Is anyone able to share a link to that brief announcement?
optimisticskeptic
JoinedPosts by optimisticskeptic
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Explain the Anthony Morris thing to me
by optimisticskeptic inok, so can someone explain with relative brevity what the anthony morris thing is all about.
i certainly don't miss the guy but would like as valid of an explanation as possible without a bunch of paranoid conspiracies that no one can verify.
as best as i can tell from cryptic comments on here is he is no longer on the gb but in a congregation in the carolinas somewhere.
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optimisticskeptic
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Explain the Anthony Morris thing to me
by optimisticskeptic inok, so can someone explain with relative brevity what the anthony morris thing is all about.
i certainly don't miss the guy but would like as valid of an explanation as possible without a bunch of paranoid conspiracies that no one can verify.
as best as i can tell from cryptic comments on here is he is no longer on the gb but in a congregation in the carolinas somewhere.
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optimisticskeptic
Ok, so can someone explain with relative brevity what the Anthony Morris thing is all about. I certainly don't miss the guy but would like as valid of an explanation as possible without a bunch of paranoid conspiracies that no one can verify.
As best as I can tell from cryptic comments on here is he is no longer on the GB but in a congregation in the Carolinas somewhere. Now there are two new younger brothers on the GB and bam, lots of changes. This implies he was standing in the way of progress basically.
What's less clear is how everything was hush hush that he was removed from the GB, things he knew, why it was quiet, was he just generally seen as a liability because he was insane and came off as everyone's bigotted grandpa? I realize this is the area that's prob the most conspiratorial but I guess part of what I'm trying to learn is - what is publicly known? What are things I can bring up with PIMI that wouldn't raise suspicion of like, where did you hear that? Lol. I'm guessing everyone has noticed they don't see him on programs all of the time, but has there been any public mention of his removal and the addition of two new brothers. I just like to casually connect the dots for people sometimes but have to be careful to use verified publicly available information.
Anyways, thanks for any help!
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Meetings and masks
by optimisticskeptic inas it warms up wearing masks at meetings is getting really old.
the numbers from the cdc don't take justify it in my opinion.
maybe come winter if things spike again.
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optimisticskeptic
I think vaccination rate is highly regional. I'm sure halls in larger cities that tend to be more educated and liberal are largely vaccinated mirroring the vax rate of the community they live in. I'm guessing more rural congregations it's prob been a pretty uphill battle. My congregation is kind of half way in between the two and we've actually had quite a few get Covid, some seriously. Only then did they get vaccinated after being hospitalized. The vaccines have been a surprisingly good litmus test for how selfless and intelligent people really are. Some people I assumed the best about have revealed themselves to be dumber and more selfish than I thought. Needless to say I avoid them at the hall more now lol.
I also think this highly regional vaccination rate impacts the ability to have assemblies and conventions. Some areas would be fine but then others it would be a super spread event.
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Meetings and masks
by optimisticskeptic inas it warms up wearing masks at meetings is getting really old.
the numbers from the cdc don't take justify it in my opinion.
maybe come winter if things spike again.
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optimisticskeptic
As it warms up wearing masks at meetings is getting really old. The numbers from the CDC don't take justify it in my opinion. Maybe come winter if things spike again. My thinking is they're prob being over zealous because they created a bunch of anti-medical community idiots who aren't vaccinated. COVID would spread like wildfire at most halls and even worse at branch locations. Oh yeah, and lots of people have no health insurance. Sigh, I've been really cautious throughout the pandemic based on the science as it's developed but it seems like the org is being overly cautious now and less oriented to following CDC guidelines as they previously stated.
Note: no comments from wing nut conspiracy theorists that COVID is fake. You're literally retarded.
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Will the ministry ever resume?
by optimisticskeptic ingoing on 2+ years of no public ministry.
can't imagine anyone is really enjoying letter writing still or that it's remotely effective.
i'm a little shocked that we haven't resumed yet but i guess that's what happens when the org is run by a bunch of old people (ie high risk for covid) and a bunch of other sheltered germaphobes.
