Posts by Dagney

53

Did you think this was it for the Watchtower-(Covid)- Well-They are coming back with even greater ZEAL!

by pistolpete in

so you all probably heard that the awake magazine is back, .

https://www.jw.org/en/library/magazines/?contentlanguagefilter=en&pubfilter=g&yearfilter=.

and one of my jw relatives said they were told by some elders that meetings and field service will resume before the end of the year.. they said this covid virus was a test, like when the romans breached jerusalem and retreated, only to come back later and sack jerusalem.

Dagney

I had an interesting observation from a former elder, (out), whose wife is very much in. The comment was that these zoom/online meetings have solidified the faithful. The meetings are easy, no effort, and there are chatrooms where hundreds of JW's from around the world are socializing. I have heard from a relative "no one has a brotherhood like JW's to survive and thrive even in a pandemic." Of course we know that's the cult mind thinking, but this strengthening of the ranks I did not see this coming.

Another interesting thing happened. In a chat with my "elder" brother a few months ago I told him I was getting the vaccine. He said, rather haltingly, that he had done his research and he wasn't going to get it, and that there were other protocols. I said I had another protocol also before the availability of the vaccine, and I've done my research and I'm getting the jab. So this week he said "the organization" is recommending getting the vaccine, so now he will be getting it.

40

What is your status (as of today) as a Jehovah's Witness?

by RULES & REGULATIONS in

active believer...still attend meetings, go out in field service, believe it's ''the truth''.

active non-believer... go to meetings and field service to please family... living a double life .

inactive believer...don't attend meetings but believe it's the truth, one day might go back to kingdom hall.

Dagney

4. One Sunday morning in June, 2001, stopped going after a moment of clarity during the WT study when I realized I didn't belong there anymore.

23

Why haven't they re-started the 'cart witnessing'?

by eyeslice in

we are nearly 18 months into this pandemic and lot has been learned and our behaviour modified to make things safer for us, e.g.

the wearing of face masks and social distancing.. many countries such as australia, new zealand, the uk and usa either have things under control or have vaccinated a large portion of the population.

therefore, given the very passive nature of the 'cart witnessing', i can't see why this hasn't be re-started.

Dagney

They kept their numbers up through covid by letter writing and memorial invites, including the number of pioneers.

When my relative called me to invite me to his zoom as he was giving the memorial talk, he proudly stated "we are all pioneering!" I had to stifle my giggle. I wished I had thought quick enough to say "HOW?!!"

But I know full well the hours are lowered and the requirements as well. So no real need to start the cart work back up...I mean they'd have to actually get out and do something!

26

Has anyone contested a Will and WON????

by cha ching in

my jw mom just died last week, about 6 1/2 months after my non jw dad died (dehydration, starvation, imo) i was the executor of that will.

before a month had passed of his death, my dad & mom's will was changed.

i didn't know until she died.

Dagney

I'd also google their estate attorney's office just to see what type of reputation they have out there.

Interesting wording above, as in she can do whatever she wants. That's a direct message to you and your sister.

26

Has anyone contested a Will and WON????

by cha ching in

my jw mom just died last week, about 6 1/2 months after my non jw dad died (dehydration, starvation, imo) i was the executor of that will.

before a month had passed of his death, my dad & mom's will was changed.

i didn't know until she died.

Dagney

Oh wait, lol. Message or call me cha ching. I didn't notice it was you that started the thread!

26

Has anyone contested a Will and WON????

by cha ching in

my jw mom just died last week, about 6 1/2 months after my non jw dad died (dehydration, starvation, imo) i was the executor of that will.

before a month had passed of his death, my dad & mom's will was changed.

i didn't know until she died.

Dagney

I'm involved in a lawsuit right now. As stated, you would have to prove your mother was not of sound mind and coerced into making the new will. There are laws against that and it is called elder abuse. If the congregation was involved in the coercion, that is an additional factor.

Get all the facts together the best of your ability, and make a list of questions. Ask around for a recommendation of a good estate attorney, be careful of those that work pro bono as they usually take a healthy percentage of an estate. Make sure the attorney you use is clear about the anticipated costs, court etc., and state their hourly fees.

