Posts by metatron

87

How is the org really run? What goes on behind the scenes?

by Magnum in

how is the org really run?

what goes on behind the scenes?.

i just read an older post on this site that was recently bumped (http://www.jehovahs-witness.net/jw/friends/6600/1/don-adams-biography) the post mentioned the adams brothers don, karl, & joel and how influential they are/were at headquarters.

metatron

I would like to disbelieve Syme's points but I can't think of solid reasons why.

For some time now, we've had this collective debate about the GB and the changes we observe. Dogpatch kept asserting that some group like Directors must be in charge instead of the GB but could never produce any evidence.

I think the GB could take down any 'rebels' quite easily as they have in regard to stealing Kingdom Halls and getting title to them or even selling them off. It's true that they did a legal restructuring years back - partly out of fear that some half-senile GB members might end up on a witness stand in court .

I still recall Maximus' prediction about huge changes - just before 9/11 hit and they went reactionary instead. Even C of C suggests that some GB members thought various doctrines were bullsh*t but kept their mouths shut. That might always be under the surface.....

I've dealt with technical problems for many years and when an executive asks for an explanation, the reaction is always the same: their eyes glaze over and they get lost after the first sentence. That's just how it is.

Given that GB members are superficial dolts who lack critical thinking ability - as with many Witlesses- I think we must consider the above behavior as explaining a great deal.

metatron

Skynet, The Terminator And BBQ Sauce

by metatron in

jw
friends

http://www.businessinsider.com/ibms-watson-made-a-bbq-sauce-and-its-delicious-2014-6.

amazing.

i honestly didn't think ai would work but jeopardy changed my whole outlook.. .

metatron

http://www.businessinsider.com/ibms-watson-made-a-bbq-sauce-and-its-delicious-2014-6

Amazing. I honestly didn't think AI would work but Jeopardy changed my whole outlook.

I welcome our new computer overlords.

(especially if they offer snacks)

metatron

87

How is the org really run? What goes on behind the scenes?

by Magnum in

how is the org really run?

what goes on behind the scenes?.

i just read an older post on this site that was recently bumped (http://www.jehovahs-witness.net/jw/friends/6600/1/don-adams-biography) the post mentioned the adams brothers don, karl, & joel and how influential they are/were at headquarters.

metatron

Good points, Juan.

Can anyone imagine that, in fact, the best thing that could happen to the Watchtower would be that it gets managed by intelligent sociopaths who are atheists or agnostics?

I'm serious. Such people would run it like a business, dump obnoxious doctrines and deliberately guide it towards becoming a stable denomination. They would be unemcombered by its past or any need to worry much about 'old timers' or soon-to-be-laidoff employees.

Harsh as that sounds, it would be beneficial to most Witlesses. Consider the secular example of LBJ as President - one of the most awful people ever to hold that office...... but he got Civil Rights and Medicare done where Kennedy could not.

Likewise, the Chinese Communist leadership that dumped their fanatical ideology and stunned their nation by saying, "to be rich is glorious"!

The fine inside info you provided, Juan, suggests to me that they are just starting to "get real" and are still obsessed with crap such as the management structure of the cult rather than caring about common publishers.

I think that's going to change because they don't have a choice. They discreetly go 'denomination' or else.

metatron

Blood Factories Are Coming

by metatron in

jw
friends

https://www.fightaging.org/archives/2014/04/commercial-blood-factories-lie-ahead.php.

i don't recall this being posted here but blood transfusions and donations may come to an end in the not too distant future.

this would be a great boon to health as the dangers of typing and disease might be eliminated.. the "truth" is indeed an 'old wineskin' ready to burst amidst a rapidly changing world.. .

metatron

https://www.fightaging.org/archives/2014/04/commercial-blood-factories-lie-ahead.php

I don't recall this being posted here but blood transfusions and donations may come to an end in the not too distant future. This would be a great boon to health as the dangers of typing and disease might be eliminated.

The "Truth" is indeed an 'old wineskin' ready to burst amidst a rapidly changing world.

metatron

1

Let The Watchtower Show You That The Bible Contains Myth And Legend

by metatron in

jw
friends

i was fascinated by a recent wt (aug.'14) article that illustrates how original bible accounts could change and transform over time, even with the best of motives.. stories can grow over time, gain 'new details' and be altered by well-intentioned people.

like catching a fish that seems to grow bigger in the retelling.. the august wt has a secondary article about joseph - which applies the story to modern day problems with "blended" families (so, similar in a way to ancient polygamous extended families).. the article asserts that jacob loved his son joseph in particular because his son was so faithful and righteous, perhaps giving him a special coat as a reward for his good behavior..... which is false because genesis 37 makes clear that he loved joseph because he was 'the son of his old age', in other words, a novelty or sign that the "old guy still had it and could get it up!".

understandable but not terribly noble.. however, that bit of history isn't good enough for the watchtower so they shift the information to fit their modern day narrative about stepfamilies.. now, i understand that the story of joseph has good counsel about forgiveness in a family.

metatron

I was fascinated by a recent WT (Aug.'14) article that illustrates how original Bible accounts could change and transform over time, even with the best of motives.

