Randy,
You have a PM.
JV
lance?.
you doing alright bro?
we miss you around here.
Randy,
You have a PM.
JV
Venice, CA 1951
Mar Vista, CA 1952-53
Riverside, CA 1953-1966
==> wha happened? My wife went to Fairfax 1966-1970. Elders terrified her with tales of damnation (prep for 1975) for our three baby girls if I did not repent and go back. What years were you there?
JV
we're already being innundated with the drivel that is the us political process.. propaganda, right and left.
no one wants to discuss or debate, they just want to shout in each others faces.. so, here's the rules:.
you can discuss politics as long as you are discussing things.if you just post copy-and-paste propaganda it will be deleted.if you post it in anywhere but the politics area it will be deleted.if it's the inane "obama can't prove he was born" or "romney is an alien" crap then it will be deleted.if you repeatedly violate the above, including trying to get threads shut-down, then you will be deleted.this has been a public service announcement on behalf of the "i dont' give a shit, the government always gets elected" party.. .
That's why we love you, Simon. Another measured and appropriate decision by the webmaster. Thank you.
JV
.
look no 94: yin-yang.
http://indicetj.com/pdf/estudo_2_jehovah.htm.
Before you judge this new contributor too harshly, check out his website and look at the article about the Masonic hand signals. I'm not saying that I support everything that is being claimed, but what he suggests makes for interesting conversation.
There has been a great deal written on the subject of subliminal imagery. I remember reading Vance Packard's book, "The Hidden Persuaders" back in the 1970s. But much of what is claimed is true. It applies to the colors on a box of corn flakes, a soft drink can, and book covers. Some will attract and some will repel. People are drawn to imagery based on their nationality and ethnicity.
My guess (based on some training I took during my professional career) is that most of the fashion and perfume ads in magazines like Vanity Fair and Esquire have little teasers implanted in them. Sometimes all you have to do is to look at an ad upside down or sideways and images will pop right out at you.
So don't be so quick to poo-poo the possibility of the artists and Photoshop technicians at Watchtower HQ art department either (a) having a little fun at the Governing Body's expense ("Oh, yeah. See if those old geezers can see the ram's head in this image when they approved this article..."), or (b) having some direction by the article writers who want to leave more of an impression on JW sheep than boring words written at a 4th grade reading level.
I realize that some of the examples shown in the past are a little over the top or extremely long stretches of the imagination. But on the other hand, ask yourself, "why did the artist choose that particular picture on the wall or put that upside down, gravity defying wrinkle, in Jesus' robe?"
Indicetj: You have an email coming your way.
JV
I spent an hour at a Memorial meeting last year (2011) and I couldn't wait to get out of there - in spite of the love bombing I got.
I do what I do to help otherwise innocent JWs and those who might get trapped see the truth about the WT and the GB. Otherwise I'd never give them a second thought. Those of my family members (with a couple of exceptions) who are still in are pretty much losers and could not function in the real world. So I say let them stay if they want to and I'll write them off as lost causes.
No way I'd ever go back. I have to more senile than a prune to agree to go back. I doubt if I will reach that level of senility for at least another year or two.
JV
on 4/6, the poster orphan annie posted about her experiences with jw's and her ill husband.
unfortunately, her husband died monday, and she is feeling very sad.
i just wanted to make others aware of it, so that we can encourage her and give her some much needed support during this rough time.. her original thread is here.
Annie,
Sorry to hear of your lost. Our love to you...
JV and Mrs. JV
it saddens me to inform you that ruth edwards has passed.
ruth was a long time member of the menlo park congregation.
when the letter was read that indicated that john cobb, jason cobb, walter st. clair, and george stock had been removed from their post as elders, ruth fainted and needed to be taken to the hospital.
Ruth Edwards (Menlo Park Kingdom Hall) public funeral announcement for April 14, 2012 (I've edited it to remove names of living family members and possible minors):
She was 84 years old. Notice that funeral will not take place at the Menlo Park KH, but in Palo Alto instead.
------------------------------------------
Ruth Edwards
Sept. 27, 1927-April 5, 2012
Menlo Park, California
Carrie Belle Ruth was born Sept. 19, 1927, in Porterville, Calif., to Oletha and Carroll (Bill) DeBerry. The family moved to San Francisco where Ruth was raised. Ruth was the only child born to Bill and Oletha, but was especially close to her cousin, Robert (Bob) Douglas, who was like a brother to her.
Ruth met and married Preston Leigh Edwards, and together they raised six children. In 1959 Preston and Ruth left San Francisco and moved their five small children to Menlo Park, after which [daughter] came along. Preston died in 1971.
Ruth met Marie Alums, one of Jehovah's Witnesses, in the early 1960s, and with her help began to study the Bible. In January 1973, the highlight of Ruth's life occurred when she symbolized her dedication to Jehovah God by water baptism and became one of Jehovah's Witnesses.
Ruth enjoyed jazz and jitterbug. She was fond of entertaining and often invited friends and family to her home for meals and good times. She had many happy experiences serving as a full-time proclaimer of the Bible's message, and found great pleasure in long hours spent side by side with her daughters, and friend and service partner, Louella Kates Stock, in that work. In 1989 Ruth embarked on a different full-time career, raising two granddaughters. In spite of declining health and stamina, Ruth continued to serve Jehovah faithfully with the Menlo Park Congregation until the end.
