Apparently a big regional convention in Australia has been cancelled. Instead there will be 14 conventions at the local convention hall.
Does anyone from downunder have any idea about the reason?
Festus
JoinedPosts by Festus
-
10
Convention canceled in Queensland
by Festus inapparently a big regional convention in australia has been cancelled.
instead there will be 14 conventions at the local convention hall.. does anyone from downunder have any idea about the reason?.
-
-
Festus
-
66
The urban legends we heard as JWs!
by stuckinarut2 inhow often have we heard some sort of sensationalist urban legend as jws?.
here is an example i was told as a kid:.
the experience of a sister who knocked on a door and was greeted by a big fierce looking man- intimidating and mean.
-
-
Festus
In Europe it was Bruce Spingsteen in Stockholm - who asked witnesses to leave the venue. When he was starting to play he repeated the request - some witnesses had choose to stay. Horrible....Boss was clearly instrument of demons/satan but still witnesses chose to stay....what a legend.
Another one - I heard this one i NYC - was that a CO had been in field service and met a psychic. Psychic told him that in "spirit world" they had had a conference and they thought "hey lets invite witnesses". So there in the spirit world they flew to Brooklyn but could not get access to HQ cause it was guarded by angels..."so many angels". Shuure...
-
6
Jehovah is not the God of Jehovah’s Witnesses
by Ireneus inin exodus 23:4 jehovah established this law: “if you come across your enemy's ox or donkey wandering off, be sure to take it back to him.”.
if jws were really his people, jehovah would have ensured they never go wrong in their teaching which is in effect much more than mere “wandering.” if jehovah is concerned about wandering animals of enemies of his chosen people, much more concern should have been shown by him towards his modern-day chosen people.. yet the changes they have made are too many.
(https://docs.google.com/document/d/1urjfnby6jlz8lsibve7vsrgihtxkwqbrluzihlgfh-e/edit).
-
-
Festus
The God in Exodus is Yahweh who was a half crazy solider god. JDubs represent their Jehovah as this Yahweh like Jehovah = Yahweh and vica verca. But that is nonsense. Jdubs god is some sort of hybrid of Jesus and Yahweh. Yahweh is not the only god in old testament. El or El Shaiddai was one of them. And if I remember correctly he created earth.
It is bit unclear if Raymundus Martini invented the name Jehovah or was it via masoretes. Catholic church claims Jehovah is their "invention" by this Martini. Dunno.
Anyway the whole Jehovah thing is rubbish.
And yes their god is more gb today.
-
1
Fictional Novel about witnesses
by Festus inben kalland from finland has written a novel with jdub - and jw hq - as context and it has been translated to english.
it is called "ellen's song".
you can find it in amazon.. here is the plot:.
-
-
Festus
Ben Kalland from Finland has written a novel with JDub - and JW HQ - as context and it has been translated to English. It is called "Ellen's song". You can find it in Amazon.
Here is the plot:
A talented violinist. A horrifying accident. An unknown daughter.
Finland, years ago: Markus and his three sisters spend their childhood summers at a cottage by the sea. Younger sister Ellen is heading toward an international career as a violinist. But tragedies strike. One icy night Markus' friend drowns in a horrible accident. One of the sisters is banished from the family, Ellen’s violin is silenced forever, and Markus leaves the country.
New York, present day: Markus has made a career as a top-ranked elder in the Watchtower Society. Then one day he receives a letter from a woman who claims to be his daughter. He is compelled to revisit his family’s history—and he realizes that he will have to face the truth about what happened to his best friend and to his talented sister.
Ellen’s Song is a captivating story about the love of music, thirst for power, family secrets, and finding the truth. -
11
Borg nearly apologies child abuse victims in Finland
by Festus inthe attached picture is historical.
the man on left is ari hakkarainen, representative of jw in finland.
the woman in middle is reporter susanna päivärinta and the lady at right is josefina pakomaa who was abused by family friend - a jw - when she was 11. a vicious apostate today.
-
-
Festus
steve2: interview was conducted 18.4.2018 so if we just think about the timeline it is not historical or ancient. But as compound complex pointed out other adjectives such as significant can be used. In this context I used word historical more in that sense.
She was an apostate during the interview and and still is. JWs have not labelled her "as vicious apostate" but taking into consideration that borg has described apostates as "mentally diseased" - and used several other degrading terms - I believe "vicious apostate" don't fall to far.
-
11
Borg nearly apologies child abuse victims in Finland
by Festus inthe attached picture is historical.
the man on left is ari hakkarainen, representative of jw in finland.
the woman in middle is reporter susanna päivärinta and the lady at right is josefina pakomaa who was abused by family friend - a jw - when she was 11. a vicious apostate today.
