Listener

Joined

• started 199 topics
• posted 4,906 times   see topics posted on
• send a message

Posts by Listener

• 
  53

  WTS 2024 Annual Business Meeting ...

  by careful in

  1. watchtower
  2. beliefs

  ... is just three weeks from this saturday.

  the org has been tight-lipped, really, successfully secret about advance info on these in recent years,.

  now that these relatively recent changes on dress and grooming, reporting fs time, judicial matters, etc.

  1. 
  2. 
  3. 
• 

  Listener

  I think the organization is trying to distance itself from being viewed as a cult or having more extreme beliefs and practices. It's causing them numerous problems, such as problems are with Governments, being socially accepted, trying to recruit new members and causing JWs to leave.

  It's possible they'll come up with more changes to doctrines, simply saying 'they just don't know'.

  Birthdays, mother's/father's day and other special days not considered to be pagan by them may be allowed.

  Reducing the workloads even further by removing the mid week meetings might be on the cards. Transferring that saved time and resources into more direct involvement to benefit the Watchtower.
• 
  72

  Reddit thread about Bethel Reducing Headcount

  by LongHairGal in

  1. jw
  2. friends

  apparently, the downsizing is still happening and from what i read those let go are over 50!.

  sad because these people expected to be lifers.

  now they have to make their way in the world at an advanced age with no education or desirable skill!..

  1. 
  2. 
  3. 
• 

  Listener

  “3rdgenan hour ago

  I can't think of any legal grounds for a terminated Bethelite to sue. First, No one is HIRED. Also, Bethelites SIGN a VOW OF POVERTY. They are completely aware that ALL their work there is voluntary.”

  Here in Australia, no one can give legal or financial advice unless they are qualified. Often contracts will include statements saying that seeking either legal or financial advice (whatever is appropriate) is strongly recommended before signing. I don’t think the Vow of Poverty contract includes this, so maybe there is a case since it both controls finances and takes away the right to sue.

  Sometimes, even though a person signs a contract which appears to take away their rights, doesn’t mean they are gone under common law.

  Also, it may be possible for a Bethelite who is thrown out, to establish the belief that even though they signed the vow, they were of the understanding that they would be looked after. They are, after all, now part of Jehovahs earthly organisation and there’s enough literature claiming that he will provide in times of need. Many jws believe this.
• 
  18

  Where's Simon?

  by nicolaou in

  1. watchtower
  2. scandals

  anyone heard from him?

  he hasn't been active for over a week.

  probably on holiday but would be nice to know everything's okay 🤔 .

  1. 
  2. 
  3. 
• 

  Listener

  They look so innocent.
• 
  27

  MANY DIFFICULT YEARS AHEAD : PER CHRISTENSEN

  by raymond frantz in

  1. jw
  2. friends

  https://youtu.be/jsmbtv4nafi?si=ezj0dnudyjls4knc.

  there was a time they preached the great tribulation was a short period of time between the fall of babylon and jesus coming back to save them, now they realize there are difficult years ahead of us, watch this latest morning worship video by per christensen on this subject .

  1. 
  2. 
  3. 
• 

  Listener

  Those 'difficult years' are sure to include Governmental issues the Watchtower will continue to face due to its hurtful and harmful policies.

  These 'difficult years' will also include more intense whining from the Governing Body about the need for more money.
• 
  10

  Olympic games/ jw.org keep on the watch

  by Gorb in

  1. jw
  2. friends

  the main article on jw.org is about the succesfull olympic games 2024 in paris.. many withness watch all the sport episodes of the games, but jw.org comes with a sour story about the games and not reaching real peace.. again jw.org is on the wrong side of history a d doesn't feel the public anx jw opinion.

  the closing remarks of the ioc president bach, thaf the games will not reach peace but plant peace in the hart of people was a strong message.. the organization and message of the games is all that jw.org wants to, but can't.. very sad and narrow minded, as ever.

  gorby.

  1. 
  2. 
  3. 
• 

  Listener

  Gorb - The closing remarks of the IOC president Bach, thaf the games will not reach peace but plant peace in the hart of people was a strong message.

  That makes the Watchtower's message look even more cultish and extremist. The Watchtower wants to appear as if they are the only ones that recognize complete, worldwide peace is not possible.

  It's much more positive to encourage peace than to preach it's not possible.
• 
  17

  Setting the record straight. CSA report in New Zealand

  by joe134cd in

  1. watchtower
  2. child-abuse

  ok i just want to officially set the record straight about the report of csa in new zealand.

  i have a pimo relative who lives in nz.

  as far as public awareness, with regard to the jws, it was basically a big nothing burger.