Stories can grow over time, gain 'new details' and be altered by well-intentioned people. Like catching a fish that seems to grow bigger in the retelling.

The August WT has a secondary article about Joseph - which applies the story to modern day problems with "blended" families (so, similar in a way to ancient polygamous extended families).

The article asserts that Jacob loved his son Joseph in particular because his son was so faithful and righteous, perhaps giving him a special coat as a reward for his good behavior....

which is false because Genesis 37 makes clear that he loved Joseph because he was 'the son of his old age', in other words, a novelty or sign that the "old guy still had it and could get it up!". Understandable but not terribly noble.

However, that bit of history isn't good enough for the Watchtower so they shift the information to fit their modern day narrative about stepfamilies.

Now, I understand that the story of Joseph has good counsel about forgiveness in a family. I get it. But it illustrates how needs can change a story that's told for moral instruction.

If you've ever read the Gospel of Luke and compare it with Matthew or Mark, you observe this "changing narrative". Did Jesus say 'blessed are the poor" or "poor in spirit"? Did He say "signs in sun, moon and stars" or 'the moon will be darkened, the sun will not give its light and stars fall from heaven"?

Did a well meaning translation of "maiden" into 'virgin" create the Virgin Birth account?

The Bible is still a remarkable book - but stories do change over time, despite the best intentions of good men. Or is it because of the best intentions of good men?

metatron

5

Turing Test Has Been Passed

by metatron in

jw
friends

http://www.businessinsider.com/computer-passed-the-turing-test-2014-6.

this could be the epitome of disruptive technology.

when 'watson' pounded contestants on jeopardy, i was stunned.. .

metatron

What's the potential here? Nearly complete unemployment, I wonder.

I hate the idea of Socialism but see no alternative because of disruptive tech.

metatron

5

Turing Test Has Been Passed

by metatron in

jw
friends

http://www.businessinsider.com/computer-passed-the-turing-test-2014-6.

this could be the epitome of disruptive technology.

when 'watson' pounded contestants on jeopardy, i was stunned.. .

metatron

http://www.businessinsider.com/computer-passed-the-turing-test-2014-6

This could be the epitome of disruptive technology. When 'Watson' pounded contestants on Jeopardy, I was stunned.

Reminds me of the old joke about scientists building a computer that knows everything. "What should we ask it?" "I know, is there a God?"

The computer replies: "there is now!" . You WTS apologists, take note. Genesis 11 says 'there is nothing at all they may have in mind to do that will be unattainable for them'.

metatron

71

Expect more Crazy as JW.ORG trims the fat and fills the coffers.

by donuthole in

jw
friends

when rutherford assumed the presidency of the watchtower society he instituted series of sweeping changes to the teachings and practices of the bible students.

some of these changes were at complete odds with what had been taught previously.

a key example was the elevation of the watchtower society as "god's visible organization on earth".

metatron

I am aware that "Governing Body" is an anachronism. All the same, a Board of Directors directs....... and in Rutherford's case, their direction was such that he dumped them.

This bit of history is important because it shows what revisionist nonsense WT history is.

I'm interested in this money grab by the WTS coupled with other changes because it could mean they are moving away from orthodoxy towards pragmatism. Better they worry about money than rules and mind games.

metatron

10

This decade - the 2010's - your view of so far

by berrygerry in

i had a relative exhort me to attend sunday am of the rc, to which i said no, already read the points online.. i said that i find this decade to be the most enjoyable.. people are relaxed, people have piercings, tats, hair colour du jour, facial hair, yoga pants (okay, not so great with the people of walmart videos), etc., and no one gets a second glance.. the music is awesome, movies are pretty good.. everyone still has their trials and tribulations, bad relationships, economic swings, etc.. but i feel happy.. the posted highlights from sunday am were:.

anticipate future kingdom blessings!.

a world without satan (revelation 20:2,3,7,10).

metatron

I have been a pessimist most of my life but I have changed my mind in the past couple years.

Why?

1) the mainstream media (as dominated by 6 major corporations) is losing control. Statist propaganda is losing effectiveness.

2) A multipolar - or Asian 'new order' is rising and would be very different in practice

3) We are on the edge of new technology that will change everything - energy, lifespan....

It's gonna be bumpy but I'm hopeful. Heck, even the 'truth' is suddenly changing.

metatron

71

Expect more Crazy as JW.ORG trims the fat and fills the coffers.

by donuthole in

jw
friends

when rutherford assumed the presidency of the watchtower society he instituted series of sweeping changes to the teachings and practices of the bible students.

some of these changes were at complete odds with what had been taught previously.

a key example was the elevation of the watchtower society as "god's visible organization on earth".

metatron

Rutherford fired the Governing Body and assumed control. He criticized what he called 'character building' (which was directly scriptural) in favor of preaching activity.

Does anyone realize that they may get rid of the name "Watchtower" in whole or in part? That the magazines may go exclusively online and be replaced by jw.org?

I think they are looking for a way to get steady cash flow while compromising everything else to make the religion easier. Like a denomination.

metatron