That's BS. They don't want to know who your having a conversation with. It's not like they're asking everyone to turn in their list of friends, for god's sake. You are so obsessed with crying "controlling cult" that you don't know what you're talking about. Privacy is a real issue and if you don't realize that, then you're a fool. Does the organization tell us not to associate with non jws? Actually, they don't prohibit it, but encourage us to only have necessary dealings. Is that really so wrong? That's exactly what Jehovah told the Israelites, so your problem is bigger than the organization. You're problem is with Jehovah himself.
TheSheppard
JoinedPosts by TheSheppard
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63
dirty trick at the meeting re facebook
by Aussie Oz inmy daughter told me about last weeks service meeting part on facebook.... the brother doing the parts asked for a show of hands who had a facebook account.. apparently a number of elders did.. (she did not put up her hand...in fact recently deleted all jws off her friends because she doesnt want them to know anything about her life).
i thought that was a dirty trick to pull.. oz.
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66
Terrible conduct by congregation Elders in hospital room !
by RULES & REGULATIONS inmy uncle was rushed to the hospital last tuesday with severe stomach pain.
(he was diagnosed with colon cancer one year ago.
the doctors, family,and my uncle decided against colon surgery.
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TheSheppard
Thanks Rules for clarifying further.
I agree with you tenyearsafter that they were out of line. That being said, I find that some posts or stories are told in a way that will provoke a desired sentiment that is why I sometimes look for a logical reason for someone's actions.
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Terrible conduct by congregation Elders in hospital room !
by RULES & REGULATIONS inmy uncle was rushed to the hospital last tuesday with severe stomach pain.
(he was diagnosed with colon cancer one year ago.
the doctors, family,and my uncle decided against colon surgery.
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TheSheppard
I guess on a positive note, they did take time to go visit him in the hospital and pray for him. I'm not sure I would have asked the grandson to leave the room, but non the less, the brothers were there for the brother that was dying. There is nothing written in the publications that would require a disfellowshipped individual from having to leave the room, in fact, they are encouraged to stay for the prayer when they attend meetings. What comes to my mind is what the grandson’s attitude was. Did he show he was bothered by the elders visit? Was he rolling his eyes, so to speak, while they were talking to the grandfather? Did the elders notice something disrespectful and that's why they asked him to leave the room? Again, I'm just throwing this out there. I don't know how to make sense of why they requested him to leave the room, but sometimes there are reasons behind actions.
Of course, if the post was only to incite others to hate elders, well, I guess that was accomplished.
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63
dirty trick at the meeting re facebook
by Aussie Oz inmy daughter told me about last weeks service meeting part on facebook.... the brother doing the parts asked for a show of hands who had a facebook account.. apparently a number of elders did.. (she did not put up her hand...in fact recently deleted all jws off her friends because she doesnt want them to know anything about her life).
i thought that was a dirty trick to pull.. oz.
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TheSheppard
How is that a dirty trick? I had that part also and asked the same question. In fact, I included several other social network sites. This is what I asked, "how many of you regularly use facebook, linkedin, twitter or other social network sites?". More than half the congregation raised their hands, including myself from the platform. Then I proceeded to tell them that due to the popularity of these sites, it was wise for the Faithful and Discreet Slave to publish some warnings and counsel in the Awake magazine. These online tools are becoming a daily necessity in some cases. I explained how online businesses are now using social network sites to promote their websites. Then I used the illustration in the Awake about driving a car and how many are irresponsible drivers, even endangering other drivers. But, I said, it doesn't make it wrong to drive a car if we are wise and careful drivers. I applied this to social networks and told the congregation we were not there to prohibit their use, but only to discuss logical concerns about privacy and associations.
From what I hear in our area, similar explanations were given in other congregations. So, even though you were bothered by the questioned asked from the platform, you did not write what the speaker said the rest of the talk. Could it have been something similar to what I said? Look, I understand some of the concerns posted on this site, but you have to be careful not to desperately attempt to criticize so quickly.
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Is the Oct 30 WT study a Prelude to a Tithing towards the Soc.
by Quarterback init felt weird discussing this topic this week about this term, "share" of the levites.
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some made comments that alluded to the financial assistance that we are currently doing towards sponsoring the bethels around the world.. i wouldn't be surprised that a new thought comes out soon about that ten percent rule.. .
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TheSheppard
designs: While it is true that some of the Bethelites have been reassigned as special pioneers, they are not all older "workers" as you refer to them. Some younger bethelites have also been reassigned to the field as pioneers. The "older workers" are taken care of. Recently, the branch sent out a survey to all congregations asking if there where homes or apartments for these older ones being reassigned. Most of these homes are provided at no cost to them. One example is in our circuit. A brother donated an older home, basically falling apart. The RBC got involved and renovated the whole house and one of the older couples, reassigned as special pioneers, are living there now. So not too bad at all.
As for using the vacated branch buildings as you describe, that might seem like a good idea, but the GB is focused on advancing the preaching work, not running shelters and things of that nature. While that help is certainly helpful, that is not what we do. I can certainly understand you taking exception to these decisions, but I can only point to the Christ's instructions on making desciples. That is the work that Jehovah's Witnesses are mainly focused on.
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62
Do the Governing Body members ever go Door-to-Door?
by 00DAD inin his book, in search of christian freedom, ray franz wrote that that gb members for the most part never participated in door-to-door work.
they were "too busy with more important things.
" (gee, how come that excuse wouldn't work for the rest of us?
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TheSheppard
dozy: What you said is true, but Bethel service is already considered "full-time service". I know bethelites that love service and they auxiliaried pioneer several months of the year in addition to their bethel service.
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Is the Oct 30 WT study a Prelude to a Tithing towards the Soc.
by Quarterback init felt weird discussing this topic this week about this term, "share" of the levites.
