Whoops, I meant to say in my previous post, "The year I'm writing about is 1993 1953 when I began to study the Bible with Frances Pollini, a JW and a pioneer."
Barb
AndersonsInfo
JoinedPosts by AndersonsInfo
-
57
In the past, FAKE newspaper coverage of WT "International Conventions" in the US
by AndersonsInfo inmany people that post or lurk here at jwn are too young to remember some of the huge international conventions jws held many years ago, but probably have seen impressive photos such as of the 1958 eight-day convention held simultaneously at new yorks yankee stadium and polo grounds.
especially remarkable was the tremendous newspaper coverage of that assembly and other special conventions held in the 1940s and 50s in the united states.
yesterday, when i downloaded somebodys old scrapbook full of long-ago newspaper articles, http://www.archive.org/details/watchtowernewsscrapbook,reporting on jehovahs witnesses so-called international conventions, i couldnt help but remember what i wrote regarding extraordinary newspaper convention coverage in my www.freeminds.org article, how jehovahs witnesses watchtower religion impacted my family history, part 3 and thought id share the information here on jwn for those who are not familiar with how such wonderful coverage came about.
-
-
-
57
In the past, FAKE newspaper coverage of WT "International Conventions" in the US
by AndersonsInfo inmany people that post or lurk here at jwn are too young to remember some of the huge international conventions jws held many years ago, but probably have seen impressive photos such as of the 1958 eight-day convention held simultaneously at new yorks yankee stadium and polo grounds.
especially remarkable was the tremendous newspaper coverage of that assembly and other special conventions held in the 1940s and 50s in the united states.
yesterday, when i downloaded somebodys old scrapbook full of long-ago newspaper articles, http://www.archive.org/details/watchtowernewsscrapbook,reporting on jehovahs witnesses so-called international conventions, i couldnt help but remember what i wrote regarding extraordinary newspaper convention coverage in my www.freeminds.org article, how jehovahs witnesses watchtower religion impacted my family history, part 3 and thought id share the information here on jwn for those who are not familiar with how such wonderful coverage came about.
-
-
AndersonsInfo
I forgot to include the following material which actually began the paragraph of my story about the newspaper deception that I wrote about in the Freeminds article. I'm pasting it here because it solidifies my claim that newspapers outside of the convention perimeter did not cover the big NY conventions the way the WT has led us to believe.
The year I'm writing about is 1993 when I began to study the Bible with Frances Pollini, a JW and a pioneer.
"Following two months of meaningful replies to my questions during our home Bible study, I inquired of Frances if there was a specific religion connected with the home Bible study work. “What do you call yourself?” I wanted to know. She replied, “Jehovah’s Witnesses, a religion directed by the Watch Tower organization in Brooklyn.” We had never heard of the religion before even though during July of that year thousands of Jehovah’s Witnesses met together in an international convention at Yankee Stadium in the Bronx, NY, which was about thirty miles from our home. It seemed odd to me at the time that I didn’t read reports of such a large meeting of nearly 166,000 people in our newspaper. I found out later that there was a tremendous amount of newspaper coverage of the 1953 Witness convention, but in a surprising way."
Barbara
-
57
In the past, FAKE newspaper coverage of WT "International Conventions" in the US
by AndersonsInfo inmany people that post or lurk here at jwn are too young to remember some of the huge international conventions jws held many years ago, but probably have seen impressive photos such as of the 1958 eight-day convention held simultaneously at new yorks yankee stadium and polo grounds.
especially remarkable was the tremendous newspaper coverage of that assembly and other special conventions held in the 1940s and 50s in the united states.
yesterday, when i downloaded somebodys old scrapbook full of long-ago newspaper articles, http://www.archive.org/details/watchtowernewsscrapbook,reporting on jehovahs witnesses so-called international conventions, i couldnt help but remember what i wrote regarding extraordinary newspaper convention coverage in my www.freeminds.org article, how jehovahs witnesses watchtower religion impacted my family history, part 3 and thought id share the information here on jwn for those who are not familiar with how such wonderful coverage came about.
-
-
AndersonsInfo
Many people that post or lurk here at JWN are too young to remember some of the huge international conventions JWs held many years ago, but probably have seen impressive photos such as of the 1958 eight-day convention held simultaneously at New York’s Yankee Stadium and Polo Grounds. Especially remarkable was the tremendous newspaper coverage of that assembly and other special conventions held in the 1940s and 50s in the United States.
