Appreciate your post - most encouraging information! 
The Searcher
JoinedPosts by The Searcher
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15
Melbourne Victoria Circuit Assembly Figures
by jonahstourguide inhi all, kind of news i suppose.. fyi, 10/12/2016 at melton assembly hall.
1,266 in attendance.. two 15 yo, one male one female baptised.. costs for the day, $6,951:00 .
before costs contribution to sydney branch office from last assembly surplus $3,000:00. jtg.
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JW Policy Regarding "Marking" From The Nov 2016 WT
by JW_Rogue injws will deny that local needs parts are often just a way to mark those in the congregation who are deemed to be "bad association" or who don't fall in line with the elders viewpoints.
now, for the first time in a long time the wt discusses their marking policy and how it works in the nov study wt:.
recall paul’s counsel regarding disorderly ones in the congregation.
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The Searcher
The org bases its "marking" dogma on 2 Thessalonians 3:6-14, which reads -
"In the name of the Lord Jesus Christ, we command you, brothers and sisters, to keep away from every believer who is idle and disruptive and does not live according to the teaching you received from us. For you yourselves know how you ought to follow our example. We were not idle when we were with you, nor did we eat anyone’s food without paying for it. On the contrary, we worked night and day, laboring and toiling so that we would not be a burden to any of you. We did this, not because we do not have the right to such help, but in order to offer ourselves as a model for you to imitate. For even when we were with you, we gave you this rule: "The one who is unwilling to work shall not eat." We hear that some among you are idle and disruptive. They are not busy; they are busybodies. Such people we command and urge in the Lord Jesus Christ to settle down and earn the food they eat. And as for you, brothers and sisters, never tire of doing what is good. Take special note [mark] of anyone who does not obey our instruction in this letter. Do not associate with them, in order that they may feel ashamed." (NIV)
The context of Paul's instruction shows that he was referring to lazy, work-shy parasites who were living off the work of others - not for the insidious reasons which the org claims.
Can't think of any modern-day parallels at the moment.
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Norway: Hospitals Refuse To Accept JW Blood Card
by darkspilver inbeen sent this - could be an interesting story - seems totally unrelated to recent events in canada, but see under the sub-heading 'debate after birth' - translation is via google, which is unfortunately not very good :(.
from the thursday 8 december 2016 print editon of agderposten newspaper - a norwegian daily newspaper with a circulation of just under 20,000 (so admittedly a relatively small regionally based circulation newspaper).
jehovas vitner har laget et blodkort for overføring i en akuttsituasjon.
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The Searcher
Will those hospitals likewise ignore the warnings given by others via medical alert bracelets etc. if they are unconscious when admitted to hospital? https://www.medicalert.org.uk/
I sense a legal challenge on this one.
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Should a Priest ,Elder ,Pastor withold a crime from the relevant authorities because of a confidential confessional ?
by smiddy inwhat do you believe , is a confessional something that is sacred between the the two parties involved ?
or does it depend on the severity of the crime/sin.. or is their a responsability of the recpient of the confession to divulge what he/she knows about the crime.?.
what we see in movies ,tv, etc shows it is a no no .but is that true ?the confessional is only between the two involved.?.
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The Searcher
Since "confession" to a priest or elders is verifiably an unscriptural, religious dogma, there is absolutely nothing "sacred" about it! Therefore, it should not be used as a justification for concealing serious crimes.
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How Jehovah’s Witnesses leaders hide child abuse secrets at all costs - Reveal News - December 10, 2016
by jwleaks inhow jehovah's witnesses leaders hide child abuse secrets at all costs.
by trey bundy.
reveal news.
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The Searcher
Zeb said - "I am amazed that the judge here didn't issue warrants for the arrest of the gb and the elders involved."
Zalkin said - "he believes that state and federal law enforcement agencies have a moral obligation to investigate the Watchtower’s child abuse policies and seize its files."
The longer the WTBTS evades any punitive measures by governmental agencies, the more I am convinced that the org is nothing less than an integral part of the political & financial system, and as such, has "friends in high places" who for the time being are providing cover for them.
