no-zombie

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Posts by no-zombie

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  23

  2022 WTS Numbers

  by blondie in

  1. jw
  2. friends

  2022 grand totals.

  branches of jehovah’s witnesses: 86. .

  number of lands reporting: 239. .

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  no-zombie

  While I've mentioned it before in my other posts about annual reports, the population pyramid of the Organization is the clearest indicator of the its decline we have. No matter what tweaks the GB does, it will not overcome the fact that it is controlling an aged religion and one that will collapse upon itself due to the lack of numbers. We all know of course that at 0.4% increase (which is actually zero by the HQ own reporting methodology) is less than the global population growth rate of 1%, however what I think is clearer this year's report, is picture occurring from third world countries.

  These previous hot spots of growth (with higher than average fertility rates) have now cooled off. This should not be surprising because, while these lands may be poor economically, the people there are very quick to work out whether or not something has real value. When they have to choose to go to another meeting or to work to literally feed their families, the choice is easy, no matter what the slickly made 'trust in Jehovah' videos say.

  Population Pyramids aren't that sexy as compared to other scandalous news items we get from time to time, but they are most truly; predictive fact. And if the Faithful Slave is honest enough to release an annual report next year, I fully expect it to contain ... a negative global growth number, despite the millions of hours in the field.
  
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  30

  What really is UN doing with religions?

  by Kosonen in

  1. jw
  2. friends

  occult un forces seek to hijack religion for globalism.

  https://thenewamerican.com/occult-un-forces-seek-to-hijack-religion-for-globalism/it does not look like religions dominate un but the other way around.

  journalist alex newman gives a totally different picture about the real state of affairs.

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  no-zombie

  The UN is a spent force and today it has no real power to shape global events. This is because the center of authority lies within the security council, which has proven over the past 20 or 30 years to be ineffective to solve international problems due the rules of veto. Why even as recently as last week, the UN security council could not pass a resolution for a simple investigation into Iranian sanction busting because of the Russia/China voting block.

  We are seeing, not the end days of gentile times ... but rather the end days of the UN, as it has now just degenerated into a expensive talk fest, where secondary world powers maintain their membership only for its perceived political prestige.

  Why even the GB flips its narrative from time to time, when they say that it is the nations who make up the UN are the ones who will attack the world's religions, rather that the UN itself.
  
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  29

  Why Not Celebrate Christmas?

  by Mum in

  1. jw
  2. friends

  so, jw's don't celebrate christmas or other holidays.

  as bill cetnar once said, there are two reasons for everything: the reason they tell you, and the real reason.

  they will tell you it's because christmas is "pagan" and can lead to all sorts of licentious conduct (like drinking too much macallan scotch?)..

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  no-zombie

  The real reason why Jehovah's Witnesses don't celebrate Christmas is because Rutherford wanted to distance the 'Truth' from the importance of Jesus. Along with banning the use of the Cross and Easter, Rutherford needed this theological movement, to reinforce the 'Jehovah' brand name, which I believe was purposefully done, not because of some ecclesiastical insight, but purely as way to stand out from the crowd of other Adventist faiths.

  While Watchtower apologists may say that there are valid reasons for dropping these things because of the influence of paganism (some of which I admit to be true), none the less, no honest person could argue with the fact that Jesus now plays a very, very minor roll in the minds of JWs today. Which is rather sad, seeing we are supposed to Christians ... not some kind of hybrid Judean sect.
  
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  13

  Jehovah's Witnesses discontinue online Bible Study program today 12/12/2022

  by Balaamsass2 in

  1. watchtower
  2. beliefs

  well, that went by the wayside quickly.

  another flip-flop by the indiscrete slave?.

  december 12, 2022what’s new.

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  no-zombie

  Clearly the Governing Body didn't want independent study, as it doesn't connect a person to the Organization like the effect of having a tutor.
  
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  7

  Do you Attend University scholarly Lectures

  by peacefulpete in

  1. watchtower
  2. beliefs

  we've been privileged to attend a number of outstanding lectures on a wide range of scientific topics, some by now quite famous researchers.

  for example, we attended a caltech discussion/lecture by svante paabo not long after his initial work on neanderthal dna was released and met him after the lecture.

  he wasn't a dynamic speaker but a humble man who obviously felt more comfortable in the lab than on the podium.

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  no-zombie

  At uni, it was always good to attend my lectures, and it was clear the speakers were very well read and had many years practical experience or research behind them. And for those of us who have never gone to university because of being a Witnesses, you'd be amazed at the quality of the simplest presentation, in comparison to the dribble we have to put up with weekly.

  However work some really great teachers can now be found freely online (through YouTube and the like) and my top three favorite at the moment are ... Julius Sumner Miller, Richard Feynman and Jordan Peterson.

  Look them up. Their enthusiasm for their topics will just suck you in.
  
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  38

  Struggling to find a purpose

  by My Name is of No Consequence in

  1. jw
  2. experiences

  i spent most of my life in the org.

  we were taught that our purpose in life was to serve jehovah.

  that never really made sense to me, but it was still a purpose to keep going.

