berrygerry

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Posts by berrygerry

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  7

  Worldwatch Institute vs Watching the World

  by berrygerry in

  1. watchtower
  2. bible

  part of the "last days" in the bible teach book indicates that : "a report from the worldwatch institute states: “three times as many people fell victim to war in [the 20th] century as in all the wars from the first century ad to 1899.” more than 100 million people have died as a result of wars since 1914.

  "that seems to be quite the statement, given mankind's history of war, which, for the most part, seems to have only dimished since 1945.fact-checking that quote shows that, first of all, it is not a quote by the worldwatch institute, but is actually a paper written by one of its contributors (michael renner) in 1999.

  ( http://www.worldwatch.org/system/files/wp146.pdf ) additionally, that paper references a table (done by a different researcher) that indicates that the 20th century not only has the most war-related deaths, but far and away the greatest ratio of deaths at 44.4 per 1,000 population.

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  berrygerry

  It's not just the population difference.
  
  
  Other studies show much different stats: http://sdi.sagepub.com/content/22/4/437.extract
  
  The 19th-century death-tolls alone seem comparable to 20-th century.
  
  http://necrometrics.com/wars19c.htm
  
  However, the simplest metric is death per pop.
  
  Study said 44.4 per thousand
  
  Yet with roughly 100 million deaths to 10 billion pop. gives an easy calculation ( https://www.quora.com/How-many-people-lived-during-the-20th-century ), about 10 per thousand, less than previous time periods.
  
  (That is the 20th century, WWI and WWII. We are already into 100 years since the start of WWI, and will be passing Nov 11, 2018 in 2.5 years.
  
  Why is it unrealistic to look at the past 70 years as a metric?)
  
  With respect to the major discrepancy between 44.4 deaths per thousand, and 10 or so deaths per thousand - WT stated in its 2011 YB to ‘TRACING ALL THINGS WITH ACCURACY’

  "In summary, the Writing Department insists on using only material that is accurate and truthful, even regarding seemingly insignificant details. As a result, “the faithful and discreet slave” can consistently supply spiritual food that brings honor to “the God of truth,” Jehovah."
  
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  7

  Worldwatch Institute vs Watching the World

  by berrygerry in

  1. watchtower
  2. bible

  part of the "last days" in the bible teach book indicates that : "a report from the worldwatch institute states: “three times as many people fell victim to war in [the 20th] century as in all the wars from the first century ad to 1899.” more than 100 million people have died as a result of wars since 1914.

  "that seems to be quite the statement, given mankind's history of war, which, for the most part, seems to have only dimished since 1945.fact-checking that quote shows that, first of all, it is not a quote by the worldwatch institute, but is actually a paper written by one of its contributors (michael renner) in 1999.

  ( http://www.worldwatch.org/system/files/wp146.pdf ) additionally, that paper references a table (done by a different researcher) that indicates that the 20th century not only has the most war-related deaths, but far and away the greatest ratio of deaths at 44.4 per 1,000 population.

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  berrygerry

  An institute after Watch Tower's heart:

  http://articles.latimes.com/1985-07-14/business/fi-6546_1_worldwatch-institute.

  Other than Brown himself, Worldwatch researchers have no advanced degrees or special expertise. But they are expert at distilling the essence of the experts' findings into easily digestible hunks for journalists, policy makers and others who don't have time to wade through stacks of original research.

  "We are really middlemen taking technical material assembled for a very narrow audience and extracting from it the essence of the situation that has importance and relevance for a popular audience," senior researcher Edward C. Wolf explained.
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  7

  Worldwatch Institute vs Watching the World

  by berrygerry in

  1. watchtower
  2. bible

  part of the "last days" in the bible teach book indicates that : "a report from the worldwatch institute states: “three times as many people fell victim to war in [the 20th] century as in all the wars from the first century ad to 1899.” more than 100 million people have died as a result of wars since 1914.

  "that seems to be quite the statement, given mankind's history of war, which, for the most part, seems to have only dimished since 1945.fact-checking that quote shows that, first of all, it is not a quote by the worldwatch institute, but is actually a paper written by one of its contributors (michael renner) in 1999.

  ( http://www.worldwatch.org/system/files/wp146.pdf ) additionally, that paper references a table (done by a different researcher) that indicates that the 20th century not only has the most war-related deaths, but far and away the greatest ratio of deaths at 44.4 per 1,000 population.

