Posts by Saltheart Foamfollower

16

Speculation on future donation arrangements

by respectful_observer in

in the aftermath of this year's annual meeting and the recent tremors of cash shortfalls within the organization, i began thinking "what could they do next to bring in more $$$.".

many here have speculated that we're seeing incremental moves toward "tithing" (of course they would never call it that).

a recent thread (can't find it right now) highlighted that they recently raised the "suggested per publisher donation" at the circuit assembly significantly (tripled it?)..

Saltheart Foamfollower

I think they have seriously underestimated the effect last years cash grab has had. Based on what I've heard from local congregations, most bodies of elders are still annoyed at having to send all of their savings then not being able to maintain their Halls. In the UK they were also forced to spend £1000 on projection equipment just after the money went. Ordinary members of the congregation are also murmering and probably wont increase donations. If they are depending on selling Kingdom Halls I think they may be discovering that most were bought to be used by local people and are less valuable than they expected - many are in regions of towns with little re-sale value.

SF

27

Major announcement, news, and video this upcoming Sunday in all kingdomhalls worldwide???

by EndofMysteries in

got a call from a relative that i should go to the meeting this sunday because something major to be announced.

(they were told it has to do with branches closing down, missionaries being sent home, etc).

i said it's probably money.

Saltheart Foamfollower

The reason that nothing has been announced about the letter this sunday is that the letter about the letter was addressed to elders and was to be kept confidential meaning no announcement should be made. So we are the only ones who know what is going on.

71

Any thoughts on the real reasons for droppng the 'school"

by sparrowdown in

jw
friends

my thoughts are.

1. they want to avoid being made to comply with any laws that come with anything classed as a "school" especially a school with children enrolled.. 2. the mid-week meeting has been dying in the ass for years and needs a revival.

i predict happy -clappy-sing-a-longs to be included in the program.. anyone else have any thoughts ??

Saltheart Foamfollower

If things work out as outlined in the leaked letter, I think this is just another means to control congregations and stifle individuality. Instead of anyone offering personal favourite points from the bible reading, there will be set questions. The whole workbook thing sounds like an attempt to make everything the same. At least it seems to mark the end of the written/oral/TMS review.

3

Bad timing

by Saltheart Foamfollower in

i haven't seen this mentioned anywhere yet.

in view of the cutbacks being announced, this weekends watchtower study is staggeringly badly timed - it's about how kingdom halls should be viewed, financed and maintained.

a footnote even mentions that the same principles apply to "assembly halls and other facilities that are used for pure worship".

Saltheart Foamfollower

Hi all. I haven't seen this mentioned anywhere yet. In view of the cutbacks being announced, this weekends watchtower study is staggeringly badly timed - it's about how kingdom halls should be viewed, financed and maintained. A footnote even mentions that the same principles apply to "Assembly Halls and other facilities that are used for pure worship". They could probably only have got the timing worse if this had happened next weekend at the annual meeting.

SF

34

Blurring of genders

by Saltheart Foamfollower in

as sometimes happens at elders meetings with the co, he has a letter from the branch to read out.

this rarely is made available later so any policies have to be acted on from memory.

this visit a letter was read about blurring of the genders and in particular brothers dressing in a metrosexual style - tight clothing was mentioned again.

Saltheart Foamfollower

Just to clarify one point. When it got to the point where someone had rejected repeated counsel I thought he was going to say it should be viewed as brazen conduct. I've never heard of anything where stopping them going in fs was an option (it is the one thing which is never used as a restriction - even for pedophiles). That is definitely what was said though. I hope (but doubt) that a letter to BOEs will follow.

BTW, the emphasis seemed to be more on their behaviour than their dress which I found odd - how can effeminate behaviour be identified??

SF

11

Fading policies and doctrines

by Saltheart Foamfollower in

first a clarification - this is not about policies on faders etc.

it is about how the borg allow policies and doctrines to fade rather than correct them and apologise for mistakes.

here are two examples of what i mean:.

