Posts by whereami

7

Jason BeDuhn, supporter of the NWT.

by whereami in

this is an interesting back & forth between jason beduhn and this other guy from this web site on the validity of the nwt that mr. beduhn supports.

i thought some of you scholars out there might find this interesting.

http://www.forananswer.org/mars_jw/jb-rh.jn1_1.index.htm

whereami

I'm sorry, i should have been more specific regarding what exactly he supports.

7

Jason BeDuhn, supporter of the NWT.

by whereami in

this is an interesting back & forth between jason beduhn and this other guy from this web site on the validity of the nwt that mr. beduhn supports.

i thought some of you scholars out there might find this interesting.

http://www.forananswer.org/mars_jw/jb-rh.jn1_1.index.htm

This is an interesting back & forth between Jason BeDuhn and this other guy from this web site on the validity of the NWT that Mr. BeDuhn supports. I thought some of you scholars out there might find this interesting. Enjoy.

http://www.forananswer.org/Mars_Jw/JB-RH.Jn1_1.Index.htm

10

Congregation Book Study Adjustment - A Marvelous Benefit for Jehovah's Witn

by whereami in

jw
friends

a fair assesment on the book study change.. .

http://nicodemusjw.blogspot.com/2008/04/congregation-book-study-adjustment.html.

congregation book study adjustment - a marvelous benefit for jehovah's witnesses .

whereami

A FAIR ASSESMENT ON THE BOOK STUDY CHANGE.

Congregation Book Study Adjustment - A Marvelous Benefit for Jehovah's Witnesses
Readers of this blog will note articles that present for critical examination certain teachings, guidelines and procedures of the Watch Tower Society, as they affect the people known as Jehovah's Witnesses. However, it is my belief that fair coverage must acknowledge the good along with criticizing the bad. It is in that spirit that this essay is written.

On April 27, 2008 (or some time during that week), a letter from the Governing Body of Jehovah's Witnesses was read to all congregations of Jehovah's Witnesses. In most congregations, this immediately followed the normally scheduled Watchtower Study for that week. Slightly modified arrangements were made to have the letter read to those congregations that had a Circuit Overseer visit, or were attending a Circuit Assembly or Special Assembly Day. In essence, the letter stated that the Congregation Book Study is to be renamed the Congregation Bible Study, and incorporated into one overall meeting with the Theocratic Ministry School and Service Meeting. The new Congregation Bible Study will be 25 minutes in length, the Theocratic Ministry School will be reduced to 30 minutes, and the Service Meeting to 35 minutes. In total, including songs and prayers, the new combined meeting will be 1 hour and 45 minutes in length, exactly the same as the present Theocratic Ministry School and Service Meeting arrangement.

Make no mistake that this is a watershed change in the history of Jehovah's Witnesses. I know for a fact that this change has been talked about for at least several years, perhaps even a decade or more. But, largely having to do with the very issue of control, no action was taken. It is my belief that this change is a genuinely benevolent move on the part of the Governing Body. Frankly, I wasn't sure that I would see it in my lifetime.

Various theories have been propounded on certain forums as to possible ulterior motives for this move, but I have a hard time accepting these.

For example, it has been proposed that the move could have been due to potential liability with respect to child molestation. I have no knowledge of whether any attempt at child abuse has ever been made at an actual Congregation Book Study meeting. However, such a thing seems rather far fetched, given the number of people present. Further, a word search of the entire series of court records documented by Barbara Anderson did not unearth any instances of an allegation of child abuse occurring specifically in connection with any Congregation Book Study. Finally, it is likely that meetings for service may well continue in this format, although that remains to be seen.

A second example is that this move was actually undertaken to tighten control. This theory proposes that too much "independent thinking" was taking place at the Book Study, and that this can be reined in at the Kingdom Hall. Here's my question: What is to stop all the "independent thinkers" from now getting together on the former Book Study evening and having even more "independent" discussions, now free of any control or censorship?

In contrast, whatever one thinks of the Watch Tower Society, if one still has any love for the people known as Jehovah's Witnesses, this must be acknowledged as a good change. Here are just a few of the benefits that immediately come to mind.

Less Travel Time and Cost - Let's be honest. For many Witnesses this is not an issue. Many in the USA and other developed countries live within 5 - 10 minutes of their Book Study location. It must be remembered that, by design, Book Study locations are in most cases closer to a publisher's home than the Kingdom Hall. However, in rural areas, publishers still often have to travel great distances to attend. Many Bethelites have for years endured long subway commutes to their Book Study locations, depending on which congregation they are associated with. Even more challenging are the circumstances in developing or third-world countries, where it is not at all uncommon for publishers to walk, sometimes literally for hours. All for a one-hour meeting. What a marvelous change this is for such Witnesses.

