Change in WT Stance on Retirement? A qualified answer?

by blondie in

jw
friends

i was reading the march 2025 wt today, and i notice this: "march 2025 p. 29 jehovah’s hand is not too short p.29-31 (retirement, but qualified statement) (notice , it is not wrong, but, in the end we must rely on their god.

retirement is alluded to as "making the quest for material things the focus of our life.

" are we confident that their god will provide (why have retirement then?

blondie

If the elders can convince them to hand over their retirement funds. I wouldn't be surprised if some deceived jws put the Watchtower Society as a beneficiary of their retirement (not SS) to them. I have the option of choosing who gets my retirement after I die. I wouldn't give them a red cent (which are going by the wayside anyway) Towards the end of the year November or December the WTS has suggestions as to donations "Bank Accounts: Bank accounts, certificates of deposit, or individual retirement accounts may be placed in trust for or made payable on death to Watch Tower Bible and Tract Society of Pennsylvania, in accord with local bank requirements."

16

Change in WT Stance on Retirement? A qualified answer?

by blondie in

jw
friends

i was reading the march 2025 wt today, and i notice this: "march 2025 p. 29 jehovah’s hand is not too short p.29-31 (retirement, but qualified statement) (notice , it is not wrong, but, in the end we must rely on their god.

retirement is alluded to as "making the quest for material things the focus of our life.

" are we confident that their god will provide (why have retirement then?

blondie

LHG, I agree with you, this is the WTS trying to show they don't prevent members from preparing for retirement after all, 1) the end is so very close, very soon now 2) preparing for retirement shows you don't trust in their god. Two-faced once again. (I'm giving you 100 likes)

16

Change in WT Stance on Retirement? A qualified answer?

by blondie in

jw
friends

i was reading the march 2025 wt today, and i notice this: "march 2025 p. 29 jehovah’s hand is not too short p.29-31 (retirement, but qualified statement) (notice , it is not wrong, but, in the end we must rely on their god.

retirement is alluded to as "making the quest for material things the focus of our life.

" are we confident that their god will provide (why have retirement then?

blondie

I was reading the March 2025 WT today, and I notice this: "March 2025 p. 29 Jehovah’s Hand is Not Too Short p.29-31 (Retirement, but qualified statement) (Notice , it is not wrong, BUT, in the end we must rely on their god. Retirement is alluded to as "making the quest for material things the focus of our life." Are we confident that their god will provide (why have retirement then?) "We do our best to plan for our future needs, and if unexpected events befall us, we trust in Jehovah’s support." "No matter what happens, though, let us be determined to trust that Jehovah will use his power to provide for us materially."...the whole info here

"Our trust in Jehovah’s hand could also be tested as we consider what our situation might be like when we grow older. The Bible encourages us to work hard so that we can care for our future material needs. (Prov. 6:6-11)) It is reasonable, as our means allow, to set something aside for the future. Money does provide a measure of protection. (Eccl. 7:12)) However, we should avoid making the quest for material things the focus of our life.

14. Why should we consider Hebrews 13:5 when planning for our future financial needs?

14 Jesus illustrated the foolishness of storing up money without being “rich toward God.” (Luke 12:16-21)) No one knows what tomorrow will bring. (Prov. 23:4,5, Jas. 4:12-15)) We face a particular challenge as followers of Christ. Jesus said that we must be ready to “give up” all our belongings to be his disciples. (Luke 14:33) What has helped them to do that? They have absolute confidence in Jehovah’s promise: “I will never leave you, and I will never abandon you.” (Read Hebrews 13:5.) We do our best to plan for our future needs, and if unexpected events befall us, we trust in Jehovah’s support.

Jehovah’s loyal servants can count on his ability and his desire to satisfy their material needs. As we approach the end of this system of things, we can expect our confidence in Jehovah to be tested. No matter what happens, though, let us be determined to trust that Jehovah will use his power to provide for us materially."

28

Remember Hour Quotas?

by blondie in

jw
friends

hour quotas timeline.

back in the old days long before 1952.

“after staying in our ‘home’ for two days we decided that if we were going to meet our quota of 140 hours for the month.

blondie

Hour Quotas timeline

Back in the old days long before 1952

“After staying in our ‘home’ for two days we decided that if we were going to meet our quota of 140 hours for the month

1952 some of the summer pioneers who are now going back to school find it possible to get in their 60-hour quota by spending a few hours in the afternoon and evening in the field service, and particularly on week ends.

1956 When engaging in the full-time service as a pioneer, a person has little time for personal pursuits. It is a work that requires careful budgeting of time. The pioneer minister must preach from house to house, make back-calls and conduct home Bible studies. He must meet the quota of hours set by the theocratic organization.

1959 The quota was 150 hours of field service a month with the phonograph

1960 At the end of the second month a letter came from the Society stating that they could not recognize anyone as a pioneer unless he met his quota of hours. From that day to this I have not missed meeting my quota of hours.

1961 Each congregation has its hour quota and each Witness strives to meet or exceed it. The average minister in a congregation spends some ten hours monthly in such evangelizing.

