Posts by Saltheart Foamfollower

70

How Far Apart Were Your Legs?

by Joe Grundy in

several threads on here about the excellent bbc r4 programme this week ('the report') focussing on rape and abuse in barry, south wales, jws.

fat pervert mark sewell later got 14 years and i hope he is enjoying every minute of it.. the courageous ladies who spoke on the programme were articulate, reasonable and made a tremendous impression.. the quote in the thread title made an impression on me, and i hope, on all listeners.. forget religious, theological, 'biblical' issues and cut to the basics.

a rape victim was asked to demonstrate - to demonstrate, ffs - to three unqualified (middle-aged at least, presumably) men just how far her legs were apart when she was raped.. i have rarely heard anything so outrageous, and i used to investigate rape and abuse in my profession.

Saltheart Foamfollower

With regard to transcripts - brief notes are taken during the meeting but are supposed to be given to the chairman at the end who will destroy them after everything (eg possible appeal, form submitting) is finished. So there shouldn't be anything stored in cong files - there isn't in mine, but some probably do.

I have been on JCs and have never found it remotely necessary to go beyond asking them to put in their own words what happened. Part of the problem is that the only ones who know what goes on in a JC are the three elders and the accused. Other elders & COs etc don't know, so it is another case of the way the borg have arranged things allowing for horrific practices to happen as outlined earlier. Yes, individual elders are to blame, but so is the organization that has "trained" them.

Can I just add my deepest sympathies to all who have been affected.

SF

75

Our hall is asking for money...

by thedepressedsoul in

i guess the branch isn't happy with the amount being sent each month since we are way lower than our loan amount.

we now have to another financial survey to see the max amount that can be given.

it is "encouraged" for all to be in attendance and give much forethought and consideration to the amount you can donate each month.

Saltheart Foamfollower

I don't know how to post the original, but here is the text from a letter just received in the UK

Christian Congregation
of Jehovah’s Witnesses
The Ridgeway, London, NW7 1RN Telephone: 020 8906 2211
TAA:TAB June 8, 2015
TO ALL BODIES OF ELDERS
Re: Meeting the Needs of the Organization
Dear Brothers:
We know you will have enjoyed the May 2015 programme of JW Broadcasting. How
encouraging to hear of all the current projects being undertaken in connection with advancing
Kingdom interests! Our attention was drawn to our giving support in various ways, such as our
time, energy and material resources. The admonition at Proverbs 3:9 to “honor Jehovah with your
valuable things, with the firstfruits of all your produce” was emphasized. Yes, we should give our
very best to Jehovah as our priority. The Scriptural basis for supporting pure worship with material
contributions was thus highlighted.
Over the past year a very positive response has been received by congregations making
donations of funds surplus to local operating expenses and implementing a regular monthly
donation to Kingdom Hall and Assembly Hall construction worldwide. We warmly commend all
who have responded so generously to this new arrangement for funding Kingdom Hall and
Assembly Hall construction around the world.
We note that some congregations still continue to hold funds in excess of their necessary
operating expenses, either in a local bank account or on deposit with the branch office. Additionally
some congregations are not making a monthly contribution in support of Kingdom Hall and
Assembly Hall construction worldwide.
In harmony with the jw.org broadcast for May 2015, and the guidance provided in our letter
dated March 29, 2014, regarding Adjustment to financing Kingdom Hall and Assembly Hall
construction worldwide, we encourage you to follow these guidelines and send all such dedicated
funds, surplus to operating expenses, for the Kingdom Hall and Assembly Hall construction
worldwide.
We are confident of Jehovah’s blessing on these arrangements as we do all that we can to
praise and elevate his great name and universal sovereignty.
Please accept our appreciation and thanks in advance for the cooperation and hard work of
you brothers in helping care for Christ’s belongings.
Your brothers,

SF

75

Rumor about the Imitate Jesus Convention

by FusionTheism in

i saw a rumor a few weeks ago on reddit that the new imitate jesus convention is supposed to present new light and clarified understandings on the disfellowshipping/disassociation practices.. supposedly, if this rumor has any truth to it, there will be a talk given at the convention about how we should not be strict like the pharisees in how we shun people, loosening up some of the jw rules about this practice.. has anyone here heard anything about this or have more info on it?.

Saltheart Foamfollower

Here's what I think they could do. Allow fellowship at the Kingdom Hall but not elsewhere. From their point of view it would mean they were still in control (You can see your grandchildren - just attend meetings!!!!!) but could tell the authorities that they aren't splitting up families etc. The talk would probably go something like this "EVIDENTLY when Jesus said observe the lillies of the field, he meant you can associate with disfellowshipped ones at the Kingdom Hall" (Note - I'm being sarcastic)

Their recent change in emphasis about the prodigal son could have prepared the way for this.

