Posts by Open mind

36

Site issues: Dec 27 Update

by Simon in

here's the current status:.

performance improvements have been made to make things slicker.. the "remember me" issue should now be fixed.. sign-in captcha can be affected by ad-blockers so consider disabling those.. sign-in email is case-sensitive - until i update this consider using your forum username instead.. ie stalls on "queued for processing" when posting a topic or reply but the post has been made (just navigate to active or refresh the topic if replying).. i will be working through issues today and contacting anyone who had sign-in issues to check if they still have problems.. many thanks again for your patience while we work through these teething problems..

Open mind

Thx for the replies Simon and for all you do here.

36

Site issues: Dec 27 Update

by Simon in

here's the current status:.

performance improvements have been made to make things slicker.. the "remember me" issue should now be fixed.. sign-in captcha can be affected by ad-blockers so consider disabling those.. sign-in email is case-sensitive - until i update this consider using your forum username instead.. ie stalls on "queued for processing" when posting a topic or reply but the post has been made (just navigate to active or refresh the topic if replying).. i will be working through issues today and contacting anyone who had sign-in issues to check if they still have problems.. many thanks again for your patience while we work through these teething problems..

Open mind

Hi Simon.

First off, thank you so much for maintaining this site over the years. It was an absolute mental lifeline for me when my JW blinders were first coming off.

I have a few questions about the new site format. If you've already done an FAQ thread for it, please point me in that direction.

If not, here goes:

1. Are the Public vs. Private sections of the site a thing of the past?

2. I've noticed in poking around at various threads that a lot of the images seem to be gone. Was that intentional? Example: moshe started a thread about a caption contest for some picture that had something to do with OUTLAW. From the replies, the picture must have included a bear, but the picture isn't visible anymore.

3. Is there any simple way to see more Threads per page?

4. Is there any way to see the exact date a thread was started? Eg: I posted a thread the first day my wife openly started looking at anti-JW sites on the internet. It's been a bit of a personal diary for me, but now all I can see is "Posted 5 years ago".

Thanks again Simon for all your hard work here.

All the best to you and Angharad in 2015!

om

35

Where is Everyone????

by truthlover in

jw
friends

missing a lot of the oldies and goodies -- is this site so new, no one has signed on yet?

i am confused... but then, i will have to wait and see what happens.. somehow - change is not the best option but we adjust..have most of the users gone to other locations?.

tl.

Open mind

Here!

14

Encinitas Congregation Encinitas CA.

by exwhyzee in

jw
friends

anyone from that hall?.

we attended a memorial for a long time friend there this past weekend.

it was my first time in a kingdom hall since memorial 2008. as per usual, the people were lovely but the message had gaps and left me feeling somewhat blank and cold.

Open mind

Wishing you and your wife the very best, whatever paths you choose.

If you're ever popping through our area, we'd love to see you.

om and ms. om

Happy Festivus! (or whatever you do this time of year)

21

Bicyclists

by poppers in

i'm wondering what sort of biking shoes and pedals you are using.

i'm a road biker, so i enjoy speed and distance riding, and am upgrading my shoes and pedals.

anyone have experience with specialized road shoes with the boa stem?

Open mind

Here's some bicycling wisdom from one of my favorite bike sites. They're stuff is really old and simple, but way too expensive for my budget. Maybe someday.

http://www.rivbike.com/kb_results.asp?ID=60

Tips for Happy Riding

Learn right away that the front brake is the most effective one, and to never lock the front wheel in dirt (or on the road, but it's more likely in dirt). Learn how far you can lean over without scraping a pedal.

Learn to keep the inside pedal UP when you corner, and learn to ride safely in all conditions. Be the master and commander of your own bicycle.

Signal your approach to pedestrians, especially if they're old, and a bell is better than "On your left!" If no bell, try clacking your brake levers. If all you got is "On your left!" that's fine, but if you ride a lot on paths, get a bell.

At least one ride in 10, go without your sunglasses and gloves. Sometime next month, put some double-sided cheap-style pedals on a good bike and ride in non-cycling garb. It works shockingly well, and sends a good message to would-be bicycle riders.

Carry an extra tube you can give to somebody with a flat tire and just a repair kit.

If you're a guy, don't try to be a mentor to every female cyclist you meet.

Don't ride in shoes you can't walk through an antique shop in.

Don't wear clothing that makes your sweat stink even more.

Don't think you'll go faster in a significant way if you and your bike become more aerodynamic.

