i think it was when it was announced that an elder arrangement would be practiced.. that shook the foundations of a lot of congregations..
I believe it was the 1995 change in the understanding of "this generation."
For the first time since 1876 there was no time sensitivity triggered by a specific date. I believe this, more than anything else, accounts for the irrational leadership decisions since 1995, as well as the ill effects on the rank and file of such leadership.
It was in 1995 that this end time religion no longer had an end time.
DNCall
i'm quizzing all my sources for the ultimate "silver-bullet" question for a jw at your door.
the best questions will be used in a video series on watchtower comments.
the goal is to help people respond to jws.. the question must be direct and designed to open the jw mind, not necessarily to win an argument.. i would prefer to avoid doctrinal debate such as trinity, cross, even thiest/athiest subjects.
Why didn't the first century Christians call themselves Jehovah's Witnesses?
DNCall
part 1. part 2. part 3. i submitted my regular pioneer application in late 1993 so that i could officially begin on january 1st.
i knew that my application would get the rubber stamp of approval from the service committee since i had never been involved in any conduct that would prevent my appointment.. i was however slightly rebellious throughout my teens; but it was what i would refer to as a "watchtower rebelliousness".
you see, i believe that there are two forms of rebelliousness among jw youth.
Keep up the good work. Looking forward to Part 5!
DNCall
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hlnhpmqnwu4.
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Has anyone appreciated how this resonates in Witness culture? (i.e., the left and the right are all under the power of Satan.)
One of the reasons some people stay loyal to the Borg is, as Cleese puts it, because extremism feels good!
DNCall
Brilliant. Thanks!
don't know how many of you are truly what i would call a "jazz-aholic", but jimmy cleveland passed this past saturday, he was well known back in the 40's until 80's as an outstanding musician who played with all the greats, you can search his name and just find out how major he was, but, the reason you probably didn't read about it in any daily publication is that his wife janet is a jdub and probably didn't want to alert the wordly media.
she was a piano teacher in the queens, new york area from the 60's up until they moved to california in the 80's, while they were here in nyc he was a part of merv griffin's studio band, when he had his late night talk show.
she was a singer back in the 40's under the name of janet thurlow, quincy jones even mentions her in his book as giving him some good advice about his career, wonder how well they know each other .
I knew Janet and met Jimmy on a couple of occasions. Janet played violin in the convention orchestras in LA. They lived in the Lynwood area of LA.
Jimmy was a marvelous trombonist. A great example of his sound is the introduction to "How Insensitive" from the famous Jobim/Ogerman sessions.
DNCall
these two have consistently been the "liberal" side to the writing dept.....who do you think are the hard liners...that change publications and articles to make them more restrictive.
there are definitely 2 camps in writing at the moment .
the new "keep yourselves in gods love", the original draft was so different to the final book....blood and disfellowshipping weren't even in the original draft.
Unfortunately, Colin died within the last year. Just speculation, but should David find gainful employment, I believe he will withdraw his services.
DNCall
one of the main teachings of pastor russell was that all would be enlightened with a knowledge of god's truth before they are placed on trial and judged for their final destiny.
for the majority of mankind this would be when they are raised from the dead at the time of the general resurrection.
their final judgment would be based on their conduct while enlightened and not on their conduct while in ignorance.
I found this paper extremely enlightening regarding the issues of succession Rutherford faced after following Russell. It explains much of how the current organization was set in motion by Rutherford rather than Russell.
http://home.broadpark.no/~jhauglan/rutherford.htm
DNCall
the first article describes a linguist, and the second one contains his critical views of the nwt:.
http://www.andovertownsman.com/townspeople/local_story_198151856.html?keyword=secondarystory.
http://www.freeminds.org/doctrine/byington.htm.
Thanks, Jamie.
For me, Byington's comments re the translation of charis cut to the heart of so much that is wrong with the Witness religion. The shift of emphasis from God's grace to man's undeservedness is echoed in the shift of emphasis from God to the Organization. The constant reminder of man's undeservedness is then used to prod the flock into doing more so as to be deserving.
The wonder and beauty of God's grace are completely bypassed in favor of doctrine calculated to keep the Organization afloat.
DNCall
greetings!.
i'm rereading a brilliant madness: living with manic-depressive illness by patty duke and gloria hochman.. do you have any personal or anecdotal information on links between mania and creativity?.
coco cyclothyme.
I heard that Handel composed The Messiah in three weeks during a fit of mania.
I also knew a former circuit overseer who always struggled to earn a living after going off the road. His bipolar condition manifested itself late in life. During an extreme fit of mania, he raised hundreds of thousands of dollars for a foundation that existed only in his mind.
DNCall
