Sauerkraut

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Posts by Sauerkraut

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  162

  No more 3-day DCs starting in 2013?

  by respectful_observer in

  1. watchtower
  2. beliefs

  apologies if there is another recent thread on this, but i have heard from 4 different people in 3 different geographic areas (including someone who does advance work for the dcs), that beginning in 2013 the three day dc program will be replaced by a second two-day circuit assembly.

  some people were passing the info along like a secret, others seemed to think that everyone already knew.. if everyone in j-dub land is already talking about this, how is it not all over this forum??.

  anyway, can anyone confirm or deny?.

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  Sauerkraut

  District Conventions, I've never liked them much. The best day was Sunday at around 4 PM.
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  29

  The Pharisaical Laws of JW's

  by Emery in

  1. jw
  2. friends

  i remember hearing from a former elder of a situation he found himself in while conducting the old weekly bible study.

  that morning only one male was present during the morning study, however that brother forgot his tie.

  under instruction from the slave, any brother not properly dressed for a meeting is not to have any congregation priviledges (hold mics, talk, attendent, magazines, reading).

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  Sauerkraut

  Thanks Emery. Interesting how very serious some can take an unwritten rule.
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  29

  The Pharisaical Laws of JW's

  by Emery in

  1. jw
  2. friends

  i remember hearing from a former elder of a situation he found himself in while conducting the old weekly bible study.

  that morning only one male was present during the morning study, however that brother forgot his tie.

  under instruction from the slave, any brother not properly dressed for a meeting is not to have any congregation priviledges (hold mics, talk, attendent, magazines, reading).

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  Sauerkraut

  I was just searching the library but can't find anything. Isn't there this "guideline" that was started a few years ago that if two Witnesses are dating that they should each get information about the other's standing from overseers?
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  12

  archive of letters to body of elders

  by metaspy in

  1. jw
  2. friends

  is there a documentation of every letter to all body of elders in the united states?.

  if so, where could i find it?.

  i am looking for one dated march 14, 1997, to all bodies of elders..

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  Sauerkraut

  Blindnomore, I'm sorry to hear that. It's very disturbing. In theory Elders are supposed to be loving, kind, understanding and merciful too often it's the opposite. I wish I knew what to say, Blindnomore, words can't take away, what you and your family had to and still have to deal with. I wish you peace.
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  8

  OSCE (JW NGO) Who We Are - (Are They No Part Of The World?) You Decide..

  by BroMac in

  1. watchtower
  2. child-abuse

  http://www.osce.org/whowho we arewith 56 states from europe, central asia and north america, the osce is the world's largest regional security organization.

  it offers a forum for political negotiations and decision-making in the fields of early warning, conflict prevention, crisis management and post-conflict rehabilitation, and puts the political will of its participating states into practice through its unique network of field missions.. the osce has a comprehensive approach to security that encompasses politico-military, economic and environmental, and human aspects.

  it therefore addresses a wide range of security-related concerns, including arms control, confidence- and security-building measures, human rights, national minorities, democratization, policing strategies, counter-terrorism and economic and environmental activities.. all 56 participating states enjoy equal status, and decisions are taken by consensus on a politically, but not legally binding basis.. .

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  Sauerkraut

  The crazy thing is that those who strictly adhere to advice given in publications of the Society try not to even have an opinion about Politics. The publications show that even favoring one party over another, or one politician over another goes against neutrality. And then some get to be on friendly terms?
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  12

  archive of letters to body of elders

  by metaspy in

  1. jw
  2. friends

  is there a documentation of every letter to all body of elders in the united states?.

  if so, where could i find it?.

  i am looking for one dated march 14, 1997, to all bodies of elders..

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  Sauerkraut

  Wow, the 2012 letter regarding higher education surprised me. So someone might loose certain privileges if he or a family member pursue higher education? Funny how we're told things are a matter of conscience and then they seemingly are not. Isn't higher education a good thing? You'll be able to donate more to the Society if you get a better paying job. And what's it with privileges in the first place? So many seem to think they're badge to pin to your lapel...

  Edit: it's interesting to read about judicial committees in cases of attempted or threatened suicides. "... In such cases it may be best for the committee to suspend the hearing and focus on helping the person to regain his balance. In any event, the elders should treat the person with extreme thoughtfulness and kindness..." Thoughtfulness and kindness is great, but why would you potentially want to disfellowship someone who's obviously not doing well in the first place?

