liam

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Posts by liam

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  106

  Reddit thread - ‘Organization Finally Suggesting to Plan for Retirement’

  by LongHairGal in

  1. jw
  2. friends

  this information is supposed to be in the upcoming march wt.

  (i don’t go on jw dot org).

  it would sound like they are hinting at a change in thinking.. in my opinion, any such change would be yet another slap in the face to faithful pimis along with those other recent changes.. there are so many heartfelt responses on that thread and a lot of justified anger.. don’t know what to say except that i’m so glad i never listened to the religion all those years ago.

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  liam

  Nathan Natas

  One thing that has irked me for more than half my 75 years is that while people talk about the importance of retirement planning, almost nobody will give you an answer to "How much do I need?"

  So I'll offer an answer. If you are starting your retirement fund today, set a target of $5,000,000.00 (five million US dollars) as your goal

  Get real man, only 0.1 Percent of American Retirees have managed that.

  I don't give a shit about your compound interest theory because a lot of other things factor into reaching 5 million dollars by the time you retire at about 65 or higher. Which only gives you a few years left of life considering the average life span of men and women.

  Hell, I'm worth a lot more than 5 million but it's not because I saved and took advantage of compound interest, or because I'm smart, or because I have a degree in Business and majored in finance.

  I'm rich because I was Lucky and inherited a Trust Fund.

  I don't even manage my assets, I have people a lot smarter than me to manage my fund and grow it.

  I have friends who are rich because they started a business and it took off. And they will tell you the same thing, they took a risk and were lucky.
  

  I even know a couple of young girls that just turned 20 that became millionaires by doing only fans. They were lucky also because our social culture is changing and they were lucky to be born at the right time and won the genetic lottery to help them out. They are out of the business because they made enough money to retire at 20.
  

  But I've been around people who work hard, are smart, and still have a struggle saving a couple of million. Because shit happens in life.
  

  Don't take my word for it, this is to According to data from the Employee Benefit Research Institute, based on the Federal Reserve’s Survey of Consumer Finances

  Saving for retirement is important, but there are other things in life a lot more important. Like enjoying the ride before it's over! And not be consumed with the idea that you need to have X-amount of money for retirement.

  Hell, my uncle worked his ass off and was smart about it, and grew his wealth by millions. And the poor guy died in his late forties. His last words to me were; "Don't pursue riches, enjoy your life as much as possible, and avoid all the Drama that usually comes from getting involved with the wrong kind of humans. You only have one life..Cherish it and cherish the people you love.
  

  I inherited his wealth and did nothing to earn it! I just happen to become his close friend. I had no idea he was wealthy. Until his lawyer contacted me after his death.
  

  https://www.fuchsfinancial.com/retire-with-5-million/

  The Rarity of $5 Million Retirements

  Percentage of retirees with $5 million

  Retiring with $5 million dollars is an exceptionally rare achievement. According to data from the Employee Benefit Research Institute, based on the Federal Reserve’s Survey of Consumer Finances, a mere 0.1% of retirees have managed to accumulate over $5 million in their retirement accounts. This statistic underscores the exclusivity of such high-value retirements.

  Comparison to $1 million retirements

  While $5 million retirements are scarce, even $1 million retirements are relatively uncommon. Only 3.2% of retirees have amassed over $1 million in savings. This comparison highlights the significant gap between average retirement savings and these high-value benchmarks. The median retirement savings account balance stands at a modest $87,000, according to the Federal Reserve’s Survey of Consumer Finances.

  Average Retirement Savings in America

  The Federal Reserve’s 2022 Survey of Consumer Finances reveals that the average retirement savings for all families in America is $333,940, while the median retirement savings is $87,000. This significant disparity between the average and median values highlights the uneven distribution of retirement wealth across the population.

  Factors contributing to high-value retirements

  Interestingly, those who achieve $5 million retirements often did not anticipate reaching such financial heights. Key factors contributing to these high-value retirements include consistent savings efforts from early in their careers and maintaining modest lifestyles. Many of these successful retirees continue to work part-time and make thoughtful spending choices, demonstrating that disciplined financial habits play a crucial role in accumulating substantial retirement savings.
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  41

  My story of becoming a circuit overseer after Kin Suen visited our congregation.

  by ExCircuitOverseer in

  1. jw
  2. friends

  here is my story of becoming a missionary after having kin suen (pronounced “shin”) as my circuit overseer.

  my father wanted me to go to college, but since he wasn’t a witness, i knew he just didn’t understand how close we were to the end.

  i had actually become a circuit overseer!

