Billy the Ex-Bethelite

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Posts by Billy the Ex-Bethelite

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  41

  Surrounded - Yet All Alone at the same Time

  by offgrid5150 in

  1. jw
  2. friends

  i've been lurking for a while,but figured i'd introduce myself.

  i was born in, and i'm 30 years old.

  it's hard to just read as a guest, and not share with anyone eventually.

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  Billy the Ex-Bethelite

  Welcome!
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  53

  Jamaican Branch Office Closing

  by jw07 in

  1. watchtower
  2. beliefs

  i'm from jamaica, montego bay to be exact.

  if there are other jamaicans here, feel free to let me know.. with that said, it was announced at our last meeting (a letter was read) that the branch office (bethel) in kingston would be closing, and affairs would soon be directed from us hq.

  now the branch office here is a large compound built on acres of prime real estate.

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  Billy the Ex-Bethelite

  "I had an opportunity to speak to 2 persons who have worked / lived there yesterday. They are both shocked beyond belief :-)"

  Evidently, they haven't been paying attention. If branches like Norway, New Zealand, and all over Central America have been liquidated, how could they expect Jamaica to stay untouched?

  Maybe I've been around the layoffs long enough that I'm shocked that there are any bethelites that haven't already realized that they could get kicked to the curb at any moment.
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  74

  The Gall Of WT To Give This Advice To Pioneers:

  by JW GoneBad in

  1. watchtower
  2. bible

  this past week's wt study lesson was entitled: 'pioneering strengthens our relationship with god'.. under the subheading 'remaining in the full-time service' in par 14 the wt has the nerve to give this admonition to pioneers: .

  'desiring to learn from jesus' example, a pioneer does well to keep in mind that the more material things he has, the more he will have to maintain , repair, or replace.'.

  i don't think the gb or anyone in the writing department has the freedom to speak on giving adivce on the matter of 'material things' given the fact that wt has close to a billion dollars in real estate and loads of money in various bank accounts; given the fact that gb is currently building themselves new living quarters with who knows what sort of comforts and other amenities.

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  Billy the Ex-Bethelite

  And how someone dresses isn't a huge indicator of their wealth or status. Warren Buffett dresses very ordinary and lives in the same ordinary house in Omaha that he always has. Quite the opposite of Donald Trump who lives lavishly.

  So, how much money has the GB squirrelled away for themselves? It might not show in their clothes or bethel rooms. But who's auditing the WT accounts? WT has liquidated hundreds of millions of dollars worth of property and are raking in money and recruiting volunteers for their new headquarters. Is there a paper trail proving that nobody is personally profiting from WT headquarter finances? And even if they haven't already dipped into the cash to stuff their own pockets, they are first in line to take whatever they want with nobody else in WT to dare question the actions of the GB!
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  74

  The Gall Of WT To Give This Advice To Pioneers:

  by JW GoneBad in

  1. watchtower
  2. bible

  this past week's wt study lesson was entitled: 'pioneering strengthens our relationship with god'.. under the subheading 'remaining in the full-time service' in par 14 the wt has the nerve to give this admonition to pioneers: .

  'desiring to learn from jesus' example, a pioneer does well to keep in mind that the more material things he has, the more he will have to maintain , repair, or replace.'.

  i don't think the gb or anyone in the writing department has the freedom to speak on giving adivce on the matter of 'material things' given the fact that wt has close to a billion dollars in real estate and loads of money in various bank accounts; given the fact that gb is currently building themselves new living quarters with who knows what sort of comforts and other amenities.

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  Billy the Ex-Bethelite

  None of them have any talent, so they'll never be rock stars. But this is the closest they will ever be.

  At the end of a convention, I saw a crowd lined up to shake hands with Tony Morris like he was the pope. One day he was a janitor/pioneer with no money, who nibbled and sipped at the memorial. Fast forward a few years and he's a JW rock star, traveling the world, speaking to adoring crowds, he's a GB... like Jesus on earth. It's not necessarily an "easy" life, but... he doesn't have to worry about health insurance or if he'll be able to live on what little social security he might get. He can live off a WT fortune. That is a luxury that ordinary pioneers don't have.
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  70

  JW morale reaching new low

  by kneehighmiah in

  1. jw
  2. friends

  many friends i've spoken with are becoming discouraged.

  because of this it's becoming tempting to privately share my views with friends, but i know this is still too dangerous.

  most witnesses in my circle are intelligent free thinkers.

