stephenw20

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Posts by stephenw20

• 
  93

  What did you do?

  by StiLLinTruth in

  1. jw
  2. friends

  to all those who have in some way left the organization (be it disfellowshipping, disassociating, dis-whatever):.

  come now, i know the amount of people who "realized that wt doctrine was in serious error" and politely handed in their letter of resignation has to be very small.

  the level of bitterness and hostility towards the closest-to-what's-biblical organization has to develop some other way.. what did you do?

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  stephenw20

  still in
  I would love to respond with along letter

  but here it is

  I read the bible

  Love the day!
• 
  37

  after so long....

  by 30years in

  1. jw
  2. friends

  this is my first post in any network such as this.

  i have been "lurking" around the "apostate" sites for the last year or so.

  i am glad i have!

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  stephenw20

  I wanted to say to all those who had postions of responsibility and made the decision to step down....Wonderful...never having been in that postion I dont have the frame of reference to know what you had to go through to decide this.

  I am sure it was not easy ,but I applaud you . For those others who have looked inside the organization after being with it so long, WONDERFUL! keep looking and deciding

  Keep your mind open and remember how wonderful it is to share with others.

  ___________

  Doubt is like a drop of water on a stone.
• 
  11

  WTS and CHARITABLE PLANNING

  by MacHislopp in

  1. jw
  2. friends

  since the subject seems to interest many among you,.

  [box on page 22].

  ways in which some choose to give.

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  stephenw20

  "Planned Giving to Benefit Kingdom Service Worldwide. The brochure was written in response to the many inquiries the Society has received regarding gifts, wills, and trusts. It also contains additional useful information on estate, financial, and tax planning"

  THis is the extent of letting the R&F know for the whole year about the annuity.
  The fella in the office over there said they dont advertise, but this is available to anyone. BUT THEY HAVE TO ASK, one would wonder how you would ask if you dont know.

  A two line staement in a magazine once a year leaves me less than satisfied.

  the statement form the fella, "WE are not trying to hide anything"

  was just over the top..

  more needs to be done here!
  S
• 
  4

  "Planned Giving to Benefit Kingdom Service...

  by Gianluca in

  1. jw
  2. friends

  does anyone know if there is a copy somwhere on the www of the society's english-language brochure entitled "planned giving to benefit kingdom service worldwide"?.

  if not could someone tell me why the wts thought it was necessary to print such a brochure (by the title it does not seem to be "spiritual food").

  gianluca

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  stephenw20

  Look under the charitable annuity post by MAC

  I am having one snet to me.

  I would suggest all here get one...........I plan(no that I suggest anyone else do this), on making copies sending them as it was coming form Brooklyn to my mom sister and father in law.......

  in hopes they willtake it to the hall and ask questions

  Doubt is like a drip of water on a rock.....

  S
  PS If you look in NOVEMBER 1 issue of the watchtower for the last three years, there is one page on donations. THis brochure is mentioned , but NOWHERE is the word ANNUITY uttered.

  My opinion is this is a way for anyone , or corp to donate money IRREVOCABLY , and then name a payee to get the money out TAX FREE!
• 
  27

  independent thinking

  by stephenw20 in

  1. watchtower
  2. beliefs

  1983 "avoid independent thinking .. how is such independent thinking manifested?

  a common way is by questioning the counsel that is provided by god's visible organization.

  " {wt jan 15 1983 22}.

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  stephenw20

  Cecil,
  Its amazing , you are encouraged to INVESTIGATE your own religion and think independently to BECOME on of the JWS..but once you are...........your suppose to have a lobotamy..........

  yes ~this~ is why GOD made us higher than the animals!

  I think not.

  S
• 
  27

  independent thinking

  by stephenw20 in

  1. watchtower
  2. beliefs

  1983 "avoid independent thinking .. how is such independent thinking manifested?

  a common way is by questioning the counsel that is provided by god's visible organization.

  " {wt jan 15 1983 22}.

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  stephenw20

  1983 "Avoid Independent Thinking .. How is such independent thinking manifested? A common way is by questioning the counsel that is provided by God's visible organization." {WT Jan 15 1983 22}

  1Jo 4:1 Beloved, believe not every spirit, but try the spirits whether they are of God: because many false prophets are gone out into the world.

  think I 'll stay with John on this one!
• 
  2

  New light verse HOLY SPIRIT

  by nojw86 in

  1. jw
  2. friends

  why do they call it new light, when in 2pt.

