JAVA

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Posts by JAVA

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  26

  1981 Ph.D Thesis on JWs

  by JAVA in

  1. jw
  2. friends

  i just got my hands on william zellner's 1981 thesis, of another world, the jehovah's witnesses.

  the 124-page work was in partial fulfillment of the requirements for a ph.d, through the sociology department at south dakota state university.

  zellner's work looks at how the witnesses recruit new members and retains the converts the last part of his abstract says:it is argued that the social characteristics of a group are more important in the conversion process than in the group's message.. .

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  JAVA

  dungbeetle & others,

  South Dakota State University Library holds theses summitted by their graduate students, which is the usual practice in education. If you have a college nearby, see if they can request the thesis. (Public libraries might not be able to get the thesis, but that's another option to check.) The title, date and author is listed in my opening post. There might be shipping and other fees, but that's the best way to proceed. The 124-page thesis is bound, and they might have more than one copy. The one I have must be returned by July 24th.

  Zellner's work was done around 1980, so the information is dated. However, I believe his research is sound, and from my perspective as a former member, his conclusions are on target, but I've only seriously read 1/3 of the thesis. He posed as a possible convert for over a year, went to the meetings, had Bible studies, and attended 6 different Kingdom Halls. As expected, Zellner's research included the usual scholarly and other literature search about the Witnesses. Of course, Franz and Penton's books were not out at that time. A lot has happened since 1981, but that doesn't discount his work.

  For a current work that just came out, look for Jehovah's Witnesses: Portrait of a Contemporary Religious Movement, by Andrew Holden. Holden did his thesis in 1999 at Lancaster University, UK. I ordered a copy from Amazon.com, and it looks like a good read, but I've only read a few pages. So many books, so little time!

  Edited by - JAVA on 21 June 2002 10:5:50
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  26

  1981 Ph.D Thesis on JWs

  by JAVA in

  1. jw
  2. friends

  i just got my hands on william zellner's 1981 thesis, of another world, the jehovah's witnesses.

  the 124-page work was in partial fulfillment of the requirements for a ph.d, through the sociology department at south dakota state university.

  zellner's work looks at how the witnesses recruit new members and retains the converts the last part of his abstract says:it is argued that the social characteristics of a group are more important in the conversion process than in the group's message.. .

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  JAVA

  dungbeetle,

  Some studies are better than others, I see that all the time. However, graduate work done through accredited universities has a standard that's measured by the thesis advisor, thesis committee, and department director. No study is ever complete, and a good thesis encourages further studies. Creditable research is never the end of the matter, but will suggest possibilities. From my first glance of Zellner's work, it looks well done.
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  26

  1981 Ph.D Thesis on JWs

  by JAVA in

  1. jw
  2. friends

  i just got my hands on william zellner's 1981 thesis, of another world, the jehovah's witnesses.

  the 124-page work was in partial fulfillment of the requirements for a ph.d, through the sociology department at south dakota state university.

  zellner's work looks at how the witnesses recruit new members and retains the converts the last part of his abstract says:it is argued that the social characteristics of a group are more important in the conversion process than in the group's message.. .

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  JAVA

  SYN & 144,001:

  Many college Intro Sociology Courses use a book coauthored by Zellner. It's called, Extraordinary Groups: An Examination of Unconventional Lifestyles. Perhaps you've seen it. There are several groups presented in the book, Jehovah's Witnesses being one of them. That's how I learned about Zellner's 1981 thesis. Extraordinary Groups is available at many college book stores, and Amazon.com has it, too. Many colleges don't lend theses, and I couldn't get it from South Dakota State University a few years ago. I work at a college and had our Research Librarian request it again. Five days later a student dropped it off at my office! I owe one Research Librarian a nice lunch.

  Edited by - JAVA on 20 June 2002 16:29:24
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  26

  1981 Ph.D Thesis on JWs

  by JAVA in

  1. jw
  2. friends

  i just got my hands on william zellner's 1981 thesis, of another world, the jehovah's witnesses.

  the 124-page work was in partial fulfillment of the requirements for a ph.d, through the sociology department at south dakota state university.

  zellner's work looks at how the witnesses recruit new members and retains the converts the last part of his abstract says:it is argued that the social characteristics of a group are more important in the conversion process than in the group's message.. .

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  JAVA

  I just got my hands on William Zellner's 1981 thesis, Of Another World, the Jehovah's Witnesses. The 124-page work was in partial fulfillment of the requirements for a Ph.D, through the Sociology Department at South Dakota State University. Zellner's work looks at how the Witnesses recruit new members and retains the converts The last part of his Abstract says:

  It is argued that the social characteristics of a group are more important in the conversion process than in the group's message.

