Posts by Doubting Bro

37

Comparing the old elder's handbook to the new...

by undercover in

as i've read through the new elder's book, something kept nagging at me about it.

then i went to compare one passage in the new book to the old and it hit me.

i've mentioned it on a couple of posts, but i wanted to start a thread on it.... what hit me was that the new book was like an instruction manual to supervisors in a plant.

Doubting Bro

Yeah, but the only sections that were ever used in the old book were the rules and regs anyway. No one really paid attention to the other sections.

11

Secret Elder Book PROVES the JWs have a Clergy Class

by VM44 in

the jws and the watchtower often say that they have no "paid clergy class.".

but the new secret elder book that is supposed to be confidential and only seen by the elders and not be accessible to anyone else in the congregation proves beyond any doubt that the jws do have a clergy class!.

they might not be paid, but the elders are a select, elite group among the witneeses.. so much for the boastful claim by the watchtower that they have no special clergy class..

Doubting Bro

And it also proves that no clergy privilege exists since they not only consult with others outside the JC but accord to 7:15 they will divluge not just the circumstances but the actual names of those involved when speaking with the branch.

The fact this is in writing and out in the public space should help attorneys in going after the society in child abuse cases. I believe the CA court ruled that the fact they are bringing in multiple parties throws out clergy privilege. Especially since the clear, written direction is to NOT inform the accused that the JC is speaking with anyone else.

I was knew these were kangaroo courts where you are basically guilt until proven innocent but this shows how much the cards are stacked against someone facing a JC.

28

KS10-Chapter Seven Discussion

by yknot in

chapter 7 from 'shepherding the flock of god' published by the wts of penn/ny is part of their worldwide bible educational work.

the wts is a non-profit whose publications are not for sale but are freely given to those who show 'genuine' interest..... while not required, a donation is always joyfully accepted .

while admittedly my feelings were hurt by "the boys" yanking my 4shared files.. anywho.... the other part of my brain says 'it ain't personal' and just a game.....hey yall get out of 'whatever' your normal task is right!!

Doubting Bro

You rock Ynot!! Fantastic

36

KS10 Chapter Three

by yknot in

chapter three from 'shepherding the flock of go' published by the wts of penn/ny as part of their worldwide bible educational work.

the wts is a non-profit whose publications are not for sale but are freely given to those who show 'genuine' interest..... while not required, a donation is always joyfully accepted .

well i was going to stick to the boe ltr for a 'pre-view' but somebody deleted my sendspace links.

Doubting Bro

MLE - just reading your post comparing the WTS to a prison gang. I never thought of it quite like that but your description is dead on. You know, I always think of the mafia or gangs in general of being at least cult-like. Maybe not a religious cult, but a cult nonetheless.

It's this sort of conduct that screams CULT to most and the level of control in the WT Talmud would make the Pharisees of Jesus day a bit jealous.

Honestly, sometimes I feel like going to Bethel with a bullhorn and reading Matt 23 and substituting the word GB for the word Pharisees.

32

started a firestorm on facebook

by mimimimi in

last friday i posted something supportive of gays on facebook - it was as follows: put this on your status if you know or love someone who is gay.

my wish is that people will understand that being gay is not a disease nor a choice- people who are gay are not looking for a cure but acceptance and equal rights... 93% won't copy and paste this.

will you make it your ...status for at least one hour?

Doubting Bro

Scully - that's interesting. This particular CO went out of his way to tell people that acting on gay impluses was no greater of a sin than acting on hetro impluses. He used to live in an area with a large gay community and I wonder if that influenced his reasonability on the subject.

32

started a firestorm on facebook

by mimimimi in

last friday i posted something supportive of gays on facebook - it was as follows: put this on your status if you know or love someone who is gay.

my wish is that people will understand that being gay is not a disease nor a choice- people who are gay are not looking for a cure but acceptance and equal rights... 93% won't copy and paste this.

will you make it your ...status for at least one hour?