  1:21 the later part says but men spoke from god as they were borne along by holy spirit?

  is there no holy spirit involved in getting this so called (new light) guess thats why there is so much flip flopping around these ....old lights and then new lights again.

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  stephenw20

  gopher

  they may argue,

  1982 "At the headquarters of Jehovah's Witnesses in Brooklyn, New York, there is a governing body of older Christian men from various parts of the earth who give the needed oversight to the worldwide activities of God's people. This governing body is made up of members of 'the faithful and discreet slave.' It serves as a spokesman for that faithful 'slave.' The men of that governing body, like the apostles and older men in Jerusalem, have many years of experience in God's service. But they do not rely on human wisdom in making decisions. No, being governed theocratically, they follow the example of the early governing body in Jerusalem, whose decisions were based on God's Word and were made under the direction of holy spirit." {YCLF 195}

  From their own presses!
  S
• 
  15

  re: Rerefinement

  by battman in

  1. watchtower
  2. beliefs

  last nite it was announced, a letter read, that the .

  use of the term "christian congregation" would now.

  be used instead of "watchtower".

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  stephenw20

  it seems that while th e news is just making its way to the CoNGS now this happend in November
  If ONLY the BROOKLY BRAINTRUST could have figured out a way to inform them sooner......

  like a magazine or company publication!

  Watchtower Reorganizes for Legal Advantages

  In a move that is more likely to attract attention for legal reasons than anything else, the Watchtower has made a massive reorganization of its corporate leadership. While this does not seem to affect current responsibilities such as their actual daily work, it clearly is meant to provide isolation of guilt to as few entities as possible in the litigious days ahead for the Watchtower organization. Here is their press release.

  Here are a few notes from the Annual Meeting held yesterday:

  Yeartext for 2001: Colossians 4:12: "Stand complete and with firm
  conviction in all the will of God."

  Talk by Dan Sydlik: The Board of Directors and Officers of the Society's
  Legal Corporation were all anointed, since it was closely associated with
  the Governing Body. (The lone exception was Hayden Covington) However, as
  pointed out in 1971, the Governing Body preceded the WTBTS of
  Pennsylvania, since it was established at Pentecost. The Governing Body
  is not appointed by any man, and cannot be voted into office. The GB does
  not have officers (President, Vice President, etc.), only a
  chairman, who rotates.

  Is there any scriptural reason why the officers of the WTBTS of
  Pennsylvania have to be anointed? Not really. There are about 100 other
  legal entities associated with the WTBTS of Pennsylvania, whose officers
  are not anointed. They are legal instruments, under the direction of the
  GB, designed to make Jehovah's name known worldwide. However, they are
  not necessary to carry on the work, as has been demonstrated in many
  lands where the work has been banned.

  Members of the other sheep are called on help with the work, enabling the
  GB to focus exclusively on spiritual matters.

  Talk by Ted Jaracz: Began by discussing how congregation elders and
  ministerial servants are not elected, rather the qualifications are set
  out in the scriptures. Holy spirit, in various ways, plays a vital role
  in theocratic appointments. Theocratic appointments at all levels are
  made directly or indirectly by the GB. No legal entity controls such
  appointments.

  Talk by Jack Barr: Members of the Governing Body resigned from the WTBTS
  and members of the other sheep were nominated and elected to fill their
  slots. Thirty or more names were read quickly for various corporations.
  Don Adams is now president of the WTBTS of Pennsylvania.

  Brother Barr also mentioned that three new corporations were being
  formed.

  The Governing Body will continue to direct these legal entities.

  ======================================================================

  Date: Sat, 7 Oct 2000 20:56:26 -0400

  I wanted to share some announcements with you that were made at the
  Annual Meeting today. (sent by a Bethelite)

  The Governing Body has decided that the positions of President, Vice
  President, Secretary/Treasurer, etc. in the legal corporations (e.g.,
  Watch Tower Bible and Tract Society of Pennsylvania, Inc.; Watchtower
  Bible and Tract Society of New York, Inc., etc.) do not have to be filled
  by anointed brothers. Therefore, all of the brothers that were currently
  holding these positions, all of whom were on the Governing Body, have
  resigned. Brothers of the other sheep have replaced them. Therefore,
  brother Don Adams is now the president of the Watch Tower Society.

  Quite a lengthy discussion was given as to the reason this was decided
  and why it's OK. Essentially, it boils down to the fact that this allows
  the Governing Body to step back and deal primarily with spiritual
  matters, while these brothers of the other sheep handle day-to-day
  business operations of the legal corporations.

