The way JW's practice "reinstatement" is entirely different then the principle of the parable of the prodigal son and the example provided in the Corinthian congregation. It is more in common with concept of discipline/penance practiced in the historical Catholic church. In those days when someone was excommunicated they might have to sit outside the church door for some months being humiliated before they were let back in. Compare this to how it plays out in JW-land, where a DF'd person has to come sit in the back of the Kingdom Hall for 6 months or more, not being talked to, hardly being looked at, until they are reinstated -- and even then they are on restriction. Even if someone is just reproved, giving evidence that they are repentant, they still have restrictions placed upon them as punishment. Consider the fact that the father of the prodigal son had a welcome back feast for the son, with the fact that JW's aren't even allowed to clap when someone is reinstated. The Bible plainly says that Heaven rejoices when a sinner turns around, yet JW's are restricted from showing similar feelings.
donuthole
JoinedPosts by donuthole
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72
2009 Drama Synopsis and Comments
by jabberwock inthis year's drama was based on the parable of the prodigal son.
the theme was "your brother was dead and came to life".
as some have probably heard, it is a modern day story based on that parable, so there are no fancy costumes or fake beards.. .
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How was your Memorial Day?
by AK - Jeff inwe had a blast.. first - yesterday i got my flags out and hung properly for the summer.. today we had a little bbq.
we had family and just a few friends over and played softball and talked and drank some beer.
my gay friend jeri and i did tequila shots [i never did that before!]..
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donuthole
Ended up having an impromptu dinner party. We had so much food made that we decided to invite a couple over and then our neighbors dropped by. So we had a full house. I was going to try to grill up some tiny burgers that are the fad these days, instead of the cricket ball sized monsters I normally make. Problem some of the tiny burgers fell between the grates of the grill. So had to throw on some backup beer-brats and hotdogs so we would have enough. Had some homemade potato salad which is leaps and bounds better than anything I can buy that the store. Then fresh picked strawberries for dessert. Played a couple of rounds of Wii Mario Party and I fell asleep on the couch. Only "memorial-day" specific activity was praying on behalf of the families that were remembering losses.
This was our dinner/house party this weekend. It is amazing how social we have become since leaving the organization.
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Images of the new publication releases plus preface to new book...
by drew sagan inpicked these up off the net.
didn't see them here so i thought i would post.. i really like the back cover to the new book, showing pictures of a car from the 30's with "jehovah's witnesses" on the side.
the pic of the guy in prison is beyond lame.. .
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donuthole
Is that a picture of Jaracz?? If so he is all over these new releases.
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Why are some of the Memorial partakers normal people?
by BonaFide ini know that a lot of the memorial partakers are crazies, or have emotional problems, or want attention.
i am not talking about them.. but there is a percentage of partakers that are not weird, or attention-getters.
they act normal, they have a good sense of humor, they don't promote themselves.
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Spanish JW's Upset Over Bethel Move
by Gary1914 inon april 1, 2009 a letter was sent from the governing body of jehovahs witnesses to congregations in spain informing them that the printing, shipping, and storage of watchtower publications would be discontinued at the madrid branch office.
the letter expressed confidence that the spanish witnesses would, despite the move, continue to generously support the world wide work and ends with an appeal to remain united under the direction of the witness leadership.. at a glance, this story may seem like a non-issue, perhaps, just another example of reorganization and consolidation within a multinational corporation; however, the dissolution of the printing branch has caused considerable hard feelings among some of jehovahs witnesses in spain.
to understand the reason we must first look at the history behind the branch office and external factors that some feel prompted this abrupt move.. early in their history, jehovahs witnesses began printing their trademark watchtower magazines and associated books and tracts in-house at their bethel headquarters in brooklyn, new york.
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donuthole
@wantarevolution
Do you know if there has been anything in the Spanish media about this? Was also wondering the WT challenged the Social Security Ministry's ruling in the courts and if you had any info on that?
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Where would you go(are you gone)?
by Koiné inhallo,.
i would like to discuss some items in one topic:.
1)most of the people who left jehovah's witnesses also left institutional christianity,i mean they did not join another group (or did they)?.
