Posts by Tech49

186

Just out of curiosity, how many elders (current & ex) do we have here?

by mrquik in

jw
friends

me.

Tech49

Previously served as an elder for about 10 years, up until about a year ago. Just couldnt do it anymore...too much hypocrisy, backstabbing, personal agendas, politics, ass kissing, and general disregard for real love. It was becomming all about numbers, stats, and who you were friends with. The nepotism was rampant, double standards were blatantly obvious. Holy Spirit had left the building long ago.

I told Vic.... fu*# this, I'm out. Im not serving with these "brothers" ever again. I handed in my book and keys and left them dangling in the wind.

63

The " HIGHER EDUCATION" thread!!!

by DATA-DOG in

jw
friends

alright.

let's have the ultimate discussion on "higher education.

" let's talk about the good, the bad, and the ugly.

Tech49

Jack Harper, Tech49:

Age: Mid 40's

Highest Formal Education: HS

Graduated late 80's when it was absolutely NOT in the cards to even THINK about college. Turned down multiple scholarships, after graduating with Honors, top of the class in HS. My poor student counselor was beside herself, and just couldnt understand it (cause it didnt make sense, that's why!). Huge aptitude towards architecture and engineering. Turned down an offer to intern at an Architects office upon graduation, right when computerized drafting and design was just breaking ground. It was an exciting time! I wanted it soooo bad, but turned it down, to do the "right" thing. UGH. Looking back, I hate the decisions I made when I was 18 and 19, based on what others told me, or pressured me to do, 'cause the "system is going to end VERRRRRY soon!". However, I knew for a fact that there was no way I was going to be a pioneer tho. I grunted it out in the construction field for about 10 years (with the young wife and i slaving away at nighttime janitorial jobs to make ends meet..), until I met an older man one day on a jobsite, and he gave me a good talking to, and made me see where my future was, career-wise, if I continued on the current path. He made me think.... alot. I still think about that conversation we had. Fast forward about 15 years.........

Currently: Self employed, CEO and owner of a commercial company in the construction field, but at the higher end of the food chain, as architecture and engineering are a very important part of what we do. I made the decision to take extracurricular classes and CE courses in my industry about 10 years ago, yearly, to stay on top of things. The family and I live very comfortably, not rich, but fairly simply and comfortably. We get chastised for "working too much", or being "distracted" by "material things"...... sorry, how about YOU provide for my family then??? Morons.

I see many, even just this last weekend, that are "pioneers" all their lives, and are just plain dumb. No skills, no hobbies, nothing. Washing windows, cleaning houses, mopping floors. They aren't happy, no fulfillment, no joy. Sad, just sad.

PS.. My oldest just got accepted into the local Community College, studying Hybrid Vehicle Technologies, and Hybrid/Solar Utility Sciences. He's stoked, as are Vic and I !! No floor mopping for our kinfolk!

21

Can WTBTS legally do this for international conventions.

by joe134cd in

jw
friends

i was just reading this on jwservey with regard to the international conventions.

if an individual selected to attend a special convention loses his exemplary status and is no longer qualified to attend, the delegate should be thoroughly informed of the reason for your decision.

such a person would be fully responsible for any financial loss associated with his abrupt disqualification as a delegate, even up to the time he was supposed to depart.. .

Tech49

Simply put, no, they cant stop you, and dont have the authority or ability to do so. They dont have mall cops on duty, checking ID. Its all a percieved power trip, one that you would essentially have to allow youself to be a victim of.

That being said, I have seen it a few years ago, where a brother in our congregation became "disqualified" from attending an international convention, for allowing his DF son to live in his home.

He "allowed" himself to be pressured into forfeiting the trip with his family, with non-refundible tickets. He was pretty upset about it.

Its all a mind game, its all about control, .... but control that you willingly give up.

With this recent set of instructions regarding the upcoming international conventions, I mentioned to someone that we may just go to one on our own, without making special arrangements with the WT tour groups and packages. They were truly horrified! "You can't do that !!!" Um, yes I can.... who's gonna stop me? They dont have guards at the doors, for goodness sake. And yes, they are open to the public...they are just another DC with more people from different areas. Its just another way to forcefeed you with control and fearmongering for being disobedient to "instructions" from the Most Holy GB.

The mind games are ridiculous, insidious, and infantile.

