blondie

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Posts by blondie

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  169

  Are the statistics out yet?

  by slimboyfat in

  1. watchtower
  2. beliefs

  isn’t it about time they released the report for the service year?

  or have they stopped publishing it?

  did they released selected figures at the annual meeting as they usually do, such as the memorial attendance or record number of pioneers?

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  blondie

  They used to be on their website, www.jw.org Like here:

  • syr21 p. 2
  • 2021 Grand Totals
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  10

  listening to misinformation

  by enoughisenough in

  1. watchtower
  2. beliefs

  jw.org has a what's new....it's about misinformation...how you need to be careful.

  the person i have sent some things too ask if i had watched it...i said i would.

  i probably am ticking this person off a bit.

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  blondie

  Actually about June 1973, the WTS came out with an article (study), that said using any tobacco product, coca leaves, and betel nut was spiritism, yes that's right, not a health issue. Several years after that article, the WTS stopped mentioning "spiritism" regarding those practices, but starting emphasizing "health issues." That is one technique the WTS uses, stop mention topics in the publications without out actively changing their viewpoint on it. Another example is the WTS no longer says a creative day is 7,000 years long (last mention in 1987), but only "thousands and thousands of years> "Watchtower 1973 Jun 1 "The Scriptural evidence points to the conclusion that they do not. As has been explained in other issues of this magazine, the Greek word phar·ma·ki´a used by Bible writers and translated "practice of spiritism" or "spiritistic practices" has the initial meaning of "druggery." (Gal. 5:20; Rev. 9:21) The term came to refer to spiritistic practices because of the close connection between the use of drugs and spiritism. Tobacco was also used initially by the American Indians in this way. It can properly be placed, therefore, in the category of addictive drugs like those that provided the source for the Greek term phar·ma·ki´a. … Do we want to have Jehovah God be a speedy witness against us as addicts to drugs or other habit-forming injurious weeds, things that expose us to the influence of the spirit demons? Jehovah’s judgment against such addicts during the oncoming "great tribulation" will mean their destruction." ↩" (w87 1/1 p. 30 - The Watchtower—1987 last mention)
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  19

  What does Watchtower think of being Medically Assisted in Death (MAiD)?

  by Vanderhoven7 in

  1. watchtower
  2. beliefs

  there has been much political controversy in canada over the acceptability of maid.

  what, if anything, has watchtower said about this issue?.

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  blondie

  Vanderhoven7, not that I could find even the most recent publications. Even hospitals regulate how much morphine they give terminal patients, enough to alleviate the pain, but not to kill them. Usually they have a drip machine attached to your vein that regulates how much you can take over a specified period of time. Of course, refusing medication or treatments that don't heal but only alleviate pain are not considered suicide so far by the WTS. I see that the WTS stance on blood transfusion contradicts what they said above in print. But when has the WTS not talked out of both sides of their mouths?
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  24

  Why do Jehovah's Witnesses attend so many meeting?

  by RULES & REGULATIONS in

  1. watchtower
  2. beliefs

  ronald curzan ( helper to the teaching committee ) gives a talk on the real reasons jehovah's witnesses should attend meetings.

  it looks like the zoom meetings have softened up many witnesses.

  many are probably turning off their cameras and zoning out.

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  blondie

  BB, also the smaller approved group study allowed jws to get to know each other better, not lost in the sea of people at the KH. Also encouraged to go "door to door" together, also another opportunity for more casual discussion, one on one.
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  13

  Jehovah's Witnesses discontinue online Bible Study program today 12/12/2022

  by Balaamsass2 in

  1. watchtower
  2. beliefs

  well, that went by the wayside quickly.

  another flip-flop by the indiscrete slave?.

  december 12, 2022what’s new.

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  blondie

  I figure the WTS wants jws to get out and do their "field service" and "bible study" in person unless they have some serious medical reasons (of course approved by the elders who are not doctors). I don't see why there wouldn't also be a problem is a jw studies with a person alone without a partner. When I was a regular pioneer, I was counseled that no one saw me out "preaching" mostly because my schedule did not allow it during the times others said they only could go out. I even knew a regular pioneer elder who was counseled the same.
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  19

  What does Watchtower think of being Medically Assisted in Death (MAiD)?

  by Vanderhoven7 in

  1. watchtower
  2. beliefs

  there has been much political controversy in canada over the acceptability of maid.

  what, if anything, has watchtower said about this issue?.