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  berrygerry

  
  
  Part of the "Last Days" in the Bible Teach book indicates that : "A report from the Worldwatch Institute states: “Three times as many people fell victim to war in [the 20th] century as in all the wars from the first century AD to 1899.” More than 100 million people have died as a result of wars since 1914."
  
  That seems to be quite the statement, given mankind's history of war, which, for the most part, seems to have only dimished since 1945.
  
  Fact-checking that quote shows that, first of all, it is not a quote by the Worldwatch Institute, but is actually a paper written by one of its contributors (Michael Renner) in 1999. ( http://www.worldwatch.org/system/files/WP146.PDF ) Additionally, that paper references a table (done by a different researcher) that indicates that the 20th century not only has the most war-related deaths, but far and away the greatest RATIO of deaths at 44.4 per 1,000 population.
  
  This table also indicates that the numbers for the last decade (the 90's) are pro-rated based upon the previous time period.
  
  When one researches the amount of wars in history, there are major errors with the numbers in that table, pre-20th century.
  
  More important, crunching the real numbers of the 20th century, brings the ratio of war deaths to about 11 per 1,000 population.
  
  In the decades since, has WT upgraded this view of Worldwatch?
  
  The revised "What Can the Bible Teach Us" has revised the Bible Teach statement to:
  
  "More people have been killed in wars in our time than at any other time in history. One report from the Worldwatch Institute shows that since 1914, wars have killed more than 100 million people. More than three times as many people were killed in wars during the 100 years between 1900 and 2000 as were killed during the previous 1,900 years. Just imagine the misery and pain that millions of people have felt because of war!"
  
  So, instead of looking at the past 70 years (since 1945), or even post-Viet Nam, WT clings to a very numerically-challenged paper from 1999. They also try to give this paper credence by ascribing it to the Worldwatch Institute.
  
  With respect to this institute itself, Google its reviews.
  
  Watch Tower has been quoting it since 1975, usually under "Watching the World."
  
  Hmmm, Watching the World - Worldwatch (very curious).
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  43

  Jehovah's Witnesses: A Clear Decline

  by Hadriel in

  1. watchtower
  2. bible

  it is rather clear that the internet is to put it mildly, wrecking the world of the watchtower bible & tract society.

  if not for foreign language i doubt there would be much growth at all.. digital trends and analytics are very real.

  i live this analytics world i assure you to some degree you can take it to the bank.

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  berrygerry

  Bottom line the Tower has buckets of money and they're streamlining. They have staying power from that respect but I can see a time where they're a shell of what they once were much like Scientology has become.

  This could be a sticky for the summation of the Borg.

  There is a definite feel of, if not desperation, then urgency, in their cutbacks of Branches, Bethelites, Missionaries, Specials, older CO's, DO's, as well as the scraping of every congos' last nickel, insane Circuit Assembly expenses, right-sizing of KH's, video-begging, scrapping of recent releases, and 16-page bi-monthly rags.

  The real numbers guys inside the Borg know what is happening, and it is not pretty.
  
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  25

  The JW Spin - why governments and opposers should let jws handle abusers themselves

  by Robo Bobo in

  1. watchtower
  2. child-abuse

  i came across this blog - it is one of the evilest things i've ever read.. http://dismythed.blogspot.com/2016/02/flip-side-news-opposers-want-ex.html.

  you might not want to click on it because a) you'll give it more traffic and b) it will make you mad.

  in summary it states that since only 11-17% of molesters are repeat offenders, witnesses guilty of abuse should be dealt with inside the congregation as long as they confess.

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  berrygerry

  Only 11-17% of child molesters in the world ever re-offend after ceasing their activity.

  What a stupid statement.

  If someone has "ceased their activity," they would never engage in that activity again.
  
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  61

  The Watchtower Org will die.

  by Freeandclear in

  1. jw
  2. friends

  i was just reading through some posts and had a startling realization.. the comment that sparked this went something like this: why oh why when i started into this in 1989 did i not research the history of the wtbts?

  etc....... i too was studying and moving towards baptism around that same time.

  i got dunked in dec of 1990.. my thought.