Tech49

27

Education Double Standard

by Tech49 in

jw
friends

this is the kind of thing that really burns me.. .

wtbts holds out an extreme double standard in regards to education.

most, if not all, of you know how they feel about obtaining an education past high school (in the u.s.).

Tech49

I wanted to revive this thread from a few months ago, as it appears that the same double standard is occuring in other countries, Europe, etc.

Evem here in the US just lately on the West coast, there has been a real ramp up in the RBC's to look for "educated" workers...ie engineers, architects, developers, and the like. Word on the street is that the Regional Building Committes are being told to ramp up remodels and new construction by a factor of 4. Yes, 4 times the construction activity from last year, going into 2014.

Oddly enough though, hard to find that kind of quality workers coming from a non-educated pioneering background!

11

February KM

by pixel in

look at this instructions on the february km:.

announcements .

"when engaging in public witnessing using a table or a cart, publishers should not display bibles.

Tech49

Sad day for the publishing company known formally as Watchtower. I was previously disgusted by the fact that they were campaigning with their rolly carts, and did not display bibles....... because they didnt have any.

And now that they have them in stock...... they don't want them displayed for the general public to see or take at will. What if someone genuinely WANTS a bible, and doesnt want the hassle and sales-pitch of talking to you face-to-face?

Sad that the organization so many grew up with has morphed into this seudo-bible worship. Its more about JW.Org and the WT and AWAKE magazines than anything else, including a book that so many hold as sacred and holy. You used to be able to offer the plain, paperback bible to ANYONE that wanted it. Here, take a dozen!!

Sorry, no bibles for you plebians, unless of course you BEG for it and if they feel you DESERVE to have a copy.

Bleh.

74

The Gall Of WT To Give This Advice To Pioneers:

by JW GoneBad in

this past week's wt study lesson was entitled: 'pioneering strengthens our relationship with god'.. under the subheading 'remaining in the full-time service' in par 14 the wt has the nerve to give this admonition to pioneers: .

'desiring to learn from jesus' example, a pioneer does well to keep in mind that the more material things he has, the more he will have to maintain , repair, or replace.'.

i don't think the gb or anyone in the writing department has the freedom to speak on giving adivce on the matter of 'material things' given the fact that wt has close to a billion dollars in real estate and loads of money in various bank accounts; given the fact that gb is currently building themselves new living quarters with who knows what sort of comforts and other amenities.

Tech49

They might be classified as "pioneers", but you can bet your sweet ass that NONE of them are out knocking on doors for 70 hrs a month, and definitely not the almighty 8, even though thats what they "encourage" the plebian rank-and-file to do....

Fake, pompous, hypocritical, pious, and elitist.

31

USA, Oklahoma | Jehovah's Witness church elder Ronald Lawrence arrested over sex abuse claims dating back to 1980s

by jwleaks in

usa, oklahoma | jehovah's witness church elder ronald lawrence arrested over sex abuse claims dating back to the 1980's.

a 76-year-old mcalester man was arrested tuesday on 19 counts of sexual abuse after police received claims he molested several children while in a position of authority more than 30 years ago.. mcalester police detectives were alerted to the alleged sexual crimes conducted by ronald lawrence back in august when his first accuser reported abuse at the hands of a jehovah's witness church leader.. a woman now in her 40s told detectives lawrence, an elder at mcalester's kingdom hall of jehovah's witnesses, abused her when she was just eight years old, inviting her to his home, where he fondled her and raped her in his bathtub, according to her testimony found in lawrence's arrest warrant, which was issued tuesday.. two other accusers, also in their 40s, then came forward with similar stories of abuse.

both said they were very young, with one telling investigators the molestation took place from the time she was 10 until she was 13 years old.

Tech49

UPDATE: from the local news station in Oklahoma. Dear poor brother Lawrence was released on bail. Holy Spirit directed some kind soul to post his $50,000 bond. On another note, one of the victims' lawyers told reporters that he is working with multiple victims in this case.

31

USA, Oklahoma | Jehovah's Witness church elder Ronald Lawrence arrested over sex abuse claims dating back to 1980s

by jwleaks in

usa, oklahoma | jehovah's witness church elder ronald lawrence arrested over sex abuse claims dating back to the 1980's.

a 76-year-old mcalester man was arrested tuesday on 19 counts of sexual abuse after police received claims he molested several children while in a position of authority more than 30 years ago.. mcalester police detectives were alerted to the alleged sexual crimes conducted by ronald lawrence back in august when his first accuser reported abuse at the hands of a jehovah's witness church leader.. a woman now in her 40s told detectives lawrence, an elder at mcalester's kingdom hall of jehovah's witnesses, abused her when she was just eight years old, inviting her to his home, where he fondled her and raped her in his bathtub, according to her testimony found in lawrence's arrest warrant, which was issued tuesday.. two other accusers, also in their 40s, then came forward with similar stories of abuse.

both said they were very young, with one telling investigators the molestation took place from the time she was 10 until she was 13 years old.

