i know they're desperate for new members for that annual service report; but she is wayyyyy too young to know what she's doing to her life.
:( there should seriously be a minimum age for this.
I always said if you are not old enough to say NO and quit the religion you are not old enough to say YES.
Simply brilliant! Thanks Poztate, I'm keeping this statement handy.
At our assembly last week, NO ADULTS were baptized, the youngest was 11.
WTS would never stop shackling their children to the cult: there would be a negative growth rate in the US/Europe.
after several talks i believe it is official.
armaggedon is dead.
we can no longer tell "interested ones about armegeddon, but can only tell them about the new paradise government.
THis was on a few assembly parts, but now it is in the service and tms meetings. -XQ
I challenge XQ to provide a sample of this. There has been nothing specifically published or spoken at assemblies, meetings, etc about not teaching Armaggedon.
However, XQ has it right that WTS is softening the message. The KOTW brochure is a prime example of the "loving admonition" mode of modern WTS life.
Holding my finger to the wind (the middle one, when no one is looking), I sense that the WTS is testing the "market" with this soft-glove approach. How they intend to instill "urgency" (now a WTS buzz-word) without an impending fear-factor is beyond me.
jehovah's witnesses have reached all nations with the good news..
really, what about the islamic countries and china and india?.
also, for those with a copy, is that a mixed couple on page 9 or is the husband just light-skinned.
Blondie you are confirmed. But note that the photo is pasted on a page warning of worldly distractions. The page header "Where Is Your Life Heading" is followed by the quote: "Many people are so wrapped up in the affairs of life that they give little thought to where they are heading."
The pictures on the page include the one below, an old man nodding off while fishing, a man buried in paper work at the office, and (the good example) a man reading a bible. It is assumed all the other persons pictured are giving "little thought to where they are heading."
There have been no recent updates to the WTS policy on interracial marriage:
*** w73 12/1 pp. 735-736 Questions from Readers ***In other communities, local prejudices produce discrimination and unkind treatment toward those of certain races of mankind. These prejudices do not make interracial marriage wrong. For the discerning Christian, nonetheless, they may give cause for thought as to the advisability of such marriage. No matter what the racial backgrounds of the mates, marriage of itself requires much adjustment on the part of both persons to be successful and to bring happiness. Human imperfection causes all marriages to bring some measure of ?tribulation in the flesh,? as the apostle Paul wisely points out. (1 Cor. 7:28) In certain localities, where racial prejudices are strong, this could put added strain on the marital relationship and could be especially trying for any children resulting. So the Christian should give thoughtful consideration to the probable consequences before entertaining the prospect of interracial marriage.
it seems to me that there's a big difference between the "old-school" jw's and the "new-school" jw's when it comes to the door-to-door work.. i took "no" for an answer.
someone didn't want to listen, that's fine.
"have a good day then.
Here is an example of the simple presentation format JWs are using these days:
For the Watchtower 12/1/04: "One trait that distinguishes humans from animals is the ability to tell right from wrong. Sadly, many people do bad things. Why do you think that is? [Allow for response. Then read Jeremiah 17:9 or Revelation 12:9.] This magazine discusses what can help us to know and to do what is right." - Kingdom Ministry November 2004 (pg 4)
The standard formula is a 60-second speal with a viewpoint question, respond with a scripture and push the magazine/publication. Trust me, even this is too much for the average modern JW.
Good thing no one is asking whether I believe animals know right and wrong. Just ask my cat when she's caught on the dining room table...
check out my previous post about the awake!
"watching the world" blurb on child abuse here: http://www.jehovahs-witness.com/8/80311/1.ashx.
here in the 8 december awake!
