DB

Joined

• started 19 topics
• posted 256 times   see topics posted on
• send a message

Posts by DB

• 
  6

  Hours it Takes to Get One Baptized Publisher

  by Smoldering Wick in

  1. jw
  2. friends

  marlon.

  location: wales uk.

  just a thought a quick calculation in 2001 it took around 4,438 hours to get one baptised publisher.

  1. 
  2. 
  3. 
• 

  DB

  For years, at Circuit Assemblies especially, I have marveled at how few have been getting baptized. Figure 800 pubs in the circuit averaging 9 hrs per month for 6 months (the general span between assemblies) equals 43,200 hours combined for the circuit over the 6 month span. We average about 6 people baptized at each assembly, most of whom are born and raised as jws. Subtracting them, we average maybe 2 "new ones". So jws are devoting, in my area, 21,600 hours per new disciple every 6 months, on average, or 3,600 hours each month combined in field service on a monthly basis.

  BTW, a few years back, we had ONE person baptized at a circuit assembly. The speaker gave the baptismal (dismal...it's always a bore), and was shocked to see only one person rise when it was time for the vow. It was rather comical at the time, but even then I thought, man, things are tough, all that time spent for one disciple.
• 
  49

  BEARDS letter from GB

  by Shane in

  1. jw
  2. friends

  watchtower.

  bible and tract society of new york, inc.. writing department phone (718) 625-3600.

  25 columbia heights, brooklyn, new york 11201-2483, u.sa.

  1. 
  2. 
  3. 
• 

  DB

  When I served as an elder, we had a brother who wanted our opinion on his growing a beard. The PO, and older brother, felt that wearing beards was still considered to be a sign of "rebellion", pointing to the 1960s and 1970s when, in his estimation, people wore beards to signify their restless and rebellious attitude. Another elder was more in favor of beards, and my attitude was, what's the big deal? Let the guy wear one if he wants. In fact, it was even a shame that we were discussing such a matter. Also, we had nothing from the Society (such as the letter in this post) to assist us in making such a decision.
  As it turns out, the brother moved away anyway, and the point became moot, at least at that particular time.
  I'll say one thing, if he had decided to grow a beard, and stayed with our congregation, there is NO WAY he would have been extended privilages. It just would not have happened with the mind-set that prevailed among those elders.
  Also, around that time, some younger brothers, a couple of yrs out of high school, were not wearing socks to the meetings. Their bare ankles could be seen when they would sit and cross the one leg over the other. Well, you guessed it, this became an issue, and the body of elders met to discuss it. It was decided that this look was overly casual and potentially offensive to others, so these brothers were told to wear socks or else risk not being assigned privilages. Again, one elder, the same one who had a more relaxed view on beards, was not concerned about the no-socks look. But the body decided otherwise. Personally, I felt that, while the look was a bit casual, it was, like the beard issue, not a big deal. But you'd be surprised...no, wait, you would NOT be surprised, lol, how many people made an issue out of such a thing.
• 
  10

  The Duped Generation

  by ISP in

  1. jw
  2. friends

  so much promised to so many which resulted in so much disappointment, despair and misery.

  what future for the young?.

  because all the evidence in fulfillment of bible prophecy indicates that this corrupt system is due to end in a few years.

  1. 
  2. 
  3. 
• 

  DB

  This thread rightly points out one of the most misguided pieces of advice that the WTS has given (or anyone else has given, for that matter). Here we have an organization that claims to be directed by holy spirit and yet dispenses advice that is clearly proven wrong. And if any jw dare question such advice, they are seen as spiritually weak or rebellious.

  I am of the 'generation' spoken of here, being 10 yrs old in 1968. Though a primary reason why I never went to college was the cost, this mindset was firmly entrenched (still is) in the jw culture. In fact, back then, and through the 1970s too, it had become somewhat fashionable for jw kids to quit high school (a jw girl I had been dating at the time did just that, before I met her). But hey, why not, right? Like the WT said, of what use would a good education be? If we only knew.
• 
  16

  I JUST GOT CRISIS OF CONSCIENCE!!

  by terafera in

  1. jw
  2. friends

  i just got back from barnes and nobles... i finally got it!!

  woohoo!!.

  i may not see you guys for a while... i cant wait to read it.. .

  1. 
  2. 
  3. 
• 

  DB

  Six, you hit the nail on the head. I just read the two chapters that were displayed on another thread recently, and, yes, strong emotions indeed.
• 
  27

  Elders told: Watch for the signs!

  by ozziepost in

  1. jw
  2. friends

  from the audio of the kms posted by kent the other day, it's enlightening to listen to the talk on the inactive.

  watch for the tell-tale signs the elders are to look for in the notes that follow:.

  congregation book study overseers assisting the inactive.

  1. 
  2. 
  3. 
• 

  DB

  Good post Ozzie! it is interesting that the supposed 'cure' for inactivity is attending meetings and developing good study habits...in other words, re-immersing that one into the Society's way and brand of thinking; but never really addressing what is bothering that inactive one. Very likely, such a person has lost confidence in this organization (yes, the 'generation' teaching change has affected many, but notice how they handle that in the demo, by simply brushing it aside).
• 
  17

  How Many JWs Fully Buy Into the WT Party Line?

  by Room 215 in

  1. jw
  2. friends

  for those of us with years of acquaintance with the wt and its teachings, it's clear that full acceptance of the 1914 date as the establishment of god's kingdom in the heavens is a non-negotiable condition of remaining in good standing in the organization.

  many of us know people who've been booted out just for expressing misgivings, lety alone outright denying this teaching.

  almost as central, and as non-negotiable, is the teaching that only baptised jws can expect to survive the big a.. .

