If the behavior of the JWs in my area is any indication, there's no way they will move to solely online meetings. They seem literally lost until the conference stuff started and even now they are really stressed out about attending their meetings online and not happy. And, there are areas near me where the internet isn't very good which makes it difficult for some to attend. Put that together with the older demographic that isn't very tech savvy and you will have a disaster. I used to think they would try to go digital but now that I'm watching it unfold, there's simply no way they can do it. Even they aren't that stupid.
Doubting Bro
JoinedPosts by Doubting Bro
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58
Kh's will be gone in 5 years! Here's how it will work
by nowwhat? inbesides the media center they are going to build in n.y. it's been noted they are also building one and a studio in australia.
there is no way donations can cover these massive projects.
so the money will have to come from the sale of the remaining halls.
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How Are JWs Affected By The Coronavirus?
by minimus inwill meetings and conventions be canceled?
the ministry?
shepherding calls, get togethers?
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Doubting Bro
Maybe whoever runs that Texas Bethel Tours site can use the time to study English. Good lord. "thank you for being comprehensive about this" WTF also that last sentence....
Nothing to report in the southeastern US. Just the letter about staying home when you are sick. Actually always good advice.
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Covid-19 (Coronavirus) - Status Update Thread
by Simon inthis topic is to focus on status updates & advice (no opinion or politics please).. status.
latest status is that it's serious, probably isn't going to be contained and most large companies are making contingency plans, cancelling large events etc... which i don't think would happen if it was just people being alarmist.
the incubation period means it may have already spread further and infected many more people than are currently known, so expect jumps in the numbers over the coming days and weeks.. tracking.
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Doubting Bro
A letter was read from the US branch to congregations Sunday saying something very similar. I know it was read Sunday as I was in attendance. Which is shocking in one sense because they often want publishers to risk their lives to make meetings but I applaud their using common sense in this isolated case.
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Why the Oxygen Special will not work like we think it will...
by HiddenPimo inwithin the very documentary is a reason i think that jw's for the most part will not wake up even if they watch this program.
the one lady actually saw as her family sat behind the abuser in court supporting him despite the established fact that he had abused their very own child.. this shows how deep the indoctrination is.
i am not saying that some won't wake up, but the majority will carry on, not even because they think these things are lies but because they will look past that at all costs to side with jehovah.
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Doubting Bro
I should also say that when you couple the lack of new members with an aging membership and awful retention levels for their youth (PEW says 66% leave), you are faced with a steep decline in the upcoming years. Which is probably why Bethel has accelerated their KH sale project here and in other Western countries. Cash out now before it becomes too apparent.
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Why the Oxygen Special will not work like we think it will...
by HiddenPimo inwithin the very documentary is a reason i think that jw's for the most part will not wake up even if they watch this program.
the one lady actually saw as her family sat behind the abuser in court supporting him despite the established fact that he had abused their very own child.. this shows how deep the indoctrination is.
i am not saying that some won't wake up, but the majority will carry on, not even because they think these things are lies but because they will look past that at all costs to side with jehovah.
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Doubting Bro
The damage the Oxygen special and the media coverage in People and other places really is among potential recruits. I'm sure some curious PIMIs will watch it and be shocked. Some will say it's just lies but that documentary was so well done that even those who say they don't believe the victims really know that they are telling the truth. The knowledge that the organization put its reputation over the safety of kids will wear on them but the cult programming is also strong.
Those on the fence about whether to investigate their doubts might be moved to do so. You never know what gets people ready to take an honest look at the organization.
But, the hit JWs have been taking in the court of public opinion is shifting from just a nice but annoying religion who knocks at your door to a pedo hiding organization. And that will diminish their already abysmal results in the US and other Western countries to gain recruits.
I don't think the US (since that's where I live) government should destroy any religion or private club, but they most definitely should ensure everyone follows the rules. The PA investigation should be interesting.
Ultimately, I think the JWs (like other fringe religions before them) will fade into obscurity but will be here long after I'm dead and gone.
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Montana News
by AuntBee inhttps://www.usnews.com/news/best-states/montana/articles/2020-01-08/court-reverses-35m-verdict-against-jehovahs-witnesses.
