Posts by Inquisitor

27

RACISM IN WT

by stillAwitness in

jw
friends

this article entitled :jws, blacks and discrimination emailed to me from an "inactive" friend of mine.

i don't know wether to be hurt or just plain pissed.

my question is has anyone read or seen any hints of racism amongst the wt even nowadays?

I'm well aware of what the WTS has said. I have actually read the post, the link, and the publications mentioning this incident. I'm asking why you take the expression "commercial Jews" as an anti-Jew slur. Shall we take the "oppressive Anglo-American empire" as an insult to all Brits and Americans? If I said "Muslim religious leaders are not doing enough to counter acts of terrorism by Muslim fundamentalists", should I be accused of bigotry against Muslims?

You described the statement as part of a letter to the Nazi party. Funny that. I read that it was a DC declaration, not a placating mail. Care to clarify?

I haven't questioned your capabilities, AuldSoul. Have some decency to accord me some respect too.

INQ

27

RACISM IN WT

by stillAwitness in

jw
friends

this article entitled :jws, blacks and discrimination emailed to me from an "inactive" friend of mine.

i don't know wether to be hurt or just plain pissed.

my question is has anyone read or seen any hints of racism amongst the wt even nowadays?

Inquisitor

If one takes "commercial Jews" to be an insult to the Jews as a race, shall we also take "the oppressive Anglo-American Empire" as an insult to British and American nationals? Having said that the WTS had never shown "genuine malice" to certain races, one must remember that they DiD make some politically incorrect statements. A reflection of the thinking of that era. I of course refer to statements made of people with darker skin. INQ

27

RACISM IN WT

by stillAwitness in

jw
friends

this article entitled :jws, blacks and discrimination emailed to me from an "inactive" friend of mine.

i don't know wether to be hurt or just plain pissed.

my question is has anyone read or seen any hints of racism amongst the wt even nowadays?

Inquisitor

I think we've sorta moved from commenting on the contents of the watchtower magazines to the conduct of JW's in general.

Re: WT - I don't believe that we have a legitimate cause for concern with regards to what was in the watchtower a 100 years ago. I mean obviously people spoke differently a century ago! I have never known any Watchtowers to reflect genuine malice for people of a certain race. Feel free to prove me wrong.

Re: Witnesses - What I have seen are some Witnesses who fail to fully adopt the Christian code of love and impartiality. Witnesses who kowtow to a particular race but treat members of their own race with indifference. I've also seen some who do the exact opposite. Though these colour-conscious Witnesses should not be used to accuse the WTS of racism, they do invalidate the claim that theirs is the true religion on the basis of them ALL "having love for one another".

INQ

29

What are WT's most abusive features?

by IT Support in

.

if you were granted a wish to change wt's worst features, what would you want changed?

.

Inquisitor

Guess I'm not really answering your question, IT Support.

But I've always wondered why it is compulsory for men to wear suits at all meetings. I mean for an organization that prides itself in being "no part of this world", it sure has an ironic dress code for appearing before the Creator.

INQ

14

Higher Education deal again.

by pc in

jw
friends

does anyone think this whole thing about college could be a big breaking point within the congregations.

i am sure alot of the parents of these kids did not go to college because of what the society preached.

do you think that they might just look at themselves and realize what a mistake it was not to go to school?

Inquisitor

The elder mentioned at the outset - any attempts at "deleting" him must be preceded with a deed as bold as teaching the congregation from the platform that the WTS has acted in oversight on the issue of higher education.

THEN will the stormtroopers and bounty hunters be released onto him.

And I shall fight by this rogue elder's side with my trusty double-sided light-sabre and any hairy Bible-wielding Wookie who cares to join our Cause.

14

Higher Education deal again.

by pc in

jw
friends

does anyone think this whole thing about college could be a big breaking point within the congregations.

i am sure alot of the parents of these kids did not go to college because of what the society preached.

do you think that they might just look at themselves and realize what a mistake it was not to go to school?

Inquisitor

I don't know if we're being too hopeful here. I mean the hardcore jw's survived failed predictions and fickle new "light" episodes. Why should we expect this to NOT blow over in their minds? JW's thrive in spite of the provisional edicts "inspired" at Bethel HQ. They see this as God's test to their loyalty. Even some who disagree are of the opinion that, like everything else, Jehovah will mend things in His own time.

INQ

15

In which countries are WT banned?

by IT Support in

i've now been out a couple of years and so don't have this information.

(a) ... in which countries is the work of jws currently banned?

this would be extremely helpful for a little project i'm working on.

Inquisitor

Quoting jwfacts:
"in Indonesia the JW's are banned, but they turn a blind eye to it and allow them to witness and even let a bethel be built there in the 1990's"

I thought Indonesia lifted the ban on JW's in the 90's, did it not?
But I don't know if that country is now listed on the JW Yearbook, i don't have the latest one.

In Singapore: The WTS, JW activities (meetings + preaching) and publications are banned. Members who out themselves but are not engaged in these activities do not get into trouble. Of course, you wouldn't want to out yourself and have the authorites tracking you all year lol

The activities are carried out with much stealth.

In Malaysia: JW activities are not banned. The watchtower and the Awake magazines are banned. Most of their other publications are not (authorities target the ones with comments on Islam e.g. Mankind's Seach for God/ the Immortal Soul tract). The WTS has legal recognition here, but I understand that the local JW's have been specifically instructed not to draw too much attention to that fact at the doors (legal recognition was acquired in the recent 90's). Reason for this caution is unknown.

7

Birthdays

by wanda in

i enjoyed this.

birthdays.

some people go around saying, as they are wrongly told to do so, that mature christians should not celebrate birthdays.

Inquisitor

Thanks for the link, Almost Atheist. To wanda: I didn't quite get the reasoning of Job 1:3 and 3:1,3. Those two citations don't exactly show that Job's kids were celebrating their birthdays. The texts show Job had a big family (1:3) and that he cursed the day of his birth (3:1,3). Job 1:4 mentions the feasts held in the houses of the sons of Jacob on "appointed days". But there was no indication that these were on days of birth. There is nothing to support the idea that the "love feasts" by 1st Century Christian included birthdays either. INQ

9

Regarding Resolutions

by Inquisitor in

does anyone here remember how we used to have resolutions at assemblies/conventions?

the speaker would crescendo into a lits of resolutions to which the audience would readily (sleepily?

) say "aye!

Inquisitor

Hi all!

Does anyone here remember how we used to have Resolutions at Assemblies/Conventions? The speaker would crescendo into a lits of Resolutions to which the audience would readily (sleepily?) say "Aye!" or something to that effect.

When was the last time they did one? The last one I recall was sometime during the mid-90's. A District Convention I think. If there was one more recent, it would possibly be at an assembly instead of a convention.

Question 2: Does anyone know why we don't have these anymore? (aside from the fact that they are really really old-school. Think it was Rutherford's brainchild)

INQ

70

Jan 1st WT: Reaching out, Higher Education and Providing for one's needs

by truthseeker in

jw
friends

well, as a nice start to the new year, the jan 1st watchtower article, "how firm is your trust in god" blasts those who live comfortable lives, those who don't reach out, and those who pursue higher education.. definitely, they are taking a harsher stand, having completely painted themselves into a corner.. i highlighted the interesting comments.

i did not include all the text for each paragraph, just the main points.. .

1 a young man wanted to be more useful to the congregation.

Inquisitor

Quote: "He might come to expect special treatment in the congregation"

Funny the WTS should dare to imagine that special treatment is expected by college-going members. I wonder what treatment they are referring to? The opposite of neglect and out-right hostility? That would be sooo special indeed. Utopian even!

INQ