Posts by Analysis

35

And so, They must Beg (WT Nov.1,02)

by metatron in

jw
friends

it's that time again!

time for the watchtower to beg for contributions!.

the nov. 1 wt has the usual article with a great big grey box covering two pages.

Analysis

They do get some money from people who give a standard amount each month. But, it is rare that publisher asks for and receives a donations from the someone at the door. If they were to receive a donation they would give them more literature which defeats the purpose.

I think the real issue is that Congregations all over the world are having problems paying the bills. In the US the high cost of land and improvements required by the local governments; has made the cost of building Kingdom Halls to go through the roof. So the local publishers are asked to meet the local needs first.

12

The One Lesson They Cannot Learn

by metatron in

jw
friends

can the watchtower ever open its eyes and learn from its mistakes?.

if so, here's a lesson screaming at them:.

stop making enemies.. it's just as simple as that.

Analysis

Jst2laws wrote:

"Are we sure it has not worked so far? Seems every country that has easy access to the internet are the same countries posting losses in numbers the past three years. "

Yes you are correct in that it had greatly reduced the increase. And with that the money. What I meant was that it had not impacted the GB viewpoints on any issues. The lack of money one-day may very well change that.

Big Tex wrote:

"But I also think the only reason that what Metatron describes hasn't happened is that most people just don't care about Jehovah's Witnesses, who they are or what they do. If that ever changes, and they do indeed anger a group, or a governmental agency then you will see pressure and effort brought to bear on the Witnesses (ala the Catholic church and their sex scandals) and then there might be some new light rather quickly."

You are right; most of the world could care less about JWs and their problems. In some few countries they have been successful in making changes because of human rights issues. But, for the most part they just do not care.

As to being ashamed, I would like to add that they no longer claim to be Jehovahs Witnesses in the door to door work on the first few visits.

12

The One Lesson They Cannot Learn

by metatron in

jw
friends

can the watchtower ever open its eyes and learn from its mistakes?.

if so, here's a lesson screaming at them:.

stop making enemies.. it's just as simple as that.

Analysis

I have several principles that I attempt to live by; One is "Do not make enemies that I do not wish to destroy." I have found that a very useful principle to live by since I have yet to meet someone that I want to destroy. But, it still allows for the Hitlers of the World.

The Problem is the WTBTS GB does want to destroy their adversaries. They just dont think like the rest of us.

What will it take to make them discern their own foolishness?

A judge's ruling?

No

A juries' verdict?

No

a bureaucrat's fine?

How Big

a reporter's critical story?

Never

an ex-elder's testimony?

Never

continuous internet exposure?

So far it has not worked

a march on Brooklyn?

They would enjoy the persecution

loss of contributions?

They would just downsize even more.

Witnesses too ashamed to identify themselves as such?

How many already feel that way, it has not worked yet.

The key is money. The Governing Body Members are safe for life. Even in prison they would be martyrs and have food and shelter at some country club prison in the US.

The question is: What would it take for the top 50 to 100 other leaders in Brooklyn to see that being out on the street at the age of 50 or 60 is their future without change. It is money!

The other hope is that these leaders find their Collective Consciences.

13

WTS: what does the future hold?

by RR in

.

thought you would find this of interest, what what your feedback is.

what the future holds

Analysis

I just thought I would make a list of "New Things" that have been printed in the last 10 years.

Generation Change

Separating the Sheep from the Goats Change

Alternative Service Allowed instead of Prison

Surgical Birth Control no longer a matter of Conscience

Acknowledgement that it might have rained before the flood

The Digesting Thing standing where it ought not moved to a future event

I think that they added to the head covering requirements

Disassociation for taking Blood, instead of Disfellowshipping

New Corporations

Could it be only 9 new topics in 240 issues of the Watchtower?

11

What's The Next Cut?

by metatron in

jw
friends

so, since jehovah can't be depended on to pay the watchtower's bills.

(he must be upset about that child molesting or false prophecy thing!),.

what can the society cut next in expenses?.

Analysis

They just recently stopped the tape subscriptions. They are combining the shipments of magazines to congregations instead of 4 times a month they will be sent only 2 times a month.

Are they still loaning money to build Kingdom Halls and Assembly Halls? If not that would be next.

7

Looking for Healing, Getting Spiritual Amway

by metatron in

jw
friends

as i survey my extended family and former congregation, a pattern clearly emerges.

it's a familiar one , called "bait and switch".. people hurt.

they suffer.

Analysis

Jehovahs Witnesses claim to teach the same thing Worldwide. But, based on the True Life Stories on this board, it is quite clear that this is just not the case.

For example, how many times have you heard that the believing spouse should agree to stay with an unbeliever treating them even better to "Win them over?" They are even proud to give examples in the literature that shows success after 20 plus years.

