Listener

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Posts by Listener

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  18

  Northern California Elder Charged with Lewd Acts with a Child

  by cappytan in

  1. watchtower
  2. child-abuse

  this guy, dale standridge, was the coordinator of the body of elders in the eureka east congregation in humboltd county california.

  http://johnchiv.blogspot.com/2015/11/100000-bail-for-dale-standbridge.html?m=1.

  it's not getting a lot of play in the press for some reason.

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  Listener

  There may not be much news coverage yet because he has only been charged and not found guilty.
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  1

  I found this moving so I wanted to pass it on...

  by Bob Loblaw in

  1. jw
  2. friends

  there can be so much shit in this world.

  groups like jw's and other cults who can tear apart families and inflict mental and emotional harm to radical groups like isil who murder innocent people.

  it just all seems like such utter bullshit.. then their are special people in this world that help inspire and bring hope.. i don't know if this is true or not, but i feel like this person's act of kindness is more powerful than anything the jw religion has done in it's entire existence.. http://www.greatbigstory.com/stories/the-gnomist.

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  Listener

  It's a beautiful story and very creative. I thought it was lovely how the mother involved her children in making this place a little more magical with so much spiritual thoughts behind it, both for themselves and for others.

  Then there is the practical aspect. You can't have people just go into a publicly listed forest and start modifying it. The beauty of the forest should perhaps be left as it is for people to enjoy nature to it's fullest extent rather than 'disneyfying' it. However, I think there could be opportunities to expand on this idea.

  Perhaps it is possible to create inspirational areas set aside within cities or country areas. We already have parks with children's play areas and could easily extend it but it's highly unlikely as it would require too much red tape and a big likelihood of vandalism.

  The little firefly forest was nice while it lasted but unfortunately anything good in this world today does not have much hope of lasting very long. Let's hope that something more can come from this.
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  28

  I'm a cynical, sarcastic and curmudgeonly old bastard most of the time.

  by nicolaou in

  1. jw
  2. experiences

  but as i move into my early 50's i find i'm more and more comfortable in my thick, leathery hide.. please get it into your thick skull's that i don't insult or make snarky comments with the intent of hurting anyone's feelings.

  that being said, if your precious feelings are hurt it's probably your fault for being a prissy, over sensitive drama queen who can't defend his argument.. i do actually love you all, it's just that most of the time you spineless pussies really get on my nerves!.

  good god i feel better for that!

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  Listener

  I do actually love you all, it's just that most of the time you spineless pussies really get on my nerves!

  No offence but it doesn't sound like you have a thick, leathery hide and by your own confession you are the one that allow us to get on your nerves.

  That being said, if your precious feelings are hurt it's probably your fault for being a prissy, over sensitive drama queen who can't defend his argument.

  I appreciate the irony of your post.
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  129

  Silent And Sweet Rebellion Going On Within JW Organization!

  by lsw1961 in

  1. watchtower
  2. beliefs

  after 1975, the vast majority remained as though nothing has happened.

  but some left the organization.

  however, there arose a third category who did not leave the organization, but brought a new view into their heart: jws are right in their core cause (gods kingdom as the solution to mankinds problems) but may or may not be right in their supplementary teachings, hence are not bothered about changes happening in this unimportant area..

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  Listener

  Isw1961, Don't underestimate the power that you and those with the same thoughts as you, hold within the organization. I imagine it is the older ones leaving or turning away that cause the most concern for the higher ups - the GB and their helpers.

  It is an embarrassment for them that they can no longer lord it over them and for some higher ups, who are more sincere, they would have to question their teachings and actions.
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  39

  JAMES WOODS is in the hospital (heart related)

  by Terry in

  1. jw
  2. friends

  james woods has been a long time regular on this discussion group in all of its incarnations.. he had some kind of "heart-attack" and has been in dallas' emergency ward for several days.

  he also has a blood clot doctors are working to break up.. 972-261-4412 is his cell number.. he was in a talking mood yesterday afternoon.. i bet it wouldn't kill him to get some well-wishes.. james goes back a long way as an ex-jw.

  he knows where the bodies are buried :).

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  Listener

  Wishing you all the best James.
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  104

  New Light: Don't hold hands during prayers

  by RR in

  1. watchtower
  2. beliefs

  from the watchtower november 15 study edition.. 19 when we are being represented in public prayer, we need to display reverential "fear of god.

