gingerbread

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Posts by gingerbread

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  51

  Was There ANYTHING The Watchtower Taught You That Benefited You?

  by minimus in

  1. watchtower
  2. beliefs

  besides learning how to speak publicly, has the watchtower given you any benefits?

  ?.

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  gingerbread

  I learned as a JW child how to be two different people in the same body (my public self and my honest self).

  I later learned how difficult it can be to stop being judgemental, self-righteous and un-sympathetic.

  ginger
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  8

  B.O.E. 13/01/14

  by LucidChimp in

  1. watchtower
  2. beliefs

  "in minnesota, a man said to his visitors: "i saw you coming, so i went to get this book.

  " he held up a bible teach book and said that when he was in prison, he stole the book.

  when asked if he had read it, he replied that he was going to read it on the weekend while he was fishing.

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  gingerbread

  In some parts of the world, the local WT branch receives payment from the government to participate in reform programs inside prison walls. So in those areas, the brothers are well organized and set up regular bible study sessions with the inmate population.

  One more way to increase the income of the WTBTS.

  ginger
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  23

  Advice on children

  by Apostating in

  1. jw
  2. experiences

  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.

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  gingerbread

  Been through this too!

  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
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  31

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

  by QuestioningEverything in

  1. jw
  2. 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?.

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  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
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  32

  Our Kingdom ministry March 2013 Question

  by RobertT18 in

  1. watchtower
  2. bible

  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..

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  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
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  22

  Resurrection without a soul that survives death.

  by Pronger1 in

  1. watchtower
  2. bible

  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?

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  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
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  46

  Instructions To Elders Re: Pursuing Higher Education

  by baldeagle in

  1. jw
  2. 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.

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  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
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  11

  Is Russell currently considered part of the FDS?

  by paul from cleveland in

  1. watchtower
  2. beliefs

  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?.

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  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
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  27

  24 hour field service marathon ??

  by gingerbread in

  1. jw
  2. 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.

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  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
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  36

  Self Destructing. oh-oh.

  by Captain Blithering in

  1. jw
  2. 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.

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  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