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donuthole
I went to Jesus Christ and things have been working out quite well for me. I don't care for religion, all the different denominations have their little quirks but it all is pretty much the same old.
If you are disgruntled with religion but still have a belief in the Bible I would encourage you to try seeking Jesus outside of the walls.
If you don't believe in the Bible, I would encourage you to just read what Jesus spoke and give it try, see for yourself if what he says has value for you or not.
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How did you REALLY feel when you where out in field service?
by megaflower ini never felt comfortable knocking on door and i hoped no one would be home.
my presentation was short and to the point because i did not want to get into discussions.
as we walked from "door to door" i secretly wished i could be like all the ones i saw in the nighborhood.
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donuthole
Well this confirms what Rutherford suggested -- you all became apostates because you hated the preaching work. (kidding)
I quite enjoyed the last year of field service when I gave up trying to place literature and convert folks into the JW religion. Without the sales agenda and superiority complex, it was good to just get around and talk to different folks, listen to what they had to say, pray with them if there were any problems in their life. If you are still a JW and having to go out in service and not enjoying it, why not try this approach.
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Need References for Article I'm Writing re Spain Bethel
by donuthole ini'm looking for the following items for an article i'm writing regarding the current situation at the madrid bethel.. a scanned copy of the letter to the us congregation in 1990 regarding the "donation arrangement".
i have a vague recollection that something was said to the affect that the donation arrangement was a loving provision to help the poor who couldn't otherwise afford the literature to get a copy.
this isn't in the initial 1990 letter announcing the "donation arrangement", which speaks more about "simplification".
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donuthole
Here is a link to my write up on the subject --
http://www.anthonymathenia.com/?p=319
-- could be better, but my lack of Spanish made researching this difficult.
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Need References for Article I'm Writing re Spain Bethel
by donuthole ini'm looking for the following items for an article i'm writing regarding the current situation at the madrid bethel.. a scanned copy of the letter to the us congregation in 1990 regarding the "donation arrangement".
i have a vague recollection that something was said to the affect that the donation arrangement was a loving provision to help the poor who couldn't otherwise afford the literature to get a copy.
this isn't in the initial 1990 letter announcing the "donation arrangement", which speaks more about "simplification".
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donuthole
Ok I got a copy of that one letter --
pg 1
and
pg 2
-- Is there anyone who could please do a translation into English?
Thank you very much!
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Need References for Article I'm Writing re Spain Bethel
by donuthole ini'm looking for the following items for an article i'm writing regarding the current situation at the madrid bethel.. a scanned copy of the letter to the us congregation in 1990 regarding the "donation arrangement".
i have a vague recollection that something was said to the affect that the donation arrangement was a loving provision to help the poor who couldn't otherwise afford the literature to get a copy.
this isn't in the initial 1990 letter announcing the "donation arrangement", which speaks more about "simplification".
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donuthole
I'm looking for the following items for an article I'm writing regarding the current situation at the Madrid Bethel.
A scanned copy of the letter to the US congregation in 1990 regarding the "donation arrangement"
I have a vague recollection that something was said to the affect that the donation arrangement was a loving provision to help the poor who couldn't otherwise afford the literature to get a copy. This isn't in the initial 1990 letter announcing the "donation arrangement", which speaks more about "simplification". Was this in follow up information, in a KM, something that was just suggested on the platform, or am I totally confused?
Would like any information regarding the potential sale of the Spanish Bethel facility and/or move of equipment to German branch office.
My understanding is that after the Spain ruled that the Spanish Bethel had to provide pension benefits for Bethel workers, the congregations were told that the Spanish Bethel would be providing this as a "loving arrangement to provide for those who've worked so long in furthering Kingdom interests." Does anyone know how this was conveyed - in a KM? in a letter? If in a letter, does anyone have a copy of this letter?
My understanding is that Social Security Office of Spain made the initial ruling but that Org fought this in Supreme(?) court. Is this correct? Is there any documentation or information on this?
Would like a scanned picture of the Madrid Bethel compound.
Thanks in advance ...
Anthony
