Posts by Incognito

263

Poster country flags and privacy

by Simon in

the new forum originally had a little country flag next to each post showing the country that the post was made from based on the geoip encoding (the country the ip address is from).

before i switched over to the new site someone made an issue about it violating their privacy and i didn't want to complicate and confuse the switchover with policy debate at the same time as technical issues so removed the flags even though i disagreed.. someone has already requested it as a feature and i think it should be added back so i thought it's now time to open the discussion and get everyone's opinions.

first, the reason i think it should be shown:.

Incognito

Showing the country you are from is no big deal to anyone rational.

Let's not forget, we're talking about JW's here.

It wasn't so long ago that the WT was warning them to stay away from the Internet. Although some of us ignored their warnings and considered it BS, there are many active JW's who would not even consider owning a computer. These same people are now not only 'encouraged' to access JW.org, they have to promote it to others as well.

As these same people clearly see the conflicting positions of the WT Society and due to their inexperience with the Internet, maybe the ones who maybe most likely the other stumble onto JW.com

263

Poster country flags and privacy

by Simon in

the new forum originally had a little country flag next to each post showing the country that the post was made from based on the geoip encoding (the country the ip address is from).

before i switched over to the new site someone made an issue about it violating their privacy and i didn't want to complicate and confuse the switchover with policy debate at the same time as technical issues so removed the flags even though i disagreed.. someone has already requested it as a feature and i think it should be added back so i thought it's now time to open the discussion and get everyone's opinions.

first, the reason i think it should be shown:.

Incognito

This issue does not concern me one way or another as I've previously indicated as being located in Canada.

While Simon is technically correct that a country flag should not make a specific poster identifiable, there is a perception being voiced that it could or does.

Considering the mind programming of a typical witness, it is difficult enough for many to read anything from an "appostate" for fear of it becoming known. Will displaying the country flag cause first time visitors to perceive that they are being identified as being here even though they may not have created an account? Will the flags cause some potential new members from creating an account?

As the country and perhaps more specific location information remains available in the background, could not a script be written to automatically flag Mods when inconsistent location data is received in a few member's postings?

7

ever read this?

by sowhatnow in

i got an offer in the mail for mother earth magazine.. anyone like it?

im not sure if im a liberal or not, i think its a liberal based format.

its not all political, sort of like a shortened readers digest?

Incognito

I had been a regular reader of that magazine some years back. It along with the Canadian version 'Harrowsmith Country Life' was about back to the earth, self sufficient lifestyle including alternative energy.

Harrowsmith is now gone and I think the format for ME had changed some time back which I didn't find as appealing. If you're interested, you may be able to review copies at your local library.

Here is a link to their web site: http://www.motherearthnews.com/

8

Sell Sell and Sell off some more, the real reason for all the consolidation?

by Crazyguy in

its becoming clear that the borg has plans to sell off as much property and kingdom halls as possible.

they will even make it a pain in the ass for believers to get to halls but they don't care!!!

they have seen the results of lawsuits against the catholic church in the 100 of millions of dollars.

Incognito

They will even make it a pain in the ass for believers to get to halls but they don't care!!!

I wonder how far they would consider unreasonable travel time to the KH?

Twenty minutes? an hour? I'd be interested to see where they draw the line.

Funny how not too long ago, the reason given to eliminate the Book Study was due to the high cost of gas.

32

BTTT / Marked topics

by Simon in

i've noticed a lot of topics being bumped recently with "bttt" (back to the top) comments or "marked" as the reply.. i'd appreciate if people think twice before doing this.

simply forcing topics back to the top even though there is nothing to say on them is not helpful and negates the usefulness of having an active topics view.

if everyone did this with every topic they want to push then things would quickly deteriorate so i don't believe some should be allowed to do it for whatever reason.. by all means post new and relevent comments to a topic but short esp single-word non-comments that are simply used to push certain topics back to the top are likely to be interpreted as spam and removed or blocked if necessary.. .

Incognito

Simon,

I think some people post a 'BTT' or 'Marked' comment so they can locate that specific topic later by reviewing the postings they have already contributed to.

Simon said:

You can search the site on Google, just include "site:www.jehovahs-witness.net" when you do.

There are advanced options that allow you to search by date range etc... as well.

Since there have been complaints regarding the existing search function, is it possible to discontinue your search function but then have a search button which links directly to Google by default so that the 'site' limiter is already included?

41

If you have been inactive for over a year can you get disfellowshipped?

by cognac in

jw
friends

i've read conflicting things so was hoping to get this clarified.. .

.

Incognito

Threats of legal action against the Elders involved but not the WT, may cause the Elders to back off.

When threatened, the Elders will then contact WT legal who should advise them that WT will likely not provide legal representation if the WT is not named. The Elders will be on their own and will will need to defend themselves if an action commences. That may cause some of the Elders to realize that in following the policies and procedures dictated by the WT, could effect their personal reputations in the community and possibly professionally, and negatively impact their familly bank accounts. Much added stress and worry including that by their wives.