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  no-zombie

  When I reflect on my life past, I don't think that I ever gave much thought to my purpose of living very much. I was so consumed with the constant daily worries of looking after my wife, my children. my career and the affairs of the congregational treadmill, that a deeper looking into my life was not possible. However now that I am much older, I've had the time to do that very thing. And maybe this is the time when all of us start reflecting on the things we have done (or not done) and whether or not we have lost our way.

  For me, I began to see that the Society is not really all that fulfilling. In addition to all its theological failures and political maneuvering, it has all be come quite vague. Back in the 80s there was a sense of certainty and distinctness. However now with the cannibalizing directives of informing on your brother (or at least, marking such ones as unfit for association) the feeling of us vs the world has all but evaporation. Sadly we are now only left with a shadow of the brotherhood we once enjoyed, with many occupied with looking out for the organized fifth column of apostates. How sad it has all become.

  In regards to the question of purpose though, I think that we are fortunate that life offers us many purposes we can take up. However I believe that it is far better to think about the direction we have chosen, in the context of what it will ultimately give. This is because when our time is up and we are dying, will you be laying there in your deathbed with regrets and sorrows ... or will you have a mild feeling of contentment at how you've tried to spent your efforts when you had life and health.
  

  And while in the end the choice is ours to make, I do think that from what I have seen, a self-centered life will not be as rewarding or remembered, as one focused on giving to others in some way.
  
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  35

  Former Elders Please - Disbeliever recently married to a JW

  by doasthouwilt in

  1. jw
  2. friends

  i recently married my best friend of 32 years.

  she is a life-long jw and once an active pioneer, i am a 'worldly' person through-and-through, always will be.

  we married because it was the only way we could find a way of staying together while giving her a path back to her religion ultimately, which she does not want to (or cannot) let go of.

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  no-zombie

  As a past Elder, I can tell you most definitely that her treatment by a body of Elders will vary between congregations. A judicial committee will be formed, as pornia has been committed, but one of the prime issues will be whether or not this occurred while your wife was a active witness or an inactive one. This is were some variance in judgment will occur. If your wife was inactive, then the committee might think of it as something done in the 'World' and just accept your wife back as a lost sheep needing help. Conversely, if your wife was going to meetings, had sex with you and then married you, it could be viewed as some kind of scheming. We had a case like the first one ... and it written was off as a done deal, with some minor restrictions to congregation participation. However, there are just too many factors and personalities a play. But I'd say overall women get lessor punishments that men in these situations, but be warned as the judicial meetings can be rough if the committee members want to know all the juicy details.

  However in no time soon, she'll be in and love bombed to death.
  
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  22

  questions for those who were once elders

  by enoughisenough in

  1. watchtower
  2. beliefs

  i watched some wendi renay youtube videos.

  the former elder who was being interviewed mentioned a couple of things i noted.

  i would like to know what your reactions were at the time you learned what i am going to relate if you had the same or kindred experience.

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  no-zombie

  When I was an elder, I definitely understood that the congregational elders were the stars in Jesus' hand. However I don't recall it being spoken much of these days and I believe that the reason is not scriptural but rather political. By this I mean, the GB has clearly consolidated all power into its office, and the idea that Jesus may actually 'deal with' or 'hold special' local elders, without mentioning the 'faithful slave' in that verse, doesn't support their narrative.
  

  Its just a thought.
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  26

  JW's in war zone

  by Gorb in

  1. jw
  2. friends

  there is so much silence about the jw's in the ukraine conflict.

  are the jw men arrested because they don't want to fight?

  how is that going in the hyper nationalist fase the country is in?

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  no-zombie

  I can guarantee that some compromises are now being made by many brothers in Ukraine. It must be remembered that it was only in the opening weeks of the invasion, that able bodied men could leave the country with their wives and kids. And knowing that the majority of witnesses are in the "Jehovah protects" mindset, I expect most stayed in-country with their families. This must have now lead to employment and conscription issues, as now nearly every government job is under some kind of military control and as the country's economy is in free-fall, many normal non-technical jobs just don't exist. Its really messed up. F**** even farmers have to deal with missiles and UXB's all the time just to plow. As a result, I wouldn't be surprised if the Governing Body reprints the "submitting to secular authority" and "compulsory community service" articles quite soon, to come onside with the Ukrainian Government and sooth the conscience of the local Brotherhood. This will be because the only work available I expect, will be either collecting used brass or Russian landmines, as the window cleaning jobs are now all gone, due to the fact that the panes in half of the country has been blown out.
  
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  Conscription in Ukraine

  by no-zombie in

  1. watchtower
  2. beliefs

  i do not look at the organization's propaganda channel, 'jw news', as its as biased as russia's rt network.however i would like to know what you guys have heard about witnesses and the conscription issue in ukraine.

  interestingly, the ukrainian governments has publicly stated that it will require women to register for military service.

  while i doubt that will include front line duties (although about 10% of their active soldiers are already female), it going to test their resolves.

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  no-zombie

  I do not look at the Organization's propaganda channel, 'JW News', as its as biased as Russia's RT network.However I would like to know what you guys have heard about Witnesses and the conscription issue in Ukraine. Interestingly, the Ukrainian governments has publicly stated that it will require women to register for military service. While I doubt that will include front line duties (although about 10% of their active soldiers are already female), it going to test their resolves.