Posts by Tech49

40

Former Long Time Elder - Judicial Committees

by James Jackson in

when i first was appointed as an elder, i could not wait to be on a judicial committee.

it semed like most hearings invovled middle age men and women cheating on their mates because either they had married early or felt that were being neglected by their mate.

most times i felt i need to take a long hot shower after a hearing.. the toughest part was seeing these sweet young children grow up in "the truth", and now you are about to judge their future based on their repentance.

Tech49

James, I have participated in a few Judicial Committee meetings as well. I was always taught, by some very good brothers that I still look up to, that the brothers should not EVER ask for the gory little details, especially if it was a sister, sex was involved, etc etc. The deed was done, no matter the details, they werent important.

I was always taught to err on the side of Foregiveness, that's what Jesus would do, right? A key question I learned, to TRY and reason on someone's real heart condition..... was... Are they really WICKED, or were they just WEAK? VERY few people are truly wicked at heart. Angry, upset, full of emotion, lashing out, raving mad, sure. But wicked.... no.

On another side of the coin..... TRUE STORY:

I was the Book Study overseer for a long time, at the KH. Now, for those of you that don't know, if you are disfellowshipped, and want to attend the Book Study (when we still had it), you went to the KH. So I got 'em all. Some would come for a bit, then we would never see them again. Some were crazies, some were passing in the wind...

A few however, were different, and genuinely wanted to stay. It was sad really, but Ms Harper and I did what we could for them.

We would always include them in our "goodie nights"...... right before we concluded, Ms Harper would head to the back, and make a plate of goodies for the DF ones that had to make a break for the door, right after the "amen". She always met them at the door, gave them a plate, a smile, put her hand on their arm, and a quiet little "it was nice to see you here, see you again soon..."

Even on "non-goodie" nights, Ms Harper would casually take a bathroom break right before the closing prayer was said, and would just happen to be hanging out in the back when the DF folks would head for the door. She had plenty of good bathroom "conversations" with some of them too, during the bookstudy as well. We were always on the edge for that stuff, and got quite a few eyebrows raised at us, but no one EVER got in our face about it, they knew it was the right thing to do, even if they didnt have the guts to do it!

You would not believe what an impression that made! Several individuals commented later that sometimes our little efforts to just acknowledge them were what got them thru the day.

Speaking of that, I have always had a problem with the DF arrangement for that reason. These people arent DEAD for goodness sake! Nor are they invisible! Smile and say hi! Maybe they don't want to be a part of this stuff anymore, but they're still human!

I will ALWAYS acknowledge someone, with a wink, or a smile, or a nod, or whatever....... its cruel not to. CRUEL. Inhuman Assh***s. This isnt the stone age.

OK, sorry, got sidetracked there..... back to your regular programming.....

6

Tech 49: My Tripping Point, part 1

by Tech49 in

i have previously told a little about myself, and thought i would share a bit more.

my tripping point.

the point when you awaken from a dream.

Tech49

I have previously told a little about myself, and thought I would share a bit more. My tripping point. The point when you awaken from a dream. Remember the movie "Inception" ? The tripping point that awoke a dreamer was falling, an abrupt startle, something that just goes "POP" !

I was startled 'slightly' some 25 + years ago or so, as a senior in high school. You will note I said 'slightly'...... i fell back asleep, to truly be awoken completely only recently ( more on that later), but did not forget that very moment:

Here we were as Seniors, soon to graduate High School, looking forward to an unknown and exciting future. I was an honor student, my guidance counselor was constantly reminding me of the need to apply for scholarships, as they were readily available. I was VERY into architectual design, in an age when computers were just coming onto the scene. Exciting, fascinating times! I had an application in my hand for ITT Tech.

Then, one day, the local newspaper guy interviewed me, on the balcony deck of the office building. He took my picture, put it in the paper that week, with a brief story about an aspiring Senior. I remember his question clearly, I remember my answer, clearly. He even quoted my directly.

