Sounds like what the Mormons do. They keep a year's supply of food around at all times, but in light of what doctrine I'm not sure.
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"We do it for the Brothers"
by Duncan ini remembered this just the other day, and thought id make a post of it.. back in 1971, during my first year of pioneering, i was kind of adopted by one of the sisters in the congregation who was keen to get me friendly with her son (a teenage boy just a little younger than myself) with a view to getting him interested in the pioneer service.. kevin spent part of that summer shadowing me everywhere i went, learning to be a pioneer, and many times i was invited to meals at his house.. his family had been in the truth for ever.
his parents, rose and albert, were absolute congregation stalwarts.
i gradually began to get a bit irritated with them, since it was clear after a few weeks of looking after kevin, and accepting some (not all, just the minimum number for politeness sake) of his many invitations to his house.
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A Great Club For Americans. :)
by Kent inban breast-feeding now!
over 200,000 american citizens have signed a petition urging congress to declare breast-feeding a crime.
this primitive ritual has continued to be a violation of babies' civil rights, an unlawful, incestuous relationship with mothers that leads to moral decay.
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This site is a spoof.
See the following:
http://urbanlegends.about.com/science/urbanlegends/library/weekly/aa082100a.htm
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What WILL they do?!!!!!
by Copernicus inmy wife and i have been discussing the probability of the upcoming dateline program and the impact it will have on the org.
its obvious to us now that the retirement of the gb some time ago (all of their pr bs aside) was predicated by their awareness that this situation was developing, or something similar to it.
seems logical, yes?
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It's really hard to say what will happen. First of all, it depends what allegations or evidence are put forward in the Dateline program, which we (at least most of us) still don't know at this point.
Then, it depends what kind of a chord it strikes with the public. There may or may not be a "media feeding frenzy." If the allegations appear to point to a relatively limited number of culprits, then the public may not take as much of an interest or be as outraged as we might suppose. Remember, this wouldn't be the first time that a scandal involving sex or children has implicated a religious organization. And the Catholics, Anglicans et al. are larger, richer and (in some cases) more visible than the Witnesses. A lot of people just aren't that interested in what goes on with the Witnesses.
It will also depend on whether the Dateline program points toward:
a) an institution-wide coverup from the top down (i.e. GB involvement)
b) a legal loophole (i.e. the Society sticking rigidly to the "two witnesses" thing, believing it has a Biblical basis, without taking into account that such a policy is very flawed when it comes to dealing with child molestation) that needs to be plugged and has had a negative impact, but not as widespread as some posters have implied--again, I personally JUST DON'T KNOW, so I'm going to wait and see what happens.
On a related angle: I think any of us with family still involved in the organization will need to be prepared for whatever emotional fallout they may have from this episode (ranging from the extreme of "The Society is right, I don't care what happened, it's all lies by opposers or maybe just a few rotten apples" to the other extreme of "My God, the Society has been lying to us and my religion isn't true: my whole worldview has fallen apart and I just want to die").
My basic point is: It could have a huge impact. But I wouldn't be surprised if it doesn't, either.
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April 2001 Service Report for Canada
by comment inspecial pioneers (59): 118.2 av.
hrs., 83.3 av.
r.v., 3.0 av.
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Special Pioneers (59): 118.2 Av. Hrs., 83.3 Av. Mags, 44.1 Av. R.V., 3.0 Av. Bi. St.
Pioneers (7,072): 69.5 Av. Hrs., 48.0 Av. Mags, 22.8 Av. R.V., 1.4 Av. Bi. St.
Auxiliary Pioneers (15,272): 50.4 Av. Hrs., 39.8 Av. Mags, 12.4 Av. R.V., 0.5 Av. Bi. St.
Publishers (86,289): 10.1 Av. Hrs., 8.5 Av. Mags, 3.6 Av. R.V., 0.2 Av. Bi. St.
TOTAL=108,692
185 baptized
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Gems from August 2001 KM
by comment inwhat i loved about the majority of these quotes are the implications that an orthodox reader would be oblivious to.. you are "a theatrical spectacle"!
paragraph 5: "when you encounter opposition or think that your ministry is not getting results, remember that you are the center of universal attention.".
