Posts by Alligator Wisdom

I went back to visit my former congregation not too long ago and found a drastic change. Everybody is turning gray! Hardly any kids. No infants! Just a few scattered teenagers. Honestly, the average age would be 45 years old in that congregation.

My current congregation, the average age is about 35 years old. I'm living in an area where the need is great, so many in my congregation are childless as they are also serving where their is a greater need.

Alligator Wisdom (aka Brother NOT Exerting Vigorously)

14

Does the Society or congregations announce death of GB member?

by Bob Loblaw in

so we all know that carey barber died recently.. i was wondering if most jw's know about this news.

do they make an announcement at the congregations?

have a moment of silence?.

Alligator Wisdom

Isn't it odd that many JWs don't see the fallacy of highlighting a death of a GB in the Watchtower magazine? Well, perhaps they do, but they aren't saying anything about it.

Why aren't the scattered FDS class/annointed being published the same way as these elite FDS members when they die?

Because it is a PUBLISHING COMPANY! When I worked for a well known international company for many years, all of the company monthly newsletters would give the updates on the executive board members. In this case, the WTS gives the same update on their board members, albeit their death. It is just printed in their bi-monthly newsletters called the Watchtower.

Alligator Wisdom (aka Brother NOT Exerting Vigorously)

17

Wife willing to leave the DC early on Sunday.

by OnTheWayOut in

jw
friends

you all know i post every jw thing that happens to me.

so here it is.. we had booked an airline to go to the 3-day convention this summer.. dc's for many foreign languages are held in jersey city, nj.

the return.

Alligator Wisdom

Thanks for keeping us updated on your steps out. Mentioning your personal dilemma with your wife is what I am relating to. My wife has become far more reasonable over the past two years. I can get her to agree with me to skip a meeting together here and there for odd reasons. I know it's not alot, but it is a change.

I'm sure that there are many infrequent posters like me along with lurkers that appreciate you documenting your way out. You are helping many without even knowing it. By the way and sorry for the late reply, but your UN-dedication ceremony was very fitting!

Alligator Wisdom (aka Brother NOT Exerting Vigorously)

43

Why We Can Hope for the End of the Watchtower

by metatron in

jw
friends

forgive me for starting a new thread - apart from the emerging news about child abuse settlements .

but i simply feel that, for all of us who have suffered persecution from the watchtower society, their.

end may now be in sight.

Alligator Wisdom

Whether they will dissolve into oblivion, I don't think so. It will faction off into splinter groups. Several perhaps. But it will be decades before that happens. But one thing is guaranteed, it will not survive. Look at the real influx leaving. How many discussion boards can you find to be exclusively pro-JW?

Come on, we know that many a JW look at web-sites that are supposedly apostate. It's a losing battle for the WTS because the truth never loses.

Alligator Wisdom (aka Brother NOT Exerting Vigorously)

16

Recommendations About Leaving The Truth

by The wanderer in

jw
friends

recommendations about leaving the truth leaving the organization regardless of the circumstances can be difficult.

so much is interwoven besides leaving a religion or philosophy behind.

recently, i had the good fortune of bringing my best friend out of the .

Alligator Wisdom

This is what I do to make them think twice about the "truth".

I go overboard, literally, when someone in my congregation starts to talk about the FDS. I will take them on and over rant about the FDS. This is what I'll say; "Oh yes, the FDS is just what the Bible says is needed for us to live healthy spiritually (Matt 24:45). What will we do without them? Surely our annointed brothers, especially the GB need our utmost loyalty and devotion. Afterall, who is the one appointed? Our entire dedication will not be firm if it wasn't for the strong hand of the FDS which guides us through this system by means of the Watchtower. What more can we do to support this blessing in the form of gifts in men (Eph 4:8)? Surely we will be lost in this dark void of our lives unless the FDS comes to our rescue. I can't believe that I am so privileged to be working shoulder to shoulder (Zeph 3:9) with the FDS in terms of obeying them with utmost sincerity and will full submissiveness to their every word that issues forth from both the Our Kingdom Ministry and the Watchtower. This world doesn't realize that the Watchtower magazines point the way to everlasting life"...etc.

And believe me, I would say this in one breath. Note that I never mention Jesus or Jehovah. This makes them think either two ways, that I'm crazy and an idol worshiper of men, or that they are. Yes, they start to think. Surely they aren't, so they better correct me. Some would remark; "Gee Brother Alligator, you are not putting too much emphasis on Jehovah. He uses the FDS to assist us, that's all".

