Posts by Balaamsass2

33

Sorcery = Pharmakeia

by KerryKing in

rev18:23 '....you deceived the nations with your sorceries'.. the interlinear for sorceries reads pharmakeia.. bible hub has some interesting definitions, i'll try to share screenshots below.

the gist of it is that sorcery involves drugs/medicines/poisons, with or without spells, sorcery is not the same as witchcraft or divination, or white/black magic.

i have long wondered about the connection between the medical/pharmaceutical industry's symbol of the serpent wrapped around a pole/stake, and the use of the word pharmaceuticals/pharmacy.. considering the common use of fluoride in public drinking water, nsaids with side effects such as depression, brain fog, dizziness, and opioids, mrna gene therapy, vaccines and so on, i wonder am i going mad, are these all coincidences??

Balaamsass2

The Snake on a pole symbol? Caduceus? Very Ancient origin "Pagan", yet the Jews used it.

Numbers 21:8-9 Amplified Bible (AMP)

Then the LORD said to Moses, “Make a fiery serpent [of bronze] and set it on a pole; and everyone who is bitten will live when he looks at it.” So Moses made a serpent of bronze and put it on the pole, and it happened that if a serpent had bitten any man, when he looked to the bronze serpent, he lived."

"oldest imagery of the caduceus is rooted in Mesopotamia with the Sumerian god Ningishzida; his symbol, a staff with two snakes intertwined around it, dates back to 4000 BC to 3000 BC."

"The caduceus (☤; /kəˈdjuːʃəs, -siəs/; Latin: cādūceus, from Greek: κηρύκειον kērū́keion "herald's wand, or staff")[b] is the staff carried by Hermes in Greek mythology and consequently by Hermes Trismegistus in Greco-Egyptian mythology. The same staff was borne by other heralds like Iris, the messenger of Hera. The short staff is entwined by two serpents, sometimes surmounted by wings. In Roman iconography, it was depicted being carried in the left hand of Mercury, the messenger of the gods."

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Caduceus

72

Reddit thread about Bethel Reducing Headcount

by LongHairGal in

jw
friends

apparently, the downsizing is still happening and from what i read those let go are over 50!.

sad because these people expected to be lifers.

now they have to make their way in the world at an advanced age with no education or desirable skill!..

Balaamsass2

When I was at Bethel, I was in my early twenties and had been self supporting for a few years. I was ASTOUNDED when middle-aged men who were Bethel Elders asked me about How to write a resume', what it is like working at a "worldly" company, how much do apartments cost, what jobs pay what. So many Bethelites were clueless from working in a cloistered environment.

I really feel for the Bethelites being laid off late in life, BUT, they are aware of Watchtower's history of failed prophecies and broken promises and they dedicated their entire lives to it. It is kind of like getting lung cancer in your 50s, and 60s after working in the research area of a large Tobacco corporation. A bitter pill, but one you took willingly.

After 60 years in the borg, I am primarily angry with MYSELF.

9

Why did God stop intervening in human affairs and deliverance of his people?

by RULES & REGULATIONS in

the bible is full of stories of god intervening on behalf of those that had trust and faith in him.

he rescues his people from various battles, trials and challenges from their enemies.

the rescued individuals or communities are quick to offer praise and gratitude to god for his mighty acts on their behalf.. the story of the israelites’ exodus from egypt and the parting of the red sea is a prime example of god’s powerful deliverance in the bible.

Balaamsass2

Well....if we use Watchtower's TWO witness rule...most of the Bible stories never happened.

Moses wrote about how God spoke and made promises to Abraham...that only Abraham heard. Three major religions are based on this hearsay.

39

Jehovah's Witness Governing Body, (New Light Division) Are Vegetable Oils not more important than Beards?

by was a new boy in

'use vegetable oil and soft margarine in place of animal fat,'.

https://wol.jw.org/en/wol/d/r1/lp-e/101997444?q=vegetable+oil&p=par.

'when possible, cook with unsaturated vegetable oils.'.

Balaamsass2

Mom used to say: "Reading the magazines every week will give you the equivalent of a College degree!" lol.

She also said : "Fred Franz is a genius and a Rhoads Scholar! " (Nope-One semester college drop out.)

She had picked up those "facts" from other JWs over 72 years. Both wrong.

A POMI JW asked me last month: "Can you remember ANYTHING the Governing Body was right about?" It took a minute. : "NO" was my reply.

13

Watchtower in the NEWS. DUBLIN: "Former top UBS executive joins Jehovah’s Witnesses’ new Ireland-based asset venture"

by Balaamsass2 in

slate of industry heavy-hitters sign up to management company run by religious group".

slate of industry heavy-hitters sign up to management company run by religious group.

28 aug 2024. john mulligan.

Balaamsass2

One issue that has popped up on the radar for Non-profits and Churches is PROPERTY TAX exemptions in INDIVIDUAL STATES. Evidently, individual COUNTY tax accessors have moved to impose PROPERTY TAXES on Religious and Tax Exempt organizations. While the USA's IRS has rarely moved against a RELIGION, it has happened to Scientology and a few others in the past.

California has sanctioned the YMCA for making a small profit on SANDWICHES!!

