Yes, I'll second that most meetings (except the book study at this time) touch on apostacy in one way or another. Like Blondie says, the internet is working.
ezekiel3
JoinedPosts by ezekiel3
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15
New apostate scare?
by Snowcrash ini'm curious if anyone else who still attends meetings keeps hearing the same drek about apostates at every meeting?
i have been, and it gets to me a little, seeing as i feel like a snake in the grass.
has anyone else noticed this insane amount of focus on apostates?
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Busted! ...Post Mordem? (Darunee Aphiromlerk of New Zealand)
by ezekiel3 insource: http://www.stuff.co.nz/stuff/0,2106,3078053a11,00.html.
excerpts:.
ms aphiromlerk, a property trader, was last seen on october 3 and her last known movements included a large number of phone calls which stopped around 9.30pm.
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ezekiel3
Source: http://www.stuff.co.nz/stuff/0,2106,3078053a11,00.html
Excerpts:
Ms Aphiromlerk, a property trader, was last seen on October 3 and her last known movements included a large number of phone calls which stopped around 9.30pm.
Her body was found last week in the Waikato River wrapped in a duvet from her Manurewa, Auckland, home. Police have not said how she was killed.
Ms Aphiromlerk was yesterday remembered as a dedicated Christian who travelled the city preaching to members of the Thai community.
A memorial service attended by 100 people was held at the Jehovah's Witness church in Manurewa.
Members of the church had been surprised by reports she was romantically involved with a south Auckland lawyer, Martin Coogan.
The friends understood Mr Coogan was simply her lawyer. She had told people he proposed marriage in the past but she had rejected the proposal.
Mr Lendrum said he understood Mr Coogan had proposed to Ms Aphiromlerk in the past. He had told police their relationship was becoming closer and stronger.
Mr Coogan did not want to discuss the couple's plans yesterday.
"We had talked about a few things. I just don't want to get into it right now."
The Herald reports that Mr Coogan was considering becoming a Jehovah's Witness in order to marry Ms Aphiromlerk and she kept their relationship secret because he was not involved in the church.
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23
WT CD to be released annually
by ezekiel3 in.
announced at service meetings this week: the wt cd (the digital repository of wts publications) will be released every year.. previously the wt cd was released every two years.
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ezekiel3
Announced at Service Meetings this week: the WT CD (the digital repository of WTS publications) will be released every year.
Previously the WT CD was released every two years.
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JW are instructed to perjure themselves in Nov 15 WT
by ezekiel3 inin the watchtower november 15, 2004 article "the tent of the upright ones will flourish" pg 28, the old policy of "theocratic warfare" is freshly confirmed.. remember that in us courts (a principle that mosts for most of the world's courts), a witness swears to tell "the truth, the whole truth, and nothing but the truth.
" it is recognized that withholding information would be the equivalent of lying or perjury.. what are jws instructed to do?
my comments are in red.the faithful witness does not commit perjury when testifying.
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ezekiel3
In the Watchtower November 15, 2004 article "The Tent of the Upright Ones Will Flourish" pg 28, the old policy of "theocratic warfare" is freshly confirmed.
Remember that in US courts (a principle that mosts for most of the world's courts), a witness swears to tell "the truth, the whole truth, and nothing but the truth." It is recognized that withholding information would be the equivalent of lying or perjury.
What are JWs instructed to do? My comments are in red.
The faithful witness does not commit perjury when testifying. His testimony is not tainted with lies. However, this does not mean that he is under obligation to give full information to those who may want to bring harm to Jehovah's people in some way. The patriarchs Abraham and Isaac withheld facts from some who did not worship Jehovah. (was Abraham or Isaac under oath when they "withheld facts"?) (Genesis 12:10-19; 20:1-18; 26:1-10) Rahab (a non-Isrealite prostitute) of Jericho misdirected the king's men. (Joshua 2:1-7) Jesus Christ himself refrained from divulging total information when doing so would have caused needless harm. (again, not under oath) (John 7:1-10) He said: "Do not give what is holy to dogs." Why not? So that "they may never...turn around and rip you open." (context please?) - Matthew 7:6
So there you have it: JWs official policy is to hide the truth if it would result in "harm" to their group.
Is it reasonable this would apply to:
- Child abuse allegations, especially if the organization were to be found at fault in a court-of-law?
- Tax evasion, or to hide the real assets and income of WTS?
- Any JW corruption or illegal practice identified in a law suit?
Any judge should have this article in front of him/her when hearing testimony from a JW. Will the "whole truth" be told? I think not.
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41
How much would you say the average JW donates in $$$ ?????
by run dont walk inregarding donations, what would you say the average jw would donate in $$$ in a one year span.. some are richer then others, some have no children, some have 6 children, i imagine it would vary quite a bit.. so what would be a fair average, $1,000 / year per person ?????.
now when i say donation, i mean every dollar a person gives, this would include contribution boxes in the hall, assemblies, etc, donations for magazines, books, videos etc, every possible thing one would donate money to the watchtower for.. if $1000 a person is a fair number, then multiply it by 6,000,000.
= $ 6 billion dollars a year, nice scam watchtower.
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ezekiel3
I would like to hear some confirmation on this, but Bethel members in the know have told me that most of the contributions come from California (money per publisher). Any coincidence they also have 6 assembly halls in Cali as well?
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YOU ARE A LIAR!
by Terry inwhat do you lie about repeatedly?.
what is your biggest lie you ever told?.
what is the worst?.
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ezekiel3
Yes I am, and so are you.
All words are lies.
- The thoughts and emotions that I mean to express cannot be accurately defined with "words."