(but of course, don't forget psalm 8:4, in case you ever think you have any importance outside of going in field service.).
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What I loved about the majority of these quotes are the implications that an orthodox reader would be oblivious to.
You Are "a Theatrical Spectacle"! (Page 1)
Paragraph 5: "When you encounter opposition or think that your ministry is not getting results, remember that you are the center of universal attention."
THAT'S RIGHT: UNIVERSAL ATTENTION! (BUT OF COURSE, DON'T FORGET PSALM 8:4, IN CASE YOU EVER THINK YOU HAVE ANY IMPORTANCE OUTSIDE OF GOING IN FIELD SERVICE.)
How Important Is Christian Fellowship? (Page 1)
Paragraph 3: "Our Christian associates may call to our attention scriptures that address our personal concerns."
YES, HOW FINE AND UPBUILDING IT IS FOR FELLOW CHRISTIANS TO KEEP ON "MEDDLING WITH WHAT DOES NOT CONCERN THEM! (2 Thess. 3:11) THIS IS TRULY AN OUTSTANDING FEATURE OF OUR WORLDWIDE BROTHERHOOD!
Page 3: "Good Manners--A Trait of Godly People"
Paragraph 3: "Jesus Christ set the perfect example. He always practiced the Golden Rule: 'Just as you want men to do to you, do the same way to them.'"
YES, ALWAYS--EXCEPT FOR WHEN HE MOANED AND GROANED AT HIS MOTHER, VARIOUS PEOPLE SEEKING HEALING, HIS NOT-SO-PERFECT DISCIPLES AND ANY DUMMY WHO DIDN'T IMMEDIATELY REALIZE FROM HIS CLEAR AND DELIGHTFUL PARABLES THAT HE, SAY, WASN'T PROMOTING CANNIBALISM...
Paragraph 7: "After coming to a Kingdom Hall for the first time, a man said: 'I met more genuinely loving people, total strangers, in one day than I had ever met in the church in which I was raised. It was apparent that I had found the truth.'"
AN EFFECTIVE LOVE-BOMBING INDEED!
(THE BULK OF THE ARTICLE IS ABOUT WIPING YOUR SHOES, NOT CHEWING GUM, BEING ON TIME: MOSTLY KINDERGARTEN STUFF)
Page 8 is easy to sum up in terms of the thought process of the Writing Department.
"It's August. People actually take vacations."
"What should we tell the publishers?"
Article Title #1: "Keep Leisure In Its Proper Place"
Article Title #2: "Do You Want To Do More?"
(Hint: "Doing more" does not refer to camping, swimming or playing your acoustic guitar under an old oak tree.)
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Another WT victim
by RunningMan inoh my god!.
this morning the front page headline on my newspaper was this:.
"victim hung on to faith".
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A quote from an elder in the congregation of the victims:
"It's really going to make the young ones in our congregation sit up and take notice of their lives, what they want to do with them," Gilbert said of the deaths.
Must death ALWAYS have a didactic value?
A secular reader will probably see this quote as meaning "Life is short; enjoy your family and friends and try to do good to others while you can." Witnesses will know it means "Pioneer! Go to Bethel! Do more and more and more!"
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Currently at the book study...
by comment inwhat publication is currently being studied at the congregation book study, and whereabouts in the book are they?.
thanks,.
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Thanks for your help, truman!
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Currently at the book study...
by comment inwhat publication is currently being studied at the congregation book study, and whereabouts in the book are they?.
thanks,.
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What publication is currently being studied at the congregation book study, and whereabouts in the book are they?
Thanks,
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Must the GB consist of anointed ones?
by comment inwith regard to another thread ("a report you may be interested in") and the thought that the society may be looking to eliminate the obligation for members of the governing body to be of the anointed class (wow, now there's a fred franz-style sentence...lol), here are some quotes that touch on this issue.
i've put key phrases in capital letters:.
july 1, 1995 wt: "dwellers together in a restored 'land'".
