What kind of reasoning do you think an organization will base their view of the scriptures on when you have lawyers (Rutherford) writing the WT publications? The whole idea of the balanced scales of justice and santification of God's name just doesn't fit. If it doesn't fit you must acquit.
JakeM2012
JoinedPosts by JakeM2012
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Adam and Jesus in the scales.... Bull crap.
by snare&racket inone of the hardest questions to answer if you believe in an all loving god, is why 'he' permits so much pain and suffering?
of course as imperfect, sinful humans we all know we could not bare to watch a day of human suffering without helping out, how could a god cope and not intervene for thousands of years....?.
the answer most of us all accepted was a pair of scales.
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Got my Privileges Removed today, any advice?
by mrbunyrabit insooo i was a ministerial servant (omg a ministerial servant on this site!?
you apostate!!!
) yea yea i just wanted to see what other people think and whatever, coz i had a few questions myself, (butttt its not like i was about to start throwing them with rocks and stuff, they arent that bad).
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JakeM2012
"Just remember, your value as a person is not determined by those men." I couldn't agree more. Many problems on the elder body are because weinie elders don't have their own compass or a basic internal value of themselves; these men have to be appointed to be valued. I have a brother in law that has not been reappointed in four years after moving congregations because the hateful letter that followed. He is enslaved mentally to the current body trying to please them. If you want to get back in you have to do some major suck up and get an elder as a sponsor. Stand up for what you think is right. Take your leave and run with it. I have found more satisfaction in volunteering at the humane society a few hours a month than I ever did in field service.
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These movies/songs are banned if you are a JW
by usualusername incoz it teaches that life exists on other planets.
grease.
think it was banned in a watchtower.
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JakeM2012
The Beatles were bashed in the 60's, "I want to hold your hand" was so demoralizing. I thought they had an article in the Awake about the Beatles but I haven't found it in the Library CD.
Demonstrations about a mom helping her daughter to pick appropriate music and Elton John was not named specifically but there was no doubt who they were talking about because he had just come out as bi-sexual.
Led Zeppelan's "stairway to heaven" because if you played it backwards in one part it said, "worship Satan". Backward masking or listening to songs backwards seems to be someone's preoccupation.
Eagles were bad, "Hotel California" for some reason.
As far as movies, R-rating movies were a no-no that would keep you out of paradise. Some families would not even watch PG-13.
The second Indiana Jones was named at the Bethel table. I didn't like that one anyway.
Rules upon rules, always something for the self-righteous to glamorize themselves. I always loved it when brothers wanted to impose their conscience on your own. I jokingly told them that "I made a deal with my conscience, I wouldn't bother it if it did'nt bother me". Of course I used to listen to Elvis singing How Great thou art in the FS, never had anyone say anything about it.
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Blondie's Comments You Will Not Hear at the 05-27-2012 WT Review (BEHIND)
by blondie incomments you will not hear at the 05-27-2012 wt study (march 15, 2012, pages 25-29 )(behind).
review comments will be headed by comments.
jehovahs organization = where is jesus in the picture?.
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JakeM2012
Thanks for your comments Blondie,
I received these questions for a part on the service meeting this week. Seem clear that WTBTS looks back and remembers what they want to when it benefits them. Perhaps someone should make the comment for the service meeting part that after this last weeks wt we should not talk about any of this.
Service Meeting Questions on Video JW-Faith in Action Part 2 Let the Light shine May 28
1. What methods did the Bible Students use to spread the good news?
2. What happened at the land mark conventions in 1931 and 1935?
3. What was significant about the Nov. 1, 1939, issue of the Watchtower?
4. Describe what occurred at Madison Square Garden during Bro. Rutherford’s talk Government & Peace.
5. What was noteworthy about Bro. Knorr’s talk “Peace-Can it Last?”
6. In 1942, what plans did Jehovah’s Witnesses make to expand their preaching work?
7. Explain some of the legal battles that were fought in the U.S., Canada and Greece.
8. What impact did Gilead have on the growth of the preaching work?
9. What important work began in 1946, and Why?
10. What steps did J.W.’s take to make sure their conduct was in harmony with the standard set forth in the Bible?
11. Explain some of the adjustments that were made in the 1970’s to align the organization more closely with the pattern in the Bible.
12. How has viewing this video deepened your appreciation that Jehovah is in full control and that this is his organization?
13. How has this video strengthened your determination to continue zealously preaching despite obstacles?
14. How could we use this video to help our relatives, Bible students, and others?
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I may be stepping down!
by Kool Jo inso the co is in town...sorry i can't disclose much info....i haven't done anything wrong that warrants no longer serving as an ms....but the co is thinking of deleting me as an ms (my parents are aware)....i really hope he does as this will make my fade much more easier...... freedom is just around the corner i hope.... peace.
kool jo.
