Never trust a Jew, an arab or an apostate either. They're all alike too, don't you think?
shadow
JoinedPosts by shadow
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12
"Never Trust a Bethelite"
by drew sagan ini remember a long time ago hearing the phrase.
during my time as a witness i've known a few, and the amazing thing is that it really is quite true.
the two i really got to know both had problems, in fact they where much in the same personality wise.
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Bethel Downsizing - Management Discussions
by core in.
the spin on downsizing is apparently "go out into the field" yet when the gb initially considered this it must have been presented as a practical problem - too much surplus hr capacity/ too expensive to maintain - or whatever and yet they turned it into a positive matter by stressing the return to the field - all those in such discussions are clearly able to deceive themselves as much as they try and deceive the "flock" - what do you think - did a discussion on a practical problem have to have a positive outcome and how did they twist their minds so as to sell it as such - for years they begged people to stay in bethel service (make it your home for life) and now they cast them out into the world with the thin veneer of "speedin g up the preaching work .. etc".
all those at the top must have been involved in turning this huge embarrasment (jehovah will provide etc) into a positive spin - they should try out for a marketing award "downsizing - the only way to grow!
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shadow
In the interests of combating ignorance . . .
http://www.drexel.edu/IRT/SAP/about.html
About SAP
SAP offers companies a comprehensive solution for managing financials, human resources, operations, and corporate services -- providing the most comprehensive ERP product available today. It attempts to integrate all departments and functions across a company onto a single computer system that can serve all those different departments' particular needs.
Facts about SAP
- Founded by five former IBM employees in 1972 and headquartered in
- Leading global provider of client/server business software solutions.
- Number one vendor of standard business application software, with a worldwide market share of 31%.
- Fourth-largest independent software supplier in the world.
- Available in 14 languages.
- 34% of SAP's customers worldwide are under $200 million.
- 10 out of the top 10 companies with the highest market value use SAP software.
- 8 of the top 10 largest corporations use SAP software.
- 8 of the top 10 highest profit companies use SAP software.
- More than 7500 customers in over 90 countries have chosen SAP.
- Reported revenues of DM 6 billion in the most recent fiscal year, a 62-percent increase over 1996 revenues.
SAP Products
SAP products empower companies of all sizes and all industry sectors to respond quickly and decisively to dynamic market conditions, helping businesses achieve and maintain a competitive advantage. Its strategic product architecture links all areas of an enterprise. Crucial to making sure that SAP products, your legacy systems, and third-party products all work together as seamlessly as possible are the development of open interfaces to link disparate systems and provide enormous scalability and flexibility. SAP, in collaboration with its hundreds of complementary software partners and world-class hardware providers, has created this program to ensure the use of its standard implementation methodologies; and realize the solution in an accelerated time frame at least cost to the customer.
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the 5/14/06 watchtower study
by buffalosrfree ini was watching my wife study the watchtower saturday and sunday morn before leaving for the hall, she had a couple of questions about the ethiopian enuch (spelling) and phillip.
i asked her honey, think a second are you able to read a book or mag while driving in the car on faily good roads, and of course her answer was no.
why i asked she said its too hard to, the bumping the movement of the car/truck etc throws the words off all the time.
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shadow
1. The chariot wasn't going too fast, Philip was able to keep up on foot and even start a conversation.
2. The type of road is not mentioned, maybe it was dirt. I've driven a car on dirt roads at 50 mph and had a very smooth ride.
The points made here seem to be full of assumptions and quite ridiculous. -
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Bribes and WTS----HELP
by Tea4Two in.
i remember reading years ago in the watch tower or the awake that it was ok to give a bribe if it was the custom in that particular country.......i don't have the cd rom to search for the article....can anyone here help me out?
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shadow
*** w86 10/1 pp. 30-31 Questions From Readers ***
Questions
From Readers?
How can a Christian distinguish between bribing (condemned in the Bible) and giving a "tip" or "gift" for a service rendered?We need to appreciate that practices differ from area to area. Ways that are accepted in some lands would be offensive or improper elsewhere. For example, people in one country may bow before an official, but in another land that would be viewed as idolatry. Similarly, a "tipping" practice accepted in one land might be shocking or illegal in another. While bearing such differences in mind, all Christians should apply God’s counsel against bribery.
What is bribery, and what does the Bible say about it? The World Book Encyclopedia explains: "Bribery means giving or offering something of value to a person in a position of trust, who in return violates his or her duty or the law in order to benefit the giver." Thus it is bribery to give money (or a gift) to a judge to influence his decision and pervert justice. It is also bribery to offer money so as to circumvent the law, such as asking a building or automobile inspector to ignore a violation.