Reporter: "Tech49, where are you planning on going to college?"

Tech49: "oh, I won't be attending college."

Reporter: "Really, I am surprised. Why not? "

Tech49: "Well, I can't really afford it." ( lie, I knew I could get scholarships, probably a full ride if I wanted). ".... and besides, I can do much better on my own, I plan to start my own business..."

That exact moment has stuck with me for over a quarter of a century. I still have the newspaper clipping. I recall the exact way I felt at that very moment. My lips were moving, parroting the answers that had been ingrained into my head. College was unacceptable. Continued education was unacceptable. Despite above-average, way-above ordinary skills in computer aided drafting and engineering, I was telling a lie. My brain did not believe for a second what my lips were spewing. At that very moment, I knew what I was saying was B.S. I wanted to believe it, but I knew what was real and what was not.

I look at that young man in the black and white picture, and just shake my head. He was smart, full of life and a full future in front of him. He let other people dictate what his next few years were.

I blame my parents and the people around me for choking me, for taking that away. But I allowed them to.......

I have never forgotten the way I felt on that day, how foolish I felt, because I knew that I was tossing aside something big. I didnt dare admit it tho.

Fast-forward.......>>>>>>>>> Today, I work for myself, in an industry that is heavy reliant on those very skills I loved so much in high school. I do quite well, but the road to get here could have been so much quicker and faster. I wish so much that I had taken even just a few classes outside of High School to make myself better. Fortunately, at some point, I had a great conversation with an old man, on a jobsite one day, about 15 years ago. His advice was to make a plan for myself, and do it now. Start with what you love to do, and do it. Make a goal to be "here" in 10 years, "there" in another 10, and "there" soon after that. Before long...."it will be time to retire, and you'll be old like me!" Don't regret where you are, son."

I have always kept his advice in the back of my mind. I am sure he is long gone now, I don't even remember his name. But his advice still rings true.

We all can look back, and feel so stupid for the decisions we have made, or the ones that were forced upon us. But it does more good to learn from them, to realize that we CAN be more than mindless laborers, janitors, window-washers..... you get the point. Do what you love.

YOU are in control of you. Don't let anyone take that away from you, from today on. Those people or organizations we hate only have as much power as we give them.

It would take me another 25 years to fully awaken, to see reality.

Make a plan. Do it now.

IT'S NOT TOO LATE.

Jack Harper, Tech49

67

Tech49 on HOURS, TIME, and REPORTS

by Tech49 in

i thought i would share some of my observations on counting field service time, reports, etc.

and how those reports are viewed, to those that are still so fixated on numbers.. i served as secretary on the service committee for many years, and have seen it all!.

i was really disheartened when wt changed the requirement for aux pioneering to allow for 30 hrs, instead of the 50 it has been for so long.

Tech49

Socrateswannabe,

I agree wholeheartedly with your comments. You nailed it exactly. What is done cannot be undone. The cycle cannot be changed at this point. Just this week, another part in the Service Meeting from the KM reminded all "what a blessing and a privilege" it is to now have the opportunity, 4 times a year, to sign up for a 30-hour commitment.

Look forward a few years, and here is what I see happening: the incentives will have to continue, in order to support the numbers......the 50-hr commitment will dissapper entirely. Why wouldn't it? Who in their right mind will check the 50-hr box, when they can wait until next month and check the 30-hr box. DUH. Then, soon after that, there will be SPECIAL times of the year, Memorial Season, DC Season, when you can sign up for a 20-hr month! Aux Pioneering for all!!! What a blessing! Regular Pioneering requirements will have to be reduced as well, from the current 70 hrs, to probably 60.

The standard continues to fall, as is the interest in spending your personal time and money doing a work that is by all counts fruitless and disheartening.

As stated, these guys aren't rocket scientists....

9

Self-made Persecution?

by Tech49 in

at the recent dc, we had the 1 hour drama on sunday that focused on trusting in jehovah, no matter what events come up.

in the opening scene, we see a father watching a news broadcast on tv, and he learns that jw's have been banned, overnight.. this got me thinking, again.

almost weekly, we hear about persecution coming, soon soon soon!

