Posts by BluesBrother

656

Covid-19 (Coronavirus) - Status Update Thread

by Simon in

jw
friends

this topic is to focus on status updates & advice (no opinion or politics please).. status.

latest status is that it's serious, probably isn't going to be contained and most large companies are making contingency plans, cancelling large events etc... which i don't think would happen if it was just people being alarmist.

the incubation period means it may have already spread further and infected many more people than are currently known, so expect jumps in the numbers over the coming days and weeks.. tracking.

BluesBrother

Slightly off topic, but I see that the WTS has made a statement on the website ....

NEWS ALERT | Coronavirus Update and Response

As reported on by international organizations and the media, there has been an outbreak of the novel coronavirus disease (COVID-19). The world headquarters of Jehovah’s Witnesses is closely monitoring the situation and providing practical steps that we can take to protect ourselves and others. These proactive measures are based on Bible principles and the recommendations from medical professionals.—Proverbs 22:3.

Some may wonder how our brothers and sisters are doing in the affected areas. The outbreak of COVID-19 has significantly impacted the branch offices and congregations in Italy, Japan, South Korea, and other countries. In some cases, the branch office has had to cancel tours and visits from outside guests. In other cases, the government has restricted large public gatherings, which has required the branch to cancel circuit assemblies. Additionally, congregations have had to adjust arrangements for the ministry and congregation meetings in some areas. Despite these challenges, our brothers continue to build themselves up spiritually and encourage one another.—

..............We should also keep frequently touched surfaces clean in our home and at our Kingdom Hall. Additionally, medical experts discourage shaking hands in such situations,””

("....................end quote)

The article promotes the advice given by the authorities and says that meetings and ministry may be cancelled if necessary

25

Donating Blood a Disfellowshipping Offense?

by HiddenPimo in

when i served as an elder i never heard of this scenario presenting itself - giving blood.. has anyone heard of a judicial case where a person donated and was disfellowshipped?

are there any references to this in the jw publications, manuals, handbooks?.

not so hiddenpimo :-).

BluesBrother

A quick look tbrough the 2019 "Shepherding the Flock" book (online) showed that it only refers to receiving blood.

Hmmm. My opinion would be that if a JW did this and was unrepentant , then he would most lilely be considered to have disassociated himself. But I have been out of the loop for a number of years.

Like you, I never came accross such a case.

19

March 2020 Broadcast - Hard Push to Baptism. Why?

by Smiles in

the jw broadcast for march 2020 is a hard push for more baptisms, where mark sanctamonious sanderson makes ready use of the phrase "baptised disciples of jesus" instead of their typical catch phrase "baptised servants of jehovah".

the "jesus message" is somewhat unusual rhetoric for jehovah's witnesses.

why the big push for more baptism?

BluesBrother

This puts tbe lie to the oft repeated line used by doorstep dubs...... " we are not here to convert you" , or " we are simply doing a Bible education work"

Mark Sanderson blew the lid on that. He bluntly said that placing literature was not the goal, conducting studies was not the goal. They want baptized converted JW s thats all.

The instruction was given to stop "unproductive studies" . Most dubs don't want to do that. .. Obviously it is better counting time by calling on a friendly person, having tea and biscuits by the fire, than going door to door and having mainly not-homes.

I don't know how significant the use of the theme " Disciples of Christ" was. It may be just that he was using the scripture in Mathew with that expression

O

656

Covid-19 (Coronavirus) - Status Update Thread

by Simon in

jw
friends

this topic is to focus on status updates & advice (no opinion or politics please).. status.

latest status is that it's serious, probably isn't going to be contained and most large companies are making contingency plans, cancelling large events etc... which i don't think would happen if it was just people being alarmist.

the incubation period means it may have already spread further and infected many more people than are currently known, so expect jumps in the numbers over the coming days and weeks.. tracking.

BluesBrother

Thanks for the useful link, Simon.

It does seem that outside of China the rate of fatalities is pretty low, but that does not stop people worrying . In the Uk the media is full of it ...

Stay safe people

30

Today’s Watchtower Study (December ‘19 issue

by BluesBrother in

“parents train your children to love jehovah “.

the title says it all really, but par 6 has this piece of advice.. “jesus likened our time to “the days of noah,” and there is no doubt that we are living in “critical times hard to deal with.” (matt.

