TheListener

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Posts by TheListener

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  65

  Introducing...ME

  by Heartsafire in

  1. jw
  2. friends

  long time lurker here.

  i'm a fifth gen born-in baptized jw.

  to say i've been struggling with doubts is an understatement.

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  TheListener

  Welcome Heartsafire! I am married to a witness wife and successfully faded. We were able to maintain our marriage. My wife didn't turn me into the elders when I was fading. I try to plant seeds but she sees through that so pretty much after my initial OMG DID YOU SEE THIS HONEY! moments when researching and learning we have an unspoken truce. Our marriage isn't perfect but it works for us, most of the time. My kids are free - so far.

  Keep reading, posting and developing relationships on here because there will be days when you need a more personal friend to rant to. Good luck.
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  21

  Warwick news

  by Rattigan350 in

  1. watchtower
  2. scandals

  http://www.warwickadvertiser.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?aid=/20151001/news01/151009998/warwick-seeks-amendment-to-town-code.

  supervisor michael sweeton also sought a resolution to reduce the performance bond from pledged collateral account control agreement with the watchtower bible and tract society of new york, inc. from $22.6 million to $7.3 million and to authorize the release the difference to the organization.the watchtower bible and tract society jehovahs witnesses world headquarters is advancing in its new construction.

  the 45-acre development site on the tuxedo-warwick border, in sterling forest, is set to be completed by the end of 2016.the motion passed..

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  TheListener

  It goes without saying that if they suspend construction on Warwick I will be sooooo happy.
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  16

  Speculation on future donation arrangements

  by respectful_observer in

  1. watchtower
  2. beliefs

  in the aftermath of this year's annual meeting and the recent tremors of cash shortfalls within the organization, i began thinking "what could they do next to bring in more $$$.".

  many here have speculated that we're seeing incremental moves toward "tithing" (of course they would never call it that).

  a recent thread (can't find it right now) highlighted that they recently raised the "suggested per publisher donation" at the circuit assembly significantly (tripled it?)..

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  TheListener

  You're so right Petraglyph, but ice cream money is small potatoes when compared to chipotle! Anything they can do to create panic and a false sense of impending doom. Only we will be saved.
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  21

  Were the elders informed about the construction shutdown?

  by LevelThePlayingField in

  1. watchtower
  2. scandals

  anybody know?

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  TheListener

  They are really pumping them up with spiritual caffeine over the past couple months. My wife's involvement has went up significantly over the past 2 months. I am just waiting for the pendulum to swing back the other way when they all get tired out.
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  16

  Speculation on future donation arrangements

  by respectful_observer in

  1. watchtower
  2. beliefs

  in the aftermath of this year's annual meeting and the recent tremors of cash shortfalls within the organization, i began thinking "what could they do next to bring in more $$$.".

  many here have speculated that we're seeing incremental moves toward "tithing" (of course they would never call it that).

  a recent thread (can't find it right now) highlighted that they recently raised the "suggested per publisher donation" at the circuit assembly significantly (tripled it?)..

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  TheListener

  That would be hard since so many dubs are financially strapped. It would also be hard for those with unbelieving mates since it's usually the unbeliever who makes most of the money.

  Of course, that wouldn't stop the WTS from guilting everyone into donating their lunch, dinner and coffee break money.

  I can see it now, a short video at the new meeting showing a family discussing having Chipotle for dinner and then the young kids says no mommy and daddy give it to Jehovah and let's eat peanut butter and jelly for dinner. - narrator - Are you giving Jehovah your very best.

  Insert PUKE here
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  13

  Meeting changes - just sad, pathetic

  by sir82 in

  1. jw
  2. friends

  ok, so let's say you're on the gb.

  for years, you've been getting hundreds of reports from your hired ss agents, er, cos, about poor midweek meeting attendance, people not showing up for talks, crappy teaching from elders, etc.. so, you make the determination - ok!

  here's a couple of choices:.

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  TheListener

  Yeah, what was the actual reason given for making a change? The TMS was a huge point of pride with the dubs for decades.
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  16

  Is Watchtower beginning to buckle

  by Truthexplorer in

  1. watchtower
  2. scandals

  is wt beginning to buckle under the weight of everything that is happening?

  heavy criticism from the media and the plethora of websites and youtube videos popping up; and now the obvious issues with finances clearly evident.

  the pressure for change must be immense and therefore necessary!

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  TheListener

  The WTS can only mask the issues so long before the average publishers will know something is up. Most likely most dubs will believe that the symptoms are a sign that Armageddon is imminent but once that doesn't come they'll slowly become apathetic once again and exhausted from the intense waiting.
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  13

  Meeting changes - just sad, pathetic

  by sir82 in

  1. jw
  2. friends

  ok, so let's say you're on the gb.

  for years, you've been getting hundreds of reports from your hired ss agents, er, cos, about poor midweek meeting attendance, people not showing up for talks, crappy teaching from elders, etc.. so, you make the determination - ok!

  here's a couple of choices:.

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  TheListener

  Attendance will bump up from now to December to see the last of the TMS talks and then of course in Jan it will stay bumped up as everyone wants to be involved and see the new meeting in action. Give it 6 months or maybe less and the attendance will drop right back down and everyone will be apathetic again.

  My hope is that further dire financial driven changes are coming down the line.
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  53

  First thoughts on "new" meeting...

  by konceptual99 in

  1. watchtower
  2. beliefs

  had a quick look at the workbook and flicked through the sample meeting video.. the increased use of video shows the trend for more centralised dissemination of "best practice" .

  sure there isn't really a "school" any more and the format is a bit different but i think those that called it as the same old crap just in new package got it pretty much right.

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  TheListener

  it seems that the only real change may be that there is no more counsel slips (right?) and the every part is a presentation/bible study (like the sister's parts used to be). I also notice that the last presentation can be assigned to an elder from time to time.

  For those that didn't join the school I wonder if now there is no joining so that everyone in the KH is fair game to get a request to do a presentation. That could up the nerves of a few people I know that weren't on the school.
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  44

  The Witnesses Are Really Trying Hard To Get Me Back In

  by minimus in

  1. jw
  2. friends

  at my mom's bed side all i see is either jw family or friends making a concerted effort to have me return to their fold.

  evidentlyy, my mom has encouraged this and i'm a trapped prisoner, as they do their best to have me come back.

  it's bad enough that i have to endure my mom's dying, now i have to be bombarded with this bs..

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  TheListener

  They feed on sadness, fear and guilt. I am really sorry you have to endure this at such an important and emotional time of your life.