Posts by Simon Morley

25

Holy Spirit and Governing Body voting

by Think About It in

how in the world can a religious organization that claims to be god's true channel on earth and led my his holy spirit have a majority of it's gb members vote yes on something, but it not pass because 2/3's didn't vote yes?

why would these supposely "spirit annointed" leaders of the "only true religion" not all be lead by holy spirit to pass an important mandate or change?

in coc ray franz talks of jw life affecting voting not passing because although it was a majority, it wasn't 2/3's or a gb member was gone during the vote.

Simon Morley

If they were guided by holy spirit there would be unmistakable evidence of such an influence.... I think there 2/3rd that vote for are actually going against the holy spirit - thats why we have generation flip-flopping, uneven neautrailty, stupid two witness rules, etc. If they voted with the other1/3 the dubs would be better off.

After all God does not have much to work with on the GB. God must look down and think "what a bunch of twats - when will they get it?"

Creed Bratton of the Office had a great quote: "I have been in cults as a follower and leader. Being a follower was a lot of fun, but being a leader is even better - more money".

17

Watchtower Legal Dept.

by Think About It in

are all wt lawyers jw's?

do they get paid high salaries because of being lawyers?

does the wts recruit young smart jw's to become wt lawyers?.

Simon Morley

NN Re: Gary Botting: It does not say anything on his website that he was a witness, just that he and his wife wrote on the topic. Did I miss something or do you have inside knowledge?

3

Local news article about JW's.

by JeffT in

jw
friends

i'm sending an e-mail to the writer.

i hope to talk about pedophiles, broken families, shunning, blood and false prophecy.

that might make a more interesting story to the general public.

Simon Morley

Chinese in our area are only interested in learning English - no interest in the bible. Many of them attend university - they rarely progress to baptism and many leave to go on to other locales or head home to China with a new degree and good mastery of the English language. A Chinese client of mine told me that students are encouraged to learn English in this way - attach yourself to a religion - a religion that studies books, are usually patient and always willing. - dubs to a tee!

17

Watchtower Legal Dept.

by Think About It in

are all wt lawyers jw's?

do they get paid high salaries because of being lawyers?

does the wts recruit young smart jw's to become wt lawyers?.

Simon Morley

It does not matter if the lawyer is borg or non-borg. Both give the same answer to the question "what is 1 + 1?" they both answer "What do you want it to be?"

22

How do you deal with shunning ?

by man in black in

jw
friends

my wife and i da'ed ourselves two years ago.

she left because she felt there was no forward momentum in the congregation.. me: because i really started to notice the lack of love and concern amoungst "true christians".

we have gotten to the point now where we will say hello to any jw's we run into, but the total avoidance thing is starting to get somewhat creepy to me.. example : my wife was in target several weeks ago, put her items on the belt and was getting ready to checkout.

Simon Morley

I am neither DF'd or DA'd - just inactive. I can tell you that while I was active and an elder I would never ignore a DF/DA person I encountered, I would always enquire about their health, family, etc.

I was convinced the passage at 2 John 10 (often JW's mix the wording with 1 Cor 5:9-13) was more contextual to the fact that the fledgeling christian congregation used greetings as more paying respects or rejoicing with them that an actual verbalized "hello". Nataurally, the others were to be cautious - no different in their association with Jews, Romans, Greeks and other nationals found in the mid east of that time who did not share the "Way" as it was called. Its is also very interesting that Paul's comments on disfellowshipping are very, very close to those he made of marking.

There is nothing is John's 2nd letter, Paul's words to the Corinthians or even in the gospels to indicate being beligerent or uncaring when facing ones who had been DF'd or had DA themselves - to do so was uncaring and extremely unchristian. I honestly believed that by showing this genuine love for such ones I encountered was what was expected of me as a christian and an elder. After all, as I had a honourable motive, God would protect me from any potential harm if it existed.