Tech49

At the recent DC, we had the 1 hour drama on Sunday that focused on trusting in Jehovah, no matter what events come up. In the opening scene, we see a father watching a news broadcast on TV, and he learns that JW's have been BANNED, overnight.

This got me thinking, again. Almost weekly, we hear about PERSECUTION COMING, soon soon soon! Be PREPARED for PERSECUTION!

So what if WT is paving the way for a self-made event, to "force" prophecy fulfillment? They KNOW it will happen at some point......."Look, see! We TOLD you it would happen!"

Here's how it works:

1. Money. Big government is already looking with disfavor upon churches, just look at the tax issue alone. BILLIONS of money being lost to TAX-EXEMPT churches and organizations, including WTBTS. Especially those that they deem as mostly a sham, or those not really engaging in a "non-profit" work, and those that claim to be "helping" the general community, but who arent doing much more than hocking books and literature. At some point, the goverment will look to that missing tax base for money, and all hell will break loose. I am sure you all can elaborate on this one, but you get the general idea.

2. Property. WT holds title to THOUSANDS of properties across the USA, and many more worldwide. With the slow but steady "forcing" of Kingdom Halls to relinquish titles to "mother", individual ownership is gone. The portfolio of WT continues to grow daily. Look at the massive construction efforts taking place right now in NY...... um, WHY? Have you seen the plans for that thing!! Holy Moses, no expense is being spared! It would not be inconceivable for another case like the Conti case to trigger a MASSIVE lawsuit against WT, again. A court order to SEIZE, or at the very least, FREEZE the properties of WT, until an outcome is decided, which could take years, would be in order. So KH's and Assembly Halls are locked up. And then the cry....... PERSECUTION, PERSECUTION !!! WOE is ME !!!

WTBS is setting itself up for a Manufactured Event, one that they will manipulate into "fulfillment of prophecy". You watch, it's coming.

Oh, we are so blessed.....

Your thoughts?

Jack Harper, Tech49

88

jw.org store in Rouen, France

by breakfast of champions in

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rvcvnhohno4.

naaaahh.

we're not a business.

Tech49

I first noticed this little change a while back on a trip to Walkill, NY. They were setting up similar " informational kiosks" inside Walkill Bethel, to be a part of the tour. I would imagine to garner the favor and support of the friends visiting ("isnt that a WONDERFUL blessing?? Look how Jehovah is using modern technology!!") , as it would be a poor use of resources for the public at that particular location. Wont be long, and we will see storefronts stateside, if they are not already in motion.

.Man, I want to get my service time in by hanging out in one of those all day! Drinking coffee and holding a chair down..... reminds me of manning the booths at trade shows....Sorry, this particular privilege is only for "special", "approved" publishers..... Not you...

So when will the latest WT tell us about the NEW LIGHT of a name change? From now on, we will be known as JayDubbleYou dot org'ers. ?

25

Feeling Guilty

by naazira in

jw
friends

i am feeling gulity because i will not be going to the summer convention.

i just can not sit through the talks they are sooo boring.

im cutting off all contact with the witnesses.

Tech49

I attended this years DC recently. This was the first year of really being awake and aware, and I was just flabbergasted at the inordinate amount of the same-ole same-ole !!

The talks were BORING ! O.....M....G.... 3 days of the same stuff over and over again.... You don't do enough, simplify, go out in service more, dont be infected by apostates, pray more and all will work out, you dont need an education, trust Mother, study in OUR publications only. RINSE, REPEAT.......

This year I did more walking around than ever before, and I didnt feel guilty ONE LITTLE BIT. I went out and sat in the car for a bit, and was pretty surprised by the amount of people just out walking around mid-session! Guess they were bored too!

