Posts by Incognito

52

Stats just out: JWs in Wales decline (-3.4%) - COs primed for zero baptisms!

by Darth FayDehr in

figures from that latest 2-weekend convention in caridff (wales) reveal jw “growth” now in decline.

baptisms are discouragingly low (21, combined), and circuit overseers have been primed to deal with assemblies where there are no baptisms; see these leaked 2018 instructions:.

pdf summary: https://1drv.ms/b/s!arekzxkzlp8ybsl45pov7y6k26a.

Incognito

sounds almost like a Scientology tactic - Vidiot

Yes. As discussed in the Leah Remini series, Scientology often make changes to their books, and then require all Scientologist to re-purchase those books, often resulting in many thousands $ additional income from each member.

If WT make changes to baptism requirements, then they could conceivably require existing JWs to confirm their dedication by being re-baptised.

I understand it has always been an option for anyone reinstated after being disfellowshipped, to reconfirm their dedication, although not many did so. Maybe WT will start to require all who are reinstated to be baptised so as to make it appear more are being baptised than are in reality. They can then claim how "faith strengthening" it is to see the number being baptised as increasing, assuming some will return after having been DF'd.

52

Stats just out: JWs in Wales decline (-3.4%) - COs primed for zero baptisms!

by Darth FayDehr in

figures from that latest 2-weekend convention in caridff (wales) reveal jw “growth” now in decline.

baptisms are discouragingly low (21, combined), and circuit overseers have been primed to deal with assemblies where there are no baptisms; see these leaked 2018 instructions:.

pdf summary: https://1drv.ms/b/s!arekzxkzlp8ybsl45pov7y6k26a.

Incognito

she went for a day the 1st week and 2 days the second week.

she said there were around 3500 the first week and around 4000 the second - lurkernomore

In times past, WT demanded all JWs to attend where and when they were assigned. Now, JWs often break-up their attendance over multiple weekends. I haven't heard WT complaining of this as the same JWs attending on multiple weekends only seems to artificially inflate the numbers attending each convention.

As so few are now being baptised, perhaps WT will assign a number of current JWs who were baptised pre 1980s to become re-baptised. Prior to mid 1980s, those baptised agreed to different questions during the baptism talk, so by being re-baptised, all current JWs will have commited to the same questions. By assigning only a few each convention, the number visibly baptised can be extended over multiple conventions.

Perhaps WT will only provide opportunity for baptism 1X per year. They could then save-up baptism candidates from special assembly days to make the number being baptised at the RC appear larger.

14

Pregnant JW has "come to Jesus" moment

by Lee Elder in

a pregnant jehovah's witness rethinks watchtower's transfusion policy .

after one simple question from her hematologist.

read her story in this .

Incognito

http://ajwrb.org/hematologist-helps-open-the-eyes-of-pregnant-jw

Seems to be an issue with the 'Link' function.

7

How do I make a comment or a reply in a thread?

by SWAT in

i don't see any way to comment, no matter what thread (topic) i am reading.

help!.

Incognito

Just as you needed to be signed-in to start this topic, once signed-in, there is a comment box at the bottom of each topic page, below the line "Have your say ...". Type your comments in that box.

Once your comment has been posted, you have a 30 minute window to edit that comment.

23

Proof that naughty watchtower does watch apostate videos

by joe134cd in

https://youtu.be/f_wvcvooxlo.

Incognito

I understand anyone can submit a request to Google to have a location or building identified if the map doesn't include one or if the existing one is incorrect.. As such, the addition of a pin for that KH does not signify WT had it added since anyone familiar with that congregation may have submitted a request to Google.

The marker being added within hours of K & M posting their video, may have been a simple coincidence, not proof that WT viewed the video.

8

Literature cart preaching outside a hospital

by truthseeker in

jw
friends

here is one thing that really annoys me.. i live opposite a large hospital.

there is a pedestrian crossing connecting the hospital to the other side of the road.

it is at the end of the crossing that the dubs have their literature cart.

Incognito

From your description, it seems the cart is setup on or beside the public sidewalk. Although it may be close by to the hospital entrance, if the cart is not actually on hospital property, there likely would be little the hospital administration could or would do about it.

Unless the cart is creating a safety concern or obstacle, the town/city will also likely do nothing.

9

Are YouTube take-downs a "Waste of time"?

by Fay Dehr in

https://www.reddit.com/r/exjw/comments/8wwsqq/youtube_takedowns_a_waste_of_time/?utm_source=reddit-android.