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With regard to another thread ("A report you may be interested in") and the thought that the Society may be looking to eliminate the obligation for members of the Governing Body to be of the anointed class (wow, now there's a Fred Franz-style sentence...lol), here are some quotes that touch on this issue. I've put key phrases in capital letters:
July 1, 1995 WT: "Dwellers Together in a Restored 'Land'"
9 Moreover, with the great crowd increasing by the hundreds of thousands each year, there is an ever-growing need for oversight. AT ONE TIME this was handled EXCLUSIVELY by ANOINTED Christians. Now, oversight of most congregations, as well as circuits, districts, and branches, has of necessity been entrusted to the other sheep. In 1992 a few of these were given the privilege of attending meetings of committees of the Governing Body and serving as nonvoting helpers. Still, the other sheep remain loyal to their anointed fellow Christians and feel privileged to support them as Jehovah's faithful and discreet slave.-Matthew 25:34-40.
July 1, 1994 WT: "The Christian View of Authority"
19 In this time of the end, Christ has appointed the collective "faithful and discreet slave" over "all his belongings," or Kingdom interests on earth. (Matthew 24:45-47) AS IN THE FIRST CENTURY, this slave is represented by a governing body of ANOINTED Christian men to whom Christ has given the authority to make decisions and appoint other overseers. (Acts 6:2, 3; 15:2) In turn, the Governing Body delegates authority to Branch Committees, district and circuit overseers, and elders within each of the more than 73,000 congregations of Jehovah's Witnesses throughout the earth. All these devoted Christian men deserve our support and respect.-1 Timothy 5:17.
January 1, 1994 WT: "Shepherds and Sheep in a Theocracy"
5 In the past, Jehovah ruled and revealed truths through individuals, such as prophets, kings, and apostles. Today, that is no longer the case; there are no inspired prophets or apostles. Rather, Jesus said that during his royal presence, he would identify a faithful body of followers, a "faithful and discreet slave," and would appoint it over all his belongings. (Matthew 24:45-47; Isaiah 43:10) In 1919 that slave was IDENTIFIED AS the remnant of ANOINTED Christians. Since then, as represented by the Governing Body of Jehovah's Witnesses, it has been the center of theocracy on earth. Around the world, the Governing Body is represented by Branch Committees, traveling overseers, and congregation elders.
January 1, 1993 WT: "New Creations Brought Forth!"
Happily, this great crowd, gathered from some 229 lands, has mushroomed to almost 4,500,000 active Witnesses. Many more are coming, as indicated by the attendance of 11,431,171 at the Memorial of Jesus' death on April 17 last year. Of all these millions, only 8,683, who profess to be the remaining ones on earth of the new creation, partook of the Memorial emblems. Those in this small group could never, on their own, have accomplished the vast preaching work of today. The millions who make up the great crowd now work shoulder to shoulder with them in getting the work done. (Zephaniah 3:9) Moreover, well-trained members of the great crowd are now doing administrative and other responsible work alongside the ANOINTED Governing Body of spiritual Israel, just as non-Israelite Nethinim worked with the priests repairing Jerusalem's walls.-Nehemiah 3:22-26.
April 15, 1992 WT: Jehovah's Provision, the "Given Ones"
21 The Nethinim's added privileges were linked directly to spiritual activities. The sons of the servants of Solomon evidently received administrative responsibilities. Similarly today, Jehovah has blessed his people with "gifts in men" to care for their needs. (Ephesians 4:8, 11, 12) Included in this provision are many hundreds of mature, experienced brothers who share in 'shepherding the flocks,' serving as circuit and district overseers and on Branch Committees at the Watch Tower Society's 98 branches. (Isaiah 61:5) At the world headquarters of the Society, under the direction of "the faithful steward" and its Governing Body, capable men receive training to help in preparing spiritual food supplies. (Luke 12:42) Other longtime dedicated volunteers have been trained to operate Bethel homes and factories and to oversee programs worldwide in constructing new branch facilities and halls for Christian worship. They have excelled in serving as close HELPERS of the ANOINTED remnant, who constitute part of the royal priesthood.-Compare 1 Corinthians 4:17; 14:40; 1 Peter 2:9.
