Fascinating research, Focus. Interested to see what's coming next.
Eden
most of us are reasonably familiar with reports of scandalous goings-on of that old jellyfish lecher, the founder of the watchtower cult, the one and only charles taze russell.. but, are these stories true?.
this thread is going to be devoted to his allegedly scurrilous activities.
so, bookmark it, please, bro' focus is in possession of noo light, and we're going to explore russell like you've never seen him explored before.. we're approaching his 100th death anniversary, and for all i know this virtual exhumation may lead to a real one.
Fascinating research, Focus. Interested to see what's coming next.
Eden
some days ago two elders visited my sister because she has not been attending the meetings more than one year.
this time she prepared notes containing watchtower past teachings about the blood ban so as to ask them for those changes, and it seems that the elders were also prepared for her past questions.
for instance she showed them that "albumin" was considered "under scriptural ban" in 1956 (read the page 20 of awake, september 8).
JW Gone Bad
Soon after her reinstatement she stopped attending meetings and went inactive. We only learned about her death and funeral nearly two weeks after it happened. No one really cared much about her in the congregation. Sad, but true.
Eden
some days ago two elders visited my sister because she has not been attending the meetings more than one year.
this time she prepared notes containing watchtower past teachings about the blood ban so as to ask them for those changes, and it seems that the elders were also prepared for her past questions.
for instance she showed them that "albumin" was considered "under scriptural ban" in 1956 (read the page 20 of awake, september 8).
Randy Watters has repeatedly stated that no one has been DF'd for accepting a blood transfusion for many years and this is the reason why.
Randy is technically right, but wrong de facto. After blood fractions became acceptable, in my congregation I witnessed the case of an elderly sister who got DF'd for accepting a blood transfusion, after the surgeon has put some pressure on her. The local Branch was on the case. Mind you, she "dissociated herself" - there was no JC, only the Elder's decision that by accepting blood, she has dissociated from the congregation. She was reinstated less than one year after. She died less than 6 months after being reinstated.
Eden
some souls here may feel i was a little harsh.
if so, i am deeply sorry.
i was abused by a handful right from the start, presumably on the basis of the avatar picture (and 2001 vintage).. when visiting dubland, i often find that others start fights with me - for whatever reason, and i provide quite a supply of them - and when it doesn't quite go the way they expected, they cry persecution.
I'm curious, Focus.
I've stumbled upon this on an old thread:
[start of quote]
Whereas, when we look back in the past, we must admit, COJ and Bill Bowens were a part of the "solution" to the problem.
really? How long has little Billy B been out of the org and please answer this question...is it not the position of BB that if is weren't for the SL issue he would still be a good little dubbie Elder? Please Bill or your cronie...answer this question. It reveals a lot about character and intent. What souliton ar you referring to BTW?
Sincerely,
District Overbeer of the "Tired of the Bullshit" class [end of quote, the bold is mine]
This is post #2197 of forum member Valis, from 10/26/2002.
I couldn't help but to notice the same tone of writing and the same 'signature'.
So, Focus... are you also Valis, or is this a coincidence?
Eden
still not sure the jw's are wrong on blood?.
still not sure the jw's are wrong on blood?
still not sure the jw's are wrong on blood?
marked
i think it's wonderful that be all posses creative power of thought, and i think this form of creative manifestation comes most commonley in the form of arts.so many posters have mentiond they are writing a book, but i bet some of you create music or make a wonderful soup.. i ask this because i was reading my old school reports and my art teacher wrote " michael is the post constructive, imaginative pupil i have ever had.
his enthusiasm wonders a bit but on the whole an excellent pupil" ....sadly i think if that statement was true i have rather let my self down with my artistic expression.
still it's never to late and i intend to involve myself in my art again this summer..
Being "in" never stopped me from creating music. It has, however, stopped me from pursuing a musical career. Which might have turned out to be for the best.
Eden
the organization is shifting away from printed literature in favor of their new jw.org website.
the website contains content that is not printed in literature.
kiosks, trolleys, and storefronts are being used to showcase the website.
Donuthole, your theory isn't all that far-fetched.
