respectful_observer

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Posts by respectful_observer

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  30

  100 Years of Rule and the 1/15 WT

  by Bob_NC in

  1. watchtower
  2. bible

  first, i cannot believe how dumbed-down and simplistic the writing is now.

  we used to have study articles with substance.

  the writing style now is for people with slow minds or at the level of junior high students with learning disabilities.

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  respectful_observer

  I'm actually not surprised that the GB is really emphasizing this whole "100 years since 1914". In public relations terms that comes to mind is "damage control" and "getting out in front of it". If they never made a point out of it, more than a few J-dubs would figure it out on their own and questions/doubts would come to mind. By fully embracing it, even advertising it, the GB gets to take control of the issue, control the messaging, and spin it as a positive thing before JWs have a chance to question it in their own minds.

  I have no doubt the GB saw this whole 1914/2014 issue coming years ago and have assembled a frighteningly well-planned corporate organizational strategy around it.

  (This may be an obscure reference, or even a stretch, but whenever the GB starts celebrating the "100 years" (starting at last year's AGM, I believe) all I can think of is a scene from the movie "Clear and Present Danger". Basically a close associate of the U.S. President turns out to be connected to the Colombian drug cartels and is killed for it. When the press discovers his cartel connections, the President's handlers' first reaction is to disavow the relationship. Jack Ryan has the brillant idea to go in the complete opposite direction...basically run toward the fire....the result? When the press asks the President if they were friends, he responds: "Friends? No. No, we weren't friends...we were BEST of friends!" It gave the press nowhere to go; no story.

  If someone asked the GB: "Isn't it a problem that it's been 100 years since 1914?" GB: "Problem? No. It's not a problem...it's AWESOME!")
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  11

  May KM 2014 - Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA)

  by Ultimate Reality in

  1. watchtower
  2. beliefs

  courtesy of watchtower87, the may 2014 km has an announcement on page 4 as follows:.

  "beneficiaries of a government program known as deferred action for childhood arrivals (daca) may apply to serve as temporary bethel family members or temporary volunteers.

  when answering questions regarding citizenship on the application, these individuals should identify themselves as daca beneficiaries.".

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  respectful_observer

  I know that in areas of the country that tend to have high percentages of illegal/undocumented (choose your preferred Fox News/NPR term) immigrants, many of the (mostly Spanish) halls often have difficulty finding enough brothers that qualify for privileges because so many are illegal/undocumented. Looks like their kids are free-and-clear to be used at Bethel now, though.
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  30

  100 Years of Rule and the 1/15 WT

  by Bob_NC in

  1. watchtower
  2. bible

  first, i cannot believe how dumbed-down and simplistic the writing is now.

  we used to have study articles with substance.

  the writing style now is for people with slow minds or at the level of junior high students with learning disabilities.

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  respectful_observer

  If Jesus has been ruling for 100 years now does that mean we will only have a 900 year reign if the Big A happens today? It's only a 1000 year reign is it not? I am sure others have thought of this and just like Faithful Witness said "Maybe they are about to adjust their understanding."

  I've asked that question to a close J-dub relative of mine. At first, they had a confused look on their faces, then more of a panicked look, and finally they came back with something along the lines of...."Well, he was appointed King in 1914, but his reign doesn't actually begin until his sits down on his throne."

  All I can think of is that, after 100 years, the angels who are standing, watching that coronation ceromony in heaven must be getting some pretty sore feet by now, and more than a few probably really need to use the loo.
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  32

  June Study WT Up and Bashing Uni Again

  by konceptual99 in

  1. jw
  2. friends

  rehashed format but same ole' shite.. hypocritical article on viewing "weak" ones compassionately usign the example of a single mum arriving late yet the may km has a whole article on how rude it is not to be punctual.. read it and weep....

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  respectful_observer

  Just perused the article. It did tow the typical party line regarding "higher education", but I have to say I expected a harder message. It seemed to focus on what you could get from spiritual goal that you couldn't from Uni.