September 1, 1991 WT: "Jehovah and Christ--Foremost Communicators"
15 What of modern times? As foretold at Matthew 24:3, 45-47, the Master, Jesus Christ, has appointed "the faithful and discreet slave," made up of ANOINTED Christians, to care for all his belongings on earth during this day of his presence. That faithful and discreet slave is REPRESENTED TODAY by the GOVERNING BODY of Jehovah's Witnesses, which has as its PUBLICITY AGENT the WATCH TOWER BIBLE AND TRACT SOCIETY. Most appropriately, that faithful and discreet slave has also been called God's channel of communication. It, in turn, encourages us to be good communicators. In fact, the very first issue of Zion's Watch Tower and Herald of Christ's Presence counseled its readers: "If you have a neighbor or friend whom you think would be interested in or benefitted by [this magazine's] instructions, you might call it to their attention; thus preaching the Word and doing good unto all men as you have opportunity."
January 15, 1990 WT: "Godly Devotion--Beneficial for All Things"
The Friday afternoon program started with the talk "'The Faithful Slave' and Its Governing Body." Confident of the loyalty of his faithful creatures, Jehovah delegates authority. So does his Son. FROM AMONG HIS ANOINTED FOLLOWERS, "the faithful and discreet slave," he has chosen a few to serve as a visible governing body. (Matthew 24:45) In the first century, this group was composed of the apostles and several other older men in Jerusalem.
In modern times the Governing Body has been closely identified with the editorial staff of the Watch Tower Society and its board of directors. But the Governing Body differs from that legal corporation, as the speaker pointed out: "Since the corporation's existence is purely legal, with a fixed geographic headquarters, it can be dissolved by Caesar, the State." Not so the Governing Body, which is not a legal instrument but the MEMBERS of which "are APPOINTED through the HOLY SPIRIT under the direction of Jehovah and Christ." Thus, the Governing Body continues to function and to receive the unqualified support of Jehovah's Witnesses worldwide.
December 15, 1989 WT: "Peace--The Reality"
They have a modern Governing Body of older Christian men from various parts of the earth who give needed oversight to the worldwide activities of God's people. THESE MEN, like the apostles and older men in Jerusalem in the first century, are ANOINTED members of the faithful and discreet slave class designated by Jesus to care for all of his Kingdom interests here upon earth. History has proved that they can be trusted to follow the direction of the holy spirit and that they do not rely on human wisdom in teaching the flock of God the ways of genuine peace.-Matthew 24:45-47; 1 Peter 5:1-4.
August 1, 1987 WT: "Christ's Leadership Today"
11 All of this means more work for the collective "slave," a larger field of activities, extending literally to "all the inhabited earth." It also requires larger headquarters and branch facilities for supervising the work and for printing and distributing literature for preaching and personal study. As in the first century, this work is carried out under the active leadership of Jesus Christ, who is figuratively "in the midst of the lampstands," or congregations. He directs them by means of anointed overseers, whom he holds symbolically "in his right hand." (Revelation 1:13, 16) As in early Christian times, a group of these ANOINTED OVERSEERS makes up the visible GOVERNING BODY of Christ's congregation on earth. His "right hand" of applied power directs these faithful men as they supervise the Kingdom work.
January 15, 1975 WT: "Governing Body of Jehovah's Witnesses Enlarged"
The Governing Body is now composed of eighteen members, ALL ANOINTED, and the other ten are as follows: Frederick W. Franz, Raymond V. Franz, George D. Gangas, Leo K. Greenlees, John O. Groh, Milton G. Henschel, William K. Jackson, Nathan H. Knorr, Grant Suiter and Lyman A. Swingle.
December 15, 1972 WT: "Do You Submit to Christ's Leadership Today?"
Christ Jesus continues to exercise full headship of the true Christian congregation earth wide today. And, just as he did back then, he uses earthly agencies to express that headship. The first-century Christian congregation had a governing body composed of apostles and elders at Jerusalem. A SIMILAR BODY of ANOINTED CHRISTIANS functions now. This governing body is the administrative part of a "faithful and discreet slave" or "steward" class concerning which Jesus promised: "His master . . . will appoint him over all his belongings." (Matt. 24:45-47; Luke 12:42-44) So, recognition of that governing body and its place in God's theocratic arrangement of things is necessary for submission to the headship of God's Son.