Although you might want to decorate a tree for the season, how important is it to you to have it visible to passers-by? If you wish to continue to fade quietly, place the decorated tree where it can't be seen from outside your residence.

Though you say Df'g maybe a relief, you are allowing them control over your fate. Although either option is playing by their rules, a better option maybe to resign instead: You can't fire me - I quit!

20

Honduras bus crash leaves 14 dead and 55 injured - JW

by TheTruthBR in

honduras bus crash leaves 14 dead and 55 injuredbus veered off road and crashed into ravine.

by ruth doherty, nov 1, 2014. updated: november 1, 2014 8:10 am.

afp/getty images.

Incognito

A large school bus capacity is only about 48 persons. Although I expect safety laws in Canada are stricter than in Honduras, seat belts are still not manditory on school buses here.

Although the number of people onboard should not have contributed to the crash, an overloaded bus places more people at risk of injury in the event of an incident.

32

I Was Asked To Perform A Marriage Ceremony But Don't Know I'm Qualified

by minimus in

jw
friends

my girlfriend's daughter and her fiancee asked me to marry them last night.

they live in connecticut and will be married in new york.

i felt honored that i was asked but i don't think i can do it because i am not a clergyman or minister and my u derstanding is that only clergy or judges and lawyers and justice of the peace can perform a wedding ceremony and marry a couple.. does anyone have any information on this subject?

Incognito

A Google search on the subject provided this link: http://www.usmarriagelaws.com/search/united_states/officiants_requirements/

Although not relavent to your original question, here is what it says with regard to the Commonwealth of Massachusetts:

Ordained ministers of the gospel may perform marriages. --- Before performing marriages, ministers are required to apply for a certificate from the state. For applications write to: The Commonwealth of Massachusetts, Office of the Secretary, Supervisor, Commissions Division, State House, Boston, Massachusetts 02133. You must file a copy of your ordination certificate and a statement from the church saying that you are in good standing. Please let us know well in advance if you need a statement from us. --- Ministers must keep records of all marriages they perform. Also, ministers must return a certificate of the marriage to the town clerk or registrar who issued the marriage license and to the town clerk of the town where the marriage was performed. --- For questions see the town clerk or registrar or write to the Secretary of State.

Further down on that site, the specified requirements for New York City differ from the State of NY.

32

I Was Asked To Perform A Marriage Ceremony But Don't Know I'm Qualified

by minimus in

jw
friends

my girlfriend's daughter and her fiancee asked me to marry them last night.

they live in connecticut and will be married in new york.

i felt honored that i was asked but i don't think i can do it because i am not a clergyman or minister and my u derstanding is that only clergy or judges and lawyers and justice of the peace can perform a wedding ceremony and marry a couple.. does anyone have any information on this subject?

Incognito

It is my understanding that anyone officiating a wedding ceremony must be licensed by the state/province in which the ceremony is to be performed. Even if the officiate is a Minister or Clergyman, he/she must be licensed by the state. Perhaps the requirements differ in each state as to who may be automatically qualified.

minimus, when you said:

It's been a long time since I married a couple as an elder, over a decade ago. It was always in massachusetts.

where you actually recognised (licensed) by the State of Massachusetts or did you proceed only due to being a JW Elder?

I have known very few JW Elders who were licensed to perform weddings.

When you think of weddings, they are actually civil matters with regards to legality and recognition by the government although the ceremony is often performed as a semi religious ceremony. Some people prefer a non-religious ceremony so they utilize a Justice of the Peace or other layperson to marry them.

If weddings were truly religious in nature, much like prior baptism by another denomination, I'm certain that the WT would require all newly converted JW couples to be remarried in a WT dictated ceremony.

32

HELP! Elder bombarded me with scripture...& I don't know what to do.

by Smoky in

i have been lurking on this site for many years.

i rarely post anything, because my english isnt the best and not sure if anyone understands.

i just recently had a run in with an elder, have not seen him in a few years.

Incognito

"I know, I know, I know you are right, thanks for your concern"....that makes me feel like a punk...I think to myself: "fight back p*ssy!"

I would caution against saying "I know you are right" as that takes away from any personal ideas or beliefs of your own. It also supports their usual opinion you are too weak or lazy to do what you agree is the proper thing to do (ie: as you are told at the meetings).

Although you may initially consider it weak to not argue an opposing point of view, upon consideration you may realize there is little if anything to be gained by doing so. Why waste your time attempting to reason with someone who comes equipped with a pre-conceived agenda and who really is not interested in hearing your opinions, ideas or excuses.

As an adult, ultimately you are responsible to yourself for what you believe or do not believe so you do not need to provide an explanation or excuse to this JW elder or any JW.