Posts by Funchback

59

Introducing Myself

by Peony in

i've finally got round to joining the site (after over 2 years lurking!

i was born into jws, pioneered for 10 years (met my husband at pioneer school).

had health issues that saw me catapulted away from 'the centre of the cong' and wow what a different place that was!

JW Business Cards

by Funchback in

hello from fortaleza, ceara, brazil!.

i am a coordinator at an english language course here in fortaleza.

i have been both living in brazil and working at this course for (4) years.

I didn't not address specifics out of fear...LOL! I lost any fear of JWs since the time I posted my real pic and real name on this very site about 6 years ago. I stopped living by their rules several years ago. Luckily, all of my closest friends also left. We are now closer than ever, even though they are back in Philadelphia and I am here in Brazil. Only my older brother is still deep within the JW corporation.

Also, I was at work...actually trying to work...when they popped in for a visit. Besides the fact that the young man seemed reallly sincere in wanting to know the "why", if I had rolled up my sleeves and talked JW turkey with them, it would have messed up the rest of my day. It was on a late Friday afternoon and I was less than an hour away from going home.

10

JW Business Cards

by Funchback in

hello from fortaleza, ceara, brazil!.

i am a coordinator at an english language course here in fortaleza.

i have been both living in brazil and working at this course for (4) years.

Funchback

Ha! I didn't realize there was no contact information. Only "JW.org".

These business cards are going to replace tracts.

PS: Thanks, AudeSapere! All is well! Glad you are doing great too.

10

JW Business Cards

by Funchback in

hello from fortaleza, ceara, brazil!.

i am a coordinator at an english language course here in fortaleza.

i have been both living in brazil and working at this course for (4) years.

Funchback

10

JW Business Cards

by Funchback in

hello from fortaleza, ceara, brazil!.

i am a coordinator at an english language course here in fortaleza.

i have been both living in brazil and working at this course for (4) years.

Funchback

10

JW Business Cards

by Funchback in

hello from fortaleza, ceara, brazil!.

i am a coordinator at an english language course here in fortaleza.

i have been both living in brazil and working at this course for (4) years.

Funchback

Hello from Fortaleza, Ceará, Brazil!

I am a coordinator at an English language course here in Fortaleza. I have been both living in Brazil and working at this course for (4) years. I have never been to a Kingdom Hall here.

From time to time, an older JW and an English (UK) JW (usually guys in their 20s or 30s) come to the school seeking English-speaking foreigners (that would be me) with whom to start a study or witness to.

As much as I am against all things JW, I have always remained respectful toward any JWs I have met. Still, I am always clear and say proudly that I used to be a JW when they come by to talk to me (I am the only foreigner at the school).

Two visits ago, a Brit and the older Brazilian JW came by to chat. I hadn't met the English bloke before. He was kind enough. He started into his JW spiel and I cut him off. ("I know about all this already"..."I have done Field Service before"..."I have given talks"). He kindly asked me, "If you don't mind telling me, what made you stop attending meetings?". Folks, this question can be used as a GOTCHA!, meaning they have you on record as being an apostate. Maybe this was his intention. Then he could inform the local elders about my existence. I don't know. Whatever. I m not scared or intimidated by any action they may take against me or any label they may put upon me. However, I had to consider that his question may have been based on his having doubts of his own. Why?

Because when I cut off his JW delivery, his face brimmed with curiosity, like he was thinking, "Wow! I need to know more! What could cause someone to walk away from Jehovah?". Maybe. Maybe not. I decided to take the middle ground. I said, "Listen. Why I left is not important. It wasn't for me anymore. If you're happy being a JW, then be happy. I, too, am happy". The British JW was like, "Uh...oh...yeah. It's okay. I'm really sorry for asking". He was very apologetic and we just talked about normal things like the weather and Brazil. Nothing more about JWisms. After a few more minutes they went on their merry way. That was about a year ago.

Today, a receptionist gave me a business card and said that two guys came by to talk with me. The photos are within this post.

Four years here. A handful of visits from the older Brazilian JW and his random British companions. And today was the first time I was left a JW business card.

25

November 2015 Watchtower - More Money 'Begging'

by jwleaks in

jw
friends

making donations to the worldwide work of jehovah's witnesses.

http://www.jw.org/en/publications/magazines/w20151115/donations-worldwide-work/.

.

