Posts by gingerbread

153

The antidote to the myth that JWs are declining

by slimboyfat in

one of the most persistent myths on this website is that jws are already in decline, the rot has set in, and the descent of the watchtower is inevitable from here on in.

unfortunately the facts do not bear this out.

jws are still increasing even in most developing countries, and they are still growing worldwide at a faster rate than the general population.

gingerbread

I agree that the overall numbers (if that is what's really important) show remarkable growth over the past 50 years. But perhaps the numbers of JW's is not the issue. The concern for JW leadership is retention of a faithful membership.

The last great influx of the general public conversions was in the late 1960's and early 1970's. These folks have children and grandchildren 'in the truth'. They are also at the age of retirement or older. The fastest growth within the organization is aging/retired ones. Or, that's how it appears if one 'scans' the local kingdom hall and assembly/convention population. What it really shows is a failure to retain the born-in Witness. In the United States. this is the reality of the organization's population. I hear it's reflected in Europe as well.

The organization is desperate to stop the apathy and disillusionment of it's members. These factors are their real enemy.

82

My Mom has decided to turn me in... I am not afraid (Letter Inside)

by sosoconfused in

the only reason i am posting this is because i know many of you are going or will be going through something similar and wonder if it is worth it.

i personally feel that it is worth it regardless of what i lose.

my wife is backing me and i have my children.

gingerbread

Your family is what I would qualify as Hardcore JW's. They believe 100% that what is printed in the publications must be followed to the letter. Even 'suggestions' are considered a regulation. In my years of experience in this org, I've concluded that children raised in this kind of 'Truth' environment see life in very black and white terms i.e. you're either all in the faith or your 'gone or the WT way is only the right way to live.

Question: Did your parents use WT and Awake articles to 'train you' as a youngster? Were the publications seen as the authority on life & the only viable source for solutions to everyday problems? Did they take the time to talk honestly with you as a son and not as a JW kid?

Your Mom is using guilt to persuade you and fear to control you. She means well. It's the only approach she knows.

45

Unbelievable Experience in Yearbook

by gingerbread in

jw
friends

a number of years back i heard a story of a young girl in a congregation ( i have some good friends in this hall ) who had an amazing field service experience.

it was so amazing that it was retold in the 2007 yearbook!.

it is retold in the highlight of the past year section.

gingerbread

Thank you AnnOMaly ! I was 'fact checking' for this reference just yesterday - I remember reading it and wanted to post it here.

It's FACTS like these that helps the curious or timid fader to reconsider what he has believed to be 'truth.'

9

$$$WTBS$$$

by Kool Jo in

jw
friends

what do you think is the real status of the wtbs in terms of cash/assets/wealth?.

based on the following statements, what do you think?.

1. due to the conti lawsuit, they've suffered.. 2. they're asset rich and cash poor.

gingerbread

There is a current push in the States for congregations to repay the KH 'loan' as quickly as possible. I'm sure the org wants to 'cash flow' all it's building projects.

If the Society's corporations don't borrow money for it's construction projects, they won't ever go bankrupt. By owning all properties outright, they can liquidate at any time with ease.

Remember that the Patterson complex was offered up as surety after the Candace Conti abuse case verdict. The WT could do this because Patterson's title is clear of any leans (mortgage).

11

Haven't been online..and update

by Flicka in

jw
friends

hey guys, i hope you are all doing great.

my husband and i joined this sight in the beginning of last year.

time flies.

gingerbread

By disassociating yourself from the org you are following their policies - the rules of engagement will automatically change. You are allowing the organization to separate your family from you. Your parents & sister are fully involved / invested in this belief system. That is their choice. You've made your position clear. Disassociation will prove in their minds that you are 'mentally diseased' and deserving of shunning and final destruction.

As JW's we're trained to blame everything on the 'outside' for all of our problems. Your mother feels abandoned by you because the religion demands that the faithful choose it over family. By blaming others for your position, you parents can be free from guilt because of your personal decision. And, you ( as their daughter ) would never behave like this! It must be the fault of your husband and his family....