God condemns bribery, telling Israelite judges: "You must not pervert judgment. You must not be partial or accept a bribe, for the bribe blinds the eyes of wise ones and distorts the words of righteous ones." (Deuteronomy 16:19; compare Proverbs 17:23; Isaiah 1:23; 5:23; 1 Samuel 8:3-5.) Jehovah himself sets the standard, for with him "there is no unrighteousness or partiality or taking of a bribe." (2 Chronicles 19:7; Deuteronomy 10:17) Christians desiring God’s approval refuse to resort to bribery.—Compare Acts 24:26.
While men worldwide denounce and have laws against bribery, many people face the problem reflected in the above question. They know that it takes a "gift" or "tip" to get minor officials in their land to do their job or to do it fairly. For instance, The Wall Street Journal said about a land rife with inflation: "To obtain the extra cash needed to get by, government workers resort to petty corruption. ‘You have to pay them to hand you any kind of form,’ says the head of a state agency. Meanwhile, immigration officials badger bewildered foreign tourists at the international airport for $20 to stamp their passports so the travelers don’t miss their planes."
Recently, U.S.News & World Report commented on bureaucratic delays and resulting payoffs that are common around the world. For instance, it said: "An Indian these days must slip money to an official on the side to enroll a child in school, to gain admittance to a hospital, even to secure reservations on a train." Other illustrations of this include:
—A tradesman needs a permit before he can work. He pays the official fee at the government office, yet everyone knows that without a "gift" his papers will be kept on the bottom of the pile. While he is not asking to be put ahead of others, if he gives the normal "tip," his paper will be properly handled.
—In a certain land, people know that traffic officers get low pay and are expected to add to it with "gifts for refreshments." An officer stops a driver and says that a law was broken, so the man must pay a fine. When the driver protests that he broke no law, the officer warns that if the matter goes to court, he will charge the man also with assaulting an officer. Thus, many simply pay the "fine," viewing it as unofficial taxation. Others refuse, being willing to take the consequences.
—A municipality is supposed to provide garbage collection. But it is normal for a householder to give the garbagemen a "gift." If someone does not, his trash is "forgotten," and he is liable to be fined for unsanitary conditions.
Such problems show that many in authority use their government post for unjust profit. (Ecclesiastes 8:9) Christians long for God’s righteous new system, but until then they must cope with the present system. (2 Peter 3:13) This may mean recognizing local situations wherein public servants expect gifts for performing their job. Even in lands where such is normal, many of Jehovah’s Witnesses who deal with inspectors and customs officials have declined to give "tips" to obtain what the law entitles them to. Because they are known for this stand, they receive treatment that most people get only through a payment. (Proverbs 10:9) However, each Christian must be guided by his Bible-educated conscience according to the local situation.
Love for neighbor is a factor to consider. (Matthew 22:39) It would be unloving to use a "gift" to get preferred treatment, such as being moved to the head of a line, bypassing those who were waiting. Jesus counseled us to treat others as we want to be treated. (Matthew 7:12) Some Christians may feel that as their turn in line comes, they can comply with the practice of the land to give a "gift" to get an official to do what his job requires. Of course, in lands where such "gifts" are not customary or they are shocking to public sensibilities, the loving Christian will act in a way that does not stumble others.—1 Corinthians 10:31-33.
Another factor is obedience to law. Jesus urged: "Pay back Caesar’s things to Caesar, but God’s things to God." (Mark 12:17; see also Matthew 17:24-27.) It is one thing if a Christian who has not broken the law is expected to "tip" a government employee or other official. But what if a Christian actually had violated the law? In that case, how could he in good conscience offer a bribe to induce an officer to ignore the violation? The apostle Paul wrote that we should fear governmental superior authorities, who are empowered "to express wrath upon the one practicing what is bad." (Romans 13:3, 4) Paul’s own position was: If he did wrong, he would accept the appropriate punishment. (Acts 25:10, 11) Thus, a Christian who violated a traffic law might have to pay a fine or fee, as directed by an officer or a judge.
Paul also said that governments are ‘ministers to you for your good.’ Despite the greed of some officials, governments do provide services for the public good. For instance, officials inspect automobiles as to their roadworthiness, and they examine whether buildings are in compliance with fire codes. Therefore, if a Christian felt that, within the law, he could "tip" an official who expected a "service fee," it is evident that this is quite different from bribing an inspector to ignore violations of the law.
