Posts by Jehalapeno

43

Beautiful photos

by LoveUniHateExams in

so, i thought i'd start a thread about any beautiful photos of places you've been to, or just beautiful photos.. i'll go first .... .

.

copyright: daniel burton.. this is bøur, a little village in the faeroe islands, population 74.. i've never been there but i'd love to visit one day.

Jehalapeno

One of the footbridges at the Grand Canyon I took on an early 2020 trip. (Before the COVID closures.)

44

Thoughts on Likely Upcoming Changes in the Org.

by Phizzy in

i am thinking that the "ten year plan" that some have spoken of is the most likely scenario.

the org.

has to both attract new members and retain as many existing ones as possible.. so i think they will let the recent changes "bed in" for a while, maybe a year ?

Jehalapeno

1914 is the cornerstone to the JW Borg theology..
Without that,,Christ could not have came down and,,inspected all the religions and chosen the International Bible Students Association as Gods channel in 1919.
You hear these governing bodys doubling down on 607BCE as the fall of Jerusalem to Babylon as it lines up with their ideology.

I wanted to comment on this statement earlier in the thread.

This is how it feels to those of us that grew up in this organization, explored our doubts, deconstructed our faith, and left.

For those still believing, I genuinely believe the 80/20 rule will hold fast if they change 1914. 80% of people will accept it without question, 20% may have doubts. I don't think 20% will leave over it, but a portion of that 20% will leave.

I don't see them dropping the teaching altogether, but "refining" the significance of 1914 and talking less and less about it as being significant as time goes on.

14

The coup against Tony Morris in order to make major changes?

by Badfish in

it’s been a long time since i’ve kept up with anything jw-related.

but just a couple days ago, i heard about all the new changes—beards, shunning, etc.

i was surprised, so i asked an old friend who i hadn’t spoken to in ages what happened.

Jehalapeno

One scenario I've been speculating on is that perhaps Tony resigned out of protest for the changes being proposed.

If that guy that came on here claiming to know about the "10 year plan" is in earnest and not some LARPing troll, then his resignation may have coincided with their approval of the "10 year plan".

If Tony was vehemently against it on ideological grounds, I can see him resigning in protest. "I won't have my name associated with these worldly changes."

9

Remember that they really control a Community

by EdLogan in

jw
friends

there's a lot going on, and a lot of saying.the interpretation of the scriptures, their internal doctrine and their policy change.. the 1914, 1919 and its consequences.. the birthdays and other holidays.. the beard, the tie, the slacks.. the "hi, nice to see you here".. but at the end of the day, what they're in control of, is a community.

a society of people.

and a corporation as well, that controls all this.. many of them don't even really mind about those changes.

Jehalapeno

All the reasons you list is why I no longer care for "waking" people up, but want to see reform happen.

I would rather the people I love that are still in the organization have a less oppressive environment than have them go through that emotionally turbulent crisis of faith.

Yes, it sucks that they believe lies.

But so does every religion that has magical thinking.

The things that make JWs unique is specifically the level of behavior and information control the org inflicts on the flock.

If they went down to church on the corner levels of control and brainwashing, I would see that as a huge victory.

As it stands, the religion I woke up from in 2014 is no longer the same religion. That Watchtower has crumbled. The Watchtower of Rutherford's time has crumbled.

What we're left with today is watered down.

For the sake of our loved ones still in it, lets hope it continues to be watered down even further.

23

When will the Watchtower Society be desolated?

by Hiddenservant in

did you know that the answer is provided in the scriptures through the 70 weeks prophecy?.

daniel’s 70 weeks prophecy explained.. the 70 weeks were split into three parts.

here is the reason why.. the prophecy is not only about the messiah, it is also about god’s people and the holy city, as verse 24 makes clear.

Jehalapeno

I am the final prophet and messenger of Jehovah. I am the man who has been made discreet, like Joseph, and sent ahead of God's people to deliver food at the proper time to the domestics. This interpretation of the Seventy Weeks that I have shared here is just a small portion of that life-preserving spiritual food. More can be seen in my 10 Quora Spaces and on my YouTube channel.
Christ died in 30 CE and he will return for the anointed in 2030 at the end of the antitypical 70th week. The Great Tribulation will begin in 2027 when the Watchtower Society is desolated.

LOL

"Then if any man shall say unto you, Lo, here is Christ, or there; believe it not." - Matthew 24:23, KJV

I'd say more, but it's not nice to make fun of the mentally ill.

10

A Positive Approach to discussing the changes - Gov Body Update Aftermath

by Jehalapeno in

so, just got off a very emotional, but positive call with my father.. this past weekend, he wanted to give me a call, but i was out of town at a wedding, so he said he'd call me later in the week.. he texted me the governing body update video with the recent changes and said, "i thought you might be interested in some of the changes that were just announced.".

i'm tired of self-censorship, so i decided to reply as truthfully and respectfully as i could.. my reply to him:.

it's interesting.

Jehalapeno

Not to mention that he demonstrated humility in his admission that you were right, didn’t resent it, and trusted you not to rub his nose in it.
Respect to him, too.

Yes, it was a very respectful conversation on both sides. A little sad that he still has hope I'll come back to the meetings, but he also made it clear that he understands it's my decision to make and that the only one that can convince me to return is Jehovah himself.

