Posts by gingerbread

23

Advice on children

by Apostating in

my ex-wife got married in december last year.

so our visting arrangement with my children has changed.

there was a misunderstanding in our visiting arrangment, we agreed on that they would spend the weekends (once in two weeks) with me they would stay until sunday.

During the process of your divorce you and your ex would have a written custodial agreement. This is a legal document - a court order - that MUST be followed. Missunderstandings don't exist (or hold water) in court.

Does the ex have 'full custody' and you have 'visitation' every other weekend? Holidays are also divided and agreed upon with the custodial agreement.

Perhaps your pickle is that you both SHARE custody? While not legally related, if you pay child support then she has full custody.

It's time for you to visit with your divorce attorney again.

The Watchtower encourages a divorced parent, (her) family, congregational friends and the elders to actively be involved in keeping the children as Jehovah's Witnesses - primarily by getting them to the Kingdom Hall as much as possible. If you take them, your kids will be exposed to the pressure to make friends with other JW kids...and that's going to cause you long term problems.

ginger

31

So what is the Society doing with all that $$$?

by QuestioningEverything in

jw
friends

i read article after article about the billions the gb rakes in from fleecing the sheep but i've never heard anyone explain what happens to the money.. i mean is it in a swiss account?

are the gb living in private mansions?

where does the $ go?.

gingerbread

They are investing it - in real estate. And the WT Society has, for over half a century, earned cash through investment in the stock/bond markets.

The real question is WHO has control of the cash, investments and properties. I really doubt that the GB members have that control - just examine their resumes. A background in full time pioneer service, circuit and bethel home work without any specialized training or degree does not make a person the best one to manage billions of dollars of cash and assets.

ginger

32

Our Kingdom ministry March 2013 Question

by RobertT18 in

is it true that the march ministry is hinting that this year will be the last memorial, someone just said that today in the service, just wanted to confirm.. .

.

edit: forgot to add the month..

gingerbread

"We do not know" is the honest truth from the GB.

They don't know. Period.

These sort of statements have been made by the WT Society for a century. It appeals to those that 'know in their hearts' that the WT holds secrets from heaven....and this is a little hint (to build congregation gossip/conversation and anticipation).

ginger

22

Resurrection without a soul that survives death.

by Pronger1 in

one thing (among many) that always bothered me about jw teachings is what happens to the soul when we die.

sure god could be capable of creating a body and implanting it with all of our life experiences an memories.

but how would not be a just a clone instead of being actually us?

gingerbread

The Bible Students (C.T. Russell) adopted the belief of 'soul sleep' from the Adventists.

During a funeral 'talk' for a Jehovah's Witness, the phrase 'fallen asleep in death' is used to discribe the state of the deceased.

This is another doctrine of JW's that isn't original with the religion ( along with the concept of an earthly paradise restored or hidden Biblical numerical keys to identify the year of the return of Jesus Christ as King ).

ginger

46

Instructions To Elders Re: Pursuing Higher Education

by baldeagle in

jw
friends

underlining is mine.. march 6, 2012 letter.

pursue divine education:some of our brothers are pursuing higher education, feeling that they can acquire a measure of financial security.

as you are aware, the educational system varies from country to country.

gingerbread

The WTBTS has always railed against higher education and 'intellectualism.'

The contents of this letter was reaffirmed in last Sunday's Watchtower study article - "Rather than acquiring secular degrees and titles after their names, true Christians" ... engage in full time service.

They encourage training - particularly if it develops skills that can be used by the Org., but NOT a university education. They don't want us to be educated. An ignorant person is easy to control.

The Governing Body wants us (instead) to serve their interests...by giving them our time, money, jewelry & gold, real estate, retirement, life insurance policies and our LIVES if necessary.

ginger

11

Is Russell currently considered part of the FDS?

by paul from cleveland in

forgive me, i know this must have been discussed many times but i'm still confused about what the current teaching is.

who do they say russell was now?.

gingerbread

Google "historical revisionism."

