Posts by no-zombie

42

Discontinue unproductive bible study - jw broadcasting

by Gorbatchov in

jw
friends

https://tv.jw.org/#en/mediaitems/latestvideos/pub-ism_2_video.

interesting video explaining how to end a bible study.. watch the kind of uber behaviour of the witnesses: make a choice or we leave.... so hard, so not christian.

no love for the person.. g..

no-zombie

When I heard this recently at the meeting, my impression for the Governing Body's intent is to once again ramp up the fear factor in the brotherhood to underscore the nearness of Armageddon and to energize the field service activity.

However, the Governing Body is beating a dead horse (or rather two dead horses) in this regard. Firstly, the global territory is clearly drying up, with most western countries being symbolic dust bowls. but secondly and perhaps more importantly, the Brotherhood (in my circle at least) rarely talk about the nearness of Armageddon, nor do people chat about their dreams of living in panda-world. Most are just going through the motions of being a Witness, doing the least they can get a way with.

23

Reflecting On Death

by Charles Gillette in

jw
friends

reflecting on death.

i can't remember, maybe steve jobs before he died.i thought i would share it with you and see what you think about it, and i'm quoting i think from his book.. "i'm about fifty-fifty on believing in god.

for most of my life, i've felt that there must be more to our own existence than meets the eye.. i might be overestimating the odds 50/50 out of a desire to believe in an afterlife.

no-zombie

CG ... I'm not a young person myself any more and as I learn of the people I've grown up with in the various congregations I've been in die, I've had the same thoughts. While not believing in the Organization or any "Organized" religion any more, I still think about the small possibility of life after death every now and then. Whether it happens or not, I don't know but what is strangely comforting for me, is the inevitability of death. Why worry about something that I cannot change. Of course I look after my heath and try my best to delay when that may happen ... but one day it will. I guess when I think about it, the feelings that do wash over me is sadness ... sadness for what my children will feel when I'm gone and a kind of sadness for what I'll miss in the future. If this makes any sense.

12

Printed vs Produced

by Rattigan350 in

in the january 1, 2015 watchtower it says printing each issue 52,946,000 in 228 languages semimonthly.

in that 2016 #1 issue watchtower it says produced each issue 58,987,000 in 254 languages monthly.

what is the difference between printed and produced?.

no-zombie

I didn't mean that they had given the rights for others to print their literature. I was just talking about the possible differences between the usage of the words "printed" vs "produced". However I do remember a post a few years ago here, that forwarded an idea that commercially printed Watchtower magazines may actually be cheaper than Bethel versions due to the lower overheads.

12

Printed vs Produced

by Rattigan350 in

in the january 1, 2015 watchtower it says printing each issue 52,946,000 in 228 languages semimonthly.

in that 2016 #1 issue watchtower it says produced each issue 58,987,000 in 254 languages monthly.

what is the difference between printed and produced?.

no-zombie

In one context, printed magazines are those printed by the Organization ... whereas produced magazine can those printed by someone else but distributed by the Society. Just as the cars "produced" by Ford, GM or Toyota are assembled from parts (or whole) from other manufactures.

12

More Developments In Australia

by jonahstourguide in

some results of the royal commission in australia.

catholic church ellis defence scrapped in 'momentous day' for abuse survivorsby michelle brownposted about 2 hours ago john ellis speaks to the media outside the nsw supreme court.photo: john ellis, a former lawyer, tried to sue the catholic church for negligence (aap: paul miller)related story: nsw child abuse survivors to be allowed to sue churchesafter an 11-year battle, survivors of institutional child abuse locked out of suing for compensation will be able to launch civil claims from today.key points:the ellis defence prevented abuse survivors from suing unincorporated organisations including churches and other institutionsthe move to scrap it came after recommendations from the royal commission into institutional responses to child sexual abuse.from today, an institution must nominate a defendant with sufficient assets to pay a survivor's claim.the so-called "ellis defence", which prevented abuse survivors from suing unincorporated organisations including churches and other institutions, is today abolished after the nsw government removed a legal road block.the move came after recommendations from the royal commission into institutional child sex abuse.john ellis, whose failed court of appeal case against the catholic church in 2007 gave rise to the defence, has praised the government's action.

"it's fantastic news," he told the abc.

no-zombie

While I'm not a lawyer by any means (nor a current Elder privy congregational arrangements), I do think that legally the Australia Branch doesn't know what to do. Relatively recently, Kingdom Halls/Congregations became individual charities, to no doubt separate Watchtower assets from the Branch. Similar to what has been done in other countries, as I understand.

The paperwork for maintaining these charities is renewed every year. However I heard a few days ago that our congregation was told to hold off on doing it. Whether its linked to the Ellis Defense and the commencement date for the liability of parent organizations to assume responsibility for congregational child abuse claims, I don't know. But it does seem suspicious to me. But if that is linked, then perhaps paying the government fees for continuing the 786 individual charities in the country, rather pointless.

Regardless, it does seems that playing the shell game is over in Australia, and the attempts to legally hide its assets by deflection is not going to work any more ... as once more onus returns back to the branch to provide compensation. This, plus the retrospective ruling will making things a lot harder for the Organization here, which will undoubted lead to more civil actions against it and more sell-offs. Which may even include the Branch complex, which effectively does nothing more that administrative tasks, due to the fact that its printing work has be assigned to Japan and the Design office to an South Sea Island country. 2019 might be rather interesting, in our land down under.

no zombie

17

'Serving where the need is greater' - who does it benefit?

by eyeslice2 in

jw
friends

we have recently been in asia on vacation, travelling to a number of countries in this part of the world.

whilst in thailand, my wife, totally pimo, wanted to go to the english speaking convention in bangkok.

although i haven't been active for a very long time, i went along with her.. the first thing that slightly surprised me was the attendance, well over 900. i hadn't expected that many but they were from all over the country, which is a pretty big place.

no-zombie

I know that its a little off topic but I noticed that here in Australia, quite a few kids going on religo-holidays.

