truthseeker

Joined

• started 880 topics
• posted 3,268 times   see topics posted on
• send a message

Posts by truthseeker

• 
  11

  For those in the UK: Were you encouraged to leave school with only GCSE's?

  by truthseeker in

  1. jw
  2. friends

  there was a recent thread about the oct 8th awake, on education for teen mothers.

  note, that this magazine is really catered to teen mothers who are already witnesses.

  the awake is so subtle, in fact, if you want any ideas about what's happening in the watchtower religion, read the awake!!!

  1. 
  2. 
  3. 
• 

  truthseeker

  Littletoe, I believe that the half A levels are still in. Funny you should mention window cleaning - probably the most honourable profession among pioneer brothers. Some friends I knew made quite a bot with their rounds, not to mention gardening etc...
• 
  11

  For those in the UK: Were you encouraged to leave school with only GCSE's?

  by truthseeker in

  1. jw
  2. friends

  there was a recent thread about the oct 8th awake, on education for teen mothers.

  note, that this magazine is really catered to teen mothers who are already witnesses.

  the awake is so subtle, in fact, if you want any ideas about what's happening in the watchtower religion, read the awake!!!

  1. 
  2. 
  3. 
• 

  truthseeker

  wow E-man, 5.50 a week. The minimum wage goes up to 4.85 a week next month!
• 
  11

  For those in the UK: Were you encouraged to leave school with only GCSE's?

  by truthseeker in

  1. jw
  2. friends

  there was a recent thread about the oct 8th awake, on education for teen mothers.

  note, that this magazine is really catered to teen mothers who are already witnesses.

  the awake is so subtle, in fact, if you want any ideas about what's happening in the watchtower religion, read the awake!!!

  1. 
  2. 
  3. 
• 

  truthseeker

  There was a recent thread about the Oct 8th Awake, on education for teen mothers. Note, that this magazine is really catered to teen mothers who are already witnesses.

  The Awake is so subtle, in fact, if you want any ideas about what's happening in the Watchtower religion, read the Awake!!!

  Although appearing to be designed for public consumption, note that on page 11 the Society says(tm) "Even so, from time to time, a young girl who has been taught God's ways chooses to ignore or reject what she knows. She gets involved in sexual immorality and finds herself pregnant. How do true Christians react?"

  The article also comments on the same page under a picture that, "It is wise for single mothers to finish their basic schooling."

  With that in mind, as well as the glossy brochure released two years ago on, "Youths - What Will You Do With Your Life", it is obvious that the Society does not want college educated members.

  Many of you have written about how your parents denied you the opportunity to go to college or university, some were even encouraged to drop out of high school.

  For those who were raised in the UK, was the situation much different? Of course, you all get the same meeting parts, mags and talks. How do British Witnesses view further education? Higher education?

  Were you encouraged to leave school after getting your GCSE's?

  For those not familiar with the British education system, here it is in a nutshell.

  Compulsory Education

  Complete secondary education at age 16. You get GCSE's (General Certificate of Secondary Education)

  This basic schooling, which finishes at 16, will not get you a well paying job - there are exceptions of course.

  After you complete your compulsory education, you can take a number of options.

  Further Education

  A Levels - these can be taken in the school you graduate from, or you can take them in college. They are two years in length and are more academically oriented than BTEC programs. Most finish their A levels at age 18.

  BTEC - Business Technology and Education Council, provides career programs in technology, IT, HEalth & Beauty etc.

  City & Guilds Levels 1-3 / NVQ Levels 1-3 Typically career oriented programs available in many subjects, and are roughly equivalent to A levels.Apprenticeship programs also award these certifications, etc, City & Guilds in Refrigeration, Info. Technology.

  Some UK witnesses were OK with further education - sure you can go to college for 2 years, but it stops there! Anyone have any experiences about this?

  Higher Education

  If you have completed A Levels or a BTEC 2 year program, you can go to university which is another 3 years. If you have a BTEC National Diploma, you can go on to take your BTEC HND (Higher National Diploma), then you need only do 2 years at university.

  Moving on...

  If you were raised in the UK, how did your parents react to the Society's "suggestion" to quit school and pioneer? Or is the situation different there than the USA?
• 
  24

  WT Now actively encouraging Education Awake Oct 8th

  by stillajwexelder in

  1. watchtower
  2. beliefs

  take a look at awake october 8th page 11 --- bullet point "try to get some education" "the wise are the ones that treasure up knowledge," says proverbs 10:14. while it is especially true of bible knowledge, it is also true of secular education.

  you need to develop the necessary skills to make a living --------- .

  --------- nicole was later able to get training to support herself as a paralegal.

  1. 
  2. 
  3. 
• 

  truthseeker

  The Society will encourage you to complete compulsory schooling, which is why they mentioned Nicole in the October 8th Awake.

  Obviously, single teen parents have more than likely not completed their education - the Watchtower would encourage all in this position to complete their education.

  But that is as far as it goes! Anything beyoung GCSE's or a High school Diploma is not encouraged.
• 
  5

  Where is this promised presence of his?

  by truthseeker in

  1. jw
  2. friends

  jesus, where are you?

  you arrived on this planet nigh on 2000 years ago.

  you were baptized at 30, preached for 3 1/2 years, cured the sick, resurrected the dead, opened the way for salvation.