  In addition, three new corporations have been formed:

  1) Christian Congregation of Jehovah's Witnesses, which will supervise
  matters of a religious and educational nature. This includes organizing
  the preaching work, holding conventions, etc. The directors and officers
  of this corporation are primarily brothers who work closely with the
  Service department in Patterson. Brother William Van de Wall is the
  president of this corporation.

  2) Religious Order of Jehovah's Witnesses, which cares for matters
  pertaining to those in Special Full-Time service, including Bethelites,
  Special Pioneers, Traveling Overseers, etc. Brother Patrick LaFranca is
  the president of this corporation.

  3) Kingdom Support Services, Inc., which handles design & engineering of
  buildings and holds titles to vehicles used by the Society.

  The attendance for the annual meeting was 13,082, the largest ever.

  Additionally, the year text for 2001 will be: "Stand complete and with
  firm conviction in all the will of God" - Col 4:12
  ___________

  what a group!
• 
  2

  Matt 24;14

  by stephenw20 in

  1. watchtower
  2. bible

  mat 24:14 and this gospel of the kingdom shall be preached in all the world for a witness unto all nations; and then shall the end come.

  col 1:23 if ye continue in the faith grounded and settled, and [be] not moved away from the hope of the gospel, which ye have heard, [and] which was preached to every creature which is under heaven; whereof i paul am made a minister; .

  way to go paul!

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  stephenw20

  Mat 24:14 And this gospel of the kingdom shall be preached in all the world for a witness unto all nations; and then shall the end come.

  Col 1:23 If ye continue in the faith grounded and settled, and [be] not moved away from the hope of the gospel, which ye have heard, [and] which was preached to every creature which is under heaven; whereof I Paul am made a minister;

  Way to go Paul! maybe we can tell the JWS and they can work on their yards on saturday!
• 
  1

  a phone call /event of sorts

  by stephenw20 in

  1. social
  2. current

  i called our brooklyn tower of power....what a group.

  i asked them about the name change....it seems he.

  doesnt know what i am even talking about...just said.

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  stephenw20

  if you can believe this,

  I called our Brooklyn tower of power....what a group

  I asked them about the name change....it seems he
  doesnt know what I am even talking about...just said
  it was new corporation mumbo jumbo...

  this after a long putting me on hold......

  so then I asked the question.............about the
  charitable annuity program

  the guy said .what... I said you have a charitable
  annuity program..I want to know about it.......

  he says well I ll have to connect you with the
  treasury dept, so I go over there...now mind you all
  along I am being quite meek and mild...... so the
  treasury guy again almost has no idea and he says of
  the charitable thing..yes yes we have a separate
  department for that.....

  so I get to the dept.........I ask about it..of course
  the question comes.... WHO ARE YOU...isaid I am(get
  this) an "interested party".......

  so he said after some silences .yes we have one.... I
  said how long has it existed ..he say I dont
  know...........

  I sad well what's it for........ he asks do I know
  what an annuity is... i said yes.......

  he said well it is a TOOL (his favorite word) , not
  investment, a tool to donate a lump sum at one time
  irrevocably and then draw it out at a later
  date.........
  so then I said well who is it open to...he says
  EVERYONE......I asked how does one find out about this
  .....he said you have to ASK......we dont and I love
  this part "ADVERTISE" (JOe Rutherford just rolled
  over)

  .so by now I am getting a bit more STERN and I said let
  me get this straight....you haven an investment that
  your members dont even know about , you dont
  advertise it .—˜—•..how do they KNOW IT EXISTS!
  he said they just have to ask!.....

  I said you have 6 million members, print a magazine
  once a week and you cant put ti in there...
  well ...NO we cant.

  I said how bout the inner working documents, the
  kingdom ministry have you put it in there..he said no
  we dont........

  I said ya know I am abit upset by all this , My mother
  has been donating money to your firm for over 30
  years...and she knows nothing about this, do you think
  it is right...he said
  well we print it ONCE A YEAR>>>>>> in a watchtower
  under planning options .(Nov 1,200o pge31) THe witnesses can ask for a
  brochure that outline all the options........

  they can donate a sum , and draw on it till they die
  and when they do...the organization GETS THE REST!

  CHEERIO!
  there you go...mother org keeps the money!!!!!!

  I am getting a brochure sent to me