Posts by blondie

30

CIVILIAN SERVICE

by blondie in

how many remember when the wts changed their policy on alternative service; changed it to alternative civilian service so jw men could choose it because it was not supervised by the military.

shows how the wts quibbles with words to advance a "new teaching.

" flag salute, voting, civilian service p. 212. civilian service.

How many remember when the WTS changed their policy on alternative service; changed it to alternative CIVILIAN service so jw men could choose it because it was not supervised by the military. Shows how the WTS quibbles with words to advance a "new teaching." FLAG SALUTE, VOTING, CIVILIAN SERVICE p. 212

Civilian service. In some lands, the State requires that those who reject military service engage in some form of civilian service for a period of time. When faced with a decision on this matter, we should pray about it, perhaps discuss it with a mature fellow Christian, and then make our decision on the basis of an informed conscience.—Proverbs 2:1-5; Philippians 4:5.

God’s Word tells us to “be obedient to governments and authorities, to be ready for every good work, . . . to be reasonable.” (Titus 3:1, 2) With that in mind, we might ask ourselves the following questions: ‘Will accepting the proposed civilian work compromise my Christian neutrality or cause me to be involved with false religion?’ (Micah 4:3, 5; 2 Corinthians 6:16, 17) ‘Would doing this work make it difficult for me to fulfill my Christian responsibilities or even prevent me from fulfilling them?’ (Matthew 28:19, 20; Ephesians 6:4; Hebrews 10:24, 25) ‘On the other hand, would engaging in such service involve a schedule that would allow me to expand my spiritual activities, perhaps sharing in the full-time ministry?’—Hebrews 6:11, 12.

If a Christian conscientiously concludes that he could perform civilian service rather than go to prison, fellow Christians should respect his decision. (Romans 14:10) If, though, he feels that he cannot perform such service, others should respect that position as well.—1 Corinthians 10:29; 2 Corinthians 1:24.

83

Thought on “0 hours” reporting

by FFGhost in

so everyone knows the “big news” of this past weekend, no more reporting of hours, placements, return visits, etc.

beginning november 1, jws just tick a box indicating whether they “shared in any form of the ministry during the month”.. so there was a brief comment by a redditor that seems like a brief joke “throwaway comment” but after thinking about it….why not?.

the idea is, what is “any form of the ministry”?

blondie

I do remember in the 1970's a different definition came out about "sacred service" that is more than official preaching. (see 1977 WT p.466 "Thus a woman’s devoted care for her family is a part of her sacred service, since Jehovah has given her that assignment. And she should be whole-souled in carrying it out as befits an assignment from God. (Prov. 31:15, 27) The same is true of the husband, for he must carry out his assigned role to provide things needful and to give loving oversight to the family. So wives’ obedience to husbands, husbands’ love for wives, children’s obeying parents—all should be whole-souled to be pleasing to Jehovah." "It was said that Ray Franz authored this article. Interestingly, the WTS rescinded definition in 1980, about the time Ray Franz was asked to leave Bethel (not df'd though). And the WTS printed the change in 1980 WT 8/15 (21-26) p. 23 "By those words does the apostle Paul mean that all things that we now do as Christians become “sacred service” (lat·reiʹa) because of our having a different viewpoint respecting these things? Why should that be the case? When we eat, drink and sleep and do things that all other humans are obliged to do to live, whom are we really serving? Ourselves, naturally. Yes, when we now do those things, we have God’s glory in mind. Hence, we do not overeat to the point of sickness or gluttony; we do not drink alcoholic beverages to the point of drunkenness; we do not regularly sleep too much to the point of laziness or slothfulness. Yet now when we eat, drink, sleep under the religious name of Christian witnesses of Jehovah, the same as all other humans do under their religious names, does this of itself transform these basic, essential acts of human living into “sacred service”? No..."

83

Thought on “0 hours” reporting

by FFGhost in

so everyone knows the “big news” of this past weekend, no more reporting of hours, placements, return visits, etc.

beginning november 1, jws just tick a box indicating whether they “shared in any form of the ministry during the month”.. so there was a brief comment by a redditor that seems like a brief joke “throwaway comment” but after thinking about it….why not?.

the idea is, what is “any form of the ministry”?

blondie

If I remember correctly, if there is a 2/3 majority on the elder body vote, the minority elders must support the majority decision, thus it becomes unanimous. Probably same with GB.