  1. 
  2. 
  3. 
• 

  Listener

  At least the Watchtower and every Bethel worker in Sydney know about it and they tried to hide it. They have exposed themselves.
• 
  65

  WT needs your kids uneducated: CO training video is Master Class in F.O.G. This is jaw-droppingly stupid. Beyond moronic, it's sub-moronic.

  by WingCommander in

  1. jw
  2. friends

  co training video: link to ex-jw reddit thread discussion.

  today is the first time i was made aware of this actual elder body video.

  it's training for how a co should handle elder's whose children decide to pursue further education.

  1. 
  2. 
  3. 
• 

  Listener

  Bro Williams says "...They understand that it's a personal decision that you have to decide but it still does not mean that your freeness of speech is not affected. In fact, the freeness of speech of the entire body of elders as well as how successful we are as shepherds has been affected as well..."

  In other words, the JW has free will but their decision is questionable if the GB's instruction on higher education is not adhered to. Then as a follow on by making the wrong decision, the body of Elders qualifications are questionable.

  Any free will exercised is always questionable if it's not in line with the GB.

  Of course, it's not even up to the daughter to make her own decision since the father is supposed to have control over her and he is reminded of this.
  

  What is so crazy is that if the daughter was allowed to work full time at the local supermarket or one of the Elders businesses, the exact same arguments that they have presented in this training video applies 100%.
• 
  11

  Why the term "disfellowshipped " was removed

  by raymond frantz in

  1. jw
  2. experiences

  https://youtu.be/ags07jlopcy?si=g9ra1jqksuuauyax.

  1. 
  2. 
  3. 
• 

  Listener

  I'm surprised they haven't changed their 'About Us' on 'Do Jehovah's Witnesses shun those who used to belong to their religion?' It's found on JW.org, not in any publications.

  It still uses the term 'shun' and disfellowshipped. They have made changes to this a number of times in the past.

  It currently reads as -

  Do Jehovah’s Witnesses Shun Those Who Used to Belong to Their Religion?
  

  
  Those who were baptized as Jehovah’s Witnesses but no longer preach to others, perhaps even drifting away from association with fellow believers, are not shunned. In fact, we reach out to them and try to rekindle their spiritual interest.

  
  We do not automatically disfellowship someone who commits a serious sin. If, however, a baptized Witness makes a practice of breaking the Bible’s moral code and does not repent, he or she will be shunned or disfellowshipped. The Bible clearly states: “Remove the wicked man from among yourselves.”—1 Corinthians 5:13.

  
  What of a man who is disfellowshipped but whose wife and children are still Jehovah’s Witnesses? The religious ties he had with his family change, but blood ties remain. The marriage relationship and normal family affections and dealings continue. Disfellowshipped individuals may attend our religious services. If they wish, they may also receive spiritual counsel from congregation elders. The goal is to help each individual once more to qualify to be one of Jehovah’s Witnesses.

  Disfellowshipped people who reject improper conduct and demonstrate a sincere desire to live by the Bible’s standards are always welcome to become Jehovah’s Witnesses again.
• 
  22

  The Rapture

  by Sea Breeze in

  1. watchtower
  2. beliefs

  when i was pioneering, i don't remember ever addressing the rapture question.

  does anyone know how a jw would respond to this verse?

  for the lord himself will descend from heaven with a shout, with the voice of an archangel, and with the trumpet of god.

  1. 
  2. 
  3. 
• 

  Listener

  The teaching changed in 2015 W 7/15

  We do not use the word “rapture” here to describe this event because of its connection to Christendom’s false teaching. However, the faithful anointed still on earth will be gathered together instantly.

  https://wol.jw.org/en/wol/d/r1/lp-e/402015523?q=rapture&p=par
• 
  20

  Greeting a person(who was removed from the congregation) at the Kingdom Hall now becomes a matter of conscience

  by RULES & REGULATIONS in

  1. watchtower
  2. bible

  the watchtower—study edition | august 2024. help for those who are removed from the congregation.

  14 does what we have considered mean that we would completely ignore a person who has been removed from the congregation?

  not necessarily.

  1. 
  2. 
  3. 
• 

  Listener

  If they are still sinning why are they allowed to return to the meeting when the Bible specifically says to remove them? They need to be reinstating someone before they attend a meeting but that doesn't suit the GB.

  In the article they distinguish between an apostate and other sinners, using the 'no greeting' rule towards apostates. If a JW is to use their bible trained conscience as to whether they should greet someone removed then they need to know whether they are an apostate or not.