Posts by ocsrf

22

How much longer can the 'anointed' Governing Body last?

by nicolaou in

what was the latest figure for memorial partakers?

there has been plenty of feedback to suggest that the wt consider many to be wrongly partaking of the bread & wine and don't accept this whole number to be truly of the remnant of the 144,000. we'll be generous and say that they are all genuine.. take women out of the equation and you may be left with about 4000 men - the ladies live longer ;).

remove those that don't speak english and you may be down to perhaps 3000. remove those that cannot relocate to the usa and you might be left with 2000. remove those that may actually decline an invitation to the governing body - well not too many i guess so let's stick at 2000. remove those that require constant nursing or healthcare and you could be down to your last 1000. finally, remove those who are simply not up to the job .

ocsrf

What I find funny is the explanation has always been that some of the anointed were not faithful and so this left an opening for a new younger one.

Now lets think about this for a moment. If the number was 9,000, 25 years ago and they were already no less than 85 than, how much wrong conduct can an 85 year old get into anyway...LOL. And if someone thought they were going to heaven their whold adult life, why would them go apostate moments before they are likely to die.

This anointed FDS is such a joke.

JWs talk about the FDS like they have something to say, who are they talking about anyway.

OC

22

"Neutrality" is Nonsense

by metatron in

jw
friends

i have observed some people drifting away from the watchtower who will acknowledge that most witness beliefs are false.. however, they may still cling to "neutrality" as a means of assuring themselves that "it's still the truth".

the witness idea of neutrality is naive.

as entire nations now mobilize for wars, the idea that you are somehow 'not part of it'.

ocsrf

Whilst I have no time at all for the J W beliefs anymore, I have not been drawn towards nationalism either. Why should I believe that Britain is the best place in the world, when it clearly is not ? Why give blind allegiance to a country {which means simply supporting politicians in their decisions] simply because I was born and live here?
I do have the utmost respect for those men who died fighting for the freedoms that we enjoy and I do not wish to berate anybodies viewpoint . I am trying to learn tolerance since leaving the dubs. I wonder though how soldiers at the time really viewed their service. Basically soldiers, like my father, were mostly conscripted to fight for their country , whatever side they happened to be a part of. They were all told that the cause was just. They all believed that they had "God on their side".
I do agree that there were many heroes who opposed the Nazis without the benefit of a large organization around them. And I am sure that we will not read about them in the Watchtower
Of course the issue involves much more that WW2. Every issue and conflict is different. I do not call myself "neutral", that would be too much of a self righteous stand. Perhaps I am just a cynic who does not trust what our leaders have to say..

Well said,

I too am a cynic, Bush has alot to answer for. The reason for the most current war is a lie. I feel bad for the families who lost loved ones and young men who now have missing arms and legs. Those people in Iraq are far from being free and terrioism did not loose ground due to this war.

OC

11

Just got visited by Bethelites

by What-A-Coincidence in

jw
friends

no shock value here - they just mentioned that many bethelites have already received their new assignment.

also, that some got assigned to special pioneering (have fun guys!!!

) one said that ralph walls gave a talk to the brothers to remain focused on their work.

ocsrf

I am assuming only the special pioneers right? This sounds odd. What about the ones that are already serving in that capacity? Damm! I should have stayed longer to receive these benefits!!!

Correct - special pioneers or 120 hours per month.

This information is from the grape vine...take it for what it is worth.

OC

11

Just got visited by Bethelites

by What-A-Coincidence in

jw
friends

no shock value here - they just mentioned that many bethelites have already received their new assignment.

also, that some got assigned to special pioneering (have fun guys!!!

) one said that ralph walls gave a talk to the brothers to remain focused on their work.

ocsrf

At least 500 will be going, as many as 1,500

They will recieve money for housing and provided health insurance.

OC

11

WTS statistics

by DannyBloem in

jw
friends

are there any statistics on line, with number of witnesses, hours, batized etc, per year per country?.

(so that i do not have to type all those numbers of all yearbooks).

danny

ocsrf

If there started being serious drop that could not be fudged away anymore, do you think the Society would continue to publish statistics for all to see and comment on? If they stopped this practise it would be interesting to see what explanation they would use.