Put a $20 bill inside your seat post or handlebar and hold it there, somehow.

Don't ride until you're confident you can fix a flat.

If you ride more than one bike, have a set of bring-along tools for each one. Learn how to remove your rear wheel (put the chain onto the small cog, etc.).

If you ride in a group, bring food for you and somebody who forgot to.

Go for a one-hour ride underdressed sometime, because it's good to be really cold on a bike every now and then.The reverse (overdressing in hot weather) is not necessary!

Never blame your bike or your health or anything else if you're the last one up the hill or in to the rest stop.

If your brake hoods are black, wrap your bars with a different color tape, so it doesn't look like a one-piece set-up.

Never let your chain squeak.

If you pass another rider going up a hill, say more than "Hi," but if it's a woman and you aren't, don't assume she wants to chit-chat. Treat her as you'd have a generic guy-rider treat your wife/daughter/girlfriend.

If you're a woman and it's a guy, you can chit-chat all you like, they won't mind.

If you see another rider approaching you from the rear and trying to catch you, let it happen. Fun is more important than fast.

Don't put any cyclist up on a pedestal, except Lon and Freddie.

Sometimes, bring normal food on your ride. Sometimes bring none. If you're reasonably well-rested and have eaten anything at all in the last eighteen hours (and are not diabetic), you should be able to pedal your bike for two to three hours without supercharging your system with carbohydrates. Believe it or not, carbs really do make you fat, and are necessary only for long, hard rides.

Shoot photos on your rides and give them away.

Feel comfortable mixing high tech and low tech, old and new parts and technologies, and don't apologize to anybody for it.

Compliment other people's bikes, especially if they're new.

Buy the cheapest helmet that fits well.

Try seersucker shirts for hot weather riding, and long-sleeved ones are best.

Don't underestimate fig bars. If you get a new widget and like it, don't "swear by it."

Don't always shop by price and never ask for discounts at your local bike shop. Every time you go into a bike shop, spend at least $2, and if you ask a question and get good advice, spend $5.

If you buy a rack, don't ask for free installation.

Don't assume your bike shop is making money.

Ride only when you feel like it.

If you know a fast new rider, don't say, "You really ought to race."

If you see a stocky woman rider, don't suggest she race track.

Have at least one bike you feel comfortable riding in a downpour.

Ride in weather that keeps other cyclers indoors.

Never keep track of your pedaling cadence.

If you have a normal loop or ride, count the number of times you shift on it; then the next time you ride it, cut that in half and see if it makes any difference.

Learn to ride no-hands and to hop over obstacles, but not simultaneously.

Never hit a pedestrian. In traffic, be visible and polite. Don't feel as though you must be a role model for all other riders; be polite for selfish reasons.

If you have several bikes, set them up with different equipment but always ride the saddle you like best.

Don't try to keep up with faster descenders if you're not comfortable descending.

Never apologize for buying something that's not quite pro quality by saying, "I'm not going to race or anything."

If you buy a stock bike, do something to it that makes it the only one exactly like it in the world.

Don't think it's important to match front and rear hubs or rims.

If you borrow somebody else's bike, for a short test or a long ride, say something nice about it.

Always bring a pump.

Build at least one wheel.

Wear out something.

Don't ever describe any bike, no matter how inexpensive or dilapidated, as "a piece of crap."

If you get a fancy bike assembled by somebody else, allow them a scrape or two, especially if the bike is really expensive.

*****************************

om

27

What happy, wonderful thing happened to you since you left the "truth"?

by Jeannette in

more than one thing for me, but i have learned to enjoy festivals, and just enjoying free time.

it's not that the org wouldn't allow it, i just felt i shouldn't.

there are others, of course, and i really have been happier and good things have come my way since i left.

Open mind

These have all been great to read, but,

PhilJonesIII: "Under water, no one can hear you cry."

That was simply beautiful. Thanks for sharing it here.

om

24

A few verbatim quotes from Anthony Morris' talk during the Branch Visit.

by Open mind in

haven't contributed much here in a while.

it's not modest and it's certainly not sound of mind.

you be spiritual man enough to tell these young fellows 'you don't go out in the ministry looking like that.

Open mind

Hello,

Haven't contributed much here in a while. I took the time to listen to the YouTube video found here on page 20 of the thread:

http://www.jehovahs-witness.net/watchtower/beliefs/287116/20/Zone-Visit-An-Announcement-That-Will-Test-Your-Faith

Here's some summary and a bit of verbatim transcription.

