okay, some good takeaway:.
i have never been to a convention quite like this before.
a very friendly vibe all around, lots of banners and posters with sayings like "sending love to all our brothers", "see you in the paradise", "ecuador sends greetings", and "jehovahs-witness.net" (okay, i lied on that last one...).
"What I've noticed in the Org. is that one food, when eaten, permanently kills a JW woman's sex drive everytime: wedding cake."
Obviously you need enlightening, so here ya go: if there's anything that kills the JW woman's sex drive, it ain't food.
It's JW men.
Glad to be of service. Pay it forward.
AMNESIAN
Captive 7/1972 - 2/2001
a new letter no longer allows an elder to be cobe if hes 80 or more.
Huh...??
"Of course, a co-ordinator of the body of elders who is not yet 80 years of age might also modestly decide that it would now be best to have another brother take on this role."
This sloppy wording would indicate that neither any male already 80 years of age nor any "who is not yet 80 years of age"--thus, every other male--should serve as the CoBoE.
Unless the breaking news is that women are to begin assuming these positions, one is left to assume the reference is intended for men imminently approaching 80, i.e., 79 year-old incumbent coordinators.
That is not, however, what it says.
Not trying to tell Jehovah how to run His organization, but perhaps completion of a freshman level "Introduction to Basic English Composition" course should be required for those He anoints as scribes to pen His holy communications to His faithful.
AMNESIAN
Captive 7/1972 - 2/2001
anyone who has awakened to ttatt and conscientiously left the organization--especially a once-prominent individual from a prominent multi-generational tribe of jws-- after decades of devout, high-profile "serve-us," who continues to put in an annual appearance at the memorial thoroughly subverts and undermines, by this one act, any hope s/he may entertain that his/her departure will stir family or former friends to question the whole watchtower bamboozle.
by this one concession s/he assigns him-/herself by every single jw to their handy and dimissive purgatory: the "spiritually-weak.".
nothing blasts a louder, clearer, and more deliberate message to the jws who personally knew you and those familiar with your jw bona fides that you are not merely "not making the meetings" or "spiritually-weak" but that there is a conscientious reason you have rejected the entire watchtower society life than choosing to forego what they know you know to be their one-and-only holy and sacred event of the year, the lord's evening meal.
I couldn't resist a few additional thoughts.
While I steadfastly object to attending the Watchtower's annual Lord's Evening Meal precisely because of its sacred significance to Witnesses, I make a concerted effort to attend the funeral/memorial service for any of my former friends who die. Besides wanting to express my genuine condolences, I believe these to be critical opportunities to demonstrate emphatically that:
(By the way, I make it a point to always wear a pantsuit on these occasions. Always, without exception. I positively delight in the gasps and tsk-tsking that virtually ripple through the building! Again, message delivered--without utterance.)
Now, you may wonder if my strategies have netted any verifiable results, i.e., other escapées? While I have no empirical evidence I can produce to prove they have, I do have reasons to strongly suspect ( I won't disclose what they are--you'll just have to take my word for it) that my course has caused certain ones who knew me best to conclude that mine was a conscious decision deliberately made, one for which I have absolutely no regrets.
And they ponder the reason, which is all I intend. The rest is up to the individual.
As as for my husband, there is no mistaking the fact that he no longer believes the FDS--whoever they claim to be on any given day--has any unique or special standing with God or that JWs are "true Christians" in sole possession of some infallible "truth." For that I take unapologetic credit. H e stays in out of habit. Inertia mostly. It's his way in everything, not just religion --the course of least resistance. And, frankly, but for the occasional dust-up on the matter, I'm fine with it. Neither of us is young anymore so it's not like I've some great aspirations I am prevented pursuing because of his cult indoctrination. We each make concessions where willing and go our separate ways when we cannot or will not (as tonight when he'll be attending the Memorial, which I never ever will do again).
Again, respectfully, I believe it possible to convey a distinct, unambiguous message to thinking Witnesses, given their unique indoctrination and JW-centric world view, only by rejecting the entirety of their dogma and rituals, especially their one and only sacred and most holy ritual. Any appearance of "nibbling" at Jehovah's so-called "spiritual table" garbles your message disastrously, demeans you and squanders a precious opportunity.
AMNESIAN
Captive 7/1972 - 2/2001
Last Memorial attendance: April 8, 2001
anyone who has awakened to ttatt and conscientiously left the organization--especially a once-prominent individual from a prominent multi-generational tribe of jws-- after decades of devout, high-profile "serve-us," who continues to put in an annual appearance at the memorial thoroughly subverts and undermines, by this one act, any hope s/he may entertain that his/her departure will stir family or former friends to question the whole watchtower bamboozle.
by this one concession s/he assigns him-/herself by every single jw to their handy and dimissive purgatory: the "spiritually-weak.".
nothing blasts a louder, clearer, and more deliberate message to the jws who personally knew you and those familiar with your jw bona fides that you are not merely "not making the meetings" or "spiritually-weak" but that there is a conscientious reason you have rejected the entire watchtower society life than choosing to forego what they know you know to be their one-and-only holy and sacred event of the year, the lord's evening meal.
