last dec 2005, the ny bethel gave talks indicating that they had to downsize (word is mine) due to "improved technology" and that as a result of this simplification some bethel family members would be invited to serve in the united states field in various assignments at various congregations where the excellent training they have recieved at bethel could be put to use and contribute much to the preaching and disciple making work.. what do you make of this?.
i wonder how they would determine who stays or goes?.
are there any former bethel members out there who can comment on rather this would be an easy transistion for those who have to leave?.
Isn't serving at Bethel voluntary service?
Did those who accepted such an assignment realize this?
Who is to blame? Those who volunteered? The WTS for not showing fellow feeling? Should there even be blame?
This is a life lesson for those involved directly with this situation and for those of us who aren't involved directly.
Alligator Wisdom (aka Brother NOT Exerting Vigorously by WTS standards)
your all apostates!..every last,god forsaken,one of you..you`ve left jehovah..thats why your all,so unhappy!
!...outlaw
OUTLAW : You`ve left Jehovah..Thats why your all,so unhappy!!.
I've only heard similar statements like that mentioned on this discussion board. (I know that you were saying it in jest for this topic).
However, is it really true? Of my 35 years being associated with the JW's, I have never heard that said even once among those in my congregation. Maybe it has been said directly to some of you from JW's that you know, but I myself have never heard any such accusations being said nor will I ever say something like that either.
If any of you had such things said to you by JW's, then they really don't know what they are talking about. Many JW's haven't left Jehovah and are unhappy.
Alligator Wisdom (aka Brother NOT Exerting Vigorously by WTS standards)
my mum used to be a jw, she was baptised after about 3 years and carried on for about another 2. she first started taking me to the meetings when i was about 8, and carried on week after week until she was disfellowshipped (she went a bit mad and left home, but that's by the by).
the point is im 21 now and trying to make sense of the stuff i was brought up with for 5 years.
if anyone could shed light on one or two things i'd be most grateful (and some of it i might have wrong anyway).. - before noah's flood, all animals were vegetarian.
Welcome AndyG!
Asking questions? Wonderful. That is the way to grow. It seems that you may not have had your questions answered while associating at your local Kingdom Hall. Or was it because asking questions were deemed as thinking too independantly or a sign of resistance to the general movement?
Whatever the case, your inquiries are welcome here. Your questions are varied and interesting. Perhaps doing as was suggested, by posting them individually so you can get concentrated responses on each one in relative detail.
You said : before noah's flood, all animals were vegetarian. obviously the questions here are endless.
I always wondered myself as to what scriptural reason the WTS taught as that being the case. Speculation I suppose, if they admit it. Fossil records show that carnivorous creatures existed eons ago.
Glad to have you posting.
Alligator Wisdom (aka Brother NOT Exerting Vigorously by WTS standards)
no i haven't lost all my marbles -- yet.
they serve as reminders of what we have left behind and never want to go back to.people who have some doubts or questions about the wts and come to this board can see for thewmselves how jws don't have answers for everything.
in fact they have a very hard time defending their faithi have yet to see any person post here who has seen the real truth about the wts; teachings turn around and say, "yes i'm going back even if i know they are wrong.
OUTLAWsaid - I don`t like the Jerks that just want to preach,not discuss.They have no open mind to another point of view.
Exactly. I feel the same way and feel that it applies to everyone, not just JW's. There are some JW's that are hardliner WTS slaves, then there are some who are following their leader Christ as they should be.
I for one like having such apologists post here. It provides with the appropriate variety needed for a discussion board entitled such.
Alligator Wisdom (aka Brother NOT Exerting Vigorously by WTS standards)
no i haven't lost all my marbles -- yet.
they serve as reminders of what we have left behind and never want to go back to.people who have some doubts or questions about the wts and come to this board can see for thewmselves how jws don't have answers for everything.
in fact they have a very hard time defending their faithi have yet to see any person post here who has seen the real truth about the wts; teachings turn around and say, "yes i'm going back even if i know they are wrong.
Actually, according to the WTS, any JWs posting here have abandoned the WTS and are "apostates" themselves.
As we all know, the WTS has been known to be wrong!
I'm sure that there are some JW's who are still "active" that do post here. Then of course, there are those lurking and just reading posts without even registering. I know of some personally (not posters here) that are JW's who aren't slaves of the WTS, but slaves of Christ.
