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KiddingMe
JoinedPosts by KiddingMe
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40
Who Really Profits from the WTBTS?
by Freedom77 inlike they say in the movies, "follow the money.
" the thought occurred to me the other day - the wt scam rakes in billions of dollars, and yeah some of that goes to operations and equipment.
but bethelites at farm and factory get only a bare little dorm room and a monthly pittance.
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State Department report: Religious persecution makes migrants out of millions
by KiddingMe inhttp://www.washingtonpost.com/national/religion/state-department-report-religious-persecution-makes-migrants-out-of-millions/2014/07/28/ef30cd50-1698-11e4-88f7-96ed767bb747_story.html.
religionstate department report: religious persecution makes migrants out of millions by brian pellot | religion news service july 28and then there were nine.
secretary of state john kerry announced on monday (july 28) that turkmenistan has joined the state departments list of worst religious freedom offenders.. the state departments countries of particular concern list had remained static since 2006, when eight countries burma, china, eritrea, iran, north korea, saudi arabia, sudan and uzbekistan were designated as cpcs.. justifying the addition of turkmenistan, kerry cited reports of people detained, beaten and tortured for their beliefs, prohibited from wearing religious attire and fined for distributing religious materials.. turkmenistan, a mostly sunni muslim country in central asia, once part of the soviet union, forbids private worship and greatly restricts foreign travel for pilgrimages and religious education.. all religious organizations in the country must register with the government, and shiite muslim groups, protestant groups and jehovahs witnesses have all had their registration applications denied in recent years.
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KiddingMe
State Department report: Religious persecution makes migrants out of millions
By Brian Pellot | Religion News Service July 28
And then there were nine. Secretary of State John Kerry announced on Monday (July 28) that Turkmenistan has joined the State Department’s list of worst religious freedom offenders.
The State Department’s “Countries of Particular Concern” list had remained static since 2006, when eight countries — Burma, China, Eritrea, Iran, North Korea, Saudi Arabia, Sudan and Uzbekistan — were designated as CPCs.
Justifying the addition of Turkmenistan, Kerry cited reports of people detained, beaten and tortured for their beliefs, prohibited from wearing religious attire and fined for distributing religious materials.
Turkmenistan, a mostly Sunni Muslim country in Central Asia, once part of the Soviet Union, forbids private worship and greatly restricts foreign travel for pilgrimages and religious education.
All religious organizations in the country must register with the government, and Shiite Muslim groups, Protestant groups and Jehovah’s Witnesses have all had their registration applications denied in recent years. Jehovah’s Witnesses, whose beliefs prevent them from fulfilling mandatory military conscription, face particular harassment.
This edition of the State Department’s annual religious freedom report focused heavily on discrimination, impunity and the displacement of religious minorities.
“In 2013, the world witnessed the largest displacement of religious communities in recent memory,” the report said. “In almost every corner of the globe, millions of Christians, Muslims, Hindus, and others representing a range of faiths were forced from their homes on account of their religious beliefs. . Communities are disappearing from their traditional and historic homes and dispersing across the geographic map. In conflict zones, in particular, this mass displacement has become a pernicious norm.”
CPCs were not the only offenders named. Kerry cited anti-Muslim sentiments in Europe and a poll from last year showing that nearly half of the local Jewish populations in some European countries had considered emigrating to escape anti-Semitism.
The report summary also names Syria, Sri Lanka, Egypt, Iraq, Bangladesh, Indonesia, India and Nigeria for failing to protect vulnerable religious communities, which often face violence, discrimination and harassment.
Kerry called the report “a clear-eyed objective look at the state of religious freedom around the world,” adding “it does directly shine a light in a way that makes some countries — even some of our friends — uncomfortable.” He called for the CPC designations to be grounded in real action that can help change reality on the ground.
Although sobering, this year’s report is not without positive developments.
Kerry mentioned Pakistani Muslims who formed human chains to protect Christian worshippers after a church bombing in Peshawar and a Jewish neighborhood watch team that helped Muslim leaders in London ensure safe access to mosques after a series of attacks.
In April, the U.S. Commission on International Religious Freedom, an independent watchdog panel created by Congress to review international religious freedom conditions, recommended that the State Department add Turkmenistan, Egypt, Iraq, Nigeria, Pakistan, Tajikistan, Vietnam and Syria to the list of CPCs.
