Pathofthorns

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Posts by Pathofthorns

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  14

  the remnant

  by larc in

  1. jw
  2. friends

  i gave stats under jw decline, but i forgot one.

  during the last ten years, the number of the remnant has not changed, which means that as fast they die, they are being replaced with nebies.

  couple possibilities:.

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  Pathofthorns

  Nice to see you around Frenchy.

  What would be the point then of listing the number of partakers if they acknowledge its inaccuracy?

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  14

  the remnant

  by larc in

  1. jw
  2. friends

  i gave stats under jw decline, but i forgot one.

  during the last ten years, the number of the remnant has not changed, which means that as fast they die, they are being replaced with nebies.

  couple possibilities:.

  1. 
  2. 
  3. 
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  Pathofthorns

  Almost sounds like Jesus illustration of the eleventh hour workers who got the same wages as those who worked all day.

  I guess when one looks at those who were called in the Scriptures for a special work, they were usually of a young age and were looked down upon by the established systems.

  It's sad that people are forced to partake in secret in an organization that feels they will be judged by how they treat Christ's brothers. I wonder how he will judge those that doubt another's calling. Wouldn't this be like labelling one of Christ's brother's a liar and denying the power of the Holy Spirit?

  Path
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  54

  JW Decline

  by larc in

  1. jw
  2. friends

  i found some interesting statistics, some of which you may know, that indicate that the wtbts is in decline.. 1. in the twenty years from 1970 to 1990, the rate of yearly increase dropped from 10% to 6%.

  in the last 10 years it has dropped from 6% to about 2%.

  since the world population growth is about 1.5% they are only growing at about 1/2 of 1% faster than the population.. 2. in 1999, there were 21 large countries that showed a decline.

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  Pathofthorns

  Thinker:

  I think it's more accurate to say that most Witnesses have "concerns", in that they see things that don't really add up. But I think most do believe that "its the truth". Once you find things out, you begin a downward spiral and would find it very difficult to remain an active Witness.

  People look at the internet and "apostate" stuff out of curiosity innitially, not generally because they have doubts. Then if the information is well presented and supported, they tend to look further because the information has raised doubt.

  It often acknowledges many of the areas they've been bothered by, such as lack of love etc. and many of the teachings they've been burned by such as the "generation" change or lifestyle things such as education.

  People realize the way they feel is not because they are weak, but that the problem lies within the "system". Without this vital connection, an individual can find himself trapped in a system he believes to be true and keeps punishing himself for never doing enough. The internet has been helpful in this regard.

  Path

  Edited by - pathofthorns on 24 December 2000 10:12:56
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  54

  JW Decline

  by larc in

  1. jw
  2. friends

  i found some interesting statistics, some of which you may know, that indicate that the wtbts is in decline.. 1. in the twenty years from 1970 to 1990, the rate of yearly increase dropped from 10% to 6%.

  in the last 10 years it has dropped from 6% to about 2%.

  since the world population growth is about 1.5% they are only growing at about 1/2 of 1% faster than the population.. 2. in 1999, there were 21 large countries that showed a decline.

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  Pathofthorns

  I found this site particularly useful when i began examining things. I found it interesting just how many hours needed to be spent to bring one person to the point of baptism in Canada.

  The statistics showed it took 8195 hours. This includes children who get baptized. Factoring that in, imagine just how hopeless it is for a 10 hour/month pub to bring someone into the truth. Factor in the number of those leaving and you realize you are hitting your head against a wall.

  Very interesting about Japan. Talk about a humiliation after all those speakers that blew about how "obedient" the japanese were and how amazing their growth and pioneer to publisher ratio was. Poor japanese, getting screwed twice by America

  Also, interesting that France has the highest decrease. Perhaps cult-awareness has left a few scratching their heads???

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  14

  the remnant

  by larc in

  1. jw
  2. friends

  i gave stats under jw decline, but i forgot one.

  during the last ten years, the number of the remnant has not changed, which means that as fast they die, they are being replaced with nebies.

  couple possibilities:.

  1. 
  2. 
  3. 
• 

  Pathofthorns

  The problem is that so many of our statistics are completely inaccurate or misleading or completely unimportant. I don't believe the actual numbers are manipulated, but way too much emphasis and meaning is put to them.

  Really, who cares just how many "annointed" there are? Between all your "nut cases" and young annointed partaking at home the numbers must be way off. Besides, what purpose does it serve? The same with number of hours in field service. By how many millions of hours is it inaccurate? Again, who cares? Its a meaningless statistic.

  As far as the whole annointed numbers problem goes, it shows to me that there are simply too many inconsistencies with our present position on the matter.

  The whole 1935 thing is not supported in scripture. The "replacement" theory is completely out of hand. (like how many of these old guys are becoming "evil slaves"... really). For what possible reason cannot people still be being called? Aren't the four winds supposed to be held back until the number is filled?

