolitan public witnessing. We know that, despite all precautions, it is not always possible to prevent ‘unexpected events,’ including acts of violence and terror. However, we continue to comfort one another, particularly the family of the sister who was killed. Our prayer is for Jehovah to grant inner peace to those who are grieving this painful loss. We will also continue to take practical steps and not allow undue anxiety to overtake us while moving forward with our witnessing efforts.”—Ecclesiastes 9:11; Romans 15:13; Philippians 4:6, 7.
To provide emotional and spiritual comfort, the branch office sent a letter to all congregations in Finland. The branch also organized a special meeting to provide encouragement for the 135 brothers and sisters who assist with the metropolitan public witnessing in Turku. The pioneers have shown a courageous spirit and are eager to continue public witnessing.
READ MORE: https://www.jw.org/en/news/releases/by-region/finland/jehovahs-witnesses-offer-comfort-after-attack-turku/

45

Britain Branch to Cease Printing Sooner Than Expected

by The Searcher in

i've received the following news from a reliable and trusted source: .

the demise of printing literature in the u.k. is being brought forward by one year - to march 2018. graphic design and printing support will go too.

large numbers of "disposable" bethelites will now have to make their own way in the world, when their "mother" abandons them.

darkspilver

TheWonderofYou: Temple Farm Development is designed as prestigious project of green cities an urban natural environement. First ever BREEAM Communities innovation credit is claimed by Temple Farm Development

A couple of months later, and....

Witnesses’ New Branch Office in Britain Receives Top BREEAM Rating for Sustainable Design

JWorg, Tuesday, September 5, 2017
LONDON — Jehovah’s Witnesses are building a new administrative facility in Britain and their design and construction methods have been certified as Outstanding, the highest rating available according to the world’s leading sustainability assessment standard, BREEAM (Building Research Establishment Environmental Assessment Method). The Witnesses’ facility, is located about 70 kilometers (43 mi) east of London, in Chelmsford, Essex, and is only the second BREEAM Communities scheme to have received the top rating.
READ MORE: https://www.jw.org/en/news/releases/by-region/united-kingdom/branch-office-breeam-rating-sustainable-design/