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  liam

  I wonder what your friend thinks about on Sunday nights after his congregation visit is over…

  Probably the same thing my 78 year old Boomer Grandfather thinks after every Sunday Meeting.

  He MUST believe........ All of His support, His network of friends and family is based around what they all believe is a support network.

  It would absolutely not benefit Him at this point in his life to walk away and be alone for the remainder of his life.

  Suck it up and finish your earthly course is the best option at this point in life. Keep looking forward and don't look back at regrets, because there's nothing one can do about the past. Especially when it wasn't your fault.
  
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  41

  My story of becoming a circuit overseer after Kin Suen visited our congregation.

  by ExCircuitOverseer in

  1. jw
  2. friends

  here is my story of becoming a missionary after having kin suen (pronounced “shin”) as my circuit overseer.

  my father wanted me to go to college, but since he wasn’t a witness, i knew he just didn’t understand how close we were to the end.

  i had actually become a circuit overseer!

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  liam

  I’m really sorry that you just happened to be born at the wrong time.

  All my family was also scammed of their youth. My parents have already stopped going to the meetings and field service. My dad is in bad health and my mom worries a lot. It ‘s hard for them because it’s not easy if you don’t start early to build a life. But I help them a lot, so they really don't have to worry about the future.Still they worry!
  

  I on the other hand I was born at the right time. I was born in the Internet age where people World Wide can share their knowledge with each other. Because of that I was never baptized and was able to live a normal life without the Watchtower getting their hands on me.

  Getting scammed early in life is just part of our life as a Human Species.

  The reason being is because humanity is still ignorant about most things, and we continue to hand down false information to our children and they to their children.

  For how many Hundreds of thousands of years did we believe that to appease the Gods we had to sacrifice another human being?

  How many thousands of years did we believe the Sun Rotated around the earth?

  Thousands of years ago, several men throughout the centuries compiled a collections of stories about an Omniscient, Omnipotent, Benevolent Creator that could grant EVERLASTING LIFE. And humans being human did what they do best..........Scam people for control and monies with the idea that "They" have figured out what God wants us to do!
  

  The Catholic Church did everything possible to keep these collections of books, (Bible) out of hands of regular people. It was a matter of control for power and monies.

  But in time, with the printing press, the Bible started becoming available to everyone. But it Didn’t matter much because most people couldn’t read.

  Flash forward hundreds of years when schools are organized and we get to a point where most people can read.

  By this time there are thousands of Christians Sects and major Christian religions. Each with a different story on what it takes to be saved and LIVE FOREVER. The Watchtower was one of many, but with a different twist.

  But it wasn’t until the 1990s that the Internet took off and allowed people to share their knowledge with one another and Start exposing ALL Christian Religions for what they really are. …..Human Interpretations of what GOD Demands based on ancient stories by people we never met.

  And here we are now, at a point where every succeeding generation is learning the truth, that Religious Stories are just that…………..Stories! It was human attempts to explain why were are here, what’s our purpose, and You can live forever!

  In our case, Most Jehovah Witnesses are now waking up at an early age. Thanks to the Internet where Knowledge is abundant and Religions like the Watchtower can’t Hide their Hypocrisy and evil intents.

  The Watchtower is dying. In another 100 years there will be so much knowledge about the Bible being what it actually is, just a collections of Human Stories. And all the generations of people that hold the Bible as the word of God will finally be Gone.

  The world will be a better place. There won’t be any more victims who will be trapped at an early age to slave for a group of religious men, that promise the slaves Everlasting Life, if you donate your LIFE to their cause.

  The thing that really makes it bad for people who are captured by the Watchtower in their youth is that our life span is too short. I’ve had adults tell me that you really don’t get smart until you hit your 50s. But by then you lose all your energy and health you had at 18.

