Question for y'all--do you think that the person on the Writing Committee who writes something like: "it is reasonable to conclude, then, <wild speculation>" suffers any kind of ill effects? Do they momentarily shudder? Do they even realize what they're doing? Do they die a little, on the inside? Do they throw up in their mouth a bit? Or do they cackle maniacally?
under_believer
JoinedPosts by under_believer
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Things JW's write: "It is reasonable to conclude"
by under_believer inquestion for y'all--do you think that the person on the writing committee who writes something like: "it is reasonable to conclude, then, <wild speculation>" suffers any kind of ill effects?
do they momentarily shudder?
do they even realize what they're doing?
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were you forced to join the (misery ) ministry school?
by headmath in.
maybe you have some fond stories of this.. my story is that i was forced to join when i was about 12. i always got an assignment that dealt with beastilaity in exodus or somethin.
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under_believer
Meh, it's actually not sinister. It's supposed to be a super easy talk for beginners where they just have to read. Before with the Bible Reading you had to make up comments to go along with the presentation. This removes that burden. Not saying commentary or discussion isn't frowned upon, just that that isn't an example of it.
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were you forced to join the (misery ) ministry school?
by headmath in.
maybe you have some fond stories of this.. my story is that i was forced to join when i was about 12. i always got an assignment that dealt with beastilaity in exodus or somethin.
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under_believer
EO stated he got out before the new guidebook.
I'm still going through the motions, though. Here are the major changes.
1) Bible Reading is now just a Reading. No commentary is allowed, the material is just read and then the brother exits the stage. The Bible and also various Watchtower excerpts are used as material. The time is shortened to 4 minutes.
2) Counsel points are still used. No negative counsel AT ALL can be mentioned by the school overseer, only positive counsel and explanations of the counsel points themselves. Negative or "constructive" criticism can still be given in private after the meeting. A student may have to work on a counsel point again. Each student is supposed to have their own book. There is a chart in it for the conductor to write marks and comments in.
3) There is no more Written Review, it was changed to an Oral Review (just your standard Q&A.)
4) They still do an Instruction Talk and a Bible Highlights, but these were both shortened to make room for a new part where a brother discusses a specific counsel point out of the school guidebook.
5) There are certain talks that have an asterisk next to them in the KM. These talks are ONLY to be given by a brother, unlike before when #3 and #4 talks could always be assigned to a brother OR an sister.
6) The guidebook itself is a larger book now (not one of the 192 pagers,) and is much slicker in presentation, with full colors and everything. It's hardbound and maroon. The counsel points and material have no doubt been revamped but I have not found time to analyze exactly how. It's essentially the same kind of content as the old one. -
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Bethel Downsizing - Management Discussions
by core in.
the spin on downsizing is apparently "go out into the field" yet when the gb initially considered this it must have been presented as a practical problem - too much surplus hr capacity/ too expensive to maintain - or whatever and yet they turned it into a positive matter by stressing the return to the field - all those in such discussions are clearly able to deceive themselves as much as they try and deceive the "flock" - what do you think - did a discussion on a practical problem have to have a positive outcome and how did they twist their minds so as to sell it as such - for years they begged people to stay in bethel service (make it your home for life) and now they cast them out into the world with the thin veneer of "speedin g up the preaching work .. etc".
all those at the top must have been involved in turning this huge embarrasment (jehovah will provide etc) into a positive spin - they should try out for a marketing award "downsizing - the only way to grow!
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under_believer
Tell you what, they could automate the Writing Department. They could fire all those people and use that old ELIZA program to write the literature. It would be just like 1984.
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Re: Ex-jw from London predicts destruction of WT on 6-6-06 <Message encl.>
by Enlightened1 inwow, this one really got my attention.
gordon, and ej-jw from across the pond has broadcast his email which is an unequivicating diatribe and prediction of doom for the brooklyn bethel complex on or near the beast day : 6-6-06. well here's his email in it's entirety, feedback is welcome.
i heard the fbi showed up to question him when he visited nyc recently to deliver a warning message to brooklyn headquarters.
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under_believer
Man I swear the next person that posts that thing will be bloodguilty, because I will KILL MYSELF IF I EVER SEE IT AGAIN.
*pant* *pant* *pant*
Err... did I say that out loud? Never mind. I'm better now. -
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Prozac park???
by seek2find ini once heard there was a congregation in the northen us with this nickname because so many in the congregation were on anti-depressants.
any body know about it??
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under_believer
Never heard of that specific congregation, but I can testify that every congregation I've ever attended was chock-full of antidepressant users. I could name ten people in each of the five congregations I've gone to that was an avowed SSRI "lifer."
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Drama - To Whose Authority Do You Submit?
by truthseeker infrom the 2006 d.c. program
wonder what an independent spirit is eh?
another 2001, korah, dathan and abiram example to obey the fds and the elders.
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under_believer
A MUSICAL! Now there's an idea.
Sung to the tune of The Surrey With The Fringe On Top:
Moms and dads and kids gonna scurry
When we ring their bell in a hurry,
When we ring their bell in a hurry with our service bags!
Four door cars are nice for our service,
Suit and tie for Witness reservists,
Sellin' studies to the worldly people, theocratic mags!
We love Jehovah, and we never sin,
We love the organization,
We're happier now that we've ever been,
Strong in determination! -
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The Most Humiliating Thing That Happened To You As A JW...
by Country Girl inwhat was the most humiliating thing that happened to you as a direct result of being a jw?
for me it was when i was made fun of at school for wearing dresses down to my knees, and tights, when mini-skirts and pantyhose were all the rage.
i remember that i got this orange plaid jumper dress (dates me) from a friend, and i would hide it so that i could change into it in the bathroom at school.
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under_believer
puck, WHAT?!?! They actually had a whole whiteboard set up, with a GRID? And NAMES? And CHECKBOXES FOR DIFFERENT "CRIMES!??!"
I have heard of a lot of really crazy judicial committee stories but that one far and away takes the cake. I am so sorry you had to go through that. -
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WHAT WAS YOUR FAVOURITE/WORST STUDY BOOK?
by badboy inwhich ones did you hate and which ones did you like out of the study books?
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under_believer
Juni, it has a bit of their slant. Not too bad, it doesn't infest the book like an invasive cancer. It's more like a tumor you can rip out or ignore. The worst JW-wise chapter is 111, "Sign of the Last Days." Here's an excerpt.
*** gt chap. 111 Sign of the Last Days *** In the major fulfillment of the sign, the disgusting thing is the League of Nations and its successor, the United Nations. This organization for world peace is viewed by Christendom as a substitute for God’s Kingdom. How disgusting! In time, therefore, the political powers associated with the UN will turn on Christendom (antitypical Jerusalem) and will desolate her.
So, yeah, the bad stuff is still in there. Honestly? It's a good book for JWs, but there have been much better books written about Jesus.
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WHAT WAS YOUR FAVOURITE/WORST STUDY BOOK?
by badboy inwhich ones did you hate and which ones did you like out of the study books?
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under_believer
juni, you'd be better off just reading the Gospels instead. The only reason everyone liked the Greatest Man book so much is because it's just a straight Gospel retelling with pictures. No prophecy (ok very little prophecy.) Just Jesus.