respectful_observer

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Posts by respectful_observer

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  78

  So What Drastic Money Change is Next?

  by OnTheWayOut in

  1. jw
  2. friends

  okay, they cheapened the product by getting rid of hardcover books.

  they reduced printing of mags.

  they drastically reduced the number of pieces of printed paper that members would "place" in people's hands in various ways, the biggest one being that they put them on a cart and don't encourage people to take them.they cut d.o.

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  respectful_observer

  I expect that congregations that are not donating enough each month will be given the amount that is expected to be received from them and thus could be based on a publisher head count just as are the circuit assembly costs.

  Yup, I've speculated on that exact scenario. It's simply too easy for them to roll this out as "nothing to see here...business as usual. Brothers, your congregation already commits to a pre-determined amount each month. At the Circuit level you already use a per-publisher calculation methodology; your congregation already uses a per-publisher donation calculation for CO insurance, disaster fund, etc., so nothing has really changed!"

  BAM!: Tithing-lite
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  51

  I just watched the final video from this years convention. OMG!!!

  by NikL in

  1. jw
  2. friends

  i am shaking all over right now.

  i think it's worse that the bunker video.. i used to think there was no way that these people would actually "drink the cool aid" if you get my drift, but seeing this video i am now not sure it could never happen.. having a wife who i love dearly trapped in this cult is really freaking me out right now...

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  respectful_observer

  Think about it brothers, because it could happen, we were told.

  Honestly, I think that's why the GB has started to embrace these fundy-style videos. For decades they've been claiming that at any moment "Peace and Security!" will be declared, the UN will turn on False Religion, etc. It must be immensely frustrating for the GB that world events and conditions just refuse to comply with their view of the end of the world and death of billions.

  How to scare Western JWs into believing the governments are about to turn on us , take our Bibles, etc., when there's absolutely zero events pointing that will happen? Make it up and put it in a video!
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  51

  I just watched the final video from this years convention. OMG!!!

  by NikL in

  1. jw
  2. friends

  i am shaking all over right now.

  i think it's worse that the bunker video.. i used to think there was no way that these people would actually "drink the cool aid" if you get my drift, but seeing this video i am now not sure it could never happen.. having a wife who i love dearly trapped in this cult is really freaking me out right now...

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  respectful_observer

  He was among those encircling the JWs, weilding a stick and inexplicably sporting a headband.

  I think I see him in the back...

  
  
  
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  34

  Impact of GDPR on WT HQ and EU branches?

  by respectful_observer in

  1. watchtower
  2. beliefs

  curious if any of our eu-based members (especially those still in) have heard anything from official wt channels on how the organisation plans to be in compliance with gdpr ("general data protection regulations") by may 2018?

  it's my understanding that religious organisations must comply, and that religious data is treated a "protected" and therefore subject to some enhance requirements.. specifically, how will they comply with the following requirements:.

  you must disclose to the individual: what data you collect on them, why, and what you do with the data (including what other parties receive the data and what they do with it).

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  respectful_observer

  We’ve had 3 families in our hall not sign anything despite the elders naming and shaming them amongst themselves and then having all their privileges removed.

  Next up... a marking talk about "the dangers of not showing complete trust in the Governing Body 'Faithful and Discreet Slave'"?
  
  
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  32

  Scary Effectiveness of Assembly Videos

  by Captain Schmideo2 in

  1. jw
  2. friends

  well, i got to see the final day of this years regional convention.and i saw something that disturbs me.. the final, "summing up review" video.

  it disturbs me because it was so well done.

  (i wish i could remember the title of the song), to the strains of a solo vocalist singing in a fine "irish tenor", we see the actors from the previous videos of the last few days all assembling together in a clearing.

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  respectful_observer

  I'm a little disappointed they didn't have any rebellious headband-wearing hippies harassing them in the field...

  
  
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  27

  CO asked for everyone 20 years old & younger for a group photo

  by LevelThePlayingField in

  1. watchtower
  2. beliefs

  there was a co visit in ohio a couple weeks ago.

  when he was finishing up his sunday talk he said that he would like if "all the children that are from this congregation, not if you're just visiting, but from this congregation to come on up on the stage right after the meeting because i want to get a picture of you.".

  i thought to myself, why?

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  respectful_observer

  I've heard the COs are told to keep their eyes open for photogenic kids that might be used by the WT art/video dept later. This is prob just a subtle way to do that, and then it gets sent into the branch with his congregation report.
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  13

  Evening gala/ball

  by Researchedandenlightened in

  1. jw
  2. friends

  can anyone tell me when, and why jehovahs witnesses hold evening gala,s / ball with full tuxedo,s and evening gowns ?

  is it uk only as i have heard family throughout the uk attend these events (jw only) of course !.

  what is the purpose of these events and how long have the dubs being doing so ?

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  respectful_observer

  There were quite a few of these in my later teen years through early 30s.