Yesterday, when I downloaded somebody’s old scrapbook full of long-ago newspaper articles, http://www.archive.org/details/WatchtowerNewsScrapBook , reporting on Jehovah’s Witnesses so-called “International Conventions,” I couldn’t help but remember what I wrote regarding extraordinary newspaper convention coverage in my www.freeminds.org article, How Jehovah’s Witnesses Watchtower Religion Impacted My Family History, Part 3 and thought I’d share the information here on JWN for those who are not familiar with how such “wonderful” coverage came about.
Back in those years when Watch Tower’s Public Relations Department Overseer notified local big city newspapers about an up-coming super-special Witness convention such as the ones in NYC in 1955 and 1958, he knew from experience that the newspapers would treat the Witness convention news in a special “money-making” way, but those who attended the convention didn’t know about the special treatment. Yet, with the full knowledge that the news coverage was “fake,” Watch Tower speakers capitalized on what the newspaper publishers did by pointing to the “extraordinary” newspaper coverage telling us this was a huge witness to the locals. Of course, we were thrilled, and to our ingenuous (sincere) minds this information was proof of our “distinctiveness” and caused us to enthusiastically clap and clap out of the bliss of recognition that made our religious commitment even more certain. Read on:
When my mom and I attended our first Yankee Stadium convention in 1955, we couldn’t help but notice all the newspaper vendors on the sidewalks around the stadium hawking “Special Editions” of NYC papers that featured front-page articles about the convention with accompanying photos. Many articles were so lengthy that they continued on to the next page.
I was delighted to see the broad coverage of the convention thinking that maybe our non-Witness New York relatives would be reading about the work of Jehovah’s Witnesses in their daily paper. I hoped it would help them overcome their opposition to our new religion. They were quite irate, blaming me for splitting up the family, accusing me of influencing my mother to give up Catholicism and embrace a religion that didn’t allow members to celebrate the holidays, days that had been very important to our family.
Of course, my mother bought a copy of each of the newspapers as did thousands of other people who attended. Few of us realized what a “Special Edition” was. The situation was similar during the 1958 International Assembly of JWs held both at Yankee Stadium and the Polo Grounds.
Over thirty-five years later, when I was a staff member of the Watch Tower Writing Department, I learned Special Edition newspapers were only sold around the convention site. They had a different front and second page than the regularly published NYC daily newspapers. Obviously, the publishing companies made a lot of extra income selling Special Editions to Jehovah’s Witness convention attendees who were, for the most part, the only people reading about their own convention in such detail. So much for a witness to New Yorkers!
I came across an exceptionally complimentary article from one of those old Special Edition convention newspapers which had been stored in a file in the Writing Department. The quote that I was interested in could have been useful to Karl Adams to incorporate into one of the chapters of the Proclaimers book. Then I learned from one of the Writing staff that the statement probably originated from some copy that the Watch Tower “Public Relations” Department provided to newspaper reporters. In light of the fact that I believed it wasn’t ethical to be quoting our own statements and attributing it to a “worldly” newspaper to make a point, I didn’t give it to Karl.
Funny how learning that those Special Edition newspapers were not bona fide daily newspapers affected me—the disappointment I felt when I learned the truth of the matter. This might not sound like a big deal, but back in the 1950s, the seemingly massive coverage of the Witnesses Yankee Stadium conventions in the newspapers I grew up with was an important psychological shot in the arm for me, and also for my mother. We, as well as thousands of others attending the Watch Tower conventions, were not very sophisticated people so the extensive journalistic hype about the Witnesses last-day movement definitely and foolishly cemented our conviction that we were onto something really significant!
-
65
New elders' manual - a few more details
by sir82 inper a recent boe letter:.
-- new manual will be softcover.
-- elders can keep their old elder manual if they choose.
-
-
AndersonsInfo
This is a very interesting thread. Generally, I'm in agreement with CuriousButterfly and others who expressed a similar sentiment about the word "brazen."
Brazen to me is more of a "catch all" phrase where the BOE can use it with impunity as to where they see fit. It can cover sexual issues to something where someone is "too boldor shameless" in their thoughts/actions. Personally this will cause huge problems because this will give the BOE more supposed "power".