Incognito

I honestly believe that Watchtower is losing it's very best people.

This goes without saying, after all, they lost us.

Youtube stats for 2018 shown at this link: YouTube Statistics indicate 300 hours of video is uploaded to YT every minute.

How many videos pertaining to JWs and WT are uploaded every week?

If a take-down by the original poster is forced by WT, how many other posters then step-up to re-post that same video on their channel or on an alternate video or download site? One take-down can result in that same video being available at multiple locations, which then will result in WT needing to deal with numerous individual posters.

Will WT ever learn, they can't control what others post online, and once something is placed online, it never really can be taken down?

25

How to Sue the WT

by Lee Elder in

a basis for taking legal action against the watchtower society's blood transfusion policy.

.

http://ajwrb.org/wp-content/uploads/2014/06/blood-misrepresented-2005-kerry-louderback-wood-1.pdf.

Incognito

As a religion, WT and JW's are within their right to state a belief that using blood is not acceptable to God. Any qualifications they might possess is in regards to belief, sin and what is acceptable to god.

Problems arise when WT goes beyond religious matters to teach, advise and counsel on medical matters for which they are not qualified in. As previously stated, to offset liability, WT commonly mention a person may die if they don't follow their Dr's advice regarding treatment which may include blood. They also state acceptance of blood is not a guarantee a person will survive. JW's will often accept WT information as fact without doing further research from other sources.

As JW's believe God requires his people to abstain from blood, they then hope for resurrection if they should die while faithful to God's requirements, which suggests they may not receive resurrection if they are not faithful.

A person's beliefs are emotional and can greatly influence their decisions, often to their own detriment. Even if a JW wishes to accept blood, there is often fear of punishment, if not from God but from the org they and their family are members of.

Ultimately, a person needs to do what they consider to be correct for them and their medical situation at the time. No one else will live (or die) by their decision. If the person requiring treatment is a minor child, and the parents do not consent to the prescribed therapy, the courts will often intervene to make a decision on facts and medical advice for the child's benefit, not on beliefs or emotions.

8

Politically Neutral? Can a legalistic organization claim that status?

by OrphanCrow in

i found a document that discusses the canadian tax law for religions.. http://www.carters.ca/pub/seminar/church/2010/kjc0824.pdf.

i have long held the view that the org/wts says that it is non-political yet they behave like a political organization.

and it bothers me that religions are restricted from political activity yet the org has always been political.

Incognito

Vidiot, that is a valid point.

In Leah Remini's series on Scientology, although that org already held billions in assets, it seemed to be important to them to attain tax-exempt status which they eventually were successful in achieving.

If WT was to lose T-E status, I suspect the implications could be significant. Not only could tax be assessed on publications and other items sold (hence the donation arrangement), but also property tax on every property held, and maybe also corporate income tax. Depending on the reasons for a status change, perhaps retroactive assessments for past years could also be demanded.

8

Politically Neutral? Can a legalistic organization claim that status?

by OrphanCrow in

i found a document that discusses the canadian tax law for religions.. http://www.carters.ca/pub/seminar/church/2010/kjc0824.pdf.

i have long held the view that the org/wts says that it is non-political yet they behave like a political organization.

and it bothers me that religions are restricted from political activity yet the org has always been political.

Incognito

I can't envisage it being legally relevant whether legal work is done in-house or not. - credulity

The articles within the link provided, summarize some of Glen How's legal accomplishments in Canadian civil liberties and various other Canadian laws involving religious activities.

While it is stated Glen How's work on behalf of JWs benefitted them, it is not clear if he or his firm was retained by WT at the time to represent their interests in those various actions. He may have acted on his own as an independent lawyer. As a practising JW, he had a vested interest in laws which impact a person's freedom to practice their chosen religion.

So too with legal matters in other countries, is the firm retained by WT to represent them, or is the firm 'technically' acting independently from WT, even as their main office is located at the Canadian WT branch?

In law, it comes down to evidence and what may be proven in court.

... to present itself as a neutral and commercial law firm, when it is nothing more than a legal front for WTS, its sole client. - credulity

I don't recall claims of being neutral. There is substantial info on the firm's website to suggest it is not neutral but very biased towards JWs.

Is WT its sole client, or does the firm possibly also represent other JWs that might need representation in religious matters?

Legal representation may include matters such as involving JW parents defending against a court order forcing blood for their child, a child custody action against a non-believing spouse, or congregation elders defending their actions after child sexual assault was reported and they had forced the victim to meet with the accused.