  1. 
  2. 
  3. 
• 

  truthseeker

  Jesus, where are you?

  You arrived on this planet nigh on 2000 years ago. You were baptized at 30, preached for 3 1/2 years, cured the sick, resurrected the dead, opened the way for salvation. You gave us hope and freedom from the law (if you happened to be Jewish back then)

  You took our hand and showed us the way to the Father. You gave us a hope.

  We've all missed you.

  I waited patiently while the Watchtower said you arrived in 1914.

  You never came.

  I waited patiently while the Watchtower said you would arrive in 1925.

  You never came.

  I waited patiently while the Watchtower said your Millenial Reign would start in 1975.

  You never came.

  I was one of the Generation of 1914.

  I was one of those that would not die before the "conclusion of the system of things."

  You never came.

  The Society said 1984.

  You never came.

  The Society extended my generation to 1994.

  Still you never came.

  I sold books written by your Father, the "Editor of the Watchtower."

  Where were you?

  My parents are long dead.

  My siblings are dead.

  My Generation has gone on for 90 years

  Now I'm in a nursing home

  Watching the clock tick

  Watching the years go by

  Till the day I die.
• 
  15

  US Service Report - June 2004 - not a good month for the dubs

  by truthseeker in

  1. jw
  2. friends

  the stats below are taken from the september 2004 kingdom ministry.... sp'l pioneers: 206. pios: 88, 419. aux.

  pios: 26, 024. pubs: 856, 461. total: 971, 110 baptized: 3, 253. .

  consider april's report.... sp'l pioneers: 199. pios: 91, 839. aux.

  1. 
  2. 
  3. 
• 

  truthseeker

  The stats below are taken from the September 2004 Kingdom Ministry...

  Sp'l Pioneers: 206

  Pios: 88, 419

  Aux. Pios: 26, 024

  Pubs: 856, 461

  TOTAL: 971, 110 Baptized: 3, 253

  Consider April's report...

  Sp'l Pioneers: 199

  Pios: 91, 839

  Aux. Pios: 80, 041

  Pubs: 835, 695

  TOTAL: 1, 007, 774 Baptized: 2, 583

  So, after reaching a total of 1, 007, 774 dubs in April, they lose almost 37, 000 dubs in June. That is a lot of dubs.

  I could never understand how upwards of 4,000 could get baptized each month, yet they struggle to get anything above the million mark.
• 
  20

  Cult fear and indoctrination - Service Meeting -Respect Jehovah's Authority

  by truthseeker in

  1. jw
  2. friends

  the september kingdom ministry, for week beginning october 4, discusses the video "respect jehovah's authority.".

  i have seen this video myself, and for those still on a guilt trip, it will serve to re-inforce that the society is backed by jehovah.

  if you are in the organization and are on a collision course with the soverign of the universe then you need to develop your loyalty to jehovah .

  1. 
  2. 
  3. 
• 

  truthseeker

  Good point Czar!

  Notice too, that Jesus is completely left out of the picture. The witnesses are almost a re-invention of the first Jewish organization complete with their own Talmud.
• 
  20

  Cult fear and indoctrination - Service Meeting -Respect Jehovah's Authority

  by truthseeker in

  1. jw
  2. friends

  the september kingdom ministry, for week beginning october 4, discusses the video "respect jehovah's authority.".

  i have seen this video myself, and for those still on a guilt trip, it will serve to re-inforce that the society is backed by jehovah.

  if you are in the organization and are on a collision course with the soverign of the universe then you need to develop your loyalty to jehovah .

  1. 
  2. 
  3. 
• 

  truthseeker

  The September Kingdom Ministry, for week beginning October 4, discusses the video "Respect Jehovah's Authority."
  

  I have seen this video myself, and for those still on a guilt trip, it will serve to re-inforce that the Society is backed by Jehovah. The first few minutes of the video are a brief introduction from a member of the Governing Body (I forget which one).

  This video was released in 2002, at a time when the Governing Body and the organization were under very strong criticism over their handling of child abuse, and also when several Witnesses in good standing were disfellowshipped for "causing divisions." by appearing on TV documentaries testifying to the Society's coverup on child abuse.

  I wondered why the Society waited for almost 2 years to review this video in the meeting - well, it is no coincedence, that this happens to go nicely with the Bible Reading regarding the Israelites murmuring and the Korah, Dathan and Abiram incident.

  The video's contents are slightly unusual, as there are direct references to the elders remaining loyal. Remember too, that the last KM school held two years ago, was released online as an MP3 file, by one of Jehovah's glorious ones - an elder. There are references to people who may find it difficult to ignore disfellowshipped relatives. The video is like a movie, with special effects. If you have watched it, note the loaded language used - a recipe that cults use when they feel threatened or under attack.

  The video thrives and plays on the fear induced in its members, particularly those who do not agree with the Society's teachings or policies.

  Witnesses viewing this video will, if they are in compromising situations where loyalty to the Borg is a challenge, imagine that they are acting like Korah, Dathan and Abiram.