Instead of “Causing Divisions,” if I were to be disfellowshipped today for my past “apostate” conduct, I bet “brazen conduct” would be the reason because according to the definition of the word “brazen,” and other words associated with “brazen” (see below), that one word could just about fit any conduct that was not approved by our “clever” and "loving" Service Department "brothers." The word “loose” conduct conveyed the thought that one lacked moral restraint, but “brazen” has a far broader meaning and soon will probably be the catch-all reason for disfellowshipping. And “brazen" conduct sounds so much more menacing and alarming.
Brazen:
Internet dictionary: shameless or impudent: brazen presumption.
Webster’s Dictionary—Marked by contemptuous boldness
BOLD: Dictionary—2 : IMPUDENT, PRESUMPTUOUS
Webster’s Thesaurus: Brazen—1 syn INSOLENT. 2, audacious, bold
2 syn SHAMELESS, arrant, barefaced, blatant, brassy, brazenfaced, impudent, overbold, unabashed, unblushing, brashINSOLENT : Dictionary—Insultingly contemptuous in speech or conduct. 2. Exhibiting boldness or effrontery: IMPUDENT
IMPUDENT: Dictionary—1 Lacking modesty. 2 marked by contemptuous or cocky boldness or disregard of others.
-
17
Anybody interested in attending a professionally-arranged conference addressing cultic group issues to be held in Nashville, TN?
by AndersonsInfo inone of the paramount non-profit anti-cult organizations headquartered in the us would like to arrange a two-day conference to be held in nashville, tn in the fall of 2011. this organization sponsors conferences, workshops, local meetings and special lectures, seminars, and other events all over the world for those interested in this subject.
at a nashville conference there will be opportunity to network with and listen to experts in the field and with people adversely affected by cultic experiences.. recently, when examining their records, this organization found that former jehovahs witnesses made up the bulk of those attending their anti-cult workshops which definitely indicates that many former witnesses are seeking help to overcome the damage from cult abuse.
however, the nashville conference will not be solely for former jehovahs witnesses, but will encourage attendance by anyone interested in hearing the experts address psychological manipulation and abuse in cultic groups, alternative movements, and other environments.
-
-
AndersonsInfo
Too early to discuss any details. The association president that wants to arrange the conference in Nashville is only investigating to see if there is any interest. I'm sure that former members of other cultic groups will be interested in attending, and that would be great, but since it appears that it's former JWs who attend so many workshops for ex-cult members, conference leaders want to do something for them on a larger scale.
Nashville is quite centralized to so many states. And for many XJWs that live in this part of the country and ordinarily don't have an opportunity to attend such conferences, if held in Nashville, it will be possible for them to do so.
Pistoff: PM or email me and I'll answer your question. I'll say this: The conference organizers are very reputable. I've spoken at two of their conferences in the past. They will provide dozens of speakers and those in attendance will have lots of choices as to what lectures they want to attend.
Barb
-
16
Comment made on Freeminds.org: The sad consequence of the flawed "two witness" rule.
by AndersonsInfo inthere are over 120 comments in response to my "discoveries of barbara anderson" article found on freeminds.org, but this particular one posted yesterday really got to me.
any watch tower apologists who might post a response here better choose their words carefully because anybody that tries to defend this insane "two witness" policy has to be insane too.
read on.... sad consequence.
-
-
AndersonsInfo
bttt
-
37
If you want to see Episode 1 of the new XJW documentary, "Belief," here are links
by AndersonsInfo inbelief: episode 1 - sacred ground.
belief: episode 2 trailer.
the video it looks better in full-screen version so click on "box" at right bottom.
-
-
AndersonsInfo
Good question, leavingwt. I sent the producer/director your inquiry.
Barbara
-
37
If you want to see Episode 1 of the new XJW documentary, "Belief," here are links
by AndersonsInfo inbelief: episode 1 - sacred ground.
belief: episode 2 trailer.
the video it looks better in full-screen version so click on "box" at right bottom.
