let's try this again...most of us are aware that all available evidence points to the time of jerusalem's destruction at the 586/7bc time frame.
overwhelming evidence includes astronomical phenomena, achaeological evidence, bank records, the bible itself.. some hold to 607bc, for obvious reasons- the implications it has.
thoughts on how this would effect the average witness if forced to conclude 607 is wrong?
Very, very interesting topic. I wish that my friends and family would at least look at this. Don't think they will for awhile though. I remember this one brother told me he was researching on the Internet for a talk on Daniel. He said only the Society used 607 B.C.E. Then a couple of months later I asked him about that, and he said, "I never said that."
BF
the recent internet phenomenon seems to be that 1. some news story breaks, and then 2. people start talking about it and twittering and forwarding emails about it.
and then it multiplies and multiplies until finally, 3. the whole world is talking about it.
the same with the madoff scheme.
So Outlaw, since a lot of Witnesses I know "admire personalities," brothers such as Charles Sinutko, J.R. Brown, District Overseers, some Circuit Overseers, what is some of THEM left the Organization? AND they told people why? Couldn't that make a lot of bro's follow in their footsteps, especially if they sent out some emails with their comments or reasons?
Would be great, I think. Unlikely? Maybe
BF
i've been lurking on the sidelines for a while and have decided to jump in and introduce myself.
the name kinda gives it away.
i'm a lifer who got a shocker about a year ago by stumbling across the 607 baloney.
Welcome! There are a lot of posters here who are still active JW's. Be careful about telling about yourself, and who you respond to in PM's. (Personal Messages.)
I got a lot of support on here. It was pretty bad when I first realized the Truth. Very emotional. I am still in for the family and friends, trying to get them out using the "undercover" method.
Again, welcome!!!!!!!
Bonafide
i think perhaps those that contract with the rbc get money.
but what about the gb or higher-up bethelites or branch members?.
is there any way they could get their hands on some of the money?.
I think perhaps those that contract with the RBC get money. But what about the GB or higher-up Bethelites or Branch members?
Is there any way they could get their hands on some of the money?
BF
the recent internet phenomenon seems to be that 1. some news story breaks, and then 2. people start talking about it and twittering and forwarding emails about it.
and then it multiplies and multiplies until finally, 3. the whole world is talking about it.
the same with the madoff scheme.
Some have said people don't know or care about the Witnesses. That's true, unless there is a scandal. Like huge settlements or thousands leaving. People love scandals, and I think that if a few thousand or more left, that would be on the news. Then thousands more would leave. The scandal would beget more leaving.
BF
from time to time, a thread appears that suggests the time is "right" for the imminent collapse of the watchtower society.
"evidence" is presented from a variety of electronic sources, especially the internet and the proliferation of sites twittering about significant developments in the watchtower society.
when posters with fervent religious beliefs enter the discussion they confidently state, among other things, that "apostasy is rampant in the organization" (research lady).
I feel that a collapse is possible, even probable, but I don't see how that is religiously driven, in my case.
The reason is that I am seeing so many news stories and scandals now become worldwide, even in a matter of hours. Even more so than a few months ago. And people, including Jehovah's Witnesses are becoming more cynical.
What about after our District Conventions, when apparently there will be a lot of talks saying to follow the Faithful Slave no matter what?
It could be that as I have gone on here and learned so much in the past year or so I am more cynical, and the WT teachings are so obviously wrong.
But I think really that as people, including Witnesses, become more cynical, then when they come into the convention, they may start to say, "Hey, is this right?"
What about all those dismissed Bethelites? And if the C.O. arrangement changes? Disgruntled people starting just to get "curious" on the Internet? Once a few thousand start to leave, the floodgates will open.
IMO
BF
i saw my first while out on errands today!.
bought a 68 camaro in 1977. paid 700$ taxes, title, registration, inspection & new tires!.
i wish i still had mine.
1965 Pontiac Catalina with smashed doors on both sides. My dad gave it to me when I turned 16 and got a license. I put a blanket on the ripped upholstery, and I waxed it.
I thought I was the coolest thing ever.
BF
we had a brother once in my sisters' hall who would preach downtown with old watchtowers and awakes, i mean like 15 year old magazines, and he would sell them above cost.
even after the donation system went info effect, he would still sell them.
the elders tried to talk to him about it, but he could never really have a normal conversation.
I forgot about Jesus Christ.
Every year for the past few years at the District Convention in Los Angeles, there is a man dressed completely in white who stands in the very front row, in fact he takes a few steps forward, and "leads" the entire convention during the songs. He holds his arms way out, turns around and apparently thinks he is the one directing the singing. Once I tried to get him to calm down and step back to the row of people singing, but he refused. The attendants tried to back me up and tell him to knock it off, but no way. So now they just kind of let him do his thing, he doesnt yell or anything, and he doesnt rush the stage, so nothing is done.
If you go to the Los Angeles conventions, check out the first row during the songs. Bet he is there.
Crazy
BF
there were 20 in the group from 3 congregations.
it was kind of a "special talk" special meal with the speaker and his wife.. no one, i mean no one, not the elders there, nor the pioneers, talked about anything "spiritual.
" everything was about work, entertainment, personalities in the congregation, and music.
I agree Undercover, about the "spiritual things first" attitude.
With my friends, we always would preach first, or go to a special talk first, or something JW related first, and then we would feel "good" spiritually, that we could now do something fun.
Now, seems like with the next generation, even that is changing.
BF
the recent internet phenomenon seems to be that 1. some news story breaks, and then 2. people start talking about it and twittering and forwarding emails about it.
and then it multiplies and multiplies until finally, 3. the whole world is talking about it.
the same with the madoff scheme.
Interesting points people. So I wonder what the chances are of a GB member defecting? Probably zero. I saw brother Lett a couple of months ago giving a special talk. Nothing but 100% devotion to the Organization.
Unless as you all said, there are some big settlements.
Sometimes it seems like the whole WT Organization is really having major problems and may collapse. Then I go to a meeting or assembly and I see how many still believe.
I do think there is a possibility, a good one, that something big will happen soon. There is just too much Internet pervasiveness, and I think that "general awareness" is growing and growing. I might be wrong, because as one of you brought out, people who doubt and try to tell someone else are disfellowshipped. But what if there are thousands of them?
BF