September 15, 1967 WT: "Recognizing the Part Played by Jehovah's Organization"
7 Today Jehovah's witnesses are found in 199 lands. There are 96 branches, all tied in with the central headquarters in Brooklyn, New York, namely, the Watch Tower Bible and Tract Society. There the work of the governing body of ANOINTED ONES is centered, and from here they give supervision to the preaching world wide and the preparation of publications containing spiritual food. If Jehovah had not long ago tested out and cleansed his people and put his spirit upon them, and if they were not working closely in harmony with his Word, they would be no different from any other religious body that was incorporated to carry on a work. They know that where the headquarters is located is not the important thing, or even the name of the corporation. However, the central organization is located in New York city because of the definite advantages in getting the good news printed and distributed world wide rapidly. Location was important to the Samaritans as well as the Jews, this prompting the Samaritan woman to say to Jesus: "'Our forefathers worshiped in this mountain; but you people say that in Jerusalem is the place where persons ought to worship.' Jesus said to her: 'Believe me, woman, The hour is coming when neither in this mountain nor in Jerusalem will you people worship the Father. . . . the hour is coming, and it is now, when the true worshipers will worship the Father with spirit and truth, for, indeed, the Father is looking for suchlike ones to worship him. God is a Spirit, and those worshiping him must worship with spirit and truth.'" (John 4:20-24) So location is not the important thing. It is you with God's spirit!
September 1, 1954 WT: "Recognizing the Theocratic Organization for Life"
15 Since the "faithful and discreet slave" is a class, its continued faithfulness and discreetness do not depend upon the life and conduct of any single individual. Since the "slave" class is made up of many anointed Christians, it must have a governing body. It does, just as the theocratic congregation of apostolic times had a governing body. Peter did not claim to be that governing body. Neither did Paul. Both of these apostles recognized the governing body as including more men than themselves, and they submitted their matters of dispute to the decision of the governing body. The twelve apostles of the Lamb being a mere dozen, not all the spiritually qualified men of their day could be included among such special apostles. And so the governing body took in, besides the twelve apostles of the Lamb, other older men of the theocratic organization at Jerusalem, such as James, the half brother of Jesus Christ. (Acts 15:1-29; Gal. 1:18, 19; Jas. 1:1) Naturally, the governing body of the "faithful and discreet slave" class today does not include any of the twelve apostles, now long absent from the earthly scene, but it does follow the written instructions of those apostles and the other older men associated with them in writing the Christian Greek Scriptures. The theocratic GOVERNING BODY OF TODAY includes older, spiritually qualified men of the ANOINTED REMNANT.
September 1, 1952 WT: "Maturity Essential to Increase"
16 "Let no man deprive you" by sidetracking your attention and devotion and service from the one organization. Paul had to sharply warn of that in his day. (1 Cor. 1:10-13, NW) As he argues at Galatians 3:16, 29 (NW), there is but the one 'seed, who is Christ', including those under him who "belong to Christ", sharing in the same HEAVENLY HOPE; members of which class today form the visible VISIBLE GOVERNING BODY of Jehovah's witnesses. Yes, there is only the one spiritual "body" of the Christ, only the one true vine, only the one mount, Zion, catching and reflecting Jehovah's glory. That means only the one "company" publishing acceptably the word given by the Lord, as foretold at Psalm 68:11. These also rejoice to see fulfilled the inspired word of <G<Þ>G>Ps 68 <G<Ü>G>verse 6 of that Psalm: "God brings home the desolate; he leads prisoners forth into prosperity; only the rebellious dwell in a parched land." (AT) Exercise mature discernment, therefore, and do not be deceived by anyone who is "puffed up without proper cause by his fleshly frame of mind". But, by glad and willing co-operation with his body of devoted people, go on "growing with the growth which God gives", "holding fast to the head," for "apart from me", said Jesus, "you can do [produce] nothing at all."-Col. 2;18, 19; John 15:5, NW.
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When did you think Armageddon would come?
by comment ini was just thinking about this.
having been raised "in the truth" post-1975, i didn't grow up with any specific year in mind.
yes, there was the notion of "this generation will by no means pass away," but by the time i was old enough to think about that concept, the people who were born in 1914 (to stretch it out as far as possible, as the society ultimately did) were still only in their 60's.
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1975 was reasonably highly anticipated in my area, from what I understand, but not as much as some of the other posters have described. I do know, though, that some sisters who were due to bear children that year were criticized ("Woe to the pregnant woman" etc.).
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