Posts by JWdaughter

36

Estimating future growth or decline of Watchtower

by shepherdless in

i have seen a few posts here, in various guises, in relation to whether watchtower is in decline.

plenty of people respond, but it is all fairly anecdotal, or "gut feel".

some of it has been wishful thinking.. as of late 2015, watchtower's numbers suggest it is still growing marginally, but there are various anecdotes on this site of publishers typically being older, and younger ones disappearing.

JWdaughter

I think the jig is up. The increase is barely keeping up with population growth. Many churches would be happy with that. . .BUT they are clearly aging out and as the older generations pass away, their kids will give up all pretensions of following the wtbts leaders. I think attrition is going to sock it to them, and soon. The wtbts may or may not have money(or maybe they took out loans against all the rich property after donations dropped off long ago and the money jig is really up too) but I think they have full awareness that they are not getting more converts that aren't dragged in by family. The people numbers are dropping and the people they got are mostly broke, save for elderly. That cash cow will soon be gone. Then what? I know a JW being appt as an elder in a hall with just a few years in org. No other qualified men. Only competition is a teenager. He knows nothing, parrots his wife and is clearly involved just for her.probably too sweet to be an elder.it will break his heart.

Attrition will get 'em.

92

So Proud of Pops

by brandnew in

jw
friends

ok so a car pulls up to the house and 3 eldurrs from my dads congo come up.

they come in and have thee nerve to ask me to step out so they can speak to pops!!!!

this is the good part.....pops says...and i quote " whatever needs to be said..can be said in front of my son".

JWdaughter

You might want to talk to dad about protecting his finances. Perhaps speak to a lawyer, because as his illness progresses, there might be some pressure put upon him. A lawyer is a cheaper alternative preventively than reactively.

71

Sophie gives even more than ice cream money to the WT

by OrphanCrow in

JWdaughter

Just got done glancing at live kingdom hall site and I thought of how smugly Jehovah's Witnesses brag about how they don't have a paid clergy. I saw KHs and assembly hall's with built in apts for visiting overseerers, special visiting dignitaries, caretakers. . .Then I am reminded of all the bethelites supported by JWs, the assessments to provide cars and insurance and support for overseers. . .and I know the elders are unpaid and overtaxed with responsibilities and often their own finances and I wonder if JWs wouldn't be better off with a self supporting church like the local baptists, whose congregations are self supporting in spite of paying a pastor and staff. They still support charities, missions, food banks, reach out in real ways to the community. . .all that humility and the JW leadership lives without worrying about their bills while the ranks are CONSTANTLY pestered for more money. The leadership has no organised efforts to help the JWs even. Even the first century Christians managed that! They lived in tents and dirt floored houses. In fact, charity in times of need is the only thing I remember anyone collecting money for in the NT. Except taxes, and that was the role of rome. The wtbts seems more like a tax collector than a charity. None of the options for helping was to help their brothers, it ALL came back to sending money to Brooklyn bethel. Or the Cayman islands or where it goes these days.

51

I lied to the elders

by atacrossroads in

jw
friends

i stopped attending meetings all together in january 2015. before that my attendance was irregular at best.

my husband followed suit a few months ago after months of research, agony, and indecision on his part.

from the very beginning i laid low and did not share with anyone what i found out about the witnesses because i did not want to be df'd.

JWdaughter

I just read the OP and it was reiterated to me that we all belonged to an organization that ENCOURAGED gossip and tattletelling. Seriously, these are all adults who think they need to come to you with repeated gossip from others. Even if it is true, it is really not your mom's business to tattle and not theirs to repeat gossip-which is all that 2nd hand tales is.

The religion is whacked in that they think they have a right and and OBLIGATION to do these things to others. It's STUPID.

52

Is the WT’s Paradise Earth doctrine a delusion?

by deegee in

the wt’s teaching that humans will live forever on a paradise earth will necessitate that given that there will be no more death, then immortal humans will have to be relocated to other planets in order to prevent the earth from becoming overpopulated.. so how many habitable, earth-like planets are there?more and more habitable, earth-like planets would have to become available on a continuous, never-ending basis ad infinitum as mankind’s population grows given that there will be no more death.. the longevity/sustainability of life on these planets will be limited by the fact that the sun serving these planets will eventually die:https://shar.es/1cko6n.

http://www.space.com/22437-main-sequence-stars.html#sthash.ejbt1xrz.dpuf.

so immortal humans will have to keep moving from planet to planet.

JWdaughter

Long before the sun dies, humans would have killed themselves off from pure boredom! 10 or 15 lifetimes would be more than enough of this life, even perfected. Seriously. I don't see why I'd suddenly want pet anything's, I don't like animals in the house now! Most of my dead relatives are fonder in memory than reality, and the exceptions wouldn't make it to the new JW world because they rejected the GB authority. Eternal rest is not the worst idea in the world, especially if the alternative is living as a JW for eternity.

34

My old computer is dead: long live my new CHROMEBOOK

by Terry in

jw
friends

i had my previous toshiba laptop plugged into the wall five days ago when a sudden electric storm drove a jagged bolt of electricity earthward and fried my hard drive.

i posted my sad status on facebook.

guess who saw it?

JWdaughter

I am happy you have such a kind son, and the computer is a nice bonus!

18

Can I pick up a New World Translation from the JW London head office?

by Camperdown9 in

i'm an anglican and not a jehovahs witness.

what i dislike about lots of church congregations is their readiness to make unpleasant and unhelpful comments about other christian groups.

recently someone in a church tried to tell me a little about the views of jehovahs witnesses.

JWdaughter

Be careful what you ask for. Cults manipulate people.

27

I am losing

by NoMoreHustle in

i haven't posted anything for a bit, but wanted to express how i am losing this battle.

it has been over 3 years now since i woke up about watchtower.

the battle that i am talking about is the tug of war with my wife (i adore her immensely), watchtower is winning, she simply will not give in to my so-called negative thoughts about the religion that we are in.

JWdaughter

Do you have to play the game or can you agree to disagree? As spiritual head, you could say you refuse to lead her astray and yet you won't force her out because of your respect and love for her.

Then leave off snarky commentary and pick up a new hobby or language when she's off serving the Borg.

Please don't raise kids in the Borg no matter what! Parents have to put kids first.

28

What would we all do if the watchtower collapsed tomorrow ?

by stan livedeath in

jw
friends

i would probably collapse laughing.

JWdaughter

It'd funny, I have seen churches disband because not enough supporters could pay the rent/utilities(uncompensated pastor). Members just joined another church and had to travel a bit more for services. There was disappointment, but not life changing upheaval.

This thread is just a reminder of the fact we were truly in a cult!

14

Conspiracy: Did the Watchtower set the memorial for the 23rd, because the GB practice Gematria? see for your selfs.

by goingthruthemotions in

so i have been thinking.

i know this is something taboo to the dubs, but f them.

i am a free moral agent.

JWdaughter

No, it just means that they have given their self righteous priggishness another checked box.