How many of the GB are left? Do they even have enough for a 2/3 majority? Those guys have gotta be nearly extinct by now.
Did I miss something? New people let in with that reorg?
Posts by jws
-
10Had A Visit Today!
by Undecided ini was in the yard and this car pulled up to the driveway and a couple of jws stepped out.
(one of them was the guy i mentioned the other day who made the unbelievable remarks) the co is in town and they invited me to the kh.
we talked a few minutes and i gave them a few things to think about.
-
-
-
10
I'm soo excited!!
by worldly girl ini just had to share that we finally closed on our house... after waiting for almost 2 months!!
just so everyone knows, when we get settled, i'm planning to have a "get together"< roflmao, never thought i'd use that phrase!
so i may be inactive on here for awhile while we get settled!!
-
-
jws
! So I may be inactive on here for awhile while we get settled!!
Oh no, not inactive! Maybe you could spend at least 15 minutes on this board in the next few weeks. Then you can report that time to keep from going inactive.
-
9
A conversation with my JW sister
by larc inbefore i tell you about the conversation, i need to give you some background.
i am 62 and my jw sister is 58. i left the religion when i was 22. that was 40 years ago.
in 1981, she read the hard stance article about those who have left and did not talk to me in more than a cursory way for 15 years.
-
-
jws
Thirdson,
To clarify, JWs believe their message must be "preached in all the inhabited earth". Technically, they don't say people have to listen and convert.
If they aren't preaching in China or Iraq, then obviously they are not preaching in all the inhabited earth. But if they do get in and start preaching, then they will count this, even if nobody listens.
-
8
Introducing your Loved ones to COC
by JG inhow would you try to introduce crisis of conscience to your family.
it is so well known as oppostate and immediately brushed off.
i would like to get my wife and her family to read coc.
-
-
jws
The original post seems like it's saying they're ex-dubs. Is this correct?
I've had no problem with my family members who are ex-JWs. From my 2 parents who started in it, they lured in other family members (and others born into it). In all, there were 14. 2 died in it and of the other 12, only 3 are still JWs. The rest have all dropped out.
They've all left for their own reasons, which is why introducing CoC worked with them. My niece left, but still kept feeling guilty, like maybe they're right. I sent her CoC. Recently an aunt made contact after not hearing from her for about 15 years. She dropped out and sounds like her son went apostate and was still bitter about it. I told her about CoC and she ordered copies for herself and her son. Might help explain why they feel like they do and do some healing.
Bottom line, is if they are ex JWs, they have their own gripe with the WTBS and introducing it may not be that hard. For current JWs, I honestly can't say. My dad won't get near any of that stuff. And you run the risk of being shunned by introducing it.
One thing I thought of mentioning was the whole 1914 chapter. How they proposed the genea explaination for generation back in the 70's (or was it early 80's) and it wasn't until 1994 that that was adopted. I thought that would strike up an interest. Like, how did an "apostate" know about genea not being a lifetime before we as JWs collectively "realized" it? Then it would lead to further questions, like, was this really proposed way back then? And why didn't the governing body realize it was the truth way back then, if they are really directed by God? Maybe even lead to questioning how the GB actually makes policy. And, luckily, there are chapters on that. (to clarify, I don't believe their twist on genea either - another dodge to buy time)
I was still a JW when I read it, but inactive. Once I started, I couldn't put it down. It's been years since I've read it. Maybe if you could photocopy a few of the historical parts. The less controversial ones - pages where they aren't being criticized too harshly. Ask them if they want to read it. Might whet their appetite for more.
-
7
Why so little on-line media?
by jws ini'm wondering why the wtbs doesn't do more in the electronic media form.
they seem to have a few selected articles and such on their website, but by no means a comprehensive selection of literature, videos, etc.
on line.
-
-
jws
I know all the donations and book sales (though cheap by bookstore prices) all add up and there must be incredible wealth being made. I think it was Franz that said people even leave the WTBS in their wills.
Guess I was never one to believe they were in it for the money. I just can't picture them in the same category as televangelists like Robert Tilton. I don't recall Franz making too much of it. If he did, I've forgotten (it's been several years).
Accumulating great wealth is one thing, abusing it is another. Guess I don't really recall hearing of abuse of it - which typically seems to go hand-in-hand with greed. I don't hear of lavish, rock-star style lifestyles. The men at the top no doubt live in comfort, but I would guess that whatever that is, it is still paltry by comparison to heads of other businesses.
I think a lot of it is driven by sincerity. If they were not sincere, and only in it for the money, why be so dogmatic? Why not create a religion that is more appealing? Why not encourage college so that your donors have bigger pocketbooks? Why kick potential donors out? Out of a potentially vast fortune, where is that money going? Is it sitting in bank accounts for emergency needs or future lawsuits? I think think that they truly believe most of what they teach and aren't just designing everything as a way to roll in more money.
If you want to look at them as greedy, certain things do add up. Why "loan" money for new Kingdom Halls, why not "give" it? Why not make media available for free on the web? Why fight so vigorously to avoid sales taxes and change to the donation policy for literature (to avoid taxes), if you're not in it for every last penny?