67

Real reasons behind this change?

by Gorb in

jw
friends

just a good conversation at home about the hour report change.. we think the change was not impmemented because the gb are such a lovely bunch of old grandpa's having the best in mind for us individuals.. there will be only, and we say only, an organizational reason for it.

a legal reason, to protect jw.org and it's officials and wealth.. next step?

maybe selling more kh and when jw hollywood studio's in rampoo are ready a change to tv subscription.. what do you think?

blondie

I was wondering, if you mark "active" does that applies to baptized or jws or unbaptized publishers too? As to counting bible studies still, the COBOE in one congregation analyzed how individual bible studies were conducted in the congregation. Only 3 were not with children, only one reached baptism and was shortly df'd a year later. I can see why the WTS is taking a closer look at this. I found that too many jws that had a good conversation with someone, took their info and then handed it to a pioneer or elder to follow up on. The person said they were too busy to commit to the time each week (and effort) to study with the person. Few jw parents had bible teaching of their own children, sometimes turning them over to another adult jw to do that chore.

67

Real reasons behind this change?

by Gorb in

jw
friends

just a good conversation at home about the hour report change.. we think the change was not impmemented because the gb are such a lovely bunch of old grandpa's having the best in mind for us individuals.. there will be only, and we say only, an organizational reason for it.

a legal reason, to protect jw.org and it's officials and wealth.. next step?

maybe selling more kh and when jw hollywood studio's in rampoo are ready a change to tv subscription.. what do you think?

blondie

Biahi, I agree " think the real reason is because so many are leaving, hours are down so much, they can’t publish that. So they present this as a ‘loving provision’, while hiding the low numbers. They know people are leaving in droves."

Link Dislike Like

21

With no reporting necessary do they still need a territory guy?

by carla in

now that they no longer have to report hours do they still need a territory guy?

maps?

etc...?.

blondie

I would say they would continue using territory maps, just not counting time. Otherwise, some people might be called on by one group and then another the same week.

176

No more REPORTING field service!!!!!!!!!

by BoogerMan in

this is going to break the hearts of a lot of uber-jw's!

reddit has now removed the video link of samuel herd telling jw's they will no longer have to report time or placements - just tick a box which says "active.".

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=akdshyx79rm&t=13s.

blondie

Without hourly quotas, how will the elders/WTS know who is worthy of special privileges? Without counting time, the WTS will not have much to put in the annual report, if they do that any more. Many jws have been faking their time anyway. I wonder if they stop taking attendance? So what advantage is it nowadays to be a pioneer? I would ask there is nothing in the New Testament that disciples were required to count time, etc. Wow!

7

The org: Coal calling the kettle black! #2

by BoogerMan in

"the generally accepted definition of propaganda is this: an organization for the propagation of a doctrine or system, the purpose of which is to cause the membership of the system or organization to increase or enlarge.

religious organizations engage in propaganda, because each system of religion tries to increase its membership.

the work of jehovah’s witnesses for his kingdom is entirely a different matter.

blondie

https://jwfacts.com/watchtower/organization.php

"(2) Beware of "organization." It is wholly unnecessary. The Bible rules will be the only rules you will need. Do not seek to bind others' consciences, and do not permit others to bind yours. Believe and obey so far as you can understand God's Word today, and so continue growing in grace and knowledge and love day by day."

Watchtower 1895 Sep 15 reprints p.1866.

"The test of membership in the New Creation will not be membership in any earthly organization, but union with the Lord as a member of his mystical body;" Millenial Dawn - The New Creation (1904) p.74

Following Russell's death, Rutherford proceeded to enforce an organisational structure upon Watchtower followers. In 1919, congregations were to "register as a service organization within the Society..." (Jehovah's Witnesses in the Divine Purpose p.95), moving congregational control under international direction. In 1920, it became a requirement to report participation in witnessing. Direction of the preaching work became the reasoning behind a stricter organisational structure.

"The efficiency with which the witness must be given of necessity depends largely upon the organized efforts made in the field." Watchtower 1922 Dec 15 reprints p.389

58

Cult or High Control Group?

by MillennialDawn in

jw
friends

i see this phrase a lot: "the indication of a cult is what happens when you leave.

