Posts by Separation of Powers

20

The Christian versus the Agnostic

by Separation of Powers in

i think by most accounts, my previous posts have testified to my moving towards an agnostic stance.

i just don't know and i can't believe for belief's sake.

i came across a quote i thought quite timely in my journey.. .

Separation of Powers

I think by most accounts, my previous posts have testified to my moving towards an agnostic stance. I just don't know and I can't believe for belief's sake. I came across a quote I thought quite timely in my journey.

"The Christian says that he has knowledge: the agnostic admits that he has none; and yet the Christian accuses the Agnostic of arrogance."

I think this pretty much sums up where I am at. For most of us, to question things of faith is considered arrogance or pride. Little do they know that it is the truest mark of humility.

Just don't know....Just don't know. You know what I do know? I am now totally ok with NOT knowing.

SOP

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.

Separation of Powers

There is a good quote about change...."Since we cannot change reality, let us change the eyes which see reality." This is the MO of the organization. The changes are for change sake, nothing more. It is an attempt at impressing upon the R&F that the organization is progressive. "GOD's chariot keeps moving! If you aren't active, then it's leaving you behind!"

I have already heard mention of these changes in the banter that I come across with witnesses who decided long ago that every conversation must be about the ORG. Conversationalists...they are not!

This whole thing reminds me of the government. The higher ups question the middle management about their purpose and why they middle management exists at all. Middle management, in turn, makes some suggestion that sound like they are cutting-edge and state-of-the-art, progressive might be a better word. The higher-ups, easily swayed due to their own questionable abilities and talents, agree that the suggestions might have merit. The middle managers implement the change to justify their existence. The underlings, always somewhat more realistic, see through the facade of creativity, recognizing the change for change's sake. It is a lesson in futility.

What I have learned is...the ORG has to keep the R&F impressed that they are doing something! After all, you can't have all your needs taken care of by people that are barely getting by and have nothing to show for it. Otherwise, you just come across as a 40-something unmarried son that can't seem to keep a job and plays HALO all day long in the basement!!!

SOP

15

Jehovah doesn't like laws!

by Separation of Powers in

jw
friends

i was speaking to a friend who went to the circuit assembly a couple weeks ago.

he actually taped a portion of the first talk cause he said the do was pretty entertaining.

the do said something like - jehovah doesn't like laws.

Separation of Powers

I was speaking to a friend who went to the Circuit Assembly a couple weeks ago. He actually taped a portion of the first talk cause he said the DO was pretty entertaining. The DO said something like - Jehovah doesn't like laws. You know why? What do people do when they have a law? They look for a loophole! So, he helps us to know what he's thinking so that we can come decisions for ourselves...that's what you call a principle.

Now, am I misunderstanding something here? If JAH doesn't like laws, what was that whole mosaic thing about?

What is more, if we are to decide what Jehovah's thinking, then shouldn't we all be able to determine what principles apply? OR do only a SPECIAL group of people have the privilege of knowing what he is thinking so that THEY can tell us what can and can not be done?

Just a thought,

SOP

76

Bizarre comment about jw.org at SAD

by sir82 in

jw
friends

recently attended a sad.. bethel speaker was gushing about the wt's embrace of new technology, in the part of his talk warning about "apostate" web sites.. a loose summary of his comments:.

"and the brothers at headquarters have made it very safe for you to go to our website.

in fact, the brothers talked to the folks at google, and they made a special arrangement so that when you type in 'j w period' into the google search engine, it automatically shows you the jw.org website.

Separation of Powers

I am amazed at this loving provision.

Obviously, if you have a website, there are several ways to make sure that it comes up first. One is money....It is all about money isn't it. The other is meta tags...a simplistic piece of code that allows the search engine to quickly define you. Thirdly, it is about updating...the more, the better. It is not difficult to generate a program to rapidly search for the website, thus the "hit"count grows and the serach engine defines it as number one....a loving provision? Indeed!

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?.

Separation of Powers

FB posts of the FOOD people are eating.

It's like, "Hey, look what I get to eat and you don't!"

Just eat your food already!

41

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

by Oubliette in

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.

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

60

Can we excuse the R&F for ever ?

by Phizzy in

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 !

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

91

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

by sir82 in

jw
friends

here is the text of the letter:.

february 2, 2014. .

your brothers,.

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

60

Can we excuse the R&F for ever ?

by Phizzy in

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 !

Separation of Powers

There is no excusing, only pity.

24

Reoccurring dream I have

by punkofnice in

.........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.

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