Check out my previous post about the Awake! "Watching the World" blurb on child abuse here: http://www.jehovahs-witness.com/8/80311/1.ashx
Here in the 8 December Awake! directly following the issue referenced above, the "Watching the "World" (pg 28) has another piece on child abuse:
Child Abuse in Mexico
According to Mexico City's justice department, "1 in every 10 boys are victims of sexual abuse in Mexico City," reports El Universal newspaper. The justice department is distributing pamphlets that warn parents about sexual abuse and recommend the course of action that should be taken in the event of actual abuse. The recommendations include the following: (1) Believe and support your child when he or she reports being sexually abused. (2) Explain to the child that he or she is not responsible for what happened. (3) Inform the child that what happened is against the law and that it is necessary to report it to the police so that it will not happen again.
Shall we compare this policy with the WTS printed page?
"Believe and support your child" versus:
*** w95 11/1 p. 27 Comfort for Those With a "Stricken Spirit" ***"It is necessary to report it to the police" versus:A person who actually abuses a child sexually is a rapist and should be viewed as such. Anyone victimized in this way has the right to accuse his abuser. Still, an accusation should not be made hastily if it is based solely on "repressed memories" of abuse. In this case the most important thing is for the sufferer to regain a degree of emotional stability. After the passage of some time, he may be in a better position to assess the "memories" and decide what, if anything, he wants to do about them.
*** w95 11/1 pp. 28-29 Comfort for Those With a "Stricken Spirit" ***Don't let the WTS get away with their "public awareness" scheme. WTS' own policy condemns them as protectors of child abusers, not the abused. Please get this information out. Show how two-faced this cult is.What if the sufferer decides that he wants to make an accusation? Then the two elders can advise him that, in line with the principle at Matthew 18:15, he should personally approach the accused about the matter. If the accuser is not emotionally able to do this face-to-face, it can be done by telephone or perhaps by writing a letter. In this way the one accused is given the opportunity to go on record before Jehovah with his answer to the accusation. He may even be able to present evidence that he could not have committed the abuse. Or perhaps the one accused will confess, and a reconciliation may be achieved. What a blessing that would be! If there is a confession, the two elders can handle matters further in accordance with Scriptural principles.
If the accusation is denied, the elders should explain to the accuser that nothing more can be done in a judicial way. And the congregation will continue to view the one accused as an innocent person. The Bible says that there must be two or three witnesses before judicial action can be taken. (2 Corinthians 13:1; 1 Timothy 5:19) Even if more than one person "remembers" abuse by the same individual, the nature of these recalls is just too uncertain to base judicial decisions on them without other supporting evidence. This does not mean that such "memories" are viewed as false (or that they are viewed as true). But Bible principles must be followed in establishing a matter judicially.
What if the one accused?though denying the wrongdoing?is really guilty? Does he "get away with it," as it were? Certainly not! The question of his guilt or innocence can be safely left in Jehovah?s hands. "The sins of some men are publicly manifest, leading directly to judgment, but as for other men their sins also become manifest later." (1 Timothy 5:24; Romans 12:19; 14:12) The book of Proverbs says: "The expectation of the righteous ones is a rejoicing, but the very hope of the wicked ones will perish." "When a wicked man dies, his hope perishes." (Proverbs 10:28; 11:7) Ultimately, Jehovah God and Christ Jesus render everlasting judgment in justice.?1 Corinthians 4:5.
i was talking to my jw friend the other day and he was telling me that armaggeddon is right around the corner because of all the things going on in iraq and that he feels that pres.bush fits into bible prophecy because he feels that 666 equals george herbert bush.
i fell on the floor laughing because my friend was serious about it.
i said i know the watchtower is not teaching that bologna and he said no they were not but this is his own interpretation.
Notice the pattern:
Directly at the end of 1975 (December 15): Note that the most recent previous reference to this was in in 1969 (WT 8/1)
WT 75 12/15 p. 747 Proving Ourselves Worthy to Enter God?s New Order
That global deluge was a punishment from Jehovah God. He had patiently held back from inflicting that punishment for at least 120 years.
Then nothing until 1991 (notice the title):
WT 91 5/15 p. 12 Consider Models of Long-Suffering
Though God could have wiped out the human race as soon as he saw this condition, he decreed that he would bring an end to this situation in 120 years. (Genesis 6:3) This expression of long-suffering allowed time for Noah to have three sons, for them to grow up and get married, and for that family to build the ark for the saving of their souls and for the preservation of animal creation.
