Posts by AMNESIAN

58

Can You Discern What The Society Is Really Saying?

by minimus in

jw
friends

so much of the watchtower is written in "code".

so much of the circuit and district overseers comments are spoken in "code".

for example, you are not told directly that you shouldn't read any other publication but the society's, but you are asked, "how could anyone spiritual ever have the time to keep up with their bible-based reading of all the spiritual food that we must take in, and still have time to read "worldly" books?

AMNESIAN

The very fact that these "men" consider rape as anything at all to do with sexual relations is ignorant and evil beyond even what I have come to expect of them. The arrogant presumption it takes to feel qualified to spew forth on such a life-altering trauma in view of their utter lack of information and understanding is confounding, to say the least.

I am sickened to learn that JW women are going to be confused and guilted anew regarding this violent crime as a result of this upcoming material. All cloaked in ostensibly comforting language.

In response to a current thread's query ...

"Are you ashamed to admit you were a JW?"

Extremely. I will be 'til my dying day.

AMNESIAN

40

Anything new on Barbara Anderson's case?

by Gamaliel in

can anyone give any details on what to expect next in barbara anderson's case?.

i just read about the questioning of how a woman got into a researcher position at bethel.

i have a few questions on this myself, based on the level of involvement i've heard claimed.

AMNESIAN

wasasister:

I still performed these jobs, but my MS husband had to sign the forms - despite the fact that he could barely add two and two. No one questioned his abilities; his only qualification for putting his name at the bottom was a penis (such that it was.)

Just when I get the monitor wiped off from that one ...

You do know my expression was only figurative. I would only speak of the anti-typical penis....

I hope this is the last time I have to clean this thing, in this thread anyway.

AMNESIAN

40

Anything new on Barbara Anderson's case?

by Gamaliel in

can anyone give any details on what to expect next in barbara anderson's case?.

i just read about the questioning of how a woman got into a researcher position at bethel.

i have a few questions on this myself, based on the level of involvement i've heard claimed.

AMNESIAN

If any place on this planet is stuck in a time warp, it's Bethel.... You're expecting me to believe that the old birds that run the place are any less misogynistic than before?

LOL! And since when is becoming any less misogynistic, racist, ageist, sexist...whatever, a prerequisite for recognizing where one can take advantage of the intellect, talents, skills, and abilities of individuals of the despised group? All manner of histories is replete with documentation of just such raging opportunism.

Given the evidence that the so-called principles they claim to embrace are jettisoned in a NY minute when it suits their interests, Bethel heavies can ill-afford to allow their notion of the inferiority of women risk the whole scam unveiling. It does what it must to survive.

So while women continue to be devalued by the WTS as a lesser species, they also continue to make up the vast majority of gullible dupes who cling to the "security" craved from a religion claiming to be "the truth," shoring up this creaky organization (and all other religion of which I am aware). Men, otoh---intelligent ones and imbeciles alike---are bailing (or "slowing down") in droves and have been for some time, leaving the WTS little recourse but to employ those they deem to be "faithful" women in places they'd much prefer to have men---without awarding them the "promotions", of course---and keeping it well out of sight and earshot beyond Brooklyn's walls.

Nothing less misogynistic about it. No evolving or enlightened ideologies. It's business, plain and simple.

(Undoubtedly a comparable expediency opened the way for the "holy spirit to [finally] appoint" Herd as a GB member at the end of the 20th century. You got religion-loving black folks comprising a disproportionately high percentage of the faithful and not a a chocolate chip in the vanilla expanse. As much as black JWs love "Jehovah's organization," it was getting harder and harder even for them to justify to non-JW blacks and liberal-minded whites why all the religion's heavies were white. I'm betting Jehovah's spirit will be reaching out and touching someone of Latin surname in the not-too-distant future.)

Irony is, in Barb Anderson's case, they totally misread her easygoing femininity and "quiet and mild spirit" as just another one of the female drones herded about in the congregations and territories before whom they could reveal possibly their vilest crimes with smug confidence she'd do as all JW women are ordered to do---"stay in her place" and "wait on Jehovah."

ROTFLOL!

The disastrous consequences of such an ironic miscalculation regarding this particular woman will ricochet for some time to come. If you are skeptical the old bastards have become less misogynistic before this...

AMNESIAN

Edited by - AMNESIAN on 26 December 2002 15:42:24

19

12-24-02 Book Study - Pot calling the Kettle Black

by eyeslice in

the two "get out of jail cards" that the society plays when explaining away failed predictions are:

god's prophecies are never wrong, its just our interpretation, let's wait a while and when things are clearer we'll tell you in retrospect what the prophecy really was.

we never actually said that, it was the rank and file, they got over excited.