In whatever land they live, Christians should exercise practical wisdom in dealing with local situations. God’s servants should remember that those who ‘will be guests in God’s tent and reside in his holy mountain’ cannot resort to bribery. (Psalm 15:1, 5) With regard to giving "tips" to receive rightfully due services or to avoid unfair treatment by officials, a Christian must decide what his conscience permits and bear responsibility for any resulting complications. He certainly should pursue a course that leaves him with a good conscience personally and that does not sully the good name of Christianity or stumble observers.—2 Corinthians 6:3.
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Bribes and WTS----HELP
by Tea4Two in.
i remember reading years ago in the watch tower or the awake that it was ok to give a bribe if it was the custom in that particular country.......i don't have the cd rom to search for the article....can anyone here help me out?
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shadow
*** w05 4/1 p. 29 Questions From Readers ***
Questions
From ReadersShould
a Christian give a government employee a tip or a gift for his services, or would that be viewed as bribery?Wherever they live, Christians seek to exercise practical wisdom in dealing with local situations, remembering that what is acceptable and legal in one land may be totally unacceptable and illegal in another. (Proverbs 2:6-9) Of course, a Christian should always bear in mind that anyone who wants to be "a guest in [Jehovah’s] tent" must shun bribery.—Psalm 15:1, 5; Proverbs 17:23.
What is bribery? According to The World Book Encyclopedia, "bribery means giving or offering something of value to a . . . person in a position of public trust, who in return violates his or her duty or the law in order to benefit the giver." Thus, regardless of where one lives, it is bribery to give money or a gift to a judge or a police officer to pervert justice or to an inspector to turn a blind eye to a defect or a violation. It is also bribery to use a gift to receive preferential treatment, such as getting moved forward on a waiting list or bypassing others in line. Such a course would also betray a lack of love.—Matthew 7:12; 22:39.
But is it bribery to give a gift or a tip to, say, a public servant in order to obtain a legitimate service or to avoid unfair treatment? For example, in some lands officials may be unwilling to enroll children in school, admit a person into a hospital, or stamp immigration documents until they receive a tip. Or they may procrastinate in processing applications to renew licenses and permits.
Tipping practices and the general attitude toward them vary from one place to another. Where such payments are customary or expected, some Christians may feel that within the law, they are not violating Bible principles when they tip an official to perform his duty. In some lands people may even view such payments as a gift to supplement a public employee’s otherwise low income. Keep in mind that there is a difference between extending a gift for a legitimate service and offering a bribe for an unlawful favor.
On the other hand, when making legitimate requests, some of Jehovah’s Witnesses have declined to give tips to inspectors, customs officials, or others even where such gift-giving is routine. Because the Witnesses are known locally both for taking this conscientious stand and for their honesty, they sometimes receive treatment that most people get only through a payment.—Proverbs 10:9; Matthew 5:16.
In summary, each servant of Jehovah must decide for himself whether he will extend a tip to receive a legitimate service or to avoid unfair treatment. Above all, he should pursue a course that leaves him with a good conscience, that brings no reproach on Jehovah’s name, and that does not stumble others.—Matthew 6:9; 1 Corinthians 10:31-33; 2 Corinthians 6:3; 1 Timothy 1:5.
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divorce
by deda inif a spouse has been unfaithful and a legal divorce has been finalized is the marriage over in the church's eyes?
i've been told by the elders that i must witness the adultry or provide two witnesses that can speak to the adultry.
my ex-spouse will never confess to his past or current sexual acts.
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shadow
*** w77 10/1 pp. 607-608 Questions From Readers ***
Questions
From Readers?
My unbelieving husband admitted to me that he has another woman. Is his admission sufficient ground for a Scriptural divorce?In some cases if a Christian’s unbelieving mate admits to committing immorality, that would provide a Scriptural basis for a divorce, which, in turn, would free the innocent Christian for remarriage if desired.
Jehovah God’s law to the ancient nation of Israel made provision for divorce on various grounds. (Deut. 24:1, 2) Adultery, homosexuality and bestiality were bases for ending a marriage; the guilty person was to be executed. (Deut. 22:22-24; Lev. 18:22, 23) However, the Law set forth this important requirement: "At the mouth of two witnesses or of three witnesses the one dying should be put to death. He will not be put to death at the mouth of one witness." (Deut. 17:6; 19:15; Num. 35:30) Being a "lover of righteousness and justice," Jehovah required that such matters be determined on the basis of proof, of witnesses, not merely suspicion. (Ps. 33:5) This, of course, was stated as regards applying the death penalty, not as regards a divorce action.
