Posts by freddo

41

Disfellowshipped for celebrating Xmas?

by Theburstbubble in

i could really do with some advice on what's acceptable when you leave.

we have left of our own accord about 6 months ago.

we didn't celebrate xmas this year but have just celebrated my daughters birthday.. a friend of mine who is still a witness told me that an elder had approached her and asked if we had celebrated xmas and that if we did it was a df offence as is classed as apostasy!

freddo

OK, ex-elder here.

Yes Xmas - not cuz it's Jesus birthday two and a half months late but because it's happy Saturnalia, pagan see? - will get you DF'd.

Timescale? As Talesin said.

The guideline "we" as in whenever the elders had a school or the CO would "clarify" the elder guidelines was 2 to 3 years of inactivity before you might get a "leave it in Jehovah's hands" if you aren't causing a stir in the congregation.

So my advice would be - don't put up lights, flashing Santa or a fir tree in your living room if you are living in an area where you were known as an active jw. Ever. Because someone will be "stumbled" of course.

40

Next steps for the Austrailian Royal Commission

by Coded Logic in

since the watchtowers' lawyers have (a) failed to make any recommendations to the arc that would bring the watchtower up to date with "best practices and procedures" (b) have failed to submit a proposal for victim restitution (c) have failed to secure funding for a redress scheme and (d) have completely dismissed all the arcs' findings - what's the royal commission's next course of action?.

i see two possibilities:.

) negotiate a settlement with the watchtower.

freddo

I may be wrong but I thought the commission would "only" be able to make findings and recommendations for lawmakers. It has the power to summon, fine and even imprison but only on grounds of "contempt of court" as in refusing to appear or provide requested evidence. Hence GB Jackson was dragged screaming and kicking to the stand.

It's (final) findings are "fact" I believe as in when the ARC has "found that" something is the case it carries the same weight as a law court finding and its findings can then be used (as a sort of precedent) to be used to support lawsuits for victims of abuse.

But I don't think that of itself it can (e.g.) say WT Oz must pay $50,000Aus to every victim but it can recommend financial redress amounts to the lawmakers (government?) of Australia.

Someone will be along to correct my thoughts I'm sure.

Edit: Sorry Smiddy - I didn't read your post before posting mine!

29

WBTS goes to Court of Appeal (Charity Commission investigation)

by Mephis in

after a number of high profile cases where both children and survivors clearly weren't adequately protected, the charity commission here in the uk launched an investigation into the wbts as a whole here in britain.

the main concerns are around the child safeguarding policies being inadequate.

wbts have fought every step of the way so far.. wbts have been to the high court, who told them to complain to the proper tribunal.. wbts have been to the proper tribunal, who told them that too darn right there were suitable grounds for the charity commission to want to investigate their inability to protect children.. and now the wbts have gone back to the court of appeal to demand that the charity commission inquiry be halted.. i hope the court of appeal tells them that, yes, they too need to have proper safeguarding measures for children and to get on with co-operating with the investigation.. https://www.gov.uk/government/news/charity-commission-defends-its-investigation-into-jehovahs-witness-charity-in-the-court-of-appeal.

freddo

So when is a verdict expected? Days? Weeks? Months? How does it work?

86

Music Video: Would Jesus Wear a Rolex on JW Broadcasting? - PARODY

by cappytan in

jw
friends

this took quite a while this evening.

so worth it though.

hope you enjoy!

freddo

Wonderful!

32

Re: Quarterly Organizational Accomplishments Video Series

by pixel in

dear brothers:.

we are pleased to inform you that a new series of short videos will be produced to emphasize the acceleration of the worldwide work of jehovah’s witnesses.

(isa.

freddo

Ohhhhhhhhhhh! Godddddddddd! More crap to sit through.

22

Applause in your disfellowship announcement

by elkatire1980 in

has anyone done this before?

freddo

Now of course such announcements are right at the very end of the CLAM meeting.

Perhaps get your phone to play "I'm Free!" by The Who as you march to the exit?

Even better if the sound department unwittingly played it instead of the closing song!

108

Leaked Elder's Video: How to deal with a suicidal sister

by cappytan in

this video will be played at one of the clam meetings in march 2016.. the content is kind of old news because it is a recut version of a previous video produced for the elder's school.

however, it's still significant because it shows that the organization still has dissenting brothers in positions of leadership.. my thanks to the leaker.

feel free to claim credit here.

freddo

So we can pray to Jehovah without invoking his son's "through me" telephone exchange?

6

Jehovah’s Witnesses Respond to How They’ve Failed Child Sex Abuse Victims With a Call For … Lawyers and Accountants

by Watchtower-Free in

australian royal commission inquiry 2015 .

jehovahs witnesses respond to how theyve failed child sex abuse victims with a call for ... lawyers and accountants.

by alex james on december 2, 2015 ( 2 comments )

freddo

Does anyone know what the next step for the ARC is in relation to jw's?

11

Stats for assembly in La Feria TX - Saturday 2/6/16

by StarTrekAngel in

attendance was 1200 in the morning, 1146 in the afternoon.

5 baptisms, mostly young girls (18-20 range) and one that look older (over 20).

cost of the assembly $8500.

freddo

Thanks for the stats STA

1200 attendance with 5 baptised with a GB member present. Not too hot.

I wonder if there will be a slight bounce back from last year's low figures. We had a zero out of 1000 for the first time in 30 years at a CA I attended in April 2015. And 3 out of 1000 last November. Next one is end of March - will be interesting.

19

Where are they now?

by Sabin in

geoffrey jackson.

terrence o'brien.

vincent toole.

freddo

The millstone wheels of the ARC will grind slowly but I believe they will grind fine.

Justice McLellan did say last summer that the investigation would take another two and a half years. They are working their way through.