Posts by NotFormer

31

Curious? How many members of this group feel we are living in the "End Times"?

by Balaamsass2 in

i like to take a peek at the kids over on reddit every week or so.. this thread caught my eye:" curious….

do any ex jw or pimo, still believe the world is ending.

i see people who have never been witnesses think that the world will end soon and they say things like “jesus is coming soon”….

NotFormer

"Uncomfortable times" seem to crop up cyclically throughout history. I would say that this is an "uncomfortable time". The last similar period would probably be the early seventies. Hal Lindsey's Late Great Planet Earth became a best seller at the time because it struck a chord with those who were feeling uncomfortable about the news of the day. He predicted an imminent Rapture and Great Tribulation. And he was arguably a parent of all that "Left Behind" stuff.

I imagine JWs, with 1975 rapidly approaching, were similarly excited by what seemed to be worsening global conditions.

Fifty years down the track, we find ourselves in a similarly uncomfortable era. Hopefully, there will be many more in the future.

26

Green Handshakes - Taxable income in Australia

by Listener in

i was doing some research on the taxable status of money being gifted to co’s and travelling missionaries and was surprised with what i found.

i had assumed that it was not taxable income in australia.. it is taxable income in australia and it‘s likely that the same rules apply in some other countries.. a registered religious institution only receives tax free status on donations because they have been endorsed by the australian tax office.

travelling overseas and missionaries are not in this category.. there’s a tax ruling that goes into great detail.

NotFormer

"Third-world countries don’t tax people on this."

Since the above tax office ruling classifies gifts to missionaries as assessible income, I imagine any JW sent from NY Bethel* to Australia as a "missionary"** would be taxed as a foreign worker. Which would mean that they wouldn't even qualify for the tax free threshold of $18200 (mentioned by joey JoJo above), but should be paying 32¢ in the dollar from dollar one.

But the consensus in this thread seems to be that all these "gifts" end up being under the table, "black economy" transactions. So much for "render unto Caesar"! 🙄

*As an example. Would JWs classified as "missionaries" even come to Australia?

**Does this happen when a high ranking Bethelite is sent out here: are they classified as "missionaries"?

26

Green Handshakes - Taxable income in Australia

by Listener in

i was doing some research on the taxable status of money being gifted to co’s and travelling missionaries and was surprised with what i found.

i had assumed that it was not taxable income in australia.. it is taxable income in australia and it‘s likely that the same rules apply in some other countries.. a registered religious institution only receives tax free status on donations because they have been endorsed by the australian tax office.

travelling overseas and missionaries are not in this category.. there’s a tax ruling that goes into great detail.

NotFormer

If the WT were honest, they'd set up some sort of pay as you go (PAYG)* scheme to allow the COs/missionaries to have tax and superannuation** contributions deducted. It would make life easier for all concerned. However, if Sydney Bethel is as honest and ethical as I believe them to be, I imagine that they encourage the COs etc. to treat those donations as "under the table" payments.

If anyone knows differently, or has some knowledge of how this sort of thing is handled here in Australia, please let us know. I always find this sort of thing interesting 💭 🤔

* Basically a withholding tax system

** Something like the American 401k thing, but it's mandatory for all Australian employees to have an account with a superannuation fund.

27

God’s wisdom in allowing bearded JWs July 25 Watchtower

by Listener in

the july 2025 watchtower has a paragraph that claims that it was the superior power and wisdom of jehovah that guided the gb into allowing jws to grow beards.. the study article is ‘can you still learn from basic bible teachings?’ under the subheading ‘jehovah is the creator’ paragraph 7 states-.

“ 7. what did rahela do to accept a change in direction?.

your answer.

NotFormer

If the quoted paragraph 7 is real, and not a parody, then I can't help but shake my head at the way JWs have been infantilised by their leadership. It can't be healthy to feel the need for the approval of some high level committee for everyday decisions regarding grooming and deportment. 😔

36

Sisters can now wear pants. Any more important changes

by Witness 007 in

alot of my witness friends were excited sisters can now wear pants and you can say hi to disfellowshiped folks but what about important stuff child molesters in the congregation you need 2 witnesses blood fractions are fine but not whole blood????

607 bce is from the 1880s wrong....anything else?