" i'm not sure where that originated, but it is a faulty categorization.

"cult" is almost always used in a derogatory way.

blondie

I agree Phizzy, the word "cult" triggers people, especially jws to stop listening. But "high control group" can open the door to listening. When I first stopped going, I had a hard time using the word "cult" and instead said high control group. I resisted saying cult. But then I read Steve Hassan's BITE model and I had to admit that the WTS checked off many of the traits listed there. Privately, and carefully I don't label the WTS a cult, unless they totally agree. https://freedomofmind.com/cult-mind-control/bite-model/

This is a page on jwfacts.com that might be interesting too.https://www.jwfacts.com/watchtower/fear-cult-mind-control.php

9

WHAT HAPPENED WHEN GOD TRANSFERRED JESUS LIFE TO MARY PER WTS

by blondie in

jw
friends

pardon all caps on original post title.

https://www.jehovahs-witness.com/topic/176336/blondies-comments-you-will-hear-05-31-09-wt-study-praise-forever.

comments you will not hear at the 05-31-09 wt study (march 15, 2009, pages 24-28)(righteous forever).

blondie

Pardon all caps on original post title

https://www.jehovahs-witness.com/topic/176336/blondies-comments-you-will-hear-05-31-09-wt-study-praise-forever

Comments You Will Not Hear at the 05-31-09 WT Study (March 15, 2009, pages 24-28)(RIGHTEOUS FOREVER)

Q 2. What are two miracles Jehovah performed out of love?

2. Lovingly, Jehovah provided a perfect solution. How so? First, by performing the miracle of transferring the life of his beloved heavenly Son to the womb of a virgin so that he could be born as a perfect human (Luke 1:30-35) Then, after Jesus' enemies put him to death, Jehovah performed
another outstanding miracle. God raised Jesus back to life as a glorious spirit creature.--1 Pet 3:18.

So what SCRIPTURAL PROOF is there that God "transferred" Jesus life to the womb of a virgin. Based on the WTS view of artificial insemination, wouldn't Mary have been guilty of a) fornication since the "sperm" was not Joseph's or b) adultery (since she was engaged)?

APPARENTLY

Quote

*** w02 3/15 p. 19 Questions From Readers ***Conception requires that an egg become fertile. Apparently, Jehovah God caused an ovum in Mary’s womb to become fertile, accomplishing this by the transferal of the life of his only-begotten Son from the spirit realm to earth.—Galatians 4:4.

Quote

*** w81 6/1 p. 31 Questions From Readers ***
In this case the sperm and the egg came from husband and wife. This is noteworthy from the Biblical standpoint. Why? Because of a law God gave to the ancient Israelites: “You must not give your emission as semen to the wife of your associate to become unclean by it.” (Lev. 18:20, 29) That law was given when modern artificial insemination and “test-tube-” baby procedures were not available; yet it does indicate God’s thinking.
From the Bible we must conclude that if conception is accomplished with the sperm and an egg not from husband and wife, it would amount to adultery or fornication. The Scriptures leave no doubt as to God’s view of such: “God will judge fornicators and adulterers.” (Heb. 13:4; Matt. 19:9)

And then what about surrogate mothers? Wasn't that the arrangement with Abraham, Sarah, and Hagar?

Quote

*** w84 8/15 p. 26 Insight on the News ***

Surrogate Mothers
A case of human artificial insemination was recorded as long ago as 1799. But in recent years this has come to be more widely practiced. According to The New York Times, a woman who is artificially inseminated and bears a child for another woman, as a substitute for her, is called a surrogate mother. The infertile wife and her husband agree to this arrangement, and when the surrogate mother gives birth the baby is adopted by the couple. The sperm in this case could be from the husband of the couple or from another donor.

Although such an arrangement may be approved by many in the world, the Christian rightfully asks whether it is in harmony with God’s laws. The Bible, at Leviticus 18:20, is clear on this point when it says: “You must not give your emission as semen to the wife of your associate to become unclean by it.” Artificial insemination of a woman by a donor other than her legal husband, makes her guilty of adultery, a sin against God. (Deuteronomy 5:18) The sperm donor and the surrogate woman have not been yoked together by God in matrimony.—Matthew 19:4-6.