-
-
Festus
The attached picture is historical. The man on left is Ari Hakkarainen, representative of JW in Finland. The woman in middle is reporter Susanna Päivärinta and the lady at right is Josefina Pakomaa who was abused by family friend - a JW - when she was 11. A vicious apostate today. So we have a representative from Branch and an apostate in same picture. Apparently they even shook hands before program. Josefiina and Ari that is. Nevertheless in past "brothers" came to conclusion that she was the guilty one for her own abuse. She had seduced the poor man. So he had to apologise the man and afterwards serve coffee and cookies to him.
As a responsible journalist Päivärinta gave JW possibility to give their view of what has happened. Ari's interview starts around 18.45 and is full of surprises. In the very beginning Ari says that term "judicial committee is bit misleading" because the purpose of it is to give spiritual support and help. Well why is it called judicial committee then?
At 23.45 min Päivärinta asks a question about Josefinas case. Ari says "we are truly sorry that she has had to go through this ordeal..." that is not an official apology but probably a close as society can go. Further he mentions that he has familiarised himself with the case and contra what Josefiina says there was no judicial committee but two elders who had interviewed her. With other words he admits that society keeps files of cases like this.
But further Ari acknowledges that she is a victim and victims are never requested to be in judicial committee. Somehow I have difficulties to believe in this. Background for this comment might be that few weeks before this program the national broadcasting company in Finland made a big story where several women claimed that JW had required them to be quite what it comes to cases such as Josefiina's.
Then Päivärinta grills him further and refers to tv-program and asks about other women and their stories. Ari says that "he would like to say that it is not true" but points out that it might have happened in past with individual cases. Right after that he says that reason why society requests to contact juridical department first is that then juridical department can tell parents that "now your first thing to do is to go directly to authorities". But journalist Päivärinta continues and says "Ari I checked the instructions and it does not say go to authorities it says contact branch" Ari then replies "yes but in our publications there has been instructions to contact authorities during a longer period of time", "in what publications?" asks the journalist. "Watchtower" says Ari.
Please give me that Watchtower's year and date since haven't seen a single WT magazine with that information!
Then Päivärinta asks "what about these other women should they report these abuse cases to police" and looks like Ari is forced to say "Absolutely. We don't have any interests in covering up these kinds of activities".
Päivärinta then asks about two witness policy and Ari replies that he would "separate child abuse cases from this since there might not be a single witness". Is that now against what GB recently said in one of the broadcasting? What it comes to two witness rule and rape cases Ari instructs the victim to contact police and if there is a doom from court JWs can rely to that and take it into consideration if the case is to be taken up in congregation.
"We don't deal with crimes in congregation we deal with sins, police is there for crime investigations" well good if that is the case now but what comes to past I might have a different view. Further Ari denies that there would have ever been a culture of silencing victims but on the contrary a culture of "encouraging the victims to approach authorities" he also ducks Päivarinta's question of giving possible documents to police by referring to confidential information of individuals but he admits that there is a chance that some documents must be given to authorities someday in future.
Päivärinta further asks if society is going to apologise possible victims "That is a good idea" says Ari but even thought he is more bombarded with the question the best he manages to say is "if there is a convenient opportunity to apologise well why not and if we have ever done something wrong of course we will apologise.." guess there is still no reason to expect JWs of Finland to officially apologise anything.
Ari is further asked about shunning and he mentions that if some one just stops attending meetings and going to field service - aka inactive - nothing changes. But with that "little percentage that is either disfellowshipped or has disassociated them selves" according to Ari there are no strict guidelines but it depends of a conscience of an individual meaning some people do shun strictly and some less strictly. "There is now one way" he says. Ari please. That is not true.
Päivärinta grills him further and quotes WT and refers to Elders Manual and Ari is forced to say "well if you look up this from bible you will see that these guidelines are from bible". Shuure. He then softens the case by claiming that 50% will return. Ari, the figure might be smaller nowadays.
Päivärinta then suggest that maybe they come back because they miss their family so much and says "Ari do you understand that it is a tough punishment, psychological violence if community rejects you?" Ari compares the situation with someone quitting a job if he/she has become unhappy with it and afterwards talks bad things about it. "Relations do easily become infected in situations like this" is Ari's comment. Ari. Job and family are not comparable. Ari then tells us that he does not shun anybody. He has in previous interviews said that he knows around 20 000 witnesses so somehow I don't buy this.
Last few minutes Ari and Päivärinta do talk about the wonderful hope of Jehovah's Witnesses. "What happens to me and the other people when badness is wiped away?" asks Päivärinta. "God will determine that. We of course hope that everyone will live in paradise" replies Ari. Wrong answer. You will all die would have been more truthful.
It is note worthy that Ari Hakkarainen was in this program. Usually society - in Finland - has used Veikko Leinonen but maybe his face has become "burnt" in media. Or maybe it is just too tough nowadays to be in lime light in connection with society since media is starting to ask tough questions. Or maybe Veikko was on vacation.
Even if you don't understand Finnish you can see that Ari's body language is disturbing. Just take a look at at 25.00 minute when he is asked if society covers up abuse cases.