Ruth treasured many, many friendships and experiences had along the way in her years of service to Jehovah God. She was known and loved by many as "Granny."
Ruth is survived by her son, and his wife, and four daughters. Her son Bill Edwards predeceased her. Ruth is also survived by 13 grandchildren. In addition she leaves 18 grandchildren.
Memorial service
Saturday, April 14, at the Kingdom Hall of Jehovah's Witnesses on 429 High St. in Palo Alto, CA 94301
-----------------------------------------------------
So sad...
JV
it saddens me to inform you that ruth edwards has passed.
ruth was a long time member of the menlo park congregation.
when the letter was read that indicated that john cobb, jason cobb, walter st. clair, and george stock had been removed from their post as elders, ruth fainted and needed to be taken to the hospital.
What I find so sad is that everyone associated with the Menlo Park Kingdom Hall has been hurt and damaged. They are all under so much stress, no matter which side of the argument they support. When I hear from some of my anonymous contacts in that area, I can read the pain in their emails, and hear the sadness and fear in their voices. This applies to the brothers as well as the sisters that I've communicated with.
If I thought that I could go down to Menlo Park and go into the Kingdom Hall, walk in the door and give everyone a big hug, I would. I'd like to let them know that many of us apostates following the case are concerned for their well being. I hope that those who do not leave can once again find peace, brotherhood, and joy in fellowship within their congregation. But after all of the articles I've published on Ex-JW.com about their scandal, the "defendant" elders would probably drag me out back into the parking lot and leave me beaten and bloodied up against the freeway fence.
I really do fear that many sincere JWs in that area are being stumbled by what they are seeing and experiencing. I'm sorry that Sister Edwards may have become a victim of that conflict. I hope there are no others that pay that high a price.
JV
it saddens me to inform you that ruth edwards has passed.
ruth was a long time member of the menlo park congregation.
when the letter was read that indicated that john cobb, jason cobb, walter st. clair, and george stock had been removed from their post as elders, ruth fainted and needed to be taken to the hospital.
Fish,
Sorry to hear that there has been another innocent victim caught in the crossfire of this controversy.
If you can get the word to her family, please express my sincere condolences.
JV
after reading much on this scandal, we know that many if not all jws will not go out of there way to read up on this info.
does anyone know what the rumor in the congregations are about this topic?
i'm sure alot of them are just taken back by fellow witnesses taking the society to court, bringing reproach on god's name.
Stuck,
That rumor (elders went apostate) is absolutely untrue. Here are a few facts you should be aware of:
1. Not a single one of the former elders (plaintiffs) will talk to me. They've made it clear that they do not individually, or as a group, support apostates - and still believe and support the religious teachings of the Watchtower. My direct contacts there are mostly "civilians" who know the men involved, but are not Witnesses themselves. Believe me, I've tried to contact the plaintiffs - but they won't budge. I've called their phone numbers and have even visited Menlo Park on several occasions hoping to set up a meeting - but they won't communicate with me directly. I doubt if they will have any contact with any ex or apostate JWs until they are officially disfellowshipped from the religion.
2. I have spoken to and received emails from other Witnesses in Menlo Park and surrounding areas. While support for the deposed elders is mixed, not one has ever stated that Jason Cobb or the others have ever approached any of them or tried to convince any of them to support the plaintiffs.
3. Jason Cobb and his family have continued to attend meetings at Menlo Park and continue as regular publishers. They have had to leave the area at times for fear of possible reprisals, but have not resigned from the Hall or become regular members of another congregation. Read the segment 5 of part 3 of "Elder Tells All" and you will see how he and his family have been treated by the new elder group even during meetings. Many in the Kingdom Hall have actually shunned them as if they were already disfellowshipped.
4. While many of my JW contacts in Menlo Park have expressed their support for Jason Cobb and the other plaintiffs, some are afraid to show that friendship within the Kingdom Hall for fear of being branded and marked themselves as possible troublemakers. A few have expressed their admiration for the fearless way that the Cobbs and St. Clair have stood up to the defendants and the organization - but again are afraid to demonstrate that support in any way for fear of being caught up in the purge that is sure to come.
5. A couple of my contacts remarked that they only learned the truth about what had happened by sneaking a peak at Ex-JW.com and reading the court documents for themselves. One told me that remarks by the current elder body accused the Cobbs of being thieves and "wanting to steal the Kingdom Hall away from the Watchtower and clean out the bank accounts too."
6. Another contact in the area who does not attend the Menlo Park Kingdom Hall told me that some of the MPKH members had told him that they been approached and asked point blank by the new elders "where do your loyalties lie?" Most simply replied "with Jehovah's organization" or something similar. They are trying to figure out who still supports the former elders. They are forcing us to lie in order to avoid being kicked out ourselves.
7. I forgot to mention that there is a rumor going around nearby congregations (Palo Alto, Redwood City) that the Watchtower Society may just shut down the English MP congregation, reassign the English speaking members to other nearby Kingdom Halls. They will leave the Japanese congregation and bring in a Spanish congregation from Redwood City to meet there until the building is abandoned altogether or sold. The rumor is that the RBC and the Service Department believe that if none of the players remain in Menlo Park then the controversy will simply die and the court cases with it.
I wish that I could share more, but to do so would put innocent JWs and their families in the SF south bay area in jeopardy. I do not want to be the instrument for the destruction of any JW families.
JV