Posts by Athanasius

11

The REMOVAL of many books

by irondork in

i understand the wts encouraged or instructed the congregations to dispose of all books printed before the year ????

they didn't want this old light (aka.

apostate literature) floating around their libraries.. did these instructions come via a wt article or was it a letter to the elders?

Back in 1978 we had an elder who came back from the two week elders school with information regarding the Kingdom Hall library. He claimed that the instructor said that only Watchtower publications should be in the KH library. I had attended the same school the year before and no such instruction was given. Having been the TMS overseer I had placed a number on non-Watchtower Biblical and historical reference works in the KH library. I guess I was pretty liberal for a JW back then as I placed Hugh J. Schonfield's "The Passover Plot" in the KH library.

Well this elder, claiming a mandate given him by the recent elders school, purged the library of all non-Watchtower publications. Fortunately there were several JW families who were more enlightened than the elder and they took in all the purged publications and were thankful to have them. I left the JWs in 1984 so I don't know if these families are still JWs.

However, a couple of years after the KH library purge a CO said that non-Watchtower publications of Biblical and historical value could be included in the KH library. Though I doubt that he would have approved of "The Passover Plot." But anyone who has served on the BOE knows there is always that hot shot elder who takes any instruction from the GB to the extreme.

14

Silentlambs says Watchtower's Assets frozen only for a very short time

by chichimama_2 in

jw
friends

found here.

https://www.facebook.com/williamh.bowen.

highlights mine.

Athanasius

The Watchtower would probably pay for the congregation. If they didn't and the elders had to pay up there would be a flood of elder resignations. After that no sane person would want to face the financial liabilities of being an elder.

26

Should Barbara Anderson Write a Book?

by Scott77 in

if yes, would you buy it?

what would be the suggested topic for the book?

any idea are welcome.. .

Athanasius

Hi Sic Semper Tyrannis. Rutherford campaigned for Grover Cleveland in 1892, William Jennings Bryan in 1896 and 1900, and Alton Parker in 1904. After 1904 Rutherford dropped out of Democratic Party politics and got involved in Bible Student politics.

26

Should Barbara Anderson Write a Book?

by Scott77 in

if yes, would you buy it?

what would be the suggested topic for the book?

any idea are welcome.. .

Athanasius

Hi Slimfatboy.

I've been working on a biography of Rutherford and have completed 14 chapters on his early life. Unfortunately due other responsibilities I have not had the time to complete the Rutherford saga. If I'm ever able to publish the JWs will be surprised at how deeply Rutherford was involved in Democratic Party politics.

17

Catholics! Why did u choose your religion?

by umadevi in

jw
friends

i went to a local catholic church on good friday with a catholic friend.

i observed that there was a lot of rituals involved.

i am interested to know why you choose this religion.

Athanasius

Hi Nice Dream.

In the Episcopal (Anglican) Church in the United States Communion is open to all babtised Christians, JWs included. My priest said that my JW baptism was valid so I took Communion. However, just to be safe, I was conditionally baptised and confirmed in the Episcopal Church.

17

Catholics! Why did u choose your religion?

by umadevi in

jw
friends

i went to a local catholic church on good friday with a catholic friend.

i observed that there was a lot of rituals involved.

i am interested to know why you choose this religion.

Athanasius

After leaving the JWs I attended a number of religious services before converting to the Episcopal (Anglican) Church. Also known as Anglo-Catholic or Catholic Lite. The Anglican Mass is similar to the Roman Catholic and while the JWs would call it useless ritual I find it helpful in satifying my spiritual needs. But don't the JW also have useless rituals like door to door Watchtower and book sales? Moreover, most of the people in the Anglican Communion are genuine and their love and support of others is not conditional like the JWs.

My wife is a Russian Orthodox Christian and I've attended Orthodox services with her. I've found that Orthodoxy has just as many, if not more rituals than the Anglican Church. But again the people are very loving and genuine.

I should also mention that when I travel and can't find an Anglican or Orthodox Church, I've attended Roman Catholic services and have been warmly greeted. The priest even allowed me to take communion. All he asked of me was: "Are you separated from your pastor? Do you believe in the Divine Presence?" When I answered yes to both questions, he said I could take communion. Nothing was asked about the FDS or if I believed that Jehovah is using the Watchtower as his visible organization.

61

New Rumor: Downsizing Circuits/Assemblies

by metatron in

jw
friends

heard a new rumor that:.

the borg is going to phase out big district assemblies - so they can fit 'em in assembly halls.. they will reduce the size of circuits.

they will synchronize c.o.

Athanasius

Perhaps the GB will change the CAs to a one day event, like the SAD. That should free up the Assembly Halls a bit and provide some time to schedule a few 2 day DAs.

17

Regular Pioneers no longer appointed by Branch!

by hoser in

jw
friends

a letter was read this thursday from the platform that the branch will no longer approve or remove regular pioneers.. it was called a simplified arrangement that the local body of elders would decide who should be appointed or removed as a regular pioneer and then to inform the branch of any appointments/deletions.

.

i guess the bethelite who had that assignment is now unemployed.

Athanasius

If the Watchtower is so concerned about liability, then perhaps they should leave the appointment of elders and MSs to the local congregation. Maybe let the local congregation elect their own elders.

35

How Come I Rarely See People In Field Service, Vs The 1980-1990s Doing House2House?

by Bubblegum Apotheosis in

field service hours have hit new records each year, but i am seeing less people working the territory.

where is all the time spent, that people are putting in the field ministry?

it's been close to ten years, since i have seen people working certain territories.

Athanasius

I moved to my present address in 1999 and have never had a visit by the JWs. At first I thought it was because they only came out during the week and since I worked week days I must have missed their visits. However, I retired in 2009 and except for a yearly vacation or two, both my wife and I are home most of the time. Still no JWs. My neighbors haven't seen the JWs either. Don't get me wrong, I'm not complaining.

But 40 years ago I was an elder in the Congregation in whose territory I now reside. Back then we used to cover our territory at least once every three months. I left this Cong. in 1973 to serve "where the need was greater," and left my new Cong. in 1984 to quickly fade. So I don't know the current make up of my old Cong. or if they even know I now live in their territory.

55

I Want Your Prediction: Who Will Be The Republican Nominee & Will He Beat Obama?

by minimus in

jw
friends

i think romney will be the guy but i have my doubts that he will beat obama because no one seems to be in the lineup that anyone wants to embrace..

Athanasius

Nobody will come out of the Republican primaries a clear winner. So it will be an open Republican Convention. Therefore, it is quite possible that a "Darkhorse Candidate" will get the nomination. If the economy improves, Obama will be hard to beat. If the economy goes bust, Obama will lose. If the economy stays like it currently is, then if the Republicans nominate a moderate candidate, then it will be a very close race with the Republican favored.