Ability To Access Further Education - Readers of other posts on this blog will quickly discern my interest in this topic. This opens up one more mid-week evening on which a Witness can take advantage of an evening course, whether classroom-based or online, to obtain necessary education to maintain, enhance, or possibly even attempt to change his secular employment. Of course, the letter from the Governing Body clarified that family heads might well use this time to ensure they conduct a family study. However, it has always been the suggestion that this take place. So, many families already have a family study on another evening, thus genuinely freeing the former Book Study evening for other uses. It is my hope that many Witnesses ponder this concept, as opposed to simply watching television one more evening.

Less Employment Conflicts In an Increasingly 24x7 World - One of my concerns for many years about the existing meeting schedule is that in so many areas it limits the employment options for faithful Witnesses, particularly those who are not highly educated. Witnesses have long been told that--if they truly trust in Jehovah--they will turn down employment that conflicts with scheduled congregation meetings. Much work these days does not fall within the hours of 9-to-5. Witnesses who must rely on alternate shifts and the like now only have one weeknight evening they have to work around. This, of course, may still prove problematic. But certainly less so than before. It will also lessen the number of meetings that Witnesses who are occasionally required to travel for work will be forced to miss, with all the attendant negative implications.

Less Demands on Congregation Elders - It can easily be forgotten how heavy are the demands that congregation elders carry. The shortened Bible Study, and the arrangement for rotation of conductors, will help here. Also remember that elders have to travel as far and spend as much on fuel as everyone else, so these benefits accrue to them as well.

More Time For Families - As outlined earlier, nothing in this post should be taken to minimize the suggestion that family heads conduct a family study. The benefit, though, is that an additional evening has been freed for this time. Another reality is that homework loads have increased for students in many learning environments. This also frees additional time for parents to provide additional assistance to their children. Or, families can engage in simple family bonding, a "pizza and ice cream" night out, or so many other possibilities.

In summary, this writer, and most everyone he knows among Jehovah's Witnesses, welcome this change and are deeply grateful to whatever combination of forces and influences were able to bring this to reality.

8

NEW TRACT CAMPAIGN!!!!!!

by whereami in

jw
friends

http://governingbodyletters.blogspot.com/2008/04/announcement-to-elders-only-new-tract.html

whereami

http://governingbodyletters.blogspot.com/2008/04/announcement-to-elders-only-new-tract.html

140

huge announcement after the Watchtower study on the 27 of April?

by Dogpatch in

jw
friends

there will be a huge announcement after the watchtower study on the 27 of april.. for what it's worth, this was just sent to me anonymously.. randy.

www.freeminds.org.

.

whereami

Can it be this, a new tract campaign http://governingbodyletters.blogspot.com/2008/04/announcement-to-elders-only-new-tract.html

23

I need a little help againI think Im dying

by seven006 in

jw
friends

the i think im dieing part is for all the new bees.

all the old bees know im rarely ever serious.

but, as long as you have read this far.. .

whereami

Seven006, you might want to show them, (Mormons) this video, http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=svfxSscxh8o

32

You got to love these emails going around JW land.

by whereami in

jw
friends

friends,.

a co in the w...... congregation said that the reason so many of our brothers are dis-fellowshipped isn't because of wrong doing, it's because the new system isn't a reality.

read this all the way thru, it is truly a dose of what is yet to come.

whereami

Friends,

A CO in the W...... congregation said that the reason so many of our brothers are dis-fellowshipped isn't because of wrong doing, it's because the New System isn't a reality. Read this all the way thru, it is truly a dose of what is yet to come. I know all of us have been affected from losing someone we love in death, or physically spent from this tiresome system. It will make as all look at the new system in a different light, at least it did for me.

Her meditation is very encouraging, our Hope is the anchor that keeps us strong.

________________________________

'One day of the Real Life'

Nowadays I like getting up with the sun and starting my day while it's
fresh and new. No more hitting that snooze button until the very last
minute and dreading the workday ahead of me! I feel better and better
every day, and I can't help but notice I look better too. I have
several jobs, and today I am privileged to be doing my very favorite
task! Besides studying with newly resurrected ones, I have been
granted the privilege of using my home as a sort of New System Bed and
Breakfast. While the Resurrection Center was being constructed, I had a
house full, 2 couples and two single sisters who lived here with me
temporarily. Now that that work is over, families who live too far away
from the Resurrection Center come and stay with me, sometimes just a few
nights, often a week while their newly resurrected loved ones acclimate
to this wonderful new world. This house has seen so much joy!

