westiebilly11

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Posts by westiebilly11

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  65

  Withdrawing community support in the congs

  by purrpurr in

  1. jw
  2. friends

  i've noticed in the past 10 years that the social support that used to be available in the congs, a shoulder to cry on, elders to help with family/marriage issues these seem to have been purposely withdrawn.

  counsel is even heard from the platform that the elders are not there to help people with their problems.. so first in the 80s-90s they take away the congregation get to getters and social events and now they seem to be going one step further in taking away the emotional support for people too.. this will take away an aspect that i'm sure was keeping alot of people in the borg, the community support.

  if that's not there and its just about meetings and ministry how many will start to get their emotional support elsewhere?.

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  westiebilly11

  I noticed that in the years I was in, many widowed and widows, and others who had no family in the congregation suffered in silence. The support from just the listening ear so often needed was not there.

  Of course, Elders themselves in common with many, have problems and issues and need support too, but that support could often come from mutual support of others. When I was in, and I was coming to terms with quite difficult situations, I found that immersing myself in helping and listening to others often served to help myself too.

  In the thirty plus years I was in, I found that Elders, particularly ambitious ones, had little empathy or time for those who needed support. They failed to tend for all the flock, not just those who might be advantageous to their own ambition for recognition.

  Such a shame.....
  
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  13

  Another enlightening reason why I don't go to meetings

  by joe134cd in

  1. jw
  2. experiences

  i was informed by my jw father tonight that the reason i don't go to meetings is because "of a guilty conscious".

  i just done an eye roll and walked away.

  i just can't make this stuff up..

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  westiebilly11

  A better approach by him would be to simply ask you why you don't go. Nice to have an old fashioned father/son chat, without any presumptiousness or judging.....Putting JW stuff aside, he could try and see your perspective on things....and agree to differ .
  
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  32

  Are the 8 superstar Popes planning a purge?

  by Sour Grapes in

  1. jw
  2. friends

  there are over 8 million jdubs and i would venture a guess that at least 20% to 30% are pimo.

  in my opinion, the kingdom hauls are only half full for two reasons....many have left but the majority are pimo and any little excuse will keep them home and they will report their token ghost hours in service.

  all it takes to stay home is being tired, too much school homework or i will go next week, no doubt many have taken part-time jobs and the fear of working the second shift and the guilt of missing meetings is gone.

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  westiebilly11

  There has been so much back and forth, chopping and changing etc of doctrines and prophecy over recent years that I suspect many would comply with any radical or strange requirement.

  Hardcore ones often remain' locked in' because they have 'invested' heavily over the years, and risk losing much if they 'withdraw' their investments. . Just as with utility companies where many stay loyal to expensive providers, such hardcore ones are unwilling or unable to look beyond their 'present religious provider'..!
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  78

  Judge Orders Jehovah's Witnesses to turn over Internal Documents re: Childhood Sexual Abuse

  by AndersonsInfo in

  1. watchtower
  2. child-abuse

  https://nixlaw.com/news/judge-orders-jehovahs-witnesses-to-turn-over-internal-documents-related-to-childhood-sexual-abuse/.

  judge orders jehovah’s witnesses to turn over internal documents related to childhood sexual abuse.

  april 12, 2018. .

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  westiebilly11

  WT is the wound. Not the bandage as they like to think.
  
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  39

  My impressions of the cart witnessing

  by Sour Grapes in

  1. jw
  2. experiences

  i have watched tons of youtube videos of our exjdub friends approaching and talking to the jdub manikins at their carts as they give a great witness to the world by sipping their hot lattes, updating their social media, chit chatting to each other, and the most important thing of getting their time in, counting their hours.. when the jw's see someone approach with a camera they do several things, they will turn their backs on the person, or look at the person with a frown and act like the person isn't even there.

  the witlesses refuse to answer simple, clear, and precise questions.

  when i was an elder i loved to get into discussions and debates with trinitarians, priest, clergymen and those who were born again.

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  westiebilly11

  Many true words . The whole cart thing seems lacklustre and an exercise in counting time. Few members of the public approach them, and they in turn, appear totally uninterested in the public.Most of the time it seems they're on their mob phone or chatting to each other without any warmth or appeal to the public.

  What once was a dynamic and challenging witnessing work with at least some sense of urgency and genuine sincerity by older long time witnesses, has now degenerated to an apathetic futile exercise. In our time, we were encouraged to seek out the public and look for ways to interact with them....as it was held up to be a life saving work with time running out..now it's a take it easy, chill out,watch the clock and go home monotony..

  ATMs have more personality.....!
  
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  9

  Older publications.

  by Lost in the fog in

  1. watchtower
  2. bible

  it's amazing what you can stumble upon on the internet these days.

  i just came across this site.

  maybe you already knew about it, but i did not.

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  westiebilly11

  Much prefer older publications. I came across latest copy of the Awake recently....there is not one real photo in it..every picture is a drawing...so trashy and verging on a comic.
  
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  24

  Life everlasting and freedom of the sons of god

  by blownaway in

  1. watchtower
  2. bible

  what is the craziest thing in the book life ever lasting and freedom of the sons of god 1966 book?.

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  westiebilly11

  My first serious study book with visiting witness....heavy, but good in parts. Actually enjoyed it..back then. ! (1982) An hour plus spent studying it weekly...
  
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  18

  Transferring Congregations

  by optimisticskeptic in

  1. watchtower
  2. beliefs

  what is included in the publisher cards and other information when you transfer from one congregation to another?

  i was privately reproved and may be moving to a congregation where there are brothers i rather not know why i was privately reproved.

  is the fact i was privately reproved visible but not the reason why?

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  westiebilly11

  Move to another more distant cong and use a false name....an option.
  
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  43

  Why are there more sisters than brothers at the Kingdom Hauls?

  by Sour Grapes in

  1. jw
  2. experiences

  i have always wondered why there are more females than males in all of the congregations that i have visited?

  some of these females are in their 70's so maybe their husbands have died and women just live longer.

  or could the reason be that years ago men were the breadwinners and women stayed home to raise the children thus they were home during the week when the jdubs came a knocking?

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  westiebilly11

  Dare I suggest that women are perhaps more submissive to an ordered and structured form of religion, and often fail to challenge information until something unpleasant happens within that organization. Women also may feel that being part of a larger group empowers them to maintain order within their families. Men, on the other hand , find it hard initially to be subjected to order and will only comply if they want to. They challenge information and are wary of being taken for a 'sucker'. To be part of a religious organization also may be perceived by certain men as threatening to their own masculinity and leadership within family and social circles... Just a few thoughts thrown in.....
  
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  21

  Quick and vague Memorial invitations

  by RULES & REGULATIONS in

  1. watchtower
  2. bible

  this morning my doorbell rang.

  i opened the door thinking it was a package delivery person or local politicians thanking my community for voting in yesterday's election.

  there was a middle aged man standing by himself.

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  westiebilly11

  Just can't beat the warm personal touch made with sincere interest in people's survival....not. These days it seems they just want to tick the boxes without any personal interaction. Years ago when I first 'joined in', we were encouraged to engage in a conversation and encourage others to attend ' a very important annual event ' which they would find interesting..