Posts by respectful

162

No more 3-day DCs starting in 2013?

by respectful_observer in

apologies if there is another recent thread on this, but i have heard from 4 different people in 3 different geographic areas (including someone who does advance work for the dcs), that beginning in 2013 the three day dc program will be replaced by a second two-day circuit assembly.

some people were passing the info along like a secret, others seemed to think that everyone already knew.. if everyone in j-dub land is already talking about this, how is it not all over this forum??.

anyway, can anyone confirm or deny?.

respectful_observer

sir82 - I asked the same question. I was under the impression that the Assembly Halls are used almost every weekend already, but everyone who's mentioned this (all in the last several days) seemed confident that their info was solid. Of course, I can see it now....a building spree of Assembly Halls that will:

A. Add to the WTS Real Estate portfolio

B. Be viewed by/sold to the Rank & File as a sign of "growth and Jehovah's blessing"

C. Be sold as a tremendous "witness" to the communities where they are built.

carla - Yes, it was explained to me that there will no longer be any 3-day "District Conventions; instead the annual program will consist of a single 1-day SAD and two 2-day Circuit Assemblies.

162

No more 3-day DCs starting in 2013?

by respectful_observer in

apologies if there is another recent thread on this, but i have heard from 4 different people in 3 different geographic areas (including someone who does advance work for the dcs), that beginning in 2013 the three day dc program will be replaced by a second two-day circuit assembly.

some people were passing the info along like a secret, others seemed to think that everyone already knew.. if everyone in j-dub land is already talking about this, how is it not all over this forum??.

anyway, can anyone confirm or deny?.

respectful_observer

Apologies if there is another recent thread on this, but I have heard from 4 different people in 3 different geographic areas (including someone who does advance work for the DCs), that beginning in 2013 the three day DC program will be replaced by a second two-day circuit assembly.

Some people were passing the info along like a secret, others seemed to think that everyone already knew.

If everyone in J-dub Land is already talking about this, how is it not all over this forum??

Anyway, can anyone confirm or deny?

R_O

48

Was There Ever A Poster Here That Realy Was a Watchtower Spy?

by minimus in

jw
friends

since some believe that watctower regularly observes this site,did you ever know of a watchtower double agent here?.

respectful_observer

I wouldn't be surprised if some "spiritually strong" higher ups peruse the sight, not to find people to rat out, as much as an effort to see what the latest "hot topic" is in the apostate community. Not unlike the mindset the Nixon campaign had when they orchestrated the Watergate break-in of DNC headquarters. "If we can find out their campaign plan, we can figure out a way to counteract it."

It can't be coincidence that the topics du jour here will often randomly and subtley show up in WT study articles 6 months later.

35

Hardest most awkward parts of being mentally out but physically in

by BU2B in

jw
friends

i am still physically in but am completely out mentally.. i was curious for those who spent some time in the borg while being mentally out or are still in that position, what is the worst, hardest or most awkward parts... for me i intensly dislike attending the meetings however its bearable as i can just let my mind wander, but field service is awful.

i cannot try to bring someone in to a group that i am trying to plot a way out of.

so now i try my best to either spend the day driving around to others fruitless rv's (we have somewhat rural territory) or eating out at an extended breakfast or if door to door cannot be avoided, i try to work alone and not ring bells.

respectful_observer

This is what I imagine would be the hardest things:

- The torture of sitting there at the meetings and assemblies KNOWING there are others who count themselves as members of the “Conscious Class,” but fear ensures all members of it only ever know for sure that they alone are a member.

- Seeing your spouse openly disagree with so many doctrinal and procedural issues, mock the ridiculousness of Bethel, fill out fake time slips every month, hate meetings, etc., yet turn right around and pledge their undying loyalty to the Org

- Knowing that if you have children, you have to face the choice of raising your child as a JW or losing your entire extended family.

R_O

9

Not so subtle message in convention drama

by dothemath in

jw
friends

my take on the drama this year is yet another slam against having children......... the "ideal" is still to pioneer........they're the ones put on a pedestal, both the younger and older couples.. the young mother, is forced to care for a cranky, crying child........

respectful_observer

Interestingly enough, I've heard something of the opposite from many of the "friends". Maybe it's just where I live but more and more I'm hearing from the 55+ crowd complaining that "no one is having children anymore! All the congregations in our circuit used to be full of young families with tons of little kids everywhere. Now all we have is couples that aren't having kids and work and go on nice vacations instead. It's sooo sad."

We've been told many times. "Why haven't you had kids? Maybe if you do, some of the other couples will follow your lead!" My response varies, but lately I cite what the DO said at the DC this summer, that 70% of JW kids leave "The Truth TM ." Then I ask them if they'd like those odds of never being able to talk to their children or grandchildren again. They usually get a very deflated/depressed look on their face and walk away with their shoulders sagging.

