Posts by gcc2k

Oh...I forgot. I know Sony makes a lot of cute, easy to use cameras that are very popular. But my suggestion is to follow Rubadub's advice...stick with those companies that make camera optics like Canon, Nikon, Minolta etc. If they don't make regular cameras, it might not be a good idea to invest in their digitals.

Not really applicable in this case. The better Sony models have Carl Zeiss lenses, arguably some of the best optics out there. Panasonic is another example, using Leica optics.

The best buy on the market at the moment has to be the 4Mp Nikon Coolpix 4500, it's $399 after a $200 rebate in many places.

82

What is the WTS's motive?

by careful fader in

can anyone help me understand the motive of the wts?

i don't think it's money .

the gb lives at bethel in a pretty low standard of living.

Carefulfade, welcome. You are echoing similar questions that I (and many others before me I'm sure) have raised. If we accept that this is not God's organization, what really is the motivation for them to claim to be such? I'm not sure I buy the power trip reasoning. Is it good to be CEO of a company, controlling everything? Sure. But along with that role comes a huge salary, stock options, guaranteed employment, etc. If there is in fact something rotten in Brooklyn, it's got to be about money. Kingdom Halls are built with volunteer labor and financed by interest bearing loans from the Society (profit). They are later remodeled with additional loans (more profit) and then later sold (still more profit), at which point a new, larger, nicer hall is built, again with volunteer labor and, you guessed it, more loans. So where does all this profit go? It's alleged that the Society has billions of dollars in fixed and liquid assets. I believe that. But, who has access to spend that money, and how? It's got to be the world's best kept secret if no one has been able to figure this out in all these years of people falling away.

28

Ever been to a therapist?

by teejay in

jw
friends

sorry if the title came across as a "minimus question," but after posting to one of joelbear's threads, i thought of my experience with therapists.

all together, i've spent between 20 and 30 hours in counseling on two separate occassions and, i'm happy to say, both of the counselors and both of the experiences remain very good memories.

i found out early on that for them to do their job, you had to be bluntly honest so that's what i did.

gcc2k

Having a close friend or spouse you can confide in is often a good equivalent. For those on the fence, you can't go to your friends because that is apostasy, but you probably don't have any non-JW friends that you can talk to, at least not anyone who would understand.

28

Ever been to a therapist?

by teejay in

jw
friends

sorry if the title came across as a "minimus question," but after posting to one of joelbear's threads, i thought of my experience with therapists.

all together, i've spent between 20 and 30 hours in counseling on two separate occassions and, i'm happy to say, both of the counselors and both of the experiences remain very good memories.

i found out early on that for them to do their job, you had to be bluntly honest so that's what i did.

gcc2k

Were you able to work out the marriage?

32

Former elder Louis Angiuano found NOT guilty

by Nathan Natas in

http://www.visaliatimesdelta.com/news/stories/20030517/localnews/318666.html

trial jury clears elder.

acquittal brings molestation case to speedy end.

gcc2k

This is an interesting story for a couple of reasons. Clearly his actions were wrong, but do they classify as sexual abuse? The jury didn't think so, and based on the single transcript, neither do I, because the girl and her parents were able to intercede. What I find really interesting is that the elders called CPS themselves. I wonder why? It would also be interesting to find out the parents' status in the congregation. Perhaps this is an indication that changes are being brought about?

14

July convention coming

by the mole in

***the mole*** i have to report the july assembly is coming.

a letter read to us last thursday advised us to stay at recommended hotels only.

we were told by the governing body that those who do not stay at recommend places are on a path to rebellion.

gcc2k

The reason that the WTS is telling people to stay at recommended hotels is because they are getting a kickback from the hotel. I bet they get a commission for each JW room that is rented. More rooms means more commission for the greedy Watchtower. They suck!

Can you prove this allegation? I have often wondered myself whether or not there was an ulterior motive at work here.

16

Naive financial questions

by gcc2k in

this is a sort-of-followup to my previous thread on "wt as sally mae" and the kh remodeling thread.. we all know that the wt must have a lot of money.

my big issue is, where does the money go, and whom does it benefit?.

so, my naive questions:.

gcc2k

Thanks for the replies. There is no doubt that the WT has huge holdings. The question (for me at least) remains the same - where is all this money going? Who benefits from having it?

5

One apology you may never get from the Watchtower, do you think?

by Dogpatch in

jw
friends

the following is an apology by one of the many international churches of christ (icoc) that have been guilty of control and manipulation, and who have repented before theire flock.

will the watchtower ever be so humble??

do you think the shoe fits the watchtower as well?.

gcc2k

This is EXACTLY the type of letter I would like to see from the WTBTS, at least once.

Interesting about the external audit - where's the Watchtower's?

22

Kaytee & Twink's "Resignation" letter

by twinkletoes in

jw
friends

this was the second letter given to elders that turned out to be a "resignation" letter.

this was, as you will see, because they chose not to answer any of our questions.

the reason we are posting our letter, is because it is now obvious (by personal experiences) that ones who we thought were our friends are now choosing to shun us.

gcc2k

I understand why you sent the letters - deep down, there is always some hope or belief that you will in fact get a reply, that there are in fact answers to these issues, that someone cares. One would expect nothing less of Jehovah's organization. I wonder if picking a single issue would be more likely to gather a reply, since so many issues altogether make it a clear "apostate" letter :) I have a question and a request. Question - your issue with the blood policy seems to revolve around the "fraction" issue. Do you believe that Christians should "abstain from blood" as the Society has instructed? Personally, I do not feel that the Scriptures address the blood issue as applied to modern day medicine, and I agree with the reasoning put forth by AJWRB. Have you reviewed that information? Request - would it be possible to get copies of your UN documentation? I believe that many people are trying to seek this documentation, and the poor UN people must be working day and night to address all the inquiries. What's the next step for you two? Where do you go from here as Christians? I am asking this honestly, with no other intentions.