Posts by Alligator Wisdom

12

Deuteronomy 24:16 vs 2 Sam 12:14

by erynw in

i was looking at who incited david to take the census, satan or jahooba (2 sam 24:1 vs 1 chron 21:1).

anyway, i was searching the wt 2006 cd and i came across this qfr that has nothing to do with what i was looking for, but i could not believe what i was reading.

this has to be one of the most inane "reasonings" from the scriptures i have ever read.

Alligator Wisdom

Thanks for sharing your find erynw.

Something else to add into my bag of teachings that the WTS dispenses that is PURE speculation and opinion, yet it is to be rendered as TRUTH.

Alligator Wisdom (aka Brother NOT Exerting Vigorously)

18

Could Elder Loss "Reform" the Organization?

by metatron in

jw
friends

it is clear that, outside of areas with high immigrant populations, the society is having trouble keeping.

elders.

i also think they are "looking the other way" on a lot of moral lapses in some areas because.

Alligator Wisdom

The quality of the elder body highly determines the health of the congregation.

Some congregations have a BOE who are very field service oriented. Thus the impetus for the ministry. I know a congregation now where there are six elders who are serving as pioneers. This congregation has twenty pioneers and five continuous auxiliary pioneers.

Some BOE are family oriented, study oriented, shepherding oriented, power oriented, two-faced outer appearance oriented. In my 30+ years experience in the WTS corporation, the local congregation generally reflects the spirit that the elders show.

Elder loss = Low enthusiasm and low morale.

Elder loss = Low quality shepherds = Sick sheep

Alligator Wisdom (aka Brother NOT Exerting Vigorously)

67

Japan closes 638 Congregations!!!!! Why???

by Witness 007 in

japan since the 1970''s has had amazing publisher increases!

every year the number of witnesses shot up by many thousands.

this peaked in 1998, since then the number of witnesses and congregations has continued to drop!.

Alligator Wisdom

On a related note, it's been said before, I know, but there's something about the regimented, authoritarian and stress-induycing JW lifestyle that - for a couple of decades, at least - really struck an attractive note among the Japanese who seemed tailor made for the JW mindset.

True true oh so true!

And for the dedicated ingrain Japanese JW, they are fitting in perfectly to that regimen and systematic structure in the Japanese congregations. However, you should see their faces when visiting a foreign language congregation NOT in Japan (because foreign language congregations in Japan are basically still Japanese as they are operated the Japanese way).

Some are bewildered in two ways:

(1) They cannot fathom that elders are sitting among the sheep at congregation gatherings. In America, for example, everybody in the congregation serve themselves at their convenience, if it is at a picnic or one-dish party gathering. In Japan, everyone knows that the elders get served first. Also these elders group and sit together apart from the lowly congregation publishers.

(2) The younger Japanese JW (especially teens to pre mid-20's) are so intrigued by the individuality of their so-called Christian brothers and sisters in, let's say England. As mentioned before, fads and trends are important to the young generation of Japan. Once these younger Japanese JW experience something new from their culture, whether JW or otherwise, they will forsake their own culturalistic way of viewing their faith. That is why many many Japanese JW youth will travel abroad to Canada, Britain, America, New Zealand, Australia..etc and attend congregations there while having permission to live there because of a work or school visa.

Yes, Japan JW culture is shrinking.

Alligator Wisdom (aka Brother NOT Exerting Vigorously)

16

I did all I was supposed to do

by John Doe in

jw
friends

the man drove along the highway, cautiously and slowly as the fresh sleet pranced on the roadway with the chill of a new winter.

driven, the man concentrated on getting to the office, another day and another piece in the construction of his success.

reports, proposals, and bids occupied his mind, not thinking of the cold city just outside his window.

Alligator Wisdom

Thanks!

That story really pushed buttons with me. Saved it!

Alligator Wisdom (aka Brother NOT Exerting Vigorously)

40

The Effect of Losing Elders

by metatron in

jw
friends

losing elders in the us puts the organization into quite a dilemma.

they hate large congregations.

but can't split without enough appointed local 'enforcers'.

Alligator Wisdom

And why is it they call in the brother 3 minutes before the meeting starts to say "we're announcing this tonight"?
Why can't they give the brother a heads up and let him think about it and get back to them?

Yes, this happened to me. TWICE!

I declined eldership. Not needing or wanting my hands to be tied in company procedure and policy, I refused.

The first time the elders were perplexed. They actually thought I was reaching out to be an elder. The PO was embarrased, to say the least, when I sternly told him NO!. The secretary was stuttering trying to convince me because the meeting was just about to get underway. Needless to say, after the meeting we got into a longer discussion. At the next CO visit, it wasn't pretty. I stood my ground while strictly using scriptural backing for my decision. The CO or BOE couldn't refute that.

The second time, it was almost deja vu. However, knowing my stance, they talked with me after the bookstudy meeting before the next upcoming TMS/service meeting where the appointment annoucements are made. Again I said NO!. And again, during the next CO visit, the same tirade.

The reason for my refusal will be a subject for another post. By the way, I sense a third appointment coming on. It has been five years for the last two.

Too much detail to remain anonymous? We'll see if the WT trackers are on.

The elder pool is drying up (aka the company man). The good qualified experienced compassionate loving shepherds are sorely lacking.