And yet, here are people who have been told to treat them poorly so the spouse will leave. Sounds to me that some of the Elders can not read or they dont stick to what is written.

22

Where did you turn?

by NobodyOfInterest in

jw
friends

you may have heard someone say "if jehovah's witnesses don't have the truth, then there isn't any truth".

in fact, some of you may have at one time been so convinced that you said that very statement yourselves.. now you sing a different tune.. the following question is directed towards those who have left the organization, yet still agree with their stand on major doctrines such as (no) trinity, (no) hellfire, and who at one time clearly saw (and maybe still do) the paganism mixed into the popular holidays...... do you believe that "there isn't any truth" now, or did you turn to somewhere else for spirtuality?.

and if you have turned somewhere else, have you had to accept doctrines that you don't believe in at all, just so you could have somewhere to go (i.e.

Analysis

Nobody

Are you going to respond to any of the issues raised in this thread?

7

Did Franz deliberatly alter the Bible?

by sleepy in

its taken as certain by most that the new world translaion is the work of fred franz.. now there are some funny expresions and words he chose to use in that translaion , that most people dont normaly use.but these words and expresions have been turned into catch-phrases by the witnesse, did he choose certain words when others wold have been more accurate in order to do this?

(the expression jehovahs witnesses had already been taken from the bible and used as a "special" phrase).

i wonder more though,did old franz choose these words insead of more common expresions in order to use them to deliberatly make some parts of the bible you woldn't normally link?for example the use of the word time or times in daniel, luke and revelation.is it really the same word that is used in tthe original language or could it be translated a different way, but "times" was used to make the link between them so it would fit in with their ideas on prophecy?are more instances of this in the new world translation?

Analysis

He was not the first to alter original text and I doubt that he will be the last. Look at Jer., 8:8 and you will see the teachers have been twisting the scriptures for a long time.

22

Where did you turn?

by NobodyOfInterest in

jw
friends

you may have heard someone say "if jehovah's witnesses don't have the truth, then there isn't any truth".

in fact, some of you may have at one time been so convinced that you said that very statement yourselves.. now you sing a different tune.. the following question is directed towards those who have left the organization, yet still agree with their stand on major doctrines such as (no) trinity, (no) hellfire, and who at one time clearly saw (and maybe still do) the paganism mixed into the popular holidays...... do you believe that "there isn't any truth" now, or did you turn to somewhere else for spirtuality?.

and if you have turned somewhere else, have you had to accept doctrines that you don't believe in at all, just so you could have somewhere to go (i.e.

Analysis

Nobody, I think the first question was posted to you to get an idea where you were coming from with your question.

However we do have more then your two options!

Others are:

Continue to look for the truth
Develop your own relationship with the Creator

Or; Live your life the best way you can with your current understanding of what is right and wrong. The Bible states if you know what is right and do not do it you are committing a sin.

If I get only one thing from the Bible it is that Jesus said to Love God and our Fellow Man. He showed us how to treat our fellow man with Love. I really do not think any organized religion does that, only people can.

22

Where did you turn?

by NobodyOfInterest in

jw
friends

you may have heard someone say "if jehovah's witnesses don't have the truth, then there isn't any truth".

in fact, some of you may have at one time been so convinced that you said that very statement yourselves.. now you sing a different tune.. the following question is directed towards those who have left the organization, yet still agree with their stand on major doctrines such as (no) trinity, (no) hellfire, and who at one time clearly saw (and maybe still do) the paganism mixed into the popular holidays...... do you believe that "there isn't any truth" now, or did you turn to somewhere else for spirtuality?.

and if you have turned somewhere else, have you had to accept doctrines that you don't believe in at all, just so you could have somewhere to go (i.e.

Analysis

I have many times heard the question "Where will you go?" Jehovahs Witnesses use that question to condemn all other religions. Is this what you are attempting to do?

You will find on this board many who still attend the Kingdom Hall and I call them Nominal Jehovah's Witnesses, I would say that I am in that group because of my family ties. Others are atheists, some attend other small groups. I think some feel that their relationship with god is personal and does not require an organization.

I think it really gets down to, what your personal view towards the Bible and the God of the Bible. Then you will live your life based on that personal viewpoint.

I personally believe that the Bible is based on history. But, I really dont think it represents the "True Word of God." The Bible Cannon as we have it is not really what even the First Century Christians viewed as Holy Scriptures. First Century Christians used many other works.

So what is the bible?

One View go to

http://www.bibleufo.com/

For another read

The Bible Unearthed: Archaeology's New Vision of Ancient Israel and the Origin of Its Sacred Texts

by Israel Finkelstein, Neil Asher Silberman (Hardcover - January 2001)

Who is God? If God is Love how do you explain what the Bible states he has done and will do to mankind? Or maybe the Bible is not really the complete Word of the God of Love.

Edited by - Analysis on 29 August 2002 16:55:11