  So you may be 60-70-80 or 90 but still feel like you’re only 18……...until you look in the mirror.

  THE TRAGEDY OF OLD AGE IS NOT THAT ONE IS OLD……….BUT THAT ONE IS YOUNG!
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  9

  Big Local Case, Sexual Abuse by former Elder, Police Raided the Kingdom Hall ! Kent, U.K !

  by Phizzy in

  1. watchtower
  2. scandals

  the police have started an investigation where a woman has courageously come forward about her sexual abuse by a former elder, who had a record of doing such things with the local congregation, and i think it was all covered up.

  they have charged him, he is claiming he is not mentally fit to appear in court, i hope that lie does not hold up !.

  this case was unknown to the local elders, but hopefully will now give the strength for other women, who were all very young and very vulnerable at the time , to come forward as well.

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  liam

  Every Sunday I look up what new movies will be streaming this coming week.

  Also what Elder has been caught this week for Child sexual abuse.

  There always seems to be at least ONE good movie and ONE Freaking Elder getting caught in some kingdom hall for trying to "Straighten out some young Girl in the privacy of his home"

  
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  7

  Is there a lot of Circuit Overseers that have woken up? I say Yes!

  by liam in

  1. watchtower
  2. beliefs

  there have been a few exjw circuit overseers that have woken up, left the organization and have posted their experience on exjwreddit.

  all of them deleted their accounts not long after for fear someone might figure out who they were.

  it’s not easy waking up as a circuit overseer.

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  liam

  There have been a few exjw Circuit Overseers that have woken up, left the Organization and have posted their experience on exjwreddit. All of them deleted their accounts not long after for fear someone might figure out who they were.

  It’s not easy waking up as a Circuit Overseer. Worse than a regular JW waking up.

  For one thing, they literally left everything to become a full time Circuit Overseer. Gave up their Job, Sold their house, furniture, car, etc., all the things that takes Years to accumulate. It's not like an elder who wakes up while serving because he still has his job, his house, and his family. He is not tied down and dependent on the WT to help him and his wife financially.
  

  And after serving for some 5 years and up, one CO said it’s very difficult to just leave the Circuit work after waking up, and try to find a job in the Real World.

  First there’s the problem of trying to wake up your wife while being in the Circuit work. That may take years or it may never happen.

  Then there’s family who looks up to you and brags to everyone that their son is in the Circuit work and their daughter married a Circuit Overseer.

  Leaving the Circuit Work takes a lot of counting the cost. Is the Circuit Overseer too old to go back and try to find a decent job, or will he wind up scrounging around doing Hard Labor for minimal pay?

  Will he be labeled an apostate like Ray Franz and lose all contact and help from family?

  Will it be better for him to just continue as a Circuit Overseer, and let the Watchtower continue to care for his and his wife's needs. Most receive a small pension from the Watchtower till they die.

  The ex-Circuit Overseer said in his post that there are a lot of Circuit Overseers that figured out it was all a sham. An organization run by idiotic men. But that it was better that they continue for the sake of their spouse’s health. Most of them have actually become agnostic or atheist by this point.Think about that for a while. Circuit Overseers who are secretly agnostic or atheist going around from kingdom Hall to Kingdom Hall teaching Watchtower Ideology.
  

  Usually when they wake up, like most jws, they are already to old and with no specialize education to even consider quitting the Circuit Overseer work and going back into the workforce. Some Circuit Overseers started the work too young to even build enough Credits to collect Social Security.

  So here is a post from a recent PIMO jw who attended the Circuit Overseer’s visit.

  I joined the meeting on Zoom today and Circuit Overseers lost touch with the Flock!

  I don’t even think they believe themselves anymore. He sounded like a corporate guy, just there to do his little thing and keep his job.

  1. No emotions, very plain and monotone talk. Not many illustrations or laughs.

  2. Same message, we are under attack, immorality, apostasy and materialism.

  3. Follow the elders.

     It’s so sad, nothing happy or encouraging. Just doom and gloom. Even they must be tired of giving the same talk every week. I could tell. I wholeheartedly felt bad for my friends there to top it all off, the WT study is boring if I close my eyes its 1994, same comments only this time it’s elderly people only. Not a lot of youth engaging anymore.