24:37; 2 tim.

BluesBrother

“Parents Train Your Children To Love Jehovah “

The title says it all really, but par 6 has this piece of advice.

“Jesus likened our time to “the days of Noah,” and there is no doubt that we are living in “critical times hard to deal with.” (Matt. 24:37; 2 Tim. 3:1) With that reality in mind, some couples have concluded that they would like to postpone having children so that they can devote more time to sharing in the Christian ministry.“

That may sound a little odd , given that the main field for growth and baptism in the Western world is children growing up..... but still.

Now if one truly believes that “ the cities are [about to] crash in ruin” that may sound reasonable..... Who wants to be pregnant in Idlib today? But is that really the case?

Older ones may remember similar comments in the past when parenthood and even marriage was discouraged in the printed material. For example the book “Children “ . Oddly this was written as a dialogue between two single people in the WTS , John and Eunice and it concludes on this note...

”Our hope is that within a few years our marriage may be consummated and, by the Lord's grace, we shall have sweet children that will be an honor to the Lord. We can well defer our marriage until lasting peace comes to the earth. Now we must add nothing to our burdens, but be free and equipped to serve the Lord”

When I add that this was published in 1941 things gain a perspective.

79 years have passed, enough time to have brought up children and seen grandchildren even great grandchildren! .... and still this world system is with us.

Clearly the WTS is no guide in such fundamental lifestyle decisions, or the understanding of the scriptures.

19

Words, phrases ,that do not appear in the Christian Greek Scriptures /New Testament that Jehovah`s Witnesses use.

by smiddy3 in

where does one begin ?.

jehovah`s witnesses pride themselves as being a bible based religion ,that their beliefs and practices are all bible based ?.

words & phrases jehovah`s witnesses use or have used that are not in the bible.. organization.

BluesBrother

Interesting post.....full time student .

In the spirit of the o/p :

"Teaching toolbox"

Theocratic career

"First ressurection"

"Second ressurection"

And from FTS's post "undeserveved kindness" . Does that substitute for "grace"?

10

Prog rock

by Fadeaway1962 in

going to see this year .

nick mason's saucerful of secrets.. steve hackett seconds out.

jethro tull the prog years (last time saw them live broadsword tour ).

BluesBrother

I saw Jethro Tull back in the day..., perhaps late 60's early 70s...good stuff !

19

JWD a Dysfunctional Place?

by Victor_E in

jw
friends

with the recent blood baths we have seen in this forum it got me wondering of how you can objectively understand it and more importantly not let it affect you if you so choose.

what i write is not meant to be taken as gospel truth since there is no gospel truth nor is it my intention to get on my soap box since i left it when i walked out of the kingdom hall.

most of what i have to say is subjective based on personal experience and i feel no need or desire to debate anyone about anything i write.

BluesBrother

You think this is dysfunctional? You should have been here in the past.....

This is a quiet time compared.

6

Baptized pre 25 years old

by Fadeaway1962 in

saw this on the bbc and thought you should see it:is 25 the new cut-off point for adulthood?

- http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/magazine-24173194.

i was baptized in my early 20s so now realize was too young mentally to understand the full impact of that decision and the long term impact on my life.. the org should stop putting pressure on young ones to get baptized..

BluesBrother

Studies such as this could have a profound effect on the way in which society treats young people. It is saying that our brains are not fully developed until we are 25- 30.

So should we allow younger ones to marry? Drive on the roads ? Send them to war? What about the call, by some, to lower the voting age to 16?

This is exactly what have other septuagerians say about youth culture and the fondness of society to favour youth.

NB .. to follow the o/p point.... I cannot see the WTS changing their attitude toward youth baptism. They need all the numbers they can get and have no regard for the ones who regret it later.

10

Public Talk Outlines!

by Atlantis in

jw
friends

current public talk outlines.

blank page between each talk.. .

https://docdro.id/w209l0s.

BluesBrother

Browsing through it is evident that, whatever the theme, they all follow the same pattern.

A few minutes setting out the subject, a few more applying that subject to life today ...then the body of it telling the audience what they have to do. Whatever the theme is the talk is always saying pray hard, keep busy, follow directions, be good and gain life in paradise....

You could mix and match and nobody would notice.