Posts by TonusOH

39

Is Russia Bluffing?

by Fisherman in

“supplies of offensive weapons to the kyiv regime would lead to a global catastrophe,” state duma chairman vyacheslav volodin said.

“if washington and nato supply weapons that would be used for striking peaceful cities and making attempts to seize our territory as they threaten to do, it would trigger a retaliation with more powerful weapons.”.

what is russia implying?

TonusOH

LoveUniHateExams: You know there are people in the Kremlin who are more hawkish and nasty than Putin, right?

I have no doubt that there are. I am guessing that they would not be seeking to replace Putin if he were to be pushing the nuclear option, assuming it is what they would also do. But I don't see where things work out for Russia if they use nukes. Who will they nuke? Ukraine? That would risk damaging or destroying the valuable land and resources that make the whole war worth their while. Europe? NATO would have no recourse but to respond, and respond forcefully. And such a move would likely force China and India (and any other nations) to get involved in some way, even if it's just to denounce them. The US? That's a good way to usher in the end of the world, one way or another.

Being more hawkish than Putin doesn't strike me as a good way forward for Russia.

39

Is Russia Bluffing?

by Fisherman in

“supplies of offensive weapons to the kyiv regime would lead to a global catastrophe,” state duma chairman vyacheslav volodin said.

“if washington and nato supply weapons that would be used for striking peaceful cities and making attempts to seize our territory as they threaten to do, it would trigger a retaliation with more powerful weapons.”.

what is russia implying?

TonusOH

NATO has no reason to change anything at this point. They can drain Russian resources and weaken it by sending money and equipment to Ukraine. I don't think anyone sees Zelensky as anything other than a useful prop, and Zelensky probably realizes that as long as he plays his part 'correctly', the money and equipment will keep flowing and he will probably keep his position whenever the war ends.

As for nukes, it really depends on how fatalistic Putin or Russia is. There is not, in my opinion, any outcome of the use of nukes that does not hurt Russia significantly. Whether it is direct war, economic war, or some combination of the two, there is no scenario that ends with Russia as a winner. If they can hold the territory they have gained, they might be able to force peace negotiations after a long enough time, so that even NATO countries would twist Zelensky's arm and demand he accept. So for Putin, there is only one realistic option, which is to win the war.

For Russia, there is one additional option- get rid of Putin and see what kind of deal they can get.

9

STOP criticizing the self-appointed Governing Body......

by BoogerMan in

.....you imperfect shower!!!.

w74 2/1 p. 96 questions from readers - “in the case of those who will rule with jesus christ, jehovah god...“declares them righteous” and thus views them as being perfect, without sin, while yet in the flesh on earth.” (rom.

8:33) .

TonusOH

What a mishmash. Jehovah declares them righteous, which means... what, exactly? With the GB, perhaps self-righteous is the correct term.

Also, Jehovah "views" them as perfect? So, does God have an incorrect view of them? Or does this action confer perfection on them? And if they are 'viewed' as being perfect, then... any sin they commit is a direct rejection of God as their sovereign, isn't it?

Anyway, it's a reminder that Fred Franz was a self-aggrandizing loon.

6

March 2023 WT - Recruitment drive!

by BoogerMan in

dedicate your life to jehovah, by being baptized as a jw - not as a christian.

(a follower of christ - acts 11:26).

par.

TonusOH

Yeah, the dedication questions were changed in 1985 so that you were now submitting yourself to the organization, not to god or Jesus.

They have always celebrated those who get baptized very young. I can remember conventions where they would interview a young teen who had gotten baptized, or they would point out that one of the candidates was very young. And you could read in the magazines about people who were baptized when they were as young as nine or ten.

Locking someone in like that at such a young age is creepy. And that's the nicest description I can think of.

