Posts by RedhorseWoman

100

Preacher Jimmy Swaggart and JW Lawyers

by waiting in

in the supreme court of the united states, october tenth, 1988, case no.

88-1374, filed on june 22, 1988, clerk joseph f. spanol, jr.. on that date and file number, the attoreny james m. mccabe,and donald t. ridley, 25 colombia heights, brooklyn, ny 11251 (718)606-4993, attorneys for amicus curiae, watchtower bible and tract society of new york, inc. filed a "friends of the court" brief on the behalf of the famous preacher, jimmy swaggart and his ministries.. why would the watchtower society, direct channel for jehovah's holy spirt, which also godly hates babylon the great, which also christiandom is the largest part, go into the supreme court of the united states and file a legal brief to help jimmy swaggart's ministries in his trial which was case no.

88-1374: jimmy swaggart ministries, appelant vs. board of equalization of california, appeller?.

RedhorseWoman

Much of the problem I have with the Society's recent legal moves is because of the attitude they have always expressed towards other religions attempting to do the same things.

I can remember the scathing attacks on the Catholic Church in particular. There was much mention made of the affluence of the Church and how they used their tax-exempt status to obtain additional wealth. The counterpoint was always that the WTBTS paid "Caesar's things to Caesar" whenever it was required and was therefore following Jesus' example.

To now see the Society fighting in court to retain a status that supposedly meant nothing to them in order to avoid paying taxes that they have always claimed they would willingly pay seems to me to be doublespeak.

When their status wasn't threatened in any way, they would take the moral high ground and point the finger at any religious organization attempting to enrich themselves or to guard their riches. Then when they are the ones attempting to guard their riches themselves by avoiding taxes, it is proclaimed that they are fighting for "freedom of religion".

It leaves a bad taste in my mouth.

8

Kissing Hanks Ass

by Caliban in

he can do what ever he wants and what he wants is to give you a million dollars, but he can't until you kiss his ass.".

john: "then come kiss hank's ass with us.".

john: "of course, hank dictated it.".

RedhorseWoman

I've seen this before, and I loved it then. It is FUNNY!!

14

I want to play too

by Lars_Ulrich in

jw
friends

just want to say how much i appreciate this site.

im addicted- i just cant help coming back every day.. ive been telling all my friends- this is the spinal tap of witness sites, the monty python for brothers.

so who are you guys really, bethelites preparing for the annual talent show, or do you actually work with the writing committee?.

RedhorseWoman

Reality.....when you've spent the major portion of your adult life believing something fervently...when you've defended your way of life against all comers....when you given up all the things that you were told were evil and Satanic....and then....

You begin to notice that some things are not exactly right. Some lies were told. Some deceptions were enacted. All is not bright and shiny and free of blemish.....there are several small worms in the core of your presumably perfect apple.

Well, Lars, at that point you begin to doubt that you're religion is, in fact, the only "truth". Perhaps you've made a major mistake....or perhaps not. Perhaps the fault lies within yourself.

Jehovah's Witnesses do not really have a "really strong will". Jehovah's Witnesses have given their will over to a larger, presumably superior, entity. Most Jehovah's Witnesses simply accept whatever comes down the pike from Mother without question.....that indicates, not a strong will, but a willingness to "believe" in order to reap a future reward.

So, Lars, welcome to the real world. Be careful, though.....the real truth may just burst your little iridescent bubble.

9

Best Comedy for Dysfunctional Persons!

by waiting in

stuart little saves his family in fact, it's on right now - but i've seen it at least half dozen times - it's great.. this movie laughingly goes into really serious sh*t. and it handles it well.

a great movie to appreciate how most families are - to one degree or another.

now to a beer, pizza, and stuart........

RedhorseWoman

I liked "Wolf" a lot. And you have a good point. In fact many animals are cooler than humans....and they act better, too.

77

Writing private letters to the Society.

by spectromize in

for anyone who's ever written something of a private nature or asked clarification on certain beliefs have you ever had the unfortunate experience of the elders calling you in the back room or a sheperding call ?.

the reason i bring this out is that newer brothers or sisters don't know that everytime you write the society the society sends a copy of your letter to your local cong.

elders.

RedhorseWoman

Friend,

While your logic is correct, and no one should be foolish enough to presume that only one person would be privy to the matter, my concern lies in the fact that several people have been shocked to receive a personal visit from the congregation elders in response to a letter they had written confidentially to the Society.

If you write a letter to any other corporation or perhaps to a government agency, you would expect to be notified if the initial agency was forwarding it to a local branch for attention.

The posts I have seen from several people here expressed their dismay at receiving no reply from the Society itself, but rather being visited by the local elders, which was a situation with which they did not feel comfortable to begin with.

The issue has to do with respect for an individual's rights and feelings. If someone felt comfortable enough with their local elders, they would have addressed the issue directly to them rather than seeking help through Bethel.

For the Society to then turn around and, without notification, pass the information on to the local elders is, in my opinion, unconscionable.

100

Preacher Jimmy Swaggart and JW Lawyers

by waiting in

in the supreme court of the united states, october tenth, 1988, case no.

88-1374, filed on june 22, 1988, clerk joseph f. spanol, jr.. on that date and file number, the attoreny james m. mccabe,and donald t. ridley, 25 colombia heights, brooklyn, ny 11251 (718)606-4993, attorneys for amicus curiae, watchtower bible and tract society of new york, inc. filed a "friends of the court" brief on the behalf of the famous preacher, jimmy swaggart and his ministries.. why would the watchtower society, direct channel for jehovah's holy spirt, which also godly hates babylon the great, which also christiandom is the largest part, go into the supreme court of the united states and file a legal brief to help jimmy swaggart's ministries in his trial which was case no.

