Posts by OneEyedJoe

You make a good point, though. Refusal to use their loaded language really confuses them. Another one to try is using the word leaflet instead of tract. You get a lot of confused looks as they try to figure out how to respond... they eventually give up and change the subject.

6

The prodigal son on TV

by ctrwtf in

jw
friends

so i had to see what the hubbub was about.

pointed my browser to the tv site and started watching the streaming video of the prodigal son.. here's my review:.

first, not a lot of dialogue.

OneEyedJoe

Isn't it obvious? He did go to college, and that's how he got into this mess to begin with! If he never went to college, he couldn't have moved out so he wouldn't have bills. As you said, he wouldn't have had a stressful job. He couldn't afford an evil computer (oh wait are those good now? I can't keep up) so he wouldn't have gotten hooked on porn. He couldn't afford to go to the bar, so no hangover. Clearly, college education is just the gateway drug to a whole host of problems (better know as "life")

80

Will JW.ORG actually harm the WT Society Long Term ?

by flipper in

jw
friends

my son and i were discussing this yesterday over coffee.

since the wt society in previous years virtually demonized going on the internet at all for jw's - now wt leaders are doing a complete turn around or about face probably so as to " compete " or keep up with all the anti-jw websites that are out there to give the wt society point of view.. however- it very well may backfire on them as once people start doing google searches looking for jw.org it will bring up all the other websites dealing with any jw issues and in the privacy of their own homes out of curiosity i'm sure lots of jw's are going to want to check out some of these sites to see what all the " apostate " hoopla is all about.

i wonder how many jw's will do this and will it have an effect in opening more minds to other views ?

OneEyedJoe

It seems likely that at least a few will misunderstand (or get through word of mouth when they miss the meeting that has the official announcement) the whole tv.jw.org thing and they'll just go to youtube and search jw.org. Boy will they be in for some fun.

3

My predictions for WTS changes

by tank in

jw
friends

i predict.... one day assemblies only.

one meeting a week only.

handing out business cards at the door with www.jw.org on it.. all talks will be scripted for you (or is that happening already).

OneEyedJoe

I will be surprised if the 3 day regional conventions go to two only because these are cash cows for the organization. I have worked in the accounting departments at disctrict conventions for many years and a convention of 7000 in attendance pulls in nearly 100,000 dollars.

Personally, I'd be shocked if this didn't happen in the next 10 years, tops. I'd bet closer to 3-5. Eliminating friday from the DC/RC probably won't change the amount contributed in any substantial way. People get into their routine as to how much they donate and they won't think about it unless they're told to donate more.

If they do have a drop in donations in the first year of the 2-day RC, the second year there will be a couple articles in the KM, and letters read. Some will be subtle about making sure we're "seeking first the kingdom" and sacrificing both our time and money to Jah. Then they'll have a letter read that will tell everyone the "per-publisher" cost of the convention, and at the end there will be a statement along the lines of: We know that many in the congregation will find it difficult to meet this cost, so those who have greater means may wish to contribute extra to cover the costs of the less fortunate. Of course almost no one in the congregation wants to view themselves as unable to cover the "modest" donation requirement, and most will donate well over the suggested amount for fear that they might be shamed by a shortfall. Not to mention the several KM articles that were read in the weeks before to set them up for it.

They really have to get rid of the friday from RCs, though. All the R/F I've heard talk about the change to only having 1-day assemblies have expressed confusion over why we have 3-day events in a venue that we have to pay for, but the stuff in the assembly hall that's free and clear is being reduced. It's just silly if their motivation was anything other than dollarbucks.

47

TV.JW.ORG is HERE!

by Splash in

http://tv.jw.org/ is up and running.. see bro lett stumble his way through the introduction.

he really does have a good face for radio.. http://tv.jw.org/#video/vodmonthlyprogramming/pub-jwb_e_201410_1_video.

nice sweaty top lip at 15 mins onwards - the pressure is showing!!.

OneEyedJoe

jw.tv is an available domain, in case anyone wants to scoop it up.

Now there's an idea. Someone needs to get it and redirect it to jwfacts.

16

WARNING - DON'T SIGN IN TO JW LANGUAGE APP

by cultBgone in

jw
friends

unless you are willing to have all your movements tracked on the internet and your files opened to the watchtower, don't sign in.

here's what will happen:.

to install the app - you will give the jw-app access to:.