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some made comments that alluded to the financial assistance that we are currently doing towards sponsoring the bethels around the world.. i wouldn't be surprised that a new thought comes out soon about that ten percent rule.. .
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TheSheppard
Understood Sweney, but the three things you mention are up for debate. You believe one thing, and the Witnesses can prove theirs also with the scriptures. In regards to the 10% tithing, it would not be open for debate in my eyes.
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Is the Oct 30 WT study a Prelude to a Tithing towards the Soc.
by Quarterback init felt weird discussing this topic this week about this term, "share" of the levites.
.
some made comments that alluded to the financial assistance that we are currently doing towards sponsoring the bethels around the world.. i wouldn't be surprised that a new thought comes out soon about that ten percent rule.. .
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TheSheppard
Actually it is not possible. Asking for a fixed 10% would mean that they are not following Christ's instructions. What I took from the study article is that Jehovah was caring for the Levites who had no land inheritance. The rest of the tribes where receiving free land that would allow them gain without an investment. The Levites had to be totally dependant on Jehovah and the laws he established. There was an example written on how the Levites did not wait on Jehovah in the days of Nehemiah, but instead went earn their living when the rest of the Israelites did not comply with giving their tithe.
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62
Do the Governing Body members ever go Door-to-Door?
by 00DAD inin his book, in search of christian freedom, ray franz wrote that that gb members for the most part never participated in door-to-door work.
they were "too busy with more important things.
" (gee, how come that excuse wouldn't work for the rest of us?
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TheSheppard
I would like to share two experiences I had with GB members.
When I was a teen, brother Barr visited the congregation. I volunteered to work with him house-to-house. We worked a local apartment complex. At the first door, he witnessed to an older lady that was not very interested. I remember her making some mocking faces, not being rude, but I could tell she did not want to hear a long presentation. Brother Barr read her a couple of scriptures, but she did not accept the literature. I was impressed with the way he spoke. The next door was mine and I was extremely nervous to say the least. Another lady opened the door and I stumbled through my simple presentation and read Revelation 21:4 which was the one I had memorized at the time. The lady was really nice and accepted the magazines and then I just froze not knowing how to end the conversation. Brother Barr took over and asked the lady if she would be interested in someone returning to discuss some bible topics and the lady responded that she would and thanked us for the visit. I remember feeling so dumb as we walked away and told brother Barr that I had messed up. He responded that I had done fine and to make sure to pass on the information to my Mom, who was a pioneer at the time. After a few not at homes, brother Barr knocked at a door and a man came out. He used the exact same presentation I had done before, using the same scripture. As I heard him I remember feeling that I wasn't such a screw up if brother Barr was copying my presentation. Overall, it was a nice experience. I remember only working with him about 30 or 40 minutes and then we switched since other brothers in our group wanted to work with him. We must have been out a total of about 2 hours since there was a meal prepared at noon for the Barr's.
Some years later I had the privilege of going through Gilead. Brother Jaracz came up from Brooklyn to give us our assignments one morning. All the students had commented about Jaracz' being so serious. I guess they were a little scared of him. I have an outgoing personality and wanted to prove to myself that he was just a normal guy like any of us. After receiving our assignments during morning worship, I saw him walking with his wife in one of the hallways. I hurried up alongside of him and told him about an awesome return visit I had and invited him to come visit him later that night. He told me that he was driving back to Brooklyn at around 8 pm, but if we could go at 5:30 he would be able to. I couldn't believe it. He was actually very nice in talking to me although the way he spoke seemed a little intimidating. I think that was just his nature. That afternoon we visited this man that I had found our in service. He was an immigrant and didn't have much furniture being new to the U.S., he just had a love seat sofa. The man sat on the floor and brother Jaracz and I sat in the sofa. It was so small that we where actually kind sitting tightly. I actually started a bible study with the man. Brother Jaracz read him a couple of scriptures about the importance of studying the bible. As we left, I apologized on the length of the visit since I knew he had to ride back to Brooklyn. He said it was not a problem and as we were getting into my car (actually one of the Bethelites let me borrow his car), he saw a young man sitting across the street. Jaracz quickly told me he wanted to go talk to him and walked across the street. He actually placed the Knowledge book and the guy was very interested in the bible. While we were driving back, he thanked me for inviting me and commended me for making sacrifices to be at Gilead. He wasn't extremely talkative, almost being selective in what he said, but I felt comfortable.
Anyways, for what it's worth, those are the experiences I personally had. I had a chance to sit and talk with Swingle, Klein, Schroeder and Splane on separate occassions. I'll share those experiences at a later time.
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84
question for theMadJW and other Wt apologists
by isaacaustin inon what basis do you make the claim that the leadership of the jw's, aka governing body, is the organization god is and has been working through continuously since 1919?.
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TheSheppard
One request at a time, first let me attend to this one.
On verse 12, it does say "the entire multitude", but in the scriptures previous to that one, it shows that this "multitude" was the group composed of the apostles and the older men. I do concede that this group of men might not have been composed of just 11 members like the modern day governing body (I forget how many there are at this time), but also in this passage it doesn't specify how many were present so obviously the amount was not important enough for Jehovah to have had it included in the scriptures.
Verse 22 mentions the entire congregation, but again it is clearly referring to an event after the before mentioned meeting of the apostles and the older men. So onces the decision was taken by that governing body or if you like don't like that expression, that group of men taking the lead, then the whole congregation was involved in the appointment of the men that would deliver the letter to the rest of the congregations.
I'm pressed for time right now, but I will address your other question when I can. As a side note, my first post was cut off after posting and I didn't notice until now. I'm guessing there must be a character limit in the database table field.