While Blondie makes a valid point that there's a significant portion of the world's population that still has no access to the internet, let alone owning a computer, a tablet or a smartphone, that picture is rapidly changing. Even poor third-world countries are investing heavily in wireless, mobile internet technology, skipping the copper telephone lines stage. It won't take many years until the portion of info-excluded people in the world (including elderly people in developed countries) will become fringe.
I don't think it's all too impossible that the WTS deems "fulfilled" Matthew 24:14 based on the awareness of the JW.ORG website, and begins to downplay the relevance of the door-to-door witnessing. Even them aren't that stupid to not realize how ineffective it has become in the modern world. However, there may be a continuous push for conducting bible studies on a personal basis (or using video-conference), therefore the world-wide "educational work" will continue, and the hours spent in evangelizing will still be used as reference to evaluate the spiritual progress of the JW's.
Eden
some souls here may feel i was a little harsh.
if so, i am deeply sorry.
i was abused by a handful right from the start, presumably on the basis of the avatar picture (and 2001 vintage).. when visiting dubland, i often find that others start fights with me - for whatever reason, and i provide quite a supply of them - and when it doesn't quite go the way they expected, they cry persecution.
Given the definition of "apostate", I don't think Focus qualifies as "apostate" from the WTS, or from christianity, since, as he explained, from his inception, he has been an atheist. Anti-WTS, anti-theist, for sure.
The "Great Crowd" will materialise as if by magic when they realize there is money - perhaps a lot - to be obtained by participation in as-risk-free-as-it-can-get litigation.
I disagree with your acessment of the situation in this case. Most ex-JW people want the WTS down, even through finantial asphixiation, but they don't want to collect any profit out of it.
Eden
bibl3thumper has posted a youtube of the celebrations that took place for german delegates.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wvs6_q7rqps&feature=em-subs_digest.
it's hard to believe that they are now using the kingdom hall to sing pop songs and for dancing.
Oh, the irony!
I was looking up the lyrics for Van Morrison's "Kingdom Hall; they go like this:
So glad to see you
So glad you're here
Come here beside me now
We can clear inhibition away
All inhibitions
Throw them away
And when we dance like this
Like we've never been dancin' before
Chorus:
Oh, they were swingin'
Down at Kingdom Hall
Oh, bells were ringin'
Down at the Kingdom Hall
A choir was singin'
Down at the Kingdom Hall
Hey, liley, liley, liley
Hey, liley, liley, low
Do do do do do do, do
Do do do do do do
Do do do do do do, do
Do do do do do do
Good body music
Brings you right here
Free flowin' motion now
When we're shakin' it out on the floor
Good rockin' music
Down in your shoes
And when we dance like this
Like we've never been dancin' before
Repeat Chorus
Down at the Kingdom Hall
They were havin' a party
They were havin' a ball
Bells were ringing out
And the choir was singin'
Hey, liley, liley, liley
Hey, liley, liley, low
Do do, do do, do do, do do
Sugar was there
Did you see Sugar
Down at the Kingdom Hall
__________________________
Then I looked down at the comments section, and I found this gem:
Everyone sings at the Kingdom Halls | Reviewer: Ben | 6/12/08
No one dances in the aisles. The meetings are for worship and learning. The songs sung are to praise Jehovah God. So don't let this song mislead you about what goes on at any of the Kingdom Halls. Come and see for yourself that the song by Van Morrison is not absolutely correct and that what is taught at the Kingdom Hall is the Truth from the Bible. You will be amazed that what you will learn from Jehovah's Witnesses at the Kingdom Hall will save your life. Your eyes will be opened to the Truth from God's word the Bible. You'll be telling your loved ones and others about what you have learned.
For a preview of Bible truths that you will learn about go to this website: www.watchtower.org
Read the New World Translation of the Bible online here too.
Ben
I wonder if "Ben" could look at the video of the OP, what would he be saying now? Oh, the irony.
Eden
bibl3thumper has posted a youtube of the celebrations that took place for german delegates.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wvs6_q7rqps&feature=em-subs_digest.
it's hard to believe that they are now using the kingdom hall to sing pop songs and for dancing.
Van Morrison's "Kingdom Hall" (Wavelenght , 1978)
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rIs3Cp2BQX8
Little trivia from Wiki: " The songs on this album recall various stages of Morrison's life. "Kingdom Hall" reflected back to his childhood in Belfast when he attended services with his mother, a practicing Jehovah's Witness at one time."
Eden