Posts by gingerbread

13

What would the Watchtower Society do...?

by LogCon in

when the economy collapses, and it will, worse than 2008, far worse.... ...what would the watchtower society do if a large group of homeless jw's starting camping out at wakhill, new york, perhaps in a large 'tent city'?.

gingerbread

Whenever a natural disaster occurs, the WT swoops in as 'organizers' to 1) repair/rebuild Kingdom Halls and 2) to assist any active Witnesses with physical assistance in the short term. Any other assistance to any neighbors, non-witnesses, public spaces or buildings is voluntarily done by the publishers at the scene - on their own nickel.

The Congregations take over after the initial mess is stablized. Meanwhile, the Org. continues to broadcast a need for additional $ donations - that should be sent to Headquarters.

If a publisher or family in a congregation is going through hard times, the elder body might approach others (with good jobs) and ask them to assist.

I had a home burn down once - and all we received from the Congregation was a couple of boxes of books and magazines. The neighbors (and some local churches) gave clothes, toys and money...

ginger

44

The purpose of changing JW names, titles and terms

by gingerbread in

during a discussion over the weekend, we exchanged ideas about recent changes in terminology related to assembly days, conventions and new titles for the higher-ups.

i commented that for years in 'security' at larger meetings we were told to talk to any that seemed out of place and ask questions that would indicate if they were apostates - antiquated terms like 'overseer' or a reference the 'truth' book.. another in our group brought up the character in the orwell book 1984 and how his job was to separate new and approved terms from old words.

this was called doublethink and blackwhite.

gingerbread

The Society has always been 'clubby' about inside terminology, secret understandings, a private 'language'. In this sentence I use the word "Society" - which is now no longer freely used to describe the New York offices / Governing Body. The current term is "the Branch" or "World Headquarters" or "the Faithful Slave" or "Mother".

Your references steve2 make sense. > Changes in terminology often indicate changes in leadership as well.

I think the massive doctrinal shifts that have taken place in the last decade (and last year for sure) are being reflected in the changes in words and definitions.

Heck...they even felt the need to rewrite the Bible.

11

My DA from the WBT$ 'membership'.

by punkofnice in

i posted this on the private board 2 years ago but now don't care who sees this as i'm no longer in hiding from the wbt$ cult members.. these are transcripts of the 2 letters i recieved leading up to my being da'd (not df'd), for apostacy(tm).

dear punk.

i am aware that you have requested that there be no contact from the congregation, but there is an outstanding matter that needs to be resolved, and we would like to have your co-operation in resolving it.. .

gingerbread

It's their way..... or the highway.

44

The purpose of changing JW names, titles and terms

by gingerbread in

during a discussion over the weekend, we exchanged ideas about recent changes in terminology related to assembly days, conventions and new titles for the higher-ups.

i commented that for years in 'security' at larger meetings we were told to talk to any that seemed out of place and ask questions that would indicate if they were apostates - antiquated terms like 'overseer' or a reference the 'truth' book.. another in our group brought up the character in the orwell book 1984 and how his job was to separate new and approved terms from old words.

this was called doublethink and blackwhite.

gingerbread

During a discussion over the weekend, we exchanged ideas about recent changes in terminology related to assembly days, conventions and new titles for the higher-ups. I commented that for years in 'security' at larger meetings we were told to talk to any that seemed out of place and ask questions that would indicate if they were apostates - antiquated terms like 'overseer' or a reference the 'Truth' book.

Another in our group brought up the character in the Orwell book 1984 and how his job was to separate new and approved terms from old words. This was called doublethink and blackwhite. Interesting way to control and manipulate information.

Is the change in terms a way for the faithful to feel up to speed with the organization? Is it an easy way to identify anyone who is not active so a private shunning is possible?

61

Problems of Dating the Watchtower Way

by enigma1863 in

i wanted to know what problems you have learned about dating in the "truth" acording to there policy.

i feel like you dont really know someone until you live with them.

also some put on a false personality until they get what they want i.e.

gingerbread

The Watchtower Society sends a clear message that women are to be treated like 'property'. They are to be quiet, modest, in subjection (to husbands and elders) and controlled.

