Separation of Powers

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Posts by Separation of Powers

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  41

  A Tug on the Leash (The Authority Which the GB Wields Over the R&F)

  by Oubliette in

  1. watchtower
  2. beliefs

  recently, several comments have been made in various threads in reference to some of the recent changes to a few of the rules by which jehovah's witnesses must live their lives in unquestioning compliance.

  the assertion has been made that these rules are a "relaxing" of previous restrictions.

  the suggestion has been made that this somehow indicates a corresponding relaxing or loosening or lessening of the authority which the governing body (gb) holds over the rank and file (r&f) members of the religion.

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  Separation of Powers

  Very nice analogy.

  In my opinion, I can only compare the current trajectory of the GB to a boss that I had many years ago. Being in a position of oversight, I was asked into his office. He stated that BIG changes were in the pipeline and that many of the workers would be upset about the way it impacted them. In order to address this, he decided that he would increase the pay that the workers would receive per item they assembled. This, of course, would go over excellently, as the majority of the workers would be able to take home a few extra dollars a week. What he didn't tell them was that a few weeks down the road the assembling process would change substantially. This, unfortunately, would affect their overall production and they would, in fact, lose money even with the increase per item. It was a very astute plan. The increase in pay moved the workers to openly praise the boss as a generous man who cared for his workers. When the expected changes were implemented, there was little backlash against the boss. He had maneuvered things so that the criticism would fall against the quality control chief. To my surprise, no one left the company.

  I believe about the same reverse psychology exists with the current GB. Any relaxing of any standard, perceived or real, is only a preparatory response. Some might argue that it all goes back to the "brazen" conduct change. Inform the elders of the change, implement the change from the top, adjust the Bible accordingly and now the change isn't from the elders...it's from GOD!

  Just a thought,

  SOP
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  60

  Can we excuse the R&F for ever ?

  by Phizzy in

  1. watchtower
  2. beliefs

  generally i go along with it when posters express pity and sympathy for the r&f jw's.

  i feel this way toward them too, to a degree.. but where do we draw the line ?

  we know that jw's do not have a conscience of their own really, they are told how to think and act, and they have to obey.. just as those living in nazi germany were told how to think and act, and had to obey.. but, " i was just following orders " was not taken as a valid defense at nuremburg.. as the wt descends in to becoming more and more like north korea in its do not question, simply obey !

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  Separation of Powers

  They GB environment is MORE authoritarian than ever...the argument can go all day long but there is one recent adjustment that proves it, cannot be refuted or minimized nor simply explained away..

  The proof is simple...it is call "BRAZEN" conduct. With that change, all authority can be wielded without remorse or regard.

  There is no argument here. If you are familiar with JW policy, were an elder at one time, or know absolutely anything about the JW judicial process, then you must accept the authoritarian ramifications of this change. Was it due to a better understanding of the original text? Absolutely not. There is no single recognized authority in ancient languages that would side with the all encompassing nature of this change. No, I'm not saying that the original text cannot be translated as "brazen," I am saying that the only reason to have ever changed it from "loose conduct" to "brazen" is to provide a broader brush with which to paint those who question...

  Consider the microphone DROPPED!

  SOP
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  91

  NEW BOE LETTER - It just got exponentially harder to "fade"

  by sir82 in

  1. jw
  2. friends

  here is the text of the letter:.

  february 2, 2014. .

  your brothers,.

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  Separation of Powers

  Thank you for posting this letter. I would agree with several here that it is simply the requisite "do your job" letter. No elder that I know of will actually do anything different...why? What for? There is absolutely nothing inherently valuable in serving as an elder except for the prestige that comes with the title and the "privilege" of having a captivated audience who are forced to sit there are listen to your drivel.

  In other news, from a fairly reliabe source, there is another letter that directs the same BOE to assign brothers to their respective groups and post the group assignments on the information board. They are only to assign "active" brothers and sisters. I haven't seen this yet in my hall, but I would imagine that it will simply disenfranchise or marginalize those that have gone inactive quietly. Now, if this is the actual direction of the GB to the elders, every single person in the congregation will know who has gone inactive and those people will be outed. It is, again, a contradiction. On one hand, "reach out to the inactive" on the other "make sure everyone knows who is inactive." When the congregation knows just who is inactive, then the shunning will begin, the looks, the comments, the rumours....it is all an attempt at control.

  I simply wonder what Jesus thinks of all this....He must be scratching his head, "where did they get THAT?"

  SOP
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  60

  Can we excuse the R&F for ever ?

  by Phizzy in

  1. watchtower
  2. beliefs

  generally i go along with it when posters express pity and sympathy for the r&f jw's.

  i feel this way toward them too, to a degree.. but where do we draw the line ?

  we know that jw's do not have a conscience of their own really, they are told how to think and act, and they have to obey.. just as those living in nazi germany were told how to think and act, and had to obey.. but, " i was just following orders " was not taken as a valid defense at nuremburg.. as the wt descends in to becoming more and more like north korea in its do not question, simply obey !

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  Separation of Powers

  There is no excusing, only pity.
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  24

  Reoccurring dream I have

  by punkofnice in

  1. jw
  2. experiences

  .........although sometimes slight differences.. bear in mind i am in the uk and we don't go a bundle on therapy and i can't afford it anyway.. here is the dream manifest content as best i can recall.............. i am in a town or city.

  i come across a shop which inside is more like an indoor market, sometimes a cavern.

  it sells marvel comics.