May I remind you folks in the Convention Department, that Stadium Seats are not meant to be camped in for 3 DAYS! Lordy, my back and legs were dying! I saw little kids around me just in agony! I thought to myself........"they have absolutely NO desire to be here, forced to sit on a cold hard aluminum BENCH, for 3 DAYS! I had an older couple behind me mutter....."that kid needs a good spanking..." I turned around and said "hey, lighten up, maybe he's 3, and maybe he cant stand it any more, he's just bored!" They told my daughter she needed to be quiet and stop having so much fun visiting with her friends, "...you should know better young lady!" OMG seriously!!

Idiots.

I heard MANY complaints, from other families, including "elder wives", that they didnt get alot out of the program, and that it sounded pretty much the same as all the other DC's in the past. If it wasnt for the endless change of speakers every 10 minutes, a new release of this or that, 2 dramas, a sound drama, we all would have fallen asleep.

The visiting brother from Bethel was an old codger that was so monotone and dull, it was plain ridiculous! Worship, kneel, oh what a privilige!!!

The manuscript talks that are give nowadays are flat, lifeless, and have no general character. No more spontaneous experiences or personal "flair" from each speaker, READ WHAT IS ON THE SHEET you robot. The experiences are lifeless and embellished upon.

One quick one: We were at the hotel, an upper end one mind you, eating breakfast, and this same gal would come down about the same morning, all 3 days, with her kids. She was a big lady, probably 300# easy, ate like a horse, biscuits and gravy piled high! Rude, loud, downright not nice to her kids, oblivious to the people around her just trying to get out the door. DC badges in plain sight, ......My kids and I just looked at her and shook our heads.

Sure enough, during one of the talks, there she is onstage, whining about how bad her health is, life is so hard, blah blah blah, and just can't wait for the Paradise to cure all her ills !! *face-palm* doh! Nice. Is it really that hard to find good experiences, or are we resorting to just making this stuff up??? Never mind, don't answer that....

Remember when they would gather experiences from all 3 days, and relate a few of them on Sunday afternoon?? Gone, no more. Remember when the visiting speaker would be a GOOD ONE, and would be funny and light, tell a few personal jokes or details about himself, use the last part on Sunday to relate some PERSONAL experiences, or updates at the branch, and you could count on him going overtime, getting carried away with telling us about the GOOD things that were happening, including things that took place RIGHT HERE, at this venue? We all kind of looked forward to it in a way, because it left you feeling like you were a part of something bigger. Now, GONE. Program ends at 3:50, on the dot. No fooling around, no anecdotes. Just BLAH BLAH BLAH, Drive safely, sing. Pray. CLAP CLAP CLAP. Oh we are SOOOO BLESSED!

I was glad it was over. Nothing like PAYING (hotels, meals, gas, etc) to be BORED out of one's SKULL!

Lesson: Dont feel guilty, do what's best for you and your family.

Jack Harper, Tech49

31

Former, Long Time Part 2

by James Jackson in

jw
friends

first of all thanks for all the kind words!!!

i am over whelmed by the responses.

i work very hard through the week and the only time i can reply is in the early morning hours, i read the respones on my iphone through out the day, if there was a way to log on with the phone, i would.

Tech49

Thank you for following my brief ramblings. This is all a new experience for me as well, mixed with roller-coaster emotions, and internal struggles to justify facts against feelings, with a liberal amount of reasoning tossed into the mix.

We are taught for decades to study, reason, think, and yet... here we are, in a position we would rather not have been put in, to know the truth about the truth. My foray into researching the familiar topics discussed on this site has only been in the last 6 months or so. Usually I study and peruse sites like this one, and others, in the evening, after the family has gone to bed and all is quiet.

One evening, early into my efforts to decifer these conflicting emotions, my wife comes out, and here I am with the WT library open, several books spread out on the table, computer open....... She says "What are you doing up so late?" "Just doing some studying." "I don't think I can remember you studying so intently before... everything alright?" "Yep, just studying."

Then, out of nowhere, came this comment, half-joking, half-serious.... "You're not becoming an apostate, are you??"