Saltheart Foamfollower

OK here's another one (quoting from BOE 2012-01-06):

Annually, one of the local needs parts on the Service Meeting should be used to review with
the congregation the steps they need to take to prepare for the possibility of a disaster, including the
following basics: (1) Have important documents ready for immediate evacuation. (2) Have a threeto-
five day supply of emergency items, including food, medication, and safe drinking water, that
can also be quickly taken in an evacuation. (3) Be prepared to evacuate and know where to go.
(4) Follow the directions of local authorities and the elders. It is best if the congregation can stay
together. The references listed at the end of this letter may be referred to during the local needs part
as appropriate.

Anyone have an annual local needs on this? How many have a bag with supplies lying around (my wife insisted on it - I keep tripping over it).

11

Fading policies and doctrines

by Saltheart Foamfollower in

first a clarification - this is not about policies on faders etc.

it is about how the borg allow policies and doctrines to fade rather than correct them and apologise for mistakes.

here are two examples of what i mean:.

Saltheart Foamfollower

Interesting Magnum - our CO always checks up on 1 year visits. Looks like they make their own rules up as to what is important.

34

Blurring of genders

by Saltheart Foamfollower in

as sometimes happens at elders meetings with the co, he has a letter from the branch to read out.

this rarely is made available later so any policies have to be acted on from memory.

this visit a letter was read about blurring of the genders and in particular brothers dressing in a metrosexual style - tight clothing was mentioned again.

Saltheart Foamfollower

As sometimes happens at Elders meetings with the CO, he has a letter from the branch to read out. This rarely is made available later so any policies have to be acted on from memory. This visit a letter was read about blurring of the genders and in particular brothers dressing in a metrosexual style - tight clothing was mentioned again. Also mentioned (I wish I had an accurate recording of this) was that elders should watch out for any brother who displays effeminate traits, bearing or body language (without defining what they mean exactly) and to give counsel to them. In extreme cases ie not listening to the counsel, they should be stopped from sharing in field service. Sisters were mentioned briefly if wearing tight/revealing clothes.

Anyone else had this during a visit?

SF

11

Fading policies and doctrines

by Saltheart Foamfollower in

first a clarification - this is not about policies on faders etc.

it is about how the borg allow policies and doctrines to fade rather than correct them and apologise for mistakes.

here are two examples of what i mean:.

Saltheart Foamfollower

First a clarification - this is not about policies on faders etc. It is about how the borg allow policies and doctrines to fade rather than correct them and apologise for mistakes. Here are two examples of what I mean:

1) Up to the 1970s they taught that all of the evidence for ice ages was really caused by the flood. I heard this repeated last year by a long time witness. As far as I can determine, they have not repeated this claim since the mid-70s but have never said that all of the scientific evidence points to ice ages with many of the features being impossible if caused by liquid water.

2) Last year in the June Km they started a policy of witnessing at nursing homes which was quite involved. Since then I don't know of any cong that has done this and the CO hasn't mentioned it. This seems to happen with initiatives (though sometimes COs have been known to ask why such and such isn't being done a couple of years later).

I understand (though don't agree with) why they don't say they were wrong, but I don't know why they launch initiatives and then drop them straight away. Anyone know of other examples or can explain their actions?

SF

46

London Bethelites Are Agitated!

by The Searcher in

a source has informed me that a relative who's in london bethel has said that a number of bethelites there are very uncomfortable and embarrassed because the branch has received "quite a few letters" querying why members of the governing body were wearing flashy rings and jewellery on some of the monthly broadcasts, but on the broadcast when the g.b.

asked for more money from the congregations - their gold and jewellery was not on display!.

will probably emerge one day wearing sackcloth, begging for yet more donations..

Saltheart Foamfollower

(Engaging sarcasm) I'm sure they have just followed the example in Acts Ch. 4 and sold their belongings to help the poor!!!

SF