The approved dating methods are only for the selection of a marriage mate i.e. men shopping for a wife. That is why young sisters are trained to get all fixed up for the conventions - to attract a 'spiritual' brother.

It's a no brainer that marriages resulting from this method are unhappy and artificial. It's all fantasy - til the day after the wedding.

53

Do Facebook "Friends" That Constantly Brag, Irritate You?

by minimus in

jw
friends

there are a few people who are fb friends that constantly brag about themselves, their looks, their accomplishments, their bodies, their job---etc.. one particular person is too close to ignore but it's never ending.

i am thisclose to telling her, to please stop it.. any thoughts?.

gingerbread

I think of Facebook as being like attending the company picnic or a family reunion. If I don't like a particular 'conversation' of a friend or family member, I just scroll down and find someone else to interact with.

Easy peasy...

15

Higher Education...in the news. Pew research

by ldrnomo in

jw
friends

http://www.npr.org/2014/02/11/275297408/going-to-college-may-cost-you-but-so-will-skipping-it.

use this the next time a jw tells you there is little advantage to going to college..

gingerbread

I've learned not to take financial advice from a broke person.

The same rule applies to those JW's who gave me negative advice about pursuing a university degree. I did it anyway. And it opened a door to every job I've had and continues to provide a decent living (and career) for our family.

And those poor bas7@rds have aged beyond their years...

ginger

6

Are Baptisms Internal Births or Converts?

by Watchtower-Free in

are baptisms internal births or converts?.

there were around 6,000,000 jehovah's witnesses in 1995, during which time the global average birth rate was 22.4/1000.

the estimated number of witness children born is therefore 134,400. in 2011, when that group of children were around the age of baptism, there were 263,161 people baptised.

gingerbread

I think that the WT leadership may be changing it's stance on children. This is just an intuitive guess.

WT publications have been produced just for young folks since the 1920's. These were indoctrination books. And over the course of 90 years, the WT has discouraged parents from having planned pregnancies because Armageddon was just 'around the corner'. If anyone was around in the mid-1980's, this message was loud and clear in publications and from the platform.

With the recent development of children's videos, lessons, arts and crafts projects, etc., I'm thinking that the leadership has realized that kids are their main source of new converts. The new WT's message to young ones is 'candy coated' and 'happy, happy, joy, joy' cartoonie character perfect.

The WT leadership is also sending a subtle message to young couples : make babies and raise them in the organization.

With the help of the Mother organization, you can have a happy and rewarding family life...

25

It's not fake... I'm crazy

by Angus Beef in

trying to fade... using the mentally depressed, bi-polar, etc.... was eating out with husband.

nice evening chatting and relaxing.

ready to head home and chill for the night.

gingerbread

With time you'll realize that the fear and panic is just in your head. Allow yourself to be free from the mental control that you were conditioned to have as a JW.

Make steps to be out in public and do the things that you enjoy. Avoid (shun) them if you see them at a distance. If the circumstances require a face-to-face encounter, repeat a stock answer ("We're doing great! Good to see you too!!") that you've memorized.

With time they'll avoid you in public!

ginger

84

BOE Letter: New Adjustments

by pixel in

**this was predicted from some members here**.

to all congregations .

re: adjustments in organizational terminology and assembly arrangements .

gingerbread

Reducing the number of days during the year of sitting in an auditorium increases the number of days that able bodied men and women can volunteer on building projects. Guilt will be used to encourage building assistance on new halls and the 'World Headquarters'.

The next step is to reduce printing to the bare minimum (my prediction) by ending the Watchtower and Awake magazines and transitioning to printed leaflets, short sermons/presentations on DVD and QR Codes pointing to JW.org.

Printing is old technology (used by Russell and the Bible Students). It's time to "keep pace with Jehovah's Organization" into the 21st century!

ginger