Posts by respectful

13

Here's what you have all been waiting for - The Revised NWT

by optimusprime in

the new bible is up at jw.org!.

respectful_observer

I found Appendix A5 rather amusing...it is their defense of inserting the name "Jehovah" into the Greek Scriptures something like 230+ times. Their arguement was underwhelming at best.

That being said, I was pretty impressed at the Apple version of the app. Being able to touch the verse in the NNWT and have ~5 different translations of that verse (including the Greek Interlinear) appear right next to it is pretty freakin' cool.

Edit: I had to laugh when the brother walked through all the apps/devices. It felt like the Apple developers conference in SF. He should have been wearing black jean and black turtleneck!

49

What Are Some Stupid Rules In Watchtower World?

by minimus in

jw
friends

there's a lot.

.

one that i just don't understand is that no one should hold hands during a prayer.. where the hell do they come up with these rules??

respectful_observer

iPad/tablet use is encouraged in Field Service, permitted to use during the meetings for audience members, but iPad/tablet use on stage is forbidden (per WTS letter to elders).

Oh, and 4 semesters of college is perfectly acceptable, but 8 semesters gets you into hot water and is seen as rejecting the Faithful Slave's direction.

I especially like it when someone cites the "rule" on unmarried adults not being allowed to ride alone in a car together without a chaperone. "Really? Could you show me the WT article that's in? What's that? You say you couldn't find anything at all-- even on the CD-ROM? What a surprise!"

28

Too many changes mean more changes to come

by Verenda in

i just joined this site after researching the recent 'new light" my daughter is an unbaptized witness, as well as her husband and my grandchildren.

i was baptized in the 80s but i am inactive for years now because of changes and inconsintancies etc.. .

if the sheep and the goats teaching has been changed to happen after the great tribultaion, or after armageddon then this would mean that everyone would not be seperated or judged until after armageddon has occured.

respectful_observer

caliber,

Interesting factoid on that Paradise illustration, part of the picture appears in other places. Look at the Dec 1, 1990 WT, p. 7. It's the only photographic representation of the Paradise I remember seeing.

Does that mean women CAN wear pants in the New System?

That same cluster of people appears in a painting inside the front cover of a brochure from the 90s on a beach with cliffs.

11

Do Witnesses Have Any Aspirations Anymore?

by minimus in

jw
friends

when i was a kid, my family wanted me to reach out for any type of "privilege", whether it be cleaning the rest room or being an attendant.

obviously, reaching out to be a ministerial servant and elder were high on the list.. since college was a no no, we were to aspire to be something within the congregation.. i wonder if anyone aspires to be anything in the organization, at this point in time..

respectful_observer

I think there will always be a core that jump at the chance at a titled "privilege". As an example, look out how many ordinary dubs jump at the chance to Aux Pioneer during the Memorial Season TM . It makes them feel special.

I also observe a pattern where those brothers who can barely support themselves or their families tend to be some of the most domineering, dictatorial brothers when it comes to any type of oversight-- be it as the CoBE or as the Cleaning Captain TM for their congregation at the Circuit Assembly. It's like they realize that their lack of education or work ethic never will allow them any substantive authority in the real world, so they try to repair their fragile egos by reminding themselves and others in the congregation just how much authority they really have. Part of the same pattern is those who actually have an education and/or successful career. They know what authority and responsibility mean in the real world, and when they get to the Hall, they look around and think "No thanks. I couldn't give two flying figs whether I 'qualify' to run mikes/make the Attendant schedule/etc." And when you find that somewhat rare combination of an elder who is educated or has a successful career, they tend to be the most reasonable because they have nothing to prove.

88

If the big change at the AGM meeting is dropping the literal 144,000...

by slimboyfat in

the best conjecture seems to be that the gb are going to drop the literal 144,000 teaching, especially in view of the december watchtower that pointedly does not mention the 144,000 number.

if they are dropping the literal 144,000 number, but still claim that only a small number are anointed, and can partake, and that only a few are left on earth, then it is fair to ask what has really changed?

they are simply clearing up the embarrassing situation that there were obviously more than 144,000 "anointed" believers from 36 ad until now, and that the number of partakers has been increasing in recent years.

respectful_observer

That phrasing in the Dec. 15th WT is really strange. Especially the part specifcally targeting the "faithful apostles" as an example of who is anointed.

I noticed that reference as well, so perhaps that leaves the door open for the GB to actually stick to a literal 144,000, but excuses the increasing number of partakers. All they have to say is:

"The light gets brighter TM . Those in the 1st century had the understanding that they ALL had the heavenly hope. However, over time Jehovah's spirit revealed that, in fact, it was those he'd entrusted with oversight of the Christian congregregation while on Earth that would also be anointed to serve as co-rulers in heaven. Those overseers would humbly recognize that their short time on Earth shepherding their fellow Christians would in fact act as preparation for their heavenly assignment of co-ruling with Jesus during his Millenial Reign. Millions of true Christians live during the last days of this system, certainly many more than the thousands of faithful Christians in the 1st century. Logically, Jehovah's perfect rulership would recognize that Jesus' "co-rulers" should proportionally represent those faithful Christians on earth-- each knowing what trials and pressures his contemporary fellow Christians faced. What a loving provision from Jehovah! As it was for modern-day Christians who first realized their hope was earthly and not heavenly, how rewarding it will be for those non-anointed faithful 1st century Christians to be resurrected to a Paradise Earth, knowing that a few of their 1st century brothers are watching over them in Heaven!"

