Posts by Separation of Powers

101

org is dying

by lambsbottom in

i don't understand why so many ex jws and faders think that the jws will continue to grow and thrive as a religion.

i still attend a meeting once a week and you can smell the death of the religion creeping up when you hear the talks, read the study wts and hear the letters from the gb.

the way the organization has changed is a sign that it reached its peak (in "healthy" membership) long ago.

Lack of relevance is not always an indication of sure demise. The cell phone is one of the single most utilized products in the world, yet the land-line is still visible in may households. The land-line has become increasingly more irrelevant, so too, the organization.

The vitriol that is spewed now is an indication of their own recognition. They know they are becoming irrelevant. They are now grasping at straws. They are trying to rebrand themselves, promoting the once demonized internet, ramping up the fear card, and obligating donations. The problem is systemic, but the outcome will not be its death, unless of course, all other religions die at the same time. If that happens, then they will play that card all the way to the end!

SOP

101

org is dying

by lambsbottom in

i don't understand why so many ex jws and faders think that the jws will continue to grow and thrive as a religion.

i still attend a meeting once a week and you can smell the death of the religion creeping up when you hear the talks, read the study wts and hear the letters from the gb.

the way the organization has changed is a sign that it reached its peak (in "healthy" membership) long ago.

Separation of Powers

It is hard to believe that the organization is dying. I think, more likely, it is becoming increasingly less relevant, even to current JW's. People are going through the motions. The talks are taking on a end-of-the-world vibe like they did pre-75.

A couple weeks ago, the CO visited and his talk was about the destruction of Noahs day and Sodom and Gomorrah. "These are a pattern" and "if they happened back then, the end is surely coming and millions perhaps BILLIONS will be destroyed wiped out....will YOU be among them?"

I almost gagged. Then, in his final talk, he talked about how God is an optimist, but the devil is a pessimist. I guess destroying a BILLION people is the optimistic thing to do.

As for growth in 3rd world, well fear mongering still works over there. Life is hard. It is easy to manipulate people and promise them something better. Many are uneducated. Many are looking for connections, social connections, to improve their situations. In time, they will see that it is a sham...just like many here have.

39

How Would Your Being Disfellowshipped Affect You?

by minimus in

jw
friends

would you care?.

would there be any repercussions?.

Separation of Powers

For me, it is all about the collateral damage. I don't think that my self-esteem or other aspects of my "self" would be diminished. But, the ones I love and care about might be adversely affected. I have done a good job of fading. My immediate family is on track. Ulitmately, I will disappear into the ether and no JW will even think of me again anyway. That will be a very good day.

173

Atlanta Int Convention 2014:The Big Party. Does this look like WT believes Armageddon is coming "soon"?

by AndDontCallMeShirley in

http://www.youtube.com/watch?feature=player_detailpage&v=potrr2qxhue.

.. if armageddon is "imminent", why is wt focused on sight-seeing, entertainment, travel, etc.

instead of preaching and saving people??.

Separation of Powers

Don't know what all the fuss is. I got to say, after reading all these comments about how "cultish" the video was, I was expecting something really outrageous. In fact, on Saturday I started watching it (Thanks Cedars) with my wife and it was quite good. Sure it was kind "cutesy" with it's 1950's graphics, but it wasn't over-the-top as so many state. Worst of all, it was so non-over-the-top cultish that my wife loved it!

For me, it was a reminder that this is NOT the organization I was raised in. It is trying to rebrand itself. A LOT of money is to be on the internet and exposure is the key. Just wait, I wouldn't doubt that a paypal symbol pops up on the ORG website. Then, they can make money for ad traffic on their site from PayPal as well.

SOP

10

Fred Franz Personal Experiences

by Bob_NC in

there is so little to be found about the personal side of fred franz.

it's as if he was an enigma except for his appearances to give district convention speeches years ago.

there is, of course, ray franz' take on his uncle in his book coc.. please share you first-hand, or second-hand reliable, experiences.