I had numerous "discussions" with fellow elders who did not share my view. One elder repreatedly and deliberately mixed up 2 John 10 and 1 Cor 5:13 (just to piss me off I believe). However, I remember when the BOE recieved instructions to visit DF/DA at least once a year I enquired of the CO at the time of his visit - "so how do we apply 2 John 10 when we call them on the phone or go to their door? Do we make sure we do not say "hello", "Hi, how are you?". he replied to use our own judgement in such a matter.

It is sad that ones make a spectacle of themselves going out of their way to act in a way contrary to what the scrpitures state. An individual has the God given power of reason and freedom of choice to associate with whomever they want. It is not for me to judge such ones (part of my crisis was not wanting to be on JC's up to about two years before I left and a year before stepping aside as an elder) and it is certainly not for others to judge me if I choose to take a healthy, humane and sincere interest in the well being of those who are no longer a JW by choice or supposed action. Now it matters even less as I am no longer active or attending any meetings. I still enquire no differently of DF/DA, in fact there is a person who lives in the same building as me that was DF's 5 years ago. I treat him no differently now than then.

43

Observations since the book study arrangement finished

by truthseeker in

jw
friends

does anyone have any interesting observations since the book study arrangement in private homes finished?.

are jws happier with the extra night off?

do they miss the book study?

Simon Morley

An examination of the NT/CGS shows that many met in homes, proven by Paul's greetings. I was always under the impression that the Book Study was not only vital but modelled after 1st cent christians and a critical part of the final outwork during the great tribulation. I believe that the biggest reason why it was cancelled can be found in the following quote:

km11/82p.1par.2AMeetingtoFortifyUsSpiritually While you regularly attend all other congregation meetings and participate in them, enjoying and benefiting from these, never underestimate the value of the weekly Congregation Book Study. The fact that this is an organized meeting of a smaller group contributes to its spiritual value. It allows for greater individual participation. There is often more time for scriptures to be looked up, read and discussed. Newer ones and children find it easier to participate and they progress quickly as they gain confidence in expressing their faith. Comments made by mature publishers on the more weighty material help to strengthen and fortify all in attendance. The interchange of encouragement at the book study invigorates all who support it, and a closer bond of union results.

A few observations while I attended the fist year of the change:

1) "It allows for greater individual participation" - to the contrary, people who frequently commented in the book study I oversaw, stopped commenting at the revamped meeting. It made my fade that much easier.

2) "There is often more time for scriptures to be looked up, read and discussed" - big concern, encourages thinking and reasoning. Good luck getting your well researched thought out comment at the Bible Study or wasted on 30 sec soundbites at the weekly Bible Highlights.

3) "Comments made by mature publishers on the more weighty material help to strengthen and fortify all in attendance." The biggest reason - too much additional personal research, espcially by CBSO's - they were putting their own stamp on interpretation away from the majority. I often heard of squabbles over how one CBSO made statemnst contrary to anoth CBSO - the Revelation Climax book was a greate example, add to that the brain addled CBSO who asked me "when were the changes made to the Climax book? was there a letter?"

If the book study was so central to fortification of faith, encuragement, progress, confidence and understanding - why do away with it? the reason - everybody in one spot is easier to control than breaking them up into 6 - 7 groups without control. The gas issue was lame (no disrespect to those who travelled great distances) but an all knowing God would have seen that gas prices would have dropped shortly after peaking. Adding the Family Worship night was also stupid - people quickly ran through the smallest amount they could (if they did it at all) and then settled down for a night of "House" and "24". I would way barely 1% are faithful to this.

24

Not a big deal to some but a big deal to me!

by Simon Morley in

jw
friends

2010:07:01 offically "inactive" - whats next?

- flurry of calls?, co/coboe "we want to encourage you..."?

given the vitrolic nature of my exit i doubt they want to come around.

