GrreatTeacher

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Posts by GrreatTeacher

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  37

  Do You Think 10% Tithing is Coming?

  by xjwsrock in

  1. watchtower
  2. beliefs

  firstly, there are cash flow problems in wt town.

  i don't think it's necessary to list all the cutbacks and layoffs, but there have been many.. their thirst for money seems higher too in my opinion.

  more entitled may be a better way of putting it.

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  GrreatTeacher

  I think that a 10% tithe would never happen. In fact, they could use that as an example of tge heavy handedness of the churches of Christendom.

  However, they could point out that regular, planned giving could help the society plan in advance for expansion and also lovingly help the brothers to fit donations into their budget.

  Once a year, just sit down and "count the cost" and make a pledge for monthly giving based on what they could afford. Each household would be given a form with their pledge amount declared and sent back to the congregation to keep on record. They could even be given sealable envelopes so the donations would be able to be tracked to the family.

  This has the advantage of still feeling the amount is voluntary to the JW and for the Org, they get pledged donations on a regular basis.

  This is exactly how my MILs Catholic church does it, down to the "anonymous" envelopes.

  And this could all be spun as a loving blessing from Jehovah.

  10%, no. Planned, regular donations, yes, I can see that coming.
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  183

  JWs have more good points than bad

  by lsw1961 in

  1. watchtower
  2. beliefs

  1) many who were on the destructive path have been transformed by their teachings (this includes me who was once vicious, and presumptuous and atheistic).

  2) equal monthly pay to all members of the bethel community regardless of whether they are bc members or sweepers.

  this is something that still remains as an unattainable dream for the world.

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  GrreatTeacher

  Welcome, lsw.

  Firstly, I must congratulate you on your excellent spelling grammar. Unfortunately, many of the JWs that post here have atrocious spelling and grammar, so it was refreshing to read your very easy to read post.

  Secondly, you were able to support your thesis that 'the good outweighs the bad' with many supporting arguments. I'm not saying that I agree with them, but you show you know that just spouting platitudes with no attempt to justify them is useless.

  Thirdly, you did not post and run! This is something so many JWs do and it is so frustrating. This community is willing to embrace newcomers and have great, intellectual conversations. But, we can't do it one-sided.

  So, I extend my welcome again and look forward to your contributions.

  My question for you is this: how much leaven will you tolerate in a loaf before you decide it is no longer acceptable?
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  48

  Retirement Planning for ex-JW's

  by Simon in

  1. social
  2. family

  this is something i think about a lot, possibly because i'm just getting older.

  it seems that not only should i finally one day decide what i want to do with my life, but i should also be planning for retirement.. hands up everyone who feels their future has been royally screwed by the wts experience?.

  if you were a good jw and followed the wts advice you could well be finding yourself facing middle or even old age without much or anything put aside in retirement savings.

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  GrreatTeacher

  Oh, almost forgot. If you have investments that wil automatically rebalance themselves, definitely sign up for that option.

  We have a fund that we keep 80% stocks and 20% bonds. If one sector or the other is making more money and we're too heavy in either category, it automatically reinvests the entire amount with the appropriate split.

  This manages your risk and does it for you automatically.

  I believe in automaticity. It makes your finances lazy-proof.
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  48

  Retirement Planning for ex-JW's

  by Simon in

  1. social
  2. family

  this is something i think about a lot, possibly because i'm just getting older.

  it seems that not only should i finally one day decide what i want to do with my life, but i should also be planning for retirement.. hands up everyone who feels their future has been royally screwed by the wts experience?.

  if you were a good jw and followed the wts advice you could well be finding yourself facing middle or even old age without much or anything put aside in retirement savings.

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  GrreatTeacher

  Have your savings automatically deducted from your paycheck so you never even think of it as money to spend. My husband has always diverted 6% of his income to his 401k. That's the max they provide a match for (88%). We've never missed that money because we haven't had to move it anywhere. It's always been automatic. Now, we've finally got 6 digits saved for retirement!

  Also, in addition to life insurance, consider disability insurance, especially if you do physical labor. The likelihood of being disabled is shockingly high. If it happens at work, you will be covered, but if it doesn't, you are faced with a devastating possibility of not being able to work and support yourself. Our policy covers 50% of my husband's income for up to two years and it's very inexpensive. And, yes, my husband has hurt himself. His body is pretty beat up from 25 years of physical labor.

  Good advice, all. We have done pretty well except I graduated from college with lots of student debt right after the economy melted down and have not found a good, permanent job. So, student loans are killing our financial health right now.
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  3

  Making my own decisions for the first time.

  by BrokenBonz in

  1. jw
  2. experiences

  growing up in the truth for me has always been fulfilling.

  always had the love for it with all of my supporting friends, which still do.

  they'd all frown on me being here of course.

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  GrreatTeacher

  BrokenBonz, if you're only now making your own decisions, then you are only now growing up. Adults make their own decisions.

  It sounds like your wife has been grown up and making her own decisions far longer than you. This might be at the root of your marriage difficulties. No woman, especially with children, wants to be married to a man-child.

  But, growing up is hard. Especially at this late state. However, I believe you can do it because I have seen many others do it on this forum over the years.

  I can promise that it won't be easy, but I can promise that it will be worthwhile.

  Best of luck.
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  172

  Are You Raising An Introvert?

  by darth frosty in

  1. jw
  2. friends

  its not easy being an introvert in an extrovert worldespecially when youre a kid.

  it is even more difficult if none of the adults in the kids life recognize that the child is an introvert.

  this doesnt happen only when the childs parents are extroverts, but also with introverted parents who have never understood their own introverted nature.. .

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  GrreatTeacher

  What's really difficult is when you're introverted and also have ADHD. Your need to be in motion overstimulates your introverted self that needs quiet and stillness and it can make you feel a little nuts.
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  116

  3 words to describe.....

  by punkofnice in

  1. social
  2. humour

  ..your experience with the watchtower corporation:.

  i'll start...... bully boy elders.

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  GrreatTeacher

  Unmitigated guano psychosis
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  104

  Farewell

  by EdenOne in

  1. jw
  2. experiences

  "don't be dismayed by good-byes.

  a farewell is necessary before you can meet again.

  and meeting again, after moments or lifetimes, is certain for those who are friends.

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  GrreatTeacher

  Eden, I have enjoyed your posts. I enjoy robust intellectual discussion, but I understand if you need to take a break.

  Please come back and visit.

  GrreatTeacher
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  120

  What history have you seen in the makeing???

  by karter in

  1. jw
  2. friends

  i saw:.

  neil armstrong say those famous words...this is one small step for a man........... muhammad ali win and loose the world title 3 times.. the 1st women prime minster of the uk..

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  GrreatTeacher

  My husband walked in President Obama's inauguration parade.

  I lived through hurricane Sandy dropping a tree on our roof.

  I watched the towers fall on 911 and the Pentagon hit on tv. I remember a lot of fear because I had a 5 month old baby in my arms and we are so close to DC.

  My cousin was struck by lightening...
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  45

  It's official - JWs have least common sense of any religious group in US

  by slimboyfat in

  1. watchtower
  2. beliefs

  some fascinating results in the latest pew research.

  (how did i miss this before?

  ) including that jws rely on their religion the most of any group to tell right from wrong and rely on common sense the least.

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  GrreatTeacher

  But only 1% uses philosophy / reason, which explains why you can't reason with them.