Alligator Wisdom (aka Brother NOT Exerting Vigorously)

45

The End of Jehovah`s Witness`s

by OUTLAW in

we see alot of topics on the board about the end of the wbt$..i don`t think that will happen in our lifetime........so..lets change our focus..kingdom halls are getting fewer and fewer jw`s in them..congregations are being dissolved and kingdom halls are sold off..many jw`s are very unhappy and we see alot of them on this board.....the wbt$ is a billion dollar organization,they will survive for along time to come..........how about the jehovah`s witness`s?.......with fewer and fewer members..information about the wbt$ on the internet..and..some very depressed jehovah`s witness`s looking for a way out of the cult they are in.....will the "jehovah`s witness`s" survive?...outlaw

Alligator Wisdom

I'm very curious as to what Gary meant by this. If you find a moment to spell it out for me, sir, I'd be grateful.

Not to be intrusive and to be considered anyone's spokesman, but I think I can take a stab at answering your question. Of course I stand to be corrected by Gary.

"Look for a few to be dispensed within the next couple of years" probably means how the WTS corporation can use up their human resources. For example, the Bethel layoffs. The corporation uses what it needs and discards their current and future liabilities. In this case, human flesh and blood. The WTS uses unpaid laborers, but nicely worded as "volunteers".

There is no committment to them at all.

Like I said, I stand to be corrected.

Alligator Wisdom (aka Brother NOT Exerting Vigorously)

45

The End of Jehovah`s Witness`s

by OUTLAW in

we see alot of topics on the board about the end of the wbt$..i don`t think that will happen in our lifetime........so..lets change our focus..kingdom halls are getting fewer and fewer jw`s in them..congregations are being dissolved and kingdom halls are sold off..many jw`s are very unhappy and we see alot of them on this board.....the wbt$ is a billion dollar organization,they will survive for along time to come..........how about the jehovah`s witness`s?.......with fewer and fewer members..information about the wbt$ on the internet..and..some very depressed jehovah`s witness`s looking for a way out of the cult they are in.....will the "jehovah`s witness`s" survive?...outlaw

Alligator Wisdom

Thank you GARY!

Well put and concise. I had an inkling of what you first posted but didn't want to misinterpet it. Thanks for clarifying.

As always, your posts are well appreciated.

Alligator Wisdom (aka Brother NOT Exerting Vigorously)

17

SUPPLY OF ELDERS DRYING UP?

by badboy in

jw
friends

is this so?

Alligator Wisdom

Hi,

I refused eldership twice over the past five years. It looks like I'm due for another recommendation though.

Funny how the elders seem to envy me. Honestly! Here they are running about with their hands cuffed because of policy and procedure from the Branch office while trying to shepherd the flock. Sorry, doesn't work that way. An elder in the true sense needs the spirit of Christ and Christian freedom to be an effective shepherd. Something that the WTS doesn't allow. The corporation keeps tight reigns.

I know these elders in my circle well enough to say that they are basically nice people, but they are dedicated to the role the WTS dictates that elders should portray. And in turn force the flock to portray. Yes, I refuse to be a pharisee.

The supply of elders are getting younger and inexperienced.

Alligator Wisdom (aka Brother NOT Exerting Vigorously)

45

The End of Jehovah`s Witness`s

by OUTLAW in

we see alot of topics on the board about the end of the wbt$..i don`t think that will happen in our lifetime........so..lets change our focus..kingdom halls are getting fewer and fewer jw`s in them..congregations are being dissolved and kingdom halls are sold off..many jw`s are very unhappy and we see alot of them on this board.....the wbt$ is a billion dollar organization,they will survive for along time to come..........how about the jehovah`s witness`s?.......with fewer and fewer members..information about the wbt$ on the internet..and..some very depressed jehovah`s witness`s looking for a way out of the cult they are in.....will the "jehovah`s witness`s" survive?...outlaw

Alligator Wisdom

The current management of the Watch Tower Society doesn't like Jehovah's Witnesses. That's obvious by reading the publications and listening to the convention manuscripts being read. The Witness people are like adult children still trying to please an abusive parent.

Hi Gary,

As always, I enjoy your reading your posts. Always with a nice angle with keen insight.

However, with the one quoted above, I'm not sure what you mean. Maybe too deep for me. Please pardon my ignorance, but can you elaborate a little more on what you mean by the publications and convention manuscripts indicating the dividing line between the WTS corporation and the JW religion.

Alligator Wisdom (aka Brother NOT Exerting Vigorously)

31

Letter - Anonymity Required?

by Steady As She Goes in

i am baptised and wish to write a letter to the brooklyn branch requesting a response to two belief-related issues regarding which i have recently educated myself.

the reply to this letter will likely play a large part in my determining how the rest of my life is lived.

i have decided that whatever i do or do not believe in times to come, i will not disassociate myself.

Alligator Wisdom

Try sending your letter/questions marked "Confidential" to the WTS with a stipulation in your inquiry saying that the local BOE are NOT to be contacted.

Simply note that you implicitly trust the letter desk/service department/writing department in this regard and to address your concerns directly without involving your local BOE. State clearly in your letter that if they were to copy a letter to your local BOE, then the WTS at its highest level cannot be trusted with confidential matters. State that all matters in your letter are addressed to the department only and it is confidential while quoting Proverbs 25:9,10.

Attach to that a copy of the Questions from Readers W71 4/1 "Christians keeping certain matters confidential ~ Proverbs 20:19"

You will then truly find out if the WTS is truly trustworthy and respectful for your request. If they are reluctant to do as you suggested, then they should reply back to you directly stating such without copying in the BOE.

However, if they do send a copy of the letter to your local BOE and these elders approach you with it, then you can gasp for air, perhaps cry out in anquish while in distraught terror that your trust was betrayed by Jehovah's annointed one while pointing out your copy of the letter in their hands with your instructions and with the big "Confidential" lettering on the top. Let them know that you now feel depressed and need time to pray to Jehovah for strength to recover from the betrayal.

After that......presume your fade.

Alligator Wisdom (aka Brother NOT Exerting Vigorously)