Posts by Axelspeed

122

BETHEL NEWS: Bethel Elder Arrangement to be dissolved as of Aug. 31, 2006

by Elsewhere in

jw
friends

here is some news from a source within one of the wts branches:

hot news from todays morning worship announcement worldwide -- letter from gb being read on 1st of march 2006 to every branch (hopefully we will have a copy of the letter soon.).

as of aug. 31, 2006 the bethel elder arrangement will be dissolved!

Axelspeed

Well, people only have power over others to the extent that the others allow it...

Unfortunately, JWs are trained and indoctrinated to give ~~power~~ er deference to those with position and titles. Some JWs, esp those outside of NY or newer pubs, have never even heard of Bethel Elders. But among those who do know who and what they are, they are given extra props. They are perceived as having just a little bit more holy spirit and just a bit more blessing...esp since they are elders at J's house...Bethel.

Some pubs back at the home congregation fawn more over a returning/visiting bethelite than their own local elder. So imagine...a Bethel elder. True, they arent on the Branch Committee, but its all relative.

Axel

16

A 'Screw the Publishers' GB Strategy?

by metatron in

while a man might hold a particular office, there is no guarantee that his personal faith will continue.

there are a number of older.

brothers , at bethel and elsewhere, who quietly hold to a 'it's a good life' view of the 'truth' - as opposed to the blind zombie-faith of.

Axelspeed

I wouldnt doubt it at all. And while you're at it, you can include the WT lawyers and accountants in that lot also. With all of the downsizing, there seems to be a serious retreat and hold what we have mentality. There is enough money for them all to live off of very comfortably for the rest of their lives, even if everything else goes to hell and a handbasket.

I forgot which poster said it, but there is no better time than now to follow the money.

Axel

256

New Video of DF announcement at door

by inbyathread in

jw
friends

starting a new thread so that everyone can find the link.. this is the video of the elders trying to act smart stupid.

http://www.savefile.com/files2.php?fid=5509435.

they will keep the file as long as it is downloaded once every 14 days.. enjoy

Axelspeed

I wonder why they still used the term "disfellowship" when the new om book uses the phrase "no longer one of jehovah's witnesses". Is there a difference between the terminology used for the public announcement and the terminology used when they inform the person personally ...or are old habits just hard to break?

I actually kind of feel for the guy. If he ever wakes up and finds himself here he will be kicking himself....

Axel

256

New Video of DF announcement at door

by inbyathread in

jw
friends

starting a new thread so that everyone can find the link.. this is the video of the elders trying to act smart stupid.

http://www.savefile.com/files2.php?fid=5509435.

they will keep the file as long as it is downloaded once every 14 days.. enjoy

Axelspeed

Anyone want to take bets on how long it takes for them to get deleted?

REALLY? Does anyone think this may happen? For what reason?

I really don't know if they'll go so far as being deleted...but if the wrong person gets up on the wrong side of the bed I wouldn't rule it out.

More probable though is a serious and humiliating talking to about procedure from the CO. They will be the private joke of some of their peers when word gets around as "the brothers who blah blah...ha ha ha". In future CO meetings with elders across the country there will now be the experience of "in one experience a couple of elders [they will remain nameless] who blah blah blah.....and so brothers, this is what we do not want to do".

This is something the wt has been concerned about and aware of for a while. The last few km schools I went to were 80% about judicial committee procedure..very little scripture and a whole lot of procedure...probably because so many were bungling the whole process and also because they were worried about liability.

Another proof of this is how elders have been labeled as "untrained volunteers" by the WT spokesman, which shows how Bethel really views the local elders - as unsophisticated ya-hoos. They know that the local elders are a weak link, and therefore their recent attempts to distance themselves.

Axel

256

New Video of DF announcement at door

by inbyathread in

jw
friends

starting a new thread so that everyone can find the link.. this is the video of the elders trying to act smart stupid.

http://www.savefile.com/files2.php?fid=5509435.

they will keep the file as long as it is downloaded once every 14 days.. enjoy

Axelspeed

Amazing. I can't believe they went through with the whole thing knowing the tape was rolling.

Axel

16

Do you know why the WT wants to be called "the branch" and not "society?

by flag in

jw
friends

one elder in my (or ex) cong.

is always correcting himself every time he says "society".

he always goes "upps, excuse me the branch says this and that bla bla bla bla".

Axelspeed

Here is the article I referred to earlier:

w98 3/15 Living Up to Christian Dedication In Freedom
3
Someone may argue that the way the Witnesses speak about the Watch Tower Society—or more often just "the Society"—indicates that they view it as more than a legal instrument. Do they not consider it to be the final authority on matters of worship? The book Jehovah’s Witnesses—Proclaimers of God’s Kingdom clarifies this point by explaining: "When The Watchtower [June 1, 1938] referred to ‘The Society,’ this meant, not a mere legal instrumentality, but the body of anointed Christians that had formed that legal entity and used it." The expression therefore stood for "the faithful and discreet slave." (Matthew 24:45) It is in this sense that the Witnesses generally used the term "the Society." Of course, the legal corporation and "the faithful and discreet slave" are not interchangeable terms. Directors of the Watch Tower Society are elected, whereas Witnesses who make up ‘the faithful slave’ are anointed by Jehovah’s holy spirit.
4
In order to avoid misunderstandings, Jehovah’s Witnesses try to be careful about how they express themselves. Instead of saying, "the Society teaches," many Witnesses prefer to use such expressions as, "the Bible says" or, "I understand the Bible to teach." In this way they emphasize the personal decision that each Witness has made in accepting Bible teachings and also avoid giving the false impression that Witnesses are somehow bound to the dictates of some religious sect. Of course, suggestions as regards terminology should never become a subject of controversy. After all, terminology is of importance only to the extent that it prevents misunderstandings. Christian balance is required. The Bible admonishes us "not to fight about words." (2 Timothy 2:14, 15) The Scriptures also state this principle: "Unless you through the tongue utter speech easily understood, how will it be known what is being spoken?"—1 Corinthians 14:9.
God’s
Spirit Reduces the Need for Rules

Ironically, notice the next subheading in the article.... The whole article is an exercise in trying to prove the JWs act on their own, and not through coercion.

Axel

16

Do you know why the WT wants to be called "the branch" and not "society?

by flag in

jw
friends

one elder in my (or ex) cong.

is always correcting himself every time he says "society".

he always goes "upps, excuse me the branch says this and that bla bla bla bla".

Axelspeed

Mary,

Actually your statement more accurately reflects what that WT article stated. It was an effort to show that JWs are led by the bible and not "The Society", since so many cannot help themselves in repeatedly referring to what "the Society says".

Anyway it was captured in a WT article which I'll try to locate later.

Axel

16