Posts by insearchoftruth

122

Could Watchtower Collapse Be Sooner Than You Think?

by metatron in

jw
friends

there have been a number of developments over the past few months and they paint an interesting picture.. witnesses can keep dragging themselves to meetings ad infinitum however, the future of the watchtower itself is another story.

the evidence of continuing cash flow problems is now overwhelming.

if you talk to well placed witnesses, most won't deny it but simply blame it on the publishers financial problems.. they have cut off loans to congregations many of whom genuinely need new kingdom halls.

insearchoftruth

Would they ever consider moving the conventions to weekdays, rather than weekends to minimize the cost to the organization, or breaking them up into smaller groups and using assembly halls and make the rank and file just travel a longer distance.

I have only been following WTS activities for going on four years and I can not believe all the changes they have made in that short time, and what is amazing to me, my wife, her study conductors and other followers of the GB do not even bat an eye at the changes.......

Could they get away with nulite on tithing, there are many places the bible talks about giving to the church.......just a thought!?!

38

TO CLARIFY A COUPLE OF THINGS ABOUT MY PROJECT.....

by Mary in

jw
friends

first of all, i want to thank everyone for all the words of encouragment and compliments i've received regarding the project i put together.

not only will it (hopefully) help some family members to see that something's not right regarding many of the wt's doctrines, but it was therapeutic for me to do as well.

like many other ex-witnesses, i was emotionally devastated and extremely angry when i discovered that this religion was not "the truth" as was drilled into our brains from day one.

insearchoftruth

Great resource......will also read again!

60

Studying "What Does the Bible Really Teach?"

by homeschool in

i can't believe it.

i've actually had two studies with my sister from that book.

yesterday, she told me i was being argumentative.

insearchoftruth

I have tried to ask specific questions as my wife has been 'studying the bible (reading the bible teach book)' and it tends to just go into a circular reasoning....when a question is asked or a statement made, you need to ensure that you have your sister in her authentic mode, not the JW mode, otherwise she will just close up and it will fuel the prosecution complex that the WTS has told her she will see as she studies with them.....

Go to Tim Kilgore's site on youtube and listen to some of his tough questions for Jehovah's Witnesses, they are well prepared and at least they can encourage some true thinking.......and good luck!

Let me know if anything you do works!!

34

David resumes his walk this morning. Aubrey is recovering

by coffee_black in

jw
friends

here is the story, written better than i could this morning.... http://blogs.orlandosentinel.com/changetheworld/.

coffee .

insearchoftruth

Congrats.....what a great story!

32

2009-The Bible-What Is Its Message-brochure--PDF!

by Atlantis in

2009 the bible-what is its message-brochure--pdf!

we thank "yknot" dearly for sending the brochure and book for scanning.

i will start on the book in a few hours, but have to get a little shut-eye and then will continue.

insearchoftruth

One thing I did notice is that item 5 on "The Bibles Message - an overview" it does state that Jesus was resurrected 'as a spirit'.

32

2009-The Bible-What Is Its Message-brochure--PDF!

by Atlantis in

2009 the bible-what is its message-brochure--pdf!

we thank "yknot" dearly for sending the brochure and book for scanning.

i will start on the book in a few hours, but have to get a little shut-eye and then will continue.

insearchoftruth

From what I have noticed in my somewhat limited exposure to the JWs is they attempt to make the initial contact information such as Awake, public watchtower and brochures like this looking pretty mainstream, no discussion of 1914, no Jesus = Michaeal, no torture stake...why scare off a potential convert immediately.........wait til they have had a taste of the koolaid on their lips....wow, this doesn't taste too bad, maybe I should have some more.

I can already see my wife just basking in how wonderful this new brochure is, how the organization makes it so easy to understand the bible, I just wish she would read the Bible.....

32

2009-The Bible-What Is Its Message-brochure--PDF!

by Atlantis in

2009 the bible-what is its message-brochure--pdf!

we thank "yknot" dearly for sending the brochure and book for scanning.

i will start on the book in a few hours, but have to get a little shut-eye and then will continue.

insearchoftruth

Thanks so very much Atlantis and Ynot, I concur with what wobble said about how nice it is to have this stuff available, to know what folks are going to be seeing so we can at least be a bit prepared, you are all great!!!

21

Portuguese get jipped

by JWinprotest in

jw
friends

not sure if anyone else has heard, but here in the portuguese district that covers southern ontario and montreal had their convention cut from 3 days to 2 days.

when it was announced they told the congregation that they would be getting the same program in 2 days......but weeks later they were told that they could not take part in the invitation campaign because the theme of the public talk was printed on the flyer and they were not having a public talk.

does anyone know the reason why they would do this to just this one group?

insearchoftruth

I am sure it is a provision from Jehovah.....it seems strange they could not just employ or find anohter interpreter.....there must be something else causing this, especially since the 'keynote' topic is not going to happen....did they get bought off to use the facility for something else?

3

Congregation "Bible Study" Comments - Week Commencing 6 July 2009

by LUKEWARM in

jw
friends

.. *** lv chap.

7 pp.

74-77 do you value life as god does?

insearchoftruth

Thanks again for these notes lukewarm.

Blood and shunning to me are still the most heinous of the doctrines. I note that there is no discussion of the men in 1 Samuel 14: 32-35 where blood was eaten for survival, but they were forgiven. No mention of fractions, of how a JW can accept these acceptable fractions made from stored blood (where they state that blood must be poured on the ground) but not allowed to contribute to the blood supply themselves.

The WTS teaches that blood is sacred due to its repsentation of life, but what is more important, life itself or the symbol thereof......yes there are risks to a blood transfusion, but there are times when that is the only way one can save a life...and God provided us the ability to perform these acts, not to deny life to someone because they are 'eating blood'.

122

Could Watchtower Collapse Be Sooner Than You Think?

by metatron in

jw
friends

there have been a number of developments over the past few months and they paint an interesting picture.. witnesses can keep dragging themselves to meetings ad infinitum however, the future of the watchtower itself is another story.

the evidence of continuing cash flow problems is now overwhelming.

if you talk to well placed witnesses, most won't deny it but simply blame it on the publishers financial problems.. they have cut off loans to congregations many of whom genuinely need new kingdom halls.

insearchoftruth

They may be hurting big time.....but...they will continue to exist.

Though it may not appear that way to the normal member, there is no doubt a lot of downsizing that has gone on, reduced numbers of folks at Bethel, relocation of presses, soft covered books, reductions in publications.

I think the key though is the power trip that the GB (or for that matter any of the MEN who are in positions of authority) is on and I think each of them would rather have dominion over a smaller empire than to risk losing the total empire.

One of the previous threads on this site mentioned the possibility of the organization becoming even a bit more fanatical. I can see that, start to increase the pressure for conformance on the members and really get yourself down to a smaller number of really zealous JWs than the larger number they presently have who just seem to be along for the ride.