Listener

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  22

  Chairman of the St Petersburg-based Administrative Centre of JWs issues press release - Forum 18

  by OrphanCrow in

  1. watchtower
  2. beliefs

  according to the latest forum 18 article, this is what happened in russia on march 15:.

  http://www.forum18.org/archive.php?article_id=2265.

  with immediate effect, a 15 march suspension order forbids the administrative centre and all its local religious organisations from "using state and municipal news media, organising and conducting assemblies, rallies, demonstrations, processions, picketing, and other mass actions or public events, and using bank deposits, with the exception of use for making payments connected with their economic activity, compensating for losses (damages) caused by their actions, and paying taxes, fees, or fines, and making payments based on labour contracts" .

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  Listener

  I agree with the views of the Russian ex JWs and thought they were stirring up trouble with their JW org video on banned books being planted in Russian Kingdom Halls.
  
  I am more convinced now that the video was fake and not real footage.
  
  Here's a comment made by the JW Branch Office in an interview
  
  http://www2.stetson.edu/~psteeves/relnews/170323a.html
  
  

  One can see on our website a film where the mechanism of a plant is recorded; there it is obvious how the materials are being planted and then police reports are composed on the basis of which local religious organizations are liquidated.

  
  There may be something lost in translation but he refers to the video as being a demonstration as to how these publications are being planted and not evidence or proof that they have been caught out by video in doing this.
  
  But the real problem is, the video, up on their JW site, shows that the organization is capable of producing its own propaganda, both of a high quality and viewable by millions. They can make these accusations, whether true or not, or exaggerated, and they won't remain quiet about them, even re-enacting situations making them look authentic. They have shown they have some valuable resources at their beck and call and are not hesitant in using them.
  
  There is also other, up to date, info regarding the Russian situation on the website.
  
  http://www2.stetson.edu/~psteeves/relnews/00currentchoices.shtml
  
  
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  16

  Happy To Report

  by ctrwtf in

  1. jw
  2. friends

  on my commute past 25 columbia heights, i noticed that the large 25'x25' jworg sign has come down.. i'm sure the sentiments of the entire brooklyn heights neighborhood are something like, "don't let the door hit you on the way out.

  ".

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  Listener

  No problems Yoko. I love the way that you probe into matters.
  
  As you saw, the link was to another thread on this forum. So many issues have been discussed in depth on this site over many years. Thanks goes to Simon for maintaining this.
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  16

  Happy To Report

  by ctrwtf in

  1. jw
  2. friends

  on my commute past 25 columbia heights, i noticed that the large 25'x25' jworg sign has come down.. i'm sure the sentiments of the entire brooklyn heights neighborhood are something like, "don't let the door hit you on the way out.

  ".

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  Listener

  Yoko N, there is some more information on this link

  https://www.jehovahs-witness.com/topic/6227916228657152/witnesses-pledge-5-5m-fix-crummy-dumbo-park
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  43

  Watchtower today

  by Gorbatchov in

  1. jw
  2. friends

  today a main point in the wt was a guess game.. the study elder asked: .

  what's wrong on the picture?.

  before i share the local conclusions here, i would like to hear the comments made in your congregation 😎.

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  Listener

  I guess no one said it was inappropriate to be gossiping about these brothers and even worse for the whole congregation to be doing it.
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  26

  Russia and the letter writing

  by Listener in

  1. watchtower
  2. beliefs

  this is the whole of the instructions that the watchtower gave jws when writing to russian officials -.

  content • you are writing to the official to request his intervention.

  express the hope that the russian authorities will stop the legal action being taken against the branch office and the congregations in russia so that our brothers and sisters can continue to gather peacefully for christian meetings without interference.

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  Listener

  Here's a good source of information regarding the Russian JW situation.

  http://www2.stetson.edu/~psteeves/relnews/00currentchoices.shtml

  They've asked for permission to be put into a large courtroom that will hold more than 200 people and to record the hearing.

  Even in Russia the bearings are nothing like a JW judicial hearing.
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  26

  Russia and the letter writing

  by Listener in

  1. watchtower
  2. beliefs

  this is the whole of the instructions that the watchtower gave jws when writing to russian officials -.

  content • you are writing to the official to request his intervention.

  express the hope that the russian authorities will stop the legal action being taken against the branch office and the congregations in russia so that our brothers and sisters can continue to gather peacefully for christian meetings without interference.

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  Listener

  Thanks for sharing Tahoe. It is amazing how difficult it is for some JWs to follow instructions, only his final paragraph was in accordance with those instructions. Even posting the letter on his forum was ignoring the instructions which state "No copies of letters need to be sent to the elders, to the branch office, or to anyone else."
  