My reply; "Be careful what you say! The FDS is put in place and is recorded in the Bible. Unless you follow their direct orders and directions, you can be easily deemed an apostate. Remember, as part of this worldwide brotherhood, we are to keep in step with the organization. I expect you to read the publications with a humble heart and to realize the channel that is being used. Of course we should put emphasis on the FDS. Even more so during this very end of the final part of the last days! Isn't it scriptural? I will report you to the elders (or CO if this conversation is with an elder) if you feel that my gratitude toward the one who gives us the food at the proper time is not enough. Because if you doubt my motive in following the FDS to the best of my ability, out of my love for this organization, you will need to be counseled because you are on a very fine line in being the wicked slave, an apostate! Or even worse, the man of lawlessness!"

Notice again that I wouldn't use or mention Jehovah or Jesus. I initially would get some strange looks, but I would then see them starting to downplay the FDS and to lift up Jehovah and Jesus.

Yes, that's my strategy and it does work. With many in my congregation, the FDS is just that. A scripture in Matthew 24. They realize in both word and deed that the thrust of the Scriptures point to Jehovah and His son Jesus. Yes, in my congregation the downplay of the FDS in starting to catch on. Little by little, one by one they are seeing the realization of the WTS as only a printing company. I'm just letting their own foolish reasoning be reflected by my unusual rabid behavior.

(BTW, the congregation knows me well enough not to be like that and they seem to be getting the point across without any confrontation).

Alligator Wisdom (aka Brother NOT Exerting Vigorously)

30

Attended Memorial Service, disgusted...

by Wasanelder Once in

out of loyalty to a friend that died i went to his memorial service today.

get this, in 30 minutes of service his name was said 3 times.

three times.

Alligator Wisdom

I recently attended a JW Memorial at a Kingdom Hall and it was standard procedure......up until the end. After the closing prayer, the spouse of the deceased was allowed on stage to give his own heartfelt eulogy. It lasted about 15 minutes. It moved everyone. So touching and appropriate. This is the first time I experienced such as I've been to way too many funerals/memorials.

Perhaps the local body of elders felt that the canned outline was too dry. They did their part of course, but also allowed that particular member of the family to do his part as well. I hope this part will catch on in other congregations.

Alligator Wisdom (aka Brother NOT Exerting Vigorously)

19

Crazy things you were "forced" to do in the Borg

by RR in

jw
friends

were you ever told to do things that had no bearing on the scriptures or even policies of the watchtower?.

we had one co who upon inspection insisted that the body of elders and servants be cleaven shaven, cut their hair and remove their sideburns.. i use to have a patch of hair under my bottom lip.

the co pointing to it asked, "what's that?

Alligator Wisdom

All elders and MS were to be at the KH twenty minutes prior to the start of the meeting. The book study was the exception.

Alligator Wisdom (aka Brother NOT Exerting Vigorously)

53

Taking predictions for the 2007 memorial partakers!!

by cultswatter in

i'm doing this well in advance so that all the wonderful people on jwd can look back later and see just how close they were to the actual number!

(it is possible the wts might stop publishing the partaker numbers) in a few days, i will duly record the link to this thread for future reference.. remember that there were 8524 partakers in 2005 and 8758 partakers in 2006, an increase of 234 partakers.

so how many remnant will partake in 2007??.

Alligator Wisdom

9119

I'm figuring roughly a 10% increase. I know of several older ones who mention heaven quite often, but don't promote it. I suppose that they were afraid of the implications that may come upon them in the terms of suspicious looks from fellow members in the congregation. These ones were Biblically sound, yet a little odd from the general JW populace. I see these ones partaking. Afterall, they see that they are getting older and that this system hasn't concluded on time as they were taught all these years. Their hope now lies with God and His calling rather than the guesses of imperfect men.

Alligator Wisdom (aka Brother NOT Exerting Vigorously)

P.S. Do you think they'll even publish the figures for next year (the 2008 Memorial partakers)?

28

Lurking Elders Watching the Board / more info about the newbie.

by SnakesInTheTower in

to answer alligator wisdom's request for more info on myself...it will have to come out in trickles.

i am a prolific writer if i allow myself.

for now, i will tell you that until recently i was an elder.

Alligator Wisdom

Thanks for following up on some of the questions I had on the other thread. Being a newbie poster on this board prompts us to want to know a little bit more about you. Of course, your privacy and concealment is top priority and your right. We all know how the JW world can bite back like a deadly snake in terms of shunning.

Keep posting. Inquiring minds want to know.

Welcome to JWD.

Alligator Wisdom (aka Brother NOT Exerting Vigorously)