Also, taking legal steps will force your JW siblings to also retain counsel which is costly. The goal is mediation which is less costly than court for both sides. It may cost $1-2K to file a protest to the will, but if your JW siblings see you are serious, and they may have to prove in a court of law why they had your mother change her will, they may seek to settle.

I didn't know any of this but asked around, got good advice, and luckily found an estate attorney. My case involves a black widow who really deserves a Dateline episode.

Good luck.

29

Publisher's Record Cards

by Faded4good in

jw
friends

okay, i haven't been to a meeting in over 17 years and i don't live anywhere near the place i grew up.

i have had minimal contact with my jw family, essentially just occasional phone conversations.

i think they could easily guess that i'm inactive but they pretend not to know and they've never shunned me.

Dagney

I've not attended meetings for 20 1/2 years and moved 4 cities away 15 years ago.

This year for the very first time I was contacted via mail. The first was an invite to the convention and the second was the campaign for god's government. I received two handwritten letters with literature from an elder in my old hall that I do not know. I would say they most certainly have the old records.

Plus it is an excellent source to use as territory for field service...got to keep those numbers going!

42

Elders accused of playing rape tape to victim, 15; case goes to Utah Sup. Court

by Corney in

a woman is suing a local congregation ("kingdom hall of jehovah’s witnesses, roy, utah, an unincorporated association"), individual elders and watchtower ny after, she claims, a judicial committee forced her to listen an audio recording of her own rape.

the trial court summarized the facts as alleged by the plaintiff as follows:.

at the time of the judicial committee, plaintiff was fifteen years old.

Dagney

I echo Balaamsass2’s (that name always cracks me up) Comments. I’ve known the father for 50 years, newly reacquainted just before Tahoe a few years ago. It’s a gut wrenching story, with the only good thing is they are all out of the WT, and doing well.

I use this story when somebody tries to tell me that this organization isn’t really that bad, or that satan is exaggerating these abuse cases.

3

Watchmen HBO Series Mentioning the acutal Watchtower by JW's

by 720Reddog in

jw
friends

watchtower.

the watchtower is a jehovah's witnesses publication, but it’s fitting that it would feature in the watchmen series.

in this episode the watchtower by jehovah's witness is displayed.. "it's interesting to me cause it's an obvious display of cultish type beliefs.

Dagney

Ahh I was hoping somebody mentioned this.

I'm behind but finally watched the HBO series. I was shocked to see the "Watchtower" featured in the episode.

The funny thing to me that isn't mentioned here is the reference to pandas. The character mentioned the pandas in trying to witness to a guy. Then his girlfriend overhears him and says to him "tell me about the pandas."

To me there was a JW very involved with the writing of this episode. I kid you not but I actually studied with a girl who picked up tract off the ground with the panda on the cover, and she became a JW.

Anyways, I listened to the podcast about the episode and the writers mentioned that the character was a "Jehovah's Witness".

Good series. Now I get it.

15

Bleecker Street — I saw a shadow touch a shadow’s hand (New York)

by slimboyfat in

will i ever make it to new york?

i feel if i ever did make it to new york i would never want to leave again.

what do i know about new york?

Dagney

Hi slim - I keep forgetting to let you know I am listening to "The Power Broker" on audible since your post. I'm always looking for interesting books to listen to while I work. I am so weary of political and murder podcasts at the moment, LOL.

I am a fan of Lewis Mumford and it was interesting to read he was a critic of Moses. He has a very eloquent way of describing architecture.

As far as NYC, it is an amazing city. And what a history. I was there when I was barely 3 for the international in '58, and I have only a slight memory of things...mainly the elevator where we stayed. I've been back many times since. One of the most memorable was in 1982, staying at the Standish in Brooklyn. It was such a fun time with my buddies who were at Bethel. One night we ate at the Rainbow room, went to a Broadway play, had drinks on top of the WTC and danced to jazz group, then watched the sun come up on top of the roof of the Towers building. I actually ran into Fred Franz in the elevator of the Standish, couldn't miss those brown shoes and piercing blue eyes.

I hope you get to go some day.