OC

45

Something significant changed in the WTS in 1984... but what was it???

by Elsewhere in

jw
friends

looking at this chart i can't help but notice that pre-1984 the growth statistics were extremely erratic.

then, all of the sudden in 1984 the growth statistics calmed down and have ever since fallowed a much more stable trend.

it's almost a straight line after 1984.. so what happened?

ocsrf

Post 1258 of 1261
since 18-Jun-05

I believe 1984 was declared the "Year of Peace" by the United Nations. There was talk amongst the DUBs that this was surely the sign they had been waiting for:
When they call out "peace and security"....blah blah blah....I'm not sure if this idea was actively promoted by the borg or just at the local level. Just a theory.....

Yes, This peace and security was huge around that time. I can't point to any spefic article, but I remember everyon talking about it and I know that this had its place on the platform in all the meetings, so yes the society either directly or indirectly was promoting that this indicated that things were very close...we all got very excited about this. But, as usual JWs were disappointed once again, than when the meaning for "generation" got changed that was just about all that some of us could take. But I am noticing that there are still many young couples who do not have children and seem to be waiting just like in the old days, and they seem to be buying into the new "we are deep into the time of the end" saying. Goes to show, that the organization can continue to put a new spin on the same old story and they will always find those who will want to buy into it.

OC

54

I BELIEVE THIS IS AN OUT AND OUT LIE

by Gill in

jw
friends

ok. i've just read this in the march 2006 - i reckon its an out and out lie and i challenge anyone to find a school where this is happening.. this is in the young people ask section:.

'how can i say no to sex at school?'.

"every day, kids are talking about sex.

ocsrf

I can't imagine this; however, there are alot of things that go on that I can't believe. One thing is for sure, that many young ones even many years ago when I was in school do carry on this way outside of the school building, sometimes not to far off from school grounds. The thing that I have always believed is if a teenager wants to be involved in those things there is no parent alive who is going to be able to stop them short of locking them in a closet. I have also seen many a home schooled younster grow up and act every bit a wordly as some of the most wordly educated young ones. The other thing that happens is, once they are 18 and work part time and pioneer, how many of those pretty young sisters or handsome young brothers don't fall into the temptation that takes place at the wordly work place, even if it is only part time.

OC

31

acWhy do you use the term "Apostate"?

by Trojan in

i see that several of you use the term "apostate" or call themselves "apostates".

the problem i have with using the term is that you continue to follow wtbts thinking of "branding and labeling" people.

they charge that word with lots of negativity and label people that have different thoughts.

ocsrf

I see that several of you use the term "apostate" or call themselves "apostates". The problem I have with using the term is that you continue to follow WTBTS thinking of "branding and labeling" people. They charge that word with lots of negativity and label people that have different thoughts. If I finally leave this Org. I would not accept the term, as it implies an "abandoning of faith",

Yes, I agree, I may disagree with some of the teachings, but I don't view myself as one leaving God and any teachings about him that can be supported by scripture that are not design strictly to control others thoughts.

They use the this word to scare the R&F and make the oposition sound like satanic loosers, just like the Repulicans use the word "liberals" to scare and vilianize the opposition to their way of thinking.

You are right, by labeling others they perpetuate the idea that they are some how better than those who disagree openly with them.

OC

24

Another concern

by lazuli in

jw
friends

i know i know, i'm so sorry to bug you guys about this but for obvious reasons i can't talk about it with anyone from the congregation and you guys are familiar with the watchtower.

in the watchtower, the woman is expected to be 'chaste.

' so i'm worried that if i decide to marry someone that is a jw if what i did before will be a problem.

ocsrf

How hard is hard enough? Doesn't matter, it's never enough.

How true...lol

13

Swartzentruber Amish Ordnung

by blondie in

jw
friends

sometimes i wonder, is there a religion with worse doctrines.

yes and no, while the rules about clothing and material possessions is more strict, much is very similar to the wts.. http://www.amishabuse.com/ordnung.htm.

the ordnung is not about scripture out of the new testament or the salvation of your soul, but it is about control.

ocsrf

Blondie,

Very interesting, enjoyed reading about this group. I used to live within a couple hours of an Amish community and bought a shed from them. They do a great job in building things, but what became apprarent is that they know how to circumnavigate their own rules. Seems silly to have so many rules if all your going to do is try to get around them.

OC