  " (1 pet 2:17) there may be a proper time and place for some actions that would be inappropriate at a christian meeting.

  (eccl 3:1) for instance, suppose someone sought to have all in a group link arms or hold hands during prayer.

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  Listener

  The reason given is so that that another person is not shocked, stumbled or distracted. The whole article should have been written to those that would view it this way telling them to just get over it.

  Why do I suspect that Anthony Morris iii is behind this? He says he doesn't like looking at men in tight pants either.
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  9

  BOE 2015-10-21 Re: Combination Editions of The Watchtower

  by wifibandit in

  1. watchtower
  2. bible

  pdf via google

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  Listener

  They need a simplified version of this letter.
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  30

  The Captive Mind of a former bethalite.

  by The Rebel in

  1. jw
  2. friends

  i see years of acute economic crisis ahead for the w.t.

  this is evident with letting go of " volunteer" bethalites throughout the world.

  but my thread is on the consequences to the individual, and the organisation of letting " volunteer" bethalites go.. so what happens to the captive mind of the former bethalite when they are let go from bethel?

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  Listener

  We should be feeling sorry for the ones left at bethel.
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  21

  Is the Borg winding down printing altogether?

  by slimboyfat in

  1. watchtower
  2. beliefs

  the thread about magazines stopping distribution in india reminded me of a recent conversation.

  a local brother said he asked for a copy of the new organisation book for publishers.

  the elder told the brother to print it out if he wanted a physical copy.

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  Listener

  Orphan Crow It wouldn't surprise me if the WTS is getting nailed for tax on printed material.
  In Canada, even if they don't sell a product, they still could be levied a Goods and Services tax on the printed material they produce.
  http://mmoutreachinc.com/nvweb/featureart/wttaxes.html
  Maybe the tax man is catching up to the WTS' tax evasion methods.

  You are definately onto something here.

  In Australia they are registered for GST since 2000 (Goods & Services Tax) and are a Charity (non profit). GST is currently 10%.

  They get to claim back the 10% they paid on all expenses and I doubt they pay 10% on any of their donations.

  What qualifies as a Donation which is not subject to GST is complex but generally applies if the donation is a pure gift, without any expectations for any provisions in return. If the provision is minor (such as a pen advertising the Charity) it is okay.

  This is what one website defines a GST free donation/gift as

  Gifts & Donations
  For a payment (monetary or non-monetary) to be considered a gift or donation, it must be unfettered. Specifically, there must be no obligation on the donee to do anything in recognition of the gift, and no expectation on the part of the donor to receive anything in return for the donation. Whether a payment is a gift, and therefore not subject to GST, depends upon the circumstances surrounding the payment. For a payment not to be subject to GST would require: a payment that is made voluntarily, and not as a result of a prior contractual obligation (written or implied); a payment where the payer does not receive an advantage of a material character by way of return for making the payment; and a payment that essentially arises from benefaction.
  A donor may receive something in return for making a payment with the payment still being treated as a gift, providing the thing received is only of ‘insubstantial’ value. An item of insubstantial value will not provide a donor with a material benefit.

  This is one reason why the Org says to not specify what the donation is for when remitting money to them.

  Funny thing is that if a portion of that donation is not GST free, specifically for printed publications as an expectation which is not insubstantial, then the value would most likely be the market value which would be far greater than the minimal charge they were imposing prior to the donation arrangement.

  There intention was to make it look like JWs were not paying for the literature or specifically donating for the literature but the JWs certainly had the expectation that they would be recieving it, that is the main reason that the WTBTS is there for. The GB had separated itself legally from the WTBTS in 2000 leaving the WTBTS to be virtually a business operation (albeit non profit). The amount of literature given to each JW is significant and could not be considered as a thank you gift from the Organization.

  It would be interesting to know what the situation is regarding the definition of donations and tax in other countries.

  If the Australian Branch suddenly found itself with a huge GST bill for a three year period they would have the option of taking it to Court to dispute it, it would then become public. However, they may choose not to as it would send out a flag for other Countries to examine.

  Again Orphan Crow, I think you are on the right track here.

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  21

  Restructuring Bethel

  by LaFrancia in

  1. watchtower
  2. beliefs

  an announcement to all congregation in italy :.

  the project of a new bethel in italy was allocated .

  the number of temporary special pioneers will be reduced significantly.

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  Listener

  Thanks for explaining SlidingFast. Sounds like a bit of a challenge for someone with little income.