Kismet

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Posts by Kismet

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  20

  A Chinese Meal with Fred Franz

  by VM44 in

  1. jw
  2. friends

  near the beginning of the book, "the orwellian world of jehovah's.

  witnesses," one of the authors gives a personal experience where.

  he and others were treated by fred franz to a meal at a chinese.

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  Kismet

  It is up to each individual to keep track of these gifts and declare them accordingly.

  Let's put it this way. Bethelites make approx $5,000 a year including all taxable benefits provided by the Society. I never received more the $1000 dollars in any given year (much of that was done doing odd jobs, (g jobs JT) )

  So that still kept me far below the personal exemption allowed for on the tax return. So yes it was declared but no I did not have to pay tax on it since I was so far below the poverty line.

  A Bethelite would have to receive a pretty hefty sum before he would have to worry about tax implications.

  Back to F. Franz. I recall talking to him at Brooklyn one time when a sister came up from a tour group (she didn't stay in the designated tour lane - sigh LOL) shoved an envelop into Br. Franz' hand kissing him on the cheek and thankinghim for his years of service and sacrifice. When she left and our conversation ended he shook my hand and gave me the envelope. Didn't even look in it to see how much. Just told me to write a thank you note to the sister on his behalf. This was my second year at Bethel and was dirt poor. That gift went a long way.

  This might explain one of the reasons I am bothered when I see the personal attacks made against individuals. I knew these people and saw their good sides too.

  It is easier to hate an unseen enemy.

  Kismet
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  10

  Society Movie from 1967

  by drahcir yarrum in

  1. jw
  2. friends

  in 1967 or 1968 the society had a film out designed for teenagers titled "heritage".

  it was the most pathetic, but hilarious propaganda movie i ever remember seeing.

  does anyone know if this movie is still in existence?

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  Kismet

  They showed this movie to the Bethel family one night after the family study.

  It was one of the triggers for me to start questioning everything that I had thought was 'Truth'

  That line, "peace of mind and self respect" though I vaguely recall personal contentment also being said???

  I kept asking myself but I am here at Bethel why don't I have peace of mind? Something just isn't right. I went through months of blaming myself that it must be something wrong with me praying for peace of mind. It didn't come.

  As I started to dig into the teachings and really started to observe I realized it wasn't me. Something was wrong at bethel and the whole arrangement of things.

  That movie was pivotal but not for the reasons the Society likes to point out!

  Kismet
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  30

  I LOVE THIS PLACE!!!!

  by ExmormonRobertson in

  1. jw
  2. friends

  a question that comes up a lot on the exmormon bb is: "what movie reminds you the most about the church?

  " i would put that question here, what movies remind you the most of the watchtower society?

  i think i know most of the answer, just interested.. dana.

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  Kismet

  Matrix for sure rung a familiar tone...

  an obscure movie "At Play in the Fields Of the Lord" also churned up a lot of feelings about religion in general and many of the false reasonings we used as JW's. It was a long movie but very thought provoking. Starred John Lithgow, Darryl Hanna, Kathy Bates.

  Kismet
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  10

  Blood Products - A poll

  by Kismet in

  1. watchtower
  2. medical

  wow an opportunity to start the first thread in a new forum!!!

  i couldn't resist!.

  keeping on topic however, i am wondering what your stance is on blood?.

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  Kismet

  Thanks for your reply Cowboy. Given the circumstances I can fully understand.

  personally I am still wary of blood. I actually have kept all my blood cards from over the years but none of them are in my wallet...just in case..

  I think in an emergency I would likely take blood. A non emergency? I might store my own first or ask for non-blood alternatives.

  I believe blood can oft be used to cover messy surgical techniques and don't like the immune suppressants often required due to blood therapies.

  Nice to be rid of the religious crap behind this decision now tho!!

  Kismet
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  22

  Toronto Gathering - A great time!!!

  by Kismet in

  1. jw
  2. friends

  i thought for sure that someone else would have posted something here.. we had a great turn out and there wasn't a bethel spy to be seen, well except for me but we got that figured out fast enough.

  thanks to peter for organizing us and for the great suggestion for an eatery.. what an interesting cross section of people.

  from those in their early 20's to those in their ummmm continuing holding pattern of 29!!

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  Kismet

  I thought for sure that someone else would have posted something here.

  We had a great turn out and there wasn't a Bethel spy to be seen, well except for me but we got that figured out fast enough. :)

  Thanks to Peter for organizing us and for the great suggestion for an eatery.

  What an interesting cross section of people. From those in their early 20's to those in their ummmm continuing holding pattern of 29!! smirk

  Lets see who was there....

