Posts by darkspilver

2

the watchtower have cut more than just mags and books

by pepperheart in

if you go on to jw.org itself and ltype in the search box for "bethel closures" it will tell you under the headline of"giving priority to the global preaching work".

that they have kicked out 5,500 people from the bethel family.. also if you search under "2012 bethel".

on page two it will tell you that they have "consolidated 20 branch offices of jws around the world .

darkspilver

If you go on to jehovahs-witness.com itself and type in the search box for "revealed number of bethelites" it will tell you under the headline of "REVEALED: The number of Bethelites over the years."

A chart showing the huge increase of the number of bethelites over the years compared to actual publishers.

Also if you search under "truth about branch closures"

it will tell you that, although 25 branches have closed over the 10 years (a 21% decrease), the number of bethelites has increased by 6,683 over the same time (a massive 35% INCREASE)

32

Counter-Watchtower / Answers-in-Watchtower First Draft Issue 1

by Counter-Watchtower in

please proof read the draft and comment any edits, corrects or changes of any kind needed.

also i need help with the cover page, what the title should be and plain text or whatnot, whatever would be more appealing to a jw to get them to open and read.. https://drive.google.com/file/d/0b2s6sigyikwhmglhqk5fcmxwzwc/view?usp=sharing.

darkspilver

Counter-Watchtower: (Not sure if JWs capitalize Holy Spirit or not?)

Er, you are using the Watchtower Style Guide aren't you??

Below is a copy to a 152 page version

The section on capitalization starts on page 30 of the PDF (and covers about 35 pages) - you need to look at page 55 of the PDF

https://jw.servehttp.com/handbook.php?is=sm98-E.pdf

5

Apostacy - The Movie Review

by pale.emperor in

cannot wait to see this.

is it going to be in regular cinemas?

i love the fact that the guardian newspaper, the same paper that exposed their un involvement, are the ones reviewing this.. p.s.

darkspilver

Check out the thread below

cobweb posted The Guardian's review yesterday

https://www.jehovahs-witness.com/topic/6224640852623360/apostasy-movie-directed-daniel-kokotajlo

pale.emperor: Is it going to be in regular cinemas?

It has been picked up for cinema distribution in the UK by Curzon Artificial Eye

See above thread, UK distribution was announced a week ago, here is the direct link:

https://www.jehovahs-witness.com/topic/6224640852623360/_post/5884152337399808

pale.emperor: P.S. There's no way they used real KH to film this.

Why?

I understand the external shots are a real KH, as the Guardian reviews says - they location scouted a KH that had recently been sold, and therefore dealt with the new owners for using it for filming - that's kinda what movie location scouts do

75

Apostasy: The Movie - Directed by Daniel Kokotajlo

by darkspilver in

jw
friends

daniel kokotajlo's new film apostasy has it's world premiere at the toronto international film festival in september 2017. apostasy.

family and faith come into conflict for two jehovah’s witness sisters in manchester, when one is condemned for fornication and the other pressured to shun her sibling.. this fresh, unadorned first feature from director dan kokotajlo carries an unmistakable note of authenticity from its very first scenes.

set in a jehovah's witness community in england, the film's strength and power lies in its directness.. apostasy depicts the growing rift in a family — a mother and two daughters — who are rigorously devoted to their religion.

darkspilver

jwundubbed: Okay, how do you find out if this movie will be playing anywhere near you?

haha, the business of movie-making when you're not a 'hollywood block-buster' eh?

It doesn't seem to be going the film festival awards routes (ie being submitted to as many film festival competitions as possible around the world).

But it is using screenings at a FEW film festivals to pick-up buzz, generate interest and reviews (and seems to be keeping OUT of the actual competitions) - screenings done with an eye to getting companies interested in actually distributing the film (ie on semi-general release) at cinemas - this appears to be going very well... the film plays/ed at

Toronto - for the English North American market.

San Sebastian - for the non-English European and Spanish market (including South America).

London - as it's a British film.

Mumbai - for the Indian/Asia market (not so strange, as remember the film is partly set amongst the Urdu (India) speaking community in Manchester).

I would not be surprised if it will try to do the same as The Children's Act, and focus on the 2019 Awards Season, with a cinema release during 2018.

https://www.jehovahs-witness.com/topic/5640312363941888/_post/5190908460924928

27

At the annual meeting right now . . .

by neat blue dog in

i'm at the recorded meeting right now.

trying to hide my disgust sitting up front listening to geoffrey jackson quibble about the pharisaical minutai of sanctification vs. vindication.

the audience is thrilled that they now have 'permission' to say god's name can be vindicated.

darkspilver

pale.emperor: Can somebody explain to me what the sanctification/vindication thing is all about please?

