NewYork44M

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Posts by NewYork44M

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  121

  Who Was Shocked By the Watchtower UN NGO Scandal?

  by AlanF in

  1. watchtower
  2. scandals

  .

  i'd like to get comments from people about whether and how much they were shocked, surprised, or otherwise bothered by the watchtower society's becoming an associated non-governmental organization (ngo).. note that i'd like to see these comments because they might lead to some interesting publicity, so please comment accordingly.. alanf

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  NewYork44M

  I describe my feelings as shocked. However, in retrospect I should have figured that something was going on. I can recall reading some of the "pro" UN articles and wondered why didn't the society include the usual "zinger" that man's efforts are hopeless and that the only hope for mankind is....yadayadayada.

  I also had a feeling of anger. I remember an event sometime in the mid 90's. While taking a class on economics I had to get some research information from the UN. I distinctly remember the feeling of fear and apprehension calling the UN for the information. I kept thinking that I was doing something wrong. How could I, a "true christian" have anything to do with the beast? When I found out that I was probably talking to the same librarian that Ciro interacted with on an on-going basis I was angry.
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  39

  I'm going to Bethel... Wanna Come?

  by RichieRich in

  1. jw
  2. friends

  so my mother suprised me about a week ago by telling me we are going on a bus trip to bethel from april 13-17. for those of you who aren't used to this concept, american dubs seem to think that packing themselves on the bus with 60 other witnesses and driving for 4 days is somehow going to strengthen themselves spiritually.

  well, i doubt that will work for me.

  i was just wondering, is there anything i should look for/ be on the alert for?

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  NewYork44M

  Keep in mind that you can do the Brooklyn tour in about fifteen minutes. The factory buildings are more or less empty. They may take you to a few empty floors but that is about it. The 25 Columbia Heights building is really the only building with a tour worth mentioning. But it wont take more than 10 minutes. The 117 Columbia Heights building is all boarded up with a massive refurbishing project going on. So nothing there. They don't give tours of the residences. So, Brooklyn Heights is a lovely place walk around enjoy the sights. If you are there on Sunday you should be able to see some real estate open houses. That is always a source of entertainment.
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  27

  More fun with witness urban myths.....

  by integ in

  1. jw
  2. friends

  i have heard many urban myths associated with the watchtower society and its hapless adherents.

  i like the one where an "interested one" accepted the invitation to attend the memorial one year, and sat next to a "sister" who let the confused attendee use her bible to look up scriptures as they were presented.

  afterword, the "sister" walked the man up to the circuit overseer, who had delivered the talk that year, and introduced the dupe-filled "study" to the co. the co complimented the man on his spiritual interest and asked what impelled him to come up and talk to him.

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  NewYork44M

  These stories never get old. Keep them coming. Here is one I heard many years ago:

  This story came from some war-torn area (i.e. Africa, Central America, and Europe). Several brothers were rounded up for not joining the army. They were told to dig your graves because "we are going to kill you." So the brothers dug their graves while being surrounded by gun-toting army guys. After the brothers finished digging they were told to lie in the freshly dug grave. Just then an enemy plane flew over head and shot all everyone standing. The only survivors were the brothers who were lying in their graves.
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  24

  I am an official apostate.....nearly.. and I'm loving it!!!!!!

  by Gill in

  1. jw
  2. experiences

  today, whilst shopping, i ran into an old school friend of mine that i had been quite close to.

  i used to write her 'sick' notes for her, so as you can imagine, we're friends forever now.. anyway, she tells me that she is studying with jehovah's witnesses again.

  i think she expected me to be thrilled with this news.

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  NewYork44M

  We finished talking after 2 hours

  I can't remember ever talking to anyone about my religion for two hours.

  Be sure to mark your field service report. Remember informal witnessing time counts.
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  51

  Is Organized Religion Something You'd Be Involved In Again?

  by minimus in

  1. jw
  2. friends

  do you believe in christianity, the bible, god-----or are you in the "i'm not sure what to think" class?

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  NewYork44M

  Q - Is organized religion something I would be involved in again?

  A - HELL NO!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

  Q - Is there any group organized for a social or political good that I would get involved in?

  A - HELL NO!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

  any other questions?
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  20

  Did Anyone Here Read The Chapters Every Day Before The Memorial?

  by minimus in

  1. jw
  2. friends

  ....to get in tune with what happened to christ during the last week of his life?

  i never did.