AMNESIAN - will your own husband be attending the Memorial again this year?
Yes, gingerbread, he will attend with members of his birth family, as he has since I stopped in 2001. He's nothing approaching the true-believer he once was, but he's also not one for change of any kind. So he'll be there quite cynically asking himself "who really is the faithful and discreet slave??"
Who indeed.
AMNESIAN
Captive 7/1972 - 2/2001
Last Memorial attendance: April 8, 2001
anyone who has awakened to ttatt and conscientiously left the organization--especially a once-prominent individual from a prominent multi-generational tribe of jws-- after decades of devout, high-profile "serve-us," who continues to put in an annual appearance at the memorial thoroughly subverts and undermines, by this one act, any hope s/he may entertain that his/her departure will stir family or former friends to question the whole watchtower bamboozle.
by this one concession s/he assigns him-/herself by every single jw to their handy and dimissive purgatory: the "spiritually-weak.".
nothing blasts a louder, clearer, and more deliberate message to the jws who personally knew you and those familiar with your jw bona fides that you are not merely "not making the meetings" or "spiritually-weak" but that there is a conscientious reason you have rejected the entire watchtower society life than choosing to forego what they know you know to be their one-and-only holy and sacred event of the year, the lord's evening meal.
Anyone who has awakened to TTATT and conscientiously left the organization--especially a once-prominent individual from a prominent multi-generational tribe of JWs-- after decades of devout, high-profile "serve-us," who continues to put in an annual appearance at the Memorial thoroughly subverts and undermines, by this one act, any hope s/he may entertain that his/her departure will stir family or former friends to question the whole Watchtower bamboozle. By this one concession s/he assigns him-/herself by every single JW to their handy and dimissive purgatory: the "spiritually-weak."
Nothing blasts a louder, clearer, and more deliberate message to the JWs who personally knew you and those familiar with your JW bona fides that you are not merely "not making the meetings" or "spiritually-weak" but that there is a conscientious reason you have rejected the entire Watchtower Society life than choosing to forego what they know you know to be their one-and-only holy and sacred event of the year, the Lord's Evening Meal
Such a singular disregard cannot and will not be misconstrued. It puts thinking minds to work. All accomplished without a word.
Conversely, every appearance you continue to make at the Memorial confirms to JWs that they're right and, thereby, superior and that you are one to be judged and looked down upon because you couldn't/didn't cut it. It says "I'm no longer 'spiritually-mature' enough to make the weekly meetings regularly or to go out in field service, but I still know this is The Truth so I attend the Memorial."
You hand them the very justification they so relish to self-righteously contemn you later as a "submarine Witness" deserving of their pity, or worse. More tragically, though, you squander your prize opportunity to nudge the brighter ones to seriously ponder the possible reason for your shocking departure.
Attending the Watchtower's Lord's Evening Meal is a colossally misguided concession to go-along-to-get-along for anyone whose intention or desire it is to awaken(!) others to consciousness.
AMNESIAN
Captive 7/1972 - 2/2001
Last Memorial attendance: April 8, 2001
wt august 1, 1974 pp.
467-468 maintaining a balanced viewpoint toward disfellowshiped ones.
5 it is right to hate the wrong committed by the disfellowshiped one, but it is not right to hate the person nor is it right to treat such ones in an inhumane way.suppose, then, a member of a christian congregation boating on a lake were to see another boat containing a disfellowshiped person capsize, throwing the disfellowshiped one into the water where he struggled to stay afloat.
The organizational position reflected in this 40-year old article has long since been considered "old light" and has been superseded by several ones that harshly overturn and thoroughly abandon the sentiments expressed here. Many have come to believe, myself included, that Raymond Franz was likely instrumental in promoting any uncharacteristically humane and reasonable organizational stances that were briefly encouraged prior to the 1980s.
AMNESIAN
Captive 7/1972 - 2/2001
it would be great to read what jwners are learning and experiencing regarding levels of consciousness.
please share no matter how big or small.
thanks heaps.
I have recently begun studying programs created, developed and taught by:
Paul Scheele
http://scheelelearning.com/about/paul-scheele/
Win Wenger
http://www.winwenger.com/wenger.htm
--
AMNESIAN
Captive 7/1972 - 2/2001
i believe that if a non regular meeting attender shows up for at least the memorial "celebration", it's a sign, that possibly, the person is saveable.
not all hope is lost for them.. i heard that last year, the rumour was that i was going to show up and sit with my mother....(of course, that never happened).. so, if you attended or if your family member or wayward friend showed up, they might have a chance for everlasting (earthly) life, after all!.