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optimisticskeptic
Going on 2+ years of no public ministry. Can't imagine anyone is really enjoying letter writing still or that it's remotely effective. I'm a little shocked that we haven't resumed yet but I guess that's what happens when the org is run by a bunch of old people (ie high risk for Covid) and a bunch of other sheltered germaphobes. It just seems ironic at this point that the one thing we're known for isn't really happening much anymore. It also seems somewhat politically/optics related. All of these precautions made sense at first but at this point it seems a bit ridiculous. Or perhaps there's too many idiots who aren't vaccinated too.
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What's actually recorded in publisher record cards?
by optimisticskeptic init seems to be unclear if things like public or private reproofs and details around those events being recorded and traveling with you.
it seems like the details are largely part of whatever judicial paperwork there is and not necessarily attached to your publisher card permanently.
i changed congregations a few years ago and it appears the letter the body wrote only covered the most recent issue and said nothing of a reproof that had happened a few years prior.
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optimisticskeptic
It seems to be unclear if things like public or private reproofs and details around those events being recorded and traveling with you. It seems like the details are largely part of whatever judicial paperwork there is and not necessarily attached to your publisher card permanently. I changed congregations a few years ago and it appears the letter the body wrote only covered the most recent issue and said nothing of a reproof that had happened a few years prior. Which I was thankful for since my dad was an elder and the previous reproof would have likely been far more upsetting to him. Anyways just curious on some clarity on how records on those things is kept, whether the details travel with you, etc. Thanks!
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Simon's Living Room!----10 Documents You Might Want!
by Atlantis inthese have already gone out by email.. when we come here, we are coming into simon's living room and need to protect all of his belongings.
this includes protecting the security here.. as many of you know, the watchtower has made a lawsuit over a song that they feel was wrongly used.
so, friends, the watchtower is still out there sending subpoenas and filing lawsuits.we have a few things you might want, so just reply below and i'll send you a pm.the norwegian letters are translated on page 2 of the pdf.instructions for russia prison letter writing2020-11-10--norwegian-english-campaign2020-12-09--direction related to covid-192020-12-15--norwegian-english2020-12-16--announcement december 16, 20202020-12-17--announcement2020-12-18--announcement2020-12-19--covid-19 vaccine announcement2020-12-21--kingdom hall internet service during the pandemic2020-12--bethel visitors lodging and car rental listatlantis!
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optimisticskeptic
Here too please!
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JW Response to COVID
by optimisticskeptic ini haven't been on here in quite some time so i apologize if i missed a similar thread already (i did look for one :) ) anyways, just to be clear i think the jw response to covid in general has been really positive and proactive and they've done really well trying to educate people on covid, doing zoom meetings, etc to prevent spread within the congregations.
the part that i find interesting is how compliant and non-apocalyptic the branch has been during all of this.
even as someone who's a bit of a skeptic i found myself wondering if this might be the beginning of the end between covid, economic upheaval, and blm.
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optimisticskeptic
I've been meaning to get back to this thread. Like usual the thread his verged into conspiracies and vitriol.
Back to the original topic of how the GB have handled this. Besides the first video, Covid rhetoric had generally been tame or very complaint with secular laws and standards. There's been constant instruction to adhere to CDC guidelines, listening to local authorities and being sensitive to local circumstances. There has also been the very rare sharing of directions from secular sources on how to remain safe.
But I sense that the GB don't want people to get too complacent because the word is spreading that during CO visits there's lots of admonition about this being preparation for future events. Loyalty to direction and the org. Personally the last bit doesn't bother me at all because what idiot isn't wearing a mask in public places, washing hands thoroughly, avoiding large public gatherings, and socially distancing whenever possible? It blows my mind how many people must not be doing this because there are letters every two weeks reminding people how to do all of these things. And how important it all is.
Anyways, my ultimate point is the same. All of the actions from the GB seem to indicate they don't think this is the end and are actively trying not to encourage this thinking within the rank and file. Which good on them I guess. It just strikes me as highly ironic. Depending how long all this goes I do wonder if the message will continue of veer towards more fear mongering to keep people motivated and not lose everyone when/if meetings ever come back.