Simon Morley

CSG: It was probably one of my most lucid and focused moments in my life - facing off with three (not a JC) elders, a DO and a CO - despite the virulent nature of their accusations (not even of a serious sin nature, but just beligerent gossip) I remained calm but cleary stated in extremely strong terms what the bible had to say about them and the ones who supposedly would give their life for me. After page after page of WT reference, scripture upon scripture all I got in return is "Well Br Morley, you are a faithful brother, these things are best left with Jeohvah to sort out in his good time". No thanks, if I want to increase my stress level, be a candiidate for a coranoray or develop an ulcer iI would rather it be of my own choice.

I am enjoying the summer in a way I have never before experienced - sitting and enjoying the life I was given. Missed the DC last week for the 1st time, one call from a brother who had to tell me how much we were missed..... I have had a total of 4 calls from about 140 in the cong. Just about sums it up - 136 simply don't care and I at least now appreiate their honesty on their feelings for me and my family.

6

why is there equal op when it comes to the annointed?

by voodoo lady in

and yet the governing body is a boys club (in fact, the entire organisation is a boys club).. .

does the "holy spirit" discriminate against the female body?

if so, how can a woman profess to "know" to take the emblems?

Simon Morley

That and also a lack of balanced, impartial representation from "all tribes, peoples and tongues"

53

Preparing for D2D Opposition July 26, 2010 KM

by blondie in

jw
friends

so there is nothing negative to be said about jws?

are they perfect?

because it is negative does it mean it is a lie?.

Simon Morley

The article once again is written in this borderline ad hominem attack style the writing department seems to love these days in building a bigger fence around the avg. dub. First misinformation is defined as "false or inaccurate information that is spread unintentionally." The definition goes on to say that it is "distinguished from disinformation by motive in that misinformation is simply erroneous, while disinformation, in contrast, is intended to mislead."

There is nothing false, innacurate or erroneous in using the same "check out xmas in the Encyclopedia" argument when questioning 607 BCE as being the year of Jerusalem's destruction. I would question if it is misinformation in the first place, and certainly their is no imputed wrong motive when ones ask honest questions to seek a simple honest, unambiguous and unequivocal answer.

I believe the intent of this article in the KM is simply to make sure the R&F have that glassed over, deer caught in headlights look when asked, "So tell me, what is the scriptural basis for the annointed overlappers?" Evidently they are now prepped with the mental equivalent of a muscle relaxant.

Thanks Blondie for your centerdness in posting subjects that engage in dialogue.

24

Not a big deal to some but a big deal to me!

by Simon Morley in

jw
friends

2010:07:01 offically "inactive" - whats next?

- flurry of calls?, co/coboe "we want to encourage you..."?

given the vitrolic nature of my exit i doubt they want to come around.

Simon Morley

We started our fade in Dec 09 (I stopped serving as an elder in early 2009). In Jan '10 we were missing 75%, and when the SGO called for our time I said that we were dealing with some personal problems and that we would let the SGO know when we had time to report, but we did not expect to have any for the forseable future. We had a visit in Feb '10, but we had not been to any meetings for several weeks. I again reitterated that personal matters took greater importance than FS and I would gladly let them know when we had time to report again. They seemed okay with that.

I reached a point in late 2009 when I could not in good concscience go to a persons door and encourage them to join when I had serious doubts myself. Also, I had pictures in my mind of what would I do, if in time, they too were exposed to the same toxic environment that I was still putting up with for over 25 years. How would I help them deal with the harmful effects of those who belie the claim to have “love amongst themselves” (John 13:34) and have proven to be “accuser(s) of our brothers” (Rev 12:10). I simply could not do it.

I am in a much more peacful state but getting the ""dub" out of me continues to proves to be hard. However, I can now feel okay facing the odd cong member who spouts of about not being at meetings and the whole Prov 18:1 thing. To which I reply that I have simply applied to counsel at Prov 22:3 " Shrewd is the one that has seen the calamity and proceeds to conceal himself". I love the puzzled expression.

Again, I am enjoying this mini milestone and I have enjoyed the encouragement, support and advice many have given on this site.

Simon Morley