Doubting Bro

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Posts by Doubting Bro

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  125

  Watch the complete fragmentation of the Watchtower begin

  by Dogpatch in

  1. jw
  2. friends

  wow, dudes and dudess, it really looks like glacial fragmentation is inevitable in the mighty mom.. unless j. mason is making this all up.

  but his sources seem credible.. kudos j. mason.. somehow i smell a bill bowen in this.

  that makes it hot!

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  Doubting Bro

  I agree with Dozy. I just don't see it going down anytime soon.

  Different? yes. They're quite willing to make changes they deem necessary to long term survival although I think they really don't understand the underlying problems to make the correct choices.

  Smaller? yes. In my opinion, they're close if not already at their peak in terms of worldwide numbers. Growth in 1st world countries are stagant or are coming from immigrant groups providing short term bursts. While that lack of growth is being replaced at the moment with 3rd world countries numbers, that too is not sustainable.

  I would say the odds of a WWCG meltdown are low and I see them drifting slowing along for the forseeable future. I surely won't see them end in my lifetime.
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  19

  i am graduating!

  by cheerios in

  1. jw
  2. friends

  after a long hard road, i am now a college graduate :) it's amazing to be liberated :) ... and educated ... .

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  Doubting Bro

  Fantastic!!
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  44

  Did You Notice Most Elders Are "Weird"?

  by minimus in

  1. jw
  2. friends

  ....just thinking.....

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  Doubting Bro

  The BOE at the hall I go to has 8 elders. Of that number only 2 are what I would call weird. My experience was that most were fairly normal with the exception that they thought they were special. But the weird ones weren't all that common. Then again, maybe I'm weird and that clouds my perception?
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  39

  WT Society Has to be Forced by Courts to Reveal Hidden Child Abuses

  by flipper in

  1. watchtower
  2. child-abuse

  in one of the new pieces of information in the new elders manual - section 5:18 - it shows how elders are instructed to keep all judicial committee information private from media or attorneys.

  keeping in mind how secretive the wt society has been in hiding child abuse within the jehovah's witnesses notice these instructions to elders now.. it states, " if a member of the media or an attorney representing the accused ( or possibly victims ) contacts the elders , they should not give him any information about the case or verify there is a jc.

  rather, they should give the following explanation, " the spiritual and physical welfare of jehovah's witnesses is of paramount concern to the elders, who have been appointed to " shepherd the flock ".

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  Doubting Bro

  Again it depends on the state. I'm not sure what the count is (here in the US) but the last I checked it was around 35 states that required clergy to report with the other 15 either not specifically mentioning it or not addressing it in their laws.

  In states where there is mandatory reporting, privilege is not provided for child abuse cases.

  Here's a nice summary: http://www.childwelfare.gov/systemwide/laws_policies/statutes/clergymandated.cfm

  Given the problems with religious organizations and child molesters, I hope the remaining 15 states follow the other 35 and mandate that clergy report these horrible crimes and protect the the children within their flocks.

  To be fair, this issue is way bigger than just the little WTS. With only about 1 million members out of 300 million people in the US, there are far bigger fish to fry.
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  111

  ks10-e (official release), Letter from Bro. who scanned it! Newer version with BOE LTRs

  by yknot in

  1. watchtower
  2. beliefs

  while an earlier version was made available privately the time has come to 'progress'.. conscious class and ex both strongly adhere to not keeping things 'hidden' in regards to wts publications, talks and documents which are circulated in order to maintain it's position.. another wonderful poster (who has yet to give me permission to name) has 'reduced' and 'bookmarked' the first full copy link i was given by our 'winner'.. in this newest and final 'clean' copy link you find two other additions besides the reduction/bookmarking..... the brother who uploaded the entire book wishes all to have a copy that includes both boe ltrs (pre-ks ltr and spiral binding ltr).

  also another development has occurred.... the brother responsible for this book being brought into light and put forth for public consumption and discussion has requested i post this letter explaining to 'us' (jwn posters/global audience) and 'them' (wts of penn & ny).. i ask you give attention to his words/ experiences as he is representative of a newly emerging demographic within the conscious class.

  so without further ado i give you his link and the 'stage' if you will to 'brother johnson'....... [link removed - contact ynot for further info - lady lee].

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  Doubting Bro

  Brother Johnson - when I read your words I think of my dad who is just a few years younger than you. I will say this, if the WTS had more men like you, they wouldn't have the problems they have now. Thank you for your hard work. Know that it is greatly appreciated and the concern you've shown for those you know and those you don't is apparent. So while the WTS may not view you as valuable any longer, I guarantee that those you come in contact with everyday think differently.

  Your courage and determination is to be commended. I wish I could met you in person to give you a big man hug!!

  ynot - you are awesome as well, hugs to you.
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  86

  Oompa

  by palmtree67 in

  1. jw
  2. friends

  he was in a very bad motorcycle accident on tuesday and is in the icu.. i think we could all send our oompa good vibes, prayers and healing angels.. .

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  Doubting Bro

  Best wishes for a speedy recovery oompa!
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  17

  ks10-E p70 - Elders told “NOT to involve themselves in what individuals do with regard to petty gambling solely for entertainment!”

  by LUKEWARM in

  1. watchtower
  2. beliefs

  30. greed-gambling, extortion: (i cor.

  5:10,11; 6:10; 1 tim.

  3:8; it-1 pp.

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  Doubting Bro

  Guess the March Madness pools are pretty popular at Bethel!

  Although, I have to say that there is really no harm in playing the March Madness basketball pools, betting $1 per hole on the golf course, playing football pools and fantasy football. I know gambling can be bad for some folks but its harmless for the most part as long as the dollar amounts are low.

  I was always under the impression that ALL gambling was a df'ing offense so thanks for that snippet from the old manual Blondie! Guess my college football pool is acceptable after all!!
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  37

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

  by undercover in

  1. watchtower
  2. bible

  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.

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  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.
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  11

  Secret Elder Book PROVES the JWs have a Clergy Class

  by VM44 in

  1. watchtower
  2. scandals

  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..

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  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.
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  28

  KS10-Chapter Seven Discussion

  by yknot in

  1. watchtower
  2. beliefs

  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!!

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  Doubting Bro

  You rock Ynot!! Fantastic