- As I type, I am using the English language: the newest and worst major language on the planet (and unfortunately the most prevalent).
- As you read my words you interpret them through your filters and understanding of the written word.
- These thoughts combine in your mind to form a judgement of me and what I say - but is that judgement accurate??.
How can I communicate anything with words and not lie? Words are a "rumor of truth," passed down by generations like whispered gossip. French, for example, is a trully dynamic language that morphs with every century. So I am forced to lie everytime I speak or write, based on the corrupt messenger I employ: the word.
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14
Millions now dying will never have lived.
by Fleur inthis phrase has been going through my mind over and over for the past few days and finally made its way out onto paper, and then here.
as my beloved grandmother, a "faithful witness of jehovah" has hovered between living and dying for the past few weeks now, i have asked myself again and again what is the justice in her surviving all the things that she has in her 80+ years to come to the end of her faithful service only to be another casualty of the jw policy on blood.
i think about the fact that for almost sixty of those 80+ years she has lived and would have died at any point for her faith in the "faithful and discreet slave.
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ezekiel3
Thank you for your moving testimony. Your grandmother and mother are, sadly, just two of the millions trying not to wake up to the fact that they are wasting the wonder of life for "all the answers" the WTS spoon feed them.
Taking your theme literally, I find it a bit ironic. JWs excuse the "delay" of Armeggedon on "Jehovah's patience": God is holding back destruction so that more may live. And yet if Armeggedon had come in your grandmothers day (say during WW2) few alive today would have ever been born.
Billions now dying would have never lived!
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Sunday's WT study at the local KH
by Mulan inmy jw friend called me this morning to complain about the wt study yesterday.
it was all about apostates.
evidently some in that cong.
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ezekiel3
Just remember folks, JWs define "apostate" as "stand away from". So anyone who becomes inactive or no longer practices the religion could be elligible for this definition. The Insight book says this to soften the blow:
*** it-1 p. 127 Apostasy ***
It is evident that there is a distinction between a ?falling? due to weakness and the ?falling away? that constitutes apostasy. The latter implies a definite and willful withdrawal from the path of righteousness. (1Jo 3:4-8; 5:16, 17) Whatever its apparent basis, whether intellectual, moral, or spiritual, it constitutes a rebellion against God and a rejection of his Word of truth.?2Th 2:3, 4; see MAN OF LAWLESSNESS.
Watch out for the 1-2 punch: This week in the Ministry School the #4 talk will be "How Jehovah Views Apostates." No source material is assigned and the speaker is allowed to use any JW material for the talk.
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6
Special Campaign begins Monday, 18 October
by ezekiel3 ina ?special campaign?
begins monday, 18 october 2004 to distribute the new brochure keep on the watch!
the campaign will continue through 14 november.
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ezekiel3
A ?Special Campaign? begins Monday, 18 October 2004 to distribute the new brochure Keep On the Watch! The campaign will continue through 14 November. Comments from the Kingdom Ministry October 2004 directive include:
?Keep on the Watch! should not be distributed indiscriminately. Rather the brochure will be placed only with those who demonstrate interest in what the Bible says about the meaning of world events. Those who show minimal interest in the message might be offered a tract instead.?
?Try to obtain the name and address of each person who accepts the brochure?
Both suggested presentations end with,
?The brochure is available without charge. If you desire to make a modest donation to our worldwide work, we would be pleased to accept it.? (This is of note because the KM does not normally include the money pitch with presentation guidelines.)
The Service Meeting talk (week of 11 October) reviewing the campaign is specified: ?in one the demonstrations, a householder shows minimal interest in the Scriptural presentation, and is offered a tract instead.? This is of note because Service Meeting demonstrations are notoriously positive ? always showing interest and acceptance of offered publications.
Those who have seen the Keep On the Watch! brochure will agree that it is ?End-Times Light? without specific urgency, although there is a hollow mantra that ?the end has drawn close.?
The first half of the brochure is specifically tailored to the non-JW with talking points and heavily illustrated pages.
The last half would probably confuse a newly interested person as it directly addresses the apathy and discouragement common among long-time JWs. Headers include ?Some Factors that Cause Discouragement? and ?Be Realistic in Your Expectations.?
Most active JWs are excited about the campaign, reminding them of previous campaigns that have not occurred since the 1980?s.
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14
Comments You Will Not Hear at the 10-10-04 WT Study Abbreviated
by blondie inwhy does the bible say that a person should scream if threatened with rape?.
" (deuteronomy 29:29) as a group, anointed christians serve as the faithful and discreet slave.
all who want to understand the bible should appreciate that the "greatly diversified wisdom of god" can become known only through jehovah?s channel of communication, the faithful and discreet slave.
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ezekiel3
On the issue of clothing, the pictures in WTS publications are considered the "standard" for JW fashion. But the glaring difference with JW reality is that women are never seen wearing pants in the pubs! On the other hand it is common for JW women to wear pants/slacks on any non-formal occasion. Why won't the pubs show women wearing pants?
Blondie, you are right on with the comments regarding JW reliance on the outmoded Mosaic Laws instead of Jesus for their doctrine. Is there any coincidence that this entire WT study only uses ONE scripture from Jesus: Mat 24:20 ("Keep praying your flight may not occur...on the Sabbath day")
Even Jesus disregarded "sensitive ones" when violating the sabbath, and used the event to shut down the Pharisees (equivalent of modern JW leadership). The result was "when he said these things, all his opposers began to feel shame; but all the crowd began to rejoice at all the glorious things done by him" (Luke 13:17)
I wonder if its the JWs that are feeling shame at this WT study? Hmmm...