R_O

39

Is the FDS losing control?

by Hermano in

jw
friends

i believe there is growing unrest amongst jws.

they may not be very cohesive or organized, but the rigorous demands for obedience coming from the leadership and the unbending, never ending list of rules, not to mention the end that has been ever so-close for so long yet never climaxes, has a lot of jws frustrated.. don't get me wrong.

i know there are some jws that will hang in there no matter what they're told to do and will obey without question.

respectful_observer

The simple fact of the matter is that “unrest” within the Organization will never change it or lead to its demise.

Any unrest or thoughts of reform that do exist within the Org only lead to two possible results:

1. They voice their unrest/reformation ideas and then leave, or

2. They voice their unrest/reformation ideas and they are kicked out.

Either way the WTS can continue on as before. It may grow more slowly, or even shrink slightly because of those that leave, but it is simply an impossibility for anyone to try to affect change and do so while remaining part of the Organization. Let’s face it, if members of the GB couldn’t do it, no efforts from the R&F will.

36

What the hell was I thinking?! Stupid me!!

by freshstart in

so my husband and i have a son who will be 2 years old next month and i really wanted him to be socialized more.

ever since we stopped going to meetings, we have been pretty much shunned even though there has never been an "official" reason for it (df, da..).

i am terribly introverted, so it's difficult for me to get out there and talk to people but our son is a people-person and i wanted him to have more peers to be around.

respectful_observer

Given your current limitations on physical activity, I'd recommend finding a "Learn to Swim" class for little kids.

A. It's low-impact and easy on you.

B. There will be lots of other kids there his age.

C. He gets to learn to swim, which is a great skill and a HUGE protection for any small child.

47

Credit card machines at district conventions

by OneDayillBeFree in

so it's true they are real.

i never thought i'd see the day when the org.

would be so desperate for money that they would do this.

respectful_observer

We've had them at our last few CAs and DCs.

Speaking from personal experience, I and most of my peers rarely carry any cash. As for writing a physical check, I probably write 1-2 a year, and whenever I have to it's only after a 15 minute hunt for the checkbook. So offering the option to use a card is simply more convenience than greed in my opinion.

I think the biggest reason it seems so much more garish is because with cash or a check, you can subtly slip it into a box (total time spent doing it: 2 seconds), whereas donating by card is much more of a production-- standing in line, swiping your card, entering the amount, entering your PIN, etc. It's pretty hard to be inconspicuous doing it that way. Plus they usually have someone standing there watching you do it, which makes it even more awkward.

Not that I actually ever donate anything anymore at the meetings, CAs, or DAs....

R_O

14

What's the latest "policy" on JW's attending non witness funerals held in churchs?

by Lynnie in

respectful_observer

I've had to serve as a pall bearer for several family funerals held in churches. An elder relative served with me on at least two occassions. He mandated that we not accompany the casket once we got up to the back row of pews and that we all sit in the back. We were instructed not STAND in the back, but to SIT only. That way, if someone turned around during a part of the mass where everyone was standing and saw us standing too, they might assume we were participating.

After he laid out all the rules, I asked "How would you feel if a non-JW relative came to the KH for my funeral talk, they refused to stand for a song or prayer and insisted they sit in a chair in the lobby for the whole thing. Wouldn't you find that disrespectful?"

His response: "Well that's entirely different."

Afterward, he only ever talks about how "impersonal" the mass was. The last time, I finally said "Really?? The priest spent a lot longer talking about him than we ever do at Witness memorial talks. Didn't you think so? After all, you've given plenty of funeral talks. Isn't the outline basically 'fill in the blank' for a few personal items, and the rest of it a talk?"

He didn't like that very much.

31

Apostates are desperately looking for a meme- From sparlock to Candace Conti, It doesnt make any sense

by Mr Facts in

apostates are desperately looking for a meme-.

from sparlock to candace conti, nobody knows what your next meme would be, you guys should really seek professional help, cos it doesnt make any sense.. .

.

respectful_observer

Ahhh...quite the opposite james_woods...apologies if my illustration left you with that impression. A Lamborghini Murcielago is perhaps the second-most divine physical creation ever crafted. When a less-than-perfect driver settles in behind the wheel, terrible things can happen.

The driver in this case had a cheap JCPenny's suit (paid for by someone else), a 60/40 blend shirt, and wearing a tie purchased at Men's Wearhouse (again, purchased by yet another person during a 2-for-1 sale). Yet, the Bible they have in their bookbag is a custom-bound NWT Reference Bible.

respectful_observer

Posts by respectful_observer