Anyone who has awakened to TTATT and conscientiously left the organization--especially a once-prominent individual from a prominent multi-generational tribe of JWs after decades of devout, high-profile "serve-us"--- who continues to put in an annual appearance at the Memorial thoroughly subverts and undermines, by this one act, a ny hope s/he may entertain that his/her departure will stir former "friends" to question the whole Watchtower bamboozle. By this one concession s/he assigns him-/herself by every single JW to their handy and dimissive purgatory: " spiritually-weak."
Nothing blasts a louder, clearer, and more deliberate message to the JWs who personally know you and those familiar with your JW bona fides that you are not merely "not making the meetings" or "spiritually-weak" but that you have conscientiously rejected the entire Watchtower Society swindle than choosing to forego what they know you know to be their one-and-only holy and sacred event of the year, the Lord's Evening Meal. Such a disregard cannot be mistaken.
Conversely, every appearance you continue to make at the Memorial allows JWs to confirm that they're right and, thereby, superior and that you are one to be judged and looked down upon because you couldn't/didn't cut it. It says "I'm not 'spiritually-mature' enough to make the weekly meetings regularly or to go out in field service, but I know this is The Truth so I must attend the Memorial." You hand them the very justification they so relish to self-righteously ridicule you later as a "submarine Witness."
Attending the Watchtower's Lord's Evening Meal is a colossally misguided step for anyone whose intention or desire it is to stir others to consciousness.
AMNESIAN
Captive 7/1972 - 2/2001
Last Memorial attendance: April 8, 2001 (...while my husband continues faithfully attending it and every other meeting year-in and year-out)
los angeles times.
http://latimesblogs.latimes.com/lanow/2013/01/la-now-live-a-daily-conversation-with-the-times-newsroom-7-dto.html.
january 8, 2013 .
Los Angeles Times
January 8, 2013
Citing the public's right to know how the Archdiocese of Los Angeles handled child sex abuse allegations, a Los Angeles County Superior Court Judge reversed a ruling by a private mediator and ordered the redacted names of archdiocesan employees to be released.
Times reporter Harriet Ryan will join L.A. Now Live at 9 a.m. to discuss Judge Emilie H. Elias' ruling and what may be in the 30,000-page cache of internal archdiocese records, which are set for public release in coming weeks.
The live chat is scheduled for 9 a.m. Tuesday.
Elias reversed a private mediator's decision that the names of archdiocese employees should be redacted from the documents to avoid further embarrassment to the church and "guilt by association."
Elias said the public's right to know how the largest Roman Catholic archdiocese in the nation handled molestation allegations outweighed such concerns. She also reversed the ruling of the mediator, retired federal Judge Dickran Tevrizian, that priests who had faced a single allegation of abuse would have their names blacked out.
"Don't you think the public has a right to know … what was going on in their own church?" she asked a lawyer for the archdiocese. She said that parishioners who learn from the files that a priest was accused of abuse in their local church "may want to talk to their adult children" about their own experiences.
The records — confidential personnel files that include psychiatric records, investigative reports, parents' letters of complaint and Vatican correspondence — are being released as part of a 2007 settlement between the archdiocese and more than 500 victims.
Lawyers for the Los Angeles Times and the Associated Press had filed court papers arguing that the names of the hierarchy were essential for the public to understand how the scandal occurred. More than 200 priests were accused of abuse stretching back decades and the church, its insurers and others paid more than $720 million to settle claims.
The timing of the files' release is unclear. Hennigan said church lawyers might have to revisit every page of the records to restore the names of archdiocesan officials, a process that could take months. Lawyers for the church, the alleged victims and the media are to work out procedures for the release in coming days.
AMNESIAN - Watchtower Captive July 1972 - February 2001
i've just read at a spanish forum for ex-jw that the wt has cooked a new light article series about social celebrations, including birthdays and aniversaries.
according to a member of this forum 'in short' the wt will let witnesses to decide by 'their bible trained conscience' either they celebrate birthdays or not.
is this rumor based in some real facts or it's just bullshit?.
outsmartthesystem:
Moreover, witnesses all celebrate and attend baby showers, no? Is a baby shower not the celebration of the birth of a child?
God does not forbid a party to celebrate the "birth day" of a child before it is born, while its exact equivalent celebrated annually after the child is born is offensive to Him!
Every single ritual and tradition that comprise the baby shower becomes the sum total of what comprises a "birth day" party (even after said "baby" has accumulated a substantial number of such celebrations!): guests, presents, games, food, cake, assorted merry-making activities.
Not only is it not scripture-based, but it is nonsensical and, frankly, an insult to the intelligence of any thinking JW to be expected to gullibly swallow that the ludicrous prohibition against birth day observances---before or after a person's birth date has arrived--- proceeds from God and not simply the hindquarters of WT Corporation Pharisees for the cynical purpose of brandishing of their power over intimidated little JWs whose fear and worship they demand.
AMNESIAN
captive 7/1972-2/2001
