Posts by Thirdson

I publically support all the individuals who have been disfellowshipped in this matter. I will publically support anyone who challenges the Watchtower, including those who wish to take legal action.

I'll be attending court if cases proceed in my locality.

Thirdson

14

i'm relatively new here and wondered if any ex-elders (or indeed anyone who knows) could tell me what's so secret about the "shepherd the flock" book.. what is in that book that they don't want ordinary publishers to see?.

i haven't met an elder yet that can give me a good answer as to why it's kept so quiet.. any help would be gratefully received.

Thirdson

Blondie,

You are quite right about not seeing such specific details about "circumstancial evidence" as grounds for disfellowshipping someone. (I searched the Watchtower's CD-ROM)

However, the Watchtower said this regarding adultery:

Jesus did not say one can divorce his mate if he strongly suspects that adultery was committed. There has to be real evidence of adultery, such as the mates confession, or proof that the mate stayed all night with a person of the opposite sex under improper circumstances.Prov. 5:8-11. Watchtower 4/15 1968 Page 255

You are also right about "night" and "staying overnight" as not being necessary for sex. On the otherhand, "staying overnight" at someone's house doesn't mean that anyone had sex either, or even slept in the same room. Since disfellowshipping is the closest the Watchtower Society can get to stoning someone, it is interesting that they ignore their own teachings.

No one could be put to death on circumstantial evidence. There had to be two eyewitnesses to establish the truth. (Deut. 17:6; 19:15) Watchtower 6/15 1970 Page 379

Thirdson

29

the ultimate "Question Box" question

by lastcall in

july 2002 question box : " what should we bear in mind when using cellular telephones and electronic pagers?

this in my mind is the ultimate question in the sense that it really shows how rediculessly micro-managed we were in this religion.

disect this one for a moment.

Thirdson

I missed this too. However, judging by where I have seen (and heard) people use cell phones I think JWs need to be informed about phone etiquette.

Would it be Appropriate to Engage in Telephone Witnessing While Sat on the Toilet Taking a Dump?

"While nothing is wrong with finding every opportunity to provide a witness, and while it is commendable that some of Jehovah's people make good use of their time even when caring for the "necessary things" it would be good to consider the Bible's view in this matter, blah, blah, blah.."

In other words don't poop and negotiate contracts and purchases while sitting on the bog. If I hear any echoes or splashing I'll hang up on ya!.

Thirdson

14

"Shepherd the Flock" book.

by Bosho in

hey,.

i'm relatively new here and wondered if any ex-elders (or indeed anyone who knows) could tell me what's so secret about the "shepherd the flock" book.. what is in that book that they don't want ordinary publishers to see?.

i haven't met an elder yet that can give me a good answer as to why it's kept so quiet.. any help would be gratefully received.

Thirdson

This is one reason why the WTS wants the book kept secret; I'll explain later. Do bear in mind that the actual content of the book is nothing unique or new. All the detail is compiled from previous Watchtower articles and KMs. However, it is in a dumbed down form and presented as a book of rules and procedures. Whatever the question or accusation the book is designed to provide instruction on how to handle it, and what the penalty is for the sin. Since the book doesn't specifically explain the length of "momentary" in such phrases as "momentary touching of the breasts," it still leaves the elders some leeway in ascertaining the "seriousness" of the sin.

Since the book provides step-by-step procedures I believe the WTS wants it kept from the congregation purely to stop members criticizing elders for not following proper procedure.

However, it appears to me that more non-elders than elders have read and understood the book.

What is interesting, and what would be a real find, is a copy with an elder's hand-written notes in the margin. These notes are entered during Elder training (used in a very looses way since "elders are untrained volunteers,") and after Society letters are read by the CO during his meeting with the elder body. These are the real secrets; the things only verbally relayed and not committed to hard print.

Thirdson

Edited by - thirdson on 30 July 2002 0:52:17

24

Louisville Newspaper-Please help

by silentlambs in

jw
friends

if you would like to help me, please write to this newspaper and confirm your support of how wrong watchtower is to silence abuse survivors and supporters by disfellowshipping them.

bill

http://www.courier-journal.com/localnews/2002/07/27/ke072702s248845.htm

Thirdson

Bill,

I wrote Peter too; providing my full name, home address and telephone number.

Thirdson

54

Ex witnesses in UK

by Michelleatkin in

i'm new to this site, found it whilst looking at panarama web site.

are there many here from uk, even lancashire?

if so, please let me know as it would be nice to speak to some ex-witnesses in uk.

Thirdson

Hi Michelleatkin,

I am an ex-pat Brit which sort of discounts me. But anyway, welcome to the board.

I noticed from Valis' map there are still some Brits mising. Also, there are very few posters from the West-Midlands (like zero). Birmingham and the surrounding area has loads of JW congregations and thus loads of ex-JWs; so where are you?

Thirdson
(formerly of Worcestershire No. 1 Circuit, and longtime attendee of the Dudley Assembly Hall.)

17

Religious freedom is being denied!

by tyydyy in

jw
friends

i'm sure someone else has already thought of this but i wanted to see what discussion came from this.

i was raised as a jw and left at the age of 35. i still do the dance to keep from being disfellowshiped so that i don't lose all contact with my family.

the thought just came to me that as i went through my life my religious freedom was being denied by coersion.

Thirdson

tyydyy,

I feel the same as you. I have used the fundamental human right to freedom of religion and worship and the right to change one's religion with my parents. Since they expressed the view (from the Awake) of supporting these rights, I used it to my advantage with some success. More recently, I have pushed the envelope by being highly critical of the Watchtower's policies on child abuse and the absurd doctrine on partial blood banning; maybe a little too far.

I don't know if anyone has challenged the Watchtower, but to me, a religion that uses leadership enforced public shunning of ex-members who choose a different belief system is violating basic human rights. It only shows how hypocritical the Watchtower cult is.

Thirdson

61

Judicial Hearing-Elders Afraid

by silentlambs in

jw
friends

http://community.webshots.com/photo/44722558/44722772xoorvs

http://community.webshots.com/photo/44722558/44722843mbprwy

http://community.webshots.com/photo/44722558/44723017nebyfw

Thirdson

Bill,

If they do decide to DF you then your appeal hearing will be interesting. I am assuming that they will notify you of their decision and offer you the opportunity to appeal. However, since they appear not to follow the guidelines in the flock book who's to stay what procedure they intend to follow.

I think they should be afraid!

Thirdson

101

GETTING INTERESTING REAL SOON NOW

by You Know in

i don't have a clue how a computer works.

i just turn it on and point and click and i am able to do what i need to do, unless of course something goes wrong, or in the worst case scenario if my little machine experiences the dreaded blue-screen crash, then i am really in a mess.

that is the way the financial system is for most people.

Thirdson

Oh Goody I can't wait.

It's been pretty boring (as you imply) reading all the failed predictions of impending doom. Wake me up when it gets interesting, otherwise, I'll be sleeping through to 2014.

Goodnight, sleep tight,

Thirdson