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JW Response to COVID
by optimisticskeptic ini haven't been on here in quite some time so i apologize if i missed a similar thread already (i did look for one :) ) anyways, just to be clear i think the jw response to covid in general has been really positive and proactive and they've done really well trying to educate people on covid, doing zoom meetings, etc to prevent spread within the congregations.
the part that i find interesting is how compliant and non-apocalyptic the branch has been during all of this.
even as someone who's a bit of a skeptic i found myself wondering if this might be the beginning of the end between covid, economic upheaval, and blm.
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optimisticskeptic
Agreed, ThinkerBelle. I think being in NY prob contributes to how seriously they're responding globally. And I agree that all of the Zoom meetings makes it easy to do the minimum while making it seem like you're doing more. -
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JW Response to COVID
by optimisticskeptic ini haven't been on here in quite some time so i apologize if i missed a similar thread already (i did look for one :) ) anyways, just to be clear i think the jw response to covid in general has been really positive and proactive and they've done really well trying to educate people on covid, doing zoom meetings, etc to prevent spread within the congregations.
the part that i find interesting is how compliant and non-apocalyptic the branch has been during all of this.
even as someone who's a bit of a skeptic i found myself wondering if this might be the beginning of the end between covid, economic upheaval, and blm.
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optimisticskeptic
I haven't been on here in quite some time so I apologize if I missed a similar thread already (I did look for one :) ) Anyways, just to be clear I think the JW response to COVID in general has been really positive and proactive and they've done really well trying to educate people on COVID, doing Zoom meetings, etc to prevent spread within the congregations. The part that I find interesting is how compliant and non-apocalyptic the branch has been during all of this. Even as someone who's a bit of a skeptic I found myself wondering if this might be the beginning of the end between COVID, economic upheaval, and BLM. As things progressed I don't really feel this way anymore, but it certainly crossed my mind a few times when it began. In very early videos the branch did talk about the possibility of the end coming. But they haven't gone down that path since but rather have emphasized repeatedly about safety, preventing spread, complying with local authorities, etc.
I mention all of this to get to my main point/question. I find it interesting that the branch has taken so many actions to prevent being targeted as a religion during the crisis. There were certainly some other religions that ignored things in the south and still met and were widely condemned. It seems like if the GB really felt this was the beginning of the end they would ignore governments and circumstances and continue to meet as Babylon the Great turning on false religion is the beginning of the Great Tribulation. So it seems like if the circumstances presented themselves you would basically try to encourage governments turning on religions including JWs as it starts to fulfill prophecies of persecution and what not and could somewhat credibly be painted as the beginning of the events that mark the great tribulation. I think that the GB isn't responding this way is rather telling personally. I think they are way more cautious after falsely predicting the beginning of end times more than once. I also think it reveals that if the end is coming, truly no one knows when and that even the GB aren't willing to hurry things along since they obviously don't know when or if the end is coming. I guess this is also what I would say is the most prominent example of a public contradiction since we're repeatedly told that the end is coming very soon, you never know when, videos of people in basements, get your go bags ready, etc. Granted a lot of this language has been around for years, but it seems to have ticked up over the last few. But then when given the chance to really seize on an opportunity to interpret events as the end and to kind of encourage prophecy fulfillment they instead choose to be very compliant and pragmatic and generally avoid catastrophizing and talking about this being the end even though lots of members certainly feel like it could be. This is certainly the only event in my lifetime that felt like it could genuinely signal the beginning of the end yet the branch has actively not encouraged that line of thinking aside from occasional "this is preparation for the end" kind of talk.
I don't say any of the above to be overly negative (although I'm sure some on here will commence with the belly aching) I see it as more of a pragmatic validation that it's quite possible the end will never come as predicted and that really no one knows. As a skeptic I find this a little comforting because it means I can fairly confidently continue living without the fear of the end coming tomorrow hanging over my head. I've lived that way for some time now but this is probably the biggest event in my lifetime that makes me feel more confident that I can continue to pursue my professional and secular goals and take care of my family while doing the minimum in the org to keep everyone happy.