blondie

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Posts by blondie

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  7

  FOR ACTIVE JW's: January 2025 Study Watchtower: Where is JESUS?

  by BoogerMan in

  1. watchtower
  2. bible

  didn't jehovah assign christ all power & authority?

  so why no mention of him?.

  from the january 2025 study watchtower: .

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  blondie

  Extreme physical abuse is another basis for separation. Suppose an unbelieving mate often gets drunk, becomes enraged, and causes the believer physical harm. (Proverbs 23:29-35) Through prayer and by displaying the fruitage of Jehovah’s spirit, the believer may be able to prevent such outbursts and make the situation endurable. But if the point is reached where the health and life of the abused mate actually are in jeopardy, separation would be allowable Scripturally. Again, congregation elders should look into charges of physical abuse when two Christians are involved in the troubled marriage, and disfellowshipping action may have to be taken (not report to police!)

  Yet, what if a very unhealthy spiritual state exists where both mates are believers? The elders should render assistance, but especially should the baptized husband work diligently to remedy the situation. Of course, if a baptized marriage partner acts like an apostate and tries to prevent his mate from serving Jehovah, the elders should handle matters according to the Scriptures. If disfellowshipping takes place in a case involving absolute endangerment of spirituality, willful nonsupport, or extreme physical abuse, the faithful Christian who seeks a legal separation would not be going against Paul’s counsel about taking a believer to court. W88 11/1 p. 22

  Article about a 2012 article by the Watchtower Society by a non-jw and how it reflects wrong advice for wives to stay with abusive husbands. https://www.womensviewsonnews.org/2013/04/dangerous-message-about-domestic-violence/
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  8

  WHY THE WATCHTOWER TREATS MEN LIKE DONKEYS OF BURDEN

  by raymond frantz in

  1. jw
  2. experiences

  https://youtu.be/tppmprdxxzw?si=shh5vkmuzfp6c9_m.

  so the watchtower has come out with sn article, study article 2 in their newly released study watchtower magazine for 2025 and we see from the start how they keep perpetuating the same old outdated narrative that when it comes to marriages the husband is the one at fault, we'll thats i think when i read paragraph from this article where i man has to work on a whole list of things and not once the wife is instructed to do any of these things, but let's just read together paragraph 14:.

  what are these steps?

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  blondie

  I agree Not Former. Since this info is in a study article, the WTS seems it is so known within the organization it is harder to hide it now WTS did the same with child sexual abuse, finally had to say something about but making sure they said the WTS was not the problem was with the pedophile jws, not the WTS. My experience with such cases is that women are told to stay with the abusive husband, perhaps their meekness will encourage the husband to change. and tell the husband to leave his wife, men have to stick together you know. Without the elders knowledge, I contacted the people I know in the law enforcement area about 2 cases I was aware of but said the wife would probably deny it. Ring a bell! WTS tactic with child abuse, tell parents not to say anything to authorities, or the parents might be punished.
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  17

  Dr. James Penton - goin' up yonder dirt nap

  by Nathan Natas in

  1. jw
  2. friends

  i saw a post on reddit by "big_routine1112" announcing that james penton died.. well, there's always the resurrec... oh, nevermind.. as always, the person expressing the most profound grief and dismay wins!.

  "he was my friend" .

  "there will never be another of his ilk".

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  blondie

  https://www.jehovahs-witness.com/topic/6445094853410816/historian-former-jw-jim-penton-dies A more comprehensive account from his own words and how to get his books.
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  33

  Historian and former JW Jim Penton dies

  by slimboyfat in

  1. social
  2. current

  i don’t know a lot about james penton but i think he deserves a better thread than the one currently on offer.

  james penton, who died recently, grew up in a jw family in canada and served as an elder.

  unusually for a jw, he studied liberal arts at university and became a history professor.

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  blondie

  Here is another resource, an interview with Jim as to his history in regard to the WTS. I met him at another ex-jw's house and had a nice evening and dinner that day. A treat to be sure. https://ad1914.com/jim-penton-dramatic-break/

  https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kN67VXoDgCc

  https://www.amazon.com/Apocalypse-Delayed-Story-Jehovahs-Witnesses/dp/0802079733

  https://www.abebooks.com/9780802086785/Jehovahs-Witnesses-Third-Reich-Sectarian-0802086780/plp
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  31

  Loss of a Jehovah’s Witness who I considered a friend

  by Fallen_Winter in

  1. jw
  2. friends

  i have known a jehovah’s witness for approximately 15 years and i have considered her a friend although i know that jehovah’s witnesses cannot have friends who are not jehovah’s witnesses.

  approximately two years ago, i was going through a very difficult time and i asked my friend if we could have bible study.

  she said yes and we have been studying the bible since.