I believe it is tied into this:

Watchtower May 15, 1995, pages 24 and 25

Part 2: Flashes of Light — Great and Small: Increased Light on Terminology
For a long time, Witnesses spoke of the vindication of Jehovah’s name. But had Satan called Jehovah’s name into question? For that matter, had any of Satan’s agents done so, as if Jehovah did not have a right to that name? No, not at all. It was not the name of Jehovah that was challenged and that needed to be vindicated. That is why the Watch Tower Society’s recent publications do not speak of Jehovah’s name as being vindicated. They speak of Jehovah’s sovereignty as being vindicated and of his name as being sanctified. This is in keeping with what Jesus told us to pray: “Let your name be sanctified.” (Matthew 6:9) Time and again, Jehovah said that he was going to sanctify his name, which the Israelites had not challenged but had profaned.—Ezekiel 20:9, 14, 22; 36:23.
Interestingly, in 1971, the book “The Nations Shall Know That I Am Jehovah”—How? made this distinction: “Jesus Christ fights . . . for the vindication of Jehovah’s universal Sovereignty and for the glorification of Jehovah’s name.” (Pages 364-5) In 1973, God’s Kingdom of a Thousand Years Has Approached said: “The coming ‘great tribulation’ is the time for Almighty God Jehovah to vindicate his universal sovereignty and to sanctify his worthy name.” (Page 409) Then, in 1975, Man’s Salvation Out Of World Distress at Hand! stated: “The greatest event of universal history will then have been accomplished, the vindication of Jehovah’s universal sovereignty and the sanctification of his sacred name.”—Page 281.

45

2017 Annual Meeting

by obarac in

on saturday, october 7.. any chance to get user name and password for stream?.

darkspilver

Looks like the WT have released updated information on the 'Apply Yourself to the Field Ministry' section of the midweek CLAM meeting.

The presentations are much much less publication focused.

Obviously not all the (sub) items are used each week.

S-38: Instructions for Our Christian Life and Ministry Meeting
Apply Yourself to the Field Ministry: 15 minutes or less.
This section of the meeting is designed to give all the opportunity to practice for the ministry and to improve in their ability to preach and teach. The students should base the initial call and return visit assignments on the sample conversations provided on page 1 of the Life and Ministry Meeting Workbook. Publishers may decide whether or not to introduce a publication or video from our Teaching Toolbox. At times, the Life and Ministry Meeting Workbook may provide additional instructions for the student assignments. Students do not need to add additional information simply to use all of the allotted time. Some well-prepared demonstrations may conclude a minute or more early. As necessary, elders may receive student assignments.
• Sample Conversation Videos: 4 or 5 minutes. One video of a model conversation will be played and discussed during each of the first three weeks of the month. These videos will feature the initial call, the first return visit, and the second return visit. This part will be handled by the Life and Ministry Meeting chairman.
• Initial Call: 2 minutes or less. This student assignment may be handled by a brother or a sister. The assistant should be of the same sex or should be a family member. The student and assistant may be seated or be standing. The student should choose a greeting appropriate for the area. The sample conversation should be used as the foundation for the discussion.
• First Return Visit: 3 minutes or less. This student assignment may be handled by a brother or a sister. The assistant should not be someone of the opposite sex. (km 5/97 p. 2) The student and assistant may be seated or be standing. The student should demonstrate what to say when returning to visit someone who showed interest on the initial call. The sample conversation in the Life and Ministry Meeting Workbook should be used as the foundation for the discussion.
• Second Return Visit: 3 minutes or less. This student assignment may be handled by a brother or a sister. The assistant should not be someone of the opposite sex. (km 5/97 p. 2) The student and assistant may be seated or be standing. The student should demonstrate what to say when returning to visit someone who showed interest on the first return visit. The sample conversation should be used as the foundation for the discussion.
• Third Return Visit: 3 minutes or less. This student assignment may be handled by a brother or a sister. The assistant should not be someone of the opposite sex. (km 5/97 p. 2) The student and assistant may be seated or be standing. The student should demonstrate what to say when returning to visit someone who showed interest on the second return visit. The student should select his own scripture and link to the next conversation.
• Bible Study: 6 minutes or less. This student assignment may be handled by a brother or a sister. The assistant should not be someone of the opposite sex. (km 5/97 p. 2) The student and assistant may be seated or be standing. This part should demonstrate a segment of a Bible study already in progress. There is no need for an introduction or a conclusion unless the student is specifically working on one of these counsel points. It is not necessary to have all of the assigned material read aloud, although this may be done. Good teaching skills should be highlighted.
• Talk: 6 minutes or less. This student assignment is to be handled by a brother and given as a talk to the congregation
READ FULL NEW INSTRUCTIONS: https://www.dropbox.com/s/kwgpnfbv5o9qadu/S-38-E_10-2017.pdf?dl=0
HAT TIP: https://www.reddit.com/r/exjw/comments/75bxc2/instructions_for_our_christian_life_and_ministry/