1986 In order to qualify for the regular pioneer service, an individual must be baptized at least six months and be a regular publisher. He should be in a position to meet the yearly field service quota of 1,000 hour

There have been more adjustments to the required hours. The ten hour quota for publishers was changed in the 70’s because jws were only putting in exactly 10 hours, figuring that was the requirement. WTS said that was the minimum, that jws should strive to put more in if their schedules “allowed.” That concept was used long after that to determine if a baptized male was qualified to be an elder or a ministerial servant. So some would meet that, get appointed then turn in less that ten hours a month…now counting hours is not required, just saying you “put some time in” that month. I wonder how this will affect the yearbook annual statistics report?

May 15, 1975 Watchtower p. 312 “ Attempts have sometimes been made to standardize the efforts of everyone with certain quotas established as common goals for all. (Set by the Watchtower Society) Zeal in many cases would then be measured (by the WTS) by success in meeting such goals. Invariably this has resulted in a tendency to compare ourselves with one another, which has never proved to be an accurate or approved measurement of love or zeal. 2 Cor. 10:12) Search as we may, we can find no quotas set forth in God’s Word as a minimum preaching requirement.

20

New Light!

by blondie in

jw
friends

.

blondie

The WTS no longer uses the term "new light." Instead they call them "clarifications." Can find them on Watchtower Online Library Index under "clarifications" or "adjustments to understanding." (Remember, I am reporting not supporting WTS teachings). https://jwfacts.com/watchtower/directed-by-holy-spirit.php "Since the Governing Body claims not to be inspired, where does "New Light" come from? If not from God, why should anyone listen to them?

In retrospect, Watchtower mistakes are justified in the most pleasant way.

"The increasing light on God's Word as well as the facts of history have repeatedly required that adjustments of one kind or another be made down to the very present time. But let us never forget that the motives of this "slave" were always pure, unselfish; at all times it has been well-meaning. For those who truly love God's law there is no stumbling block." Watchtower 1979 Mar. 1 pp. 23-24

When not justifying errors, the message is quite different. To disagree with these admittedly "fallible" teachings is to be disloyal to Jehovah himself, leading to destruction.

"One observer noted that these men "were critical of the articles in The Watchtower, not wanting to accept it as . . . God's channel of truth, always trying to influence others in their way of thinking." However, loyal elders never try to influence others to reject any of the spiritual food provided by God through the faithful slave. As Jehovah's dedicated Witnesses, all of us must be loyal to him and to his organization. We should never even contemplate turning aside from God's wonderful light, pursuing an apostate course that can lead to spiritual death now and eventual destruction." Watchtower 1992 Nov 15 pp. 19-20 Serve Jehovah Loyally

35

Reddit thread on convention video urging cutting off contact with Faders

by LongHairGal in

jw
friends

i just read this.

don’t know if anybody here has seen the video.. the intended result of this is to obviously scare ‘faders’ out of the shadows.

now, they are being threatened with loss of association with their loved ones and friends.

blondie

What Lett said was:

“Now, if we think about it, we're not born as friends of God because we're born as sinful offspring of Adam. Actually, when we think about it, we're born as enemies of God. Sometimes you'll hear people say of a little baby, ‘Look at that little angel,’ but more accurate would be to say, ‘Look at that little enemy of God.’ Now, of course we love that little baby and it's now not hopeless because our loving creator has made reconciliation with him within the reach of everyone. We can become a good friend of God and that close relationship with Jehovah will become our most valuable possession.”

26

SDAs Campaigning in my Area

by NotFormer in

not even as active as the jws (whom i have not seen for around a year now), nevertheless i get an occasional leaflet or other publication in my letterbox that seems to be seventh day adventist in origin.. the booklet i received the other day was entitled "national sunday law".

i also had received this book years ago when i had some dealings with the sdas.. from reddit: "national sunday law involves a conspiracy theory which alleges that the united states government is on the verge of enacting a national blue law that would make sunday a day of rest and worship.

the theory depends on the idea that the pope is the antichrist and the mark of the beast is worshipped on sunday.

blondie

I agree, Wing Commander, he picked and chose teachings from other Christian religions. Charles Taze Russell believed that there were certain truths in other religions, one or two, that he said god had concealed them in various religions to be gathered together in a new group, the Bible Students close to the "end.". Some how he knew which ones were true, not, because his choices have been dropped eventually or massaged to fit "current understanding."

Did Pastor Russell claim to be the originator of Bible Truths?

Pastor Russell never claimed to originate Bible truths, but to recover truth held by the early church. In his own words (from the May 1899 Watchtower, pages 86 & 87, (Reprint #2453):

https://www.beyondwatchtower.com/2010/06/24/did-pastor-russell-claim-to-be-the-originator-of-bible-truths/

33

The Governing Body is Restructuring the Org.and encouranging young ones to REACH OUT!

by liam in

the governing body just doesn't let up on encouraging the young children to reach out to do free labor for the organization.

so another generation of young people with ruined lives.

another generation of young people that will get old and wake up in their 50s to realize they were in a religious doomsday cult.. and they are getting rid of some old workers that ran the branches of the organization, and giving them different assignments or maybe they are just sending them home, who knows.