respectful_observer

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Posts by respectful_observer

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  38

  Has the feared and much anticipated,'Jehovah Witness Great Tribulation', now started in earnest during this year of 2013?

  by Sol Reform in

  1. watchtower
  2. child-abuse

  the watchtower states that the great tribulation.... will start when the united nations attacks babylon the great.

  it appears individual states of the usa are starting to get that ball rolling right now.. .

  with the world wide child sexual abuse cover-ups across the globe getting special attention from the media.. legislators across the usa seem to have lost the fear of getting the nod of disapproval of 'clergy', especially from the younger members.. law professor marci a. hamilton writes, "across the country, the movement for justice for child-sex-abuse victims is finding that conversations that used to begin with a discussion of the catholic bishops' opposition (and then often ended abruptly) are now started by a member's saying, "they don't deserve deference on this issue.

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  respectful_observer

  Based on Sol Reform's summary of legislative/legal actions, it appears governments are finally turning on child abusers more so that churches.
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  20

  My, my, times have changed...

  by DATA-DOG in

  1. watchtower
  2. beliefs

  questions from readers?

  why does not the watchtower society publish simplified material for parents to use in teaching their children bible truths?.

  -a question based upon frequent inquiries by readers.. jehovah god lays upon the parents themselves the responsibility of teaching their children.

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  respectful_observer

  It is also true that when the Law covenant ended and Christianity was established provision was made for a new priesthood to minister to the needs of obedient peoples, including an organized "faithful and discreet slave" class today that is commissioned to "give them their food at the proper time", spiritual food here being meant.

  WHAT?! Are they saying that the "faithful and discreet slave" is a "new priesthood"? How does that work if JWs claim to have no clergy/laity seperation? Haha...maybe I will start referring the GB as priests. If anyone objects, I'll just point them to this article.
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  29

  Has Your Heart and Mind Changed About Hiring JWs To Fill Job Openings?

  by ÁrbolesdeArabia in

  1. jw
  2. friends

  if you own a company or small business, will you hire a jw over a non-jw?

  did you find jws more productive than non-jws and more honest and outgoing for your business expansion?

  the watchtower tries to state that jws are in high demand because of their honesty, you think the world is smarting up and realizing they are just regular people who follow men?

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  respectful_observer

  From my experience, most J-dubs seem to have the same mix as lazy/hardworking/deceptive/honest employees as the general population. The trouble seems to start when J-dubs hire other J-dubs, either as employees or as contractors. Suddenly they're looking for favors, expecting special treatment, or ignore your project in favor of non-JW clients since "you'll understand".

  I hired a JW for a construction project once, but never will again. Even my uber-JW parents decided long ago to stop hiring JWs as employees or contractors.

  General rule of thumb:

  JW+"Worldly person"+$$$= Normal result

  JW+JW+$$$= PROBLEMS!
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  45

  It got to be hard being a JW today!!!!

  by jam in

  1. jw
  2. experiences

  i can understand why they think the end is near.. in the old days, one was proud to be a jw (well maybe.

  not for you young ones) but for us that came in the 60,s.

  and 70,s, we felt no shame in our game.

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  respectful_observer

  They don't stand out as different anymore. No more sacrificing for The Kingdom. New houses. Expensive vacations (NOT to seldom worked territory). They are just "keeping one foot in the door" just in case. . . .

  That's how it seems to be in my area as well. I can't even recall the last time I heard a single person under the age of 40 say "Well the New System will be here by then!" or "The End will be here before Little Jonny graduates from High School."

  Instead you hear:

  • "I'm psyched that the 401(k) match at my new job is much better than my old one!"
  • "We'll probably stay here until the kids are done with school, but then move somewhere with palm trees. I'd never want to retire around here."
  • (In a low tone) "We know technically college is a no-no, but there's no way Little Suzy isn't getting her degree."
  • "We're just making sure we don't end up like both our parents...self-employed with little/no retirement savings."
  • "Sorry, I watched my dad get burned out as an elder and my mom burned out as a pioneer. There's no way we're going to put each other and our kids through that. Making it to the meeting is hard enough."

  Oh, and practically everyone drinks like fish.
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  42

  JULY 15th Study Watchtower - NEW LIGHT IS FANTASY

  by The Searcher in

  1. watchtower
  2. bible

  the july 15 study watchtower uses all 4 study articles to try to inculcate into every witnesses' mind that the governing body is indisputably god's sole channel of communication on earth.

  to do so, it uses a multitude of scriptures along with seriously flawed un-inspired reasoning.

  the foundation stone of this watchtower's blatant agenda is the claim that when jesus used only a few to dispense the physical food to the many, he was setting a principle which would be applied to the distribution of spiritual food after he returned to heaven.

