TonusOH

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Posts by TonusOH

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  18

  Did Geoffrey Jackson Actually Reject His Faith During the ARC Hearing?

  by xjwsrock in

  1. watchtower
  2. beliefs

  as portrayed in the convention videos this year about sergei (the fictional jw character in cold-war-era ussr), the jw leaders expect loyalty, even enduring imprisonment and/or death.

  in one scene sergei was offered an early release from prison if he would sign a statement renouncing his religion.

  well he refused and spent 5 years in prison as a result.

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  TonusOH

  This site has some commentary, but also links to the transcripts and video:

  https://preachfromthehousetops.com/2022/02/06/the-testimony-of-geoffrey-jackson-at-the-australian-royal-commission/

  Jackson's testimony makes you think of someone with a lot to hide. He frequently would not answer questions directly, which resulted in several instances where the prosecutor repeated the questions and explained that his answers needed clarification or did not apply to the question at all. It shouldn't be difficult to find at least one or two instances where Jackson either lied or was deceptive.

  And it should be noted that he only testified because he was in Australia to visit his ailing father and was served a subpoena. No GB member wanted anything to do with the ARC, much in the same way they are trying to get out of being included in the investigation in New Zealand.

  As for "theocratic warfare," was that what Jesus did? Lie to people and misrepresent himself in order to avoid having to answer difficult questions, or get out of trouble? If not, whose example are they following when they advise people to Lie For Jehovah? I bet those JWs in Malawi would have liked some clarification on the issue.
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  20

  So Let's Say Bigger Change Happens

  by peacefulpete in

  1. watchtower
  2. beliefs

  if a change in the blood policy happens, who will be more upset, jws or former jws?

  i suspect the latter.

  when the beard thing went down, jw's seem to immediately embrace it, whereas many former jw's have been brooding about it.. did it take away a pet gripe we had?.

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  TonusOH

  WTS played him up as a humble man of god and a visionary. They downplayed any of his negatives and memory-holed as much of the bad stuff as they could. They needed for him to be a modern-day prophet. He became the calm and reasonable founder, with Rutherford cast as the firebrand who took the baton from Russell's dying hand and brought the movement forward into the 20th century.

  The real story is far more entertaining, but not as useful for building a religion around.
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  41

  New lawsuit against the Watchtower in Ontario, Canada

  by yalbmert99 in

  1. watchtower
  2. child-abuse

  the new class action lawsuit against the watchtower for having covered up child sexual abuse will begin in court on may 13-14-15, 2024 in the province of ontario, canada.

  it is not the same as in the province of quebec because the laws aren't the same.

  i don’t have more details.

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  TonusOH

  I don't know where they stand financially, and it can be very difficult to guess at. Settlements can often be much smaller than we expect, especially with cases where there may not be much evidence. And since those always include an NDA, we are left without important information. Ramapo is expected to be finished in 2026, if I remember correctly. I don't know how much we can learn from that, although I suppose they would need to file some kind of paperwork if they modify their plans for it.

  I don't think they have unlimited funds, and I would not be surprised if they have been reducing expenses to deal with decreased income. But they may be able to fake it for many years to come. The importance of the lawsuits is to make it harder and harder for them to wave off accusations that they do not protect children. They condemned 'Christendom' for their many CSA scandals, but now they are in the crosshairs and there are so many investigations turning up so many cases that their own moment of reckoning may be near. And even unlimited money will not wash off that stain.
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  20

  So Let's Say Bigger Change Happens

  by peacefulpete in

  1. watchtower
  2. beliefs

  if a change in the blood policy happens, who will be more upset, jws or former jws?

  i suspect the latter.

  when the beard thing went down, jw's seem to immediately embrace it, whereas many former jw's have been brooding about it.. did it take away a pet gripe we had?.

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  TonusOH

  I think the changes are good, whether they lead to people staying in or not. The more mainstream they get, the less strict and controlling. I no longer have a stake in it-- I left many years ago and did so quietly and without drama. And my mother will stay in right to the very end-- that is as sunk a cost as has ever been sunk. So the changes do not impact me.