  Had Enough - who was quite the outstanding lady
  ExPatBrit - truly a brit through and through...not that it is a bad thing... LOL
  PathofThorns - quietly avoiding the fundies. Thanks again buddy.
  Moxy - I think he was still trying to figure us all out. Damn confusing bunch ain't we?
  Peter Stride - Nice guy and great organizer
  Apostate - had his way with the elders..had em running scared. Well done!!!
  Just Chris or was it notacommie??? don't remember. gulp. the muscle builder of the group...nice pipes man!!
  68Storm - laid back Italian...we'll get hotter food next time
  We had two people not part of Simon's join us too, GeeGee and Andrew. Both of whom I kicked off Convention property some years back while they were picketing..oh some things still haunt me... LOL

  It was a great time. I admit it seemed strange to be able to talk with a large group of people about Simon's and H20 and have everyone understand what you are talking about.

  It also is great to finally meet some of the people behind the names.

  Looking forward to the next Toronto gathering!

  Kismet
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  10

  Blood Products - A poll

  by Kismet in

  1. watchtower
  2. medical

  wow an opportunity to start the first thread in a new forum!!!

  i couldn't resist!.

  keeping on topic however, i am wondering what your stance is on blood?.

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  Kismet

  Wow an opportunity to start the first thread in a new forum!!! I couldn't resist!

  Keeping on topic however, I am wondering what your stance is on blood?

  Would you accept blood, why or why not?
  How about blood fractions? Any reason why or why not?
  Do you still carry your blood card? Why or why not?

  I'll stop there. Looking forward to your comments

  Kismet
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  24

  Meet for a coffee in Toronto!

  by peterstride in

  1. jw
  2. friends

  the coffee break get together is going to be tuesday, july 17th, starting at 6pm (for those that can't make it right at 6pm) and ending whenever.... i'll be e-mailing the actual location and directions for the out-of-towners driving in (plenty of parking nearby) or taking the go train transit in (it will be on the ttc subway line)!.

  talk to you all soon,.

  peter stride.

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  Kismet

  Peter & the Toronto contingent:

  Just wanted to let you know I might not be able to make it today.

  I wrenched my lower back over the weekend and have been on muscle relaxants ever since. I have a massage treatment later, if it works magic I'll be there otherwise I'll have to take a raincheck.

  If I am not there physically I'll be there in spirit.

  Have fun!!

  Kismet
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  10

  Need Help...............

  by deceit in

  1. jw
  2. friends

  hi all, i have been lurking around this site for quite some time and enjoy reading all the posts.

  but now i need some help........ me and my wife have not gone to a meeting for over 5 months now.

  my parents are full bore jw's, father is an elder *shiver*.

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  Kismet

  One subtle thing you could bring up with him if you decide to do so...

  Lack of true love in the congregation. In a nutshell you can't seem to help notice that people (bros & sisters) just don't care anymore. You look around the Hall and can't help but wonder if Jehovah has removed his blessing..and its not just your hall but others too are noticing the same thing. Could He be rejecting us like he did the Nation of Isreal.

  What would it take for him to reject us (JW's). This could open the door to finding out if your father has any pet issues that could be further explored.

  It also provides a somewhat legitimate 'reason' as to your lack of activity.

  Whatever you decide I wish you well!

  Kismet
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  25

  WTBS CORP/ CONTROLLED BY NON JWS!!??

  by JUSTAMOM in

  1. jw
  2. friends

  just pondering over a few things i have been reading.. 1.annual corporate meeting oct 6, 2001. with all the weird changes in the last year...red light alert!.

  2. since it was the 337 voting members who had the biggest say so as to the changes last year in removing the gb...... (and they are non jws)....what else will they or have they done?.

  the only reason they don't send the gb home, and it's not because they care about their elderly, is the fact without them as puppets up there, most jws might wake up and smell the kool-aid!.

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  Kismet

  Well I am glad to see you at least learn from your mistakes Shelby.

  It wasn't just a few weeks back that you 'inquired' as to the Forum Director and made all these wild claims that JanG was actually tthe ForumDirector of H20.

  I sat back and laughed throughout that whole situation. Your "lord' misled you ...oh sorry you changed that..you misinterpretted his words to you ...one would think the almighty would be more eloquent.

  Fine don't ask Shelby. I'll just give you a hint. The bulk of your thread and JustaMom's is erroneous.
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  25

  WTBS CORP/ CONTROLLED BY NON JWS!!??

  by JUSTAMOM in

  1. jw
  2. friends

  just pondering over a few things i have been reading.. 1.annual corporate meeting oct 6, 2001. with all the weird changes in the last year...red light alert!.

  2. since it was the 337 voting members who had the biggest say so as to the changes last year in removing the gb...... (and they are non jws)....what else will they or have they done?.

  the only reason they don't send the gb home, and it's not because they care about their elderly, is the fact without them as puppets up there, most jws might wake up and smell the kool-aid!.

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  Kismet

  Shelby, shelby Shelby ....sigh

  why do you insist on doing this to yourself over and over.

  Here's one last opportunity. Ask your Lord or whatever voice you hear for the Truth on this matter as to the current makeup of the voting member so the Org.

  Let me know, let us all know what "he" says to you and we'll take it from there..Okay? And to make it even more fair, since 'JustAmom' seems to pop up everytime your back is against the wall get them to do the same, compare notes and then we can discuss 'the truth of the matter'