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JakeM2012
I'm not informed of your details, but sometimes the CO's rattle the chain and leave some collateral damage behind to "motivate" the rest of the appointed men to tow the line. They like to wield the authority that they can fire one over your (ships) bow and hope they make you wet your pants and get you to fall in line. If it is announced that you are no longer serving as an MS, it not that big of a deal.
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GB: "We don't know if Jehovah wants us to build new headquarters, but we're doing it anyway..."
by cedars inthe latest august 15th watchtower study edition features an interesting review of the society's annual meeting.. one comment struck me as evidence that the governing body isn't quite as "discreet" as it claims.. here is what the article said:.
"there are plans to develop a 248-acre (100 ha) property at warwick.
'although we are not yet certain of jehovahs will regarding warwick,' said brother pierce, 'we are proceeding to develop the site with the intention of relocating the world headquarters of jehovahs witnesses there.
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JakeM2012
Mosque to go up near New York's ground zero
May 07, 2010 | By Nicole Bliman, CNN"Plans to build a mosque two blocks away from ground zero have set off an emotional debate among area residents and relatives of victims of the September 11, 2001 terror attacks.
Cordoba House project calls for a 15-story community center including a mosque, performance art center, gym, swimming pool and other public spaces.
The project is a collaboration between the American Society for Muslim Advancement and the Cordoba Initiative, both of which work to improve relations with followers of the religion.
Comments: The American Society for Muslim Advancement is building a mosque in New York City and Watchtower, with a very prominant location for advertising, is cutting tail in disgrace.
I remember when they started talking about the Patterson Education Center in the 1980's. When researching the deeds of properties and their zoning for possible expansion in Brooklyn, they found out they already had property with hotel zoning. They applied for permits, which means they dished out some money to the City, and they got approval. They had also got approval for Patterson. Brothers were saying in talks that they didn't know if it was Jehovah's will to build both properties, but they would take the approval process as indication of his blessing. Shortly after finishing the 30 story building they sold it. Hum. God changed his mind I guess.
Don't be fooled, Watchtower property investors know exactly what they want to do, but the pseudo religion side uses the opportunity to present the information as verification that they are God's spokesman on earth.
Anybody can connect their conduct to approval with God. "Brother", we would like to talk to you about the harmful effects of materialism and your children attending the university". "Yes, we prayed and made an offer on the house and evidently it was God's will that we have it. We did the same for the children. We prayed that if it was God's will for the children to attend the university then he would let us know. We applied for these scholarships and at several universities and received acceptance from all the universities. It must have been Jehovah's will.
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Is the WTS "refinancing" KH loans?
by doinmypart inmy mom's kh was built last year with a loan from wts.
she was talking about a letter to all congregations with loans from wts.
the letter was asking the publishers how much they can pay towards a refinance.
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JakeM2012
The WTBTS after the 2008--201? financial crisis sent out letters to congregations that had a loan. Basically, after eliminating interest charges in 200?, they also indicated that the according to the current congregations financial situation the congregation could lower the monthly payment.
This was the financially "softest" that I have ever seen the "Society" and I was surprised. But at the same time they were advertising selling all the properties in Brooklyn. When it was news worthy that they had plans to build outside of New York City, I personally felt this news went over with the publishers like a lead ballon. I received some funny looks from publishers when they were informed. Kinda like, if Armagedon is sooooo close why move?
The last congregation that I had any contact with wished to add some parking closer to the building for the elderly, repaint, and recarpet the hall. They had 50K. The hall sorely needed it and there were many elderly that needed more appropriate parking. By 2009, the adjacent land cost a rock bottom property cost of 70K.
The completely new regional building committee that was appointed after the death of 5 members in a plane crash in Tennessee, told the congregation that it would cost $150,000 to remodel. So the congregation came up with another $40K from dirt poor publishers for the $150K plus the 70K for the property. The congregation then bought 2 lots adjacent to Kingdom Hall property to put the parking lot on. So total, the congregation had 50K plus the 40K they came up with totalled 90K.
Then the elders informed the congregation that the RBC had "forgotten" replacing the chairs and said they needed 20K more cash. The chairs were nasty, I even privately had a professional non-witness uphostery cleaner come over to give a bid on cleaning the fabric and wanted to pay for this myself. The congregation came up with another 20K. 90K plus 20K.
The hall was "remodeled' meaning new carpet, lights, paint, an addition for a kitchen for pioneering/schools, and a 3rd school. Total cost after the fact was $350K (over twice the original estimate) plus cost of the chairs and the property.
I had discussed with an elder about my concern that the congregation was biting off more than they could chew at $150 K and it was apparent that a significant recession was forthcoming in 2008. He was moving and said nothing to the other elders.
