respectful_observer

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Posts by respectful_observer

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  35

  Going on the OFFENSIVE

  by Coded Logic in

  1. watchtower
  2. scandals

  the wtbts has an easy time painting x-witnesses as apostates because the direction of information is entirely one way.

  and jws rarely get an opportunity to consider both sides of the equation for themselves.

  i think that websites like this one are a great tool for those who are already questioning their beliefs or are already entirely out.

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  respectful_observer

  Start plastering this on everything ...

  

  Didn't the recent letters to all U.S. congregations regarding JW.ORG signage at the local KH include the specifics of fonts and even the specific Pantone color to use? If one desired, one could make a very similar sign with:

  JW

  FACTS

  .ORG

  Plus, if this board is to be believed, the WTS lost its request to trademark "JW.ORG", so no pesky lawyers would bother you. A vehicle parked near the Assembly Hall would be noticed by almost every single JW driving by. At first they would squeal with delight and try to take a picture with their phone to post on FB or Instagram to show how well the new website's being advertised. It would take most people more than few seconds to realize the difference and understand the implication.
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  27

  Should the constitution be amended to make being and adherent of Islam a crime?

  by confusedandalone in

  1. social
  2. current

  since isis is killing people in the middle east and apparently they are invaded the rest of the earth with their hateful beliefs should we as americans take the steps necessary to amend the constitution to say something along the lines of .

  congress shall make no law respecting an establishment of religion except in regards to islam, or prohibiting the free exercise thereof except in regards to islam; or abridging the freedom of speech, or of the press; or the right of the people peaceably to assemble except in regards to islam, and to petition the government for a redress of grievances.. .

  thoughts?

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  respectful_observer

  Belief in a particular religion is basically thought. Trying to legislate thought is an impossible task. Any external manifestation of that thought-- excercise, speech, assembly-- is the only thing which could even be legislated or controled by an outside party.

  I would argue that any exercise, speech, or assembly associated with any religion or group that is physically harmful to another person is already illegal. No matter how hateful a belief is, it cannot bring physical harm to another person. Physical harm to others may be caused by someone with hateful beliefs, but it is the physical action (not the belief) that causes the harm. Physical actions that harm others are already illegal in this country-- no constitutional amendment needed.
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  86

  Watchtower Legal Department targeting Facebook and Youtube users

  by Londo111 in

  1. watchtower
  2. scandals

  from an email i received of a conversation had with people from patterson:.

  it seems that the wts legal dept.

  has been working with the fb [facebook] legal dept for about a year and also with youtube whoever they are, to enforce transparency.

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  respectful_observer

  I guarantee Facebook is not making a single business decision, exceptions or otherwise, based on (or specifically for the benefit of) the Watchtower Bible and Tract Society.
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  21

  Reflections - Updating MD card - did you stop updating?

  by berrygerry in

  1. watchtower
  2. medical

  i finally removed my md card from my wallet yesterday.. although we were encouraged to create a new card annually, i had an internal hesitation, and a lack of enthusiam for it, as well as the meaningless cards for my kids.. the card that was pulled from my wallet was dated 1994. i obviously had some unconscious, if not conscious, problems with the borg, maybe with the 1995 generations bs.. did others stop updating their cards long before exiting?.

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  respectful_observer

  I stopped updating mine on a regular basis back in college, and stopped carrying one all together about 10 years ago. My spouse hasn't carried one either, since we met...which is interesting because my spouse claims to refuse blood if needed, although would take any of the fractions allowed. In fact at the last meeting there was an elder handing a few out right next to us and my spouse clearly saw it, but didn't even give it a second glance or mention to me that we need to fill one out (which really surprised me).
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  21

  More WTS cash-grabbing: "Funds on Deposit" program for Circuits

  by sir82 in

  1. jw
  2. friends

  at a recent circuit assembly "business meeting" for elders, a new program was announced: "funds on deposit".. here's how it works:.

  each circuit determines a "floor" and a "ceiling" for an amount to hold in their circuit checking account.

  when the "ceiling" amount is exceeded, the amount above the threshold is wired to the wts and held by them.. if the circuit checking account drops below the "floor" amount, the circuit can send a request to the wts to request that some of their "funds on deposit" be returned to them so that their checking account resumes a "safe" level.. as explained by the elder explaining the program,, "in other words, the branch is acting exactly like a bank - the circuit will make deposits and withdrawals as needed.

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  respectful_observer

  Was there any mention of increasing the circuit's donation to the Kingdom Hall Building Fund?

  The reason I ask, is that at our recent Circuit Assembly, they read a letter from the WTS thanking them for the $500 donation made at the last CA. Then they went on to announce that at this CA's "business meetings", the elders had decided to send $2,600 to the Kingdom Hall Building Fund. It left me wondering what the motivation was behind the more than 5-fold increase in the donation.
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  11

  Two more quitters!

  by apocalypse in

  1. jw
  2. experiences

  in my city, there's been a husband and wife who quit this week.

  hurray!.

  the first thing that came to mind when i heard it was 'they didn't need my help'.. you see, many in my city who quit in the past were previously on my mailing list.

