Posts by Doubting Bro

28

Blondie's Comments You Will Not Hear at the 3-22-09 WT Study (UNDESERVED)

by blondie in

jw
friends

ministering to one another.

how do we "use it in ministering to one another"?

"use it in ministering"-how?

Doubting Bro

Blondie - Your thought gives me even more cause to believe that if they ceased the monthly reporting, then they wouldn't have the increase issue to worry about any longer. They could talk about total number attending the Memorial or even baptised folks. The only decrease would be those who are actually disfellowshipped or DA. I think the number who go inactive are probably greater than the df/da number on an annual basis.

Undercover - cynical, yes? However, their behavior gives reason for that cynicism. I didn't think about the experience but you are exactly correct. I really can't remember seeing very many times when moving for reasons other than preaching was looked on favorably. Very interesting.

Of course, this could be completely lip service about Christian charity to prove to taxing authorities that the WTS does encourage charitable works and therefore should keep their tax excempt status.

9

What Would Jesus Say to You and the Governing Body?

by AllTimeJeff in

would you be a jehovah's witness if you just read the bible by itself?

for that matter, without the aid of any religious influence, would one be apart of any religious group or body because of a specific mandate within the bible?

i realize this is at least a tricky and controversial question, best answered by the individual doing the reading of the bible.

Doubting Bro

Sir82 beat me to it! The JW organization really makes the Pharisees of Jesus day jealous with their efficiency in being self-righteous.

I saw others comment about how Jesus teachings really fit in well with Eastern philosophy and Solomon's writings seem to as well. There's some valuable life advice there whether you chose to think of it as divinely inspired or just wise words.

28

Blondie's Comments You Will Not Hear at the 3-22-09 WT Study (UNDESERVED)

by blondie in

jw
friends

ministering to one another.

how do we "use it in ministering to one another"?

"use it in ministering"-how?

Doubting Bro

Paragraph 11 struck me as a change, perhaps a significant change. I don't ever recall either hearing or seeing in print the statement that "Similarly, we need to share in both aspects of our service to God in order to be complete as Christians. Thus, instead of regarding our assignments to preach the good news and to build up fellow believers as unrelated, we view them just as the apostles Peter and Paul did--as responsibilities that complement each other."

I am seriously beginning to wonder if a major change on reporting FS time is about to be made. The dropping of the stats in the KM was a big deal in my opinion. Now, saying that taking care of believers is just as important as FS?? The only way that would ever trickle down to reality would be if 1) they allowed members to count the time spent visiting the elderly, sick, depressed, etc or 2) eliminate FS reporting for the rank & file (still having pioneers & aux pioneers turn in a slip due to the specific time requirements).

I'm not sure what's going on and maybe I'm reading too much into it. Has anyone else ever seen them put preaching & "looking after widows & orphans" on the same level? Actually, that would be more in line with Jesus teaching and the rest of the NT anyway but then that would also mean they would be becoming just a touch more mainstream.

I'm sure I'm wrong on this. But, I also know that they put things in there for a reason and this seems like a trial ballon.

24

Pecking order of Memorial jobs

by Open mind in

what's your personal take on the perceived level of jw prestige attached to various jobs at the memorial?.

here are a handfull in no particular order:.

parking.

Doubting Bro

When you're a JW, you really don't have much to look forward to so you're right, they attach a fair amount of importance to these silly jobs.

The order here is what I think

Parking - usually assigned to young males, some who aren't old enough to have their drivers license yet. Level of importance - low

Attendant - assigned to MS or if not enough MS avaliable then to non-elders who aren't on any "restrictions". Level of importance - low

Baker of unleaved crackers (regional, around here they buy Matzohs) - Places I've been don't even assign this, the speaker is responsible. If they do assign it, noone knows who purchased it. Especially since it could be handled by a female. Therefore, level of importance - below low.

Buyer of vino - see the cracker comment

Provider of table service - Ah, what a privlege to be a waiter!! Usually assigned to elders (maybe MS if not enough). Get to be seen by everyone, therefore the level of importance goes up to medium.

Prayer over bread - Always an elder. Importance - above waiter but below wine.

Prayer over wine - Always an elder. Importance - 2nd most (in my opinion). Bonus points if you can stretch the prayer out over 5 minutes.

Chairman (it's an official job starting this year, per letter to BOE) - Always an elder. Now mandatory, huh? Well, that moves up in importance a little I'd say more important than a waiter but less than a prayer.

Speaker - Most important. I've seen absolute fights over who gets this assignment. I've also seen lots of politics over it.

Buddy of Bethelite who pulled strings to get Bethel speaker to fly in - Priceless!