FYI - you can read the previous, now old, instructions here: https://drive.google.com/file/d/0B4oXVPm4nrmfa3R2NmpuOXRoSzA/view (old instructions)

Below are the relevant parts from the JANUARY 2018 - CLAM WORKBOOK

Starting this month, the midweek meeting will no longer feature three different sample presentations. Instead, the Life and Ministry Meeting Workbook will have sample conversations consisting of an opening question, a scripture, and a linking question to pave the way for a return visit. Only one sample conversation video will be played per week. Each publisher can decide which publication from our Teaching Toolbox to use and when to introduce it—whether on an initial call or a return visit. In addition, the workbook will contain ideas for two follow-up conversations. This approach will help us focus on our goal of teaching “all those who [are] rightly disposed for everlasting life.”—Ac 13:48.
Student Assignments: Unless the instructions indicate otherwise, students should demonstrate the sample conversations.

Sample Conversations

INITIAL CALL
• Question: Is the Bible still relevant today?
• Scripture: 2Ti 3:16
• Link: What is the Bible’s message?

FIRST RETURN VISIT
• Question: What is the Bible’s message?
• Scripture: Mt 6:10
• Link: What will God’s Kingdom do?

SECOND RETURN VISIT
• Question: What will God’s Kingdom do?
• Scripture: Da 2:44
• Link: How will this affect the earth?

January 1-7
APPLY YOURSELF TO THE FIELD MINISTRY
• Initial Call Video: (4 min.) Play and discuss the video.
• First Return Visit: (3 min. or less) See Sample Conversations.
• Bible Study: (6 min. or less) bhs 41-42 ¶6-7

January 8-14
APPLY YOURSELF TO THE FIELD MINISTRY
• Initial Call: (2 min. or less) See Sample Conversations.
• First Return Visit Video: (5 min.) Play and discuss the video.
• Talk: (6 min. or less) w16.03 31-32—Theme: Did Satan Physically Take Jesus to the Temple When Tempting Him?

January 15-21
APPLY YOURSELF TO THE FIELD MINISTRY
• Initial Call: (2 min. or less) Begin with the sample conversation. Respond to an objection that is common in your territory.
• First Return Visit: (3 min. or less) Begin with the sample conversation. The person you spoke with before is not at home, but a relative answers the door.
• Second Return Visit Video: (5 min.) Play and discuss the video.

January 22-28
APPLY YOURSELF TO THE FIELD MINISTRY
• Second Return Visit: (3 min. or less) Begin with the sample conversation. Invite the person to the meeting.
• Third Return Visit: (3 min. or less) Choose your own scripture, and offer a study publication.
• Bible Study: (6 min. or less) bhs 47 ¶18-19

January 29–February 4
APPLY YOURSELF TO THE FIELD MINISTRY
• Second Return Visit: (3 min. or less) See Sample Conversations.
• Third Return Visit: (3 min. or less) Choose your own scripture and linking question.
• Bible Study: (6 min. or less) bhs 45-46 ¶15-16—Invite the person to the meeting.

75

Apostasy: The Movie - Directed by Daniel Kokotajlo

by darkspilver in

jw
friends

daniel kokotajlo's new film apostasy has it's world premiere at the toronto international film festival in september 2017. apostasy.

family and faith come into conflict for two jehovah’s witness sisters in manchester, when one is condemned for fornication and the other pressured to shun her sibling.. this fresh, unadorned first feature from director dan kokotajlo carries an unmistakable note of authenticity from its very first scenes.

set in a jehovah's witness community in england, the film's strength and power lies in its directness.. apostasy depicts the growing rift in a family — a mother and two daughters — who are rigorously devoted to their religion.

darkspilver

Review from The Hollywood Reporter - with interesting comment regarding the film's title