Another situation dealt with in the Law also illustrates the importance of proof. What was a man to do if he suspected that his wife had committed adultery but she denied it and there were no witnesses? God’s law outlined a step that could be taken, but it was a drastic one that could have lasting effects for the wife if she was guilty or for the husband if she was innocent. She could be brought before the priest and made to share in a prescribed procedure involving drinking some special water. If she was guilty, she would experience the divine punishment of her ‘thigh falling away,’ apparently meaning that her sexual parts would atrophy and she would lose her ability to conceive. (Num. 5:12-31) Evidently in such cases the adulterous wife, though receiving this extraordinary punishment from God, because she denied guilt and there were not the required two witnesses, was not executed.
What is the situation today in the Christian congregation? Is it possible to obtain substantial testimony as to the grounds for a Scriptural divorce?
Jesus himself stated that for his followers the only ground for divorce, such as would free a person for remarriage, is if one’s mate commits porneia, gross sexual immorality. (Matt. 19:9) Would there be sufficient ground for divorce if a Christian wife merely suspected that her husband was guilty of adultery? No, for the Christian Greek Scriptures carry forward the principle of a matter’s being established by two or three witnesses, as a balanced sense of justice requires. (John 8:17, 18; 1 Tim. 5:19; Heb. 10:28) So, if a wife merely suspected her husband of adultery, but he denied it and there were no witnesses to confirm it, she would not have sufficient basis for establishing with the Christian congregation that she had a right to divorce him and thus be free to remarry.
In some cases, though, an unbelieving mate admits to being immoral. A husband, for instance, might even boast of it to his wife as a taunt to hurt her. She might choose to overlook his waywardness. But what if she feels she cannot or should not? Is his confession enough proof?
In this situation it is not as if he professes innocence or adamantly denies being guilty of adultery. Rather, he admits it to her, though for the sake of his reputation he might not be willing to own up to it in a court of law or before other persons. What can the wife do?
Since she is part of the clean Christian congregation, she should realize the importance of handling the matter properly so that, after divorcing him, if she later remarried there would be no question about her keeping ‘the marriage bed without defilement.’ (Heb. 13:4) To that end she could give the elders representing the congregation a letter outlining her situation, stating that her unbelieving husband confessed to her that he had committed immorality. And she could state that in accord with Matthew 19:9 she wishes to put him away, obtaining a legal divorce and thus ending the marriage Scripturally and legally.
The elders would consider whether there is any known reason to conclude other than that the unbelieving mate had been immoral. If not, they could accept her signed statement.
‘But,’ someone might say, ‘is it not possible to submit a deceptive, untruthful statement, saying that her husband confessed immorality when he actually never said that?’ Actually, it would be gross deception for anyone to try that. David once prayed: "You have examined my heart, you have made inspection by night, you have refined me; you will discover that I have not schemed." (Ps. 17:3) Conversely, Jehovah is well aware when someone does scheme and He will make sure that the person does not lastingly succeed. Hence, if a Christian woman goes on record as stating that her husband has admitted immorality, Jehovah knows the facts. As the Bible says: "There is not a creation that is not manifest to his sight, but all things are naked and openly exposed to the eyes of him with whom we have an accounting."—Heb. 4:13; Prov. 5:21; Jer. 16:17.
So if there is no reason to doubt the wife’s statement, the congregation elders can leave the matter between her and Jehovah. In that case she would have to bear before God the responsibility as to the actuality of her husband’s immoral course, which would be the Scriptural basis for ending the marriage even if the legal divorce were obtained on some other ground.
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Rules Created by the Body of Elders and an Off Topic Question
by XJW4EVR inin my latest post in my story, i recounted how my dad and another elder made attendance at high school sports events a no-no.
in retrospect, i don't recall anything in print that made attendance at local sporting events a shepherding offense.
maybe my memory is faulty.. did your boe make rules like this?.
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shadow
Homecoming queen?
(Esther 2:17-18) 17
And the king came to love Esther more than all the other women, so that she gained more favor and loving-kindness before him than all the other virgins. And he proceeded to put the royal headdress upon her head and make her queen instead of Vash´ti. 18 And the king went on to hold a great banquet for all his princes and his servants, the banquet of Esther; and an amnesty for the jurisdictional districts he granted, and he kept giving presents according to the means of the king.
Hero worship?
(Esther 6:11) 11
And Ha´man proceeded to take the apparel and the horse and clothe Mor´de·cai and make him ride in the public square of the city and call out before him: "This is how it is done to the man in whose honor the king himself has taken a delight." -
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WT FEB. 15 Barf quote on "Increasing Light"
by stillAwitness in"accepting a change when it comes and adapting to it can be difficult," admits one longtime elder.
what has helped him accept the many refinements he has witnessed in the 48 years that he has been a kingdom proclaimer?
he ansewrs: "having the right attitude is the key.