AMNESIAN

Nice catch, eyeslice. I used to sputter in disbelief as I'd come across such dissembling on the part of the writers. I often, and still do to some extent, wondered whether we were being mocked by someone on the writing staff as gullible idiots who'd swallow anything fed us by Brooklyn or whether there might be a mole inside trying to snap us out of it.

Anyway. One point you made I have to question.

The two "get out of jail cards" that the Society plays when explaining away failed predictions are:
God's prophecies are never wrong, its just our interpretation, let's wait a while and when things are clearer we'll tell you in retrospect what the prophecy really was.

We never actually said that, it was the rank and file, they got over excited.

I certainly agree to the substance of #2---that card got to be ragged they used it so frequently post-1975 and since--- , but I'm sure I have never seen such unequivocal admissions on the part of the Society as to the error of any of their "prophecies"/interpretations as you suggest in #1. Even their vague admissions are couched in fluffy language and are not proffered until at least a half century subsequent to the utter and complete failure of the prediction.

Doesn't it usually go much more like "...since [we] never spoke in God's name or claimed inspiration by God, [we] are not false prophets like these other guys"? The dishonesty was so brazen in such defenses, I just knew some 'undercover brother' had to be pulling my leg.

I know I am in the minority on this, but I simply do not believe that many, if not most, JWs who are sitting through this week's book study---especially the tired-out longtimers--- do not recognize the duplicity of this and so many statements like it. They continue on, each for his/her own reason. Faith nor confidence nor zeal nor hope nor any of the passions they once possessed, imo, any longer figures into the equation of why they stay.

I've been very much enjoying your posts, eyeslice.

AMNESIAN

Edited by - AMNESIAN on 26 December 2002 13:41:26

58

Can You Discern What The Society Is Really Saying?

by minimus in

jw
friends

so much of the watchtower is written in "code".

so much of the circuit and district overseers comments are spoken in "code".

for example, you are not told directly that you shouldn't read any other publication but the society's, but you are asked, "how could anyone spiritual ever have the time to keep up with their bible-based reading of all the spiritual food that we must take in, and still have time to read "worldly" books?

AMNESIAN

Always an amusing, if annoying, aspect of JW life to ponder.

"Making Jehovah's heart glad."

Following the Society's orders.

"Jehovah and/or Jesus requires/provides..."

The Watchtower Bible and Tract Society requires/provides.

"Kingdom interests"

The Watchtower Bible and Tract Society's interests.

"...having a meaningful share in the field ministry."

Code to convey that field service hours are not sufficient unless the quantity measures up to what the Society deems enough or "meaningful."

"Conscious of [one's] spiritual need."

Anything done that does not directly and specifically increase WT interests is a sinful neglect of one's spiritual need.

"Buy[ing] out the opportune time"

Similar to previous, WT code that insists that no time or energy is to be spent on anything that is not WT interests-related.

"Appreciating God's reminders"

WT code for welcoming and obeying, without resentment, the Society's orders, without thought or question.

"Jehovah's theocratic arrangement"

WT code for the precise way the Society demands everything be done, or else.

"Reaching out"/"Making oneself available"

Men hustling up WT perks and promotions.

"Privilege(s) of service"/"Serving"/"Being Used"

Humble-sounding code used to refer to fiercely-sought WT perks and promotions bestowed on men as they dutifully serve the WT agenda and ascend its corporate ladder.

"Privilege"

Used by itself, is code for selling women on the notion that wielding a toilet brush and running a vacuum cleaner after the meeting are special blessings bestowed only on the most deserving by a God who rewards generously. Either that or code for such blessings as TMS talks or commenting in meetings as characterized to those, male or female, being deprived of such as a form of loving discipline.

The pure language of truth...

AMNESIAN

Edited by - AMNESIAN on 25 December 2002 14:35:15

9

9/11 & WTS - Out of Public View!

by metatron in

jw
friends

few people outside of publishers will ever read a jw yearbook,.

so the society is able to be more honest about their true feelings.

as published in them.. a case in point: the latest yearbook and what it says about 9-11.. here's some quotes:.

AMNESIAN

In the months that followed, the brothers in the New York area took the Bible's message of comfort and hope to those in the community... [quote from relief worker] 'Everyone brings us food, hot coffee, and dry clothes, but you are the first to read a scripture.'

And so it goes. Dependably making its crafty appearance, whether boldly trumpeted in the title or in the very fine print of a footnote. The ever-present justification JWs brandish in order to defend, indeed extol, their position that the provisions they offer to needy humankind ---"the good news of the kingdom"---is of real, lasting value and not of the perishable kind false religion and its agencies waste their time providing, as if they could possibly expect God's reward for doing so.