293

AGM 5 OCTOBER 2013 (UNOFFICIAL RUMORS)

by WatchTower87 in

- 23 day to go .. annual meeting unofficial rumors.

- new bible.

- new nwt (revision).

respectful_observer

I'm fairly certain that eventually they will declare new light that both the great crowd and 144k are altogether part of the new covenant although having different hopes (heavenly v earthly), thus it will be announced that prospective members of the great crowd can also partake of the emblems (while remaining an earthly class).

As pointed out by Mickey mouse, the Dec 2013 WT means that the great crowd will continue to not partake of the emblems.

18 Most in attendance respectfully abstain from partaking of the emblems as they are passed because Jesus indicated that only those who will reign in his heavenly Kingdom are to partake. (Read Luke 22:28-30; 2 Tim. 4:18 ) All others present will be respectful observers.

Although I'm likely reading too much into it, I found in interesting that the article itself does not mention "144,000" anywhere that I saw. It mentions that few, if any, will partake at any one Memorial, but it does not ever mention "144,000", which could leave the door open to the number becoming symbolic.

40

Memorial attendance in the USA a DROP of 59,404 from two years ago

by Watchtower-Free in

according to the september 2013 kingdom ministry, the memorial attendance in the usa this year was 2,504,114. this is a drop of 59,404 from two years ago!

respectful_observer

Glad to see all the invitation distribution by the 30-hour aux pioneers really paid off!! It's a clear sign of Jehovah's blessing!!

Oh wait, never mind.

28

So Jw's are allowed to celebrate baby showers, but not birthdays?? huh??

by nolongerconfused in

jw
friends

perhaps, one of the most arrogant and contradicting behaviors of jdubs.... what is the difference between celebrating a baby shower and a birthday?...they both have ancient origins, from pagan people, including egyptians and the greek.... have you guys noticed any other hypocrite celebrations/behaviors jdubs engage in?.

respectful_observer

We have a passive-aggressive tradition where, when giving a baby gift at the hospital or at the shower, we use a "Happy Birthday!" card. It can be any type; the joke tends to get funnier (for us)/more awkward (for them) when it's a card that has a year on it. For example:

Happy 5th Birthday! or "Happy 40th!"

We then "X" out the year with black marker and write "0".

The look on people's faces are priceless when they see the card. A momentary look of fright/puzzlement crosses their face, and that's when we say: "We're here to celebrate his/her birth, right? Enjoy it, it's the last time you'll be able to officially celebrate his/her birth!"

They agree, laugh, and the party goes on. We've never gotten blow-back from doing this repeatedly.

We just bask in the bright light of irony while the rusty gears in their brains try to turn.

28

WTS soliciting donations in Southern California

by turtleturtle in

just talked to an older jw in my old hall.

he said there was a special 2 hour elder's meeting recently in southern california spanning many counties and areas.

apparently, due to the massive jw growth, the rbc or wt (he didn't know which one) will be announcing they they are asking each family to contribute $10/month toward new construction of kingdom halls in the southern california area.. .

respectful_observer

It's funny how Jehovah is always short of cash

Hahahaha!!! I almost spit out my coffee on that one!

43

New Zealand headquarters: Witnesses sell, Elim buys

by Fe2O3Girl in

jw
friends

http://www.stuff.co.nz/auckland/local-news/manukau-courier/9124458/witnesses-sell-elim-buys.

it was the national headquarters for the jehovah's witnesses for 30 years.. but the 7.5ha wattle downs property has now been sold to elim church and could soon house a new christian college.. jehovah's witness minister george gray says advances in technology mean the property is no longer needed for running the church's new zealand and south pacific activities which will now be administered from australia.. elim church bought the property for its growing south auckland congregation and volunteers helped transform the site in just a matter of days.. pastor boyd ratnaraja says the congregation moved in on a sunday straight after morning services at their much smaller weymouth rd premises.. "they have done a superb job of setting up," he says.. the church will hold services for its 450-strong congregation at its new home as well as running counselling sessions and operating an op shop and a weekly soup kitchen.. "we believe in reaching out to the community.

we want this to be a centre of hope.

respectful_observer

as well as running...a weekly soup kitchen.

A weekly soup kitchen...hmmm, just like little Caleb learned to do in the "Giving Makes You Happy!" video that just came out. Oh wait, never mind. Caleb was only taught to "give" to his J-dub family members.

Caleb in 20 years: "NO SOUP FOR YOU!!"

respectful_observer

Posts by respectful_observer