  I've seen this discussed before, but it's interesting to see it addressed in a scholarly thesis. Comments anyone . . .
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  28

  Why WTS Wants A Young Girl To Die

  by metatron in

  1. jw
  2. friends

  here we have a paradox - a mystery on which a life hangs.. the society dumped their new blood cards.

  they write ambiguous replies to "questions from.

  readers" about what blood products can or can't be taken.

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  JAVA

  It's been years since reading Crisis of Conscience, but remember Raymond Franz pointing out how divided the GB was on the blood issue. The majority were for dropping the ban, but I believe it took a two-thirds vote (or higher) before a vote carried. This was back in the '70s or very early '80s; just think of all who have died when the majority of the GB thought the blood ban should be dropped!

  There has also been some interesting remarks about religious martyrs benefiting the sect. I believe this is only true when the wider society views the death as unfair, or the faithful sees it as an attack by outsiders. I don't think the blood ban has helped rally the faithful, or gain sympathy from outsiders. I really believe the Tower hangs on to it becasue of possible litigation, and fears a mass exodus. Even if lawsuits could not be won, the PR damage could be extensive (from inside and outside the Tower).
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  8

  Supreme Court Ruling--JW Atty Response

  by patio34 in

  1. social
  2. current

  this was in the news today and the wts attorney's response (highlighted) is really arrogant, don't you think?

  it's not what the case was about--"protecting their public ministry"--it was about liberties under the law.. #################################.

  court slams door on village's bid to curb solicitation .

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  JAVA

  Chief Justice William H. Rehnquist, the sole dissenter, ... added, "Great as is the value of exposing citizens to novel views, home is one place where a man ought to be able to shut himself up in his own ideas if he desires."

  The Watchtower Society has a right to lock their doors during the 9-11attack to keep frighten people out, but the public can't keep the Watchtower out when it comes knocking. Isn't life interesting?

  Edited by - JAVA on 19 June 2002 14:7:7
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  28

  YES!!!!!! Shunning has backfired!!

  by Dawn in

  1. jw
  2. friends

  i was df'd a number of years ago.

  my parents never shunned me - they didn't feel that df'ing broke the family ties.

  but when my brothers or uncle were in town i was "allowed" to come visit at certain times when their other jw friends would not be around.

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  JAVA

  Your son sounds like a great kid, Dawn--that says a lot about both of you! Good post; thanks for sharing it.
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  7

  Court Tosses Door Solicitation Law

  by Reborn2002 in

  1. jw
  2. friends
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  JAVA

  Looks like the Tower can still send in the slaves to ask householders, "What's in your wallet?" I agree with the court on this one, but as already pointed out, the US Supreme Court's ruling upholds free speech, and doesn't consider the so-called JW ministry "important." Autocratic sects like the Witnesses do not allow free speech in their ranks, but use free speech to protect their profits from door-to-door sales. They ask the courts to do what they are not willing to do. . . and the beat goes on.
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  45

  Giving thanks in restaurants!

  by Beck_Melbourne in

  1. jw
  2. friends

  when i was in dub-dom....i used to hate eating out....my ex always made us bow our heads and close our eyes tight shut while he gave thanks out loud.

  did you do that in public??

  or did you do it discreetly with your head bowed but eyes not shut....or.....head in hand...hoping people would think u were in deep thought?

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  JAVA

  dmouse,

  How does a deaf JW listen to a prayer with their eyes closed?
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  7

  JWs without Christ?

  by cyrano in

  1. jw
  2. friends

  the all knowing watchtower geezers claim christ is not the mediator for mostly all jws: .

  jesus christ, is not the mediator between jehovah god and all mankind.. he is the mediator between his heavenly father, jehovah god, and the nation of spiritual israel, which is limited to only 144,000 members.

  (worldwide security 1986, p10 par 1 the desire for peace and security worldwide).

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  JAVA

  Cyrano,

  JWs don't need Jesus, they've got the Watchtower Society. Mommy Tower is their link to the angry Daddy Jehovah. The only time one hears the name Jesus at a Kingdom Hall is the obligatory tag at the end prayer-- the prayer thanking Daddy for Mommy, and the "spiritual food" out of The Watchtower.

  Edited by - JAVA on 14 June 2002 14:28:30

  Edited by - JAVA on 14 June 2002 14:30:25