  Here is an example of some of the replies to this post;

  Example 1

  😬And now let's give our attention to our Circuit Overseer as he talks about JOY in Jehovah's organization.

  CO; "We're in the Last days, Armageddon, Apostates, Obey, you're a sinner"

  "Thank you Brother for that uplifting Talk" 😬

  😬😬😬😬Clap-Clap-Clap-Clap.................

  Example 2

  Do they “teach” anything besides: obey Jehovah’s organization (and the local elders), avoid apostates, do not succumb to critical thinking . . .

  This shit is getting weird.

  The Circuit Overseer Arrangement is DYING!
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  24

  HOW TO BE LOYAL TO JEHOVAH

  by liam in

  1. watchtower
  2. beliefs

  a post from another exjw site, shows how throughout the years, in a regular, systematic fashion, the watchtower has influence thoroughly; an ideological point of view, in the minds of it’s members by using bible scriptures and examples, to get the members to do the unthinkable, even if it clashes with modern ethics.

  february 2016 watchtower, paragraph 3 of the article titled .

  "learn from jehovah’s loyal servants".

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  liam

  LongHairGal

  “We must be ready to obey even if it doesn’t make sense....”. Shouldn’t a statement like this have made intelligent people wonder what’s going on? Like what are they going to be asked to do?

  That's what's SCARY!

  There are plenty of examples of Cults who have recruited some very intelligent people,(Scientists, Engineers, Doctors, etc., and have "Somehow" coerce these very intelligent people to commit suicide.

  Here is an example;

  And in 1997, a former music professor named Applewhite persuaded 38 people to commit suicide with him, with plastic bags and purple cloths over their heads and Nike sneakers on their feet, in an effort to reach a UFO hiding behind Comet Hale-Bopp. This UFO was to take them, via what they termed Heaven’s Gate, to an unspecified interplanetary reward.

  Yet a large number of modern adults put Victory Nikes on their feet and purple blankets over their faces and killed themselves, in shifts, for God’s sake, to become a post-mortem away team. (That really was the term they used—they were actually wearing Star Trek-inspired Away Team patches on their unisex black uniforms).

  And of course, they didn’t go anywhere. They just died.

  If the Governing Body decided one day to tell all the Members to drink the wine laced with poison on Memorial Day, I'm sure a Substantial amount would DRINK THE POISON.

  The human species has this tenancy to believe things that give them hope of living forever.

  Among the Human species, are those that think things out and realize someone is trying to scam them to do the unthinkable.....you call those individuals Critical thinkers.

  You were a critical thinker LongHairGal, which is why you got out of the Watchtower before they did you damage.
  
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  12

  Make America Great Again.......Maybe...........For all you on Social Security.

  by liam in

  1. social
  2. current

  so there's a bill called the social security fairness act that "might" help those on social security.

  the bill is something trump said he would push for once he become president.of course there is some rinos and democrats who don't want the bill because they still want to fund wars that americans have no business getting involved.

  all the president has to do is signed it "if" he makes it into office.. this could go in effect as soon as next year.

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  liam

  401k or pensions, you earn that on your own, it has a yield of approx. 180% if you work from a reasonable age (so if you pay into it now for 40 years, you can live very well for the other 40-60 years).

  That's pretty Good! A person can actually have a couple of million by the time they retire. But I've heard that 1 in 10 actually have a 401 pension. Mostly because of ignorance about finance.
  

  Also, it seems like this change in Social Security is only going to affect those who worked some time for the Government and another part for the private Sector. It will not apply to your average Joe who only gets Social Security and never paid a into a private pension.

  Those affected are people like Fireman, Teachers, Police, etc. who didn't pay Social Security but had a private pension. They are the ones that will get the raise from my understanding. Those who only paid into social security will not get a raise.

  I may be wrong but that seems to be the consensus.
  
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  12

  Make America Great Again.......Maybe...........For all you on Social Security.

  by liam in

  1. social
  2. current

  so there's a bill called the social security fairness act that "might" help those on social security.

  the bill is something trump said he would push for once he become president.of course there is some rinos and democrats who don't want the bill because they still want to fund wars that americans have no business getting involved.

  all the president has to do is signed it "if" he makes it into office.. this could go in effect as soon as next year.

