nochoice

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Posts by nochoice

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  75

  Bibles out of stock at Bethel?

  by nochoice in

  1. watchtower
  2. beliefs

  our congregation is rationing regular bibles like they're gold bars.

  i was told that bethel is out of stock!

  anyone else hear about this?

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  nochoice

  Where abouts are you, nochoice?

  I can also verify that bibles are running low - even more so than the usual rationing that Anony Mous mentions. Our small congregation has about 3 or 4 deluxe/reference bibles on order from way back in August.

  88JM I am in the South East. Sorry not to be more specific, but, you know.

  I am hearing about back orders like yours all over. I heard the Japan rumor and I've also heard the Canada rumor. It just seems silly though, that the Elders aren't being told what's going on. A simple letter from Momma and all will be well!

  "Dear Brothers, Due to the overwhelming demand for foreign language Bibles in other lands where the work is opening up and thriving, we've been dedicating our presses to that need. Surely, your loving flock can share bibles with newly interested ones, since the friends in these new congregations might only have just a few Bibles for the whole Kingdom Hall until the need is filled. Likewise, your Christian generosity can enable us to obtain more presses, so that we can continue foreign language printing and resume English editions sooner."
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  75

  Bibles out of stock at Bethel?

  by nochoice in

  1. watchtower
  2. beliefs

  our congregation is rationing regular bibles like they're gold bars.

  i was told that bethel is out of stock!

  anyone else hear about this?

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  nochoice

  Well, we're on bi12 from 1984. Maybe it's time.

  Really though, I wonder if it's more about changing equipment out and waiting until all printing is moved out of Brooklyn. It seems like they're not only out, but they're also not producing any at all. Recieving reduced amounts at the hall is one thing. Receiving nothing is another. Supposedly the couple bibles we have are from other congregations that are now wanting them back because they didn't realize they couldn't be replaced!
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  75

  Bibles out of stock at Bethel?

  by nochoice in

  1. watchtower
  2. beliefs

  our congregation is rationing regular bibles like they're gold bars.

  i was told that bethel is out of stock!

  anyone else hear about this?

  1. 
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  3. 
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  nochoice

  Our Congregation is rationing regular bibles like they're gold bars. I was told that Bethel is out of stock! Anyone else hear about this? From what I understand, it's the reference bibles and deluxe bibles too. Is this the beginning of the end? Are they about to revise the translation?
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  40

  Non JW involved with a JW

  by LostInTranslation in

  1. social
  2. relationships

  i am a non jw who has been doing a fair amount of research on my own in hopes of finding some answers and understanding for my current heartwrenching situation:.

  i have been dating a man for the last while, and we grew very close, very quickly.. .

  suddenly he has pulled away from me, gotten very skittish and says he feels like he is leading a double life, and isn't ready for a relationship.. all the while stating that his impending divorce is the reason for his cold feet, which could be understandable except the marriage was very much "over" long ago.

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  nochoice

  Hey LostinTranslation. I know you've made up your mind and have already told him so. However, I worry about you changing your mind! In case you get weak, in case he comes after to you with promises and tells you all the right things (whatever that may be, whatever you may be dying to hear from him), don't go back!

  For me personally, the biggest thing is the fact that he has already been intimate with you and never told you he was one of Jehovah's Witnesses. That's just insane. Of course he feels like he's leading a double life - he is! The ministry is the most important thing to a JW, and part of that ministry to talking to everyone about the religion - to neighbors, people in line at the grocery store, people waiting at the docotor's office - everyone!

  The fact that he could disconnenct himself from that mantra, keep the whole religion secret from you, AND commit the worst sin possible for a JW (other than sinning against the Holy Spirit or apostacy), is just insane. It's hard enough for those of us that are mentally "out" of the cult but are "in" pretending because we're forced to for a family member. I could not even imagine doing what he's doing AND believing in the religion at the same time.

  And I am not implying that he's really "out" or on his way out because he's waking up. He would have certainly told you if that was the case. And even if he does tell you such a thing, he's still very, very indoctrinated. And he did what he did (got intimate with you and kept his religion a secret) while he was still very much a JW.

  We all here wish him well. But don't let him mess you up with his struggles. If he has to mess some girl up, let it be another JW girl that already has problems!
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  43

  May 15 2013 WT: "REAL elders skip meals and lose sleep!"

  by cedars in

  1. watchtower
  2. beliefs

  finally we have the society's expectations of elders in print.. this is from page 9 of the may 15th study edition.... "as indicated by the experiences of the apostle paul, our ministry may result in sleepless nights and times without food.

  (2 cor.

  6:5) these expressions paint a vivid picture of self-sacrifice and may well remind us of pioneers who give their ministry first place in life while supporting themselves financially.