1Peter 2:16 mentions that Christians can behave as free people, but not to use freedom as an excuse for wickedness.
Alligator Wisdom (aka Brother NOT Exerting Vigorously by WTS standards)
i've got my circuit assembly coming next week... which i'll have to attend.
i know that these are generally held around march/april, so i'm sure some posters must have been to the 2006 one?
i remember reading a lot of reviews about the district convention, and it was great to know what would be discussed before i went!
Since now is the time of the beginning of the 2007 new service year which begins on September 1st, your Circuit Assembly will be one of the first ones held.
The only information that I have is the theme: "Store Up......Treasures in Heaven" (Matthew 6:19,20)
It may be that you can help us out and give us some advance information for those of us who may have to attend later on.
Alligator Wisdom (aka Brother NOT Exerting Vigorously by WTS standards)
we were building a new kh- not quick build- and we had to vacate the old building and the new kh was not finished.
the elders decided to cancel all the meeting with the exception of the tuesday night bookstudy in homes.
we had no other meetings for about 4-5 weeks.
Bad weather.
Where I'm at tropical cyclones are the reason.
Alligator Wisdom (aka Brother NOT Exerting Vigorously)
i don't think we ever had more than 75 for an average attendence at the local kingdom hall.
i was driving by there the other day when the thursday meeting was going on and it appears based on the cars that there is still about 75 people attending.
when i drive by churches of similar size [meaning the church building is about the same size (square footage) as a normal kingdom hall] there seems to me many more people, perhaps 110 or more attending.. i'm just curious if it seems to be a practice to keep jw congregations to around 75 to 100 people or not.
Average attendance now : low 50's (including children, bible studies and unbelieving mates)
The number of publishers now : 48
The number of publishers four years ago : 65
Alligator Wisdom (aka Brother NOT Exerting Vigorously by WTS standards)
watchtower publications exhibit a level of ignorance and in adequate education by its writers that is astounding, especially when it comes to logic and false arguments.
i recently received a copy of the 9-1-06 watchtower and discovered that it is a great example of how false arguments are used to manipulate the readers - primarily jehovah's witnesses.. passive voice: one of the prime ways that a false argument is made is through the passive voice.
example: "it is said that ...," or "there are those who say that ...," or "people wonder about ...," or "further, it was felt that .... ".
Thanks "Amazing" for your detailed analysis and thorough examination. I found it to be extremely interesting. I would like to write a letter to the WTS on a point or two that you brought out. May I have your permission to do so since you did all the work? My question will be in my pursuit of accurate knowledge. Do you suppose that asking such questions will trigger a red flag? These questions will have to be directed to WTS (New York) as they approve of all articles. It wouldn't make sense for them to contact my local congregation elders for them to explain it to me, would it? Thanks and I'm always looking as my quest to worship God in spirit and truth heightens! Alligator Wisdom (aka Brother NOT Exerting Vigorously by WTS standards)
every september, at the beginning of the jw "service year", a letter to publishers is printed in the km.
this letter addresses recent layoffs at bethel:.
our kingdom ministry september 2006 (for united states of america), page 1. dear kingdom publishers:.
My inquiry is: "Exactly who among the Bethel family are being laid off?"
Are we just talking about older ones? Or are the ones being released of a certain "elite" class (regardless of age) in regards to teaching and/or taking the lead in congregational activitiy which can help local congregations in those areas?
There are some older ones at Bethel who may work at simple jobs (i.e. laundry or kitchen) and have been doing so for their entire Bethel career. Would they be chosen to leave because of their experienced qualification in congregation functionality? I know of several old timers who are very comfortable in the way of life at Bethel doing simple and unadorned jobs and aren't the type that are power hungry or zealous in climbing any ladder in any organizational setting. Of course, they can easily be replaced by a 19 year old youth. By they haven't been for decades in some cases. Is the WTS being selective ("wise and discreet") when picking certain ones to be dismissed?
It sounds to me that the Branch letter basically hinted toward the area of printing/distribution/packing/shipping, are such ones in those departments confined to these layoffs?
There can be alot of rumors, but I would like to know some truthful facts about such. Are there any "hidden" Bethelite lurkers posting here that can give us something concrete facts instead of speculation? I'm extra curious on this because I know quite a few who work at Bethel. Besides, why is only the U.S. Branch being effected?
Alligator Wisdom (aka Brother NOT Exerting Vigorously by WTS standards)