I chuckled, hiding my embarrassment and confusion and hurt all at the same time, and said something to the effect of "No, no, silly. Just doing some research on something that was on my mind..."

That one comment alone really struck me hard. I thought about it for a while. Then it came to me. Why is it that a person is automatically LABELED as a threat when they make the effort to question something, to do research that's 'out of the ordinary'. Now, I know she means no harm, She just uttered the first thing that popped into her mind......but it occurred to me that she was speaking from years of cult-like mentality that had been ingrained into all of our minds. That one simple comment insinuated that I was doing something wrong. Since when is RESEARCH and STUDY wrong??

Can we not listen to the experiences of REAL people, not just the sanitized, regurgitated versions we see on the platform at every DC, CA, and SAD? I am soooo tired of hearing about sister blahblah giving up a good-paying job just to pioneer... and look, she is doing just fine! OK, well, if you would like to help provide for MY family, I can pioneer full time too, please send the check to me at ........... anyways, I digress.

James Jackson, continue your journey. I will as well, I have yet to read Crisis of Conscience, I am almost afraid to in a way. I feel like I am holding onto questions that I know the answers to already. I appreciate Barbara Andersons story and website as well. JWFacts.com also. I like the facts, let's not muddle them with emotional outbursts and hate speech, just the facts.

Thus far, its been an eye-opening trip down the rabbit hole for me. I had never heard of the UN debacle, even being an elder at the time. Never heard of the Canti Conti case, never heard a peep about the child abuse cases that were paid off in California and across the country. I have always known that the claim of Elder's being appointed by Holy Spirit untrue, as I have seen some pretty nasty brothers in positions of power, in fact, some could be honestly described as "wicked". The "Holy Spirit" appointment process is a stretch at best, a fallacy manufactured by men to justify their own actions. It hurts me a little to say that, because at one time I believed in it. As I have seen more and more, as I have experienced more, I see what is real, not just what is perceived.

It bothered me that the WT and AWAKE were downsized, dumbed-down, and basically turned into coloring books and crossword puzzles for the illiterate. No more good, intelligent, thought provoking articles that MADE SENSE. Even the Study Copy of the WT has a "simplified" version for those folks that just can't follow the circular reasoning of the week. *sigh*

Then, the introduction of the almost-mandatory Family Study night, in place of the Book Study came along. Ok, I'll play along. I was a CBS Overseer for many years, and always had a good time with the groups. Now I could definitely sense dissappointment in the hearts of the friends. The one night when they could let their hair down a bit, enjoy a closer group, spend some time just being themselves in a warmer environment, was now gone.

Parts given at the assemblies are ALL manuscript. No more improvisation, just read what's on the sheet please brother, and don't muck it up. Experiences are bland, sometimes even embellished upon, painted over and given a coat of shellac. I have seen the CO, at assembly practice meetings, make sure that the brothers change their experience parts, even make stuff up, to make them seem more "lively", and to "fit" the point they are trying to make. Or "you can't say that, change your wording to this... we wouldn't want the Organization to look bad!" *sigh* I'm sure you've seen the same things.

The spontenaity (sp?) is gone, its all just more blah blah blah Listen Obey Listen Obey listen obey be blessed or else......You're not EVER doing enough, do more do more do more. Give up more, give up more, give up more, on and on and on. I am tired of the beat down.

Anyways, enough of my ramblings, this is your thread my friend, enjoy your journey, thank you for sharing.

Jack Harper, Tech49

16

Excuse me.......What Does GOD Need With a Starship ?

by Tech49 in

i have been pondering this thought for a while now, perhaps you all can expound on it a bid.

the bible describes god as "jealous", having great "rage".

"burning anger".

Tech49

I have been pondering this thought for a while now, perhaps you all can expound on it a bid. The bible describes God as "Jealous", having great "Rage". "burning anger". Many citations show people to have great "fear" of him, and not the "fear of displeasing" as some would have you believe, but a genuine FEAR.

