Posts by traveb

2

The Big Sick - movie discussion

by traveb in

jw
friends

i watched this movie recently, which is about a pakistani immigrant living in chicago who falls in love with a white woman.

i was struck by the similarities to the jw culture when the main character experiences trials with his traditional muslim family.

essentially, he is shunned and his parents refuse to talk to him.

traveb

I watched this movie recently, which is about a Pakistani immigrant living in Chicago who falls in love with a white woman. I was struck by the similarities to the JW culture when the main character experiences trials with his traditional Muslim family. Essentially, he is shunned and his parents refuse to talk to him. It might make for an interesting conversation with a JW, and possibly assist them to start questioning their own faith. You never know what small things can trigger a person to start thinking!

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zsmP1h809F4

Overall, it was an entertaining movie and I highly recommend it. It's available to stream for free on Amazon Prime (in the U.S anyway).

23

Warwick Protest 11-5-2017 - Who's all going?

by Acluetofindtheuser in

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=64xhcoowr6y.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lhuvmvbjk-q.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2bejhmfrzl0.

traveb

A huge waste of time.

39

JWs Among the Least Educated in the US

by jp1692 in

september 6th, 2017: a just released research survey shows once again that jehovah's witnesses are among the least educated people in the united states: .

america’s changing religious identity.

it is also interesting to note how jws rank in the categories of: income, insurance coverage and homeownership.

traveb

Of course, everyone has different experiences and anecdotal evidence based on what they've experienced and where they life. Living in Silicon Valley, I can attest to the fact that many JWs here have 4-year college degrees, but not many have post graduate degrees (at least the people that I know). Of course, the majority are just high school graduates, and that number is most likely a much higher percentage than the general population in this particular area.

It's very helpful looking at these independent surveys, which give an impartial and broad snapshot in time.

One thing I noticed is that the education attainment of JWs closely mirrors that of two other groups: Hispanic Catholics and Hispanic Protestants. Historically, JWs have been more effective at converting Hispanics, and it's been observed that Hispanics make up a huge percentage of the JWs, even more so that the general population. Assuming that's the case, it seems that in addition to doctrinal teachings, there may also be cultural reasons for the overall low educational attainment of American JWs.

As future generations of Hispanics further assimilate and intermarry, this may change.

3

Large suburb in California goes from 7 English congregations to 2

by traveb in

jw
friends

i recently caught up with an old friend who lives in fremont, ca (yes, the same fremont where candace conti is from).

it’s a good-sized suburb of san jose, with around a population of 230,000. i lived there for a few years during the 90’s, and at the time there were 7 english jw congregations with the following names:.

north, central, south, niles, warm springs, mission hills, and irvington.

traveb

I recently caught up with an old friend who lives in Fremont, CA (yes, the same Fremont where Candace Conti is from). It’s a good-sized suburb of San Jose, with around a population of 230,000. I lived there for a few years during the 90’s, and at the time there were 7 English JW congregations with the following names:

North, Central, South, Niles, Warm Springs, Mission Hills, and Irvington

My friend told me what had been going on recently. Apparently, during the past 10 or 15 years, three of those congregations had been dissolved, leaving just the North, South, Niles, and Mission Hills congregations. Then just this past week, the congregations were informed that Niles and Mission Hills were being consolidated into North and South, leaving just two congregations!

There are a few reasons for this that I can see. First, housing in the Bay Area is ridiculously expensive. When most of your members are not highly educated and working low-level jobs, it’s definitely going to have an effect. It seems to me that many of the JWs left in the area are older and more established, having owned their homes for a long time. Once they die off or sell and move away, there are fewer and fewer younger ones taking their place.

In addition, the makeup of area, and Fremont in particular, has changed a lot. Checking on Wikipedia, the city is now over 50% Asian. I don’t know if the JW message has the same appeal to this demographic, or if there is an equivalent growth in foreign language congregations to compensate for the reduction in English ones. Something to consider in any case.

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Fremont,_California#Demographics

This trend isn’t unique to Fremont. According to my friend, this consolidation process is happening all over the Bay Area, but they didn’t have any specifics. Anyone else have any experiences to share regarding the JW congregation consolidation program?

25

It's right there in our faces, how could we NOT see it?

by NikL in

i know there have been many many posts on here over the years on the deity of jesus.. i am submitting this one because i am feeling a little confused.. the thing is, i am not the sharpest knife in the drawer and i know this.

so when i am going through my bible reading (to all you haters, yes i still do it) i see so many scriptures that just fly in the face of everything the jws teach about jesus.. i begin to wonder if indeed i am diseased in the mind ,as they will try to paint me, because it seems so plain to me.. i never even gave it a though growing up as to if jesus and god were equal.

i just didn't.. now when i read scriptures like philippians 9.... 9 for this very reason, god exalted him to a superior position+ and kindly gave him the name that is above every other name,+ 10 so that in the name of jesus every knee should bend—of those in heaven and those on earth and those under the ground+— 11 and every tongue should openly acknowledge that jesus christ is lord+ to the glory of god the father.. .

traveb

For an interesting and extensively researched book about the historical Jesus, I highly recommend reading Zealot, by Reza Aslan. Besides the life of Jesus, the author delves into the disagreements between his early followers right after his death, primarily between James (Jesus' brother) and Paul. He makes the argument that it was Paul who turned Jesus into a divine figure.

https://www.amazon.com/ZEALOT-Life-Times-Jesus-Nazareth/dp/140006922X

It's a fun read.