NotFormer

stan livedeath: "so the sisters can wear pants and grow beards ?---

"---whereabouts are these beards ?"

You've got me genuinely wondering now: in days gone by, how would the elders have reacted to a genuine "bearded lady" who sported a five o'clock shadow? 🤔😳

36

Sisters can now wear pants. Any more important changes

by Witness 007 in

alot of my witness friends were excited sisters can now wear pants and you can say hi to disfellowshiped folks but what about important stuff child molesters in the congregation you need 2 witnesses blood fractions are fine but not whole blood????

607 bce is from the 1880s wrong....anything else?

NotFormer

moomanchu: "I think birthdays for children under 13 will be good one day"

No. It's not in their nature to show any concession towards kindness. The religion has always loathed children; it's an underlying principle. The two witness rule in CSA cases is a great example.

Hatred of children aside, the real issue is : if you spend money on family celebrations (birthdays, Christmas, Easter, Mother's Day, Father's Day, etc.), you don't have that money to give to "Da Wurldwide Wurk". 🙄 🙂‍↔️

4

About moral conscience - or is it what this is?

by Marcel2025 in

hello, i have to ask you a question.. what is this telepathic inner voice speaking from among trees and bushes in public parks and which makes me feel cold shivers on my back associates with guilt and sadness if i step on snails or rip leaves or flowers from trees and bushes?.

did i mention increased heartbeat, reddening of the face and a strong headache associated with this guilt?.

it seems to speak about unconditional love for everything and everyone, animals, plants, people and that i should treat them with kindness and care even if they harm me.. also it seems to make me feel shivers of guilt and headaches if i have thoughts of obsession, pride or selfish ambition.

NotFormer

https://youtu.be/37OWL7AzvHo?si=2sBvqJte38HKI5ya

https://youtu.be/KyQXL0sKGDo?si=1FJ0tIJueKQ2zguv

26

WT June 2025: We Are Not Blind We Just Don't Know

by raymond frantz in

https://youtu.be/7xumqjq3zfc?si=ivcg96t4dtgze4ft.

so this is from the brand new watchtower study edition of june 2025 which has just been posted on jw.org .under the title: modestly accept what you do not know, a let’s read paragraphs in question 4 &5: “read matthew 24:36. we do not know when the end of this system of things will come.

even jesus, while on earth, did not know the ‘day and hour.’ he later told the apostles that jehovah, who is the great timekeeper, keeps the timing of certain events ‘in his own jurisdiction,’ or authority.

NotFormer

"We are blind.....but you still must follow us "

Reminds me of Jim Hacker in "Yes, Minister": "I am their leader; I must follow them!"

45

Blood decisions are now your problem: WT JULY 2025

by raymond frantz in

the following is from the latest study watchtower july 2025, study article 28, paragraph 17:.

each christian must make up his or her own mind about whether to accept or to reject these fractions.

we may find it a challenge to understand this matter fully, but making decisions like this is part of the load that each of us must carry.

NotFormer

Adding this: As I always say on this topic, I'll believe that the blood doctrine has changed when they disband the murderous HLCs. Until then, they can **** off! 😡🤬

45

Blood decisions are now your problem: WT JULY 2025

by raymond frantz in

the following is from the latest study watchtower july 2025, study article 28, paragraph 17:.

each christian must make up his or her own mind about whether to accept or to reject these fractions.

we may find it a challenge to understand this matter fully, but making decisions like this is part of the load that each of us must carry.

NotFormer

Duran: "Nonsense!

"They are not backtracking on their blood view. This is about blood fractions.

"They still say NO whole blood or any 1 of the 4 components. WB-RB-plasma-platelets"

This! They haven't retracted a damned thing! The blood doctrine as it was a quarter of a century ago is still firmly in place. All fractions, no parts, no whole blood. They are simply reminding JWs who might have been reading on here or other places that the blood doctrine might be watered down, that it is still firmly in place. And JWs who know how to read between the lines are being reminded once more of their obligation to die for the cause if necessary. This is them affirming the doctrine while trying to look less controlling to governments. "Exercise your conscience", they say, out of one side of their mouth, and "The blood doctrine is still firmly in place!" out of the other. 🙄