It seems that U.K. football authorities and teams have likewise been shielded from "bad publicity" due to the child rapists and abusers in their organization being concealed from public scrutiny. It will be interesting to see which/how many high profile persons helped to keep things quiet in British football - just like Jimmy Savile at the BBC.
Time will tell if the org faces the same fate.
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Elder wants to stop by with the CO for a visit .
by NikL inso i got a text from an elder who i consider one of the good guys and a friend in his own way.. he asked if he could bring the co by for a visit.
he said it would be "just a pleasant call and visit and will hopefully encourage my wife".
he says that "he knows she is dealing with a ton of pressure".. in all my years around the organization, i never had a visit from the circuit overseer.
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The Searcher
What a happy ending!!! Absolutely no good can come of sitting with a C.O. and an elder.
When I was offered a "shepherding call" by an elder in my new congregation, I told him politely but firmly that I would never sit in a room with just two elders, ever again! I think he spread "the good news", because we've never been approached since.
Draw the line in the sand for the org's Rottweilers.
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What is life?
by punkofnice inwhen i was a jobo, i used to thing of 'life without end at laaaasssssst'.. having been on my journey out of the wbt$ slaveholdery, i have found that something that makes sense is that life doesn't owe us a meaning.
psalms 146:4 was actually bangeth on the money-eth 'his breath goeth forth, he returneth to his earth; in that very day his thoughts perish.'.
although i am now very atheist, and really do not even think there is the remotest possibility of a god, that bible passage is correct.
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The Searcher
Each to his own, Punkofnice.
To live for approximately 840 months on this planet seems too brief and totally unjust, hence the reason why the meaning of life is so crucial to so many people. Whatever happens, I hope the rest of your life has few troubles and obstacles and you have a long and happy retirement.
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Lunch today with.. JW step father....
by raven init has been a while since i've posted, i think its because i have finally gotten some peace and quiet as far as harassment from the jw elders.. my step father, the one who reported me to the elder police for a sinful act invited me to lunch today.. it has been almost a year since the incident, we have talked here and there, it has been just casual though.
he says he is in town for work and asked if i would like to meet up for lunch, i couldn't think of any excuses so i agreed.. i hope it goes well, hope that we don't go into the jw nonsense.
hope he doesn't bring elders with him, am i paranoid or what?
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The Searcher
I don't know what made me think of the old saying, "Beware of Greeks bearing gifts." Cautious & innocent also spring to mind. Have a nice lunch and a lighthearted conversation.
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Update on my fade.
by LogansRun inhi folks, i have not commented for awhile but i do stop by a few times a week to catch up and see whats new.
i also find the advice given to others is at times helpful to me also...now about my fade no meetings, service or any contact in over 3 months but they keep trying to call and at first they would leave a message on my voicemail but now they just keep hanging up and i know its them (i screen all of my calls).
recently they stopped by (in the evening) and buzzed me and thankfully no one let them in, i live in a locked secure building.
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The Searcher
Hi Logan, I know I'm repeating what may sound like a fader's mantra, but it works;
If anyone confronts/calls on you, do not be afraid and ignore them. Stand your ground and confidently (but humbly!) say, "Thank you so much for your concern, but I have private & personal issues which I can't discuss with anyone at the moment. If things change, I promise I'll call you." (rinse & repeat if pushed!)
You are drawing a line in the sand which they know they cannot cross - but only if you say nothing more.
The visits and questionings will abruptly cease, thanks to the K.H. gossip machine. I wish you well.
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JWs take a page out of the Trinitarian playbook to support the generation of 1914
by OneGenTwoGroups inback in the "good old days", i would look for people in my territory, especially ministers in order to debate the trinity with them.
it was my pet subject that i had spent many hours over several years researching.
i was such a good anti-trinity apologist that i was actually disappointed with the trinity brochure when it came out.
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The Searcher
"A nominal Catholic or Protestant usually doesn't understand the Trinity."
"Indeed, of all revealed truths [the trinity] this is the most impenetrable to reason.......the plurality of Persons in the Godhead is a truth entirely beyond the scope of any created intellect." (Catholic Encyclopedia - http://www.newadvent.org/cathen/15047a.htm#IV)
If the religion who formulated it can't explain it......................