26

Observations from an Ex-Elder Part 1

by doubtfull1799 in

i was thinking about the fog model this morning, particularly about the "obligation" part.

my mind went back to the last elders school i went to.

one of the parts in the section on appointments was discussing how we should not place too high a bar (human standards) for brothers to try and jump over when we are considering them for appointment as a ministerial servant.

traveb

A few years ago I called this mentality out to an elder who was "counseling" me on my hours. Apparently, I had been yanked off the stage setup crew because my hours weren't up to snuff.

I asked him, "How many hours am I supposed to be putting in?". He replied, "We like to see the brothers reach the national average, which is around 10 a month." I then said, "So there's a monthly quota of 10?"

You should have seen his face! He almost look embarrassed, as his eyes darted around. He stammered something that I don't quite remember, and then I repeated the word quota to him. "Ah ok, I got it. I need to hit that quota every month!".

It's funny, the power of a single word. The WTS leadership does everything in its power to resist using that word, but it's totally appropriate. It's powerful because the word quota carries the idea that the ministry is a sales job (which it is), where publishers "have to hit their numbers every month", instead of the ministry that publishers carry out in their local communities out of the goodness of their hearts (which is how the WTS likes to portray it).

70

Someone anonymously tipped the elders?

by raven in

so here an update on my current situation, in a nutshell i've been trying to quietly fade for the past 5 months.. well, my mom somehow found out that i am currently fading and that i live with my boyfriend (for more info on this check my previous posts) i told her yes i live with him and yes i no longer want to be a jw.

anyways, yesterday she met my boyfriend.. awkward.

and after lunch she pulled me aside to tell me that the po came up to her (he was part of my jc when i was reproved) he said to her "someone came to me and said - i cannot say who so they will remain anonymous- but that your daughter is living with someone" my mom confirmed and apparently he told her that i have one week to confess this, and if i don't my parents are obligated to tell them everything.. what kind of nonsense is that?

traveb

This is why it's in your best interests to change congregations before or during your fade. If you get your publisher card moved to a new congregation where the elders don't know you, it's way easier to fade because your former elders no longer have any reason to go after you.

85

jw.org cart days numbered?

by jookbeard in

reading a report of an elder in a friends cong has been hiding and spying on the pioneers who seem to have a practise of dumping the cart and finding a local coffee shop, i've noticed that they do this in my local high street as well but this week they seemed to be all huddled around the cart, they've clearly been warned, a vast percentage of the time i see they seem to be more interested in fiddling with their mobile phones and gossiping, is just seems these carts are a means for the pioneers to turn in "easy time" i wonder what sort of figures show how much literature is being taken by the public?

i bet its very minimal.

naturally the gb would say they are a phenomenal success , we clearly know they are not.

traveb

I assume many JWs feel like I used to. We all know that "putting in time" is the most important thing to a JW, and the cart system seems like any easy to accomplish that. Who the hell cares whether it's successful or not? It's all about appearances and getting your photo taken with cart, so you can post it on Instagram with a cool filter and a funny caption. Look mom, I'm spiritual!

85

jw.org cart days numbered?

by jookbeard in

reading a report of an elder in a friends cong has been hiding and spying on the pioneers who seem to have a practise of dumping the cart and finding a local coffee shop, i've noticed that they do this in my local high street as well but this week they seemed to be all huddled around the cart, they've clearly been warned, a vast percentage of the time i see they seem to be more interested in fiddling with their mobile phones and gossiping, is just seems these carts are a means for the pioneers to turn in "easy time" i wonder what sort of figures show how much literature is being taken by the public?

i bet its very minimal.

naturally the gb would say they are a phenomenal success , we clearly know they are not.

traveb

If I was still an active JW, I would much rather man a cart than bug people at their homes. I absolutely hated going door to door.

34

Actively Fading and The Memorial

by All for show in

jw
friends

those of you fading- with the memorial approaching are you going to appease family?

not going and making up an excuse?

acting like your going but not really?.

traveb

My second paragraph got cut off, anyway...

Not going sends a strong message to people that you're serious about your fade. JWs consider inactive ones who still attend as potential returnees. You'll hear comments such as, "Oh, they must still believe it's the truth!", or variations on that. I also believe that it could also demonstrate that the religion is still an authority in your life, making you you more susceptible to elder visits or judicial actions.