Posts by TonusOH

76

Front row seats watching the collapse of watchtower

by Indoubtbigtime in

i’m a pimo ministerial servant and i won’t fade because i want to keep my front row seats watching what happens next few years.. my predictions are that this current governing body will slowly die off and the current younger helpers will be the next gb.

they will eventually have new light that they were wrong about 1914 and the overlapping generations.. the new light will be something on the lines of the last days are now because of king of north king of south pushing each other etc etc.

they will do their very best to burry old literature and try to change the past trying to make it sound like they were right all along just as they have done for 150 years now.

TonusOH

While I hope that they collapse soon, I am doubtful that it will happen so quickly. They are still flush with money and have a loyal base that should keep the numbers steady for a few years at least. I think it's more likely to be a slow process. But that also depends on how well they adapt to a changing world.

It's much easier now for people to learn about the WTS, including any doctrinal issues and the parts of the past that they seek to hide or ignore. I think that's one reason why so many young people --especially those born in-- leave the organization each year. The problems are out there to see, and the warnings sometimes make it seem as if they have something to hide (and a bit of searching shows that they do!).

They need to be able to manage the fact that people can now learn all about the organization's history before deciding to make a commitment. Can they do that? I'm not sure about the current GB. A new and younger GB, which is perhaps more tech-savvy, might come up with something that works. Or they could accelerate the decline. We'll see.

169

Are the statistics out yet?

by slimboyfat in

isn’t it about time they released the report for the service year?

or have they stopped publishing it?

did they released selected figures at the annual meeting as they usually do, such as the memorial attendance or record number of pioneers?

TonusOH

It makes sense that they will see some growth when times are generally difficult. Since their sales pitch is based on how things are getting worse --and that this is a sign that the end is near-- such times will lead more people to join, just in case. It may also keep some doubters from leaving, because what if they're right?

They may continue to see some growth for the next couple of years. The war in Ukraine, the economic and energy problems across the globe, the fears over climate change-- these will keep people in a state of concern or fear, and that makes the message much more comforting than it is when things are going well.

18

Got ALetter!

by Biahi in

so, my daughter got a letter from a female jw, containing a tract.

i want to respond to this woman, in a kind way.

she included a phone number, and email, return address is the kh.

TonusOH

It would be interesting to send her some info. But, once she realizes that she is dealing with an "opposer" she will probably drop any future communication. Might be a good policy for anyone receiving unwanted correspondence from them.

11530

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

by Newly Enlightened in

original reddit post (removed).

TonusOH

The previous posts are describing a relationship built on emotional/psychological abuse. When Evans is around his wife, he has her under his thumb. When he isn't around, she will find ways to hit back at him. If I've got the details right, it goes something like this:

He says he wants an open relationship, and she says okay, despite what must be considerable misgivings. Given some time to think for herself (and without him there to influence her), she changes her mind and, for a change, tells him so directly. He is furious but cannot get her to bend, so he takes a drastic step and leaves for Thailand.

(This is common in abusive relationships- the abused will occasionally stiffen and put up a fight, at which point the abuser will either soften and make promises to 'be better' or ramps up the pressure.)

Free of his influence again, she starts leaking all kinds of messages and photos, and threatens divorce. He comes scrambling back to "fix" things. She starts taking his side and disavowing anyone who criticizes him, and helps him with videos and agrees to be photographed on vacation with him, etc.

...

If I'm understanding their situation at present, they are apart. So his only means of control at this point is financial, which is one reason why he must be panicking at the sight of his monetary support drying up. What is the worst part about giving up his 'activism' and going back to the 9-to-5 grind? That his wife will no longer have any incentive to hold back. And that she might have other photos and messages. If he thinks he'll have trouble getting any job better than dishwasher, it probably won't get any easier when everyone knows just how bad of a person he really is...

19

it’s all in person and only fully vaxed can go

by Indoubtbigtime in

2023 will see a big push to get rank and file back to in person meetings and ministry.

they have opened a can of worms with zoom but what they really want is only in extreme illnesses cases can someone use zoom .

the only problem is they want everyone fully vaccinated which means if you didn’t go for your latest booster in the last several months then you are no longer fully vaccinated and just the same as someone who never accepted any shots right from the start.

