Lomdo11. I just wanted to say... You're a great, insightful writer. I agreed with and enjoyed reading this post.
Nice!
Jesuit Scholar
JoinedPosts by Jesuit Scholar
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9
Verbal Lycanthropy
by Londo111 inalthough the society disavowed puritans for their doctrines, sometimes i felt i read in the articles an undercurrent of admiration toward them.
in many ways, the wts strove in the same way toward a religion they felt as 'pure' as possible, and in doing so, stripped away all that was human and heartfelt.
but as puritanical as the concept was, there were always those in the various congregations that went the extra mile, either in word or deed.. .
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The Sandusky Scandal's Possible Impact on the WTS
by Quendi ini hope the powers-that-be in brooklyn are paying close attention to what is happening in state college, pennsylvania with respect to the hideous pedophile scandal at penn state university because it speaks directly to their own handling of pedophilia.
here is a news release about the matter:.
state college, pa. (ap) -- penn state's investigation into the jerry sandusky scandal concludes that the administrators who fielded a 2001 complaint about him created a dangerous situation for future victims by not reporting the matter.. the freeh group's report issued thursday said that in order to avoid bad publicity, president graham spanier, football coach joe paterno, athletic director tim curley and vice president gary schultz ''repeatedly concealed critical facts.''.
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Jesuit Scholar
Interesting that the Sandusky case is in Pennsylvania.
The catholic priest convicted and jailed for a pedophile cover-up (first ever clergy conviction for a cover-up and not an actual first-hand molestation) that was passed down just instants away, as the Conti news was breaking and days within the Sandusky news, also in Pennsylvania.
Easily and quickly creating precedence in that state's courts.
All the while...
The founding and primary legal entity of Jehovah's Witnesses, The Watch Tower Bible & Tract Society of PENNSYLVANIA, incorporated in PA in 1884, is the corporation that holds most of the hard assets.
While not a necessity for litigation, it's easily a convenient coincidence.
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The WTS "Brain Drain"
by Quendi ini posted this on another thread and am pasting it here to start a new one because i would be interested in getting others' thoughts on it.. there has been a downward spiral in the quality of the written publications since the death of fred franz in december 1992. whatever else can be said about franz, the man did have some education and his writing was of good quality.
others in the writing department also had some skill and command of language that gave cogency to their work.
but since franz's death, a huge leadership vacuum has opened in the wts.
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Jesuit Scholar
This is an interesting topic to me, working in academia - especially at Jesuit universities whose 500+ year philosophy of indepth research, study, scholarship and emphasis on knowledge and understanding strongly permeates those halls.
Having said that, I have a number of observations on this subject, but would like to add to this discussion one notable milestone in the recent move to void any reliable semblance of scholarship in Watch Tower Society publications or in the organisation of Jehovah's Witnesses internally, or in the public sphere. (The latter was even noticeable in projects like the year-long first-floor temporary exhibit in the United States Holocaust Museum in Washington D.C., and the collaboration with dozens of scholars and historians. However biased the effort may have been.)
The milestone I wanted to draw attention to was the ouster of W. Liverance and L. Bowen from the teaching staff at Gilead. While debatable, Gilead was the closest effort to scholarship, registered as a school of higher learning, a bible college, even officially founded as The 'Watchtower Bible College of Gilead.'
This move has been rumoured to have been as a result of those genuine men actually researching reliable sources in their work as instructors, dare I say, as Watchtower Scolars or even professors of Watchtower's Gilead "College." Members on this board have even heard reports that indicate that their dismissal was viewed as a "light" sentence, as they teetered on possible disfellowshippment or "excommunication."
Now, Gilead has moved from a "Bible School" to a training entity on policy matters for appointed Watchtower representatives in a variety of capacities, or already in "special full-time service."
Is it a coincidence that only two of the seven-member Governing Body studied at the school? And maybe such centres of potential scholarship, like the once-prolific, and seemingly more "research-oriented," Writing Department threaten a tight control? So that now the goal is simply, a focus on JW and WT policy, a complete limit on free-thinking, and an adherence to old and stubborn doctrine?
