AudeSapere

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Posts by AudeSapere

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  71

  Protesters at today’s assembly on the news

  by Tahoe in

  1. jw
  2. friends

  https://www.wgal.com/article/jehovah-s-witness-event-met-with-protestors/22834659 .

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  AudeSapere

  Doubter wrote: there is no “right” to enter the building whether you were invited or not.

  You have read *waaayyy* too much into the reporter's question.
  

  I understand your assertion but you are off-point.

  Neither the reporter or anyone here in this thread said anything about her (or anyone) having a *right* to enter. She was NOT asserting her right.
  

  She merely inquired as to the reason why she was given an invitation [as extended to the public with weeks of distribution of tracts throughout the area] and then denied assess when she arrived. It was a good question that got a snide and condescending reply. Not an answer to 'why'. Just a flippant reply as if he was brushing dandruff off his shoulder.
  

  Why invite the public and then refuse them entrance simply because they spoke with a protester or two?

  Fair and balanced reporting always seeks input and comments from both sides of a story. It is very common to see a news article say something like: The [newspaper] reached out to so-and-so-opposite-party but they have not responded our request for comment.
  

  That denial of access on the basis of attempting to be balanced and listen to both sides of a story - which normal people should do - screams 'we have something to hide and must control all details of our actions and history'.
  
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  71

  Protesters at today’s assembly on the news

  by Tahoe in

  1. jw
  2. friends

  https://www.wgal.com/article/jehovah-s-witness-event-met-with-protestors/22834659 .

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  AudeSapere

  That was funny. And sad. At the same time. Ridiculous response by the attendant on the sidewalk.

  The reporter (and camera crew) received an invitation last month to attend. So she goes to the convention site and interacts a bit with the xjw protesters on the sidewalk. The doors to venue are blocked by attendant/guards and the reporter is refused entrance. When she asks 'Why'?, the attendant, with snide condescension tells her: "Because we have revoked your *supposed* permission to even be here. That's why."
  

  There is none so blind as those that just refuse to see what absolute dolts the WT leadership are.

  At least, as Bad_Wolf said above: That was a fine witness!

  Indeed.
  
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  24

  What is the number 3 talk?

  by carla in

  1. watchtower
  2. beliefs

  i was enjoying the funny memes thread https://www.jehovahs-witness.com/topic/4796195022045184/funny-ex-jw-memes.

  but what is the number 3 talk?

  there were a few references to that particular talk.

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  AudeSapere

  Sail Away wrote: Then there was the alcoholic sister that, even with my note cards in front of her, asked the wrong opening question. I said, 'That's an interesting question, we can cover that in next week's study.' And gave the talk filling in her parts.

  OMG! That is too funny. Perfect response by you.

  I remember one of my last talks was with a good friend of mine who was and still is an uber-JW and the most diligent student of JW doctrine. The talk was given from the platform (main hall) and was something about Armageddon. In the talk I referenced the scripture about 'the war of the great day of God the Almighty'. After reading the scripture in Revelation, I asked my householder: "So according to the bible, who's war is it?'

  In her most confident voice, my householder responded: "Well... it's obviously Satan's war."

  That was not the script. She said it to punk me.

  And it worked. For about 2 seconds. Haha!

  In that 2 seconds I had a crisis of doctrine. 25 years of indoctrination and I had to regather myself and realign my understanding of that verse.

  'Well... Let's re-read that verse again.' And I re-read it, clearly enunciating every word - for my own benefit - and slowly emphasizing the words that gave the right answer.

  When it was over, I laughed. It was funny and I passed the on-stage impromptu hurdle. But there was a moment of panic when she intentionally fed me the wrong line.

  ...

  Another talk... I remember rehearsing with an older, very long-time JW. (She might have been 2nd or 3rd gen.) It was my talk and she was my householder. I don't remember the topic but somewhere in the visit to rehearse we were talking about some personal problem and I mentioned (as all good JWs do) that fortunately we have the New System to look forward to when we won't have to deal with the troubles of this wicked world.

