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when i was growing up i was told that the "holy spirit" assisted in the selection of elders.
When I was growing up I was told that the "Holy Spirit" assisted in the selection of elders.
So did I.
Reality is that the other suggestions are closer to the truth of the matter:
The PO (COBE) in the new cong was a very, very close friend of his.
those men with the brownest noses - THOSE are probably the elders
It was a real coffee clache group. This stuff is so subjective.
i was curious because i had heard simon was a jw when he started this forum.
i was looking through the old posts, but couldn't really pinpoint one that was a "turning point" so-to-speak.
simon must have left the j-dubs at some point.
Let's face it, if you step away from the organization and open yourself up to information outside the society, you will leave.
This is a bit of an awakening, as has been most of my time spent here. I now fear that statement is really true for almost anyone. I originally would never thought it could have applied to ME.
I came here via Google when I was stumbled, disillusioned, disturbed, and seeking answers [outside of the WTS Index]. While my personal experiences had already opened my eyes to much, I am now like the proverbial "deer in the headlights".
I realize there are "kooks" here on both sides of the aisle [no names]. There are a good share who need to up their dose on their Prozac or Depakote. But the majority in the middle seem to have gotten here just as I did -- from having the same concerns, disillusionments, injustices, and unanswered questions. Many seem to be like the story of how a Republican becomes a Democrat (liberal). They start out hardshell conservatives while on the "inside" until THEY GET ARRESTED. All of a sudden you begin questioning all the things that were once aboslutes. I regret that I cannot share my story as I do not want to be "outted". Too much at risk. And, I suppose I am still somewhat Desirous of Change...........hoping that something like the statement above will force it to happen.
DOC
as some of you know, i am an elder in a southern england congregation.
the britain branch ( policy letter dec 8th 2007) stopped all hlc brothers giving talks at other congregations and as a result the take-up of the advance directive form (ad) has dropped dramatically.
jws are presenting themselves at hospitals without the form and nhs staff are phoning the hlc to ask that an elder visits to help them compose it while in hospital.. the uk branch is asking hlc members to meet up with bodies of elders so that we can "educate the brothers" (their expression) - we had our meeting a few weeks ago with a couple of the hlc brothers.
They cannot simply abandon their doctrine, they would be sued in to oblivion....
I think they could change the doctrine........
.........change it to what they already PUBLICLY say it is -- A PERSONAL CONSCIENTIOUS DECISION -- and leave it at that!
If you make the "wrong" decision (in their eyes), they disqualify you for PRIVILEGES (pioneer, elder, MS).
Or, make it like BEDROOM decisions..........PRIVATE. Stay the hell out of the lives of the R&F members.
i don't even know where to start.
every jw i still have contact with is poor, their health is bad, they're stressed out, they're unhappy people.
they put on a good front but you can see the strained smiles, those distant looks into nowhere (or where their life could have gone).
why is everyone in the KH on anti-depressants if Jeh's people are such a happy people?
Do you really think the percentage of those on meds is any higher in the cong than it is on this board??
bankers or fraudsters?.
60 minutes the next housing shock.
edit: can't get the video to show up.
that's what the United States of America was born: A revolt against corruption and injustice.
What goes around, comes around again.
DARTH said: I say fug em, both options are just playing into their hands.
WOBBLE said: I am now at the point where the JW cong. means nothing to me, has no authority over me, so why should I even write a DA letter, they are just a silly little cult that I left, I owe them nothing
I say: If you're not out doing something that is gonna get you DFd, I think the FADE allows you to make the point that you are now playing by YOUR rules instead of THEIR rules.
it seems unfair and a bit hypocritical that they would shun those that are disfellowshipped or disassociated, but i faded so no problem (though over the course of the past couple of decades i have committed a few disfellowshipable (is that a word?
) offenses.
anyway, just seems odd.
I'd say the JWs hanging out with you don't agree with the df'ing position deep down,....
....but they are compelled to shun anyone who is DF or DA (esp non-family members) at the risk of being DFd themselves if they do not comply with the Org's rules. There are obviously SO many who disagree with this, as evidenced by the hard-core line now being taken about associating with family members who are DFd. The "necessary family business" loophole had gotten stretched to where you could throw a baby calf through it. Some years ago the direction from WT HQ was that it was a personal conscience decision as to what qualified as "necessary" business. To many people, ANYTHING qualified.
how does that work?.
All this time I thought the Holy Spirit was involved in the selections for those assignments.
hello to all my friends here!!
i want to tell you that i am on this site everyday!
i just don't post very often.
"we no longer wish to be one of Jehovah's Witnesses, please do not call again" . . .
Nowdays, that would get you an official announcement of disassociation and the subsequent shunning and alienation of family and friends.
http://www.nytimes.com/2011/05/12/us/12nonprofits.html.
may 11, 2011squeezed cities ask nonprofits for more money .
by michael cooper .
Simple solution.
Change "tax exempt" status to "tax reduced" status and apply the 25% rule (or more).
Or, remove the "tax exempt" status from institutions that compete with the "for profit" arena, such as hospitals, elderly care, and universities.
Remove the "tax exempt" staus from the churches on all property except the actual sanctuary and a modest parsonage.
