<--------------------- A conscious class member raises hand.
Alligator Wisdom (aka Brother NOT Exerting Vigorously)
"i believe in one god, and no more; and i hope for happiness beyond this life.
i believe the equality of man, and i believe that religious duties consist in doing justice, loving mercy, and endeavoring to make our fellow-creatures happy.
but, lest it should be supposed that i believe many other things in addition to these, i shall, in the progress of this work, declare the things i do not believe, and my reasons for not believing them.
<--------------------- A conscious class member raises hand.
Alligator Wisdom (aka Brother NOT Exerting Vigorously)
per a letter sent to all special pioneers in the us:.
previously the society reimbursed the special pioneers at a flat rate of x cents per mile, to cover the cost of gasoline and maintenance on their cars.
if i recall correctly, it may even have been the standard irs allowable deduction, something like 40-50 cents per mile.. beginning in 2010, the society will reimburse for mileage only, and strictly follow a mathematical formula, using:.
In the country that I'm currently living in, only special pioneers who are in foreign language congregations were given mileage reimbursement. For example, this would apply to a special pioneer in a Spanish speaking congregation in Thailand.
However, this discontinued as of the service year starting in 2009. Now, no special pioneers are getting reimbursed.
Alligator Wisdom (aka Brother NOT Exerting Vigorously)
at some point in life, everyone outside of the wtbts realizes that death if a fact of life.
no one gets to accept that fact easily, and the moment when you realize you will die, too, usually comes all of a sudden and takes you by surprise.
when you were a jw, did you have such a moment, even though the society told you you would never die?
dgp,
Here is a very good/lively/recent thread about this same topic:
http://www.jehovahs-witness.net/jw/friends/186349/1/I-dont-want-to-die
Much thought and perspective on this subject. Click open and read.
Alligator Wisdom (aka Brother NOT Exerting Vigorously)
i was breakingfree, but have forgotten my password and no longer have access to the email address that was attached to that account, which i haven't used for over a year (i have just been reading as a guest and not posting).
my new name is probably more appropriate, i don't see myself being able to break completely free for some time.
me and my hubby are out (inactive, successfully faded) but rest of the family in and very devout.
Unimportant sidepoint:
stuckinlimbo & bohm have avatars that are very similar.
Okay, now back on topic...
Welcome back stuckinlimbo
Alligator Wisdom (aka Brother NOT Exerting Vigorously)
apologies if already posted , but there is to be another invitation campaign next year - running between 13th - 30th march.
it is mentioned in the february 2010 km.. .
"Does anyone know the date of the M?"
Tuesday, March 30th
Alligator Wisdom (aka Brother NOT Exerting Vigorously)
comments you will not hear at the 12-20-09 wt study (october 15, 2009, pages 13-17)(my friends).
review comments will be in red or headed by comments.
wt material from today's wt will be in black.
Blondie, YOU ROCK!
Thanks for all that you do in contributing to this board.
Alligator Wisdom (aka Brother NOT Exerting Vigorously)
the watchtower is always saying how we have to watch everything we do or say because we just might offend somebody's conscience and lord knows we wouldn't wanna do that!.
did you find yourself offending the consciences of others?.
I disturbed the conscience of the elder body when I would call on members of the congregation by their first names when I had parts at the meetings or when conducting the book/bible study.
For example, Brother James, Sister Janice, Brother Richard, Sister Samantha... (iso using their family names, Brother Smith, Sister Jackson).
They couldn't use the Bible to any satisfaction for their rebuttal, but only some articles from the Talmud Watchtower as their authority.
Alligator Wisdom (aka Brother NOT Exerting Vigorously)
does anyone know when the wts started to refused baptism for those who were enlisted as active duty in the armed forces (military)?.
any reference material would be appreciated.. from what i remember hearing, back in the olden days (pre-50's or 60's) anyone wishing to be baptized only had to show up at a convention or assembly to get dunked.
no questions.
Black Sheep (Chris) : I got your PM. Check yours.
Alligator Wisdom (aka Brother NOT Exerting Vigorously)
does anyone know when the wts started to refused baptism for those who were enlisted as active duty in the armed forces (military)?.
any reference material would be appreciated.. from what i remember hearing, back in the olden days (pre-50's or 60's) anyone wishing to be baptized only had to show up at a convention or assembly to get dunked.
no questions.
Fatfreek: Those are the exact two Bible accounts that these elders are referencing to support the fact that active duty military can be baptized. However, at the same token, these elders don't think that those who are already baptized should enlist into the military. The difference being that an active duty soldier can request a conscientious objector status or just refuse to fight until his contract/term is up.
Alwayshere: RandCam is interesting. How can this be brought up without throwing up questionable apostate flags?
Black Sheep: Thanks for the research and reference material.
Now who can direct me to a copy of the November 1,1939 issue of the WT magazine?
Thanks all!
Alligator Wisdom (aka Brother NOT Exerting Vigorously)
does anyone know when the wts started to refused baptism for those who were enlisted as active duty in the armed forces (military)?.
any reference material would be appreciated.. from what i remember hearing, back in the olden days (pre-50's or 60's) anyone wishing to be baptized only had to show up at a convention or assembly to get dunked.
no questions.
Does anyone know WHEN the WTS started to refused baptism for those who were enlisted as active duty in the armed forces (military)?
Any reference material would be appreciated.
From what I remember hearing, back in the olden days (pre-50's or 60's) anyone wishing to be baptized only had to show up at a convention or assembly to get dunked. No questions. No monitoring. Also, weren't some Bible Students enlisted in the military when CT Russell was president. I recall that these Bible Student soldiers weren't encouraged to kill with their weapons, but rather to fire them in the air in order to not become blood guilty. So there must be something in print between the 1920's and 1950's.
Your response would be kindly appreciated as there is a serious discussion among elders in the country of ****** regarding the neutrality issue.
Alligator Wisdom (aka Brother NOT Exerting Vigorously)