The week after the 2nd broadcast from the '23 annual meeting, I was listening to some older (70's) JWs discuss the changes. The husband said 'as long as they don't change the doctrine, I'm OK with it', or something to that effect. I wanted to say, 'But isn't that what they have done, change the doctrine?'. It is remarkable what blinders these people have on.
dropoffyourkeylee
JoinedPosts by dropoffyourkeylee
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32
Conversation with old friend
by LongHairGal ini recently had a conversation with an old acquaintance from the congregation i used to attend.
we talked about the recent changes in the 2023 annual meeting.
i especially pointed out the one about getting rid of hourly reporting on monthly time slips.
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34
JW profit from disasters
by enoughisenough insome time back i questioned about jw making money from doing relief work for disasters.
i found this story on reddit and also noted some of the replies.
it makes me wonder how many would have left their own jobs and paid their way, giving free labor and some supplying free materials if they had know what was going on behind the scenes.
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dropoffyourkeylee
The WT Relief work as I understand it is this.
A disaster strikes for which the resident has insurance, be it a hurricane, wildfire, large hailstorm, or whatever.
In such cases, local contractors are overwhelmed, so it is not unusual for contractors (JW or non-JW) to move in temporarily for the work. There is usually a demand surge on materials as well, resulting in delays. JW's take in mostly donated materials, donating their time and expertise for the rebuilding/reconstruction work. They feel like they are doing good for the brotherhood and get that happified feeling. The JW homeowner is just happy to get the work done and get back into their home. Then when the homeowner JW gets the insurance check, they turn it over to the WT.
I don't think what they are doing is illegal or fraudulent, though it seems kind of underhanded to me.
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Is there “new light” on 1914?
by wallsofjericho ini’m hearing paraphrasing like “we just don’t know” .
is this regarding 1914?
or micheal the arch angel?.
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dropoffyourkeylee
But if they were going to point to 2034 in any significant way they are leaving it pretty late now
Curious phenomenon of apocalyptic date setting is that it tends to put the 'end' about 25-40 years in the future.
A few examples come to mind:
Jesus to apostles, not a stone left upon a stone, 33-70 = 37 years
William Miller, came to belief in 1818 that the end was coming in 1844 = 26 yrs
Charles Taze Russell, 1874 to end of 'Gentile Times' in 1914 = 40 years
Fred Franz, 1967 to a vague 'end of the 1914-generation of (abt 1994 or so) = 27 yrs
There's probably a human psychological reason for this, maybe because people can buy into something if it is later in their life and they can see themselves living that long. If the date selected is shorter than that (ie Rutherford's 1025) it just makes them look stupid. If it is longer than 40 years it isn't believable; seems so far off that no one can relate to it.
I'm being cynical, but if the WT wants to set a date, they'll have to spin something around 2050-2065.
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Charles Taze Russell & His Secret Mission To S. California That Killed Him
by West70 inthe last 5 months of charles taze russell's life was quite hectic, and according to reports in the watch tower magazine, russell's health was declining throughout.
in september, 1916, russell went on a convention train tour which lasted nearly the entire month.
this train tour included stops in several southern california locations around the 8th through the 12th.
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dropoffyourkeylee
fascinating letter, startingover.
Lots of businessmen carried a portable typewriter with them on the train for catching up on correspondence. Undoubtedly Macmillan wrote this while travelling.
He was well known across WV, Ohio, and Ky. I once knew a brother (now deceased of course) who had known Macmillan and had him stay at his house when he visited their area in the '40's and early '50s. I think Macmillan lived into the '60's.
It's curious how the railroad-era towns like Brandonburg WV and Crooksville Ohio which became nearly ghost towns once the railroad passenger traffic pulled out.
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Governing Body's failed doctrines blamed on Jehovah's gradual revealment
by RULES & REGULATIONS inhttps://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nh9w8zmgli0.
( starts at the 21:00 minute mark ) governing body member jeffrey winder reveals the real reason for the failed doctrines throughout the watchtower's 150 year history.
he claims that the governing body are neither inspired or infallible.. the governing body do not need to apologize for getting doctrines wrong.. the governing body ''do their best with what they have and what they understand at the time.''.
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dropoffyourkeylee
My issue with the JW doctrines is not that some of it is wrong, but that if you disagree with anything, you are labelled apostate and shunned. It doesn't matter if you are right or wrong yourself; they shun you just because you don't follow the party line. It's ridiculous.
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2023 Yearly Report UNDER the Microscope
by raymond frantz inhttps://youtu.be/pi7sn2rnrke?si=lnvklqct6nuayv2q.
branches of jehovah’s witnesses: 85 (= down one from 86 from the previous year and quite possibly they are referring to the hong kong bethel that closed down recently).
number of lands reporting: 239 ( =the same as 2022).
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dropoffyourkeylee
The population growth rate compared to the JW growth rate is a useful comparison. Using population rates (last published for 2022);
world pop +0.8%
World jw +1.3%
US pop +0.6%
US jw -1%
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2023 Yearly Report UNDER the Microscope
by raymond frantz inhttps://youtu.be/pi7sn2rnrke?si=lnvklqct6nuayv2q.
branches of jehovah’s witnesses: 85 (= down one from 86 from the previous year and quite possibly they are referring to the hong kong bethel that closed down recently).
number of lands reporting: 239 ( =the same as 2022).
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dropoffyourkeylee
I am curious what they are calling ‘Palestinian Territories’
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Thoughts on annual meeting “new light”
by FFGhost inso, i finally saw the annual meeting video part 2.. this is the one with the “new light” on who might survive armageddon, vs. those who do not.. in summary, for those of you fortunate enough not to have to sit through it, it’s something like this:.
old light: once the “great tribulation” starts, that’s it for non-jws.
the “door of the ark” is closed.
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dropoffyourkeylee
They’re tearing it down brick by brick.
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Is the 1000 year reign literal?
by gavindlt into all those on this students on this forum, i would love to know what your view is?.
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dropoffyourkeylee
It is literally non-existent
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Joe134cd attends a Jewish Synagogue
by joe134cd inok just reviewing my sabbath attendance at a jewish synagogue.
the service was 95% in hebrew.
i think the observation that jesus made about them been more concerned about the traditions of man than the word of god, still stands true to this day.
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dropoffyourkeylee
I once attended a Bat mitzvah (when a girl comes to legal age) in a Reformed Jewish synagogue. Well attended, lots of younger folks (maybe because of the event). About 5O% in Hebrew, some delightful music. My aunt’s husband was Jewish and I got probably my first and only chance to attend synagogue. Overall it seemed pleasant.