This is were they make all this noise that they are going to serve where the need is great but is in fact its more like an adventure holiday and stay until their money runs out, which is normally 2 or 3 months. South America seem popular, as does Hong Kong. And when they come back, they get their 15 minutes of fame, recalling their hardships and experiences in the field.

27

My story

by Leeny in

i came across this website when i was looking for some emotional/mental support lately as i was summoned by elders to explain someone’s report on me saying “i’m promoting homosexuality”.

i’m inactive, not attending meetings or associating with jw outside of my biological family for almost 2 years now.. yes i am gay (you can judge away) and yes it is in a direct contrast to the scriptures, no arguement about it.. i was brought up in a jw family.

my dad is a typical zealot, he literally talks or thinks about the bible 24/7.

no-zombie

Hi Lenny,

All of us were at one time over whelmed by this basic idea that the "Truth" may not be what it claims to be. And in your case you have the additional issues that revolve around your family and personal life to factor in, which isn't easy. However, the best advice I can give to you, is take things slowly and just focus on one problem or situation at a time, just to keep your sanity.

Questions on the various doctrinal issues is easier to solve that you think too. For many of us have found that just by reading older magazines and publication of the Society, has helped us to see that most of our religion has been created or formulated from opinion rather with direct scriptural authority. But fortunately, there are so much online resources to help in this regard ... you just sort of know where to look. It quite amazing how much effort other have gone to assist others in this regard.

In conclusion, when doing your research, just post a quick question here if you get stuck. As there a lot of guys here that can help you out in give you various ideas or articles to think about.

regards

No Zombie

58

Two witness rule: who cares?

by _Morpheus in

i find people railing against the so called “two witness rule” puzzling.

i think its a complete and total non issue.

for those that protest, argue or advocate for change in that rule, why?

no-zombie

Morpheus,

while I get what you are saying, I believe that you are missing one important point. In that, your view is that of a person who sees the religion as it really is ... but the people (and their children) at risk do not. They believe that it is 'the' one true faith and as such follow the rules of that faith, which includes viewing the Elders as judges. The rank and file Jehovah's Witness can only see things through that lens.

For that reason, its only by external pressure or exposure that the danger of sexual child abuse can be lessened, as the Organization is clearly unwilling to revise their own policies.

An before you bite me head off, I also understand the big difference between dissdelowshiping someone and justice, particularity in regard to this problem ... however if the goal is to purely reduces (and hopefully stop) child sexual abuse within this religion, then any action to that end, which includes the removal of the two witness rule ... is worth the effort.

27

My story

by Leeny in

i came across this website when i was looking for some emotional/mental support lately as i was summoned by elders to explain someone’s report on me saying “i’m promoting homosexuality”.

i’m inactive, not attending meetings or associating with jw outside of my biological family for almost 2 years now.. yes i am gay (you can judge away) and yes it is in a direct contrast to the scriptures, no arguement about it.. i was brought up in a jw family.

my dad is a typical zealot, he literally talks or thinks about the bible 24/7.

no-zombie

Hi Lenny,

As an ex-elder, I can say (rather sadly) that if the elder body has already determined that a judicial committee is warranted, they already have enough 'facts' to disfellowship you ... and they are only calling to see if you are repentant. This being the case, moving away will not stop the process as you will be judged as unrepentant, in absentia. However, turning up for one's judicial hearing has often been discusses on this site. And while some chose to go to make a closing statement of some kind (even when they have predetermined to leave anyway), it never changes the outcome.

While the choice is of course yours, all of us here recommend people to first and foremost protect their mental and emotional health ... and whatever happens or choice you make ... you are always welcome to talk things through here.

22

Commuter Bethelite video

by no-zombie in

for those who missed last weeks clam meeting, there was a video played that was amazing ... however not in good way.. we are all aware how thousands of full time bethelites world wide got the boot and put out onto the street.

some having giving most of their lives to the organization, but often with no real way to support themselves other than to depend on the generosity of others.

so when this video talked about how special it would be for those who could step up and become a commuter bethelite, it made me think how calculating the governing body must be.

no-zombie

For those who missed last weeks CLAM meeting, there was a video played that was amazing ... however not in good way.

We are all aware how thousands of full time Bethelites world wide got the boot and put out onto the street. Some having giving most of their lives to the Organization, but often with no real way to support themselves other than to depend on the generosity of others. So when this video talked about how special it would be for those who could step up and become a Commuter Bethelite, it made me think how calculating the Governing Body must be. You see, they get rid of the full-timers to save money, saying that their jobs are gone due to downsizing, use of technology or whatever spin they used, and after a bit, effectively re-advertised their positions as unpaid (and unhoused) roles.

While I've seen this sort of method used when large corporations restructure, but it was not nice seeing it being done here.

Of courses, many may not much sympathy for these who got shafted, and to be honest I don't have a lot for them myself. But I thought that this video once again was a good example of how coldly the Governing Body really views people and their labour, while also demonstrating how short the memory the rank and file brotherhood has regarding what been happening during the 'simplification'.

This being said, if I was an exbethelite siting the audience watching that video, it wouldn't have sat well. That's for sure.