Topics Started by Bubbamar

8
Progression of changes with DF/DA Doctine
by Bubbamar in
1. watchtower
2. beliefs
i am curious about the history of disfellowshipping and disassociation doctrines.

i know that they changed the da rules when ray and co were leaving so that no one could talk to people who disassociated themselves -- to close the loophole.

i am wondering if that's also when the df rules also became more harshly and strictly enforced.
28
I never knew
by Bubbamar in
1. watchtower
2. bible
i recently bought a bible after not having one or cracking one open for 18 years.

it's amazing how different it is now.

i thought it was all mumbo jumbo contradictions and insane ramblings.
14
After 5 years, a letter...Beware the Voice of Strangers
by Bubbamar in
1. social
2. family
after 3 attempts, i finally have a letter that i might actually mail to my mom.

i think it's funny that she will get my letter at the same time she is studying the "beware" wt article.

think she'll make something of it??.
3
Did WTS have to pay back taxes after Swaggart ruling?
by Bubbamar in
1. watchtower
2. scandals
an audit discovered that taxes were not paid on these purchases, so the state board of equalization informed the company that it must "register as a seller" and pay back taxes ($118,294.54, plus $65,043.55 in interest).

i just read that swaggart had to pay back taxes.

did the wts have to pay back taxes prior to their decision to "give" the literature?
9
Mexican documents anyone?
by Bubbamar in
1. watchtower
2. scandals
i was wondering if anyone has any official documents from mexico showing that mexicans were never prohibited from engaging in religious activities such as singing and praying during the time period that the mexican jw's classified themselves as a culteral organization for the purpose of owning property.

(was that sentence long enough?jeez) or that what did change (when the mexican jw's were brought to tears over the new freedom to sing and pray) was actually the ability for religious entities to own property.. also, does anyone know how the rank & file mexican jw's rationalized the fact that other religious people were able to pray and sing during this time period?.

i hope that all made sense.. thanks
21
1995 no big deal??
by Bubbamar in
1. watchtower
2. scandals
when i discovered - only recently - the the masthead of the awake was changed in 1995 to eliminate "our creators promise" i found it apalling.

it was a promise people!!

i am curious, did the wtbts write articles or discuss this radical change or did they just slip it in?
8
Yipeee!
by Bubbamar in
1. jw
2. friends
i'm a junior member!!!

not to waste a thread - but just wanted to celebrate!!

this has been a great place for me in so many ways.
14
Attn: Formidable Apostates
by Bubbamar in
1. jw
2. friends
i read the thread yesterday about apostates and started wondering about your families.

i am thinking about writing a letter to my mom and sharing with her some of the things i have learned about the jw's but also realize that this will make me an apostate and will worsen an already distant and painful relationship.

i am hoping that some of you will share your experiences on what impact your outspoken "apostacy" has had on your families - how have they reacted to you.
7
Benefit of UN affiliation??
by Bubbamar in
1. watchtower
2. scandals
hi - i know i'm a newbie and this question has probably been addressed before - so sorry - but can someone tell me the inside scoop.

of what benefit was it to the wtbts to register with the un?

i imagine it was of significant value to risk such a huge scandal.
9
Ray Franz question
by Bubbamar in
1. watchtower
2. beliefs
if ray franz was "annointed" and part of the gb, thus also part of the fds, then according to the jw's doesn't jehovah use him to disseminate "truth" and "light" (i.e.

books and watchtower articles)?

so how could he be an apostate for having a new/different understanding of scripture and wtbts doctrine?