Tech49

So they knew, in 2005, that he had molested children in the past. Per his own words, he admitted it to them. Then, at some point they reinstated him. Then, as mentioned, they appointed him as an MS, then later as an elder?

Instructions when appointing an elder are to ask several questions of the intended appointee, including one ..."have you ever abused children..." or something similar. The instructions clearly state that if he answers YES, then he is not to be appointed. So then did the elders just assume that this was soooo long ago that it didnt bear importance anymore? Or did HQ not feel it important, as they are the ones to determine whether someone is an actual "molester", as per instructions to the elders (BOE 2010 or 2011). Not one elder had the balls to call the cops. Spineless, and sackless. Obviously WT HQ gave the green light for his appointment, after mulling it over in heartfelt prayer. The body recommended him, the CO agreed, and the Holy Spirit appointed him. Really? Then arent they all equal sharer's in the cover up and punishable by law? ALL of them need to be included in a lawsuit.

Shame on that body of elders, and shame on WT HQ and its fake "policies" that do NOT protect victims. Shame shame. Sounds to me like there are a few more grown ups that need to be taken in for some alone time in the janitors closet of the state pen...

31

USA, Oklahoma | Jehovah's Witness church elder Ronald Lawrence arrested over sex abuse claims dating back to 1980s

by jwleaks in

usa, oklahoma | jehovah's witness church elder ronald lawrence arrested over sex abuse claims dating back to the 1980's.

a 76-year-old mcalester man was arrested tuesday on 19 counts of sexual abuse after police received claims he molested several children while in a position of authority more than 30 years ago.. mcalester police detectives were alerted to the alleged sexual crimes conducted by ronald lawrence back in august when his first accuser reported abuse at the hands of a jehovah's witness church leader.. a woman now in her 40s told detectives lawrence, an elder at mcalester's kingdom hall of jehovah's witnesses, abused her when she was just eight years old, inviting her to his home, where he fondled her and raped her in his bathtub, according to her testimony found in lawrence's arrest warrant, which was issued tuesday.. two other accusers, also in their 40s, then came forward with similar stories of abuse.

both said they were very young, with one telling investigators the molestation took place from the time she was 10 until she was 13 years old.

Tech49

So in 2005, after he confessed to the elders no one ever contacted authorities? Yes, they (the body of elders) are just as guilty. There is every reason in the world for charges to be filed on them as well. Sick, just sick. It took the courage of one of the abused to alert the police, after so many years of pain. Spineless elders couldnt bother themselves to pick up the phone, except to check in with "mother". Exactly whats wrong with this bunch; this WILL bite them in the ass, you watch.

58

Home schooled witness kids

by stillin in

sorry if i'm stepping on any toes here, but i haven't seen anything positive about home-schooling...at all.

the notion is that parents are taking advantage of the formative years to inculcate more worthwhile values while protecting their kids from worldly influences.

they end up with lazy, socially inept, illiterate duds who haven't a clue.

Tech49

Not sure if you could categorize this as a Success Story or not:

Vic and I home schooled our kids.... until about middle school. At that point, we recognized the invaluable education that could only be obtained thru actual interaction with other human beings their own age. Exposure to the "world" is the only way they would be able to cope with real life, so why deny them of it and shelter them in a bubble.? Are they going to make mistakes, get into fights, deal with kid-drama? Yep. That's what shapes us and makes us who we are. As parents, we wanted to be the ones to be there for them when they came home at the end of the day, to offer support, love, discussion, and explanation.

We are fully convinced that our initial Jump-Start was instrumental in the development of our children. At the same time, we have seen others who choose not to do so, and "home-school" until the child is old enough to "pioneer". Virtually without exception, they are some of the most socially inept, uncharismatic, uneducated, lackluster, lazy, welfare-prone bunch that can be imagined. And most, if they have any gumption, bolt for the door the day they turn 18. Seen it happen over and over and over.

Sad really. I know there are exceptions to the rule, but as a whole, that's what usually happens.