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  NewYork44M

  I did one day many years ago. After reading a few verses I said to myself: "Self, this is really dumb." Never did it again.
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  14

  Interesting IM chat with coworker, taking CoC into work for her tomorrow

  by DanTheMan in

  1. jw
  2. friends

  i've sort of known that she had some jw connections, but i had never broached the subject with her as the timing never was right.

  well, today i finally managed to work it in, after hearing her talking on the phone with somebody about the memorial.

  i sent her an im not knowing quite how she would respond, but it actually turned out pretty well:.

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  NewYork44M

  Are you able to "count time" when you informal witness through IM? Also, be sure to count any placements.
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  63

  Memorial experiences 2005 thread

  by Jez in

  1. watchtower
  2. beliefs

  lets put all of our memorial stories/thoughts on one thread.

  mine: 45 mins.

  quick and boring.

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  NewYork44M

  I went to the memorial in Brooklyn Heights. Max Larson gave the talk. He was ill-prepared and seemed to stumble through most of the talk. While I did not take notes I remember some selected phrases.

  "Jehovah gave up more that Jesus did for the ransom. While Jesus gave his life, Jehovah gave his son."

  If you are no longer coming to the meetings we would like to welcome you back. "Remember Jeh did not leave you; you left Jehovah." The he read a "most important scripture" about Jehovah leaving his people because of their wickedness. What fine encouragement!?

  At least three times he read the scripture that faith without works is dead. Meetings- study- and field ministry: the triune of our faith. Otherwise, forgettaboutit, you ain?t making it into the new system.

  A rather humorous event took place at the meeting. Cary Barber gave the prayer for the bread. If you have ever heard him pray, he has given the same prayer for a century. Well, half way through, he just stopped, no "in jesus name, yada yada ya." We were all left hanging. Max then said: "Br Barber is of the anointed and will have his 100 th birthday on July 4." I was certain that there was applause, maybe it was just me. Also, I was sitting a few rows behind Barber, I distinctly heard him humming during the whole talk. I guess if you are almost 100, you can make any noise you want.

  We also had the "special announcemen"t: If you are interested in a free home bible study, just ask anyone in attendance and they will make the arrangements.

  A side note, a few have suggested a reform coming. I saw no hint of reform. This was a very "hard line" do or die talk.
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  84

  Morning worship comment from Bethel

  by Smoky in

  1. jw
  2. friends

  i received this email from a friend of a friend:.

  'comments made by brother lett at morning worship today.. the comments were about the work we have of bearing witness of the truth.

  " again, the angels make note of it.. we knock at the fifth house and again no one is home.

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  NewYork44M

  But a garbage truck passes by. The driver tells his co-worker, "There go those witnesses again.
  The co-worker asks, "Aren't they the ones that don't accept blood transfusions?" "Yes", the driver replies. "But look how well dressed and well behaved their children are. I wish my children were the same." The angels make note of it.

  When I started reading this, it vaguely sounded familiar. When I read the above passage - I remember why it sounded so familiar. I distinctly remember in the early 80s hearing a CO give this example. As strange as it may seem I remember going out in service after this and talking about it with a fellow publisher and how encouraging the comments were. I even can remember what street we were on and who I was with!?!

  Unbelievable how this site can stir up repressed memories. From what was written in the lead post it is hard to say if this comment was given at a recent Bethel breakfast, but it is amazing how they just recycle the same ol crap.
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  21

  Current/former elders -- Ever on Judicial Committee while on your way out?

  by AlmostAtheist in

  1. jw
  2. friends

  gina and i were talking about this last night.

  do any of you that are currently serving as elders ever serve on jc's?

  is it something you can opt out of and still be an elder?.

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  NewYork44M

  That is a tough question and brings up a lot of bad memories. I was attempting to fade and was really struggling with my own sanity. A young girl confessed to having sex and a jc was formed, with me as part of the lynching gang. We heard her story, although I made sure she did not have to give any explicit details. After she left the room the other two elders said that this is cut and dry, she needs to be df?ed.

  I attempted to argue the case that since she confessed we could extend forgiveness. I was especially interested in helping the girl out because she had a tough background. In fact, I finally got the group to agree to meet with her one more time. However, the other elders would not allow me to explain to the girl that she could avoid the axe if she showed a sufficient amount of sorrow.

  The next meeting came and after we met with her it was obvious that the other elders were not going to change their minds. I finally acquiesced and agreed to the df?ing. Had I been a little emotionally stronger I would have fought a lot harder. I have not heard what the outcome of the girl was. I hope she is doing ok.