  Plus I find that they have put so many other sheep in responsible positions while supposed annointed ones, the ones who are going to judge angels are often not appointed and viewed with sketicism. To me it shows they don't even believe their own doctrine.

  What it all appears like is all of this "annointed" talk is designed to distract from the fact that all the power lies in a handful of men and not in a "class" of people. The annointed are in reality no more important than your average "joe" publisher. Such a shame more emphasis is placed on organizational appointments, than those made by the Holy Spirit.

  Path
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  7

  QUIZ ANSWERS

  by thinker in

  1. jw
  2. friends

  give yourself 10 points for each correct answer.. .

  1) true or false.

  pastor c.t.

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  Pathofthorns

  LOL. I was waiting for that RR.

  Path
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  54

  JW Decline

  by larc in

  1. jw
  2. friends

  i found some interesting statistics, some of which you may know, that indicate that the wtbts is in decline.. 1. in the twenty years from 1970 to 1990, the rate of yearly increase dropped from 10% to 6%.

  in the last 10 years it has dropped from 6% to about 2%.

  since the world population growth is about 1.5% they are only growing at about 1/2 of 1% faster than the population.. 2. in 1999, there were 21 large countries that showed a decline.

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  2. 
  3. 
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  Pathofthorns

  I think the internet is pulling out the intelligent ones who have been asking the serious questions to themselves for a long time. But I don't think its really responsible for the major decreases.

  People are just tired and worn out, trying to cover their butts and playing catch-up for lack of financial planning as they realize they are getting older. Plus the younger generation simply doesn't want the "truth" and the message no longer appeals in any way to the public.

  What you have is:

  a) old witnesses dying, getting sick, reducing activity due to age
  b) younger witnesses not getting baptized/getting dfed/leaving
  c) middle age witnesses asking questions/working more for retirement
  d) no clear, inspiring leadership. No solid direction and basis for confidence

  The reason for the decline is our own doing. Its not the internet. The internet is only going to contribute to the "dumbing down" of the flock as all the thinking and reasonable ones leave.

  Path
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  54

  JW Decline

  by larc in

  1. jw
  2. friends

  i found some interesting statistics, some of which you may know, that indicate that the wtbts is in decline.. 1. in the twenty years from 1970 to 1990, the rate of yearly increase dropped from 10% to 6%.

  in the last 10 years it has dropped from 6% to about 2%.

  since the world population growth is about 1.5% they are only growing at about 1/2 of 1% faster than the population.. 2. in 1999, there were 21 large countries that showed a decline.

  1. 
  2. 
  3. 
• 

  Pathofthorns

  NOTE TO SELF: Do not use sleepiness as an excuse!! LOL

  Path
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  54

  JW Decline

  by larc in

  1. jw
  2. friends

  i found some interesting statistics, some of which you may know, that indicate that the wtbts is in decline.. 1. in the twenty years from 1970 to 1990, the rate of yearly increase dropped from 10% to 6%.

  in the last 10 years it has dropped from 6% to about 2%.

  since the world population growth is about 1.5% they are only growing at about 1/2 of 1% faster than the population.. 2. in 1999, there were 21 large countries that showed a decline.

  1. 
  2. 
  3. 
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  Pathofthorns

  I found this sentence in the January 15, 2001 Watchtower a departure from typical past January articles. (page 17, paragraph 3)
  

  Of course, the number of those associated with Jehovha's Witnesses is not a criterion for determining if they enjoy divine favor; nor do statistics impress God.

  
  I thought i was seeing things to see this from an organization known for its love affair with statistics and equating growth with "God's blessing". Its also amazing, because on a personal level, our individual "statistics" as far as field service hours go, are used as a measure of our spirituality.

  It will be interesting to see if they refer to this sentence in the years to come as they try to calm the members' concern over the decrease in the first world. Ironically, it is their past equating growth with God's blessing and their trashing the decrease in the mainstream churches that has created the present concern among the membership.

  Actually this is one Watchtower you might want to get your hands on. It is a masterpiece in "keeping the members calm" while major changes take place. A brilliant piece of work with this magazine that announces the new organizational structure.

  Let us, therefore, be determined to keep in step with Jehovah's organization. Page 16, paragraph 22 (second last sentence in study article

  
  

  Let us, therefore, be determined to keep in step with Jehovah's organization. Page 21, paragraph 24 (last sentence in study article

  I wonder if they are trying to tell us something?

  Path
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  16

  Reflection from the past...

  by Scorpion in

  1. jw
  2. friends

  "if you are a young person, you also need to face the fact that you will never grow old in this present system of things.

  because all the evidence in fulfillment of bible prophecy indicates that this corrupt system is due to end in a few years.

  of the generation that observed the beginning of the "last days" in 1914, jesus foretold: "this generation will by no means pass away until all these things occur."-matt.

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  Pathofthorns

  Very interesting. Thanks RR. I'll watch this thread and see how it developes.

  Path