  Her response?

  "Oh, Aude... You don't really still believe that, do you?"

  I think it was the beginning of my seeing flaws in JW doctrine and faith.
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  24

  What is the number 3 talk?

  by carla in

  1. watchtower
  2. beliefs

  i was enjoying the funny memes thread https://www.jehovahs-witness.com/topic/4796195022045184/funny-ex-jw-memes.

  but what is the number 3 talk?

  there were a few references to that particular talk.

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  AudeSapere

  @Carla: Years ago, when there were 5 full-hour length meetings (Plus song and prayers), most congs' Thursday night meetings were 'The Theocratic Ministry School' and 'The Service Meeting'.

  As best I recall, the TMS consisted of 5 talks randomly rotated among the enrolled students.

  Talk #1: Instruction Talk - always given by a male, usually an elder or ministerial servant. This talk was training for Public Talks given on Sundays. (10 or 15 minutes, I think.)
  

  Talk #2: Bible Reading - always given by a male, usually a young child or a newly interested man (usually not yet an MS). It was a sequential reading of about a page in the bible with an introduction, reflection/explanation in the middle, and a conclusion. (5 or 6 minutes)

  Talk #3: Skit depicting/exemplifying discussion/impromptu preaching to an acquaintance - always given to a female of any age and any degree of JW maturity. The talk was assigned to a female student and a specific 'householder' (always a female student) was also designated. The assignee had to review the assigned material, come up with a setting for discussion and then write a script (or outline) for the 2 women/girls. The talk had to have a clear intro, a theme, and a conclusion.
  

  Talk #4: Same as #3 but might be re-assigned to a male to handle same as #5.

  Talk #5: [Mini Sermon. I forget the real name.] - always given by a male, usually an MS or well-experienced (advance) TMS student. (5 or 6 minutes)

  Timing/Length of each talk was critical. Students were expected to conclude within 10 seconds of the allotted time. If not, it was noted from the platform by the School Overseer in the public counsel given immediately after each talk.

  Attire: Proper Christian Attire was required. It was one of the 20 or 30 counsel points. For women, improper length of dress and modesty could result in being replaced at the last minute by someone else (or the School Overseer himself).
  

  At some point, I think the school was reduced to just 4 talks. I also seem to recall that talks 2-5 originally were 6 minutes and then reduced to 5 minutes. But I could be wrong. It's been awhile.
  
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  24

  What is the number 3 talk?

  by carla in

  1. watchtower
  2. beliefs

  i was enjoying the funny memes thread https://www.jehovahs-witness.com/topic/4796195022045184/funny-ex-jw-memes.

  but what is the number 3 talk?

  there were a few references to that particular talk.

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  2. 
  3. 
• 

  AudeSapere

  Sail Away wrote: "...assigning topics that were not age appropriate for the householder..."

  I was 9 when my parents started studying with the JWs and was the first in my newly-studying family to join the Theocratic Ministry School (TMS).

  The talk assigned to me to create a skit/dialog with an adult? 'Court Judicial - The Sanhedrin'.

  Seriously.

  And I had to leave girl scouts and art lessons and gymnastics to join that childhood-stealing organization that told my parents we had to donate ALL our personal time and interests in order to gain everlasting live.

  F'n, lying, child-hating cult.
  
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  4

  california fires

  by road to nowhere in

  1. watchtower
  2. beliefs

  there is a new video on jwtv the california fires, how things are being handled.

  it seems almost everyone managed to salvage his tie and razor.

  i will not comment on those who lost homes, sad no matter what.

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  AudeSapere

  My county got hit hard by fires and resultant mudslides Dec 2017 and Jan 2018.

  Every little bit of aid helps so I am very glad to see some proactive aid being 'approved' by WT corporate.