  Week Starting October 4

  25 min: "We must respect Jehovah's Authority." Read Jude 11, limiting introductory comments to no more than two minutes. Then get right into an audience discussion using all of the questions in the article. Highlight the point that to retain Jehovah's approval, we must avoid Korah's rebellious attitude and imitate the example of his sons who let nothing take precedence over their loyalty to Jehovah.

  Song 99 and concluding prayer.

  And now the questions box...

  We Must Respect Jehovah's Authority

  With what do you associate the ancient names Korah, Dathan, and Abiram? Rebellion!

  Against what? Godly authority. The details of thier tragic course are recorded in Numbers

  chapter 16, and an overview of the matter is provided in the article "Loyally Submit To

  Godly Authority" in the August 1, 2002 Watchtower. You would find it beneficial to read

  this material and then view the sobering portrayal of it in the video Respect Jehovah's

  Authority. You will see the conflict that developed between the faithful sons of Korah and

  their rebellious father, who was on a collision course with the Soverign of the universe.

  Thsi true-life drama should inspire all of us to develop our loyalty to Jehovah even more fully.

  As you watch the video, look for the evidence that Korah and his fellow rebels failed in

  the test of loyalty in six crucial areas:

  (1) How did they disrespect godly authority?

  (2) How did they let pride, ambition, and jealousy affect them?

  (3) How did they focus on the deficiencies of those appointed by Jehovah?

  (4) What complaining attitude had they developed?

  (5) Why had they become dissatisfied with privileges of service?

  (6) How did they let friends and family take precedence over loyalty to God?

  Consider how the lessons learned in this Bible drama apply to our personal view of godly

  authority today:

  (1) How should we respond to the decisions of elders in the congregation, and why?

  (2) How can we counteract any improper motives within us?

  (3) How should we react to the imperfections of those appointed to take the lead?

  (4) What should we do if a complaining spirit begins to develop in our heart?

  (5) How should we feel about any privileges of service we have been given?

  (6) Who should never take priority over our loyalty to God, and when might this become a difficult test for us?

  After this information is discussed in the congregation, why not watch the video again?

  Let it doubly impress upon your mind the reasons why we must always respect Jehovah's authority! - Ps. 18:25; 37:28

  Note the buzzwords and phrases so readily apparent in this article:

  Godly authority, loyally submit, find it beneficial,

  a collision course with the Soverign of the Universe,

  develop our loyalty to Jehovah even more fully,

  focus on the deficiencies, complaining attitude, dissatisfied with privileges of service,

  take precedence over loyalty to Jehovah, counteract any improper motives,

  react to imperfections, complaining spirit, doubly impress.

  Well, what are they really trying to say? Let's use those buzz words again...

  If you are in the organization and are on a collision course with the Soverign of the Universe then you need to develop your loyalty to Jehovah

  more fully, and those whom he has appointed to take the lead. By loyally submitting to godly authority, you will not develop a complaining spirit,

  or feel disatisfied with privileges of service. If a complaining spirit develops in your heart, remember the tragic course of Korah, Dathan and

  Abiram. Ignore your disfellowshipped relatives, they could take priority over your loyalty to God and his organization.
• 
  9

  Public Talks - why so stale and repetitive?

  by truthseeker in

  1. watchtower
  2. bible

  after reading blueblades post on public meeting talk titles, i got to thinking that we must have heard the same public talks over and over again.

  if there are 151 public talk outlines, that means we must have heard each one, once every three years.. a few stand out in my mind.... parents - are you building with fire resistant materials?.

  gaining comfort among all our tribulations.

  1. 
  2. 
  3. 
• 

  truthseeker

  Thanks Blondie, Gumby for that info.
  

  In my hall, many of the MS's start off with symposium talks - they do 20mins, and an elder finished off. After a couple of times of this, the MS is then ready for a fully fledge public talk.
• 
  11

  Did your congregation show hospitality to visiting speakers?

  by truthseeker in

  1. jw
  2. friends

  .

  not many of the general rank and file jw's even realize that there is supposed to be an elder in charge of showing hospitality towards visiting speakers and their families.. in my old congregation, there was such an elder in charge of this arrangement - one meeting we had a local needs talk on showing hospitality - not just to the members of the hall, but visiting speakers (as well as visitors).

  one brother commented on how little hospitality there was - he acknowledged that while shopping at a local supermarket, he saw the visiting public speaker and his wife having lunch in one of the supermakets cafes.. so much for hospitality.. how did your congregation fare?

  1. 
  2. 
  3. 
• 

  truthseeker

  Not many of the general rank and file JW's even realize that there is supposed to be an elder in charge of showing hospitality towards visiting speakers and their families.

  In my old congregation, there was such an elder in charge of this arrangement - one meeting we had a local needs talk on showing hospitality - not just to the members of the hall, but visiting speakers (as well as visitors)

  One brother commented on how little hospitality there was - he acknowledged that while shopping at a local supermarket, he saw the visiting public speaker and his wife having lunch in one of the supermakets cafes.

  So much for hospitality.

  How did your congregation fare?