no-zombie

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Posts by no-zombie

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  8

  Anyone explain the generation idea!

  by Witness 007 in

  1. watchtower
  2. bible

  i don't understand we went thru a phase where we down played the generation so now it's the generation that knew the 1914 generation???

  is that correct?

  how does that even work.

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  no-zombie

  You are right to be confused, because it is a ridiculous application of scripture.

  But I'll start the ball rolling by talking about the beginning.

  In the late 1800s Russell began talking about the advent of Christ's rule and its imminent arrival, which crystalized into the year of 1914. Back in those days he based his assumptions not on Matthew 28 by Pyramidology and holy inches. However when 1914 passed it became necessary to now talk about the Kingdom's invisible presence. But after Russell die, Rutherford began to adopt the account of Matthew 28 and in particular verse 34, as the doctrine's internal support. Thus from around the 1940s the 'this generation will not pass' quote, became the catch phrase that gave people hope that the new world was just around the corner.

  i'll let someone else, pick up the story from here. :)
  
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  49

  Toasting

  by hoser in

  1. jw
  2. friends

  when did the jws make the rule that you couldn’t clink glasses together and raise glasses of wine?.

  and why the change to being a conscience matter now?.

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  no-zombie

  while I unfortunately haven't kept an example of this, but a line of reasoning I've seen used quite commonly in Watchtower magazines of the past, is that really a really simplistic example is used at the beginning of an article, and latter in the same study article, its used as prima facia for a heavier application.

  Following along with this reasoning, the Governing Body could very well tie lifting the beard sanction, the field service reporting adjustment and now the toasting issue together, as a basis of a more larger change.

  But to me, this just underscores the weakness of the Governing Body and their real lack of manly leadership. Because instead of standing up to make a difficult decision and owning the fallout, they play this game to minimize their loss of face by literally involving God, by claiming that these changes are part of Jehovah's blessing.
  
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  49

  Toasting

  by hoser in

  1. jw
  2. friends

  when did the jws make the rule that you couldn’t clink glasses together and raise glasses of wine?.

  and why the change to being a conscience matter now?.

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  no-zombie

  Yes, it does seem to me too, that the Governing Body has made to door open for birthdays once again.

  Because while the application of this update was all about the clinking of glasses, which is now to be just viewed a friendly act. The telling comment about wedding rings (although known to have pagan origins) seems to me more important.

  However as the Governing Body likes to use of precedents, by referring back past Watchtower articles or announcement, there might well be more in this line of reasoning. Thus in six months time, a Governing Body member could quite easily refer back to this update as the foundation for a discussion of birthdays. Saying in fact that while birthday celebrations may have had a religious connection thousands of years ago, its now just viewed as another ... friendly act.
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  5

  The Big Beautiful Bill giving birth to the OPPORTUNITY of Trump Wealthy Babies.

  by liam in

  1. social
  2. current

  i have lots of friends who had a new born this year, and they are excited as hell that they have an opportunity to give their children something they themselves didn’t get because their parents were hard-core jehovah's witnesses who refuse to support them in getting a better education to live a better life.. not only will they not raise their children as jehovah's witness, but they now have the opportunity to give their children a better life.

  all my friends are still young, under 24, so they still have time, .

  the "one big beautiful bill" includes a provision for "trump accounts," which will provide a one-time government contribution of $1,000 for every child born between january 1, 2025, and december 31, 2028. parents can also contribute up to $5,000 per year to these accounts.

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  no-zombie

  While I don't like to personally sabotage peoples post, I do like helping people with a little bit of a reality check ... and in this case regarding another one of Trump's 'golden promises', even more so.

  And quite simply, I would like to remind people of these well known facts.

  Firstly ... with 75% of Americans have less than $1000 in total saving currently, how are they going to find and additional 5k per year per child? Meaning of course if you have 2 children, you have to find an extra 10k for at least the next 20 years until your child can take over the payments. Have you got that kind of money to spare?

  Secondly ... with only a half of American's having any form of private health insurance, how are the planed cuts to medicaid going to effect the cash reserves of these family? I hope none of your kids will need braces.
  

  Thirdly ... with the tax breaks primarily to benefit the top 10% of US citizens, how are the bottom 90% going to be as trump personal said " we're going to become so rich, you're not going to know how to spend all that money"?

  I'm sorry, but even with a basic understanding of how money works, with over 4 trillion dollars spent/lost on non-income generating activity (like infrastructure spending or direct manufacturing support) ... increased national debt can only led to increased economic distress.
  

  But hey ... you guys voted for that man ... enjoy
  
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  11

  "Slimboyfat" response why I have Witnesses for dinner.

  by Witness 007 in

  1. jw
  2. experiences

  he asked why we have them over for dinner....we are not disfellowshiped just faded away so we can still have dinner with witness friends now we have known for 10 years.

  alot of "faders" do same.

  you might listen to afew dumb scriptures from them but still friends..