This quote, if uttered at all---I regret that, over the years, I have grown increasingly suspicious of this kind of always anonymous praise (as if a parched-throated, traumatized victim covered in soot and ashes and gore would crave a scripture first thing!)--- effectively reinforces the conviction in the mind of the individual JW that, as regards his fellow, he is accountable to God for nothing more than the businesslike attempt to convert him to the "truth." Such subtle conditioning is the means by which natural human instincts such as empathy and compassion for those who suffer are systematically dulled and, in time, uprooted in the average JW and replaced with a "Christian" robot spouting canned sermons and hawking magazines who would take the time to soberly ponder whether it would be appropriate to p!$$ on a "non-believer" who dashes past him in flames---especially if it meant "stopping his time."

Then again, on second thought, perhaps this is exactly what a victim stated in response to a JW sermon and exactly what he or she meant ---

'Everyone brings us food, hot coffee, and dry clothes, but you are the first to read a scripture.'

Without altering the quote in any way, it is possible to read it and get the exact opposite inference from the one the Society is pushing .

They react as if other non-Witnesses are nonentities, irrelevant lives and meaningless lives lost in a tragedy in which only Witness lives are important. A starkly selfish view, if ever there was one.

Yes, this may be how their statements read---and intentionally so--- to the flock, but their real dirty little secret is even worse than this: the lives of non-Witnesses are no less real, less relevant, less meaningful to the Society than the pitiable lives of those they call their spiritual brothers and sisters. The tragedy and carnage wreaked in the lives of their fellow believers by unscriptural, arbitrary policies are a billboard of ruthless, reckless disregard.

In truth, as respects how they are looked upon by the Society, non-JWs are held in no more contempt than "the faithful", contrary to the misleading impression those in its leadership would convey, and the impression held by sadly deluded JWs worldwide.

AMNESIAN

Edited by - AMNESIAN on 24 December 2002 21:45:57

83

Judge Bans Shunning

by Farkel in

today i spoke with a former jw i've been in touch with for several years and discovered what i think could be a major bombshell for the wts.

as we all know, shunning is the most powerful weapon the wt cult has over its members and for decades the wts has been able to get away with practicing it at their whim.

the us and other courts have permitted them to to use it, even though it destroys families and has ruined countless lives.

AMNESIAN

I recognize that this case has to do with the treatment imposed by a JW custodial dad and his family and congregation on minor children toward their non-custodial, non-JW mother, and has not to do with the treatment by the JW organization toward adults.

Yet, this is huge and a potentially major crack in a heretofore impregnable dam. An astounding ruling from an obviously razor sharp legal mind and compassionate heart.

I believe this signals the beginning of the eventual dismantling of this evil policy and practice.

Thanks ever so much for posting this stunning decision, Farkel. Please post whatever details you can when you can.

AMNESIAN

83

Judge Bans Shunning

by Farkel in

today i spoke with a former jw i've been in touch with for several years and discovered what i think could be a major bombshell for the wts.

as we all know, shunning is the most powerful weapon the wt cult has over its members and for decades the wts has been able to get away with practicing it at their whim.

the us and other courts have permitted them to to use it, even though it destroys families and has ruined countless lives.

AMNESIAN

Am I reading this correctly???

Please post further details, i.e., case, court, etc. as soon as possible. How did you come to know this, Farkel?

Stunned...

AMNESIAN

17

11-02 KM: "Order 1950-9 Bound Volumes!"

by AMNESIAN in

reproduced from the november, 2002 us km - (apologies if this was covered previously.

if it was, i missed it.

) i found it puzzling: .

AMNESIAN

waiting:

Yeah right. Even back then, I wasn't braindead enough to not realize that they wanted to unload these old books

Lol! Even my husband, Society-Man-down-to-his-BVDs-at-the-time, would look over at me and we'd share the "yeah, right..." eyeroll.

If the organization allowed X-mas celebrating, they'd claim these volumes were required stocking stuffers for the mature Christian, and, "...if you already have one, get some for your bible studies."

Even after so many years of it and so much exposure, their dishonesty never abates.

AMNESIAN

17

11-02 KM: "Order 1950-9 Bound Volumes!"

by AMNESIAN in

reproduced from the november, 2002 us km - (apologies if this was covered previously.

if it was, i missed it.

) i found it puzzling: .

AMNESIAN

Hmmm:

If they have, say, 1,000 spare 1954 bound volumes hanging around, is that spiritual banquet available only 1,000 times? Or is it valuable enough that they would go through the cost of a reprint to lovingly provide this proper food [a half-century late] if 2,000 publishers ordered it?

Precisely. This is what I'm talking about.

If this announcement was being motivated by the genuine belief that these particular articles, though old, could be beneficial to JWs today, they would be required (or, at least, suggested) reading (or re-reading!) for everyone, including those who already have the volumes in their libraries. Notice there is not even a Society-brand "suggestion" that those who already are in posession of these volumes dig out this "very good reading" and have at it.

I got no problem if they need to unload this stuff, but the way they brazenly manipulate the flock makes one suspect that nothing is or ever has been truly as they['ve] present[ed] it.

AMNESIAN