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  berrygerry

  Access to information only helps when people are willing to look at it. I do believe the internet has caused a slow down in growth and will continue to make it more difficult for the Watchtower to recruit new members, but there are still many areas where the internet is not widely available. Even in areas where the internet is available it's no guarantee, as the Watchtower belief system appeals to people who are struggling with life issues and seeking simplistic answers.

  Lack of internet access = impoverished citizens = no new profit for WT.
  
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  35

  Saturday Let the Games Begin

  by Poztate in

  1. jw
  2. friends

  the start of a new memorial season is upon us.

  saturday is the day for the start of the invites to look but not touch the bread and wine.

  the "observer class" is a belief unique to jehovah's witnesses.. along with the invite to the masses a special effort is being made this year by the elders to invite all the df's, da's and faders.. along with the invite a copy of the rtj will be left with them.. naturally we will still be treated as pariah's if we do attend but it is the thought that counts.. i am of the "fader class" as i don't wish to rock the boat with my wife and extended family.

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  berrygerry

  Along with the invite to the masses a special effort is being made this year by the Elders to invite all the DF's, Da's

  Can you confirm they are supposed to invite DA'd?
  
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  77

  Trying To Leave - Im Going Crazy

  by pale.emperor in

  1. jw
  2. experiences

  this is my first post.

  i really feel i need to leave the jw's rather than go along pretending everything is perfect etc.

  no friends, me at work.

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  berrygerry

  I only woke up to TTATT within the last 2 years.
  
  The first year is the greatest emotional rollercoaster ride possible.
  You need to realize the harsh reality that WT / JW is A CULT - plain and simple.
  
  I initially found that impossible - I thought it was only the elders here and the elders there. If only the CO knew or if only the branch knew or if only the GB knew. Not the way it is - cults are run from the top down, and that includes the elders.
  
  Why then do people stay? Read this post, and the link to the full page at the top.
  
  https://www.reddit.com/r/exjw/comments/41bdge/why_i_am_going_back/cz13u7i
  

  The mental and emotional damage takes its toll.
  
  Read through the effects that you and we are experiencing / have experienced.
  
  http://www.exitingthejwcult.com/p/if-you-are-going-to-see-mental-health.html
  
  That page is written by a psychotherapist who is probably one of the most qualified persons to write about this group and the effects on its followers.
  
  Bonnie's book is a MUST-READ for all fading, doubting, and ex-JW's. (Kindle available.)
  
  http://www.amazon.com/EXiting-JW-Cult-Handbook-Witnesses/dp/1508477132
  
  YOU CANNOT (at this point) TRUST YOUR WIFE.
  PLEASE LISTEN TO THIS.
  
  You do not need to treat her as an enemy, or stop showing her love (actually, start showing her more) but the cult-influence is all-powerful.
  
  Please stick around. You have a lot going on, and a lot more to deal with.

  Stick around - I'll add my two cents (don't know what Brits' expression is) in further posts.
  
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  9

  Does John 6:52-58 state that not only the anointed can partake?

  by MrsR-Awaken in

  1. watchtower
  2. bible

  so i read a comment on youtube of someone stating that john 6:53-58 woke him up.

  the nwt says .

  so jesus said to them: “most truly i say to you, unless you eat the flesh of the son of man and drink his blood, you have no life in yourselves.+54 whoever feeds on my flesh and drinks my blood has everlasting life, and i will resurrect+ him on the last day;55 for my flesh is true food and my blood is true drink.56 whoever feeds on my flesh and drinks my blood remains in union with me, and i in union with him.+ 57 just as the living father sent me and i live because of the father, so also the one who feeds on me will live because of me.+ 58 this is the bread that came down from heaven.

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  berrygerry

  I'm so amazed how being inside the Borg I never truly READ the scriptures.

  For me, the most important verse for a Christian is James 1:27. ( http://biblehub.com/james/1-27.htm )
  

  The ONLY scripture that specifies what type of worship God wants.

  WT CREATES orphans and widows, and does not even help JW orphans and widows, never mind helping "Samaritan" orphans and widows.
  
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  3

  I'm Mad as Hell ... and

  by berrygerry in

  1. social
  2. entertainment

  the movie "network" is playing.. made in 1976. seriously?

  40 years ago.. i am not going to take it anymore..

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  berrygerry

  The movie "Network" is playing.

  Made in 1976. Seriously? 40 years ago.

  I am not going to take it anymore.