88-1374: jimmy swaggart ministries, appelant vs. board of equalization of california, appeller?.

RedhorseWoman

Lark,

You have again reiterated my feelings on the subject, although I stated it somewhat differently.

JW's are presumably supposed to stay free of politics. JW's are no part of this world. JW's support only Jehovah's rule. UNLESS something comes along that may financially affect the Society, then all bets are off.

Don't get your shorts in a knot, Friend, this is just my opinion, and in my opinion, the Society engages in an awful lot of doublespeak.

77

Writing private letters to the Society.

by spectromize in

for anyone who's ever written something of a private nature or asked clarification on certain beliefs have you ever had the unfortunate experience of the elders calling you in the back room or a sheperding call ?.

the reason i bring this out is that newer brothers or sisters don't know that everytime you write the society the society sends a copy of your letter to your local cong.

elders.

RedhorseWoman

Friend,

My previous response to you mainly addressed your claim that it was "preposterous" for the Society to send copies to the local congregation due to the volume of mail. I simply stated that if the volume of correspondence was THAT great, it would be more sensible to simply copy and forward rather than personally respond. You never really addressed this, but in actuality the point is basically moot.

My main concern is that the Society is forwarding personal correspondence without the knowledge or consent of the questioner. If any other organization did this on a regular basis, there would be a major outcry.

You also say that it makes perfect sense to forward the letters if there is a "perceived threat"...i.e. a possible pending lawsuit. I still ask why the original questioner is not notified and it is considered unnecessary to obtain consent for forwarding personal correspondence in this manner.

77

Writing private letters to the Society.

by spectromize in

for anyone who's ever written something of a private nature or asked clarification on certain beliefs have you ever had the unfortunate experience of the elders calling you in the back room or a sheperding call ?.

the reason i bring this out is that newer brothers or sisters don't know that everytime you write the society the society sends a copy of your letter to your local cong.

elders.

RedhorseWoman

"You apparently have no idea of the huge volume of this type of correspondence received by the Society. Other then responding personally to such respectful letters they do not have the time to copy local elders each and every time. The notion is preposterous."

Excuse me, but this makes no sense. You are saying that the Society has no time to send a form letter to the questioner, photocopy and forward a letter to the local congregation for additional followup; but they DO have time to PERSONALLY ANSWER all these letters?

Let's see, copy and mail letter with a form letter to the congregation....10 minutes...tops. Research question, compose letter and mail to questioner......minimum 2 to 3 hours, perhaps several days if much research is needed. Hmmmm.....seems a bit of a difference there. But it's preposterous for the Society to take the easy way out according to you.....how odd.

Edited by - RedhorseWoman on 3 June 2000 11:33:3

Edited by - RedhorseWoman on 3 June 2000 11:34:49

100

Preacher Jimmy Swaggart and JW Lawyers

by waiting in

in the supreme court of the united states, october tenth, 1988, case no.

88-1374, filed on june 22, 1988, clerk joseph f. spanol, jr.. on that date and file number, the attoreny james m. mccabe,and donald t. ridley, 25 colombia heights, brooklyn, ny 11251 (718)606-4993, attorneys for amicus curiae, watchtower bible and tract society of new york, inc. filed a "friends of the court" brief on the behalf of the famous preacher, jimmy swaggart and his ministries.. why would the watchtower society, direct channel for jehovah's holy spirt, which also godly hates babylon the great, which also christiandom is the largest part, go into the supreme court of the united states and file a legal brief to help jimmy swaggart's ministries in his trial which was case no.

88-1374: jimmy swaggart ministries, appelant vs. board of equalization of california, appeller?.

RedhorseWoman

Our work has no such agreement. Neither explicitly or implicitly do we require or pressure for
payment from a householder for our literature. There is no commerce. Even publishers
are told the same thing, explicitly. A letter dated January 24, 1991, addressed to All
Congregations of Jehovah’s Witnesses in the United States the Society said, "Should
publishers and pioneers feel obligated to contribute to the Society’s worldwide word each
time that they receive literature at the Kingdom Hall? No. As stated in the April 21,
1990, letter to all congregations in the United States: ‘Publishers may… make their own
donations to support the worldwide work according to their ability and desire, whenever
they choose to do so.—2 Cor. 8:10-15; 9:6-14.’" [Bold added by Friend]

However, in those congregations where the publishers did not make sufficient "donations" for the literature, a letter was sent out requesting additional monies to pay for the printing costs.

I find that rather hypocritical, although I'm sure, Friend, that you will find a way to rationalize the situation once again.

Also, how long do you think it would be before a publisher was "counseled" about his "lack of donations" for the literature if he chose (or perhaps found it onerous) to contribute sufficiently? I doubt it would take long at all.

If the WTBTS hadn't continually berated every other religious organization on the planet for doing things less shady than what they are doing now, I would find no fault. However, the rafters in their eyes are becoming larger while they continue to pick at the straws they see everywhere else.

Frenchy has good points. The Society is not following their own counsel.

2

Smiling Depression

by George in

she was such a nice sister.

i was particularly impressed by the way she read from the psalms.

her strong emotional attachment to god was obvious by the inflection in her voice when she read.

RedhorseWoman

Excellent post, George. Much food for thought. Thanks.