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  respectful_observer

  Also think about the ratio of disciples to the number fed, how many would be required to feed 7,000,000? More than 8 I think......................

  I guess it's a good thing they discontinued food service at the conventions!

  Wait, so what does it mean that we now supply our food at the assemblies and conventions?! Wouldn't that be the same as supplying ourselves our own spiritual food too??
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  32

  Blondie's Comments You Will Not Hear at the 05-05-2013 WT Study (STUMBLING)

  by blondie in

  1. jw
  2. friends

  stumbling block.

  comments.

  comments.

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  respectful_observer

  15 One brother who was raised in a Christian household wrote that for as long as he could remember, he struggled with homosexual tendencies.

  I actually commented on this paragraph. I think it's stupid that they always use this term "tendencies". I said "Here we're given this experience of a gay brother. Being gay has obviously been a huge struggle for his in his efforts to remain in the congregation...".

  I was anticipating someone being horrified that I'd say there were actually gay JWs, but instead I actually had several people approach me after the meeting and thanked me profousely for my comment and told me how much they appreciated how I said it. Who knew?!
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  28

  Sad Discussion Regarding Beards

  by turtleturtle in

  1. watchtower
  2. beliefs

  so both my wife and i are awake to ttatt.

  we are still active, patiently waiting for the org to implode.

  being active, it is evident this is happening as a quickening.. we were having a discussion regarding shaving & beards.

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  respectful_observer

  "The Illustrated London News," October 1, 1949, shows a cross with a young man nailed to it, beardless and with short hair, to represent "Christ crucified, but triumphant."

  Since the Bible does not describe Jesus’ facial appearance or indicate he had a beard of length, we follow the oldest archaeological evidence..."

  Following that logic, shouldn't they also show him hanging on a cross and not a stake?
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  47

  Day One After Armgeddon written by a JW awaiting the Big A w/eager expectation - Warning: LOOOONG!!!

  by Eve Deceived in

  1. watchtower
  2. beliefs

  once we found out we were all witnesses, we all hugged.

  now we just had to see if our kingdom hall was still standing.

  when we came to the hall we had such a huge shock.. there were so many people there.

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  respectful_observer

  Awe man, I hate that the writer skipped over what happened 1 week after Armageddon...you know, just around the time that every single nuclear reactor on the planet finally overheats because the power grid is down and can't keep the fuel rods cool anymore. Nothing like 700 simultaneous nuclear meltdowns worldwide.

  Maybe that First Aid tent at the KH is equipped to treat radiaton burns??
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  33

  Skydiving/Parachuting. A disfellowship offense?

  by stealthmode-brazil in

  1. watchtower
  2. beliefs

  i'm an active witness from brazil (who would leave if it weren't for my family/friends inside) and always dreamed about practicing skydiving.

  but as radical sports are a no-no for witnesses... i wonder if any elder or ex-elder on this forum knows if an active jw, practices skydiving/parachuting once and/or regularly, can he or she be disfellowship on that basis?

  i'm considering secretly jumping but afraid if someone finds out.

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  respectful_observer

  It's not a DF-ing offense. I once had my C.O. tell me that he skydives occassionally. He told me "if you decide to go, just be sure you don't go around telling everyone. It only becomes an issue if someone is stumbled by it."
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  45

  I heard Jehovah's Witnesses were the first ones on the scene in Boston providing assistance.

  by Theocratic Sedition in

  1. jw
  2. friends

  you know those articles from the wt are coming, along with emails from jw friends and family.

  all the shameless self-attaboys, and fictitious observations by non-jws remarking on how jws provided the most and best assistance to the victims..

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  respectful_observer

  I can verify that there were several JWs running the marathon yesterday. Several were within a mile of the finish line when the bombs went off. One of them had crossed the finish line less than 30 seconds after the first bomb went off so was very close. They are all safe and sound.

  I'd post more, but don't want to "out" myself....

  As of JWs being on the scene for "support and comfort" none of the Boston-based JWs that I know have related any such experiences. The media did mention that several people were walking up and down the marathon route sharing Bible verses for comfort.....but they turned out be Lutherans!!!