(At 10:08)
"Have you ever visited Bethel?"

(Makes a comment re: how expensive it can be and would require planning.)

"If you haven't, my next question is, but have you been able to find a way to get a trip to a well-known amusement park?" (Long pause) "Explain that to God."

***************

(At 19:30) Comments on 23-year old non-MS were fairly rambly so I didn't try to get it verbatim.

***************

(At 23:47) Wild colored socks. He actually wasn't saying there's anything wrong with that. He said that sock color was a matter of taste, and that he thought some of these young brothers with brightly colored socks were demonstrating poor taste, but it wasn't immodest.

***************

(At approximately 26:00.)
"...what it is is this Spanx, this skin-tight stuff they wear. Now, are you sisters wearing this in the ministry? No. I can't say that I've ever seen that. But when they exercise, they leave their home and they're jogging in this stuff?

Look at the verse. Is that appropriate to wear skin-tight Spanx or whatever they call them? It's not modest and it's certainly not sound of mind. It's really inappropriate. There's nothing else to say about it. Now you want to be in your home or your room and wear that stuff, that's your business. But don't go out in public like that and say you worship the True God. 'I'm just trying to stay in shape'. (laughter) Inappropriate."

****************

(tight pants on the young brothers who the worldly gay designers are drooling over at 27:35)

"...and the other one that needs addressing is for these young fellows, cause the older ones aren't doing much of it, thankfully, uhhh, it's the metrosexual look. We've addressed that in the past, we've said things about it, but what's happened now has really caught on more.

Now the metrosexual look, that's the tight suit jacket and the tight pants, better known as 'tight pants'. (laughter) And, uh, they are tight, I mean tight all the way down to the ankles. And, that is not modest brothers. No. It's not appropriate. It's not sound of mind.

And I was proud of one Circuit Overseer who told me this past summer at one of the Intl. Conventions, 'cuz he brought it up, one of these fellows, he shows up for his Circuit Overseer's visit and wants to go out in the ministry work with him, door-to-door, he's wearing 'tight pants'. And the Circuit Overseer was man enough, spiritual man enough to say, 'No. I'm not going door-to-door with you. Not with that dress on. Inappropriate.'

So a lot to think about and you elders out there listening in, and be kind now, we always want to try to imitate Christ Jesus. You be spiritual man enough to tell these young fellows 'You don't go out in the ministry looking like that. Not in this organization.'
And frankly I have asked sister after sister, 'You know, what do you think of this? Do you find that appealing, attractive? You know, I'm just curious, 'cause I'm not a woman. Ahhh.' (laughter) And you know what, I've not found one yet that thought they look good. (Garbled, poor audio quality for a couple seconds.)

And this is a fact, the homosexuals that are designing these clothes, they like you in tight pants. (Huge laughter, pandering to JW homophobia) Not, spiritual people. So, it's something to consider for Christian grooming. Is it appropriate? Is it modest? Does it display soundness of mind? If not, do something about it."

*********************

Hope this saves a few people the trouble of actually listening to this treacle.

om

443

Zone Visit: An Announcement That Will "Test Your Faith"

by breakfast of champions in

this is the scuttlebutt in one of the "bethel congregations" by us.. no details as to exactly what this "faith-testing" announcement might be.. anyone else hear any of this pre-zone visit hype?.

.

Open mind

Marking to check out video on Page 20 when I have a faster connection.

46

I am sooo screwed

by Yondaime in

so last night i was talking to my sister about how i admired president obama's speech to the u.n that happened earlier that day.. i then compared the extremism of isis to how much of a fanatic my jw bil is.. at the end of the statement , my mom walked in to the kitchen.

she was standing in the living room and she heard everything i said.. she called the elders that night to tell them what i said so they can counsel me.. i'm going to meet with them after the meeting on sunday!.

what do i do?!!!!!.

Open mind

Marking for great links posted by jgnat.

30

Well, IT HAS BEGUN. See the future of the WTBTS in print.

by DATA-DOG in

i hate to read the wt, but i skimmed the july 15 study edition.

i found many examples of propaganda, of course, but a couple things really stood out.

1) the future of the preaching work.

Open mind

I'm pretty sure most Kingdom Halls in the U.S. have already been arm-twisted into getting high speed internet and making the whole KH a wi-fi hotspot.

Can't cite a letter to BOE, but I'm pretty sure I saw it somewhere on here a year or two ago.

om