Posts by MMXIV

21

Those who went to University whilst being a JW

by MMXIV in

i've read a number of posts in the brief couple of years i've been on jwn of those that were brave enough to go to university whilst being a jw.. clearly this is a small fraction of those that wanted to go but couldn't or had the grades to go but accepted pioneering instead.. for those that did go to uni despite all the advice and pressure, why did you go?

what was the response when you broke the news?

how did it affect your relationships?

MMXIV

I've read a number of posts in the brief couple of years I've been on JWN of those that were brave enough to go to university whilst being a JW.

Clearly this is a small fraction of those that wanted to go but couldn't or had the grades to go but accepted pioneering instead.

For those that did go to Uni despite all the advice and pressure, why did you go? What was the response when you broke the news? How did it affect your relationships? How did the course/ teachers/ students differ from your expectations or picture painted by the WBTS? Did you continue to go to meetings and what sort of comments did you hear about higher education?

thanks

mmxiv

6

BRITAIN | WTBTS and IBSA Financial Reports for year ending August 2012

by jwleaks in

jw
friends

jw leaks has published the 2012 financial reports for the watchtower bible and tract society of britain and the international bible students association that were submitted on 21 march 2013 with the charity commission of england and wales.. also published is a copy of the submission receipt received by the watchtower bible and tract society of britain in relation to their online submission.. .

financial highlights.

average current conversion rate (2013) for gbp to usd.

MMXIV

What can we understand from these numbers? 1) Grants overseas continue to increase to £26.3m (2011: £24.2m, 2010: £11.9m). These funds don't all go to the Americas, about a third do, but this has increased to £10.2m from £7.9m in the prior year. So £10m of uk funds are donated to WBTS in America! 2) Loans to congregations to purchase or renovate has increased by over 50% in two years to £7.1m (2011: £5.3m, 2010: £4.3m) So is pressure being put on congregations to borrow? Some have identified the policy behind this to them take over the title deeds. 3) Congregation funds deposited with the WBTS increased again by nearly 10% to £35.6m. So have congregations in the UK received donations of £3m in one year or are they being encouraged to put more savings with the WBTS Britain? 90% of these funds are then held in America with WBTS NY. One good piece of news... Legacies are down from £2.5m to £1.0m so despite the WBTS printing an article almost expecting it's members to give their assets to the society on death instead of family - this has initially been unsuccessful - although we'd likely need to observe a decade of figures to understand this properly. mmxiv

6

BRITAIN | WTBTS and IBSA Financial Reports for year ending August 2012

by jwleaks in

jw
friends

jw leaks has published the 2012 financial reports for the watchtower bible and tract society of britain and the international bible students association that were submitted on 21 march 2013 with the charity commission of england and wales.. also published is a copy of the submission receipt received by the watchtower bible and tract society of britain in relation to their online submission.. .

financial highlights.

average current conversion rate (2013) for gbp to usd.

MMXIV

The reserves policy smacks of propaganda - certainly unusual for in this part of a set of financial statements. So they have given America £4m of it's reserves (profit of the charity) and will give more next year too...

mmxiv

423

I have just been disinvited to my brother's wedding - Thanks AAWA!

by Sic Semper Tyrannis in

i am an inactive jw.

i havent been on this forum for a few months and have been lurking in others.

i have met a few people in real life and online, both on this forum and on others.

MMXIV

Simon, the only reason why many (including me) are on this forum is because it is anonymous. You know this. thanks for keeping it that way

mmxiv

27

Watchtower says:You can be Disfellowshiped for being FAT!!!!!

by Witness 007 in

watch 1974 p.167 "by disobediently overindulging in food and making a glutton of himself, he fails to show love for jehovah...is food a big thing in his life?

in the presence of others does he selfishly ignore their needs and take far more than his fair share?

is he grossly overweight?

MMXIV

Noni1974's mum got a reproof for being overweight:

(I don't think you can click on the link - you need to copy it)

http://www.jehovahs-witness.net/watchtower/beliefs/199901/1/Can-you-get-Dfd-for-Gluttony

mmxiv

10

In response to Cedars re: I have just been disinvited to my brothers wedding- thanks AAWA

by l p in

hi cedars,.

re: http://www.jehovahs-witness.net/watchtower/scandals/250655/1/i-have-just-been-disinvited-to-my-brothers-wedding-thanks-aawa .

i completely agree with the mission and intentions of aawa.