Then the rash breaks out (again notice the titles):
1998
WT 9/15 pp. 10-11 Times and Seasons in Jehovah?s Hands
Before the Flood, God fixed a 120-year time limit for the corrupt world that humans and rebellious materialized angels had brought about. (Genesis 6:1-3)
1999
WT 6/1 p. 5 God Is Not Slow Regarding His Promise
We find a similar picture in Noah?s day. Despite the fact that people before the Flood were wicked, God mercifully decided that their time would continue another 120 years. During part of that time, Noah served as "a preacher of righteousness."
WT 8/15 p. 16 Living by Faith in God?s Promises
Consider how God exercised foreknowledge in the days of Noah. Because of the widespread badness that had filled the earth, God determined to bring an end to disobedient humankind. He set a time when he would do this, 120 years into the future. (Genesis 6:3) In setting that specific period, Jehovah took into consideration more than the destruction of the wicked, something that he could do at any time. Jehovah?s timetable also provided for the preservation of the righteous. (Compare Genesis 5:29.) In his wisdom, God foreknew when to assign the work that would lead to that end.
2001
WT 11/1 pp. 9-10 Jehovah Is a God of Long-Suffering
Still, for a limited time, Jehovah showed long-suffering toward mankind. He said: ?My spirit shall not act toward man indefinitely in that he is also flesh. Accordingly his days shall amount to a hundred and twenty years.? (Genesis 6:3) Those 120 years allowed faithful Noah time to produce a family and?when informed of God?s decree?to build an ark and warn his contemporaries of the coming Flood.
2003
WT 12/15 p. 15 Our Watchfulness Takes On Greater Urgency
In Noah?s day, Jehovah declared: ?My spirit shall not act toward man indefinitely in that he is also flesh. Accordingly his days shall amount to a hundred and twenty years.? (Genesis 6:3) The issuance of this divine decree in 2490 B.C.E. marked the beginning of the end for that ungodly world. Just think what that meant for those then living! Only 120 years more and Jehovah would bring ?the deluge of waters upon the earth to bring to ruin all flesh in which the force of life is active from under the heavens.?
1914 + 120 years = 2034
The Watchtower won't admit that they are suggesting this but, I ask you, why is it repeated so many times in the last decade??
from awake!
november 22, 2004 "watching the world" pg 29:.
"two long-awaited studies have found that the [u.s.] roman catholic church suffered an epidemic of child sexual abuse that involved at least 4 percent of priests over 52 years and peaked with the ordination class of 1970, in which one of every 10 priests was eventually accused of abuse," reports the new york times.
Flea:
I'll share the opinion that most organized religion sucks. But when one religion (JWs) blames another (Catholics) for something that both have a problem with (child abuse) while concealing and protecting the problem (JW's two-witness rule, countersuing victims, etc), that is plainly dispicable.
Who would have thought religion could bend so low?
this is information from the dedication program bill of the fairfield assembly hall in california.
i have attached a scan from it to show you what the last taj-ma-"hall" looks like.
my initial post on this topic is at http://www.jehovahs-witness.com/6/71710/1.ashx .
This is information from the dedication program bill of the Fairfield Assembly Hall in California. I have attached a scan from it to show you what the last Taj-Ma-"Hall" looks like. My initial post on this topic is at http://www.jehovahs-witness.com/6/71710/1.ashx .
The dedication talk was given by no less than GB member T. Jazacz. Some of the specifications of the hall (from the program bill) are:
Site is on 32 acres; the hall is 69,000 square feet with a seating capacity of 2,124. 716 congregations offered help, of whom 6,100 volunteers used. The site includes eight apartments. 87,302 meals were served to volunteers from July 15, 2003 to February 20, 2004. Two Kingdom Halls on site with a total 9,000 square feet and with 185 seats each.