22

local cong to handle all pioneer additions and deletions

by seeking help in

read in letter.

no longer using the branch for permission.. all done locally... am i the only one who heard that?.

old light?

Doubting Bro

Assuming it is true: Could be another move prompted by legal liability concerns. If a pioneer runs over someone with their car in field service, and that pioneer was appointed by the Society and thus doing the Society's work when the accident occurred, is the Society at least partly liable? Perhaps the Legal Dept. thinks the risk has become too great.

I'm stunned that this theory hasn't at least been tested, although maybe it has. There is a clear line between the WTS & the local pioneer due to that "appointment" and due to the mandatory hour requirement. I'm sure COs, DOs & Bethelites traveling on official WT business expose them to liability but that's much more manageable since there are not that many. I think there's also a pretty clear line on conduct by elders & ms since they too are directly appointed to that position by the WTS.

I seem to remember a case against a rank & file publisher a few years ago in FL (??) that was in an accident while in service which the WTS was brought into. They actually were dismissed from that case since they claimed the person was acting completely on their own in talking to their neighbors about the Bible. The plaintiff attorney must have done a very poor research job because with the offers for the month, talking points in the KM, officially sanctioned meetings for service with printed direction on how to conduct them and having most of the meetings conducted by officially appointed representatives of the WTS, I can't see how a judge could possibly buy that argument. However, the changes to the corporate structure a few years ago may be why. The Christian Congregation of JWs is the one appointing folks, not the WTS right? How many assets do you think the CCJW has? Probably minimial.

Sorry for rambling, but I could see this happening although I haven't hear anyone else mention it.

88

British Sociologist Predicts Possible Collapse in Jehovah's Witness Numbers

by slimboyfat in

jw
friends

a newly published article by british sociologist david voas argues jehovah's witnesses may be about to experience a collapse in numbers.

contrary to claims by american sociologist rodney stark who predicts strong future growth for jehovah's witnesses, voas shows that jehovah's witnesses' efforts at recruiting new members have become increasingly unsuccessful over the past few decades: the rate of increase has steadily declined, and the number of hours each publisher must preach to produce an extra convert has gone up substantially.

voas suggests a reason for the stagnation may be that there is a natural limit to the number of people in a given population that are susceptible to conversion to sectarian groups like jehovah's witnesses - the 'carrying capacity' of the population, and that the limit has largely been reached.

Doubting Bro

I agree that the number of pioneers to publishers has increased but you have to take that with a grain of salt since the pioneer hours were cut by 1/3rd (from 90 to 60). That helped create a bit a bump. Still, I agree that putting that much time in (whether 90 or 60 hours per month) shows a level of committment. Overall hours is a function of increase in number of people since the WTS is still reporting increases although they are not increasing at the level they once were. The 15 min publisher is not a valid argument since there are very few that even qualify for that "provision" and at best it was a one year bump. Interestingly, the average hours per month in the US is down slightly (from close to 10 to close to 9). I anticipate that number will increase this year due to the bump of allowing both parents count the family study.

On the blood issue, I'm friends with a non-JW health care worker at a larger hospital who deals with JWs on a fairly regular basis (as regular as you can with a religion that comprises about .05% of the population in the US). This person told me that if the HLC is not involved in a blood case, between 1/3rd & 1/2 of the JWs will compromise. Of course, if the HLC is brought in, that percentage drops significantly. Still, even if half of the JWs are willing to sacrifice their life, I agree that is a significant committment. But, if you were to go back 20 years, I'd be willing to bet that the percentage that would take blood would be much less. Again, this is just one person's observation but I take them at their word.

I think the committment level starts showing itself with the small things and that eventually leads to the big things. That's why I can't see the sudden collapse but more of a steady decline. Eventually, the apathy and disobedience, the damping of enthusiasm and commitment will catch up unless something is done to stem the tide. I really think WT leadership is well aware of the trend but hasn't figured out what to do to stop it. I'm sure they're hoping the big A happens soon.

88

British Sociologist Predicts Possible Collapse in Jehovah's Witness Numbers

by slimboyfat in

jw
friends

a newly published article by british sociologist david voas argues jehovah's witnesses may be about to experience a collapse in numbers.

contrary to claims by american sociologist rodney stark who predicts strong future growth for jehovah's witnesses, voas shows that jehovah's witnesses' efforts at recruiting new members have become increasingly unsuccessful over the past few decades: the rate of increase has steadily declined, and the number of hours each publisher must preach to produce an extra convert has gone up substantially.

voas suggests a reason for the stagnation may be that there is a natural limit to the number of people in a given population that are susceptible to conversion to sectarian groups like jehovah's witnesses - the 'carrying capacity' of the population, and that the limit has largely been reached.