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  liam

  Here is an example of lazy people using the system with your tax dollars

  https://www.youtube.com/shorts/OgIX8MaaAKc
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  37

  Maddison, WI Shool Shooting - 3 Dead

  by Sea Breeze in

  1. watchtower
  2. scandals

  like the one in tennessee, this one in maddison, wi, was done be a female.

  the police chief points out that: .

  “yes, i don’t know whether [the shooter] was transgender or not, and quite frankly, i don’t think that’s even important.

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  liam

  You can't feed kids a years-long steady diet of woke ideology,

  All it takes is a month Sea Breeze, believe me. I have a friend who within a month, started spouting that crap at me.

  Me and my friends brought him back to his senses.
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  52

  They are running out of people to do their stuff.

  by liam in

  1. watchtower
  2. bible

  this is the watchtower study article being studied today.

  so it’s the current new light!.

  what are the new qualifications to be an “elder-aka older man...and circuit overseer?.

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  liam

  This is the Watchtower Study Article being studied Today. So it’s the Current New Light!

  This is from the Oct 2024 WT Study Article 41

  They are continuing to entice the Young Men to Pioneer, (instead of going to a University) become Elders, and Circuit overseers. What are the NEW Qualifications to be an “Elder-aka older man...and Circuit Overseer?

  Qualifications Needed………………...You need to be at least 20 years old!

  https://www.jw.org/en/library/magazines/watchtower-study-october-2024/Learning-From-Jesus-Final-40-Days-on-Earth/

  
  

  EXAMPLE ONE - PIONEER

  12 When Nortey was 16 years old, he began to study the Bible. Soon, though, his family opposed him. What helped him to remain firm? His Bible teacher had used Matthew chapter 10 to explain that true Christians will be persecuted. “So when the persecution started,” Nortey says, “I was convinced that I had found the truth.” His teacher also helped him to reason on Matthew 10:16 so that he could be both cautious and respectful when discussing religious matters at home.

  After his baptism, Nortey wanted to pioneer, but his father expected him to go to university.

  Rather than tell Nortey what to do, his teacher drew him out with questions and helped him to reason on Scriptural principles. The result? Nortey decided to enter full-time service.

  Notice that the Watchtower does not tell young ones what to do. they just reason on scriptural principles. No court can ever blame the WT for forcing the young ones to pioneer. It was their religious choice.
  

  EXAMPLE 2 – BECOME A CIRCUIT OVERSEER LIKE THE DISCIPLES OF JESUS

  13 While on earth, Jesus perfectly cared for the work his Father had given him to do. (John 17:4) But Jesus did not have the attitude, ‘If you want something done right, you must do it yourself.’ During his three-and-a-half-year ministry, he trained others to do the work. Before returning to heaven,

  Jesus entrusted his disciples​—some of whom may have been in their 20’s—​with the responsibility of caring for Jehovah’s precious sheep and taking the lead in the preaching and teaching work.

  EXAMPLE 3 BECOME AN ELDER IN YOUR 20S

  15 How can elders imitate Jesus? They must train and assist men, including those who may be relatively young, to qualify for greater responsibilities.

  16 Consider how a brother named Patrick benefited from counsel. As a young person, he tended to speak harshly and to act unkindly, even toward sisters. A mature elder noticed Patrick’s weaknesses and gave him kind but straightforward counsel. “I am glad he did,” says Patrick. “I used to get discouraged when I saw other brothers receiving privileges of service that I wanted. But the elder’s counsel helped me to see the need to focus on humbly serving my brothers and sisters instead of on receiving some position or privilege in the congregation.”

  As a result, Patrick was appointed as an elder when he was in his early 20’s.​—Prov. 27:9.

  
  

  Foot note; In some cases, qualified men in their mid-to-late 20’s may be appointed as circuit overseers. However, such men must first gain experience serving as elders.

  Whoo! You can be an elder and a Circuit Overseer in your early 20s!

  And you can even have a beard and a mustache to make you look older!

  Example of what today's Elder/ Circuit overseer will look like.