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  blondie

  During the push to make converts pre-1975, jws were told to drop a bible student that did make progress in 6 months, to drop them and go on to another person who might make progress;

  Kingdom Ministry February 1970 p.4

  ● How should we go about terminating unfruitful Bible studies?

  This is a question that we ought to consider if any of our present studies have been in progress for approximately six months. Are they coming to the congregation meetings as yet, and are they beginning to make their lives over in harmony with what they have learned from God’s Word? If so, we want to continue to help them. But, if not, it may be that we could accomplish more good with our time by using it to witness to others.
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  14

  Bethelites dressing up for Halloween

  by neat blue dog in

  1. watchtower
  2. beliefs

  think about it: they had to go out and buy halloween paraphernalia, then apply makeup & costumes to dress the 'brothers & sisters' up as vampires, witches, mummies etc.

  and you know they were probably joking around the whole time.

  what a bunch of hypocrites, the last gen gb would be turning in their graves to see such a photoshoot at the 'house of god' 😆.

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  blondie

  Duran, that brought many points of contradiction when I was a jw. Some were overly righteous and complained about everything, or complained about this but went to Disney World every year, even during the Christmas season. Somehow the magic of Tinkerbell is acceptable and that in the Lord of the Rings is not...
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  17

  Attended JW funeral today

  by usualusername1 in

  1. jw
  2. friends

  never miss a marketing opportunity—even at a funeral.

  funerals aren’t the first place you’d expect marketing.

  but jehovah’s witnesses know how to turn every moment into an opportunity to share their message.. during funerals, they weave in their teachings of hope and resurrection, offering comfort and, at the same time, presenting their beliefs to attendees who may not be part of the faith.

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  blondie

  The WTS provides an outline for the jw speaker to use; not supposed to deviate from it. Perhaps that is why the format is all the same.
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  42

  LEAKED ANNUAL MEETING VIDEO :EXPECT SUDDEN CHANGES: JEFFREY JACKSON

  by raymond frantz in

  1. jw
  2. friends

  https://youtu.be/uxqqyrrffow?si=wo0jotyvjg76oljk.

  well that's sort of related to the next talk on our program brother jeffrey jackson will discuss the theme don't be surprised by sudden changes, brother jeff you have our.

