thought i saw everything with publishers giving money to co's or leaving everything to the org through their wills which is their business.however when a brother(andre) whose job is to sign cheques going out from the georgetown, ontario bethel is signing cheques for relatives isn't that a conflict of interest?
the one nephew was doing woodworking but was never successful until bethel offered him a job doing signs for halls as well as making cabinets and podiums.
once he got the job he then went out and bought a cnc machine which is computerized.
The Bethel would do deals with the Devil himself if they thought they could benefit from it.
But as for the conflict of interest issue, I don’t think it would result in legal problems unless they were getting some benefit or kickback to which they would’t be allowed, such as dealing with close relatives to secure building permits or bogus property inspects as a special “favor.” (Kind of like Donald Trump’s foundations and organizations receiving benefit through his son-in-law, Jared Kushner.)
one of the traits that is most endearing about a lot of witnesses is that they will not listen to logical arguments raised by family, friends, or *gasp* apostates, but they will listen to the most contrived and specious arguments that the writing dept.
can spew forth.. then in the style of swift, i submit a modest proposal for getting past these defenses:.
distribute an apostate watchtower issue.. we all know exactly how watchtowers look- the size, paper, style of artwork, and phrases used in the writing.
The most important feature of such an “alternative” edition of the Watchtower would be some important Web links to sites such as JW Facts, JW Survey, JW Leaks, AJWRB, AAWA, etc. Point people in the right direction so as to be able to make their own decision based on ALL the facts.
Another point: even the most prominent male Jehovah’s Witnesses wear ties bearing the well-known paisley pattern. . . . . But, did you know that even that has definite “pagan origins”? Well, consider this.
“A design that is many hundreds of years old
The design itself can trace its origins back to Persia and the Sassanid Dynasty, a period of time that stretches back to around 221AD. Its distinctive shape, likened variously to a tear drop, a kidney or even that most exotic of fruit the Mango was originally called “boteh jegheh” and was created as a motif for a religious movement known as Zoroastrianists. The design was supposed to represent the Cypress Tree which was their symbol of everlasting life.
In Tamil culture, another region famed for it’s love of the pattern, the paisley design is known as Mankolam, as it resembles a Mango. Mango fruit is incredibly highly prized amongst the Tamil, it being a symbol of health, peace and prosperity.”
A substitute circuit overseer whom my folks had over for supper around 1990 used that word “lucky” very nonchalantly in his conversation. He didn’t even seem to realize any issue with that word “luck” in the archaic Watch Tower’s viewpoint.
So much for all of “God’s people” unitedly towing their party line.
“KiwiBoy”: “Oh the Pharisees had nothing on JW's....and their heavy load of demands.”
I wish I could keep pressing the “Like” button and it would keep adding up and retaining the total number of likes – because you really hit the nail right on the head! Your post indeed says it all.
yeah, i know ... who would want to step foot anywhere near a new-age religious church after being brought up a jw, right?.
i know some will already be judging me, but hold-on - it maybe even worse than you imagine!.
the group i meet-up with ... don't go inside, we never pray, we, erm, we just hang out in the car-park.. you're thinking "wtf?
“Simon”: “I’m Going to Regular Meetups at LDS Church!”
Going from one whacky cult to another? Don’t do it. Please. DON’T DO IT!
so i roll up to the job site and looky there, two uber pioneer dubs dragging themselves down the sidewalk.
both ladies are in there early 60's and born in.. my heart started pumping, but i had to act.i was directly across the street from them.
i walked right to the sidewalk and said in a very loud, but not mean voice: "you can't teach overlapping generations from the bible!!
Yes, I believe in dropping some poignant “truth bombs” directly at JWs, but in a controlled and at least semi-respectful manner. It’s only fair, as the JWs have been going around pushing “NON-truth-bombs” (lies) at everyone’s doorstep for many decades. They have been spreading extremely insulting rhetoric and vitriol against “false religion” (non-JW religion) without even giving it a thought.
So, if the JWs want to push their lies and ever-changing quirky propaganda, doing so while pounding the pavement for collectively millions of hours annually, then surely we have the right to politely call them on it and make them think. Remember: knowledge is the most powerful ointment for blind eyes.
i haven't been to a kh in decades, so i get the google alerts for jws and i got one featuring a local news channel in brooklyn covering the assembly being held in flatbush, brooklyn.
i'm sure that venue is where the circuit assemblies are usually held, keeping in mind it's summer and that's when the district assemblies are being held.
why are they acting like they're so strapped for cash and now holding district assemblies in circuit assemblies locations ?.
Actually, it would make economic sense for them in that their own assembly halls have already been paid for (many times over!), so holding district – I mean, regional – conventions in them would not include the significant overhead in the rental of large community venues such as sports arenas. And, don’t forget, their own lands have religious tax-exempt status!
So, it seems that money just coming in rather than having to go out would be a great deal, indeed, for them.
Although, there seem to be a lot of international – I mean special – conventions taking place in the very recent years. I guess these “special” occasions are an extra incentive for donations, including foreign as well as domestic.
since i have been out for seventeen years what is the currant society policy concerning beards and mustaches.. in the sixties and seventies facial hair was forbidden at bethel if you white.
if you were black you could have mustache but no beards.
so obviously you could not be elder or pioneer if you had a beard.. any updates?
“stumbledbyothers”: “In some cultures, a neatly trimmed beard may be acceptable and respectable, and it may not detract at all from the Kingdom message. In fact, some appointed brothers have beards.”
What exactly is considered to be “acceptable and respectable,” at least in WT land? Well, “worldly” society is largely considered by the Watch Tower to be non-JW due to beards, tattoos, body piercings, holiday celebrators, etc. But those JW Pharisees are clearly ‘going beyond the things written.’
my husband and i have talked about starting a support group but we feel we don't have the proper qualifications.
has anyone started a support group for ex-jws?
we even thought of hosting a social gathering or meet and greet.
There is a fairly well-attended group referred to as the “Ex-Jehovah’s Witnesses of Toronto” MeetUp group – https://www.meetup.com/oexjws/ – in the area of Toronto, Ontario (Canada). It is a completely relaxed atmosphere with no formal format. Spontaneity is its lifeblood. All are certainly welcome.