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  blondie

  Beth Sarim, the comment I posted above is as close as they get to it, by saying that jws could refuse treatment if they had a terminal illness; my non-jw MIL refused any medication that were just to alleviate the painful symptoms but assisted "suicide" is not allowed in my state. I do wonder too even if it is legal by non-jw standards, the WTS would probably make their position on it override what the government says.
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  21

  Keep telling yourself that!

  by Lost in the fog in

  1. watchtower
  2. beliefs

  in the latest copy of the elders textbook someone kindly made available to us on this website, i see that "independently organized meetings for spiritual feeding" are still not allowed.

  no wonder because independent research would let the scales fall from the eyes.. the gb still insisting that they are guided by the (always lower case) holy spirit and the bible!!

  not that the rank and file members need the bible or holy spirit themselves because they are fed through meetings, conventions, assemblies, jw broadcasting and the publications.

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  blondie

  The independent study groups were formally ended by the WTS in 1980/1981 when the WTS connected it to the "apostasy" problem at Bethel. The WTS hunted down this people and invited some to leave and others were eventually df'd. Even social occasions were limited by the number of people who attend. The WTS did allow 2 families could meet together for a "pre-study" of the WTS, but only 2 single people were implied. It caused a lot of unhappiness among the members and shutdown many occasions that promoted people getting to know each other outside of "field service" and meetings.
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  12

  What do Jehovah`s Witnesses beleive that can be linked to Pagan practices , anyone ?

  by smiddy3 in

  1. watchtower
  2. beliefs

  a previous thread has inspired me to post this ,thanks guys .. { i`ve been out for so long i may have missed something }.

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  blondie

  Used to believe that Polynesian luaus were connected to false religion and that pinatas also had connections but the WTS back tracked on that. Pinata September 22, 2003 Awake, page 22. We found that for many people in Mexico, the piñata has lost its religious significance and is considered by most to be just harmless fun. In fact, piñatas are used in Mexico on many festive occasions, not just for the posadas or for birthdays...When considering whether to include a piñata at a social gathering, Christians should be sensitive to the consciences of others. (1 Corinthians 10:31-33) A main concern is, not what the practice meant hundreds of years ago, but how it is viewed today in your area. Understandably, opinions may vary from one place to another. Hence, it is wise to avoid turning such matters into big issues.

  Luaus As noted there in our footnote on page 24, while the luau may at one time have had a connection with false religious practices, the word now has simply come to refer to a Hawaiian banquet. A specific gathering to which the word "luau" is applied may or may not be appropriate for a Christian to attend. As in all aspects of life, Christians should make decisions that will leave them with a clear conscience before Jehovah God. (January 8, 2000, issue of "Awake!" pages 26-7.)

  Kauai Luau Celebrations and Feasts

  A Kauai luau is a party or celebration with Hawaiian music, dancing, food and fun.

  Non jw source: Traditionally luaus were held as a thank you to the gods to celebrate a battle victory, the birth of child or a safe return from a long voyage. As a religious ceremony a luau consisted of elaborate rituals which needed much preparation.

  https://www.jehovahs-witness.com/topic/133780/comments-you-will-hear-5-6-07-wt-review-resist-demons

  
  
  
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  18

  Do the old boys on the GB actually report their field service hours?

  by eyeslice in

  1. jw
  2. experiences

  this came to mind as my 71 year old wife got up at 6:30 to drive 1.1/4 hours to meet the field ministry group.

  we live a long way from the kingdom hall and the traffic is horrendous where we live!.

  somehow, i doubt the good old boys do much themselves.

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  blondie

  I might add that public speakers can report their time as well. No need for door to door or even personal studies with non-jws. "Brothers may count the time spent delivering a public talk. An interpreter for a public talk may count the time as well." GB members give many talks, even invited to individual congregations for dedication of buildings (of course congregation pays for their travel and other expenses). (Organized to do Jehovah's Will book p.82)
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  19

  What does Watchtower think of being Medically Assisted in Death (MAiD)?

  by Vanderhoven7 in

  1. watchtower
  2. beliefs

  there has been much political controversy in canada over the acceptability of maid.

  what, if anything, has watchtower said about this issue?.

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  blondie

  Here is an ambiguous phrase put in an article about assisted "suicide". "A person who shows respect for life would seek the best medical care available. Yet, doing so does not require choosing medical procedures that simply prolong a dying process that is nearly complete."https://wol.jw.org/en/wol/publication/r1/lp-e/ijwbq/0 p. 135 Euthanasia