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  no-zombie

  I found this post quite funny ... as Witness 007, you don't have to explain anything ... to anyone.

  However I have gotten the impression by the comments of some here, that unless you are not some kind of hardcore Watchtower hater, you are morally deficit. Meaning of course, that Faders and PIMOs are sort of second class objectors and are taking the easy path out.
  

  Sorry I hate elitism anywhere.
  
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  66

  Time of the end - a TRINITY puzzler.

  by BoogerMan in

  1. watchtower
  2. bible

  (matthew 24:36) “concerning that day and hour nobody knows, neither the angels of the heavens nor the son, but only the father.".

  (jesus seems to have forgotten to include the holy spirit not knowing either).

  (acts 1:7) "he said to them: “it does not belong to you to know the times or seasons that the father has placed in his own jurisdiction.".

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  no-zombie

  While whole Trinity thing is a totally pagan concept, by simply reading Genesis 1:27, 5:3 and 9:6 (that says that man was made in God's image), the simple form of God is made plain by the inverse of those verses.

  How hard can it be.
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  36

  Few JW leader have children

  by slimboyfat in

  1. watchtower
  2. beliefs

  it’s been discussed before that few jw leaders, past and present, have had children.

  this is in contrast with other groups, such as the mormons, whose leaders have had a lot of children.

  i wonder if this has impacted jw growth.

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  no-zombie

  While I'll go out on a limb and stay that the Organization is itself moving towards JWLITE, the issue of having 'children in this system' will have to be addressed in some way, for a number of reasons.

  However the stumbling block for the Governing Body, is that having children is incompatible to expanding one's service into SKE, Bethel service or full-time construction. Thus for the desire to a have children to become a blessing, instead of a selfish longing, a drastic devaluing of theocratic 'careers' would have to occur. Which will be hard as being a Bethelite, an SKE graduate or a LDC overseer, are definitely seen of a badge of honor ... and a reason why many make the sacrifice to take them up.
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  36

  Few JW leader have children

  by slimboyfat in

  1. watchtower
  2. beliefs

  it’s been discussed before that few jw leaders, past and present, have had children.

  this is in contrast with other groups, such as the mormons, whose leaders have had a lot of children.

  i wonder if this has impacted jw growth.

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  no-zombie

  While I might look into this a bit latter, but could this stance taken by the Governing Body be another legacy from our 18th century Adventist past? I have a feeling that it might when we think about the nature of Firebrand Preachers of the time.
  
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  36

  Few JW leader have children

  by slimboyfat in

  1. watchtower
  2. beliefs

  it’s been discussed before that few jw leaders, past and present, have had children.

  this is in contrast with other groups, such as the mormons, whose leaders have had a lot of children.

  i wonder if this has impacted jw growth.

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  no-zombie

  While I can't unfortunately add to you list, slim, it is very telling set of numbers.

  To me, it seems rather evident that all the Governing Body members (and past Presidents) were true believers. Well true enough to make for themselves a social contract, where they traded having children for their positions in Bethel.

  But fact most were childless, only goes to illustrate why the Organization has a real lack of understanding of problems of child rearing, teenagers in particular. For the constant repetition of 'prayer, bible study, field service and meeting attendance' as the solution to any problem a youth has, is clear proof that none of them have a real clue of the world around them.
  

  Similar too is the Governing Body's strong recommendation of singleness and childlessness (done through to drive for young couples to serve full time), is really done only because they have never experienced the joys of being a parent themselves.
  

  Would the Society look different though, if the Governing Body had normal families and kids? Undoubtedly ... a lot more humanist, I wager. Which is a pity.

  Thanks for the original post.
  
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  56

  Predictions for the next decade?

  by jehovaxx in

  1. watchtower
  2. beliefs

  as it’s nearly the new year my prediction over the next decade or so will see the sense of urgency dwindle.

  then some huge huge changes.

  for example by 2034 in a decades time, they will have address the 1914 issue and will come out and say we can’t be dogmatic.

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  no-zombie

  As the numbers of disfellowshiped people are way smaller than those who become inactive and fade away, I wager that the faders are still believers (at varying levels of course), which would help explain the various surveys stating the larger JW population numbers. And within that group of course, would the JWLITEers.

  However this doesn't really help the Governing Body that much because they really need 'bums on seats'. Yes, as more and more Witness kids move out and the falling birth rate of Western Countries only getting lower, it going to get hard, much harder to finance the Organization. Not until the GB formally embraces JWLITE and rebuilds the social side of congregations, will people start seeing the value in staying or think about returning it.
  

  But will the Governing Body be brave enough to do it? I doubt it at the moment, not until the old guard are gone.