10

New light isn't that new outside the USA?

by KerryKing in

all this recent new light etc has everyone talking but none of it is that unusual here in ireland.

i've been df'd for 15 years, my parents started talking to me again when i had my first child nearly 13 years ago now.

last year my sister in law started talking to me again also, at the one meeting i attended last year quite a few people chatted to me and said hello.. i'm just wondering if all this is only a big deal in the usa or is this neck of the woods just particularly rebellious anyway?

Jehalapeno

Some families for years used the "necessary family business" loophole to continue communicating with their disfellowshipped family members. Not all, but some. I know of several families who did this.

As far as the people that greeted you at the hall, they may have forgotten or not realized you were disfellowshipped. In my experience, some elders always greeted the disfellowshipped ones if they had an opportunity. Not all, but I saw some do this multiple times. The reasoning my elder dad gave me was that, "Elders still have to communicate with them to see if they're ready to come back."

Regarding dress and grooming, in my lifetime this has always been dependent on the local culture.

In South Texas, coats were never worn in the door to door work during the warmer months. The brother conducting the meeting for field service was instructed to wear a blazer during the meeting for field service. But that's about it. From time to time, we'd have a circuit overseer come through the area that came from a different region of the country and his first visit he usually admonished the elders and ministerial servants about wearing coats in service. That usually only lasted one visit and by the next the CO would realize why it wasn't a thing in South Texas (weather.)

I had family that served in Mexico (need greaters) and heard tales about being able to go in service and bookstudy without ties.

This recent announcement just makes it official organization-wide.

10

A Positive Approach to discussing the changes - Gov Body Update Aftermath

by Jehalapeno in

so, just got off a very emotional, but positive call with my father.. this past weekend, he wanted to give me a call, but i was out of town at a wedding, so he said he'd call me later in the week.. he texted me the governing body update video with the recent changes and said, "i thought you might be interested in some of the changes that were just announced.".

i'm tired of self-censorship, so i decided to reply as truthfully and respectfully as i could.. my reply to him:.

it's interesting.

Jehalapeno

Update: I decided to test whether or not this was just a memorial thing or because they were told to reach out. Invited him to lunch.

He agreed to have lunch with me next month when I am in town. So, he’s “having a meal” with someone like me.

Perhaps it’s because I’m not officially disfellowshipped or disassociated?

I was a “known apostate” for a while. (Some of you may know me as Cappytan.)

However, I’ve never been dealt with judicially either in absentia or otherwise.

Perhaps the loosening of how disfellowshipped ones being treated at the Kingdom Hall made it so his conscience allows him to open up the relationship again since I’m only “inactive” on paper?

10

A Positive Approach to discussing the changes - Gov Body Update Aftermath

by Jehalapeno in

so, just got off a very emotional, but positive call with my father.. this past weekend, he wanted to give me a call, but i was out of town at a wedding, so he said he'd call me later in the week.. he texted me the governing body update video with the recent changes and said, "i thought you might be interested in some of the changes that were just announced.".

i'm tired of self-censorship, so i decided to reply as truthfully and respectfully as i could.. my reply to him:.

it's interesting.

Jehalapeno

So, just got off a very emotional, but positive call with my father.

This past weekend, he wanted to give me a call, but I was out of town at a wedding, so he said he'd call me later in the week.

He texted me the Governing Body Update video with the recent changes and said, "I thought you might be interested in some of the changes that were just announced."

I'm tired of self-censorship, so I decided to reply as truthfully and respectfully as I could.

My reply to him:

It's interesting. Seems Morris was holding them back from beginning to make some positive strides towards reform. I hope it continues. Genuinely.

Today, he called me. Asked me what I thought about the changes.

I reiterated that it's a step in the right direction and that I hope more is coming along these lines.

He mentioned my comment about Morris and said he's not sure about that. And I said, "Well, no, of course I don't have proof of it. It's very coincidental, though, that Tony Morris leaves the governing body and within a year all these changes start being made. That's not evidence he was holding them back, but I think it certainly raises the question of that being a possibility."

AND HE AGREED

He let me criticize the organization...I brought up how disfellowshipped people are treated and that I hope they continue to refine that policy because it's very cruel...

It ended up being a nice and respectful conversation about him having hope that I return, but respecting that it's my decision and me telling him I don't want him to have false hope, but I do hope we can have regular talks again.

I closed with: "I have hope that the religion you and mom follow, whether I follow it or not, will continue to make these positive changes and it becomes even more enjoyable for you both."

AND HE THANKED ME FOR THAT STATEMENT.

Look, I know that many of these changes are superficial in comparison to lots of the issues the organization is having. But we should be allowed to be happy that at least SOME things are moving in a more positive direction.

I sincerely do hope that the religion we all have loved ones in becomes less and less intrusive on their lives. I would love for it to happen overnight, but I can live with having it happen little by little over time.

And, want to shout out the activists in Norway. There's no evidence these changes are directly related to their efforts in that country or not, however it's another interesting coincidence. Thank you to those activists for CARING enough to see it through.

2908

It's been a long 9 years Lloyd Evans / John Cedars (continued)

by Simon in

jw
friends

uh oh, looks like the mega thread gave up the ghost, so while i investigate / fix it just continue the discussion here .... it's been a long 9 years lloyd evans / john cedars.

Jehalapeno

As long as one is parodying someone else, there is no way they can sue you for imitating their voice either naturally or with AI.

The only way it can become actionable legally is if the person was attempting to impersonate and pass themselves off as the real Lloyd. Pastahour made it pretty clear that it was a parody.