Here is the link:
http://www.iltalehti.fi/iltv-paivarinta/201804110185348_iv.shtml
-
16
Pillowgate makes headlines in Finland
by Festus inlocal newspaper in finland has published an article concerning wtbs:s "pillowgate@ videos.
the local "communications manager" of jehovah's witnesses - veikko leinonen - has declined to comment them.
according to him they are for internal use only.
-
-
Festus
Local newspaper in Finland has published an article concerning WTBS:s "Pillowgate@ videos. The local "communications manager" of Jehovah's Witnesses - Veikko Leinonen - has declined to comment them. According to him they are for internal use only. He also states that "videos have been misrepresented and taken out of context against any journalistic rules". Luckily WTBS never does this...
Previously "Brother Leinonen" has commented the shunning video and mentioned that when Sonja in video called her mother she was aware that it was "a religious call" hence she did not answer. Obviously Jdubs have some paranormal talents nowadays.
When reporter asked justification for shunning "Brother Leinonen'"replied: "Yeah. There is no point of speculating. Somebody has one opinion and the second one another. There is no need to continue the discussion".
Here are the links. Google translate works quite ok.
-
Kenvin Turner - Englishman in Nordics
by Festus indoes name kenvin turner ring bells to anyone?
he is english, married with a swedish woman or "sister" if you prefer.. they were living in sweden but he became co serving the english circuit in nordic countries aka sweden, denmark norway and finland.
he was a phenomena - in positive sense.
-
Festus
Does name Kenvin Turner ring bells to anyone? He is English, married with a Swedish woman or "sister" if you prefer.
They were living in Sweden but he became CO serving the English Circuit in Nordic countries aka Sweden, Denmark Norway and Finland. He was a phenomena - in positive sense. Instead of serving three years he served four years on a row - on same circuit. I guess Society had difficulties to find a new CO.
Afterwards he went to Baltic States.Lithuania if I remember correctly. From there back to UK. According to rumors he just started to feel homesick. Dunno what was the real reason.
Anyway I don't have anything bad to say about him. Seem to be a true, honest and very warm personality.
Just wondering what he is up to nowadays.
-
18
Sexist Watchtower quote makes me so angry
by Phoebe injohn cedars latest youtube video refers to last weekend's wt study article which some have referred to on another thread but i am truly outraged at the continuing misogynist attitude toward women.
not only did that study article say if women have a family to care for it will stop them gossiping or meddling into other people's affairs, lloyd shares on his video a talk by sam herd from when he was a c.o in 1971.
(i hope he has since changed his opinion!
-
-
Festus
The good old IT book gives its point of view as well. Under "headship" and "head covering" it says:
As man had priority in human creation, he is given priority of position over the woman. (1Ti 2:12, 13) The woman was made from a rib taken from the man and was bone of his bones and flesh of his flesh. (Ge 2:22, 23) She was created for the sake of the man, not the man for her sake. (1Co 11:9) Therefore, the woman, in God’s arrangement for the family, was always to be in subjection to her husband and was not to usurp his authority. (Eph 5:22, 23; 1Pe 3:1) Also, in the Christian congregation the woman is not to teach other dedicated men nor to exercise authority over them
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------
The man was created first, prior to the woman; the woman is “out of man” and was created “for the sake of the man.” Her qualities are an expression of the man’s honor and dignity, just as the man’s qualities are a reflection of the honor and dignity of God. Therefore the Christian woman should be happy to acknowledge her subordinate position
-
23
Ridiculous (degrading) comment on society's video
by Festus inon video "benefits of divine education" william samuelsson makes totally appalling comment.. starting from 3:05 he refers to "an effort" that was made in past to see how society's curriculum corresponds with normal - worldly - universities.. then he claims that following question was asked (to university representative) "how we in five months can teach the same that for them takes two years"?.
according to w samuelsson the representative of a university replied something like this: "your students are motivated, they have come to learn where as our students have been send to university by their parents and might have something else than learning in their mind".
this is to crystallize what he said.
-
-
Festus
On video "Benefits of Divine Education" William Samuelsson makes totally appalling comment.
Starting from 3:05 he refers to "an effort" that was made in past to see how Society's curriculum corresponds with normal - worldly - universities.
Then he claims that following question was asked (to university representative) "how we in five months can teach the same that for them takes two years"?
According to W Samuelsson the representative of a university replied something like this: "Your students are motivated, they have come to learn where as our students have been send to university by their parents and might have something else than learning in their mind". This is to crystallize what he said. Please watch the video for exact words.
But I mean seriously to claim that university students just are killing time in university and don't have any goals nor discipline to study is an insult towards university students. Of course there are some individuals that do fit this description but to generalize in that way! Jesus!
Further more comparing Watchtower education with University is just ridiculous.
As an example in past they said in MTS that no one will fail the course, everyone will receive diploma.
Well in real world university/college you can fail.
I wonder if this curriculum comparison has ever even taken place? Or is it one of these fictive things?
Link: https://tv.jw.org/#en/mediaitems/WebHomeSlider/pub-jwbrd_201501_3_VIDEO