somebody mentioned in a recent topic that they had a conversation with a former elder whose breaking point was when the overlapping generation was highlighted in recent times and how he would never serve again until somebody gave him a scriptural reason to believe it.
i am in a similar position.
i have gone in the last 18 months from taking the wt study, leading fs groups, and doing talks on the mtngs to doing almost nothing, as i resigned a little over a year ago as an elder due to a combination of family responsibilities and huge doubts.
Sabin to your question "what is it easier for us to say, "I don't believe this is Gods organization, or I don't believe God would approve of protecting child molesters". it's the same thing is it not."
Personally I would tend to the latter, but it is the same thing.
I'm always left wondering how the Jews would likely stone a child molester yet we send them door to door. I don't think Christ would approve.
somebody mentioned in a recent topic that they had a conversation with a former elder whose breaking point was when the overlapping generation was highlighted in recent times and how he would never serve again until somebody gave him a scriptural reason to believe it.
i am in a similar position.
i have gone in the last 18 months from taking the wt study, leading fs groups, and doing talks on the mtngs to doing almost nothing, as i resigned a little over a year ago as an elder due to a combination of family responsibilities and huge doubts.
Sabin,
it has ruffled a few feathers to say the least. The most surprising reaction was "in" family over the friends. In some cases I know it has caused many to gossip and wonder, as I've only told some tiny bits to those "in" family whom I thought could handle it (they couldn't).
Walking away was easier than I thought, at the time I had the protection of every child on my mind. As I said to my wife that if anyone has a problem with me wanting to protect children over a bunch of pedo's and thinks I'm crazy, then how in Gods name can this not be a cult.
I think its different when its a line that has to be crossed over a doctrine difference. The can be the same, but its not typical.
somebody mentioned in a recent topic that they had a conversation with a former elder whose breaking point was when the overlapping generation was highlighted in recent times and how he would never serve again until somebody gave him a scriptural reason to believe it.
i am in a similar position.
i have gone in the last 18 months from taking the wt study, leading fs groups, and doing talks on the mtngs to doing almost nothing, as i resigned a little over a year ago as an elder due to a combination of family responsibilities and huge doubts.
I can't help but think that the hero complex is what delusioned so many elders. The hero being the GB, then with the video's we now see what you can't ignore, and it saddens so many elders who are lacking the superiority complexes. What it has done is magnify the doubts. These men were on pedestals and could do no wrong, now you see them on TV as men, and the mistakes manifest themselves quickly.
I saw it in the elder body I was part of this year that the GB themselves are making it worse not better. Especially after AMIII tight pants talk last year.
I left quite simply after I said I would never do what they asked with regards to a child abuse case. Some lines can't be crossed. Like you I see that it was clearly the correct decision, and that my conscience is much cleaner now that the WT is not leading my family and I down a hole they would have further difficulty going down.
To those that have stepped down and remained in the congregation, I applaud your first step of a difficult journey. Just don't let doubts be your first and last step.
i am jehovah's witness, despite some of the questionable teachings, crimes, and other outlandish behaviors of specific people affiliated with the religion.
i know that my relationship with jehovah is not influenced by any outside factors.
i do not condone any crime.
lovesjehovah,
The point your likely missing is that on this site its a mix of people that are agnostic, atheist, or doubters, but the underlying them is that there is a distrust of the organization that claims to be God's sole channel.
The reality is that if you are a lover of truth, they you can't ignore the issues that God would have with the Watchtower.
The bible asks us to become Christians or followers of Christ...so how can/or why should one even identify themselves as a Jehovah's Witness, as that would be contrary to what the bible asks of us?
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gmbpbb5k_mc
Well it would appear they are not even that comfortable with what they are talking about. The thing I can't help but wonder is if its crucial for them to have Fred Franz to make this whole overlap work?
Else, why even defend it? Still your relying on a handwritten note found in a suitcase. It's like saying Colonel Mustard did it with the candlestick in the library is more credible.
They must also have so 40 year old partakers....
Funny times in JW land - Can't believe I even followed this....
saw this video of a brave woman who gave a da letter and an elder tries to talk with her.
this guy comes across has full of shite, and you know he would be a different person if there were other elders around with him.
kangaroo court jokers is what comes to my mind.
Some of us didn't sleep at night. It's why we are no longer affiliated with the GB. Tough video though, he looks like he wants to help but the GB policies are his priorities.
Love to know more about her and just offer her up commendation for being strong.
i don't have all the details of their new "service year" numbers, but i have read enough on jwn to state my opinion pretty strongly.. memorial attendance for 2015 was down.while they kept saying they were going to build a bunch of new kingdom halls, and everybody is still in recovery from watchtower taking all the local money away, they say pretty much that there isn't enough money to build new kingdom halls.putting gb members on the videos at jw .
org has allowed people to really put a face and personality to these guys and remove the mystery of how they should be such deeply spiritual serious men.
instead they see silly thoughts about tight pants and, really everything that comes out of lett's mouth is delivered ultra-goofy, along with the money reports.. the gb lost credibility a little more with every new light that shone down, with the strangest one being "overlapping generation.
The critical piece of information is in the geographic growth/loss. If there is a loss, or even a zero gain in the USA, it will indicate if the peak has indeed been reached.
Still interesting that we have yet to see that country breakdown yet. What will also be telling is the spend year over year for kingdom service that they usually list out, while a lump sum if its down or up will say much.
I'm just not sure if the pinnacle of growth is there without the data. Its possible that it was the prior year.
While I agree that financial is importing, the reality is that if your lacking funds you adjust your business model to move on. Making money in religion is like shooting fish in a barrel. You adjust and you survive. Just like Jim and Tammy Faye Baker.
Membership is the critical piece.
nothing unusual here. Most congregations get printing done on memorial invites, etc.
keeps the elder/pioneer at the local printer using his employee discount to print the times.
i here jw saying the df arrangement is loveing is the shunning arrangement also loveing?
forgive the humor but its mid-week.
Absolutely Required Shunning Edict (or ARSE for short). So when someone is naughty you have to be an ARSE to them.
i here jw saying the df arrangement is loveing is the shunning arrangement also loveing?
I wonder if its more of an edict than a practice. The Shunning Edict/ Disfellowshipping Edict.
I only say edict as that it is defined as a command.
