Posts by ScenicViewer

12

I've been away, need an Anointed update

by UnConfused in

how have the numbers of the anointed been doing - staying steady or finally declining?

that was always a puzzle to me how that could stay so steady..

ScenicViewer

UnConfused, here is some information that might interest you regarding the number of Memorial partakers.

1) Number of Memorial Partakers since 2000. Shows a definite increase.

2000 - 8661, 2001 - 8730, 2002 - 8760, 2003 - 8565, 2004 - 8570, 2005 - 8524, 2006 - 8758, 2007 - 9105, 2008 - 9986, 2009 - 10857, 2010 - 11202, 2011 - 11824.

2) Watchtower tries to explain away the unexpected increase by saying some of them may be 'emotionally imbalanced.'

(W 8-15-11 p22)
"Memorial partakers. This is the number of baptized individuals who partake of the emblems at the Memorial worldwide. Does this total represent the number of anointed ones on earth? Not necessarily. A number of factors - including past religious beliefs or even mental or emotional imbalance - might cause some to assume mistakenly that they have the heavenly calling. We thus have no way of knowing the exact number of anointed ones on earth; nor do we need to know. The Governing Body does not keep a list of all partakers, for it does not maintain a global network of anointed ones."

3) This new trend contradicts the Watchtower teaching from the past that the declining number of partakers was proof that we are in the last days.

(W 1-15-2000 p13)
“Six convincing lines of evidence that we are in the last days”… "Sixth, the number of genuine anointed disciples of Christ is dwindling, though some will evidently still be on earth when the great tribulation begins. Most of the remnant are quite elderly, and over the years the number of those who are truly anointed has been getting smaller.”

- and -

(1981 Yearbook, p31)
Over the past seven years, from 1974 to 1980 inclusive, Jehovah’s Witnesses have made steady progress. Their growth is healthy. Only as to Memorial partakers has there been a gradual decline, which is in accord with Scriptural expectations.

As to the date of their sealing, I believe it was 1935, but I don't have that info in front of me. Someone can correct that if it's wrong.

I'm looking for the latest reference that changes the 1935 sealing to an undetermined date. Can't find it for now. Will keep looking, but someone may beat me to it.

62

Finally an Article About Unthank!

by jamiebowers in

http://www.latrobevalleyexpress.com.au/news/local/news/general/private-prosecution-gets-thrown-out-of-court/2468225.aspx?storypage=2private prosecution gets thrown out of court.

by louis nelson.

27 feb, 2012 01:00 am.

ScenicViewer

That came out weird. I see Violia's last comment at the very bottom of the page, below the posting box and list of guidelines.

Is it just me, or do others see it like this too?

Edit: My post is down there too!

34

Steven Unthank is a true HERO

by Shawn10538 in

jw
friends

i just got done listening to hsi interview on six screens.

if any of you have any doubt about his motives and the greatness of his heroic actions, listen to the entire interview.

it is more than 3 hours long and i believe he addresses many concerns some here have had.

ScenicViewer

Cyberjesus, I like the definition you found for hero.

A man...

-- of distinguished courage

-- who is admired for his brave deeds

-- of noble qualities

-- who is regarded as a model or ideal

Steven Unthank is certainly all of the above for taking on the formidable Watchtower Society. Shawn10538, very good observations in the OP.

47

Our door to door activities were a personal ministry and not recognised as representatives or volunteers of the Watchtower Bible And Tract Society

by smiddy in

how do you feel about that ?were you misled (again) after all these years ?

this article from the newspaper in the latrobe area reffering to steven unthanks case is truly disturbing.

its an affront and an insult to any and everyone who has participated in the ministry of jehovah`s witnesses over many, many years.talk about being thrown to the wolves.how low can this organization go in saving face at the expense of those whose loyalty and devotion is discarded for a perceived image.absolutely shocking.

ScenicViewer

From the article,

...door-to-door activities were part of a member's "personal ministry", and 'publishers' were not representatives or volunteers of the Watchtower Society.

Yet, if you guided an interested person to anywhere but the Watchtower organization you would be promptly counseled. And if you insisted you were 'notrepresenting the Society,' and that you were engaging in a 'personal ministry' you would be DF'd for apostasy.

40

Random thoughts about the organization. In 20 years.....

by stuckinamovement in

jw
friends

many people will scoff at the thought that the org will collapse.

i agree that it will never collapse but the crumbling has begun.

think about the following.....they have a serious lack of potential future leaders.

ScenicViewer

The WT has predicted the fall of false religion never realizing they were at the head of the line. (Mrquik)

Oh, that's good.

40

Random thoughts about the organization. In 20 years.....

by stuckinamovement in

jw
friends

many people will scoff at the thought that the org will collapse.

i agree that it will never collapse but the crumbling has begun.

think about the following.....they have a serious lack of potential future leaders.

ScenicViewer

I am one who thinks a collapse will never happen, although nothing would give me more satisfaction.

You have made some very good points. At the very least, Watchtower's days of healthy growth are over with. What growth there is seems to come primarily from children of JWs being baptised, and outsiders coming in who are from 3rd world countries where the Watchtower message would have great appeal and there is a lack of available information about the organization's past history.

In several years there won't be much growth left to draw on from inside the organization unless they start baptising children, and as the internet and other information media become more available in the underdevelopped countries that market will lessen too.

However, Watchtower is crafty. It has always been able to spin itself into success. Let's hope the lack of good leadership, coupled with abundant information regarding the beliefs and history of the WTS, will cause the organization to run out of good spinning ideas, and considerable weakness in the armor becomes apparent.

444

The music that moves you....

by FlyingHighNow in

once when i was profoundly sad for too many days, my brother in law sent us a mix tape.

he named each song after a person in our family.

this is the one he named heather.

ScenicViewer

Judith Light, with the Seekers, is one of my all time favorites. I could listen to her for hours.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NaXaqoTOFwA&feature=related

An entire TV special,

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2XR34gwnFMI&feature=related

34

Steven Unthank is a true HERO

by Shawn10538 in

jw
friends

i just got done listening to hsi interview on six screens.

if any of you have any doubt about his motives and the greatness of his heroic actions, listen to the entire interview.

it is more than 3 hours long and i believe he addresses many concerns some here have had.

ScenicViewer

Add my support to the list. It was truly a David and Goliath story, and even though the prosecutor decided to drop the charges, it was after Watchtower was made to comply with the law like everyone else.

What he accomplished seems almost impossible.

33

Which came first for you? Watchtower illegitimacy, or a compelling alternative?

by Fernando in

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ScenicViewer

For now, the the breath of fresh air that comes from not having to support the WTS is a reward in itself.

33

Which came first for you? Watchtower illegitimacy, or a compelling alternative?

by Fernando in

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ScenicViewer

Watchtower illegitimacy definitely came first.

I haven't replaced it with anything yet, but I feel it's better to be free, with the possibillity of finding a compelling alternative in the future, than to support a dishonest, manupulative and controlling religious organization.