  What I found most baffling was the example of Flavia they used:

  Gaining Benefits Unattainable at the University

  

  WHEN Flavia was a young girl, her grandmother, who was one of Jehovah’s Witnesses, spoke to her about the Bible. However, her father was a teacher, and he tried to instill in her a desire to learn about nature and get a higher education. Other people told her, “Your generation can save the planet from ruin.” With her father’s backing, she went to a prestigious university, where she started researching ways to produce clean fuel.

  Flavia soon noticed that many students had no interest in ‘saving the planet.’ Also, some programs at the university relied on businesses for funding, so researchers might feel inclined to favor those businesses. This bothered Flavia. When Jehovah’s Witnesses called at her door, her interest in what the Bible says about God and the future was renewed.

  Flavia accepted Bible truth and was baptized. But because she was studying for an advanced degree, her time for preaching the good news was limited. One day she listened as the circuit overseer discussed James 4:17: “If someone knows how to do what is right and yet does not do it, it is a sin for him.” That moved Flavia to think about her own situation. She relates: “While wanting Jehovah’s blessing, I also wanted satisfaction from my career in science. I had to choose.”

  Flavia made the personal decision to end her studies at the university. Did that leave her with regrets? She says:

  “In Jehovah’s service, I have gained benefits unattainable at the university. Jehovah has been good to me. He has taught me to be kind, to show love, to help others spiritually. I have a wonderful marriage and a future far better than the one offered by science. Only Jehovah can save the planet. I will not turn my back on him.” Flavia and her husband serve at the world headquarters of Jehovah’s Witnesses in New York.

  ...........................................

  So they spend the entire article poo-pooing "higher education", then the example they chose to use was someone who is serving at World Headquarters...with her Undergraduate degree!!!! (Yes, it appears she may have earned it prior to baptism, but still!!!)

  "Don't go to college! Oh, what's that? You have your undergraduate degree? Come to Bethel where we can put your 4-year degree to work!"
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  10

  My chat with an elder

  by awakening in

  1. jw
  2. friends

  my second chat with an elder focused on the lack of any archaeological evidence that the exodus happened.

  quite simply it seems to me that a company of 3 million plus livestock could not possibly be sustained in the wilderness, and if they were there then there would definately be evidence.

  one writer described the size of the crowd as - imagine 10 people stood side by side, well the line would be 120 miles long with a 3 million crowd.. the elder went through the insight book and discussed the organization of the crowd which has the encampment spread into divisions etc.

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  respectful_observer

  My example was the crazy one from the revelation book that the trumpet blasts were prophecy fulfilled by historic assemblies!! He seemed to pale when i mentioned this and i got the feeling that he even thought this was strange, the subject was quickly changed.

  Made me laugh....I remember sitting at a DC in the mid-90's when they had us all verbally agree in unison to several pre-written "declarations" (can't recall the specific term at the moment, must need more coffee). I sat there thinking to myself, "This is bizzarre and feels a little 'culty'. Are they doing this now, so that in X number of years they can come back and say that this convention fulfilled some obscur Bible prophecy like they did in the Revelation book?"
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  36

  Has anyone accidentally stumbled across someone they knew on here?

  by SecretHeart11 in

  1. jw
  2. friends

  i keep hoping and doing searches on the site for people in my area.

  so far no one i recognize.

  i have a few df'd friends that i lost touch with long before they were out (two who were elders actually when they got the boot) and would love to find out they were on here, but don't know if they plan on coming back.

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  respectful_observer

  There are several members I likely know, or have at least (nearly) met:

  oppostate (who I'll see at the next CA...I just won't know it)

  zoiks (common friends at least)

  CuriousButterfly

  coffee_black (common acquaintances)

  Of course, we can't confirm our identities to each other for fear of being cut off from our families for the rest of our lives.
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  27

  Amusing line in April 2014 KM

  by respectful_observer in

  1. watchtower
  2. beliefs

  under "2014 convention reminders":.

  seat saving: when the doors to the facility are opened each morning, please to not rush to the seating area of your preference as if competing with fellow attenders.

  a self-sacrificing spirit that moves us to seek the good of others identifies us as true christians and moves onlookers to praise god.. ................................................................ i personally don't recall them previously making reference to the jw-version of the "running of the bulls" that takes place every morning when the doors open at 8:00 a.m. have seen it myself many times, it's always good for a laugh.