A California County, Alameda went after the YMCA for property Tax...from a complaint from for profit Gyms. It went to appeal. :https://law.justia.com/cases/california/court-of-appeal/4th/7/709.html

The California legislature has been weighing TAXES on ALL organizations that "violate the civil rights of ANYONE...based on the standard areas and ADDITIONALLY gay and Trans individuals. If this actually goes into effect, expect the same from a number of other US States AND the EU. Watchtower could quickly lose tax free status for almost half their properties. I saw this announcement from Church legal consultants advertising on the web. I am sure this is an area that concerns them. https://southerncalifornialawreview.com/2024/07/18/bob-jones-university-in-the-21st-century-an-examination-of-charitable-tax-exempt-status-and-religious-exemption-from-title-ix-for-religious-colleges-that-discriminate-against-lgbtq-students/

20

Warwick sits on $70 billion?

by LaFrancia in

70,000 real estate properties at an average value of $100,000 and perhaps we can say (no one knows for sure) that warwick sits on $70 billion in real estate value.

in the video (deleted by jwborg but available on the avoid.jw website) of the 2018-19 coordinators' committee report (english) shown to all congregations at the mid-week meeting, we find several curious and interesting indications:.

- at minute 6.52 seconds you see some data .

Balaamsass2

A few years ago I took a stab at valuing Watchtower assets. I gave up once I realized how often Bethel lies on financial reports of every kind to everyone. The only accurate numbers are from government records of Property Sales.

One of the straws that broke THIS camel's back was during an all Elders meeting at an assembly while the accounts report was being considered for announcements. I questioned the scriptural correctness (lying/fraud) of the C.O. s desire to announce bogus numbers from the platform (designed to show a shortfall so as to induce more contributions from the publishers) SILENCE as all the Elders in the Circuit stared at me as the COs and regional BC leaders burned with anger. He then asked for a show of hands of all those who agreed with the fraudulent annoucement..99% sheepishly raised their hands. (Such a thing would have NEVER occurred at my day job at a "WORLDLY" financial institution. (Why,? because it would = Jail).

JWfacts.com is a well done website and the coverage of Watchtower finances is excellent. https://www.jwfacts.com/watchtower/donations-money-solicitation.php

12

Questions about demons, Jehovah’s Witnesses in Charlotte murder trial. The Charlotte (North Carolina) Observer.

by Balaamsass2 in

8/20/24 "the charlotte (nc) observer".

questions about demons, jehovah’s witnesses in charlotte murder trial.

what do you think about demonic possessions?

Balaamsass2

lol. Yes. Must be the demonzezs...!

The home we live in was built in the 1980s and has a few quirks...or the electrician and General contractor had a drinking problem. A few loose wires here and there and cheap parts. The loose doorbell and alarm wires I fixed and others to follow. However the original owner SWORE to the neighbors the house was haunted! The neighbors mentioned this to my wife who chuckled. Our town has a LOT of Pentecostals and they have a lot of the same beliefs as JWS. :)

13

Watchtower in the NEWS. DUBLIN: "Former top UBS executive joins Jehovah’s Witnesses’ new Ireland-based asset venture"

by Balaamsass2 in

slate of industry heavy-hitters sign up to management company run by religious group".

slate of industry heavy-hitters sign up to management company run by religious group.

28 aug 2024. john mulligan.

Balaamsass2

One thing that has stood out in my mind starting around 12+ years ago was how Watchtower Attorneys and Accountants were caught completely off balance by the California Attorneys hired by Candice Conti and other child abuse survivors. Watchtower had frequently used the old stall, appeal and grind them down approach for lawsuits. They seemed gob smacked when they were served with Lis Pendens in some of these cases. WARWICK (and other properties?) were essentially leaned. No buying, selling, borrowing or use as collateral until the cases were settled and paid! Suddenly immovable easy to understand (and undervalued-ask the Donald :) ) Real Estate investments seemed to lose some of their appeal (Easy to find, trace, appraise and LEIN!). https://medium.com/@matthewcwoodruff/church-sex-scandal-led-to-the-sale-of-the-brooklyn-watchtower-building-to-jared-kushner-63ecff43b29b

Perhaps someone showed them the kind of investment returns and tax hedges Billionaires enjoy. Bill Gates has been open about his IRR which for years was about 11% and even better the last few years, 25% yr for the last 3 years! ( https://www.tipranks.com/experts/hedge-funds/bill-gates ).

Watchtower has been Billionaire multi-national for years, perhaps they decided to start investing like ones. GB 3.0 decided to put on their Rolexes, Pinky rings, and break out the Single Malt Scotch, and put the musty old frock coats and scratchy hair shirts in the trash.

The last GB 3.0 meeting ? :)

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6bbzwJ0Sx48

72

The Watchtower's Depiction of 'paradise'..

by Ron.W. in

perhaps we could post the pictures the wt have presented in their literature that depict their version of paradise here for comment/discussion:.

from: spirits of the dead—can they help you or harm you?

do they really exist?.

Balaamsass2

Like one GIANT BETHEL....eeekkk.

12

Questions about demons, Jehovah’s Witnesses in Charlotte murder trial. The Charlotte (North Carolina) Observer.

by Balaamsass2 in

8/20/24 "the charlotte (nc) observer".

questions about demons, jehovah’s witnesses in charlotte murder trial.

what do you think about demonic possessions?

Balaamsass2

OH myyyyy

I had to read this three times...and I was still confused. This guy and his family are CRAZY. Yikes.

Another case of making Jehovah's name known though. Showed up on my "Jehovah" news alert.

It did cause my mind to drift back to the late 70s.. Crazy on you! https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9kRf0DpWUP0