Posts by OnTheWayOut

100

Is it Time to Declare that The Great Tribulation Has Started ?

by OnTheWayOut in

i don't really engage in doctrinal discussions about jw's anymore.

they seem to say some pretty crazy stuff.

but i have read some threads discussing doctrinal changes and how watchtower is really out of ideas and money at the same time.

OnTheWayOut

Reply to Orphan Crow on page 10,

Excellent point. If the members gotta run and hide in "bunkers," how the hell will the GB be able to correspond? Wouldn't they be easy to find?

100

Is it Time to Declare that The Great Tribulation Has Started ?

by OnTheWayOut in

i don't really engage in doctrinal discussions about jw's anymore.

they seem to say some pretty crazy stuff.

but i have read some threads discussing doctrinal changes and how watchtower is really out of ideas and money at the same time.

Last page 9 reply:

James Jack, it could be that this C.O. is revved up by the convention stuff or it could be that this is the message they float out via C.O.'s to gauge the reaction. It sounds more like they are coming out with something.

But you know what? They have talked about BIG EVENT announcements that have been total duds. It could be a big message about no longer actually printing the material for the midweek meeting or for letters to Bodies of Elders.

I am so over BIG ANNOUNCEMENTS and BIG EVENTS ON THE WORLD SCENE. But it makes me wonder if nothing else.

100

Is it Time to Declare that The Great Tribulation Has Started ?

by OnTheWayOut in

i don't really engage in doctrinal discussions about jw's anymore.

they seem to say some pretty crazy stuff.

but i have read some threads discussing doctrinal changes and how watchtower is really out of ideas and money at the same time.

OnTheWayOut

Page 9 replies:

The Listener, I used to believe that the GT would "start any day, any minute, any second" and that such belief was powerful enough to keep me in line until it actually started. But as the calendar made them change generation and the sealing and judging and whatever else they saw necessary, it got old. That's part of why I say they may move the timeline forward with such a grand announcement. I believe their message has already lost "some of its boogey man scariness to the rank and file." But I just speculate. You could be right.

jwleaks, love your Kevin story. I will use the name Kevin if ever I repeat such a story. Or "Johnny the Bethelite."

BlackSwan of Memphis, they have to float ideas out there to see the reaction before they go "full throttle." If enough dubs react negatively, they drop potential doctrine. I think they have been floating the "120 years of the last days similar to the 120 years of Noah" for quite a long time. They won't go full throttle with it until they feel they need to.

Flipper, I have seen many JW's so want the GT and Armageddon in their time before "their time" got away from them. My mother is there now, but she's more resigned to just keep quiet and not get so obvious about her hope. When I first heard of Bethel laying off workers, I started thinking how that wasn't very "family" of them. Extreme lay-offs, money grabs, closing of Halls- just may call for extreme doctrines. We shall see.

BlackSwan of Memphis, such encouraging words you share with Flipper (and us all). Like you say, "...they don't give two squats about their members."

Doubting Bro, they COULD change the message without announcing the start of the GT. They COULD say as I mentioned earlier, the ark is closed but you might could be allowed to stand on the open deck and not be washed away if you really kiss some Governing Body asses. Or as you suggest, taper it down to just those that show interest or find Watchtower via the internet and maybe the cart work (if they can just offer tracts or change the carts to video displays). I think their options are only limited by the radical acceptance factor- it takes awhile for hardcore JW's to accept radical changes.

LV101, It's been end times with Jesus coming in some portion of Christianity for 2000 years. There was a huge push as the 20th century started[- Even C.T. Russell was there for that one.Strength to you and yours.

25

13 year anniversary

by gerry in

today marks 13 years since my wife and i have stepped inside a kingdom hall.

after 29 years full on being a jw and a number of years serving as an elder then as the presiding overseer we pulled the plug.

yes 13 years ago coming home from the first day of a circuit assembly i said to my wife “that’s it i am not going back”.

OnTheWayOut

Congratulations on 13 years. Make sure you walk under a ladder and let a black cat cross your path. Maybe break a mirror on the next Friday the 13th (January).

I am always finding another milestone to celebrate. This summer marks 10 years since I resigned as an elder and started my fade.

100

Is it Time to Declare that The Great Tribulation Has Started ?

by OnTheWayOut in

i don't really engage in doctrinal discussions about jw's anymore.

they seem to say some pretty crazy stuff.

but i have read some threads discussing doctrinal changes and how watchtower is really out of ideas and money at the same time.

OnTheWayOut

Page 8 has mostly my replies, but a few others.
Page 8 replies:

BluesBrother, I believe if the situation continues the same, they will lose too many people and too much in the way of donations. That's part of why I speculate that they move doctrine and prophecy along and declare something new. When too many members are ready to revolt over the closings and selling-off, they will have an answer besides, "Shut up and obey." They will be able to say "No time to explain, you know- it being the great tribulation and all." But just a thought. They might could keep going on fleecing enough people without such a change.

Doubtfully Yours, well yeah. It gets old. It will never reach all. Many will leave if they do nothing, many will leave if they do something. This something would probably wake many up, but the remnant will be even more loyal than ever.

BlackSwan of Memphis, I think DY is saying something many of us who have woken up say- They have done such stuff before so much that it doesn't phase "us."

100

Is it Time to Declare that The Great Tribulation Has Started ?

by OnTheWayOut in

i don't really engage in doctrinal discussions about jw's anymore.

they seem to say some pretty crazy stuff.

but i have read some threads discussing doctrinal changes and how watchtower is really out of ideas and money at the same time.

OnTheWayOut

Page 7 replies:

berrygerry, thanks for reminding us how insignificant JW's are in the world scene. It feeds their egos and their persecution complex (the devil is after us) to over-state their significance.