Doubting Bro

I had a CO once ask me whether I thought being attracted to the same sex was a choice or something you were born with. And, no he wasn't hitting on me, it came up in conversation somehow. I told him I wasn't sure but it seemed that some people were born with that inclination. He actually agreed and told me the WTS agreed as well? I've never seen a reference but this CO wasn't a young man and you would think if anyone would be saying it was a choice it would be him.

Of course, he said that those folks had to sacrifice alot to be a JW and that Jehovah would "fix" them in the new system. He said it was acting on the impulse that was bad, not having it. He also compared it with an unmarried straight person. Acting on the impluse outside of marriage was wrong (in his eyes) whether it was gay or straight.

Actually, I was impressed with his openness for a 70 y/o CO.

44

Another Bro Fading

by FadeToGrey in

hi all.. my story.

it's been a while coming.. i have been lurking around here for 10 months or so.. reading just about everyday.

thank steve jobs for the iphone.. i haven't worked out how to post from the iphone.

Doubting Bro

g'day mate! Sorry, I'm sure that's an Americanize version of how an Aussi would say hi friend.

Welcome and look forward to hearing more from you. It's great you got out with your wife, many are not that lucky.

36

KS10 Chapter Three

by yknot in

chapter three from 'shepherding the flock of go' published by the wts of penn/ny as part of their worldwide bible educational work.

the wts is a non-profit whose publications are not for sale but are freely given to those who show 'genuine' interest..... while not required, a donation is always joyfully accepted .

well i was going to stick to the boe ltr for a 'pre-view' but somebody deleted my sendspace links.

Doubting Bro

I honestly don't think they can understand why anyone would want to resign. After all, holy spirit appointed you, right? So, it's really a sin to resist the calling. Remember, the folks writing these things don't live in the real world, don't have real jobs and aren't really worried about keeping the lights on. They don't have kids to worry about and they're located in congregations that are sometimes made up of 75% of others just like them.

The COs have a bit more perspective and the ones I would consider good can empathize with the rank and file. But, IMHO, they are few and far between.

MLE - I totally agree with you. If I had only known!!

36

KS10 Chapter Three

by yknot in

chapter three from 'shepherding the flock of go' published by the wts of penn/ny as part of their worldwide bible educational work.

the wts is a non-profit whose publications are not for sale but are freely given to those who show 'genuine' interest..... while not required, a donation is always joyfully accepted .

well i was going to stick to the boe ltr for a 'pre-view' but somebody deleted my sendspace links.

Doubting Bro

EE - I agree and I recall when I resigned the COBOE told me, "you can't just quit" to which I said, "is this the mob?" and laughed. They refused my resignation for a few weeks and had numerous meetings with me. But, I calmly told them I needed to take care of my family, cited a few scriptures that proved my family was to be my main concern and they relented. They offered me the light duty option mentioned in 3:25 and I did have to write a letter which was forwarded and I'm sure is on permanent file with the WTS (hi again guys! my letter was pretty boring and I'm sure you just skimmed it).

No change in procedure that I can see but I agree they try to make it difficult to just quit.

36

KS10 Chapter Three

by yknot in

chapter three from 'shepherding the flock of go' published by the wts of penn/ny as part of their worldwide bible educational work.

the wts is a non-profit whose publications are not for sale but are freely given to those who show 'genuine' interest..... while not required, a donation is always joyfully accepted .

well i was going to stick to the boe ltr for a 'pre-view' but somebody deleted my sendspace links.

Doubting Bro

Ok, this is much better reading. So, one of the things that may get you removed is declaring bankruptcy. I love this one - "did the brother lack self-control in his spending or fail to use reasonable foresight in his business decisions"

I thought this was a spiritual position, what does being a good businessman have to do with it? Is it me or does this seem weird? I guess I missed that particular qualification in Titus and Timothy.

MLE - LOL!