I knew a dozen or more (of names I can recall) that were faithful, old-timer JW's who were buried in the 1960's, 70's and 80's without headstones or grave markers.
My folks always told me that it was because we had a hard time accepting "unnatural" death.
ginger
as a little background - i was born-in to being a witness, back in '79, in detroit, in mostly black and poor congregations.
baptized when 10-ish, stayed around, was on the fast track to ms, but faded when i moved out at 24ish.. there was a combination of a few things that got me on the road to "freedom" from the cognitive dissonance that kept me "in the truth" for so long.
the main thing was, being an artist and studying marketing, my thinking was patterned to constantly question if i was doing something "correctly," as constant improvement and questioning is what facilitates artistic and mental growth.
It's ALL about appearances.
"Dress and grooming"....and being at all the meetings, raising your hand, turning in service time, taking on 'special' privileges and responsibilities (titles and positions), driving a 'sensible' car, living in a 'modest' home and having a job (not a career).
You must limit your education, association, recreation....and give freely (to the organization) your wife, husband, children, money, real estate, jewelry, stocks and bonds, life insurance policies, retirement funds and (last but not least) your personal time.
ginger
"everything in life has a purpose" is something a lot of (religious) people tend to say.
i used to believe that too... but i have always been wandering about animals, bacteria and everthing around us.
what purpose is there?
Early cultures developed belief systems to explain the unexplainable. Natural phenomena was explained through the belief in supernatural power (diety). These beliefs would connect (for example) the changes in the seasons or the rising and setting of the sun as an "act of god".
The same traditions continue today - through religious systems. These explain the 'purpose in life' and will answer all questions about the unknown (life after death, the rise and fall of governmental powers, global warming, etc.) by using 'ancient' writings.
"Life is without meaning. You bring the meaning to it. The meaning of life is whatever you ascribe it to be. Being alive is the meaning." -- Joseph Campbell
The parallels between growing up Amish and growing up as a JW are apparent when this show is watched.
The Amish children grow up secluded and controlled. If they leave they are told that they will spend the rest of eternity in Hell. If their parents are liberal and allow the kids to do things that aren't approved, the church leaders reprimand / council the parents.
As Jehovah's Witnesses, the Governing Body and their representatives (the Elders) behave the same.
The Org. wants to keep the kids on it's Watchtower 'farm'.
ginger
besides learning how to speak publicly, has the watchtower given you any benefits?
?.
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
"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.
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
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.
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
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?.
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
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..
"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
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?
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
