Posts by sparky1

22

More Brooklyn properties sold

by recovering in

and the money keeps rolling in.

http://nypost.com/2017/08/16/jehovahs-witnesses-sale-of-brooklyn-buildings-nets-millions/.

sparky1

"It makes you wonder where all the money has been going". - pepperheart

I have a theory about his. Since the printing business is no longer the primary money making scheme of the Watchtower corporation they may be switching financial tactics. My own personal opinion is that they have set up another 'dummy' charitable corporation that receives the funds from the real estate sales. This 'dummy' corporation then invests all the money in index funds , bonds and jumbo 'callable' CD's. The proceeds from the index funds , bonds and CD's is then funneled back to the Mother Corporation (Watchtower Bible and Tract Society) as some sort of charitable 'endowment' that keeps Watchtower 'flush' in operating cash in case congregational donations slow down, while not having to touch their working capital that is churning cash for them in the 'dummy' corporation. Just my own 'pet' theory and two cents.

36

Why the vitriolic hate?

by stuckinarut2 in

i am sure we have all thought of this before, but it struck me again today:.

why does the society promote such vitriolic hate toward, and about those who have left "the truth" ?.

surely it is obvious that such critical attitudes towards ones like us who have left, only serves to proove that they do not have "the truth"?.

sparky1

The ancient Israelites had the 'Goat of Azazel' to cast their wickedness and sins upon.

Jehovah's Witnesses have Apostates to cast their wickedness and sins upon.

Hence modern day Apostates are the scapegoat for Jehovah's Witnesses. Anything that Witnesses don't want to face, own up to or recognize as true and real is thrust upon the modern day Goat of Azazel (Apostates) and the goat is cast out from the camp( the modern day congregation). It's an easy 'fix' for simple minded dullards that are intoxicated with the religious pontifications of the Governing Body of Jehovah's Witnesses.

2

Chapter 14 part B New Boy 50 Years A Watchtower Slave

by new boy in

jw
friends

in those three days there, i saw some really nice rooms.

i couldn’t help but ask.. “so how does one go about getting one of these nicer rooms?”.

“if rooms come up vacant, they go up for bid.

sparky1

Black Thursday or The Revolt of the Three FREDS!

This was a little before my time so I only heard about it 'in hushed tones, behind closed doors'. I am very interested to hear your take on it. I was on speaking terms with Fred Hilmo at Watchtower Farms after his exile, but he never talked of this matter.

11

Chapter 13 New Boy 50 years a Watchtower slave

by new boy in

jw
friends

chapter 13. they get my heart, soul and my body.

saturday morning i was up at 6:30. it was fun trying to share small bathroom with seven other guys, all trying to get ready in 20 minutes.

i threw some cloths on and headed to first “morning worship.” gilbert said i could sit on his table since there was an extra space there.

sparky1

"Wait, what? Murdered?

Yes its true. One poor brother was working on the Murray Hill kingdom hall and someone walked up to him and stabbed him to death. I think this was in the early Spring of 1974 if I remember correctly. But that doesn't even include those who died because of improper care in the Bethel Infirmary. Frank Lewis (now long dead I believe) has blood on his hands from improper medical 'diagnosis' and treatment or more truthfully the lack of proper medical treatment by a 'real' doctor.

18

Calling Out Jehovah's Witness Leaders for a violation of NEUTRALITY

by TerryWalstrom in

_______________by the time 1967 arrived, my religious leaders in the kingdom hall had taken me aside and given me the straight dope.the vietnam war and the draft created existential problems for young jehovah's witness males.

the governing body was unusually silent (in public) about issues of this nature except to pontificate in print in the most general terms.

jw's didn't fight in wars because we were neutral.

sparky1

This is really BIG news, Terry. I am afraid that it will go unnoticed by anyone under 60 years old. Since the average male Witness alive today has never been before a draft board this will be 'just a blip on the radar' for them. However, my brother lived during the 'thick of things' like you did and I was on the tail end of it having received a 4-D classification since I was pioneering.