In the case of C.T. Russell, the WT still glamorizes his roll as a man of God but currently wants to distance itself from his quirkiness, scandals and misguided 19th century assumptions. They want to bury the 'mistakes' with the man without claiming ownership for the 'mistakes' the WT promoted as facts for 100 years.

This is a typical 'revision' of history.

ginger

27

24 hour field service marathon ??

by gingerbread in

jw
friends

field service for up to twenty-four hours non-stop.... it's a bit of a fad in our area with pioneers - the twenty somethings especially.

we've heard from other family members and a jw friend that it's a thing in their part of the country as well.. it sounds like a group decides on a day and then piles into a van or suv to 'work' the territory - 12, 18 and even 24 hours.. anyone else hearing of this?.

ginger.

gingerbread

This method is being used in urban areas for the obvious reasons. Typical witnessing stops are all night convenience stores, gas stations, outside grocery stores and Walmart, Greyhound bus stations, train terminals and (the funniest) truck stops.

It's the result of the group mentality that permeates the Org. "It's us against them doing the most important work on the planet...anytime; day or night. We're showing our self sacrificing spirit to the world."

The new leaflet program is perfect for this method and dovetails well with the new literature cart set-up.

ginger

36

Self Destructing. oh-oh.

by Captain Blithering in

jw
friends

yo dudes.. .

i've been studying ttatt for nearly a year now, i'm pretty much convinced wt theology is a crock, but i can't just leave as i don't want to lose family, and i simply can't disappoint my elderly aging parent.. .

i'm prepared for the long game fade (could be a few years), but have been sowing seeds with the wifey little bit by little bit.

gingerbread

CB

You'll have to decide what is most important in the long term. Do you want to maintain a 'normal' relationship with your JW family and friends? If you do, you have to keep your trap shut. I know that's an oxymoron...but that's the reality of the situation.

Is it really all that important that you spread the good news (the facts) about the 'Truth'? Will this accomplish anything positive in the long term? You won't prove anything to anyone in the Hall...except that you are a 'rebellious guy'. You can't have you cake and eat it too.

Perhaps honesty and openness with your wife is the best policy? Worry about the people that mean something to you...

I can relate - we're in the same boat!

ginger

27

24 hour field service marathon ??

by gingerbread in

jw
friends

field service for up to twenty-four hours non-stop.... it's a bit of a fad in our area with pioneers - the twenty somethings especially.

we've heard from other family members and a jw friend that it's a thing in their part of the country as well.. it sounds like a group decides on a day and then piles into a van or suv to 'work' the territory - 12, 18 and even 24 hours.. anyone else hearing of this?.

ginger.

gingerbread

Field service for up to twenty-four hours non-stop.... It's a bit of a fad in our area with pioneers - the twenty somethings especially. We've heard from other family members and a JW friend that it's a thing in their part of the country as well.

It sounds like a group decides on a day and then piles into a van or suv to 'work' the territory - 12, 18 and even 24 hours.

Anyone else hearing of this?

ginger

33

First Post - Introduction

by Syme in

jw
friends

this is my first post on jwn, and i would like to take a few lines to introduce myself.. i currently am still in the organization, though my conviction in the last 1-2 years is more or less agnostic/atheist (closer to atheist).

i am an ex-elder and mts graduate, having served in another 3 congregations, apart from my home one.. the reason for the above-mentioned conviction shift has to do with science and rational, logical thinking generally, and with the grand theory of evolution, specifically.

it took me long, endless sessions of hard reading and study of serious scientific literature (plus cross-matching all the quotes and claims in jw evolution-related literature), to finally make the shift from utterly firm religious belief to doubt, and then to lack of religious faith.

gingerbread

It seems to be a rare thing to exit from Jehovah's Witnesses on logic alone. Non-christian behavior, abuse or other mistreatment by members of a congregation or family is often the impetus for leaving.

I look forward to your comments!

ginger