Separation of Powers

Met him at a special talk he gave in our area in the late 70's. Kind. Distant. Automatic. He was like a tape recorder. You press play and he would come to life like some kind of wind up toy. He was viewed as an oracle. Everyone was in awe in his presence. The ORG had created an idol and look what it caused, 1975, the blood doctrine, and who knows how many other idiotic things.

65

I'm afraid I'd be single for life

by ohnightdivine in

this is quite embarrassing for me to share, but as a 30+ year old single female i have lingering doubts as to whether i can still meet a decent man and get married.. you all know how difficult it is for sisters to find an appropriate partner in the congregation.. and now, all the more so that i've learned ttatt.

i still am bound by low self-esteem, and i do have trust issues, especially with men.

i am very lonely and so i just keep myself busy with work to avoid depression (although it is also a great source of stress).. any other single females out there having similar thoughts?.

Separation of Powers

Better lonely than miserable---

Being married for the sake of being married is not the answer.

The apostle Paul said "Widen out!" That means expand your horizons. If you are resolute to only marry a JW, than that would mean visiting other congregations, becoming a pioneer, visiting Bethel as a volunteer, doing things that make you noticed by a "climber" who wants to have a sidekick support him in his spiritual mobility.

If you want someone to love, first you must love yourself. Be healthy. Keep in shape. Do little things for yourself like growing in your knowledge of the world, culture, art, wine., music. These things are not "vanity" they are the little things that make us different than the animals. They are a recognition of our abilities. Get to know them!

While you are getting to know them...who knows? maybe someone will want to get to know them with you and VOILA!

SOP

36

Were you 100% in?

by pontoon in

i was baptized in 1968. last meeting 2010. i have to say i was never 100% in.

there were times i absolutely believed, but i never really gave it my all.

never liked service, assemblies, meetings.

Separation of Powers

Unfortunately....

No more...

No how....

No way....

74

Breaking News :Charity Commission takes Wathtower to Tribunal in Britain

by raymond frantz in

breaking news :charity commission takes watchtower to charity tribunal in britain.

two weeks ago we run an article about the abuse case in moston manchester congregation .it would seem that the coverage from the main local newspaper manchester evening news and two national newspapers has alarmed the charity commission the official regulator for charities in england and wales and now for the first time !

they opened an official investigation on both charities ,the local one ,moston congragation and the central one jehovah's witnesses of britain indicating that in their eyes these two are connected and liable for any misconduct .this is the time for a concentrated campaign from all of us to inform the charity commission why the watchtower should not be a called a charity .the article above has a link for the charity commission complaint page .follow it!.

Separation of Powers

Religion is a snare and a racket. It captures your money and makes a lot of noise when you don't give it up!

16

Who Will the Circuit Overseers "Report" to Now???

by RubaDub in

jw
friends

i still do not understand the new structure at this point.. there has to be something between thousands of co's and the gb.

i know there were zone overseers that the do's reported to.. i have spoken to a couple of elders i can talk to frankly and they both said they have no idea.. rub a dub.

.

Separation of Powers

In the words of Monty Python..."they are an autonomous collective." They will report to the ORG via the Service Department, but ultimately will be a stand alone unit that will allow for plausible deniability.

10

SERVING ELDERS - WHY THE NEW DONATION ARRANGEMENT?

by The Searcher in

in case you didn't notice the false reason given to you, i've highlighted the 15 times you were told directly, and the 3 times indirectly in the letter from the g.b.!.

so why didn't you reason on the addendum you were given by the org to read out to your congs, which "legalised" this deceptive money-grab from those whom you are supposed to be protecting?

shame on every last one of you for not explaining what was really going to happen to the donations!.

Separation of Powers

The use of the word "specifically" with regard to the donation is quite a give away. Although the U.S. letter did not have the adjustment, the tone of the letter is evident. All contributions are general fund....I guess they are getting ready to lose the Conti case which will unleash a maelstrom of litigation!