Things may have changed since the last time I got information, but the congregation had requested lowering the payment and was still 5 monthly payments behind at 0% interest.
Evidently, the society felt like a little piece of pie is better than no pie at all. However, being in the construction estimating business, I still have a problem how with all the "volunteer" labor the material cost were $350 K plus what the publishers contributed. I quit counting because I was so mad.
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Elders breaking Confidentiality - I want this thread to be dirtyy
by usualusername ini was taught at the mts school that no elder has ever broke confidentiality.. .
did my instructors lie to me?.
uun .
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JakeM2012
Several years ago while in the library, several of the filing cabinettes were unlocked and open. I talked to several on the service committee that these files needed to be locked up. The files obviously consisted of all the judicial cases for the last upteen years. The cheap fileing cabinets were broken and would not lock. The elders did not do anything, and the cabinets remained that way for months and are probably still that way. The files were not removed or moved to a lockable cabinette. So if you had a key to the hall you could go over and read about all the Judicial committees for the last twenty years. Some confidentiality?
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Elders breaking Confidentiality - I want this thread to be dirtyy
by usualusername ini was taught at the mts school that no elder has ever broke confidentiality.. .
did my instructors lie to me?.
uun .
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JakeM2012
Elderettes have the assumed and self-appointed assignment of participating in mid-week service to get first hand the scoop on publishers. Some have the ability to eavesdrop on 3 different conversations while pretending to talk with someone. The elderettes come home and complain about the situation or inform their husbands in round about ways of their information. The elder brings the grumblings to the other elders. Husband reports back to wife. So who's in control?
After a few snipe hunts many elders just couldn't be believed because you knew it was from their wives. Usually, the first question asked was, "whom did you get that information from"? Some of the PO's wives just wanted a soap opera in the congregation with a season finally of who shot J.R. in Dallas. What else could drive elderettes to go to all the mid-week service but to gather information for their husband elders?
I remember while serving as an elder the body considering a young man's qualifications. One elder says to all the elders after a favorable recommendation and most of the discussion, "Has anyone talked to him lately about how he is handling his masterbation problem"? I thought, you sorry dog; that was low.
Then you have the fishing elders, who want to try the ESP deal by asking leading questions to see if you will bite. You would think that confidentiallity means you shouldn't be digging for information that you are not supposed to know of.
Sometimes elders will use the confidentiallity card to cop out on their duties, for instance, when a family comes into the congregation and they receive a bad letter from the previous congregation. No one tells any representative of the family why they are blackballed. "It's confidential". So the family can't face the accuser and therefore, do not know how to defend themselves. I know one brother that said he has waited 3 years for the shunning to stop and he is finished and preparing to leave. I said, great, slam the screen door when you leave.
I thought it interesting when asking the PO's what was the most impressive thing they learned at the elders school? "Oh, I can't talk about that, it is confidential." So reading the OR book is now confidential? The confidentiallity of elders is a joke.
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What the Watchtower needs to do to survive.
by jwfacts indrop its teaching on paradise earth.. the primary issue facing the watchtower results from it's teaching that members will never die, but live forever on this earth in paradise.
this teaching is cause of most of the doctrinal failures, and will be its eventual demise.. the promise of never dying is one of the foremost motivations for people that join the religion, and the message of living forever in paradise is compelling.
however, it is also the watchtower's achilles heel, as it forces false predictions of the nearness of the end.
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JakeM2012
The WTBTS's game is over "the kings have had their day". The last district convention I went to was a sea of grey hair that most likely will not be around in 15 years or less. I have talked to several of my older family members about "expectations postponed" making the heart sick. The general tone repeated was quotable, "I have too much invested in this religion to give up or change now". My mom said one time, "I have wasted my whole life". She is well in her seventies and has had long talks with another relative that left 30 years ago after the 75 debacle , but continues to remain faithful even recognizing the mistakes and false prophecies. I think that it is just too hard for many to admit the truth about the truth and are stuck.
A sibling keeps me informed of the congregation she goes to. The congregation has 150 publisher cards and they cannot breach 90 for the meeting attendance. She says that they will announce the attendance and she will look around and say "where are they, in the bathroom?". I know that from years past that once you know the trouble that can be brought by a CO of low meeting attendance, some while counting, started counting people that they thought could be there just to make the attendance look better. The same way with turning in 10 hours a month.
A cross section of the congregation is older widows, other singles, sister's coming without their unbelieving mates, basically socially fringed people. Many elder's families consist of an older husband and wife either without any children or empy nesters. The large families of the 70's where children have plenty of playmates is over.
WTBTS has only one direction to go: they will become more controlling, judgmental, and isolated. They will be around for years to come but the effectiveness of their whip is losing it's effectiveness. People are doing what they need to do.