Funchback

Insurance: A donation made by specifying an entity used by Jehovah’s Witnesses as the beneficiary of a life insurance policy or a retirement/pension plan.

Bank Accounts: Bank accounts, certificates of deposit, or individual retirement accounts set up as a trust or made payable on death to an entity used by Jehovah’s Witnesses in accord with local bank requirements.

Stocks and Bonds: Stocks and bonds donated to an entity used by Jehovah’s Witnesses as an outright gift or by means of a written agreement to transfer on death.

Wills and Trusts: Property or money may be bequeathed to an entity used by Jehovah’s Witnesses by means of a legally executed will or by specifying the entity as the beneficiary of a trust agreement. This arrangement may provide certain tax advantages.

Ugh... The plan is perfect, isn't it? Alienate once loved family members who aren't JWs; shun ex-JW family members; stay faithful until you get old hoping for a new system that will never come; die and give the money to JW.org. Grandkids get a cut? Nope. Grown children struggling to make ends meet? Nah. Brother? Sister? No way, not if they aren't JWs.

That is so messed up.

18

Gay times at Brooklyn Bethel

by oppostate in

leo greenlees and percy chapman have been exposed as practicing a gay lifestyle while serving at the world head quarters of the watchtower religion.. in this photo greenlees is at the left with glen how to his right and then nathan knorr who has chapman to his right.

i've seen this photo before many times.

it's in jim pentons book, but i never noticed greenlees left hand is holding how's right at his bottocks.. quite the gay times at bethel i'd say.. .

Funchback

Geez... I guess people see what they choose/want to see.

Let me make up something that isn't there...Hmm...I see Redd Foxx in the background between their two heads.

1

Persecution: Fight Against it, or Take it?

by Funchback in

hello, folks.. jws, always highlighting that persecution is a sign that they are the true religion, look for ways to avoid being persecuted.

here are some recent examples from their own website:.

regarding jws in the ukraine: (jws) remain hopeful that local authorities will uphold the fundamental human right to freedom of religion.

Funchback

Hello, folks.

JWs, always highlighting that persecution is a sign that they are the true religion, look for ways to avoid being persecuted. Here are some recent examples from their own website:

Regarding JWs in the Ukraine: (JWs) remain hopeful that local authorities will uphold the fundamental human right to freedom of religion. http://www.jw.org/en/news/legal/by-region/ukraine/religion-persecution-jw-beliefs/
Jehovah’s Witnesses in Israel are grateful to the Israeli authorities who took a stand against religious intolerance and discrimination by defending their right to gather for peaceful worship. http://www.jw.org/en/news/legal/by-region/israel/raanana-high-court-case/
For decades, thousands of Jehovah’s Witnesses in South Korea have endured imprisonment for their conscientiously held beliefs. Eagerly anticipating the Court’s judgment, they ask: Are the justices of the Constitutional Court ready to act on behalf of conscientious objectors? Will South Korea act in harmony with internationally recognized human rights standards? http://www.jw.org/en/news/legal/by-region/south-korea/conscientious-objectors-rights/
Witness parents seek the same opportunity for their children as other parents do. They want their children to develop life skills and to become productive members of society. Jehovah’s Witnesses hope that this positive court ruling in Karongi will promote respect in all Rwandan schools for children’s right to freedom of conscience and religion. http://www.jw.org/en/news/legal/by-region/rwanda/religious-discrimination-school/

I don't want to see anyone persecuted for their religious beliefs, for sure. I'm merely pointing out that, on the one hand, they wear persecution as a badge of honor. On the other hand, they take all kinds of legal action to stop persecution. Time and time again they have appealed to the UN (the Wild Beast) for assistance. They have filed petitions in courts. All in the hopes of having the freedom (sans persecution) to worship.

If it's part of their being recognized as "the truth", then they should roll with the punches and wait on their God, at least that what the bible says that they should do. http://www.openbible.info/topics/persecution

What say you?

33

How Many JWs actually Watch JW.TV?

by Oubliette in

i'm curious.

what do you know from your own experience and talking to other active jws?

i know from my own informal, non-scientific survey that most jws do not watch jw.tv.

Funchback

I've been out for about 10 years so I may be wrong with my opinion, but there is the hour-long book study, the TMS, field service, personal study, WT and talk. If I were in, I'd probably NOT watch because I would be on "spiritual food" overload.

People need a mental break.