  attention well i'm sure we all agree with this fact in recent years there have been a lot of changes even since the last annual meeting there have been many changes some of them perhaps are a little surprising or may seem to be sudden but you know brothers and sisters when we look back on how these changes have come we can see that jehovah has gradually prepared us for each of these adjustments and changes let's review some of the recent changes we've had what changes have we seen with regard to our understand understanding of bible teachings at the 2021 annual meeting we received an adjusted understanding of john 529 it was explained that the resurrection of judgment will not be a judgment of condemnation rather it will be more like a period of probation the unrighteous mentioned at acts 24:15 will have an opportunity to gain everlasting life but their names will not be written wr in the book of life at the time of their resurrection to have their names eventually written in that book these ones will need to respond positively to the great educational work that will take place during the thousand-year reign then at the annual meeting in 2023 we gained enhanced insight into what we do know and what we don't know concerning jehovah's judgments we learned that the door of opportunity for people to take a stand for the kingdom does not shut when the great tribulation starts with the destruction of false religion at that time perhaps some will be like the egyptians in moses day who took a last minute stand and joined the exodus of god's people at the same annual meeting we adjusted our views with regard to jehovah's judgments of those who died in the flood and those who were destroyed in sodom and gomorrah also at that annual meeting an adjustment was made regarding the reporting of our time and activity in our preaching work instead of focusing on reports we try to make good use of every opportunity to witness then we receive the 2024 governing body update number two in that update we saw the need to adjust how we interact with those who have committed serious sins and have been removed from the congregation what other major adjustments have we recently seen in our preaching work the emphasis now is on studing bible studies and making disciples not on distributing literature to that end the focus is on studying meaningful conversations not just on using memorized presentations were you surprised by these adjustments perhaps so but as we look back we see how one adjustment in understanding gradually helped us with the next adjustment isn't it true that gradually jehovah has prepared us and when we look back on it we see how logical this training has been to refine our understanding but events in the world likewise have changed it's true sometimes in the world you have sudden changes for example the pandemic but often times change in the world is gradual isn't it true with regard to the view of morality homosexuality abortion even what's acceptable and not acceptable with regard to conduct all of that has happened gradually in the world and it's not until you look back and see how different the world is today with regard to those matters that we see that there have been a lot of changes but this can be dangerous because as things gradually change we may get used to gradual change and forget that there are some sudden changes about to occur uh let's take our bibles please and if you turn with me to the book of luke chap 21 now this is an example of sudden change in luke chap 21 uh notice there in verse 34 the words of our lord jesus are recorded and he said in verse 34 but pay attention to yourselves that your hearts never become weighed down with oving and heavy drinking and anxieties of life and suddenly suddenly that they be instantly instantly upon you it's interesting to note that jesus had already said that this day he was referring to would occur at a time that we don't think is likely so what lesson do we learn from what jesus said it's a warning isn't it that we can't just sit back and think well things are gradually going to develop we know which way it's going and maybe it's not going to happen yet you know got a little bit more wiggle room there with regard to the schedule but you see that's dangerous thinking now what we're going to do is consider two examples of areas where perhaps we could be a little guilty with regard to that for example our view as with regard to the number of anointed ones remaining on the earth now for many years what did we think we thought well that number would go down and down and down and down now i don't know about you but me i you when that report came out just how many how many partakers and and what were we thinking we probably you maybe we didn't say it but we were thinking you know the number will go down down down down and there'll be just a couple of old guys in a wheelchair who will get their reward well i'm exaggerating but that was sort of the feeling wasn't it but now what have we seen in recent years those numbers have gone up and up and not only that younger brothers have been appointed on the governing body now i know what you're all thinking two new ones how old are they we know you're not googling now but you will be but you see we need to be careful about what we're thinking with regard to the number of anointed ones left on earth you see 19 years ago i was appointed on the governing body even i thought i was too young now they tell me i'm not so young anymore but do we see the point what does the bible actually tell us with regard to this well it doesn't say the number would just dwindle down to just having a few uh older ones left no the great crowd of other sheep will be judged on the basis of how they deal with

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  blondie

  And Beth Sarim, the WTS/GB has moved the goalposts many, many times over the years, hard for some jws to keep up with the WTS/GB "clarifications" and "adjustments."
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  35

  Serious sinner?

  by Gorb in

  1. jw
  2. friends

  with the statement in the study watchtower this sunday, that stop serving jehovah is a serious sin, the following:.

  - can i conclude now, that we, (i, wife and 2 children), since 2008 pomo and no longer active in any religious activity, are serious sinners for jehovahs witnesses?.

  writing this in a watchtower, a statement like that, could have big implications.. it makes me so sad.

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  blondie

  Gorb, so not a remark from WT publications or talks...that sounds reasonable. But the WTS does use the term "serious sins" and only mentions a few, like apostasy and adultery, many left out, obviously only the WTS knows what they are and can pounce on unsuspecting jws with it. Such as the term "brazen conduct" "Brazen conduct involves speaking or acting in a way that is a serious violation of God’s standards and reflects a shameless attitude. A person who does this shows that he does not respect God’s laws. When a person is guilty of brazen conduct, a judicial committee will handle the matter. Uncleanness includes various types of wrongdoing." "How To Remain in God's love" (lvs) p. 249 published 2017. No explanation of what those "sins" would be. Brazen conduct = serious sins and evidently the WTS does not specify and probably leaves it to the elders' discretion.
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  35

  Serious sinner?

  by Gorb in

  1. jw
  2. friends

  with the statement in the study watchtower this sunday, that stop serving jehovah is a serious sin, the following:.

  - can i conclude now, that we, (i, wife and 2 children), since 2008 pomo and no longer active in any religious activity, are serious sinners for jehovahs witnesses?.

  writing this in a watchtower, a statement like that, could have big implications.. it makes me so sad.

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  blondie

  The phrase "serious sinners" is not even in a publication according to the Watchtower Online Library. I can't even find a list of what the WTS considers serious sins.