Sometimes he is shown to have "listened" to humans, allowing their line of reasoning to influence his decisions on matters, decisions that at times have been made in haste, with great emotion. Hmmm, an all-knowing God that has his mind swayed by humans?

He is said to "permit" wickedness, yet some he destroys in a single sweep! He is said to demand complete loyalty and respect, absolute obedience and servitude, yet willing to kill billions of men women and children who have never heard of him.

These are just a few quick examples of where I am going with this thought: These are qualities and attributes that you would certainly find in an arrogant, power-mad despot of a man, not a God of ultimate wisdom, are they not?

A great clip from Star Trek 5, the Final Frontier is in order here.

Here is a link to the video, maybe someone can make it live, or post the video itself?

www.youtube.com/watch?v=QkT1-N0VqUc

Jack Harper

88

Former Long Time Elder, New Member

by James Jackson in

jw
friends

i have served 20 years as an elder, 5 years as an ms. was on the district committee in 2010, held various positions on the district , circuit, and rbc level.

probably been on more than 100 judicial committees and even an appeals committee.

was the coordinator in our congregation and deleted because adult child was df ( i kicked him out at the time of his wrongdoing, but that wasn't enough for thr brothers).

Tech49

James, I too am in a similar position. Look up my introductory post, just a few days ago. Up until recently, I was an elder for 10 years., MS for 8 prior to that.

My family and I are still "in", I am gently awakening them from their foggy sleep.

Briefly, there were just too many things that didn't add up, and I was tired of the politics, backstabbing, bickering,.... the whole "fakeness" of it all.

I turned in my "badge" and "gun", told my wife there was no way I could serve with these brothers any more. Time to make some changes in our lives, and start doing things that were in the best interests of US, not everyone else all the time. We still attend, go thru most of the motions, but there is a different perspective to it all now.

I have no ax to grind, or agenda in any way. I lurked here for a long time, and watched and observed. I saw a distinct pattern of people who were hurting, had been hurt, and who were dealing with the same feelings of betrayal that I was, albeit on different levels with differing circumstances.

In short, I felt I could be of best use HERE, maybe share some of my experiences, my observations, and bring a little sunshine to someone's life. Previously, I had begun to feel like a disposable cog in the machinery of all things WT, and not the helper, friend, and teacher that I had been mentored to be by so many older, caring, genuine brothers some 20 years ago.

Things have changed in the organization, and they are continuing to change rapidly, and I fear, that it is not for the good. As was mentioned by others, the "TELL" is that so many elders like us are suddenly stepping out of the shadows. They blinked.

I would be privileged to discuss things more here publicly, or via PM if you have the opportunity.

Yours,

Jack Harper, Tech49

57

The Elders want to meet with me ... (Judicial Meeting)

by Oubliette in

the elders want to meet with me.

at least that's what they keep telling me, and they've been saying it for more than a month and a half now.

just so you're clear: this is a judicial committee.

Tech49

I feel bad for you.

Here is exactly what's happening: Most recent instructions dictate that the Judicial Committee to whom your letter is addressed meet with you, promptly, to discuss your letter requesting re-instatement. That's the 'rules'. Regardless of how many letters have been submitted, the protocol should be the same every time.

Here is where things go sideways in a hurry: If "someone" doesnt want to address your letter, or thinks that you arent serious, or whatever is in their beady little brains, they will continue finding reasons to put it off. "Promptly" becomes "whenever there isn't something else to do." That way, if someone like yourself REALLY raises a stink and contacts the CO, they can come back and say...."We've been trying to meet, but we've just been sooooo busy!!"

What can you do about it? Not a thing. That's the beauty of men with control issues. They really don't care about anyone other than themselves.

If you are getting "positive" feedback from the friends, that's a good sign, hang in there, keep asking. The BEST thing you can do is approach the one brother you have the best rappoir with, keep asking him whats going on. You'll get there. All things in time.

Let the end justify the means.

Jack Harper