  Another subject: NONNEUTRAL ACTIVITY

  28. When reporting to the branch office that an individual has disassociated himself by en- gaging in nonneutral activity, the wording on the report should be in harmony with Scriptural guide- lines. Please use such expressions as “violated neutrality” or “took a nonneutral course.” Isaiah 2:4 and John 15:17-19 support these descriptions. Other expressions should not be used. The same caution is to be exercised in all correspondence with the branch office or with other congregations.—Each elder should make the following notation next to the last bullet in paragraph 3 of chapter 9 in the Shep- herding textbook: “See letter dated April 9, 2012, regarding procedures when legal issues are in- volved.”" (From the 2012-04-09 letter.) We need a Body that governs the Governing Body, so we can report that they have dissasociated themselves.

  
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  6

  Hierarchy in a bubble

  by irondork in

  1. watchtower
  2. beliefs

  wt doctrine can only go out to the public from the governing body.

  there is no way to for the public to get information back to the governing body - at least not in a public venue.. .

  their web site dispenses information only.

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  Sauerkraut

  What it tells me is that they don't have an interest in shepherding the flock, only in maintaining things the way they are. If you really care about what people think, what's on their minds and what they worry about, then you'll do whatever you can to give them a chance to let you know and exchange information and encouragement. But if you're not willing, you'll put up all these barriers and hide behind them. At the same time you'll give an impression of aloofness and control so one one suspects. Problem is in this age of free and ever present information that can only work so long. I see the same tendencies in Politics, you have all these people who don't understand how life has changed and is changing, how people's way of lives differ from the past, they can't keep up with things so they want to block this out mentally. I'm hoping a critical mass will be reached and these tendencies in the Society will have to be addressed and can no longer be swept under the rug.
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  67

  The Governing Body of Jehovah's Witnesses - Explained

  by cedars in

  1. watchtower
  2. beliefs

  i've just finished putting together a fairly exhaustive article that summarizes a number of key details about the governing body that most jehovah's witnesses are completely unaware of.

  a link to the article is below:.

  http://jwsurvey.org/cedars-blog/the-governing-body-of-jehovahs-witnesses-explained.

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  Sauerkraut

  @ 00DAD: read about the book yesterday, it's on my list and I'll get it next month. It's sad, we believe that we've been liberated as Christians but the Watchtower Society has constructed a system that is just as focused on laws, regulations and policies as the Jewish we're supposed to leave behind. And it keeps getting worse. The weird things is: we're told to read the bible daily all the time, but only with our minds turned off. We talk about truth all the time but we don't search for it, we sit back and believe we know it all and like mocking all the "unbelievers". Oh, speaking of which, that term "unbelievers" really bothers me, usually religous fundamentalists use that. I'm aware that Paul used it, but his openess towards others makes it different, nowadays it's annoying. We're supposed to preach to unbelievers and respect them and at the same time look down upon them... Okay, gotta stop using the "we" form now. Lots of Witnesses are really good people, with good hearts. Hopefully more will wake up and see reality.

  @ Cedars: PM on the way.
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  12

  Were Elders told to mention the Faithful Slave / Governing Body / Organization more?

  by pirata in

  1. watchtower
  2. beliefs

  as of 5 years ago in my congregation, the "faithful slave" was rarely mentioned in talks, prayers, etc.

  usually it was all about jehovah, and jesus got his token phrase at the end of a prayer with "in jesus name, amen".. now, in the past couple years i've noticed, especially since the elders have gone to the elders school, almost everytime an elder prays, and in many of the talks, there is mention of the faithful slave, organization, or governing body.

  "thank you jehovah for giving us your organization, which provides us food at the proper time", "how thankful we are that the faithful slave provides..", etc.. for any elders who went to the elders school, did they specifically say to build more appreciation in the organization, faithful slave, etc.

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  Sauerkraut

  Phizzy, that's how I feel right now. For the past year and a half I've felt increasingly troubled by how the Faithful and Discreet Slave Governing Body are emphasizing their own importance and how we have to absolutely obey and follow them. If you take the parable of Jesus it's as if the Slave tried to keep the Master out and locked all doors. Too bad there are master keys... To me it's evident that the Faithful Slave aka. Governing Body disregard Jesus' teachings and are not guided by spirit. With all the failed predictions in the past decades and other things it's no wonder they don't want the sheep to research on the net. Truth is bad.
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  67

  The Governing Body of Jehovah's Witnesses - Explained

  by cedars in

  1. watchtower
  2. beliefs

  i've just finished putting together a fairly exhaustive article that summarizes a number of key details about the governing body that most jehovah's witnesses are completely unaware of.

  a link to the article is below:.

  http://jwsurvey.org/cedars-blog/the-governing-body-of-jehovahs-witnesses-explained.

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  Sauerkraut

  Read the article yesterday, thanks for the effort. Very informative. I'm still in but my belief in the governing body has been gone for some time now. Funny how between the lines, or not really, they equate themselves with the faithful slave, they might as well get rid of that phrase and be upfront and use govering body everytime. Aarggh.