I am physically sickened by this. In the hall I used to attend there is an Elder who was in the Vietnam War before he became a Witness. He is now a Pioneer and during his last 2 shepherding visits with me he brags that Jehovah is his 'Boss' and he is 'paid by the Government' (He gets Social Security, a small military pension, free healthcare and a CASH settlement for Agent Orange exposure). Meanwhile, Terry Walstrom and others like him do what is required of them as loyal Jehovah's Witnesses and they gets 'the shit end of the stick' and now, no one gives a rat's ass about their loyalty because they dare to speak against Jehovah's 'channel'. The Governing Body of Jehovah's Witnesses since it's inception has had 'blood on it's hands' and we need to keep calling them out on their evil and ever changing dogma.

33

What Simple Pleasures Do You Enjoy Since Leaving Watchtower?

by pale.emperor in

what simple pleasures do you enjoy since leaving watchtower?

here's some of mine, in no particular order:.

a cigar: i dont smoke cigarettes at all, but i do enjoy a good cigar from time to time.

sparky1

Gambling..........I cleared about $800.00 last week on the slot machines!

5

Chapter 13 part B New Boy 50 years a Watchtower Slave

by new boy in

jw
friends

i was given the rest the day off and told to report to housekeeping monday morning.

everything would start on monday the day i was supposed to have arrived at bethel.

every new boy was assigned to a house keeper for three days before they got their work assignment.

sparky1

It was over 43 years ago, but I still remember the name of the housekeeper that I was assigned to: Theodora Sainthill. She filled me in with great pride about the Bethel Hierarchy and her husbands place in it. Ahhhh........the old power tripping, heady days of slaving away for Jehovah's glory and carving out a little glory for oneself.

63

"Even if this wasn't the truth, I would still stay. This is the best life to live..."

by HereIgo in

i was recently told this by a jw family member when trying to get through to them.

does this quote indicate that maybe such ones have considered that the jw's may not have the truth after all?

or is that just my wishful thinking?

sparky1

"This is the best life to live............"

So said the Jehovah's Witness.....

So said the Mormon....

So said the Scientologist......

So said the Mennonite.........

So said the Baptist...........

So said the Amish.........

And on and on and on and on it goes! Where it stops, nobody knows!

25

Kids ... and baptism.

by Tallon in

i have noticed, from reading posts on this and other related websites, what to me is an alarming practice taking place within the jw's.

and that is the baptism of kids.. on a recent discussion posted by pe ( video of the girl now forced to shun her sister) this child was baptised at 9 years old.

all of us who were baptised at a much older age know of the many questions one needs to give serious consideration and understanding of to become eligible for baptism, not to mention the two baptism questions asked before being dunked.. surely the organisation must know that children of such a young age are not mature enough to fully grasp the seriousness, demands and consequences of making such a decision.. another point; if jesus is the example to follow, then why did he only get baptised at age 30, and he was perfect!.

sparky1

"I doubt he was an elder at 19." - Fulano

It depends on the time and the circumstances. Nowadays I believe it would be impossible, but I don't know for sure since I have been out of the loop for years. When I was 17 years old back in the Winter of 1972-1973, the congregation I moved into ( to serve where the need is great) had only 2 Ministerial Servants and no Elders. The Circuit Overseer contacted the Service Department and asked if I could be appointed a Ministerial Servant right away. They agreed that it would be OK to do so. (I wasn't appointed because I didn't stay in the congregation) Then the Circuit Overseer asked if I could be appointed an Elder before I turned 20 years old and the Service department said that it was possible but that the appointment would have to be approved directly by the Governing Body. As you probably remember, Fulano, things were much different pre-1975.

42

Returning to the truth.

by Justmeok2 in

hi i am just starting to rebuild my relationship with jehovah.

.

i would like to hear from people who may be or have been in similar situations and now want to dedicate their lives to him..

sparky1

It looks to me like Justmeok2 is involved in 'spiritual catfishing'.