They're just scared of the 'reproach' and consequences of your decision. If you want to communicate with your parents for the rest of their lives, just carry on without making a public statement.

45

Unbelievable Experience in Yearbook

by gingerbread in

jw
friends

a number of years back i heard a story of a young girl in a congregation ( i have some good friends in this hall ) who had an amazing field service experience.

it was so amazing that it was retold in the 2007 yearbook!.

it is retold in the highlight of the past year section.

gingerbread

I've met the family that provided this 'experience' a decade ago. I thought they were a bit on the odd side. The girl, Morgan, was a home schooled witness kid and part of her educational credits was 'volunteer work.' Her parents were so proud of her spiritual advancement - at such a young age! From what I understand, her father now 'partakes' at the Memorial. So...in the minds of the 'normal' JW's in the area this guy is now officially a dillusional weirdo.

This experience - though well known locally to be a fabrication - won't be erased from the publication. First - it's to old to worry about. Second - the WT society knows that if they don't mention something that might prove to be embarrassing, it 'disappears' from the collective mind of the faithful.

88

jw.org store in Rouen, France

by breakfast of champions in

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rvcvnhohno4.

naaaahh.

we're not a business.

gingerbread

In reality, it will become an internet cafe for the local JW's. What a great place to take a break during field service! Notice the cafe style table and chairs in the back section. With nice weather, I can see them setting up tables outside for 'informal' witnessing.

Voulez-vous une tasse de cafe?

5

Using the 'Health Card' to buy time

by *lost* in

jw
friends

viruses, cannot be 'proven' or treated.. and can lay you out for months, if you need to buy time.. just a thought for those who need to get out of 'tricky' situations and buy time..

gingerbread

Since the beginning of the Bible Students, alternative and homeopathic medicine have been looked upon in a very positive light. Perhaps these early 'Russellites' took their cue from John Kellogg (cereal guy) who was an Adventist and an M.D. who advocated vegetarianism, phototherapy, steam baths etc.

Every congregation I've been affiliated with had their fair share of irodologists, reflexologists, herbalists & aromatherapists. I'm not saying that's a bad thing - there's a lot we don't know about the body & mind.

It's just that a person can watch Dr. Oz and read a couple of books and become a 'medical expert' in a congregation.

13

Will The Governing Body Tighten Control Over Rank & File Members Even If It Opens Them Up To More Lawsuits?

by frankiespeakin in

when we look at the conti case we see the amount of control that the governing body has over the rank and file makes them open to lawsuits.

i see lots of areas where this can work against the financial and legal interest of the corporation, for example:.

1. a banning of blood transfussions enforced by disfellowshipping.

gingerbread

BINGO Quendi !!!

Over a decade ago the GB and the leaders of the WT Society (corporations) officially parted ways. The GB is the theological figurehead.

This question again raises its nasty head : Is the dog wagging the tail...or is the tail wagging the dog?

Like all business entities, friction always exists between the sales department and manufacturing. The WTBTS is no different. It's my guess that things aren't too happy at headquarters right now...

32

My JW Experiences and Living in No Mans Land

by wizzstick in

jw
friends

lots of proper pioneering (90 hours), lots of calls, lots of studies, lots of interest.

enough to make it all interesting.

driving this buzz was the sense that armageddon was imminent.. my father was never a jw, and was very opposed.

gingerbread

Your sentiments and experiences are shared by many, many, many of us around the globe.

You found out that when you were an active and zealous JW you were already in No Mans Land. Your relationship with friends, God, the congregation and even some family members are 'conditional.' Your 'service' was empty (if we really believed that the end was coming any day now, all JW's would be begging to save everyone with the message - every single free minute of every day!). You were convinced that those outside the JW 'ark' were evil and doomed to everlasting destruction. You couldn't trust your neighbor, your mind, your heart or your own conscience.

The one decision that we must eventually make is this: Did God and Jesus choose the WT Society as their only approved representives on earth?