Posts by NeverKnew

8

You can win the lottery in 6 states anonymously. Here is the list

by Iamallcool in

jw
friends

kansas.

maryland.

delaware.

NeverKnew

Haha! I've thought about that too. Then, I tried to remember the faces or names of people who had won any lottery in the last year. I couldn't.

I've decided I'll take my chances and remain in PA.

30

Could this be accurate?

by NeverKnew in

jw
friends

is the information on this webpage* regarding the socioeconomic conditions of jws a fair connection to the all too familiar wts quote of 1969?

does the report's statistics appear to be plausible given your personal observations?

*even though many others have copied and pasted the article (including the individual who created the page hyperlinked above), i'm apprehensive about doing so for copyright reasons.

NeverKnew

I a shocked that is says there are more minorities in the US than white members. But perhaps that is due to the region in which I live. Not much cultural diversity in the Congs in which I have associated.

Before I forget, I think you'll enjoy this. I was reading these statistics to a very good friend of mine and came upon that 52% minority figure. She wondered aloud "I wonder what the ratio is for Baptists." The statistic was actually in the article and I shared it with her (30% Black). Her response? "There are that many people who identify themselves as Baptists who are white!?! Where are they?"

Reading your statement made me smile...

30

Could this be accurate?

by NeverKnew in

jw
friends

is the information on this webpage* regarding the socioeconomic conditions of jws a fair connection to the all too familiar wts quote of 1969?

does the report's statistics appear to be plausible given your personal observations?

*even though many others have copied and pasted the article (including the individual who created the page hyperlinked above), i'm apprehensive about doing so for copyright reasons.

NeverKnew

By keeping them on the lowest rung of the ladder they were more likely to keep them involved in the religion that promised them a better future. They all needed and wanted a better future because of the horrible present life they suffered.

I read this statement earlier this afternoon and had to digest it.

DoC, over the last year and a half, I've observed and cringed at the circumstances of my dearest friend's family. This statement suggests a huge contributing reason for their mindsets. There really IS nowhere else to go because going means a disintegration of the hope they've been sold.

I'm still digesting but .... Is it possible that they're all just waiting for their deliverance?

30

Could this be accurate?

by NeverKnew in

jw
friends

is the information on this webpage* regarding the socioeconomic conditions of jws a fair connection to the all too familiar wts quote of 1969?

does the report's statistics appear to be plausible given your personal observations?

*even though many others have copied and pasted the article (including the individual who created the page hyperlinked above), i'm apprehensive about doing so for copyright reasons.

NeverKnew

Can'tleave - I'm trying. I'm really trying.

Snare - I agree.

Tiki, Mum, Amber, Fink, Clarity and dear Gma - I hate that you have such a personal knowlege of this reality. I'm having a tough time with the potential that was ripped from everyone. I just wish there had been more exposure to the outside world to have created a much larger public debacle the WTS would have had to have answered to. It seems like this passed quietly by and I'm sorry. Heck I was born in the 60's so there was nothing I could have done. I just wish the world could have protected you.

Steve, Talesin, Mum, and Tater - Looking at the numbers I just read? I am incredibly proud of you and will use your stories.

LisaRose, Lois & Mum - Bad relationships hurt while you're in them but make you stronger. Over time, you recognize a confidence within yourself that some have never known. I'm grateful for that SOB I married. *giggling*

I can't even begin to tell you how many of my non-jw friends have come to me with circumstantial challenges I can barely stand to listen to anymore. When someone comes with a challenge that requires a reset of everything they've ever known - I'm sure I'll be more tolerant.

All - You are all survivors of a hand of cards that was hard to beat, but even by being here, it's clear that you're doing everything you can to change your personal score!

30

Could this be accurate?

by NeverKnew in

jw
friends

is the information on this webpage* regarding the socioeconomic conditions of jws a fair connection to the all too familiar wts quote of 1969?

does the report's statistics appear to be plausible given your personal observations?

*even though many others have copied and pasted the article (including the individual who created the page hyperlinked above), i'm apprehensive about doing so for copyright reasons.

NeverKnew

The webpage statements in my OP sickened me the most for it appears to reflect the result of the thoughts promoted in the late 60's. I was most wondering if your personal observations supported the data's conclusions.

The elements I found most distressing in the article (http://users.adam.com.au/bstett/JwSocioeconomic86.htm) were the following:

Of the thirty sects ranked, Jehovah's Witnesses have the least number of college graduates, only 4.7%. Only 2.8% of the Jehovah's Witnesses in the sampling were students, indicating the continuation of a lower college graduation rate. One sect had a college graduation rate near 50%.
67.6% of all White Jehovah's Witnesses were high school graduates with a 4.4% college graduation rate. 82.6% of the Black Jehovah's Witnesses were high school graduates with a 7.6% college graduation rate.
The mean annual household income ranking of Jehovah's Witnesses averaged $20,900 with only 5 denominations ranking lower.
Jehovah's Witnesses ranked sixth from the bottom in home ownership.
"The overall aggregate ranking on socioeconomic status ranked Jehovah's Witnesses on the bottom of the 30 largest sects."
Jehovah's Witnesses were ranked next to the last in full time employment at 44.1%,

The JWs I've met are such sweethearts. Knowing all of this makes it hard to look at them with anything but pity.