  In my view, there were a few of likely reasons.

  1. Most/many witnesses never participated in typical "rites of passage"-- school dances, junior/senior proms, homecoming dances, etc. These formals allow them to experience something similar.

  2. They tend to be a good opportunity to expand your dating pool. Look your best and meet prospective boyfriends/girlfriends.

  3. My personal feeling is JWs dressing more formally than the average person on the street for events like church, these "formals", etc., is rooted in an inherent inferiority complex. Deep in their brains, they realize their general lack of college education excludes them from many of the career choices "The World" sees as prestigious, or at least upper middle class. As a result, they try (albeit misguided) to "dress the part"-- silk pocket handkerchiefs (please, that is so 1990s Men's Wearhouse...along with dark colored dress shirts...pretty sure JWs are the only ones who still buy/wear those), pinkie signet rings, etc. Attending a formal, black tie affair is just another manifestation of that, for many. Of course, hosting said Black Tie Affair at the local public rental hall instead of the St. Regis, Ritz, private club, rather takes away the grandeur.

  4. As @just fine says, it's "just fun to get dressed up"
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  27

  Do any of the JWs go out door to door with a territory any more?

  by Spiral in

  1. watchtower
  2. beliefs

  i actually had a neighbor ask me that the other day (she knows i'm an "ex" jw) and i didn't really know the answer.

  i know there's a bit of cart witnessing going on (small town) and a lot of driving around to return visits.. but are they actually doing territory, not-at-homes, all of that?

  the neighbor said that eight years ago, when she bought her house, the jws were by "all the time".

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  respectful_observer

  Our last house was in another congregation’s territory (so no local JWs would have known to skip it). In almost four years, we never got a knock on the door or a tract, Memorial invitation, etc.
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  26

  How to "turn the tables" on still-in witness who pry about our status.

  by stuckinarut2 in

  1. jw
  2. friends

  so many of us have had (perhaps well-meaning) jws ask us questions about our inactivity, or lack of attendance at meetings.

  they may pry about why..... how is this for a simple, yet straight to the point response?

  to a sincere person, it may play on their mind and make them ask more questions.

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  respectful_observer

  Here are few related threads (but don't think any are the one I was thinking of)...will keep looking:

  https://www.jehovahs-witness.com/topic/246661/wake-up-your-family-through-family-worship-night

  https://www.jehovahs-witness.com/topic/5089127133347840/simple-yet-very-effective-way-all-spread-ttatt-current-jw-family-friends-possible-game-changer

  https://www.jehovahs-witness.com/topic/254990/exjw-psychology-102-how-ask-question-when-questions-arent-allowed
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  28

  GDPR: help for PIMOs

  by Fay Dehr in

  1. watchtower
  2. beliefs

  we urgently need to offer "resistance strategy" help to pimos who are likely to be harassed by elders seeking their consent for wtbt$ to leech their data.

  what questions could pimos ask elders, that elders would be unable to answer?

  (thus buying time, because elder would need to "check with branch").

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  respectful_observer

  Linking to earlier discussion: https://www.jehovahs-witness.com/topic/4903326916280320/impact-gdpr-on-wt-hq-eu-branches

  Perhaps someone can frame it this way:

  "Thanks for the form. I've actually been asked to sign several of these lately (which may likely be true given the newness of the regulation). In fact my employer had a info sessions on the issue. They recommended that before we ever sign these, we have IN WRITING, the answers to the following 6 requirements of GDPR, and that if that organization refuses, we should refuse to sign (these points are extracted directly from GDPR requirements). I've reviewed the Global Data Protection Policy on jdub.org, but those points did not provide clear answers to these points:

  1. You must disclose to the individual: what data you collect on them, why, and what you do with the data (including what other parties receive the data and what they do with it)
  2. The individual must provide their written explicit consent that they agree to have the entity retain their data in the manner disclosed. Any changes to the terms require new consent from the individual
  3. Data collection must be proportional (i.e., only necessary data may be collected and can only be used for what you've previously disclosed to the individual)
  4. You can only keep the data as long as absolutely necessary, and must delete afterward. (e.g., even if a person demands deletion of their data, the organisation may be required to retain certain data points such as financial/tax data attached to a contribution)
  5. The individual must have: rights of access to all their data, the ability to correct it, and object to it
  6. The individual must have the "Right to be Forgotten" (i.e., they must be able to dictate that all their data be permanently erased

  Can you please provide that before I sign?"

  No doubt they'll freak out since you've asked for something "IN WRITING", which the Service Dept with be loathe to comply with. Of course it will be up to you how to navigate these waters afterward.

  Perhaps ask, "so what are the consequences of not signing?" After they're response: "Hmmm....that seems like there's quite a lot of pressure for me to sign. Not having specific answers to my questions in writing, and this pressure to comply is making me feel very uncomfortable."