I personally lean toward the belief that it is a control issue. Like Simon said, the publications don't stand on their own. They need to be accompanied by somebody who is reinforcing those views. It's much like when I used to go door-to-door and say I was a Bible student, not a Jehovah's Witness, because the truth about JWs is scary. I would dance around issues, like never telling the householder, "If you don't become a JW, you're going to die". Their literature is meant, mostly for the believer, not for the public. Only certain literature is for the public eye. The rest needs an interpreter to lessen the impact of the BS.
-
10
JWs & Noah's Flood -- A great laugh...
by Pronger inproof according to jws that the flood really happened.
http://jwzone.org/forums/showthread.php?s=739a65ad661650f6fd292a35392f96ae&threadid=5681
additionally the diversity of the human genome would have been.
-
-
jws
I started reading a thread about whether or not there would be technology in "the new world". One of them started thinking about something he might have seen, maybe in print, dated such-and-such.
Gets be angry every time. Why are their publications the answer? Can't they quote the Bible? Can't they think for themselves and even if they're speculating, speculate for themselves based on what they read in the Bible? No, even speculations are the sole property of a bunch of old, out-of-touch men in New York. And taken as gospel too. The WTBS says "maybe this" and then they believe that's the way it will be and will argue that point-of-view to the death with you (until it changes again).
That wtzone is so full of non-thinking drones. Reinforces my decision to stay away every time I read them. It's sometimes worth a laugh though.
-
6
Congregation given gagging order after mugging
by ballistic inin a congregation near to me, an elders son made headline news in the local paper after mugging someone to steal their wallet and coat.
although the newspaper named him and reported that he had been arrested for the said crimes, an elder made a serious toned announcement at the following thursday meeting that any gossip about the matter would be speculation and possible slander and went on to admonish everyone from the bible to not carry on loose talk.. the reason i bring this up is not becuase of the conduct of the lad who had obviously decided to leave the land of jw, but the announcement.
the fact it was an elders son got this special attention - at least i think so.
-
-
jws
Don't know the exact circumstances, and I'm probably wrong. But just to provide one possible "valid" explanation would be that the guy may not have been convicted yet. Has there been a trial? Though we don't always remember that fact, here in the US, the guy is supposed to be innocent until proven guilty. If you'll notice, even newspapers will refer to the suspect as "alleged" until after convicted in court. Maybe this is what they're thinking.
-
10
About my trip to Vegas
by Jesika inwell, like i said we stayed at the luxor hotel and it was amazing.
the egyptian theme was breath taking.
i played blackjack and some slots while we were there, won some lost some, but ultimately lost.
-
-
jws
Don't mean to change the subject, but this being a JW board and the subject of gambling...
Was staying at the Reno Hilton on business a couple of years ago. We were working the weekend and as we were coming and going to the hotel, I saw all these people kinda dressed up on Saturday. I'm thinking some business convention. But with kids? Maybe a wedding. But they were there again on Sunday. OK, so it's not a wedding.
Then I happen to notice a songbook and a NWT in one of their hands. They were having a JW convention or something in one of the hotel's meeting facilities. It was funny to watch them steer clear of all the slot machines. Some cut through the casino. Thought of harassing one of them about being in a casino, but never did.
Thought it strange though. Once I knew who they were, it struck me as odd as to how concealed that fact actually was. Many had their books in briefcases or bags. They did not have them out. I've been to conventions and halls before. They usually have their books out.
Were they simply embarassed to be out in public and hiding them? Or were they specifically instructed to hide them so as not to give "the world" the impression that JWs were in a gambling facility?
Any ex-JWs from Nevada know whether they do this?
-
7
Why so little on-line media?
by jws ini'm wondering why the wtbs doesn't do more in the electronic media form.
they seem to have a few selected articles and such on their website, but by no means a comprehensive selection of literature, videos, etc.
on line.
-
-
jws
I'm wondering why the WTBS doesn't do more in the electronic media form. They seem to have a few selected articles and such on their website, but by no means a comprehensive selection of literature, videos, etc. on line. Wonder why.
It would seem to me with recent efforts to reduce printing costs (going to paperback books), on-line books that people can download and print themselves (or maybe never print) would be cheaper. Maybe download them right to a PDA. And they can look identical with a PDF format. And if this stuff is supposed to be from God, through his faithful and discreet slave, why not make it openly available to the world? I can find Bibles online, why not WTBS literature?
Does the bandwidth cost too much - printing still cheaper?
Does it open them up to scrutiny by people like us who can use their own publications against them? Hey, if it's "the truth", why worry?
Are they afraid people will see just how wacky they are? That newly interested ones should only be exposed when somebody is there to steer them in the right (well actually wrong) direction?
Would that bring too many JWs on-line into that big, bad world of the internet? Where the WTBS is compelled to have an internet presense, but they really don't want the rank-and-file on-line?
Or are they really just greedy and know they can get more money/donations through print?
-
8
Weekend Fluff: DVD Gripe
by Bendrr ini love dvd's.
i've got a pretty good surround sound system built for it, full size speakers, subwoofer (soon to be upgraded), decent-sized tv.
and i rarely rent, i prefer to buy.
-
-
jws
I've had the same experience as posted with the Pearl Jam DVD. Luckily, it's been an isolated case and another DVD off the shelf fixes the problem.
Wierd that they'd all be messed up. Maybe Pearl Jam decided not to use the "establishment"'s DVD-case maker and do it with their own "non-establishment" manufacturer, like their TicketMaster fiasco a few years back.
-j.w.s.