I have company arriving today – two fleshly brothers whose parents died
in a car accident and are going to be resurrected in the same week. I
want to make something special for tonight, so I head out to the
raspberry patch to gather some to add to the apple pie I'm
planning for dessert. The fox family that lives among the raspberry
bushes come out to greet me, the mother elegantly gliding toward me to
have her chin scratched, and three cubs tumbling over each other in
their play. My chickens aren't a bit alarmed at all these foxes
nearby, they go on searching for worms and scratching around the yard,
clucking contentedly to one another.

I'm nearly finished gathering berries when I notice two people coming
along the path at the top of the hill. My Mother and her sister JoeAnn
often come over for a cup of tea early in the morning; their home is
only a 15 minute walk away through a beautiful wildflower garden,
around the little pond, then through the forest and down the grassy hill
to my house. The two of them are halfway here when a tall blond boy
emerges from the woods, running as fast as his long legs will
carry him to catch up to them. Their conversation stops as they turn at
the sound, the youth skids to a stop to talk to them. Whatever Mom tells
him, I can see it's what he was hoping for, because he hugs her so hard
he picks her up, and then leaving the path he runs to wards the barn. My
favorite Icelandic mare has a two week old foal, so I know where my
brother is heading!

He notices me as he runs, he waves but doesn't slow down – I'm glad,
even after all these years I still get tears in my eyes sometimes at the
sight of him. Dougie had died in the old world when he was only a baby,
and the day he was resurrected was one of the happiest of all of our
lives. My dear Mom had kept so much of the pain of losing him to
herself, but when they placed her baby boy in her arms, she cried
tears of joy for days afterwards. She and JoeAnn have really enjoyed
raising him, from a chubby blond baby to an enthusiastic teenager now as
tall as me, and sure to grow taller.

I'm glad Dougie – no, he wants to be called Doug now, he thinks it
sounds so much more grown up – went to the barn, I know he'll put out
fresh food and water for the animals, so I'll have plenty of time to
give him another lesson driving the curricle. What a joy it's been to
watch him grow up in this new world, with no more worries of sickness or
any other harm coming to him.

I go into the house to put the tea kettle on to boil, and soon Mom and
JoeAnn come in, full of happiness and good health. They both look
radiant from their walk, and so beautiful. No more gray hair – in
fact, Mom's hair is thicker and more beautiful than in her youth.
Their wrinkles have faded away from their faces; they seem to look
younger every time I see them.

Mom has a package with her, as she unwraps it she tells me it came
yesterday from the message service with a long letter from my daughter
Bethany. She and her husband are in the reconstruction work, but
somehow she managed to find the time to paint a portrait of her newest
granddaughter, Elizabeth. The picture is beautifully done, a sleeping
chubby infant perhaps a few weeks old. Bethany always had artistic
talent, but in the new world now, growing towards perfection, she has
really surpassed herself. Busy with con struction projects, Bethany
isn't spending a lot of time working on art – she knows she has
forever to develop her talent! This painting she did especially for her
grandmother, and it warms my heart to see how happy Mom is.

While I make the pie crust and cut up the apples, we exchange news of
friends and family, many of them far away in different assignments. Doug
runs in to ask if I mind if he rides Henrietta, the Llama, and dashes
out again to get her saddled up. Then I hear him calling out a greeting,
and I see in the shade of the big elm trees at the end of the garden two
men sitting on the wooden bench – they must be my
guests! We all go out to meet them, they look vaguely familiar but I
can't think of who they might be. One walks up to me with a twinkle in
his eye and says, "Ann, don't you recognize me? I'm Arly, and this is my
brother Vern!" For a second we were speechless, and then everyone was
hugging e ach other and talking all at once. It's not surprising that we
didn't recognize them, with their wavy brown hair and bright blue eyes.
Vern had died in his 92nd year, the last time I had seen him he was
barely able to talk and confined to a wheelchair. Arly had nearly lost
his sight due to cataracts, and had to walk with a cane. Yet here they
were, looking like they had never seen forty! Vern was one of the
original special pioneers who opened up the preaching work in our area
long before I was born, and Arly had been a most beloved elder in our
congregation. What an unspeakable joy to have them as guests in my
house!

We show them all around, and after lunch Vern volunteers to give Doug
his driving lesson. Mom and JoeAnn have studies to conduct in the
afternoon, but we arrange to have a get-together soon and invite many of
the neighbors who know Vern and Arly.

After many hours spent talking, reminiscing and catching up on news of
dear friends near and far, Vern and A rly go up to their rooms to
unpack, and I go into the garden to pick some vegetables for supper.
What a good day this has been! I'm so full of joy, I can barely hold it
all in, so I don't even try. I fall down on my knees in the rich garden
soil and thank my heavenly father Jehovah once more for all his
bounteous blessings. Today was just one memorable, joyful day, one of an
infinite number of days filled with joy ahead of us all – an
eternity!