NewYork44M, yup. I am sure that is one game plan they continue to consider. I am proposing the possibility that finances don't even allow them to wait that long. Heck, some of the current GB will be around for 25+ years, maybe much longer. They just keep getting younger and younger ones to join. Great thoughts.

Finkelstein, there have been tons of people preaching the end of the world. Take a look at this book when you get a chance, awesome book:

Data-Dog, they play on past "the last card." They open a new deck and re-shuffle the old cards into it. They recycle ideas and cancel major pronouncements of theirs. I agree that as long as they "can scare the sheeple into believing anything they say, they won't need the GT, only the ever-present "SOON!!" " So if the money situation is sound, this speculation was just a fun exercise. But we shall see. It might just be more than that.

Lieu, I fully understand. I have said that this would be an announcement we dread in many ways. Certainly, the toll on our older, long-term JW's can be terrible and it could last the rest of their lives. I am with you. I would rather they get older saying "So exactly when is this 'right-around-the-corner' stuff?"

Doubfully Yours, thanks for your thoughts. I wonder in this thread that if the latest scare tactics don't work, what will they do?

BlackSwan of Memphis, I feel that as time goes on, they will at the very least, continue closer and closer to being a creepy Jonestown or Branch Davidian type of cult.

Londo111, I was with you partway. They could declare that PRE-Tribulation is upon us and make up any goofy thing that the cry of peace and security has taken place. But they ain't going back to private homes, their lawyers have steered them away from that. Maybe the internet and no Kingdom Halls. It's a radical change that we really can't imagine happening yet.

DJS, thanks for the excellent thoughts on confirmation bias and whatever else they want to call it. And thanks for the closing remark there: "No one really gives a f**k about the dubs other than the dubs."

BlackSwan of Memphis, it's that absolute total compliance thing I am trying to comment and speculate on as I drive the thread. Can they get enough money out of enough faithful members if they don't "amp it up" ? I think not. Others are not so sure. I don't have the answer, but it's great that we can speculate.

100

Is it Time to Declare that The Great Tribulation Has Started ?

by OnTheWayOut in

i don't really engage in doctrinal discussions about jw's anymore.

they seem to say some pretty crazy stuff.

but i have read some threads discussing doctrinal changes and how watchtower is really out of ideas and money at the same time.

OnTheWayOut

Page 6 replies:

Blondie, I will leave the fact checking for you and others. Thanks for asking. I am pretty sure the answer is NO. I am really talking about introducing something new NOW and changing the GT stuff NOW, like they have done with so many other long-time doctrines.

JRK, you offer the perfect solution. "Just as the generation overlapped AGAIN, so the Great Tribulation overlapped AGAIN. Really folks, it will not continue to overlap. Be ready to do whatever we say, no time to explain."

Prometheus, we never know. So true.

Finkelstein, their recruiting and retention methods aren't really working out so well. I am proposing that they don't even think that matters anymore as long as they get donations from the remnant of their flock that they can "scare sh*tless."

GrreatTeacher, that's the announcement we are dreading, and at the same time cheering if it means an end to Watchtower soon.

berrygerry, Yeah, it's been close to one-tenth of one percent for quite a long time.
They are dragging out that "wait to have children" stuff again? They are suggesting spending less time with family? What a crock of sh&t.

100

Is it Time to Declare that The Great Tribulation Has Started ?

by OnTheWayOut in

i don't really engage in doctrinal discussions about jw's anymore.

they seem to say some pretty crazy stuff.

but i have read some threads discussing doctrinal changes and how watchtower is really out of ideas and money at the same time.

OnTheWayOut

Had to take an emergency run. Continuing Page 5 replies:

LV101, your thoughts on my thoughts seem in harmony. I just speculate. I keep hoping they crash and burn faster than I anticipate.

Finkelstein, I hope you are wrong when you say "the WTS has never been richer, exponentially too ! " I really hope not. If they are cash-heavy, I still say they are planning for something of a major change that might include an escape plan. I don't really believe they are cash-heavy. I think they blew it all somehow and are just trying to recover.

kairos, I feel the same way. Maybe it's Smurfs. Maybe it's birthday cupcakes in the schools. Maybe it's time to introduce the King of the EAST, kind of a "Wizard of OZ" thing. Don't forget the good king of the WEST.

LV101, keep hope alive.

100

Is it Time to Declare that The Great Tribulation Has Started ?

by OnTheWayOut in

i don't really engage in doctrinal discussions about jw's anymore.

they seem to say some pretty crazy stuff.

but i have read some threads discussing doctrinal changes and how watchtower is really out of ideas and money at the same time.

OnTheWayOut

I am on a roll catching up.

Page 5 replies:

Quirky1, "...almost done" can still mean decades. Or it could be right now when they need to sell the remaining Kingdom Halls. It remains to be seen.

100

Is it Time to Declare that The Great Tribulation Has Started ?

by OnTheWayOut in

i don't really engage in doctrinal discussions about jw's anymore.

they seem to say some pretty crazy stuff.

but i have read some threads discussing doctrinal changes and how watchtower is really out of ideas and money at the same time.

OnTheWayOut

Starting Page 5 replies:

baker, I don't know if you are serious or sarcastic (or seriously sarcastic). That would be similar to becoming a televangelist religion. They just gotta figure how to get watchers to send in their money.

Finkelstein, I have never thought the latest bunch were all that bright in the GB. I don't think it was their brains but their knee pads that got them to the top. One serious blow to the finances of Watchtower and these 7 men might just come up with something even crazier than overlapping generations. They assume the sheeples are not even bothering to try to understand their doctrines and aren't worried about a lack of scriptures to back them up.
Dropping suggestions might very well be all we see from them.

LoveUniHateExams, thanks for the compliment. They would rather do what you said.....and rant on about tight pants to a captive audience.