MMXIV

Hi Cedars,

I value greatly the work you have done, and believe that pooling our resources can have the greatest impact against the WBTS. However I do think lp is right that we need to ensure a secure environment to do so. JWN has mostly afforded us anonymity if we choose so for people like me it's been possible to enjoy a measure of contact.

I'm more than happy to offer my support but can't risk being outed (I do not use facebook).

mmxiv

10

Mathematical equation for working out witness divorce rate using the national average.

by joe134cd in

jw
friends

hi folks.

i have noticed that there is a lot of speculation on how well witness perform in marriage.

there is a simple equation that can be used as a guide to work this out.

MMXIV

Hi joe134cd,

I think your equation is sound but again we do need a much larger poole. I would also say with some level of confidence that there is virtually no divorce among witnesses as the following divorces do not count towards witness divorces:

1) if one of the marriage partners is an unbeliever then the divorce must be the fault of the unbeliever as they are not applying the bible's divine advice on how to make a marriage work.

2) if one partner falls away from the true religion then they no longer have God's favour and will not succeed in the marriage

3) if one partner is a CO and he runs off with a younger sister then this matter is confidential and should not be counted

4) if the wife leaves her husband and he is an elder, then no matter what the reason (incompatability or abuse) she is not respecting his God given headship. If she had submitted to him then the marriage would be fine.

5) if a marriage fails between two young witnesses who only got married because they couldn't keep their hands off each other and had to wed before a wrong doing was committed. This obviously doesn't count as they didn't get married for the right motives

I may have missed some further categories

mmxiv

19

Watchotwer video: How to stop a bully without using your fist...lol.

by Joliette in

jw
friends

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zm2gemsmw2y.

.

pot calling the kettle black?.

MMXIV

It's a good thing they are trying to help the kids who are being bullied and the format of this video is pretty good. I don't want to be negative about anyone who is creating awareness on the topic or helping those who may be at risk of bullying. However I will.

The rules they demand JW kids to follow invite bullying. Their advice to help those who suffer bullying is not fully in line with what bullying charities would give. The leadership and example set by some in the organisation develops a passive / victim acceptance role by the majority especially for girls / women. In case that was not clear - the WBTS train it's people to be victims and accept being victims. It wants it's members to be bullied (or persecuted) so they fear the world and continue to accept WT teachings.

There are a breed of JW's who are very controlling bullies. I know one and his son is also the school bully. I feel for all the kids that suffer him - both in the school and in the congregation.

mmxiv

25

AUSTRALIA | Jehovah's Witnesses and Watchtower Society Appear Before Child Abuse Inquiry | Thursday 11 April, 2013

by jwleaks in

jehovah's witnesses say it is not their responsibility to report child sex abuse to police unless mandatory reporting legislation is in place.. a victorian inquiry on thursday heard that when a jehovah's witness leader hears allegations of abuse they are directed immediately to contact the society's legal department to check their obligations under state law.. jehovah's witness legal counsel rachel van witsen said elders were not expected to know their legal obligations.. "this is done to ensure elders fully comply with any legal requirements that may be applicable in the state in which they reside," she said.. "in victoria if there was mandatory reporting the immediate advice would be to report that immediately.".

the society's director terrence o'brien said the decision to take the allegations to police lay with the victim.. "without mandatory reporting we don't feel that as ministers of religion that's our obligation to do that," mr o'brien said.. however, the organisation would encourage the victim to report it and would co-operate fully with police, he said.. ms van witsen said elders would make an exception if they felt the child was threatened.. "we would report that to appropriate authorities," she told the inquiry.. "we're about stopping child abuse.".

two ministers have been removed from the society for child sex abuse in 40 years of records, the parliamentary inquiry heard.. http://news.ninemsn.com.au/national/2013/04/11/20/59/jehovah-s-witnesses-stay-in-line-on-abuse.

MMXIV

"However, the organisation would encourage the victim to report it "

the victims are normerly children, potentially very young children unable to report it.

The good samaritan upon seeing the victim proceeded to contact the legal department before crossing the road and informing the victim they should report the crime.

mmxiv

52

My latest university experience...

by Billy the Ex-Bethelite in

jw
friends

this isn't a jw experience, but for those of you that have been following my life, i thought i'd have a drink and share this strange event in my post-jw life.. for you wonderful newbies, you can catch up on highlights of my story in the few threads i've started here.

i'm finishing the junior year of my engineering degree and the classes are hard as hell.

i used to be among the smartest students in the room until i hit the 300 level university courses.

MMXIV

Billy - better still, take out a bet that the WBTS will be disolved by the IRS within the next week!

Well done again!