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shadow
If that quotation is from a study article, here is material that could provide the basis for some interesting comments
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g70 4/22 pp. 8-10 Should Meat Be Eaten on Friday? ***Should
Meat Be Eaten on Friday?FOR centuries Catholics abstained from eating meat on Fridays. It was a Church law. Many sincerely believed it was a law of Almighty God. But now this has changed.
The fact is that the meatless-Friday rule was made an obligation only some 1,100 years ago. Pope Nicholas I (858-867) was the one who put it into effect. And how vital was it considered that Catholics abide by this rule?
A publication that bears the Catholic imprimatur, indicating approval, states: "The Catholic Church says that it is a mortal sin for a Catholic to eat meat on Friday knowingly and wilfully, without a sufficiently grave and excusing reason." It adds: The "Church says that if a man dies in unrepented mortal sin, he will go to hell."—Radio Replies, Rumble and Carty (1938).
Thus the devout carefully avoided eating meat on Fridays. They sincerely believed that failure to obey could lead to their eternal punishment in a fiery hell.
But then, early in 1966, Pope Paul VI authorized local Church officials to modify this abstinence requirement in their countries as they saw fit. The pope was acting in line with recommendations made at the recently completed Second Vatican Council. Thus, in one country after another, meatless Fridays were virtually abolished—in France, Canada, Italy, Mexico, the United States, and so on.
The
EffectThe effect upon many devout Catholics has been devastating. "All these years I thought it was a sin to eat meat," explained a housewife in the midwestern United States. "Now I suddenly find out it isn’t a sin. That’s hard to understand."
If you are a Catholic, can you understand how a practice that was considered by the Church a "mortal sin" can suddenly be approved? if it was a sin five years ago, why is it not today? Many Catholics cannot understand.
When a woman in Canada was asked how she felt about the changes in her church, she replied: "I don’t know. Maybe you can tell me. What are they going to do with all those people sent to hell for eating meat on Friday?"
Not just a few Catholics have asked such questions. The change in teaching has shaken their confidence in the Church. Would you not feel the same way if what you had always been taught to be vital for salvation was suddenly considered unnecessary? Would you not be inclined to question other teachings of your church also?
The Catholic Church, however, has not completely changed its position on Friday meat abstinence. Even now Catholics are still required to abstain from eating meat on "Good Friday." Also, in some places they must not eat meat on Fridays during the Lenten season.
But why is it considered wrong to eat meat on "Good Friday," but permissible to do so on other Fridays of the year? It has caused thinking persons to wonder.
Many persons have begun to ask questions regarding the basis for this teaching, as well as about other Church teachings. And what especially disturbs them is that they have not received satisfying answers.
What
Becomes EvidentThe inability of the Church to explain its position Scripturally makes evident an important fact: The Catholic Church has not based its teachings upon what God’s Word says. Rather, it has founded many of its beliefs and practices on the unstable traditions of men.
This is obviously true with regard to Friday meat abstinence. For, look as you may, nowhere in the Bible will you find that Christians were ever instructed to refrain from eating meat on any Friday of the year, or on any other day. It is not a requirement of God. In fact, the Catholic edition of the Revised Standard Version Bible says that enjoining or commanding "abstinence from foods which God created to be received with thanksgiving" is an evidence of a departure from the faith.—1 Tim. 4:1-4.
Thus, many truth-seekers are having their eyes opened to see that the Catholic Church has not been holding strictly to God’s Word. And they are wondering whether any religion that does not do so is worthy of their confidence and support.
But there are other changes that are also disturbing people today.
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A long overdue statement
by truthsetsonefree inmost of you have seen me post under my alias truthsetsonefree.
some call me "tsof" which is cool too.
one or two of you know me by my real name.
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shadow
tsof,
I was in a similar position until a few months ago, now no longer an elder.
Through personal letters to HQ, as well as experiences of others, it seems clear they are aware of problems but will not even acknowledge that they exist.
Locally I talked to some brothers on HLC and they were either too uneducated to even think that there was any basis for questions about blood or just company men in the pattern of Baghdad Bob.
"Lying is forbidden in Iraq. President Saddam Hussein will tolerate nothing but truthfulness as he is a man of great honor and integrity. Everyone is encouraged to speak freely of the truths evidenced in their eyes and hearts."
"There are no American infidels in Baghdad. Never!" -
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SECRET DOCUMENT: Publication Standards Manual
by Elsewhere indownload the publication standards manual: http://www.davidgladden.com/jw/docs/stdm-e-2006.pdf
have you ever wondered what guidelines the wts uses to write its publications?
shortly i will be releasing another closely related memo titled "writing for our journals".
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shadow
Did I miss the section on proper formatting of external references, such as MLA or APA style?