SF

42

Convention Cartoon

by freemindfade in

so last night they played the convention cartoon.

there were a few laughs from the audience, overall though people seemed a little taken aback and tight lipped.

like no one gushed about it afterwards, no applause, just like it was nothing new at all.

Saltheart Foamfollower

..........and just in case you missed it, the cartoon will be shown again a week or so before your convention (if the elders remember)

SF

15

UK Branch visit 2015

by tamagotchi in

jw
friends

anyone know anything about it?

apparently it's going to be broadcast live nationally to all the congregations this saturday

Saltheart Foamfollower

The programme has just come through:-

Programme for Special Meeting
Branch Visit
Saturday April 25, 2015
Mill Hill Kingdom Hall, Broadcast to all Congregations in Britain and Ireland
Chairman: Dennis Dutton
1.00 p.m. Opening Song D. Dutton
Prayer D. Dutton
1:05 p.m. “If God is For Us, Who Will Be Against Us?” J. Larson
1:45 p.m. Summary of The Watchtower Article: S. Hardy
“Preparing the Nations for
‘The Teaching of Jehovah’”
2:15 p.m. Song No. 104 and Announcements D. Dutton
2:25 p.m. Branch Report and Experiences P. Gillies
2:45 p.m. Talk M. Sanderson
3:45 p.m. Concluding Song D. Dutton
Concluding Prayer M. Sanderson

Of note is that Mark Sanderson is the GB member not Sam Heard. Also, Paul Gillies has an item.

SF

47

Regional Convention 2015 - Program

by Designer Stubble in

friday morning9:20 music9:30 song no.

5 and prayer9:40 chairmans address: imitate jesuswhy and how?10:20 symposium: lessons from jesus word pictures observe the birds and the lilies have salt in yourselves build your house on the rock11:10 song no.

120 and announcements11:20 follow jesus patternkeep on asking, seeking, and knocking!11:45 keynote address: concealed in him are all the treasures of wisdom12:15 song no.

Saltheart Foamfollower

One thing I like to do during symposia is to contemplate the original meaning of a symposium - basically a gathering of young men getting drunk and doing what young drunk men have always done. Being ancient Greece, this developed into (drunken) philosophical discussions with each one giving their view and hence to our current usage. Still, I like to see whether the borg symposium seems to have been written whilst drunk (weird or just plain crazy) or the morning after (angry). Pretty much everything falls into one of these categories (or even both)

SF

13

WT instructions on NOT copying the 'Shepherd Flock of God' book.

by Esse quam videri in

shepherd the flock of god.

1 peter 5:2.

this publication is congregation property.

Saltheart Foamfollower

Funny thing is - as far as I can tell this isn't available here in the UK yet. Thought it was meant to be a united org!

136

List of UK Travelling Overseers in 2013

by soiledumpling in

hi pepeep am attempting to get a current list of uk travelling overseers.

left 4 years ago and have heard rumours of many new ones.

.

Saltheart Foamfollower

Julian Hodson (brother of Marina Sydlik) is returning to the UK from Italy to be a co. He always seemed like a pretty decent sort when I knew him.

7

2015 March 17, BOE!

by Atlantis in

2015 march 17, boe.

(this boe goes along with the march 15 boe concerning circuit overseer visits)... click the link below and then click the green download button.. .. http://wwwb.fileflyer.com/view/29sj8bh.

.. .. atlantis!.

Saltheart Foamfollower

The paragraphs in the shepherding book refer to "cautions before recommending certain brothers". The subheadings are "Brother previously reproved or disfellowshipped", "Guilty of adultery in the past", "Separated or unscripturally divorced" and "Brothers who served in an appointed position in the past"

And no, none of these refer to child abuse.

SF

1

Read the bible daily

by Saltheart Foamfollower in

i've just had a circuit visit which surprised me because there was no mention of money or any of the other subjects which seem to have cropped up for others recently.

he did say that we need to read the bible daily so i have decided to do just that.

however, having heard about it on the jwpodcast, i'm reading the skeptic's annotated bible daily which i think will benefit me more than reading the nwt.

Saltheart Foamfollower

I've just had a circuit visit which surprised me because there was no mention of money or any of the other subjects which seem to have cropped up for others recently. He did say that we need to read the bible daily so I have decided to do just that. However, having heard about it on the jwpodcast, I'm reading the skeptic's annotated bible daily which I think will benefit me more than reading the NWT. As the bible app contains various alternative translations, I don't think I could even get into trouble if anyone finds out!

SF