  1. 
  2. 
  3. 
• 

  DB

  Excellent thread, and I concur with all the replies. Especially since the whole "generation" thing, it does indeed appear that many jws are no longer buying into the Society's line. Many are now allowing their kids to engage in after-school activities (including me...I never could see a problem with it anyway), investing in the stock market, having kids, and all the other stuff mentioned in this thread.

  A jw friend of mine and I discuss this stuff at times, and we both agree that God is more broad-minded than what the jws teach him to be, and that it's hard to believe that He will slaughter any who are not jws, plus, if one were to believe some of the more self-righteous in the congregtion, (and the Society as well) He will kill off many jws too who seem to be "spiritually weak" (they too are in grave danger).

  So yes, I definitely concur with this thread.
• 
  8

  Hands up , who used to draw in their books and mag

  by sleepy in

  1. jw
  2. friends

  the watchtower has been taking for what seems like an hour , and theres still an hour to go .so what do you do?.

  you get out your pen or pencil and start drawing on the pictures.. yopu change moses into satan and draw big breasts on the sister living in the newsystem.. was i the only one?

  1. 
  2. 
  3. 
• 

  DB

  No, sleepy, you were not the only one. I've written notes to family members, made mocking remarks about someone else in the congregation, all in good fun of course, and yes, done some artistic work in my mag too. Anything to make the time pass a bit more quickly.
• 
  61

  Flood Legends "Proof" of Global Flood...

  by AlanF in

  1. jw
  2. friends

  the march 1, 2002 watchtower contains a couple of articles on noah's flood and the application of this legend to "our day".

  thrust of the articles is first to show that the flood was a real, earthwide event, and then to scare ignorant readers into accepting the jw message by claiming that our world is about to undergo a similar divine punishment.

  pretty standard fare for long time jw observers.. in the past the watchtower society has published extensive material purporting to show that a global flood occurred a few thousand years ago.

  1. 
  2. 
  3. 
• 

  DB

  Alan F, this is a very interesting post. I have been reading some info on this matter at talkorigins.com. There, the argument weighs heavily against and earth-wide flood, and the idea that the flood was localized seems to have strong support.

  Though a jw, my personal feeling on the matter, after reading in the info at talkorigins and reading Research On The Watchtower at freeminds.org, is that there seems to be good reason to consider the Flood as local in scope, with the term "earth" being used in a relative sense. Also, the apostle paul's statement that the good news had been preached "in all creation under heaven" is always understood as a relative term, Paul certainly not meaning the entire earth.
• 
  7

  Don't work overtime

  by DB in

  1. jw
  2. friends

  at this past week's service meeting, our congregation reviewed the part "keep seeking the kingdom first" in the january km.. the elder handling the part decided to include the admonition not to work overtime and risk missing a meeting, even if you need the money.

  one drone in the audience even stated that working ot when we need it could lead us into becoming more and more materialistic.

  well, when it comes time to take friday off to attend the district convention, i wonder if these same jws who refuse to work ot will get a favorable response from their employer when they request that friday off.

  1. 
  2. 
  3. 
• 

  DB

  All of your replies here were helpful and thought-provoking, thanks!

  Delite, it's unbelievable (and yet so true I am sure) what they wanted you to do, quitting a job that could provide for you and your kids as a single mom. And btw, welcome to the board!
• 
  7

  Don't work overtime

  by DB in

  1. jw
  2. friends

  at this past week's service meeting, our congregation reviewed the part "keep seeking the kingdom first" in the january km.. the elder handling the part decided to include the admonition not to work overtime and risk missing a meeting, even if you need the money.

  one drone in the audience even stated that working ot when we need it could lead us into becoming more and more materialistic.

  well, when it comes time to take friday off to attend the district convention, i wonder if these same jws who refuse to work ot will get a favorable response from their employer when they request that friday off.

  1. 
  2. 
  3. 
• 

  DB

  At this past week's service meeting, our congregation reviewed the part "Keep Seeking The Kingdom First" in the January KM.

  The elder handling the part decided to include the admonition not to work overtime and risk missing a meeting, even if you need the money. One drone in the audience even stated that working OT when we need it could lead us into becoming more and more materialistic. Well, when it comes time to take Friday off to attend the District Convention, I wonder if these same jws who refuse to work OT will get a favorable response from their employer when they request that Friday off. Also, if a person really needs the money, they are encouraged to seek "divine support" to meet their material needs. However, the Organization, or the local congregation for that matter, has no provision for helping such persons out of a financial bind. It is only the generousity of individuals that comes to the aid of such persons. I have a relative whose husband passed away some time ago. They spent their best years pioneering 'where the need was greater'.
  Now, she is struggling to make ends meet because they had little in the way of savings, and she gets by only on a small pension that he earned while working for a few years before his health declined. There is no provision for assistance to her or the many jws like her who are in a similar situation.

  The part also included a story of a sister who gave up her business because it was an "obstacle" to serving God fully; making the typical JW business owner perhaps feel a bit guilty for having the audacity to own a business. This story, btw, is one I recall reading in a WT several years ago; recycled no doubt because, let's face it, there are not many jws quitting business these days to pioneer.

  I guess I am just unloading here. Lord knows I can't do it at the KH or with any jws. Thanks!