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Prozac Use Among JWs, Bethelites, Circuit Overseers and District Overseers, What Gerritt Loesch Said
by Scott77 inany bethelite whom served the past 5/6 years remembers gerritt loesch's morning worship when he mentioned over 40% of those in special full-time service (bethel, missionary, co, do) were on antidepressants, such as prozac.
serious phenomena affecting many, but throw the tight reins, multiplies it.
mc rubbermallet.
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Jesuit Scholar
Room 215: Tara is Dr. Bishnu Chitraker's wife, both are Bethel Family members. And Bishnu is an MD, Doctor of Psychiatry, whereas Tara Chitraker is an MD, in general family practice. She also handled obstetrics for Bethelite 'sisters' who became pregnant and provided care until the couple departed Bethel.
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And down comes the house of cards
by Blind_Of_Lies in[if gte mso 9]><xml> <o:officedocumentsettings> <o:allowpng /> </o:officedocumentsettings> </xml><!
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Jesuit Scholar
The letter for 2 april mentions that the announcement regarding the magazines/websites does not preclude a previous letter of February 1 regarding another announcement to be made immediately after the Special Talk.
Has anyone posted on here already or know of that one. Just curious.
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Thoughts on the current Governing Body
by JRK inhere is a list of the current governing body members:.
gerrit losch: born 1942, appointed july 1, 1994 .
guy h. pierce: born 1935, appointed oct. 1, 1999 .
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Jesuit Scholar
I make those comments, absent of any debate on the actual doctrinal issues. Which are another topic all together. I focused on the effects that this group of 7 has had, will have, and probably in and of itself cause a partial, if not total, demise of an organization they, and so many, hold dear. Especially if those many were genuinely seeking Truth, and a loving and ever-loyal Christian brotherhood.
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Thoughts on the current Governing Body
by JRK inhere is a list of the current governing body members:.
gerrit losch: born 1942, appointed july 1, 1994 .
guy h. pierce: born 1935, appointed oct. 1, 1999 .
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Jesuit Scholar
BTTT...
Very hitting the nail on the head JRK... Or however that expression goes... Even about Mr. Lett. I never could stand his talks, discussions at Morning Worship, or weird prayers. Have you ever heard him speak? I couldn't/can't begin to understand how someone like him would be responsible for so many millions of lives and billions of dollars in assets. Regardless, the rest of your assessment is spot on perfectly expert. I wish they could be toppled, and things were reformable. Though, one major obstacle is that they, oddly, confidently feel that they should not be held accountable. It makes me feel so uncomfortable. It's like the weird, ugly, ackward, geeky guy feeling so popular and confident, enough to get the hotttttest, nicest, smartest girl in school.
There is such a disconnect with reality, one I, believe it or not, didn't really see with the older members who, regardless of other things that can be said of them, looked forward with a gleam in their eyes. They were, I dare say now, more progressive! If you give me that. Maybe I am more profoundly now just hurt, at the selling off of Brooklyn.
Even the 'accomplishments' part of the past is gone. The memories possibly, the connect with the growth of American culture during the past two centuries, the stories of being young Bethelites, as had been Barber, Sydlik, Swingle, Klein... The stories of Couch and Larsen. All gone. Somehow now erased. Talk about robbing an entire 'brotherhood' of nostalgia and ownership of what they help buid. (ie. also Spain Branch, Ireland, Gilead, etc.)
I know, again, all nostalgia. But, I do have a heart. I'm def. not a corporate yes-man. Never was, never will be!
