Posts by Spiral

182

Major congregational quake in Southern California

by Hecce in

this notice is not official yet and it should be confidential until released thru the proper channels.

a friend of mine told me about a huge elders meeting in southern california.

the subject was the relocation and dissolution of some congregations; it seems that this is the result of some project that has been going on for some time and is going to be implemented right now.. please let me know if this is happening all over the country?.

Spiral

I know of one area where they rearranged everyone, turns out so they could consolidate and close two halls. (This was not explained in the beginning.) Everyone grumbled but tried to comply. But a few years on, it turns out that a lot of the ones who were most inconvenienced (traffic, bus rides, driving at night) just quit going, at least to the week night meeting. What I think happened (reading between the lines of some emails I received) is that everything got confused and backwards, and some people just quit going and no one noticed.

So, the bOrg better be careful, by turning into a mega church, they might lose a lot of followers. And I do think they care, I don't think they would purposely want to shrink, just because of their egos.

5

WT “Study” for 18th Sept 2016 – “Grateful Recipients of God’s Undeserved Kindness”

by Nicholaus Kopernicus in

“life is to short” has commented on the above study in terms of grace being translated as undeserved kindness in the nwt.

the analysis is quite interesting.. here in this thread, i will be opening up other facets of the “study”.

for example.... paragraph 11 applies the daniel 12:3 phrase – “those having insight” to the “anointed remnant”.

Spiral

The study articles and the meetings in general are incredibly dull, and I agree they are just .... gibberish! Today's is no exception.

Who writes this stuff? Really - it's just a mess. No wonder meeting attendance keeps slipping, at least where I am. A good percentage (maybe 70%) of attendees here are elderly, going to meeting out of habit.

18

I need more faith so I've been told

by hoser in

jw
friends

i attended the circus assembly last weekend and i have come to the conclusion i am lacking faith.

the opening talk on the program, the very first words that came out of the speakers mouth told me so.

he said most of us here are lacking faith even though we might not know it.

Spiral

"most of us here are lacking faith even though we might not know it."

Interesting comment, probably true. Most have just been bored to death for so long they don't even know what they think. (My observation here locally.) BUT I think it's a little telling, the powers that be up the ladder realize they have a negative (to them) trend on their hands?

43

May 22 1969 Awake!

by zeb in

jw
friends

"if you are a young person you need to face the fact you will never grow old in this system of things.. why not?

because all the evidence in fulfilment of bible prophecy indicates that this corrupt system is due to end in a few years...as a young person you will never fulfil any career that this system offers".

may 22 awake!

Spiral

Wait! If you google 1969 Awake bound volume it comes up in Google images. HMMMMMM

Handy to have!

43

May 22 1969 Awake!

by zeb in

jw
friends

"if you are a young person you need to face the fact you will never grow old in this system of things.. why not?

because all the evidence in fulfilment of bible prophecy indicates that this corrupt system is due to end in a few years...as a young person you will never fulfil any career that this system offers".

may 22 awake!

Spiral

Can someone post a picture of this article?

11

Were YOU forced into a loveless marriage?

by Nathan Natas in

many young jw women are "married off" to virtual strangers, often older men, soon after they are of legal age.. did this happen to you?.

did it happen to a close friend or sibling?.

tell us about it.. from universal life ministries on facebook:.

Spiral

Can't give a lot of details, but both were in their twenties. Both were considered sub-prime marriage material in JW eyes, because of previous problems with obeying the rules (both had been on "reproof", perhaps more than once).

Originally, they both seemed ok with it, but it was obvious to outsiders that they were being pushed together. They are still together (4+ years) so we'll see, but we all felt they were railroaded into it because the brothers and their parents just wanted to get both of them "settled".

Again, ugh!!!

11

Were YOU forced into a loveless marriage?

by Nathan Natas in

many young jw women are "married off" to virtual strangers, often older men, soon after they are of legal age.. did this happen to you?.

did it happen to a close friend or sibling?.

tell us about it.. from universal life ministries on facebook:.

Spiral

I know of a situation like this, the parents just wanted to get their daughter "settled".

Ugh, really upsetting.

66

When you were fully in, did you believe that you would not die?

by TTWSYF in

i know that it must seem silly to ask, but my brother and his family think that the big a will arrive before they die.

i tried to explain to my brother that everyone else who has ever lived in the past has died and only jesus has [physically] rose from the dead.. it is amazing that anyone could buy that line.

what crazy cult culture that could make people believe such nonsense?!.

Spiral

@Mrs.Flipper

About people shunning their own adult kids "out of loyalty" for years - I have seen this lately.

Amazing, and disgusting.

66

When you were fully in, did you believe that you would not die?

by TTWSYF in

i know that it must seem silly to ask, but my brother and his family think that the big a will arrive before they die.

i tried to explain to my brother that everyone else who has ever lived in the past has died and only jesus has [physically] rose from the dead.. it is amazing that anyone could buy that line.

what crazy cult culture that could make people believe such nonsense?!.

Spiral

At first I did, growing up in the 60s and 70s. Everyone seemed to, so as I child I remember thinking "they can't all be wrong." The 1975 mess didn't throw me off too much, because I thought that if we didn't know they day and hour, how could we be so sure 1975 was the year.

But later - I started to realize that the natural world just doesn't work that way. Why does everything else exist, live, and then die (or be replaced, as in nature) but humans would be on this recycling program of sorts. What makes us so special? It didn't make sense. Also, I began to realize that people are followers, and if they want something bad enough they'll do whatever mental gymnastics it takes to keep their belief going.

I agree with undercover, once I starting doubting all the beliefs just became ridiculous. I regret not doing a lot of things while I was younger, so to be honest I am trying to play catch up. It is a harsh realization to know you could die at any time, but it makes you want to really live in the now.

11

JW elder on the street I live in.

by Thisismein1972 in

so just the other day i happened to look out my window to see the cobe and the elder who studied with me on the doors.

it got me thinking.. i remember one day, during my study that he said he loved me.

although he meant this as a "brother" it actually sent me into, what i can only describe as shock and alarm!

Spiral

@ToesUp4 hours ago

"If this work is so urgent, and he truly did love me, wouldn't this elder be practically knocking my door down to get me to turn around?"

"You would think so BUT don't count on it. We have family members that have known we are out via rumors and talk within the JW community. We know this for a fact. Have they done anything...hell no. Either they don't have the balls, don't believe the JW crap either or are happy for us, therefore, leaving us alone."

We have the same experience, all these eldubs in the family, rumors swirling, and yet NO ONE says a thing.

Perhaps they are just jealous? I don't know, but it seems funny. Or afraid we might have a real reason for fading they can't argue with?