  I came to this forum because I was curious about the Lloyd Evans situation. If not for that, I wouldn't be aware of anything the JWs are doing (my mother will occasionally remind me that The End Is Near, but she never discusses policy). I'm glad to learn that they're being called to account and forced to answer for bad policy and bad decisions, though. As much as I left it behind, it was still a massive part of my life and shaped who I am as a person, for better and for worse.
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  16

  Wanting advise on a draft copy

  by joe134cd in

  1. jw
  2. experiences

  i’m just curious what you think.

  this is in its draft stages.

  so excuse the mistakes and grammar.

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  TonusOH

  I guess their options are to have a talk about helping the brothers in need with our precious resources, and thus glorifying Jehovah... or warning the congregation about apostates and the sneaky ways they try to ensnare you.

  I wonder which option they will choose...
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  23

  How they could change blood doctrine

  by Person in

  1. watchtower
  2. beliefs

  many people say gb will soon dump blood doctrine to appear less fanatical.

  others saying it is impossible for them to do that because of legal ramifications.

  i think there is a way that could potentially be solution to those problems.

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  TonusOH

  As others pointed out, it is something like this:

  You can get a transfusion of BLOO. Or BLOD. Or BOOD. or LOOD.

  But if you get a transfusion of BLOOD, Jehovah might destroy you at Armageddon.
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  9

  JW's lost their appeal to avoid investigation by a New Zealand Royal Commission

  by AndersonsInfo in

  1. watchtower
  2. child-abuse

  the jehovah's witnesses have lost their appeal to avoid investigation by a new zealand royal commission.

  "a legal bid by the jehovah's witness church challenging a ruling by the royal commission of inquiry into abuse in care has been dismissed by the court of appeal.

  https://www.rnz.co.nz/news/national/515102/abuse-in-care-inquiry-jehovah-s-witness-appeal-dismissed.

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  TonusOH

  "We welcome transparecy."

  "Great! We are starting a commission to investigate CSA..."

  "L-leave us out of it! We mean it! We'll sue!"
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  18

  Apostate lies are NOW fulfilling BIBLE PROPHECY 😅

  by raymond frantz in

  1. watchtower
  2. bible

  the new study article 28 watchtower that has just been published on jw.org is about apostate lies and introduces new concepts in their effort to compat apostasy in the congregations.

  so despite the loosening of their recent disfellowshipping rules their fight against apostates is still raging hard.

  according to the foreword of this article, they will concentrate on :.

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  TonusOH

  For example, picture yourself listening as the ten Israelite chieftains gave their negative report. Would you have believed the report and given in to the fear of man, or would your love for Jehovah and your desire to please him have won out?

  If they had that much trust in Jehovah, why did they bother sending spies or asking for a report?
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  46

  New light: the GB are infallible

  by AEnEm in

  1. watchtower
  2. beliefs

  amazing new light in the latest morning worship by gary breaux.

  the gb "never lie or deceive us.

  we can have absolute trust in the governing body".. he then makes a very helpful point, so as to avoid being deceived and avoid lies.

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  TonusOH

  Yes, it's a bit of sleight-of-hand. Claim that you are god's channel on Earth, the only means by which Jehovah communicates his will to humanity. Then admit that you're prone to making mistakes and you don't always get everything right. You are claiming exclusive divine authority, while also disclaiming any responsibility.

  In other words, if they happen to get something wrong, it's god's fault. I used to think they placed themselves between Jehovah and Jesus, but I think it's more like they place themselves alongside Jehovah.
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  9

  JW's lost their appeal to avoid investigation by a New Zealand Royal Commission

  by AndersonsInfo in

  1. watchtower
  2. child-abuse

  the jehovah's witnesses have lost their appeal to avoid investigation by a new zealand royal commission.

  "a legal bid by the jehovah's witness church challenging a ruling by the royal commission of inquiry into abuse in care has been dismissed by the court of appeal.

  https://www.rnz.co.nz/news/national/515102/abuse-in-care-inquiry-jehovah-s-witness-appeal-dismissed.

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  TonusOH

  They welcome scrutiny... of anyone else.

  I'm sure their experience with the ARC left quite a sour taste in their mouths (and pocketbook). I can only imagine what will be revealed in this inquiry.