Posts by ctrwtf

2

by ctrwtf in

jw
friends

i read an article in the ny times recently discussing the negative nature of social media.

it discussed why instagram is so much more pernicious than facebook.

professionals and govts can use facebook to post new thoughts or ideas, even restaurants post specials and menus etc.. instagram on the other hand encourages people to post in a distilled down fashion the best parts of their lives.

ctrwtf

I read an article in the NY Times recently discussing the negative nature of social media. It discussed why Instagram is so much more pernicious than Facebook. Professionals and Govts can use Facebook to post new thoughts or ideas, even restaurants post specials and menus etc.

Instagram on the other hand encourages people to post in a distilled down fashion the best parts of their lives. Picture a dad wanting to get the perfectly staged picture of his child learning to ride a bike. Off it goes to Instagram for everyone to see what a perfect life and child he has. Yaaaay! Of course what isn't seen is the child crying because he fell and scraped his knee. In other words Instagram is a falsely positive peek into the lives of others.

This is where social media stalking comes into play. Don't deny it. Everyone does it. The problem arises from people who see only the best of their friends lives. They in turn think their own lives don't measure up then become depressed. I know, I know this affects mostly weak minded people who don't have a grip on reality. Still, it's a phenomenon of the 21st Century.

So why am I taking the long way around to my point? Well, if social media stalking were a crime, I'd be in jail. What I've noticed is the fact that very few true believers have any presence in social media at all. I have a distant relative that was a real presence on Facebook until they were DF"d. Now that they're re-instated guess what? Facebook account is dead.

Another phenomenon that I've noted is the number of JW Instagram users whose accounts are private. Why? My speculation is that they are probably posting things that may, shall we say "stumble" prying eyes? You went to a Pixies concert brother? You had wine with dinner sister? Yuuuuch!

Why do you think the dubs are anti-social........media that is?

10

Audrey Mock Knorr Hyde And Where Are We Going?

by ctrwtf in

jw
friends

i've been thinking about audrey mock knorr hyde since i heard about her death some weeks ago.

i met her while at watchtower farms in the early eighties.

i knew her second husband glen before alzheimers really began to take its toll.

ctrwtf

I've been thinking about Audrey Mock Knorr Hyde since I heard about her death some weeks ago.

I met her while at Watchtower Farms in the early Eighties. I knew her second husband Glen before Alzheimers really began to take its toll. I remember a conversation with her in which she noted that perhaps one of the most notable teachings of the JW's was that there was no hell. She reflected on what a god-dishonoring teaching it was. Of course she failed to note how god dishonoring it was to believe that god's bloodlust would soon wipe out billions of innocents at armageddon.

Still she seemed genuine and affable. Not at all aloof or superior. I liked her for that.

What has stunned me in hindsight is the fact that this woman spent nearly 70 years of her life institusionalized. Even though for a short period of time she was Audrey Knorr, with all the privileges and power, she spent most of her life in relative obscurity.

Almost 70 years of waking at the same time. Eating breakfast at the same time. Hearing on occasion a lunatic GB member rail against Star Wars or the Smurfs during morning text. Monday WT studies with the same old drivel week after week. Like the rest of the R and F, meeting after meeting, week after week, month after month, decade after decade. No children. Shitty cafeteria food every day of your life. The endless banal droning of the WT propaganda machine.....Did I mention no children?

I remember hearing about the bethelites that had been there for many years. There was a general consensus that at some point their cheese had slid off their cracker. Their elevator didn't stop at all the floors. A few beers short of a sixpack.

What strikes me is that mostly intelligent people will keep doing the same thing over and over again because of familiarity. Because they wish to be seen as keeping to the faith. Because they want to keep the status quo. This in spite of the fact that they may be aware that their beliefs have been unshrouded as false.

I try to keep a positive view of humanity. That as a species we are moving on to brighter and better futures. Yet when I think of folks like Audrey I get depressed. Many here have written posts postulating and hoping that there will be some sort of end to the WT. I hope they're right. I really, really do. What I'm afraid of is that human weakness will keep that from happening.

48

My Mom Hopes I Die Before The Great Tribulation Comes

by minimus in

jw
friends

she told me that yesterday and i just chuckled.. .

.

ctrwtf

I'm so, so sorry.

34

The insensitivity and opportunistic nature of witness at the 9/11 site !

by stuckinarut2 in

i saw an online post with pictures of all the witnessing carts all around the 9/11 site during the anniversary of the tragedy.... im appalled at how opportunistic they are, and how they prey on people in a mourning and vulnerable state!.

apparantly they boast of: "there are 65 carts, with 200 witnesses manning the area... and so far 15 new studies started!".

.

ctrwtf

It's not just the witnesses that are to blame. You can also purchase a keychain, lanyard or scarf at the 9-11 memorial museum. Literally profiting over human suffering.

Still, this is a new low even for them.

45

A rose by any other name..............

by sparrowdown in

jw
friends

i'm curious, why and how did you choose your username?.

does it hold any special significance for you, is there a share-able back story?.

for me sparrowdown is a playful reference to matt 10:29 and the title of the movie black hawk down.. matt 10:29 was my go-to scrip to "prove" that god cares about us as individuals.

ctrwtf

Because I'd love to ask Mr Russell............WTF were you thinking?

17

The Real Reason For No More Bookstudies.

by ctrwtf in

jw
friends

so i was just thinking about my days at wtf and driving out for book study when it dawned on me.. bethelites are given a stipend for travel based on nyc public transportation.

depending on how you pay let's just call it a $5.00 round trip.. if you drive your care you're also reimbursed for mileage at the standard irs rate.

let's round that down to .50 per mile.. if four bethelites get in a car and drive an average of 30 miles to the (former) bookstudy the society is spending 4x$5.00 for the stipend plus and additional $30.00 for mileage.

ctrwtf

So I was just thinking about my days at WTF and driving out for book study when it dawned on me.

Bethelites are given a stipend for travel based on NYC public transportation. Depending on how you pay let's just call it a $5.00 round trip.

If you drive your care you're also reimbursed for mileage at the standard IRS rate. Let's round that down to .50 per mile.

If four bethelites get in a car and drive an average of 30 miles to the (former) bookstudy the society is spending 4x$5.00 for the stipend plus and additional $30.00 for mileage. That's $50.00 per car load.

6000 plus bethelites worldwide. Let's say 2000 don't commute. 4000 do commute to the (former) bookstudy. That's 1000 car loads at $50.00 or $50,000.00 per week or 2.6 million dollars per year.

That should pay off a few Pedo lawsuits.

159

An important message from a PRACTICING Jehovah's witness

by Sparks in

jw
friends

hi, i am also a practicing jehovah's witness and very proud of it,to say the very-very least..!

i am a middle-aged man with many decades of being a witness of jehovah god in england.. this important letter is personally to you, just as many of the bible's 88 letters are to be taken personal by you the reader.

i am writing to you to urge you to take stock of your life, think what your future holds for you.

ctrwtf

This is NOT an important message.

There is no Jehovah. There is no Satan. There is no issue of universal sovereignty. There is however a limited time that you may spend on earth.

Stop using it to debate whether or not mythical entities are real. You do not need to believe in the god construct to live a moral life. Remember your own divinity. Stop judging others choices and love everyone and do good toward them. This does not include promoting the belief system of a publishing corporation.

Peace be to you.

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