Posts by JW_Researcher

posted

18
The Point of No Return
by JW_Researcher in
1. watchtower
2. bible
in your experience, at what point will a jw bible student become a convert?

what is the tipping point?

for example, is it the number of studies?
JW_Researcher

Hi Fats,
You wrote:

Okay, JW_Researcher, your turn.
In my personal case, I know it took some major convincing.
What was your tipping point?
Fats

I "studied" for several years in three states before making a commitment. I had trouble with the "one true religion" teaching (among other things like blood). As Gary and others suggest above, there probably was a fair amount of psychological reasoning going into my decision to get baptized. It was so long ago (1979?) that I don’t readily recall all of the particulars. I was young and idealistic…. A bit naïve perhaps. To the question though, in my experience if one came to the hall, there was a better than even chance they would be baptized. I observed this across eight congregations. Just wondering what others had observed as to the "tell tale" sign a Bible study might come in. Not necessarily "why" the Bible study would come in but that they were on their way in. Hopefully that's not too confusing.
18
The Point of No Return
by JW_Researcher in
1. watchtower
2. bible
in your experience, at what point will a jw bible student become a convert?

what is the tipping point?

for example, is it the number of studies?
JW_Researcher

Thank you for your interesting observation.
In my personal case, I know it took some major convincing. The brother who "studied" with me would have loved a simple "hello." :-)
18
The Point of No Return
by JW_Researcher in
1. watchtower
2. bible
in your experience, at what point will a jw bible student become a convert?

what is the tipping point?

for example, is it the number of studies?
JW_Researcher

In your experience, at what point will a JW Bible student become a convert? What is the “tipping point”?
For example, is it the number of studies? ‘If the student stays with it for 6 weeks there is a 50% likelihood that they will convert.’
Perhaps it is if they withstand “persecution” then they will remain. ‘If a student continues their study in the face of familial opposition, there is a 75% likelihood they will convert.’
It may have to do with their preparing for their study or their attending meetings: ‘If a student attends three meetings and doesn’t bolt, there is a 50% probability that they will convert.’
Obviously this is anecdotal and varies from person to person. I fully understand that there are no identifiable rules for all.
I’m simply interested in your observations. Many of you were in the congregation for years and saw studies come and go.
Thank you for any observations.
19
June 2006 Kingdom Ministry
by Elsewhere in
1. jw
2. friends
.

for those who can stomach it... http://www.reexamine.info/okm/june2006us.pdf.
JW_Researcher

Thank you for posting this.
20
Governing body members pay
by snarf in
1. jw
2. friends
does anyone know what the governing body members make a month?

do they make more money than the average bethelite because of greater responsibility, or do they just get the benefits of first class travel when they go to different areas of the world?
JW_Researcher

Then there are the ones who subsist on nothing but hopper clothes.
We called them (somewhat unkindly, in retrospect) the "flag" brothers due to the mixing of colors.
14
Fact Check on Study Books, Please
by JW_Researcher in
1. watchtower
2. bible
could someone please verify the following are the books jws were encouraged to use for new "bible studies"?

i understand that there might have been some deviation (for example if a study couldn't read), but by and large, these were the first books.

i may be missing one?
JW_Researcher

Thank you for correcting me.
Been out for a bit. :-)
5
The Evocative Religion of Jehovah's Witnesses (Alfs)
by JW_Researcher in
1. watchtower
2. bible
will do look-ups and scans in:

alfs, matthew the evocative religion of jehovah's witnesses: an anlysis of a present day phenomenon.

minneapolis, mn: old theology book house, 1991.
JW_Researcher

Will do look-ups and scans in:
Alfs, Matthew The Evocative Religion of Jehovah's Witnesses: an anlysis of a present day phenomenon. Minneapolis, MN: Old Theology Book House, 1991. ISBN: 0961296429
14
Fact Check on Study Books, Please
by JW_Researcher in
1. watchtower
2. bible
could someone please verify the following are the books jws were encouraged to use for new "bible studies"?

i understand that there might have been some deviation (for example if a study couldn't read), but by and large, these were the first books.

i may be missing one?
JW_Researcher

Could someone please verify the following are the books JWs were encouraged to use for new "Bible Studies"?
I understand that there might have been some deviation (for example if a study couldn't read), but by and large, these were the first books. I may be missing one?
1) Truth Book (1968 - 1982)
2) Live Forever Book (1982-2005)
3) Bible Teach Book (2005-present)

Please and thank you.
JWR
21
A really good book about Watchtower history
by Gary1914 in
1. watchtower
2. bible
i recently discovered a great book which i would like to recommend.

it is called a people for his name and it was written by a jehovah's witness named timothy white.

i love this book and it helps one to see the origins of many things taught by the witnessing such as disfellowshipping and the blood doctrine.
JW_Researcher

When I navigate from the main page of reexamine.org to the downloads page (actually I have to go to the downloads directly as that main page to the downloads page link is broken again), I do not see this book....yet the URL works perfectly.
I can usually navigate a site fairly well but am a bit puzzled by some of the stuff on reexamine.
My real concern is "What else am I missing?"
Any suggestions are appreciated.
23
He Wouldn't Sell to Me Because I'm Not a JW
by JW_Researcher in
1. watchtower
2. bible
this has got to be one of the silliest things i've had happen in a bit:

i wrote steve searle ([email protected]) who has literature for sale on e-bay (marley coles books on cd) and on his website at

http://www.geocities.com/searlsa123/watchtowerantiquarian
JW_Researcher

Hi Wasanelder Once,
I dont know why anyone would want to waste thier time with it anyway.

I have an academic interest in it.
Certainly not looking for it to 'provide spiritual food at the proper time.' :-)