Apostasy: Film Review | San Sebastian 2017

The Hollywood Reporter, Monday, October 9, 2017
Siobhan Finneran, Molly Wright and Sacha Parkinson lead the cast in writer-director Daniel Kokotajlo's debut, a UK drama premiering at the long-running festival.
Blood proves thicker than (holy) water in writer-director Daniel Kokotajlo's debut Apostasy, one of the year's strongest British films. A beautifully balanced glimpse into the world of Jehovah's Witnesses set in a humdrum corner of Manchester, it premiered at Toronto then belatedly emerged as one of the more buzzed New Directors contenders at San Sebastian.
Set for UK release via Curzon, this downbeat affair should parlay festival acclaim into niche theatrical distribution and small screen exposure. To do so it must overcome a title ("an act of refusing to continue to follow, obey, or recognize a religious faith") that's both tricky to pronounce and too bald a label for the screenplay's complex contents.
Kokotajlo handles some potentially melodramatic plot developments with tact and audacious restraint. Indeed, he takes the very bold step of eliding major incidents which most filmmakers would place front and center. Dividing the story into discrete chapters with cuts to black screen, or sometimes to Bible extracts presented on title cards, Kokotajlo and editor Napoleon Stratogiannakis convey the impression that we are being allowed controlled glimpses into tightly-controlled lives.
This approach risks clinical or mannered results, but in Kokotaljo's hands the emphasis is firmly and profitably upon the characters and their interplay. Crucially, he elicits a trio of exceptional performances from his three female leads.
While undeniably critical in tone and ultimately sympathetic with Luisa's increasingly spiky rebelliousness, Apostasy takes appropriate care to show balanced respect for Jehovah's Witness beliefs, and speaks to much wider issues of fundamentalism, institutional repression and individual free will. It's a timely, sensitive and intelligent work of cinema for which opportunity will now surely knock.
READ FULL REVIEW: http://www.hollywoodreporter.com/review/apostasy-1045595

4

When did the recording of prayers stop? Why?

by careful in

i was just listening to the annual meeting recording posted here in another thread.

about half way through it, a prayer was offered.

i was wondering if the recorder (and i have no idea if this was a person making an official recording or just some independent person making one) was going to keep the recording device on for the prayer.

darkspilver

Yes and no

The audio/video recording of prayers is all OK, no problem - there are prayers written in the Bible

The issue is the audio/video play-back of recorded prayers as part of worship with those listening saying amen at the end - that is not allowable

Each congregation listening to the recording of the Annual Meeting will have had their own prayers said by locals.

Those congregations listening live on Saturday morning will have had the prayers broadcast from the Annual Meeting.

If it's live, it's OK, if it's recorded, it's not.

There was a letter reminding elders about this when the 'live' broadcast links started a couple of years ago - with references to various WT publications - look it up if you're interested

75

Apostasy: The Movie - Directed by Daniel Kokotajlo

by darkspilver in

jw
friends

daniel kokotajlo's new film apostasy has it's world premiere at the toronto international film festival in september 2017. apostasy.

family and faith come into conflict for two jehovah’s witness sisters in manchester, when one is condemned for fornication and the other pressured to shun her sibling.. this fresh, unadorned first feature from director dan kokotajlo carries an unmistakable note of authenticity from its very first scenes.

set in a jehovah's witness community in england, the film's strength and power lies in its directness.. apostasy depicts the growing rift in a family — a mother and two daughters — who are rigorously devoted to their religion.

darkspilver

Thanks cobweb

Interesting comment in the Guardian's review about the 'other film':...

I have to say that Apostasy exposes the slightly preposterous drama of Richard Eyre’s new film The Children Act, with a similar plotline about Jehovah’s Witnesses, based on the Ian McEwan novel. Apostasy is more knowledgeable, less excitable.

https://www.jehovahs-witness.com/topic/5640312363941888/children-act-movie-ian-mcewan-directed-richard-eyre

15

ANNUAL MEETING LETTER - To Zimbabwe congregations

by The Fall Guy in

a nonprofit corporation .

watch tower bible and tract society of pennsylvania .

private bag wg-5001, westgate, zimbabwe telephone 08677 004 012; 0772 472 403/4 .

darkspilver

Hi The Fall Guy

yeah, thanks, I posted this a couple of days back, on Saturday..... in the 2017 Annual Meeting thread.....

https://www.jehovahs-witness.com/topic/5134799058501632/_post/6251129845317632