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  respectful_observer

  Ok. The two quitters showed up at the kringedome hall. Apparently sat through the 'apostobash' and undoubtedly endured 'the evil eye' staredown from the dubb klan. My question is, what the hell are they thinking?

  I have no idea what the motivation of these two were in attending the meeting, but I've also thought what would happen if you disassociated yourself, or were DF'd for apostacy, yet continued to attend meetings. I can only imagine what would be going through the "friends'" minds every time you walked through the door and took a seat. I think it would really rattle the nerves of many, knowing an apostate was "in their midst" at all their meetings. Would they fear the Holy Spirit TM would leave the hall?

  I imagine a couple like this, sitting together during the 'apostobash' WT, rolling their eyes and quietly snickering at every "cultish" comment read from the WT, or said from the stage.

  Another scene in my head is where 1 spouse becomes an "evil apostate", yet continues to attend to rub it in the face of everyone there that s/he is actually a loving husband/wife/father/mother, and not some beard-wearing, horn-growing demon.

  It's a "public" meeting, and to the best of my knowledge they can only "rescind" their public invitation if you are causing a true scene (trying to interrupt the meeting, threatening violence, etc.).

  I'm sure many here would not be able to stomach such an approach, but personally I would find it quite interesting to see how the local brothers would struggle to address such a situation.
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  71

  BORG running low on $$$??

  by fader77 in

  1. watchtower
  2. scandals

  dear brothers:.

  re: personal literature supply.

  reducing existing stock at the branch office before the revisions are released.

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  respectful_observer

  One metric that I've never seen published, or spoken about, is the total number of reported placements compared to the number of a particular publication printed. I'm sure the WTS tracks that difference and has some level of insight into how many magazines printed are never reported as placed. I'm sure the number is enormous. (Especially considering how many people out there fudge their placements anyway, so as not to be bothered by the elders.) I'd be surprised if even 50% of WT and Awake! magazines are ever placed with non-JWs.
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  13

  Crazy Sounding Story

  by piztjw in

  1. watchtower
  2. beliefs

  last sunday after sitting through the ca an eldurr whom i know related this story about the warwick compound construction, as related to him by someone who had just returned from their tour of duty.. "the property is over-run with rattlesnakes.

  so there are assigned brothers who catch and release them off property.

  they won't kill them.

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  respectful_observer

  Forget a special wall; they just need this:

  

  Trust in Jehovah!
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  41

  Cross & Crown Logo In New WT.org Video For Children?

  by SAHS in

  1. jw
  2. friends

  the following photo is a still frame captured from the latest semi-animated video on jw.org called caleb and sophia visit bethel:.

  here is the direct link to this video:.

  http://www.jw.org/en/bible-teachings/family/children/become-jehovahs-friend/videos/caleb-sophia-visit-bethel/.

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  respectful_observer

  @ Respectful_observer: It COULD be an Invicta like I said, but somehow I doubt it. I mean really, who in WT land is going to question him if he really were wearing a $25,000 gold Rolex Daytona? Even a Patek? I bet 75% of the Dubs at Bethel don't know what a Rolex IS, much less what it COSTS, because they are so secluded and sheltered/clueless. And I'd bet that 99.95% of them wouldn't know Patek from Timex.

  Myself, I'm an Omega and Glashutte Original man myself.

  @WingCommander: Big fan of Glashutte myself and also A. Lange & Sohne, however another is nearer and dearer to my heart. Alas, I hestitate to post the name since it's rare enough where I'd be afraid it would assist someone in determining my real identity (or at least make them awfully suspicious). Sighhhh....
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  41

  Cross & Crown Logo In New WT.org Video For Children?

  by SAHS in

  1. jw
  2. friends

  the following photo is a still frame captured from the latest semi-animated video on jw.org called caleb and sophia visit bethel:.

  here is the direct link to this video:.

  http://www.jw.org/en/bible-teachings/family/children/become-jehovahs-friend/videos/caleb-sophia-visit-bethel/.

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  respectful_observer

  Not to completely derail this thread, but the gold tones on Tony's watch bracelet seem to span the width, whereas the gold (or gold tone) on both the Rolex Daytona and Invicta Speedway appear to just run down the middle.

  It's hard to tell from such a distance, and not disagreeing with anyone, just sharing my observations.

  

  Personally, I'd be surprised if he was actually wearing a Rolex. It's a brand that's too well known as expensive. Now if I spotted him wearing a luxury brand a little more obsure, but just as (if not more) expensive as some of the better-known mass market luxury brands, I'd be concerned.