25

Being embarrassed by a JW when you were a JW

by punkofnice in

i was out on the ministry(tm) in the 1980's when i was pie-on-earring.

i was only a lowly publisher(tm) being coached by a rather odd elder(tm).. one of the publications(tm) had recently mentioned japan and the growth(tm) of jws there.. the elder(tm), brother(tm) i was with offered the magazines(tm) to the householder(tm).. then he stated, 'there are (gave the reported numbers at the time.

i can't remember the number he stated), jehovah's witnesses(tm) in japan.'.

TonusOH

LOL. I don't think I ever was in field service with anyone that unhinged. The only thing that I remember is one time when I was in field service with an elder and we approached an old man to preach to him, but the old man started preaching to us. And the elder immediately bid the guy farewell and we left him alone right quick! The elder mumbled under his breath something about "not wanting to hear the teachings of demons."

It was one of those moments where your brain starts to work and pull you into areas you really don't want to as a JW. Because all I could think was that we were out there, pushing our beliefs to people all morning, but we practically panicked when someone did the same to us. And we knew we were doing exactly what the WTS wanted- we were not to listen to anyone else's teaching or preaching! It felt very hypocritical.

11530

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

by Newly Enlightened in

original reddit post (removed).

TonusOH

Seeing it all in one place helps to remind us just how much that man loves to hear himself talk.

14

Two New Members of the Governing Body

by Diogenesister in

breaking news from jw.org..... "we are pleased to inform you that two additional brothers have been appointed to serve as members of the governing body of jehovah’s witnesses: brothers gage fleegle and jeffrey winder.

both brothers are anointed christians who have a long history of loyal service to jehovah.

brother fleegle began his full-time service in 1989 and bethel service in 1991. brother fleegle has served as a helper to the service committee of the governing body.

TonusOH

Next year's new member of the GB will be Zaphod Beeblebrox.

170

Staying in physically for all the benefits

by Indoubtbigtime in

i wonder how many are like me staying pimo for the great association and gathering etc.

also find it very interesting having a front row seat watching the collapse of borg.. im not wasting any more time or money on anything i don’t want to do like preaching and mostly just go on zoom .

there is nothing i want to do that would be considered disfellowshiping sin, i’m married and want to live by bible principles but i have serious doubts that the gb were chosen by god and are his one and only spokesmen on earth.

TonusOH

I didn't stop believing in god because I left the JWs. I stopped being a JW when I realized I didn't believe in god. Because I faded so slowly and only left when that happened, it was never a question of hate or disillusionment. I came to an answer, it solved a few issues, and it made my next steps a bit clearer. But I've always been pretty flexible and adaptable.

As for convenience, almost any other Christian denomination would have been a considerable improvement over the JWs. Fewer demands, a more relaxed culture and more freedom to search and learn. I'd have been happier finding a different church, of that I have no doubt. But reality had other plans for me...

170

Staying in physically for all the benefits

by Indoubtbigtime in

i wonder how many are like me staying pimo for the great association and gathering etc.

also find it very interesting having a front row seat watching the collapse of borg.. im not wasting any more time or money on anything i don’t want to do like preaching and mostly just go on zoom .

there is nothing i want to do that would be considered disfellowshiping sin, i’m married and want to live by bible principles but i have serious doubts that the gb were chosen by god and are his one and only spokesmen on earth.

TonusOH

Jackson's answer to that question shows --again-- that when faced with any sort of pressure, the GB will fold. The same GB that expects the rank and file to stay loyal even when faced with torture and death, because god will not let them suffer more than they can endure.

So if you are faced with torture and death, grit your teeth and stay loyal! And if a prosecutor in a CSA inquiry asks you an uncomfortable question... give a wishy-washy reply?

21

King of the North

by pontoon in

i've been out for 13 years.

just wondering who the society is identifying as the king of the north?.

TonusOH

Maybe there will be 'new light' that says that Ukraine is the King of the South. OMG... that means the end is almost upon us! Quick, donate more funds to ~~the booze cabinet~~ the worldwide preaching work!