am reading coc at the moment, about half way through.
just finished reading some of the details of what happened in malawi and mexico years ago.
which reminded me that in the early 80's a very well known elder in the country i was then living in went to new york as he had discovered all the discrepencies between what had happened in malawi and in mexico and wanted to know what the gb had to say about it.
Although the reasons given by the WT for the persecution were totally incorrect, anyone being subjected to abuse, rape, torture & murder for any reason, is wrong.
Any of the Sis & Bros around the world who did write letters of protest to the Malawi Gov't, did a decent act regardless of their original reason or motivation for doing so. There is nothing to regret for anyone here who did likewise.
Regrettably, JWs will not speak-up when anyone other than JWs are being oppressed.
i have been told that the cost to build a new kingdom hall is $500k +.
i have a background in commercial construction and this seems pretty high to me, considering all the free labor.
that is just the cost of the building, excluding the lot price.
Blondie, although your comment would make sense to most people, don't forget we are discussing a cult here.
To JWs, whatever the WT says, including WT departments (ie: RBC), is equivalent to what Jehovah requires. If any are not in agreement with this "arrangement" without question, then they are not in favour with Jehovah. If they are not in Jah's favour, they may as well not attend any congregation as they will not have God's acceptance and will have no hope to survive Armageddon.
Carrot and stick! If you can't make the effort to attempt to reach the carrot, you will get the stick as a whip across your back.
i have been told that the cost to build a new kingdom hall is $500k +.
i have a background in commercial construction and this seems pretty high to me, considering all the free labor.
that is just the cost of the building, excluding the lot price.
When there was discussion in the small town congregation where we previously were located, whether to remodel or tear down and build new, the subject of cost was discussed.
One of the MS made a comment after hearing the exorbitant costs quoted, that "we don't need to COMPETE with the _______'s (affluent congregation)." The affluent congregation he mentioned had just completed a build of a new hall only weeks prior while many in our congregation had participated in that build. Although many R&F congregants agreed, the elders were not so 'joyful' with his comment.
Our congregation typically had issues paying basic monthly operating expenses never mind any additional burden of a major renovation much less a new building.
As the RBC 'recommended' that the existing building be replaced, although it was not very old (ie:< 20 years, IIRC), the controlling elders continued to push to construct a new building even though it appeared the majority of the congregation indicated a preference to renovate. In addition to some age related issues, our existing building had a style not in keeping with the single level 'cookie cutter' design that the WT later adopted. Most issues other than the design were easily correctible at moderate cost.
A female congregate commented that 'we all like nice and new but it just isn't realistic or affordable'. One elder made the statement from the podium that it didn't matter what anyone thought or wanted, a new building was going to proceed as that is what the RBC (= WT = God) had instructed.
In the end, a new building was constructed as per the RBC. The building is now another 'cookie' that appears virtually identical to so many others.
I understand that the elders who had pushed for the new building, all moved away shortly thereafter. I don't know how well the congregation is paying expenses as my family and I have since parted association with that congregation and ultimately, with the religion.
i have some guests coming over to spend xmas with me for a couple of days.
they are my friends family and i have a larger place than them and am playing host.. dilemma.
they are christians and i have some postcards in my bathroom that are slightly naughty.
The fact that you're asking what to do implies that you're not comfortable with leaving the items in plain view otherwise, I doubt you would think of asking.
If the children that are to stay with you were those of close relatives or people you have a personal relationship with, would you be more likely to place the items out of view while they are staying?
i read steve hassan's book and he mentioned about buzz words or triggers that call out the cult personality of a victim of mind controlling cult.
when you were in, what triggered you?.
"Special..." meeting/assembly/talk
"the Society"
"the Committee"
"Marked"
"on re-proof"
"Disfellowshipped"
"Apostate"
"Demonized"
"Evil Slave"
"Real/True Christian"
"Convention Delegate"
can anyone point me in the direction of pms?
the little envelope icon in the top right corner has gone.. thanks..
Thank you Xanthippe for the instructions.
I also see my icon has returned. Thanks Simon!
Fading it when no new messages or changing its colour is probably a great solution.
can anyone point me in the direction of pms?
the little envelope icon in the top right corner has gone.. thanks..
The PM envelope icon will now show beside your name IF you have a PM waiting as I just learned.
I'm not sure however how to access already viewed ones as I can't seem to locate any means to do so. I have looked at the options when clicking on my screen name but I don't see anything except a method to send a PM to myself.
the word out of bethel is of a mass purge the likes of the 1980's.. there's also possible public reproofs handed out for irregular ones.. .
the scriptures they are using to support this:.
the very ones keeping away from you will perish.
With so many children of long term JWs walking away, disfellowshipping inactives may raise concerns with some JW parental units who would otherwise happily adhere to and never question WT rules and proclaimations.
Some JW's find some comfort that their children even though not attending and have rejected the "faith", trust that their children will still have some measure of Jah's favour even if their children just do even the smallest of tasks favourable to the organization.
One couple who we know told us that they stress to their adult child who years ago walked away and was then 'living in sin', to at least attend the memorial each year so as to stay in association with the organization. They also regularly tell their 'child' to do exactly what they tell him/her to do without question, even if what they say seems unreasonable or strange as following their direction may save the childs life at armageddon.
While some are relying on technicalities with the hope that their children are saved, others have and will continue to shun their children that have walked away even if the WT says little more than what has already been said over the years.
If the WT were to do anything, I doubt they would disfellowship walkaways but instead, do similar to those JWs who accept a blood transfussion; ie: proclaim that they themselves have disassociated themselves by not attending the feast at Jehovah's table as they are rejecting to the authority of the GB who are put inplace by Jehovah to oversee his earthly organization.
I think that by claiming that inactive have disassociated themselves, the concept would likely be more accepted as the parents could feel that their child made the decision themselves. Those treating the inactive as not to be associated with would continue to do so just as they have.
it was announed at the sunday meeting 9/1/13 that all congregationswill be hearing the same local needs talk this week as sent by the wbts.. i would like to know if anyone has had their service meeting yet and what it was about..
jgnat said: I am reminded of the Devil's Lake assembly hall here in Alberta.
Is that the actual name of the assembly hall?
ruderedhead said: I am wondering how the U.S. one is a "local need"?
Local to the U.S. perhaps?
Xanthippe, Finally-Free and snare& racket:
After you paste the link, hit enter which will move the curser from just after the link address, to a new line below the link. The link should then be clickable or the video will show in your dialogue box after you submit your message.
