Posts by Listener

23

New York Bethel Bus Trip & MET Tour

by What Now? in

have any of you been on this tour before ... specifically the met tour?.

some of my family went on this trip recently and everyone i know that has gone on it before has been "blown away" by the special witness tour of the met, specicfically the "woman and the seed" tour.

anyone have any details?

Listener

It must be the equivelant to Disneyland for a JW.

22

Interesting quote from July 15, 2013 Watchtower

by Rufus T. Firefly in

the article who really is the faithful and discreet slave in the july 15, 2013, watchtower contains a curious comment.

in paragraph 10 it is stated: "in recent decades, that slave has been closely identified with the governing body of jehovah's witnesses.".

can anyone tell me who in recent decades has closely identified that slave with the gb?

Listener

They can't come straight out and say the FDS is the Governing Body because there was a member at one stage who wasn't anointed, so that idea goes straight out the door.

336

The New Diary of Winston Smith

by WinstonSmith in

we had to go off grid for a time, time and half a time as we thought we had been outed.

fortunately it was a false alarm, but it was a stressful time.

i asked for my original diary thread to be deleted in case there could be anything on there to identlfy mrs smith and i. i am always very careful when posting, and am sure there was nothing on there, but felt it best to have it removed in order to be as cautious as a dove.

Listener

Winston, you're doing this on purpose, the suspense is killing us. lol

106

NEW BIBLE

by The Searcher in

the following is part of an email from a retired district overseer in the states.

(source private).

"the new bible will be released at the agm and i understand only two versions will be printed from now on.

Listener

A poster on the JW only website makes a good point

"I'm confused as to why there would be a need for all this secrecy - Almost everyone I talk to thinks something is up in that area because so many haven't seen a new bible in a very long time, society has never been this late, how much does it take to get new glue, things are being hush hushed at the branch offices etc...

I don't think anyone that's paying attention will be surprised by its delivery now (should that take place). But it will be cool anyway to finally get my bible that I ordered 7 months ago. ha."

There would be hundreds of people involved in working on a new bible and they've all had to keep this a secret. There are probably a number of reasons why but it just demonstrates they care nothing for the r&f. Surely it would be appropriate for them to have told the brothers that there would be a shortage of english bibles because a new bible was being prepared and to just be patient and make do with the bibles they own for the time being.

Talk about cultish behaviour.

336

The New Diary of Winston Smith

by WinstonSmith in

we had to go off grid for a time, time and half a time as we thought we had been outed.

fortunately it was a false alarm, but it was a stressful time.

i asked for my original diary thread to be deleted in case there could be anything on there to identlfy mrs smith and i. i am always very careful when posting, and am sure there was nothing on there, but felt it best to have it removed in order to be as cautious as a dove.

Listener

You're sister must be going through a very hard time at the moment, having split up with her husband. That is enough for anyone to handle at any one time and it is understandable that she hasn't responded to your letter. Let's hope that you planted some seeds and she doesn't forget them in all her turmoil.

29

Timing of the "new light" study and the upcoming annual meeting

by stuckinamovement in

jw
friends

i find it interesting that the 7/15 watchtower will be studied from september 2-29th and then the annual meeting will be exactly one week after.

.

it strikes me as an effort to emphasize the fds and their role before a big announcement.. siam .

Listener

Here's an idea and it's based on something they've done before.

They may tell the JWs to sell their homes and all their material possessions and move to countries 'where the need is greater'. Give the money to them and they will supervise this work worldwide. For them it will be a demonstration of their trust and faith.

They could say that their internet presence is sufficient for Western countries to carry on the work along with the few brothers and sisters that cannot move, such as the sick and elderly. The numbers are not growing in the Western countries, whereas in the poorer countries there is a lot of potential and they don't have easy access to online preaching.