  The response from one poster to that letter was very good, they said
  
  

  I agree with Chris Mazz. We cannot accuse the church nor government officials of wrongdoing when we have no proof. We cannot even be considered eye witnesses of those things; such as planting evidence. We also don't get rid of or destroy our publications just because they ban them. We hide them. Let's be honest and stick to facts, leaving out unnecessary things, always remembering to keep our words seasoned with kindness and respect. And remember, these people are going to be inundated with literally millions of pieces of mail. Let's keep it short and to the point.

  
  Good on this guy for his sincerity. The organization has posted a video (possibly two) claiming and visually showing officials planting banned material in a Russian Kingdom Hall and yet this guy reminds other JWs that they personally have no proof that this occurred. I have confidence that if he is a JW, he'll soon see through all the propaganda.
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  26

  Russia and the letter writing

  by Listener in

  1. watchtower
  2. beliefs

  this is the whole of the instructions that the watchtower gave jws when writing to russian officials -.

  content • you are writing to the official to request his intervention.

  express the hope that the russian authorities will stop the legal action being taken against the branch office and the congregations in russia so that our brothers and sisters can continue to gather peacefully for christian meetings without interference.

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  Listener

  This is the whole of the instructions that the Watchtower gave JWs when writing to Russian officials -
  
  

  Content • You are writing to the official to request his intervention. Express the hope that the Russian authorities will stop the legal action being taken against the branch office and the congregations in Russia so that our brothers and sisters can continue to gather peacefully for Christian meetings without interference. You could express appreciation for the laws of the Russian government that guarantee freedom of religion to all citizens. • Letters should be candid but respectful. Summarize key facts in your own words. Letters may refer to one or two facts listed below or more recent information published on jw.org. Keep in mind that “a mild answer turns away rage,” and “a gentle tongue can break a bone.”—Prov. 15:1; 25:15. • You could briefly mention how our meetings and publications have benefited you personally and your family. Do not mention the names of individuals in Russia who are Jehovah’s Witnesses.

  
  Notice how they have been instructed to only address the request that they be allowed to meet together. Why not include the request to continue preaching or importing publications? The only focus is on meeting together, which requires Watchtower owned Kingdom Halls.

  Could I just read one scriptural point, because not all of the Commissioners were here for the hearing, and I - this is really the basis for our thinking on these scriptural matters on which we find disagreement. So we appreciate there is disagreement. This is in the Bible Book of Isaiah, chapter 33, and it talks about the laws under which Jehovah's Witnesses believe we come. Chapter 33, verse 22. It says:
  For Jehovah is our judge. Jehovah is our lawgiver. Jehovah is our king.
  So that covers every aspect of the legislative, the executive, the judicial process, all Jehovah God reserves to himself. Now, we understand scripturally he delegates some of that authority to congregations, to families, husbands, wives, parents. But ultimately, if God's word provides a direction on a certain doctrine, Jehovah's Witnesses are bound by that, regardless of how others may view that.

  
  
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  80

  Governing Body of Jehovah's Witnesses launches worldwide campaign againt Russia

  by jwleaks in

  1. watchtower
  2. scandals

  jehovah's witnesses mobilize global response to threat of ban in russia.

  march 21, 2017. https://www.jw.org/en/news/releases/by-region/russia/jw-mobilize-global-response-to-threat-of-ban/.

  new york—threatened with an imminent ban on their worship in russia, jehovah’s witnesses are responding with a direct appeal to kremlin and supreme court officials for relief through a global letter-writing campaign.

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  Listener

  They've been instructed not to email, why not? At least the emails could be easily translated.

  Who would appreciate millions of letters being sent to them? This is a physical action designed to annoy the government, they do not have the resources to manage this.
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  10

  March 19, 2017 TO ALL CONGREGATIONS IN THE UNITED STATES BRANCH TERRITORY Re: Guest Rooming for Publishers Visiting Bethel Facilities

  by wifibandit in

  1. watchtower
  2. beliefs

  march 19, 2017 to all congregations in the united states branch territory re: guest rooming for publishers visiting bethel facilities.

  bethel visitors guest room request—instructions.

  bethel visitors guest room request.

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  Listener

  "Discretion should especially be exercised when

  considering publishers who are experiencing difficulties in their lives. Such ones might include

  those dealing with family problems and who will be traveling without their mates."

  It is likely that both Russell and Rutherford would not have qualified.
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  347

  ARC - Case Study 54 - All Exhibits have been released

  by jwleaks in

  1. watchtower
  2. child-abuse

  all exhibits for case study 54, jehovah's witnesses and watchtower, have been released by the arc.. http://www.childabuseroyalcommission.gov.au/exhibits/10908a67-70c5-4103-94cc-dac096fdb585/case-study-54,-march-2017,-sydney.

  exhibit list.

  joint statement of o'brien and spinks.

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  Listener

  Fisherman (re diversionary tactics) "Which one?"

  As an example, this one will do. Talking about diversionary tactics would just be another diversion.

  _________

  The Watchtower were given a very bad report by the Commission after the first hearing, I expect the one to come will be far worse.