OneEyedJoe

Do we have any Android hackers here? Is it possible to somehow run an app in a sandbox to check exactly what information it accesses and sends over the internet?

I wouldn't call myself a hacker, but many custom roms have an app control panel that allows you to deny permissions to apps. It also tells you the last time a particular permission was used. A ton of apps out there ask for permissions for things that only get used if you use one very specific feature of the application, and otherwise it goes unused. For example, banking apps will often register for location access and the ability to make phone calls (the latter shows up as "Services that may cost you money") but they only get used if you search for nearby ATMs, or hit the call a branch button, respectively.

Personally, I doubt they have the bandwidth to track people down based on what websites they visit, unless they require you to give personally identifiable information directly into the app. That said, I can't think of a reason anyone on this board would want to install it outside of morbid curiosity.

23

Coping whilst stuck in the org.

by crazyhorse in

i recently learned ttatt and it really sickens me when i sit through the meetings.

i am so tired of faking things.

i feel like vomiting when annoying things are said from the platform.

OneEyedJoe

While it doesn't really help you, please be aware that MANY of us are in your exact position!

I don't know about the OP, but this does help me tremendously. Being the only person in a room of 60-70 that realizes it's a cult is an extreemly lonely feeling sometimes, but knowing that there are dozens on this site, and likely tens of thousands out there who are with you in spirit is a powerful bit of knowledge.

If you don't have a tablet, get one. I've got a running document that I keep all my research in (i.e. WT articles where they flip-flop on organ transplants, etc) and I update it during the WT study when something useful comes along. I look for things that I can twist to my advantage (like the WT study a while ago where it said to reject unscriptural teachings regardless of the source) and I look for logical fallacies (they're everywhere!) and other bits of proof that this is not "god's organization." Everyone around will just think you're taking notes.

I also like to read/post on JWN while I'm running the microphones. Keeps you sane and innoculated from the propaganda while at the same time giving you a healthy dose of adrenaline at the possibility of getting caught.

I do the same thing as Justnowout with the songs, except I usually change the lyrics to things that are somewhat more vulgar.

During prayers, I never close my eyes and bow my head (unless I'm falling asleep) but instead I usually look around for other people doing the same and wonder if they're awake. There's a couple kids in the hall that seem like they might have a head on their shoulders, and they seem like they may be waking up too, so that's always encouraging to see.

In general, try not to participate in any communal activities (singing and bowing your head for prayer are the most obvious ones) as this participation will trigger an unconscioius psychological effect (a form of cognitive dissonance) that will make you sympathize with the JWs more. While there's probably little chance that you'll get sucked into believing that it's "the truth" again, it will help you keep a clear and objective mind and stay focused on what's important - getting out.

40

AGM 2014 - How are faders gonna hide in plain sight anymore?

by tootired2care in

so two big changes in the org were announced in the most recent agm.. local needs part is replaced by "how do you know the truth" where all members will tell their experience (oh what fun).

basic pioneer role 10 only hours a month required (see, jehovah lightens our load, therefore he loves only us)!.

it seems like they have really turned up the heat here.

OneEyedJoe

Gotta have a plan... Only way to stay sane.

This won't hurt faders at all - jws are trained from infancy to "fake it till you make it" (ie lie) all faders have to do is apply the same training and fake it till you're out. Though, for me, I think it's best to just casually resist and try to get myself pushed out.

In my view, lying works of you're dependant on jws for some reason, but if you're just trying to stop wasting 6 hours a week (counting time spent getting ready and driving) on being a hipocrite without completely alienating your spouse, you just use everything as an excuse to be stumbled. At least that's the current plan... Hopefully it works out.

13

New JW TV will be the best thing ever for apostates! Do you agree?

by Wasanelder Once in

here's my prediction; the gov body giving regular talks will come across as crazy ass idiots.

this will strengthen the opposition and give something to refer too that is concrete evidence of crazy town in the jw headquarters.

there will be screen captures and clips that will be used all the time on youtube accounts to show the ttatt.

OneEyedJoe

Unfortunately it won't help much for people in my situation. My wife is a social jw, never really puts in much effort, doesn't pay attention to doctrine, etc. Unless there's some issue with the social aspect of it all (and I can't imagine what that would be in our situation) it seems unlikely she'll ever wake up.