today feb.1 2023. state college, pa.. 33:33. https://www.pahouse.com/rozzi/listeningtourlive.
It is about their “public image”…
…inasmuch as it ensures they retain their charity-slash-tax-exemption.
First and foremost, though…
…it’s about reinforcing their legitimacy and authority in the eyes of the membership.
And nothing undermines the premise of “God’s Exclusive Earthly Organization” quite like the CSA problem.
apparently it isn't just jw children who live with a fear of dying at armageddon, kids from born again families live with a similar fear, as this article explores.
https://www.theguardian.com/world/2023/jan/31/rapture-films-left-behind-evangelical?utm_source=facebook&utm_medium=news_tab.
Data-Dog - “… There seems to be no shortage of people who live in fear of the End…”
Or are getting impatient for it.
great find jonas!!!.
https://youtu.be/yfqffc7vczo.
Sometimes I catch myself wondering if they’re already in hock to the mob.
hi friend`s ,i just had to share my experience ,and surely there must be others on this board who had similar experiences that i had.. i was a jw for 37 years ,been out for about 20 years or so .however we as a family never had the problems that so many of you seem to have had .. none of our, my wife and i , immediate families have ever been jw`s.. i converted when i was about 20 years old in about 1960 and as i say remained in converted my wife and brought up two sons in the "truth" for about 37 years .. my 1st and 2nd congregations i attended in melbourne aust.
were very conservative and not very wholesome looking back.. however moving interstate to s.e.queensland in redcliffe was a whole new experience.. it was far more liberal and relaxed.. i befriend a couple of elders and ms `s who enjoyed an ale or two which was right up my alley.. and we went on camping expeditions on both fraser and moreton islands ,both just off the coast of brisbane.. i was a ms for many years there never pioneered or served where the need was great and always had steady employment in the world which probably kept my head above the clouds so to speak.. none of my family ,wife two boys and their wives are jw`s ,we have all left many years ago.. anybody else had negative effects of being a witness for many years ?.
I never really had any bad experiences as a JW.
I just realized I wasn’t particularly happy being one, and eventually figured out it wasn’t really “the Truth”, anyway.
Lucky, I guess.
can anyone out there that is pimo give an update on the rate of kingdom halls closing in the uk?.
i was expecting a fire sale a few years back but i haven't heard much.
some congregations that were struggling back in my day still seem to be holding on to their halls..
re. Indoubt’s post…
Never underestimate the power of passive resistance.
it's difficult to comprehend how arrogant the members of the governing body must be to sanction much of the content that appears in their literature.
they identify themselves as the 'faithful and discreet slave' - that alone requires an astonishing degree of pride.
but what is even more amazing - arguably to the level of insanity - is the way they then use that phrase to elevate themselves above the rest of the organisation.
I think repeatedly labelling themselves as the FDS is done to unconsciously reinforce their righteousness - and, therefore, legitimacy and authority - in the eyes of the rank-and-file.
Like calling it “The Truth” over and over and over.
former jw timothy kline wrote an excellent article in 2002 that examines from a scriptural perspective the watchtower society's "two witnesses" requirement applicable to child abuse allegations (called "part 1" but there appears to be no further parts).
the article shows there are certainly alternative interpretations available to the watchtower society that would allow them to easily adjust this flawed aspect of their policy while still adhering to scriptural principles.
16 but if he does not listen, take along with you one or two more, in order that at the mouth of two or three witnesses every matter may be established.
Under Jaracz’s (alleged) influence, the “two-witness rule” was essentially weaponized to keep a serious problem that threatened the Org’s legitimacy and authority (in the immediate wake of the apostate witch-hunts of the late 70s and early 80s) under wraps…
…and because of that decision, the problem has become widespread, institutionalized, and endemic.
i was out on the ministry(tm) in the 1980's when i was pie-on-earring.
i was only a lowly publisher(tm) being coached by a rather odd elder(tm).. one of the publications(tm) had recently mentioned japan and the growth(tm) of jws there.. the elder(tm), brother(tm) i was with offered the magazines(tm) to the householder(tm).. then he stated, 'there are (gave the reported numbers at the time.
i can't remember the number he stated), jehovah's witnesses(tm) in japan.'.
Lost count.
Eventually, I learned to just roll my eyes and move on.
i remember back in the 80s almost every awake and watchtower magazine, think all, hade an article about how bad and evil catholic church was.
what happened to all the bashing?
was it because people in catholic countries got offended?
Ten bucks says they’re scared of the Vatican lawyers.
at a recent xjw conference, software engineer fred williams spoke on the subject of information that is found in nature.
it is a fascinating topic.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zvpveyf5cic .
Sea Breeze - “… At a recent XJW conference, software engineer Fred Williams spoke on the subject of Information that is found in nature...”
We all view the world around us through the lenses of our own experience.
A software engineer will, quite naturally, see data wherever he looks.