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  nochoice

  Man, it really depends on those in your group. Every service group (that an elder and a servant oversee) is made up of self-sufficient types and a couple of labor-intensive witnesses. These labor-intensive ones take 10 times more time and caring than all the others in your group. They're easily offended, have all kinds of family problems, and most likely, are just off in the head.

  If an elder could pick his service group from all the friends in the hall, he would have it easy! But alas, the Body of Elders usually spread to parasites and crazies around so each group has a couple of them. I've found that the Service Overseer and the COBE has less baggage.
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  37

  Why do Jw's have to pay for CO's expenses?

  by nolongerconfused in

  1. watchtower
  2. beliefs

  this is something that has always bothered me!.

  why do rank and file have to pay for co's do's expenses, car, health insurance, meals, etc, etc...?.

  didn't the apostle paul say that all christians have to be self sufficient and work?, not depending on anyone else and cause a burden?.

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  nochoice

  Do they really receive that much money in the form of cash from the friends? The reason I ask is that the only time I see envelopes and cards being given to the CO or his wife is on the day of the last talk, Sunday. And it's pretty obvious when it's happening, even though the freinds try to look as if they're being discreet. I usually only see 2 or 3 incidences. And even if each one was generous, we're only talking a couple hundred total.

  Don't get me wrong, a couple hundred dollars plus comp lunch and dinner every day is a pretty sweet deal, but it's not getting wealthy. I also wonder if some of the designer shoes and purses they have were not direct gifts rather than thier ability to purchase designer stuff.

  Just curious if anyone knows what the real cash value of the job is.
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  50

  Jehovah's Witnesses and restaurant bills

  by usualusername in

  1. jw
  2. friends

  did you ever have the experience of going to a restaurant with witnesses and spending 30mins sorting out the restaurant bill?.

  .

  thats something i miss since leaving... .

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  nochoice

  Our solution is to have separate checks including drinks and tip upfront. Don't like that....then don't come. Be sure the restaurant offers separate checks, puts separate drinks on that tab, and includes the tip on their tab.

  I make a habit of showing up first. That way, I can tell the server that no matter what anyone else says, make seperate checks. In fact I'll tell the server not to try and figure out by couple or family, just do seperate checks! This way, if there is a brother or sister who are generally taken advantage of, when the scammer arrives and tells the server to put them together, they can say it's already been done seperately.

  When the group is all arriving together and I can't be first in, I still make it a point to grab the hostess or someone on the way to the table and instruct them that the table needs to be seperate checks on matter what anyone says. I tell them not to even ask!

  What a shame that this is neccessary!

  Regarding the idea that some are of humble means, I find that those that are truly without and are unassuming will simply not go out and put themselves in an embarrasing position. Those are the ones I do my best to try to invite for hospitality, and I make sure I let them know that I do not expect reciprocity. If they insist, fine, make some cookies.
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  140

  Please worship our god or he will kill you!

  by snare&racket in

  1. jw
  2. experiences

  why were we so suprised people did not join in droves!

  what an awful message we shared......

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  nochoice

  Yeah, it's a bait and switch thing too. The message is that God's Kingdom will do away with all of the pain and suffering and wickedness on earth. That's a pretty cool message we're bringing to your door. And most householders like the idea of Revelation 21:3,4. But, what we don't tell you until later is that YOU are part of the wicked that will be destroyed unless you become one of Jehovah's Witnesses! YOU are in the same category as the rapists and the murderers! In fact, if the rapist and murderer becomes a witness and you don't, no matter how good and kind you are, the rapist and murderer will be in a paradise new earth and YOU will be destroyed!
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  24

  To those still "in" - how do you keep up a facade?

  by magotan in

  1. watchtower
  2. beliefs

  i can't come out until the summertime.

  in the mean time, i have to feign interest like i want to stay so i don't end up homeless.. .

  i can't sit at the meetings without getting visibily irritated.

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  nochoice

  Since you have responsibilities, the time should go faster. I don't know how I did it before I had responsibilites. Now that I have things to tend to, stuff to hand out, people to confirm, etc., the time actually goes by pretty quickly. Granted, those responsibilities are before and after the meeting, but a lot of those responsibilites I am thinking about at my seat, ready to catch people before they leave, etc. It keeps my mind busy with work rather than thinking about the material. Sad, I know.
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  221

  What JW catch phrase DRIVES YOU NUTS!!!!

  by megaflower in

  1. jw
  2. friends

  "we should be mindful".

  grrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrr.

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  nochoice

  Also, Listen, Obey and get screwed

  Damn it Superman, how do you expect me to sing this song again in the hall without laughing?