  And IMO a letter soliciting financial aid should be considered normal.

  However... As I recall with a disaster 10 or 12 years ago, WT corporate specifically told congregants to make all Disaster Contributions payable to '*Watchtower Worldwide Work* and nothing in the memo area of the check' in order for WT itself to decide where and how to utilize those funds.

  Normally, when donating to any organization, especially for disaster relief, it is very common - even expected or requested - to specify which disaster the donator is supporting by writing the event/catastrophe in the memo area of the check.

  No so with WT Corp.
  

  The mandated omission of specifying in the memo area allowed these funds to be used anywhere and anyhow - including pedophile defense and settlement.

  In other words, by directing contributors to omit any and all reference to a disaster relief effort, allows WT Corp to capitalize and benefit itself only. There is no obligation for WT Corp to actually forward any funds to the aid effort.

  I'm interested to know the verbiage of the expected letter to congregations.
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  9

  Our friend Akid48 turned 14 a few days ago!

  by sinboi in

  1. jw
  2. friends

  akid, happy birthday!!!.

  am i the first person in your life to send you a birthday card?.

  wanted to send you a birthday cake but the pic is copyrighted and it may not be proper to paste it in a forum.. remember to click here .

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  AudeSapere

  Happy Belated Birthday, AKid~!!

  
  
• 
  3

  DubTown News - The Copyright Strike

  by Kevin McFree in

  1. watchtower
  2. beliefs

  my thoughts on dubtown recent watchtower copyright strike.

  https://youtu.be/jpzsn0defcm.

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  AudeSapere

  Oh! How did I miss that you also posted here on JWN?

  I found your YouTube channel a few months ago and LOVE your videos!

  This one about copyright was great. Congrats on getting written proof that your work is noticed.

  One of my favorite clips is where young (teenage) witnesses have to sneak out of the house in order to have any sort of normal social interaction. It sure reminded me of a few of my own adventures.

  Thanks for presenting truths with good humor.

  -Aude Sapere (meaning: Dare to Know; Dare to Have Wisdom/Understanding; Dare to Think for Yourself)
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  13

  A concise list for my therapist...any suggestions?

  by Straw Man in

  1. jw
  2. friends

  been a lurker here for a long time.

  i am just now starting to deal with the issues from my witness upbringing.

  it's been about 10 years since i was df'd.. just recently i started to see a therapist and i am trying to get across the depth of the effects of growing up a witness.

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  AudeSapere

  Links to a few more therads/discussions on this subject:

  https://www.jehovahs-witness.com/topic/49716/whats-aftermath-you

  https://www.jehovahs-witness.com/topic/3595/post-cult-after-effects

  https://www.jehovahs-witness.com/topic/144837/leaving-cult-recovery

  https://www.jehovahs-witness.com/topic/76182/best-jang-recovery-info
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  13

  A concise list for my therapist...any suggestions?

  by Straw Man in

  1. jw
  2. friends

  been a lurker here for a long time.

  i am just now starting to deal with the issues from my witness upbringing.

  it's been about 10 years since i was df'd.. just recently i started to see a therapist and i am trying to get across the depth of the effects of growing up a witness.

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  AudeSapere

  StrawMan - Welcome to JWN. I hope you find the info and support you need and desire.

  Here are a couple of old threads that may help you with your succinct list:
  

  https://www.jehovahs-witness.com/topic/96309/8-characteristics-cult

  https://www.jehovahs-witness.com/topic/112308/combatting-mind-control-steve-hassan-wt-references

  ..
  

  It's nice to have you with us. Please post more details of your journey when you can.

  -Aude Sapere (meaning Dare to Know; Dare to Have Wisdom/Understanding; Dare to Think for Yourself)

  PS: I think BerryGerry's suggestion for your therapist to get the cited book is a good one. You should not have to spend too much of your pricey therapy visit explaining all the details of why JWs are a cult. They are clearly a 'high-control group'.