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  Billy the Ex-Bethelite

  Morale will go through ups and downs. CO visits and assemblies/conventions are supposed to boost morale and raise enthusiasm, but that isn't always how it works. It was exhausting as an elder to see the sheeple discouraged by the CO or bored by the SAD, because it seemed like some kind of problems in the congregation would follow.

  Receiving their new bibles should have been a big morale boost, but for how long?

  S4PW mentioned preaching issues, trying to improve activity. How did that work with representatives from the branch? Most of the COs and their wives would put on a brief show of enthusiasm... then they were more than happy to take lengthy breaks, ride along on unproductive RVs, and wrap up the morning early to get back in time for lunch. They set a standard for a high level of lip-service and a low level of actual activity.
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  54

  Hello, its good to be back, seriously!

  by AllTimeJeff in

  1. jw
  2. friends

  for the last year or so, the opening lyrics to gloria estefan's "always tomorrow" have been howling at me.. i've been alone inside myself, far too long.

  never really wanted it that way, but i let it happen..... .

  (btw, the message in that song is great for former jw's, if you want to think about the lyrics that way....).

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  Billy the Ex-Bethelite

  "But I don't want to waste anymore time pretending. I am a pretty screwed up guy, who is getting better, but not there yet."

  Sometimes I think that pretending is the only thing I am good at.
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  24

  Just got off the phone with my dad!

  by Kool Jo in

  1. jw
  2. experiences

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  had this conversion with my dad earlier today, hes an elder...both my parents were laid off during the recession, however, they saved and lived a decent life.

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  Billy the Ex-Bethelite

  I left at the very start of seeing how WT was dumping bethelites into the worst job market in decades. The parting comments were, "rely on Jehovah."

  Sounds like the branch needs to take that comment to heart. They're worried about how much Dad's congregation is donating? Well, they need to rely on Jehovah rather than badgering the congregations. Doesn't WT have the backing of the sovereign of the universe? ... all the gold and silver are his? Then why would JWs be all about money, money, money, making demands of the flock?

  Besides, it's common knowledge that WT has been selling branches and properties worth hundreds of millions of dollars. How can they turn around and demand money from congregations and dismiss bethelites with nothing? Where is all that money going?... The CO comes and thoroughly checks the congregation's financial records... so why can't the congregation thoroughly check WT's financial records? No open accounting or public auditing at the top, eh? Sounds fishy doesn't it?

  As far as us ex-bethelites, I tried relying on Jehovah... but he wasn't hiring. So, I relied on family. Then, I relied on the "worldly higher education". Moving out into the real world was difficult because of living for so long in the twisted headquarters of Watchtower. Despite what I was taught by WT, the world actually wants us to get educated and live a happy, productive life.
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  59

  Goodbye and Thank You Jw Net (Last Post)

  by Brother Mike in

  1. jw
  2. friends

  i would like to thank everyone for the discussions that we've all had.

  after all of them i have realized, all of you have made me realized that after all of the stuff i have been through, i just need a good friend.

  and regardless of how hostile our discussion could get i have felt that you have all shared something with me that have helped me.

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  Billy the Ex-Bethelite

  Tell everybody at the hall that you were here and let them know that we said, "Hi! See you all soon!"
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  7

  Why do humans suffer

  by StephaneLaliberte in

  1. watchtower
  2. beliefs

  while talking with my wife, it occurred to me that the jws idea of why humans suffer doesnt make sense.

  the idea is that humans suffer so as to prove beyond the shadow of a doubt that they cannot rule themselves.. now, the bible states that satan is the ruler of this world.

  so just how letting time pass by supposed to answer the question about the humans ability to govern themselves when they dont govern themselves?

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  Billy the Ex-Bethelite

  "Animals attack each other, animals suffer the same illness and disease as humans."

  Animals also suffer because the naked lady ate the apple from the talking snake.

  And billions of animals were destroyed in the flood because angels were having sex with women and people were violent.

  This stuff used to make sense... was I smoking something back then?
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  15

  I just couldn't do it...

  by joyfulfader in

  1. jw
  2. experiences

  i have recently become friends with some women who belong to a church in my area.

  they are fun, great women.

  one of them used to be a witness actually but it has been many years.

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  Billy the Ex-Bethelite

  Brunch is an alternative to church.