-
-
AndersonsInfo
Belief: Episode 1 - Sacred Ground
Belief: Episode 2 trailer
The video it looks better in full-screen version so click on "box" at right bottom. Be prepared, it's quite long, but excellent. -
17
Anybody interested in attending a professionally-arranged conference addressing cultic group issues to be held in Nashville, TN?
by AndersonsInfo inone of the paramount non-profit anti-cult organizations headquartered in the us would like to arrange a two-day conference to be held in nashville, tn in the fall of 2011. this organization sponsors conferences, workshops, local meetings and special lectures, seminars, and other events all over the world for those interested in this subject.
at a nashville conference there will be opportunity to network with and listen to experts in the field and with people adversely affected by cultic experiences.. recently, when examining their records, this organization found that former jehovahs witnesses made up the bulk of those attending their anti-cult workshops which definitely indicates that many former witnesses are seeking help to overcome the damage from cult abuse.
however, the nashville conference will not be solely for former jehovahs witnesses, but will encourage attendance by anyone interested in hearing the experts address psychological manipulation and abuse in cultic groups, alternative movements, and other environments.
-
-
AndersonsInfo
jamiebowers: Your friend in Nashville can email me about the proposed conference. Please pass along my email to him.
I'm going to continue to bring this to the top for a few weeks just to see if at least 40-50 people express interest. If we don't have the numbers, then no conference and I'll notify the organization that wants to arrange it.
There will be this same type of conference on the west coast of US next year that is definitely in the planning stage. More news will be forthcoming about that later on this year.
-
16
Comment made on Freeminds.org: The sad consequence of the flawed "two witness" rule.
by AndersonsInfo inthere are over 120 comments in response to my "discoveries of barbara anderson" article found on freeminds.org, but this particular one posted yesterday really got to me.
any watch tower apologists who might post a response here better choose their words carefully because anybody that tries to defend this insane "two witness" policy has to be insane too.
read on.... sad consequence.
-
-
AndersonsInfo
There are over 120 comments in response to my "Discoveries of Barbara Anderson" article found on Freeminds.org, but this particular one posted yesterday really got to me.
Any Watch Tower apologists who might post a response here better choose their words carefully because anybody that tries to defend this insane "two witness" policy has to be insane too. Read on...
sad consequence
written by Apostate? Me? , August 21, 2010
I was a Witness for 25 years and one of my best friends was an elder in a neighboring congregation. I'll call him 'Woody'. He was a single brother that was loved and repected by all. He was given many talk assignments and was used extensively on judicial committees. He had a gift for offering counsel particularlly to young ones. Much to the shock of the congregation and friends, Woody was suddenly removed and disfellowshipped. A mutual friend revealed to me that our 'brother' Woody had confided in him that he was battling homosexuality and had an affinity for young boys. He had acted on his desires and touched several boys inappropiately, some while offering counsel. Two or more of the boys had come forth and revealed that they had been abused by my former friend. Thus the 'two witness' rule led to his being disfellowshipped. However no one else in the congregation knew why he was df'd since the disfellowshipping offense is not to be spoken of outside the judicial committee. The majority thought as is the norm, that he was df'd for heterosexual fornication. And although I live in a clergy reporting state, the elders in his congo refused to report it to the authorities for fear of 'bringing reproach on Jehovah's name'.Sound familiar? After 'demonstrating works that befit repentance', in other words attending meetings regularly for nearly a year, Woody was reinstated and allowed to go out in service immediately, sometimes in the company of young boys. About six months later he went to Walmart and purchased a tarp and a shotgun. He called a mutual friend and asked him to come by his house while he was out in service because he had something in his garage that he wanted him to see. He then went out to his garage, wrapped himself up in the tarp with the shotgun and blew his head off. Our mutual friend found a suicide note confessing that Woody had backslid, abused again and feared that it would become public knowledge and he would be df'd again.
I often wonder if my former friend would still be alive if the elders had only reported the child abuse to the authorities. Perhaps he could have gotten the professional help he needed. Here's the kicker....Woody's funeral was held in the Kingdom Hall and his memorial service was given by the presiding overseer. In the talk the P.O. described Woody's death an an 'emotional accident'. What about the kids he abused? Where was their loving counsel? It was nonexistent. They were hung out to dry so to speak.
I hate that Woody killed himself. I wish that he could have gotten help. At one time we shared a wonderful friendship but... at least he is no longer around to ruin the lives of other children. This experience was the first time I realized that the WT positon on molestation was seriously flawed. I resigned my position in the congo in '03 after 25 years of dedicated service and drifted into inactivity. Now that I'm on the outside of the microcosm that is the Watchtower, I see things for what they really are...bottom line......bullsh*t.