Doubting Bro

Is it a coincidence that as of January 2009 the monthly publisher counts have been dropped from the Kingdom Ministry?

No, I don't think its a coincidence at all. There is something else going on but I can't put my finger on it. For an organization that is OBSESSED with numbers, not having them in front of everyone every month is a pretty significant change. They are certainly attempting to reposition themselves but I haven't a clue how.

SBF - Many on this forum seem to assume that very large numbers of Jehovah's Witnesses don't believe in it any more and only keep going because of a mixture of habit, fear of shunning, and social ties. I doubt that very much.

While I agree there is a tendancy to project, I disagree that most are "all in". If they were, they would be following things much more closely. Meeting attendance is not nearly as good as it once was (from my personal observations), the urgency in service just isn't there, "higher" education is being villified yet my personal observation from 3 different parts of the US with elder/ms kids is that it is being for the most part ignored, entertainment choices are definately not in line with WTS guidelines. Basically, my personal observations among JWs that most in the congregation would consider strong is that they would be considered weak JWs 20 years ago. The level of committment just isn't as strong as it once was.

I do agree with you that they could once again return to strong growth, but the only way that will happen is the rise of another Franz like oracle who can get the masses energized again. Apathy is their single biggest organizational issue in my opinion. Get folks excited about it again, set a date with conviction and I think you would see more committment from the rank & file. But, then you would run the risk of having a great disappointment again. But, you could at least get more short term growth.

88

British Sociologist Predicts Possible Collapse in Jehovah's Witness Numbers

by slimboyfat in

jw
friends

a newly published article by british sociologist david voas argues jehovah's witnesses may be about to experience a collapse in numbers.

contrary to claims by american sociologist rodney stark who predicts strong future growth for jehovah's witnesses, voas shows that jehovah's witnesses' efforts at recruiting new members have become increasingly unsuccessful over the past few decades: the rate of increase has steadily declined, and the number of hours each publisher must preach to produce an extra convert has gone up substantially.

voas suggests a reason for the stagnation may be that there is a natural limit to the number of people in a given population that are susceptible to conversion to sectarian groups like jehovah's witnesses - the 'carrying capacity' of the population, and that the limit has largely been reached.

Doubting Bro

Very interesting article. I tend to think that stagnation and then a slow but steady decline mainly due to the reasons that Dozy brings up. I know there are a lot of folks who don't understand/fully believe the theology but who are JWs because all their friends and family are and to leave would mean to give them all up. The price is very high to leave.

Now, if something big happened and family groups decided to leave together, then it could come crashing down very quickly. I just don't seem them doing anything to upset the apple cart.

23

The Miracle of Prayer - Samuel Herd, Governing Body Member

by Kosonen in

jw
friends

i found his talk at http://www.jwforum.net/forum/viewtopic.php?f=69&t=1704.

here is a part of his talk.

is he indicating that we should pray for gb so that jehovah god would open their eyes?.

Doubting Bro

Its this sort of "logic" that pisses me off to no end. Why on earth would a "God of truth" direct that his channel of communication on earth provide incorrect information leading to wrecked lives only to finally relent when enough people begged him to? And, why were these sisters questioning the GB? Weren't they sinning? What exactly is Herd's point?

The mental gymnastics is takes to believe that the WTS is Gods channel given their history is exhausting.

11

Comments you will NOT hear at the Congregation Bible Study Week Starting March 16

by LUKEWARM in

jw
friends

here is this weeks lesson - your comments please.... .

***lvchap.2pp.19-24how canyoumaintainagoodconscience?***.

whyconsidertheconsciencesofothers?.

Doubting Bro

I'm always surprised by the amount of nerve it takes for the WTS writers to write some of this stuff. To the average JW, conscience matters are things that the WTS doesn't want you to do but won't DF you over. As a matter of fact, anytime they move something (like organ transplants, blood "fractions") from DFing to conscience matters, its interpreteted by the rank & file as being "ok now".

Unlike the Mosaic Law, "the law of the Christ" invites its adherents to live more by conscience and principle than by written rules. (Galatians 6:2) Jehovah thus entrusts Christians with extraordinary freedom. However, his Word reminds us never to use that freedom as "a blind for badness." (1 Peter 2:16)

This is the funniest statement of the whole section. The written rules put out by the WTS are just as bad as the written rules put out by the Jewish leaders. If you think that's hyperbole, then read the brochure on appropriate dress and grooming for visiting Bethel. Yes, God would be very offended if you don't wear a suit to a book publishing factory!