i thought this was pretty hysterical and something that i would have never noticed before i woke up.
in the jan 1 wt under the heading 'was the garden of eden a real place?
part of the reasoning they use as to why no one could find the garden of eden even though there are specifics in genesis identifying it's location is because "the flood of noah's day may have altered the topography in ways that we simply cannot know today".
''the Flood of Noah's day may have altered the topography''
That has to be the biggest understatement of the year and its only 1/1/11.
If the Flood was real, I think the Witnesses, amongst others, believe that this was the cause of the Himalayas rising up and the Grand Canyon being formed. That's what I call topographic alteration all right.
.
http://www.box.net/shared/5gf1i7bxks.
sorry it is late, weather, ice and snow!.
Re Preparing for Family Worship night
'Some family heads write out a brief agenda and place it where the family can easily see it, such as on the refrigerator. This creates excitement and anticipation and gives the family time to prepare if needed.' (bolds mine)
Maybe I'm too cynical.
.
http://www.box.net/shared/5gf1i7bxks.
sorry it is late, weather, ice and snow!.
The principle of a family or otherwise getting together to study the Bible's good points, or the Koran's for that matter, is a good ideal.
It's just not for me.
.
http://www.box.net/shared/5gf1i7bxks.
sorry it is late, weather, ice and snow!.
Thank you.
Re the Family Worship Evening
'One married couple wrote regarding the blessings they have enjoyed: ''As a pioneer couple without children, we really look forward to our Family Worship night. We feel like we are drawing closer to each other and to our heavenly Father. Now when we wake up on the day that we have scheduled to study together, we say to each other: 'Guess what tonight is? Family Worship night!' '' (bolds mine)
hi guys,.
thank you for the warm welcome to the forum boards after years of just looking and reading.. i have been impressed by the many comments that have followed the introduction of dontplaceliterature and the balanced, humourus and individual views of the brothers and sisters (we are all human beings so as far as i am concerned no matter what religious persuasion we are all one family!
) that have replied with both candid and honest and often heartfelt comments.. i have started a topic and will give the reason for asking first, so anyone can skip the "getting to know me" bit.. i am currently wondering as a baptised member of the org, who hasnt attended either meetings or memorial in the last 4 years.
Thanks very much for telling a little of yourself. Very interesting. You seem quite level headed about the whole thing at least and the best part is, all your family are with you. Just imagine the heartache for those with ''believing mates'' who they cannot get to see the shite/light.
To answer your question, I don't think it is worth it, disassociating. They are not likely to ever come and bother you again anyway. After all, it is only your everlasting life that is on the line.
As you've already experienced, life does go on without the Watchtower Society's input. What is weird is that I never realized that before, even though 99.99% of the world around me seemed to be carrying on quite happily without JW's.
has anyone in this forum ever had an elder in the organization discuss "apostate" teachings with them in a non-threatening, mutually enlightening way?
obviously, there are many of you who have talked with elders about "apostate" ideas, and have been disfellowshipped/disciplined for it.
that's not really what i'm interested in hearing about in this thread, no offense.
''Has anyone in this forum ever had an Elder in the organization discuss "apostate" teachings with them in a non-threatening, mutually enlightening way?''
No.
And neither has any elder ever telephoned, written or knocked my door (to my knowledge) to ask about either myself, my wife or our teenage children since we left off from attending meetings.
Considering that they firmly believe that our very lives are at stake it strikes me that they don't really give a hoot and are actually very selfish.
In other words exactly like I used to be when I was a Witness. I wasn't a blind bit interested in bringing anyone into the ''truth'' because I didn't believe it.
If they really believed it they would be begging me to return.
The attitude is actually, when you think about it,
''Ah well, he's buggered. What's on tv?''
from memory once a month someone would read out the accounts report from the platform.
this usually said how much went in, how much went out and what the balance was.
details were given as to utility bills etc.. at circuit and district assemblies no details were given, apart from the fact that we were always in a deficit by the sunday lunchtime.. has anyone asked or can anyone ask to see the details?
Thanks
I saw the £700k figure but couldn't make out where the £4 million was. As I said accounts is not my strong point. I suppose it could be viewed as fair enough they don't want to dip into the £700k and so have to keep money coming in every weekend to pay for costs.
Can't make out why telephone bills are about £3000 a year mind you. Or why food costs were £10,000. Unless the food is for elders schools or pioneer schools.
The previous accounts are also available if anyone cares to look.
come on in, the water's fine.
you may even realise you have close friends and family here.
.
Hi 'curiousconfused'
You said 'I'm not yet convinced what these excursions on JWN are acheiving'.
Well at the least this forum is giving you an opportunity to say some things that are on your mind but daren't say to another Witness out loud.
Surely that is worth something?
Stick around, join in to your own level of comfort.
Thomas Covenant
from memory once a month someone would read out the accounts report from the platform.
this usually said how much went in, how much went out and what the balance was.
details were given as to utility bills etc.. at circuit and district assemblies no details were given, apart from the fact that we were always in a deficit by the sunday lunchtime.. has anyone asked or can anyone ask to see the details?
Thanks for the link St George.
I have been looking at our local assembly hall accounts. First off, I don't understand accounts.
It seems to me that total assets are about £4 million. And running costs are about £170k.
That should last them about 20 years without any more contributions needing to be asked for.
Why keep saying ''we're short''?
http://www.charity-commission.gov.uk/ScannedAccounts/Ends86/0001056886_ac_20090831_e_c.pdf
before i begin my introductory post, i would like to mention that a number of my initial comments here may be viewed by several of you as watchtower apologist or as sympathetic to the views of the jehovahs witnesses.
the last thing i want to do is incite a flame war regarding my legitimacy or intentions in joining this forum.
mostly, i would describe myself as on the fence.
Hi to 'Me Myself and I' too.