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  respectful_observer

  If I was still stuck in the borg, I'd be tempted to use more creative items:

  • maxi pads (bonus if you could find some from the 1970s with the belts)

  • McDonald's napkin (with the words "approved headcovering" scrawled on it)

  • adult undergarments

  A brother I know was once an attendent at the DC and looked to see a sister tying one leg of pantyhose to one seat and stretching it across most of the row and tying it at the other. When he approached her and asked her to remove them she told him to "get stuffed".
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  27

  Amusing line in April 2014 KM

  by respectful_observer in

  1. watchtower
  2. beliefs

  under "2014 convention reminders":.

  seat saving: when the doors to the facility are opened each morning, please to not rush to the seating area of your preference as if competing with fellow attenders.

  a self-sacrificing spirit that moves us to seek the good of others identifies us as true christians and moves onlookers to praise god.. ................................................................ i personally don't recall them previously making reference to the jw-version of the "running of the bulls" that takes place every morning when the doors open at 8:00 a.m. have seen it myself many times, it's always good for a laugh.

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  respectful_observer

  Do they still mention that you can only save seats for your immediate family and those traveling with you in the car?

  Yup:

  "Seats may be saved only for those living in your home or traveling in your vehicle or for your current Bible students. Special seating has been provided for the elderly and the infirm. Since this seating is limited, only one or two persons directly assisting the elderly or infirm individual may sit with him."

  (I'm guessing Jesus said something similarly as detailed at the Sermon on the Mount.)
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  27

  Amusing line in April 2014 KM

  by respectful_observer in

  1. watchtower
  2. beliefs

  under "2014 convention reminders":.

  seat saving: when the doors to the facility are opened each morning, please to not rush to the seating area of your preference as if competing with fellow attenders.

  a self-sacrificing spirit that moves us to seek the good of others identifies us as true christians and moves onlookers to praise god.. ................................................................ i personally don't recall them previously making reference to the jw-version of the "running of the bulls" that takes place every morning when the doors open at 8:00 a.m. have seen it myself many times, it's always good for a laugh.

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  respectful_observer

  Under "2014 Convention Reminders":

  Seat Saving: When the doors to the facility are opened each morning, please to not rush to the seating area of your preference as if competing with fellow attenders. A self-sacrificing spirit that moves us to seek the good of others identifies us as true Christians and moves onlookers to praise God.

  ...............................................................

  I personally don't recall them previously making reference to the JW-version of the "Running of the Bulls" that takes place every morning when the doors open at 8:00 a.m. Have seen it myself many times, it's always good for a laugh. I can only imagine what's running through the minds of the "onlookers" (a.k.a. "worldly facility staff") when this happens.

  Brothers guarding the door at 7:59:

  

  8:00:01:

  

  I think I read it somewhere before on this forum, but someone came up with the snarky comment that "Oh, they're just practicing for the 'land rush' after Armageddon." I've used that line a few times since reading it. It usually gets a big initial laugh, and then they realize how morbid that comment really is since it means the death of billions of people.
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  13

  Elder friend is reading 1984 from George Orwell - How to make him relate?

  by alonein321 in

  1. jw
  2. friends

  hey everyone.

  i have and elder friend, he is 33, and he likes to test his faith by reading some science books.

  he didn't wake up yet, but he is reading 1984 from george orwell now.

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  respectful_observer

  Have you already told him you've read it? If you said...

  "Yeah, I've started reading it a couple of times, but it made me really uncomfortable."

  "Really, why?"

  "I'm probably reading too much into it (give you an "out"), it kept reminding me of some of the efforts the Society goes through to ensure we limit our exposure to concepts that goes against the Society's current teachings."

  ...or something to that effect.