Posts by DNCall

103

That does it ! I'm leaving ! ! !

by Billy the Ex-Bethelite in

jw
friends

leaving the university with my degree!.

exams are finished and it's just a matter of days before i walk.. i was certainly stressed about doing this.

i'm older than my classmates and armageddon was sooooo close!

Is it true that the GB is soon planning on ditching the 1914 doctrine?

by yogosans14 in

or atleast tweaking it again... apparently there has been rumors of this coming out of bethel.

.

The overlapping generations idea is anchored by 1914. It's already embarrassing how many times since 1995 they have had to change the "this generation" definition. Change 1914 and you can bet on yet another change to the definition. Not sure they can afford too many more embarassments.

34

Feeling disloyal

by stirred but not shaken in

i've been visiting here for about a year or so, but didn't really feel compelled to participate other than reading the various posts that interested me.. there's been that uncomfortable feeling of being disloyal to god, the organization, many friends and relatives.. i've been associated since birth.

after 65 + years of service within this organization and actually enjoying that time, it troubled me to find myself wanting to express feelings that were contrary to all that time of "faithfulness".

those years were filled with progressive "privileges and responsibilities" even at a high level, and there was considerable success in our evangelizing activity.

DNCall

Welcome to the board. I too am looking forward to further posts from you.

I would also like to comment on your screen name. I cannot tell you how disillusioned I was with 007 when I realized that "shaken not stirred" was what he said rather than the reverse. Then when I read that he preferred vodka martinis, it was just too much.

You, on the other hand, obviously understand that shaking bruises the gin (i.e. leaves ice chips in the glass, thus watering down the gin--notice: gin, not vodka). "Stirred not shaken" is a far better directive than the other way around. Did I say welcome to the board?

10

An Open Letter to the Treasurer's Office

by DNCall in

jw
friends

watch tower bible & tract society of pennsylvania, inc.. treasurers office.

gentlemen and ladies:.

manifestly, you appreciate the value of marketing as can be seen by the launch of jw.org.

DNCall

Dang, jgnat! Twice yesterday you showed me to be behind the curve, on this thread and the one dealing with tithing/passing the plate. You're right, of course and I thank you.

I would say this however: WT is even more behind the curve than I am, due to their policies. In Watchtowerland, it's all about appearances. For example, you are much more visible as a contributor or non-contributor during a group exercise such as passing the plate, than you are individually contributing via ATM. Passing the plate would exert greater pressure to have cash at every meeting.

WT headquarters are in the US, not South Africa (great TED talk, BTW). So they, along with the rest of the developed contries, are lagging in SMS technology. Now, what has greater boasting rights, providing 3rd-worlders with computers/tablets or providing feature phones?

Billy, your ad strategy is basically sound, but let's say you're visiting your favorite porn site and you see the JW.Org logo. Major turn-off don't you think?

10

An Open Letter to the Treasurer's Office

by DNCall in

jw
friends

watch tower bible & tract society of pennsylvania, inc.. treasurers office.

gentlemen and ladies:.

manifestly, you appreciate the value of marketing as can be seen by the launch of jw.org.

DNCall

Watch Tower Bible & Tract Society of Pennsylvania, Inc.
Treasurer’s Office

Gentlemen and Ladies:

Manifestly, you appreciate the value of marketing as can be seen by the launch of JW.Org. Undoubtedly you have already thought of this, but on the off chance that you have not, may I make the following suggestion?

With the encouraging growth in the developing countries it can be anticipated that many publishers and interested persons do not own computers, or if they do, are without Internet access. I would suggest that you set aside funds that are not already ear-marked for Warwick, new Kingdom Hall/Assembly Hall construction, Kingdom Hall/Assembly Hall renovation, out-of-court settlements, possible adverse judgments, etc., for computers and/or Internet access to those who cannot afford these necessary tools. Further, since the “Good News” has been spread to remote areas of the globe that do not provide Internet service, might some of your voluntary workforce be used to install Internet infrastructure? Such an effort would foster much good will with the public at large, and your charitable efforts could be made known through news releases on JW.Org.

Hoping this finds you busy, busy, busy.

Appropriate regards,

DNCall

cc: J.R. Brown
Public Affairs Office

120

A serving elder's take on the new "tithing" arrangement

by TTATTelder in

the gb can kiss my ass.. i'm writing "0" on the little slip of paper they pass out.. hey here's a thought:.

you know that "widow's might" stuff they're always talking about?

well i'm pretty dang sure that the lady was giving from the heart not because she filled out some dumba$$ piece of paper pledging two small coins several months previous!.

DNCall

One of the more appealing aspects of this religion has been its not soliciting donations at its meetings. This has appealed to Witnesses with money as well as those with very little money. This new policy should be a turn-off for many.

Projecting into the future, it's not hard to imagine this approach failing and a new one emerging that involves simply passing the plate.

85

My Elderette is returning today to CONDUCT another conversation...

by Faithful Witness in

she has had 42 years of training and indoctrination.

i'm feeling sort of nervous, but also looking forward to it.

this will be our second scheduled session together, and we never did agree on a topic.. i'm assuming she will come with an agenda and another prepared presentation.

DNCall

A beautifullly expressed profile of this person and possibly any witness when they are "witnessing." With a grasp of the situation such as you have, you may well be effective regardless of her reason for calling on you.

36

Anyone going to the memorial this year?

by Pyramid God in

jw
friends

i was invited by my parents, and even though i have nothing but contempt for this religion, things have been good in our relationship so i was considering going just to appease them.

anyone else?.

DNCall

No. However, we will be partaking of bread and wine. Well, not unleavened bread but very fine, freshly baked bread at our favorite Italian restaurant in town where we will be dining with some close ex-JW friends. The leavened bread symbolizes our fallen condition as ex-JWs. The wine symbolizes our desire to have a nice, relaxing evening. At least we won't be down at the Kingdom Hall denying the body and blood of the Son of God!

15

Anyone know where to get support?

by Nosferatu in

jw
friends

i blew up and dumped my girlfriend on monday over a silly little thing.

it's been happening in pretty much every relationship i get involved in.

it never happened before my marriage.. during my marriage, i was alone almost all the time.

DNCall

I would add that the best therapist may be a psychiatrist. The symptoms you describe could also be attributed to depression and you would want a therapist who can prescribe medication.

41

Discussion with some elders

by GoUnion in

hello everyone just wanted to relate a situation that occurred a few days ago.

so i have quit going to meetings for a few months now based on some issues i have with the explanations of current doctrines.

my wife is none too happy with this but over the last few months we have had some date nights and have tentitively agreed to disagree.

DNCall

Ray Franz said it best for me when he used the expression, "victims of victims" in describing the organization. Of course, in order for there to be a victim, there must be a perpetrator. From what I know of the organization, that perpatrator was JF Rutherford, the architect of the Witness religion. Was he evil? I believe he was. He coveted, stole and manipulated. His ego, ambition and vengeful nature knew no bounds. Even his close associates in leadership were victims of his. On this foundation was constructed the unhealthy tradition that claims victims to this day.