I guess, it saddens me more than anything, this organization could be such a force for good. And I truly believe it has been and was in some respects. Many people were helped by it, and fundamentally did contribute to the joy and satisfaction in the lives of many. I really don't see it doing that now, in the present, under these circusmances. Who wants to sit twice a week and be scolded over and over about not doing enough? Scared into submission, told to talk to strangers but not to trust them because they are evil and might want to add you on Facebook. However, you need to go to people's doors and make them invite you into their home and sit with you in their living room to discuss the most intimate parts of their lives, though if after, even becoming good friends, they choose not to agree with your beliefs, you will shun them and consider them 'mentally diseased.' And if you don't shun them, you will be immediately disfellowshipped. Oh, and that goes for loved ones and family members too. Isn't that the actual, pure definition of a 'cult?'
As I read the reflections on another thread about Gilead School, how can we ignore that there are so many genuine followers that are filled with the best qualities, whose efforts are being betrayed. How can they help not being disilussioned? Feeling abandoned? Lifeless?
I wonder those things but am reminded how 'steadfast' everyone was enouraged to be leading up to this past decade; the problem is that they have been led full force, straight for a solid brick wall!!!
"Steadfast, undaunted, in this time of the end..."
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Good to study JW past .... New "Writing Archives" under direction of the Writing Committee
by wannabefree inyes friends, it is important to understand your rich spiritual heritage as jehovah's witnesses, and so you don't have to look at old publications on your own or refer to worldly sources, the organization is pleased to select for you the history as we want you to have it and you can get it in your current watchtower.. from january 15, 2012 watchtower pg 31-32. the governing body is keenly interested in.
our theocratic history.
in commenting on the.
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Jesuit Scholar
WOBBLE: Great point!!!
" If you can change the past, you control the present.
They are the equivalent of Holocaust deniers."
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Good to study JW past .... New "Writing Archives" under direction of the Writing Committee
by wannabefree inyes friends, it is important to understand your rich spiritual heritage as jehovah's witnesses, and so you don't have to look at old publications on your own or refer to worldly sources, the organization is pleased to select for you the history as we want you to have it and you can get it in your current watchtower.. from january 15, 2012 watchtower pg 31-32. the governing body is keenly interested in.
our theocratic history.
in commenting on the.
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Jesuit Scholar
Wait, really???
Picture number 8 on page 32!!!
Now the WT is claiming being the first to have created and boldly carried the Gay Pride Flag?!?!?!
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12
Piggy-Back JW's on the Mormon Cult Controversy
by Momma-Tossed-Me inon a previous thread a non-jw made the linked the jw's to cult status excluding the mormons.. can we as a group add jw's to this mormon-cult controversy to get some mileage out it?.
surely there are some on this board with some media contacts that could do the trick.. make some correlation between the two comparing the relative similarities of the two.. mtm .
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Jesuit Scholar
Momma, that idea is a great PR strategy. Follow and connect similar news stories to get coverage of yours.
Especially since the decorated General Eisenhower was, reportedly, effectively raised around Jehovah's Witnesses, Bible Students, as both of his parents were associates of Russell and his mother died claiming to be associated with the Watch Tower organization and is said to have had a 'Witness' funeral, where Eisenhower spoke of his mom. (At least as accounts indicate) His home was used for meetings of the Bible Students while he was a child and growing up. Some may dispute the accuracy of some of the details, but there is such overwhelmig evidence that it was mostly the case.
Eisenhower himself did not get baptized in any church until a few days, maybe weeks, after his innaguration as president. He, a republican, served two terms as President of the United States and was previously the first ever Supreme Allied Commander of NATO forces, won the war in Europe, and was eventually succeeded by a democrat, John F. Kennedy.
A VERY VERY easy connect for journalists, from cults, religion, success as a President of the United States. (With the Republican nomination issues this past week, and their conservative conference.)
Eisenhower's Watch Tower involvement did come up during his campaign, but having been a hero during World War II helped overcome that, along with his brothers' hard work to distance themselves from that past. They too had a difficulty in business and public life due to it.
Interestingly to note though, this was all in part connected with the Watch Tower's teachings and harsh stance against vaccines that made it a topic for conversation or debate. Sounds cult-ish, does it not?