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Doubting Bro
Read the second link that explains the court's thought process. There is a loophole in MT law that exempts clergy from reporting. I think the blame here lies with the MT legislator and not the Supreme Court. As I read through the information, I don't see where they would have any choice but to overturn. As disappointing as the judgement is, I understand why the ruled that way.
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Current JW growth in the United States in historical perspective and in comparison with other groups
by slimboyfat incurrent jw growth is slower than during most of their history.
the only probable exceptions are following 1975 when there was a brief worldwide decrease, the late 1920s when around half of the members left the movement, perhaps around the 1917 schism, and various schisms during russell’s time.
there were also periods of sluggish growth during the 1950/60s and around 2000. .
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Doubting Bro
It's a little shocking to see some of the mainline Christian religions with such drastic losses. Really interesting. I live in an area where many people still attend church, maybe not every week but still support those organizations. And there are many of the more conservative religions active (US). That's likely why my perception is that while they have dropped, it hasn't been terrible.
I think the more conservative religions foster a mindset that they are the correct path which I believe builds more loyal members. If you couple that conviction that you are the only path with the drastic shunning that JWs use, you can see why they aren't losing as many members.
I agree this religion (and most) is boomer driven and I think once they start passing away, you will start seeing swiftly declining numbers. Go to any convention/assembly. You'll see a large number of elderly and middle aged. Not nearly as many kids or even younger (20/30s) married couples who actually have or will have kids.
Credit where credit is due, the JWs are keeping their numbers up pretty well despite putting minimal effort in retention other than the shunning policy.
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17
Big elders meetings?
by road to nowhere ini hear of whole circuit meetings being held, taking all day.
maybe just usual yearly stuff, but it seems the local elders immediately held a followup.
i am sure it will be about better local control, more charity, kindness, that sort of thing.
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Doubting Bro
They are doing it around here (USA). Just a KM school that they do every few years. Super boring all day affairs where they spend most of the time telling you how a) you suck and b) the congregation sucks worse and what you need to do to judge them.
Good times
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Hey - Cognac here... Dealing with Custody Case
by BriandMandi inhad to create a new account cause i couldn’t login to my old one.. anyways, my ex- a male jw was trying to go for full physical custody of our kids.
he had his wife call dcf but of course i won.
he had no leg to stand on.. so, we need to go back to court in february.
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Doubting Bro
Cognac,
Sorry you're having to deal with this. Always enjoyed your posts.
I don't think there's anything new specifically that you could point to, but this behavior doesn't seem to be that uncommon for those in your situation.
I'm pretty sure the courts wouldn't look favorably on them disparaging their mother like that.
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89
Do You Think “Higher Education “Is All That??
by minimus inas jehovah’s witnesses, we were regularly told how awful a college education is.
i’m no longer associated with the religion but i am not so pro university.
it’s not because i think you are better off without a degree.
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Doubting Bro
I chose to listen to the WTS when I was young and did not go to college right out of school. I was fairly lucky to get a position with a company that gave me chance. I took advantage of that opportunity and was able to establish a career. I ended up going to school part time in my 30s (this was after obtaining a few professional designations that were enough to allow me to continue moving up in my career) and finished up close to 40. Having that degree was critical in allowing me to continue to progress in my career. So, in that sense, it was worth it. I learned some valuable things and was happy to have gone through the process.
I've decided against a masters because in running a cost benefit analysis, it's not worth it. I'm better off investing in my children's educational pursuits.
Although it was almost 10 years ago, I don't recall any professors expressing any real leanings politically. I took a ton of business courses and the only political commentary was relating to taxes and governmental regulations. In most of those cases, my professors were more conservative than liberal. I could imagine that certain degree programs would lend themselves to a more liberal commentary. But, I was there strictly to move my career along and didn't take any of those types of courses. To me, if the course didn't directly tie to my degree or give me a skill set necessary for work, I didn't take it. I have other interests but don't think I need to pay the cost of a college course to learn more about those.
To each his own but I'm happy I obtained a degree and am encouraging my kids to do likewise if they are interested in careers in which one is needed. Or if they have no idea what they want to do, a degree can give them the foundation they need if they apply themselves.