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  Separation of Powers

  The following interpretation is simply that...an interpretation. The actual relevance of that dream could be simply random firings of cerebral synapses. It is for entertainment purposes only and should not be considered to be applicable to the real world in any way...unless of course you believe in this kind of stuff

  The dreams of PunkofNice are one. The town or city is your life, it is reflected as both encompassing and vast, small and confined. It is the measure of yourself at all stages, from childhood to the present. The shop is a reflection of your search, a search for the unknown, a desire for answers to life's questions. The shop fluctuates to an open market, a cavern, signifying the depths of the questions you seek the answers to. The comic books, Spiderman in particular, are the purpose of your questions. They are a reflection of an easier time, when life did not present so many obstacles, so much confusion. Your search is for that which will bring you happiness and comfort just as Spiderman filled your life with awe and amazement, you continue to be intrigued by that which your life currently lacks. The "generic" nature of the covers is the muddled nature of your quest as it still remains undefined and nebulous. The adjustment in the search to include other comics signifies that there still remain underlying questions, not as complex or encompassing as the others, but still relevant to your overall search.

  Alternate interpretation:

  It is a dream about searching for comic books.

  SOP
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  11

  Oh so this is what I have been missing!

  by BU2B in

  1. jw
  2. friends

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  Separation of Powers

  I thought that image was the inside cover of 50 shades of Grey!
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  30

  Pioneer Encouragement - "You can sit in the back room"

  by 4thgen in

  1. jw
  2. friends

  last night one of the pioneers stopped by on her way home from the pioneer meeting.

  she has always been very kind and i believe she is acted out of concern, however her visit was unsettling.

  she mentioned that all the pioneers were counseled to invite everyone they know inactive or those who has had life has got them down to come to (a special?

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  Separation of Powers

  The "back room" has been prepared for them? They don't have to dress up? They don't have to talk to anyone? Why bother going then? For several months, I have been trying to help a family member recognize that with the JW's, it is ALL ABOUT APPEARANCES.

  There is NO substance. NO genuine love. NO genuine interest. Feign love, feign interest...look happy, be miserable.

  That is the reason that if there is a god and judgment day comes...hearts will be weighed, not actions.

  just a thought,

  SOP
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  40

  Tech49 has the CO over for lunch

  by Tech49 in

  1. jw
  2. experiences

  so awhile back, during our last circuit overseer visit, vic and i decided to bite the bullet.... there seemed to be very little support for the mid-week lunch plans for the co and his wife, so we signed up to host.

  we definitely didnt want it to be awkward, so we invited a few others along, as a nice little group affair.

  they were excited, and offered to do the cooking, so i said i would play along.. just some background.... this particular co is kind of a tool (big surprise right?

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  Separation of Powers

  It will be very sad when he comes to the realization that when he can no longer serve and is of no real value to the ORG that they will release him into the wild. He EXPECTS that others will help him, but unfortunately, those people are becoming more and more scarce. It will be like in the movie where the woman is stripped of her nobility and her conniving daughter tells her, "You are just like me....a GREAT BIG NOBODY!" Yes, rock star status disappears quite quickly and Gluten free costs a LOT MORE!

  The world is a scary place for those so sheltered, particularly when they are kicked out of the shelter!

  SOP
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  52

  Billy's Comments You Won't Hear at the 01-26-2014 WT Study (Obey Jehovah's Shepherds))

  by Billy the Ex-Bethelite in

  1. watchtower
  2. bible

  fine.

  holy spirit appointed overseers to shepherd?

  6:1, 2; jude 22) are these not good reasons for being obedient to those who are taking the lead?read hebrews 13:17.. .

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  Separation of Powers

  Sorry Billy, I am a little late to responding to this...Good Job on the review.

  Got to tell you all that the study at our hall was replete with kiss-ups and boot-lickers. Every year, over the past 10 that I can recall, there has been the customary annual study that glorifies the GB and another that glorifies the elders. I just loved the comment from the young bro who just painted with a broad brush how the elders "were really living up to the biblical requirements" and "how privileged our congregation was to have such fine examples." Yep, that's right! He will be an MS in no time!

  Just a thought,

  SOP
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  11

  Satan And The Demons

  by sojourner7 in

  1. watchtower
  2. beliefs

  greetings.. i was wondering if someone could tell me according to wt theology, what happens to satan and the demons?

  are they also annihilated or do they experience eternal punishment?

  thanks!.

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  Separation of Powers

  The expectation is...They will be in the abyss for a thousand years as one poster already mentioned. The dilemma here is the fact that the Bible, although it states that the dragon or Satan will be abyssed and released, it does not specifially mention the "demons." So, the ORG takes liberty with the account to state the "expectation" of the demons being with the dragon as well. They will, ultimately, be destroyed along with all the other "perfected" ones, who, like Adam and Eve are too shallow and inexperienced to withstand the temptations that Gog of Magog will throw their way. It is all rather muddled after that.

  It is muddled because it is difficult to take a book like Ezekiel (Gog of Magog) and make application of it in concert with the Revelation (the Dragon, original Serpent). The "Revelation," written possibly hundreds of years AFTER Jesus, is an allegorical book, application to the modern day has been the norm since the Dark Ages, the Inquisition, and the spread of Islam by the Moors. So, that is possibly why it is so difficult to understand and interpret.