i wanted to share some news from a family friend (he is my wt mole - still an elder, hates the shenanigans, but is still hanging on for all the reasons often discussed on this site) i know the various rumors have been discussed on here, and unfortunately the rumor about the conventions being eliminated weren't true!
(what a burden on the jw community - financial hardship for a good portion of them, guilting people into actually quitting their job to attend, physically exhausting for many, etc...etc......).
anyway, he told me that the district convention is being moved to 11 weekends at the jw-owned circuit assembly hall, and they are no longer planning on renting stadiums/large facilities in our area (northern ohio/southern michigan).
You know how the WT LOVES to gloat about conventions
Did your kingdom hall have that framed photo of the 1958 Divine Will assembly with something like 200,000 attendees between Yankee Stadium and the Polo Grounds? You bet they love to gloat. Hurray for us!
i've been out for a few years now, but when i was in, we frequently had to purchase "vehicle parking passes" several weeks before the start of our district assembly (depending on the coliseum or stadium being rented at the time).
it was usually $5.00 and you were given a 10" x 4" (or so) card with the assembly title/theme printed on.
according to the instructions from a branch letter that was read out loud (usually at the end of the service meeting), this card had to be placed on the right side of your dashboard such that the dub parking attendants can easily see it as you drive through the parking entrance.
Holy jumpin' catfish! I've never heard about this. Talk about fleecing the flock! They really are corrupt.
i mean, can't any shmuck say they are a religion, then get all these tax breaks while at the same time tell people to murder, commit suicide, etc?.
why did
government officials get involved in the Jones town tragedy and the Branch Davidians ???
Jonestown - I think it had to do with unbelieving family members worrying about the welfare of cult members. The congressman who went there was investigating the allegations.
Branch Davidians - They had an arsenal of illegal weapons, and there were allegations of child sexual abuse. The ATF attempted to execute a search warrant, and a gun battle broke out.
In both instances it wasn't the government trying to regulate the religion, it was investigating allegations of illegal activity.
i am really going to miss having her as a close friend.
we both helped each other this past year, as we were both dealing with the passing of people we loved.
she was a strong part of my support group.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6-uYRoC1NkU
So sorry for your loss.
i would like to thank everyone who is a part of this community.
i have been abused by this billion dollar evil religion since i was born.
i am now in my late thirties and have been battling depression issues over my former abuses by this nongoverment organization.
Welcome! What an inspirational story!
this isn't actually my 77th rant.
i've completely lost track of all my rants.
i'm quite sure i'm way passed 77 by now.
I wish I could get my family members out. My heart goes out to you 00DAD.
i remember a long time ago the explanation was that various anointed ones would write to the gb with the same new understanding of a teaching, the gb would investigate it, and if it was acceptable, they'd pass it on to the r&f.
of course, now we have the new light that new light occurs only to the gb, not the anointed at large.
so, if any anointed ones get new ideas, they're just apostates, right?.
I remember a long time ago the explanation was that various anointed ones would write to the GB with the same new understanding of a teaching, the GB would investigate it, and if it was acceptable, they'd pass it on to the R&F.
Of course, now we have the new light that new light occurs only to the GB, not the anointed at large. So, if any anointed ones get new ideas, they're just apostates, right?
And what about the fact that in receiving new light they're communicating with the spirit world? How do they know it's from Jehovah, not Satan? 
And why did I ever believe that a bunch of old men in Brooklyn had a direct line to Big J? 
what a wonderful holiday season!
time with family, time for fun, and in the midst of it all - we got married!
after christmas we were in palm springs for the weather and golf, but took off for nevada on thursday and tied the knot in a sweet, simple ceremony.
Congratulations!
Happy New Year! 
I actually loved my two weeks at pioneer school. A chance to study with no distractions. Too bad it was interrupted every so often by field service. 