30

Could this be accurate?

by NeverKnew in

jw
friends

is the information on this webpage* regarding the socioeconomic conditions of jws a fair connection to the all too familiar wts quote of 1969?

does the report's statistics appear to be plausible given your personal observations?

*even though many others have copied and pasted the article (including the individual who created the page hyperlinked above), i'm apprehensive about doing so for copyright reasons.

NeverKnew

Is the information on this webpage* regarding the socioeconomic conditions of JWs a fair connection to the all too familiar WTS quote of 1969? Does the report's statistics appear to be plausible given your personal observations? *Even though many others have copied and pasted the article (including the individual who created the page hyperlinked above), I'm apprehensive about doing so for copyright reasons.

"If you are a young person, you also need to face the fact that you will never grow old in this present system of things. Why not? Because all of the evidence in fulfillment of Bible prophecy indicates that this corrupt system is due to end in a few years... Therefore, as a young person,you will never fulfill any career that this system offers. If you are in high school and thinking about a college education, it means at least four, perhaps even six or eight more years to graduate into a specialized career. But where will this system of things be by that time? It will be well on the way toward its finish, if not actually gone." Awake! May 22, 1969 Page 15

35

Do you blame Jehovah, Yahweh, God, Jesus, etc. for the corruption of the borg?

by Fading Begins in

jw
friends

do you hold god accountable for the corruption of the borg?

i've noticed there seems to be a bitterness, by some, that includes "god" in the equation, when discussing the borg and their policies, the governing body, elders actions, etc.

do the borg's transgressions originate with god, or does he feel the same disgust as we do?

NeverKnew

Should Jehovah be blamed for the corruptions of the Borg?

Doesn't this statement suggest there being a time the Borg held honest truths? How much have you read about Russell's other companies?

Please realize this man lived in an era when prominent families were amassing vast fortunes. Andrew Carnegie (steel), Henry Clay Frick (steel), the Mellon family - heck, Rockefeller was just northwest of here in Ohio. I used to give him the benefit of the doubt, but after I read more about him, I no longer believe his intentions were so sincere.

83

The perplexing conundrum 607 b.c.e condensed down to ONE SIMPLE FACT

by Brother of the Hawk in

i was encouraged to post this thought, so here it is.. i recently finished reading "the gentile times reconsidered" by bro.

carl olof jonsson, ( third edition).

phew!!

NeverKnew

Huh? Tell your Dad I absolutely LOVED his post and tell him someone has already USED it... Guess what! It worked! LOL Brow was furrowed - brain was processing. *grin* Thank GOODNESS I can see this site on my phone...

I'm learning something about presenting things to the JWs I'm in contact with. I ask questions, create theories and then ask THEM to research. To refute claims of this nature, they HAVE to come out of jw.org and that CD of wisdumb. ANY statement that can be refuted by the WTS's claims seem to be moot. This? This is PERFECT.

As far as the challenges go, let your Dad know that this is the BEST place to fine tune his argument! Tell him to KEEP GOING!!!!

83

The perplexing conundrum 607 b.c.e condensed down to ONE SIMPLE FACT

by Brother of the Hawk in

i was encouraged to post this thought, so here it is.. i recently finished reading "the gentile times reconsidered" by bro.

carl olof jonsson, ( third edition).

phew!!

NeverKnew

All I know is, I found my new faith on the history channel over the weekend. Sir Isaac Newton (who we all know was WAY more brilliant than Charles Taze Russell and... whats-his-other-face before Russell)... predicted it will all end in 2060 using Daniel's prophetical statements. I couldn't stay awake to see if 607 BC could be jerry-rigged to make Newton's date work.

Maybe the GB can leverage 2060 AD for their next prophecy of Armageddon.

28

Friends are studying with the JW's

by LouBelle in

i was studying spanish a little while ago - had to stop because of finances but became friends with the spanish teacher and we keep in touch, see each other now and again.

i just got a message from him:.

"hola louise, i would like to talk to you about 2 things, about the jws, as we are following this fatih, we find it interesting, we haven't been baptised yet, i want to make sure before making a mistake and the other thing that allan and i wold like to talk about is starting your own business.....".

NeverKnew

I agree with Steve on the information overload. Put very succinctly, one once told me, "You can't give someone a drink of water with a firehose." I've been "witnessing" to a born-in for a year and a half. It's REALLY HARD.

But, to answer your question and to validate a few responses above, the points that have had the most impact thus far include:

Candace Conti & pedophiles (I was able to show him one on Megan's list that went to his KH)
OH! The MISQUOTES! That's been a big one because I think it has shaken his trust in the information he's being provided. You MAY be able to say that you started researching some of the quoted sources and that you were shocked and saddened by what you found from a source that you trusted so dearly.
On 1914? I'd stay away from that one. If they're new, they may have been told that they can't and won't understand the deeper content until they understand other points. A woman I was speaking to said that the topic of 1914 was on page 215 of the WDTBRT book and that it took some people years of study to get to that level. I'm learning that the born-ins I've spoken to don't really understand the construct so they're definitely not going to be able to refute the challenge, or understand it for that matter.
The inability to access older publications bothers him as well. He's asking himself why people outside of the organization are able to access information about his organization that HE can't access.

If I think of more, I'll let you know.