Other features include a roll-away wall that exposes the baptismal pool (shown in the center photo below); closed circuit cameras that show the program and baptism on TVs in the eating area and bathrooms; a projection system that can show film (projected on the wall near the stage); a classroom for a west-coast Ministerial Training School (you heard it here first!), and decor that features poster-sized photos of "historical" conventions like Cedar Point and Yankee Stadium; and real marble for the front of the stage, the stage pillars and decorative molding throughout.
No cost of materials was noted in the program. Although the project was supposedly paid for in cash from donations, circuits (groups of about 20 congregations) attending the Assembly day (a one-day session) are informed that the operating cost for that day is around $5,000. That's about a $2.50 admission fee per person.
For those in the area, the address is 2020 Walters Road, Fairfield California.
from awake!
november 22, 2004 "watching the world" pg 29:.
"two long-awaited studies have found that the [u.s.] roman catholic church suffered an epidemic of child sexual abuse that involved at least 4 percent of priests over 52 years and peaked with the ordination class of 1970, in which one of every 10 priests was eventually accused of abuse," reports the new york times.
From Awake! November 22, 2004 "Watching the World" pg 29:
"Two long-awaited studies have found that the [U.S.] Roman Catholic Church suffered an epidemic of child sexual abuse that involved at least 4 percent of priests over 52 years and peaked with the ordination class of 1970, in which one of every 10 priests was eventually accused of abuse," reports The New York Times. "The human toll amounted to 10,667 children allegedly victimized by 4,392 priests from 1950 to 2002, but the studies caution that even these numbers represent an undercount," as many cases have not been reported. One study, conducted at the John Jay College of Criminal Justice in New York, disclosed that "priests were accused of abuse in more than 95 percent of dioceses and about 60 percent of religious orders." The other study, by a Catholic national review board, pointed to a culture in Catholic seminaries that "tolerated moral laxity."
"in which one of every 10 priests was eventually accused...priests were accused of abuse in more than 95 percent of dioceses" (no conviction required to prove?)
"10,667 children allegedly victimized by 4,392 priests" (no criminal charges required to prove?)
""these numbers represent an undercount," as many cases have not been reported" (not even accusation required?)
So the WTS, through the pages of the Awake! magazine, accepts charges without convictions, allegations without proof, and statistical assumptions of widespread child abuse in the Catholic Church.
Remove the rafter from your own eye you dispicable perverts! Call off your rabid lawyers who chew JW child abuse victims to the bone, countersuing for damages after the victims proved their case (reference Vicky Boer http://www.silentlambs.org/education/wtinfo.cfm ). How dare you blind the minds of your believers to the issues in your house while amplifing rumors about Catholics! Where is the "Watching the World" that cites Silent Lambs?! Shame!!
i thought this campaign was different from the last few campaigns the watchtower bible & tract society has organized.. first of all, there was no real build up to this campaign - it received very little attention.. just a scant comment in the km about the 30 day preaching campaign and that is all.. in 1995/6, when we had the brochure, "will all people ever love one another", there was a build up of enthusiam.. brothers and sisters were told that they were not allowed to even see the brochure until it was time to give them out.. as we left the exit doors then, ministerial servants would distribute a batch of 25 to each publisher to place.
we felt important.
we felt special.
Truthseeker is correct on all counts. Our congregation has received the same direction. Most publishers are puzzled by the "work all territories in the month period" concept.
Supposedly we will do the not-at-homes after the campaign (but there are already other publication offers slated for that time??).
The November 2004 Kingdom Ministry states that Keep on the Watch! will be next up for the book study meeting (beginning 23 May 2005).
Also in the same KM: further directions on calling back on those who took the brochure: basically the same RV and Bible Study procedure. Also JWs are encouraged to study and discuss only the "first half" (my term) of the brochure and then move to the Require brochure for a regular study. This is interesting because the "last half" of Keep on the Watch is tailored for the standard JW asleep at the wheel - not very encouraging for a newly interested person.
What's really news is the lack of motivation among JWs for this campaign. I keep asking around for experiences and coming up dry.
I do believe the JW propaganda machine is in deep...and I'm not talking about the end of the system here.