TonusOH

punkofnice: I wonder why they're so zealous about the experimental, non proven vaccinations?

The WTS will bend if there is enough pressure, especially government pressure. Didn't they change the blood policy in Bulgaria when the government there threatened sanctions over it? And in CoC, Ray Franz explained how they claimed to be a 'cultural organization' instead of a religious one in Mexico until the early 90s, so that they wouldn't be forced to sell off their properties.

So, if they feel the government is serious enough about enforcing COVID vaccinations, they will go along. Even Jehovah knows not to cross government regulators!

42

Have you ever been on a congregation picnic?

by LostintheFog1999 in

were you ever on a congregation picnic?

i was on several occasions.. the arrangements were often announced from the platform after the closing song and prayer by the last elder up on the platform.. sometimes it was included in the service meeting announcements as "on saturday we're meeting at 10.00am at the kingdom hall for field service, and after field service for anyone who wishes, especially for the younger ones, we will be having a congregation picnic meeting at the beach carpark on seaview road.".

well, according to the new elders manual you won't be hearing those words again.

TonusOH

My experience was similar to TD's, where we would have a few informal Summer picnics on Sundays after the meeting or field service (some years our meetings were on Saturdays) along with a game of softball if enough people showed up ready to play. These weren't set up via messages on the congregation message board (a literal, physical message board-- this was the 80s and 90s!), just word of mouth. As long as you had that one person who worked tirelessly to get things organized, it worked just fine.

They felt like 'congregation picnics' because it was only JWs attending, with possibly an interested friend/family member or active study brought along to see how much gosh-darned fun it was to be with Jehovah's people (ie, the only people who would not be gruesomely massacred in the soon-to-happen battle of Armageddon)!

5

A Nearly Forgotten Hypothesis about YHWH

by peacefulpete in

as we know there have been many proposals as to the origins of the god and name yhwh.

the folk etymology of ex 3 aside, there have been a number of suggested roots, many of which seem to be well argued and not without possibility.

however, of particular interest to me are those proposals consistent with the fairly well agreed upon south-eastern origins of the cult.

TonusOH

I like it... God may be love, but life is a HWY!

9

JW.org missing the point of the last supper

by neat blue dog in

of course most christians partake in different ways at different intervals (the bible never says strictly annual) but obviously the main point is christ's flesh and blood.

for jws the main attraction is the organization's sales pitch and in the new 2023 memorial invitation they pretty much admit it, quote:.

the main feature of the memorial is a talk.

TonusOH

The main feature is a talk where they remind you not to partake if you're one of the unlucky many who won't get to be in Heaven with God.

11530

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

by Newly Enlightened in

original reddit post (removed).

TonusOH

Current exchange rates:

2,000 Thai Baht = $58.80 USD
5,000 = $147.04 ($73.52 per hour)
7,000 = $205.86 ($51.47)
9,000 = $264.76 ($26.48)
12,000 = $353.01 ($14.71)

That is one hell of a discount curve!

20

Hell, what is it

by Anony Mous in

so perhaps we all heard the jw story about jesus talking to gehenna and he was referring to a place outside the city where there was a dump burning refuse and everyone knew what it meant.. according to jw.org: tradition relates that the valley of hinnom thereafter became a place for the disposal of garbage.

and the bible provides confirmation for this.

at jeremiah 31:40, for example, the valley of hinnom is evidently called the “low plain of the carcasses and of the fatty ashes.” there was also the “gate of the ash-heaps,” a gate that seems to have opened out onto the eastern extremity of the valley of hinnom at its juncture with the kidron valley.—nehemiah 3:13, 14.. i think i heard that in the study of the greatest teacher book first.

TonusOH

I'm more curious to know how they would have kept such a fire burning continuously. Or perhaps more importantly, why they would. It sounds like a lot of work, and would produce quite a bit of smoke and awful smells. Was it far away from the city? Were the winds always favorable?