Such a radical move would go along with the comments made in their latest mag-

"3) At that time, the lifesaving direction that we receive from Jehovah’s organization may not appear practical from a human standpoint. All of us must be ready to obey any instructions we may receive, whether these appear sound from a strategic or human standpoint or not. (4) Now is the time for any who may be putting their trust in secular education, material things, or human institutions to adjust their thinking. The elders must stand ready to help any who may now be wavering in their faith."

The added benefit to the org, along with all the money, is their total reliance on them for their future financial support, they're even less likely to leave once they've talked them into doing this. It also goes along with their number one focus - the preaching work.

Imagine the publicity they would get with a sudden mass exodus of JWs and how close the JWs would think the end is with such a strong call to action.

9

WT Study for 2013/08/18 Jehovah's Generosity

by Bobcat in

for those who consider the wt study:.

there is an interesting distortion in this wt lesson.

paragraphs 4 - 8 form a sub-topic entitled "jehovah is generous.".

Listener

Thanks Bobcat you make some interesting points, they want the r & f to think they have been given all that they need.

7

JW 2013 Dissaster Plan

by scotoma in

jw
friends

has there been a thread on this yet.. i may have missed this..

Listener

They don't know how it is going to happen but elder's have been told in the latest mag-

(1) The most practical step that we can take to prepare for the coming attack of “the Assyrian” is that of strengthening our faith in God and helping our brothers to do the same.

(2) When “the Assyrian” attacks, the elders must be absolutely convinced that Jehovah will deliver us.

(3) At that time, the lifesaving direction that we receive from Jehovah’s organization may not appear practical from a human standpoint. All of us must be ready to obey any instructions we may receive, whether these appear sound from a strategic or human standpoint or not.

(4) Now is the time for any who may be putting their trust in secular education, material things, or human institutions to adjust their thinking. The elders must stand ready to help any who may now be wavering in their faith.

So apparently, it is the GB that will have a lifesaving plan at that time and it must be adhered to whether it makes any logical sense or not. In the meantime you can go to college, buy material things and look to the government/other organizations only if you believe they aren't helping you.

68

More fear and paranoia WT-style! (11/15/13 WT)

by LostGeneration in

i usually dismiss the "drinking the kool aid" scenarios that are posted from time to time, but the latest wt has another bit of fearmongering.

the quote from page 20, para 17. elders who are reading this article can draw some useful conclusions from the account we have just considered: (1) the most practical step that we can take to prepare for the coming attack of the assyrian is that of strengthening our faith in god and helping our brothers to do the same.

(2) when the assyrian attacks, the elders must be absolutely convinced that jehovah will deliver us.

Listener

That's a good question Data Dog. "Are they losing faith?" They are certainly demonstrating it in their grab for more power. When they (the GB) are looking at themselves they would have to ask if they are still recieving blessings from God and asking themselves how the holy spirit is being displayed amongst them.

39

WT November 15, 2013 on jw.org

by Gayle in

how can we maintain.

a waiting attitude?

article,,just to wait and wait and wait.

Listener

"To survive the tenth plague, the Israelites had to obey the instructions to have a special meal and to splash some of the blood of a slaughtered sheep on the doorposts and lintels of their houses. That direction did not come to them by means of a voice out of heaven. No, they had to listen to the older men of Israel, who in turn received specific instructions from Moses. (Ex. 12:1-7, 21-23, 29) In those circumstances,Moses and the older men acted as bearers of Jehovah’s instructions to his people. Christian elders fulfill a comparably vital function today."

No wonder they appointed themselves as the only Faithful & Discreet Slave that has ever been appointed, they have all authority and don't need voices from heaven in order to give instructions that must be obeyed.

"In order to remain united and safe within the flock of God, we need to listen to ‘a word behind us,’ telling us which way to go. This “word” includes what God’s holy spirit says as expressed through the Bible AND what Jehovah and Jesus say through those whom they have appointed as undershepherds.—"

Wow, the bible now is only part of what JWs need to listen to and it is the leaders who are now able to declare what God and Jesus say through them. Once upon a time the r & f could find what God's word was telling them through the pages of the bible but that's not enough these days.