U.S. Rep. Frank Wolf, a Virginia Republican and one of Congress’s staunchest advocates for a robust U.S. American foreign policy on religious freedom, said that while it makes sense to add Turkmenistan to the list, the report must be backed by a plan to address the persecution described within it.
“My concern about the report is that it doesn’t lay out a strategy on the continued problems in China, in Vietnam,” he said, noting that the Chinese government is still detaining 2010 Nobel laureate and human rights campaigner Liu Xiaobo.
“It’s one thing to say you have a problem,” Wolf said. “It’s another thing to say what as a nation you’re going to do about it.”
USCIRF’s April report also recommended that the vacant post of ambassador-at-large for international religious freedom be filled quickly after Suzan Johnson Cook left that role in October.
Hours before Kerry’s press conference on Monday, President Obama announced plans to tap Rabbi David Saperstein as the next ambassador-at-large for international religious freedom. Saperstein stood by Kerry’s side as the report’s key findings were discussed but refrained from speaking or answering questions from the audience.
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Surreal experience last night.
by objectivetruth inrecently a jw friend that my wife & i knew 3 years ago added me on facebook, after i accepted the request she invited me to a dinner that her and her husband are holding next month.. i imagined that she was unaware of our apostasy, so i declined the invitation on the basis of not wanting to ruin her dinner after the rest of her guests fled at our presence.. i'm never sure how old friends will react when i tell them that i'm no longer a jw.. usually their response is "..... permanent-silence......".
her response went something like this, " we are all out!
everyone that is coming is out we all look forward to seeing you guys so much" it turns out that there will be 6 people at the dinner all friends of ours from a congregation that we attended a few years back.. they have all left the organization recently.. pretty crazy experience..
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KiddingMe
Wow, great news! Enjoy!
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Writing campaign to Washington DC papers in view of International Convention
by Londo111 inive heard from a credible source that the landover (dc) international convention is important to the society in view of the 100 year anniversary of "kingdom rule" and the location being near the capital of the "seventh world power".
perhaps they hope this particular international sends a message.
we know that come convention time usually there is some feel good fluff piece in the newspapers about the watchtower religion.
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KiddingMe
This may be a stretch...
Is it somewhat hypocritical to use this popular NFL stadium to host a religious convention when American football is "frowned" upon, practically banned by the organization? Why is it so important to use FedEx/Redskins Stadium and it's location?
is the stadium owner aware of the type of organization they've leased their stadium to? no matter how orderly they file into and out of the area, no matter how well behaved, how little security needed...it's all part of a calculated goal (unbeknowkst to the majority of the members)..partly to impress the local authorities, governments etc. and to say they have done something special, that no one has never been done.
This same organization has another side. Do the owner of the stadium and others, know their stance on shunning, the LGBT community (and the other great points made earlier in this thread) etc. Do they know this organization's view on the very people they they hope to give a fine "witness" to? that they are pretty much dead in their eyes, for being or believing differently. How they feel superior?
Maybe somethings like this could be highlighted or touched on along with the 100 year anniversary and other points made in this thread.
Oh, and how timely the daily text for that Friday, the 1st day of the convention:
Friday, August 1 Do not hurry yourself in your spirit to become offended, for the taking of offense is what rests in the bosom of the stupid ones.—Eccl. 7:9. Many situations in life provoke negative reactions. While you are driving your automobile, for instance, suppose another car nearly collides with your vehicle. How will you react? You have read about episodes of road rage in which an individual became so angry that he attacked the other driver. As a Christian, however, you certainly would not want to do such a thing. How much better it would be to take a moment to analyze matters. Perhaps you were partly to blame for what took place because you were distracted in some way. Or the other driver may have had a mechanical problem with his car. The point of this scenario is that we can lessen anger, disappointment, and other negative emotions with understanding, open-mindedness, and a willingness to forgive. Do not take things so personally. w1211/15 5:9, 10 Examining the Scriptures—2014
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Would you do this to your kids? Is this cold or am I crazy?
by BU2B inmy mentally in jw wife is trying to organize a "princess party" for my 4 year old daughter and her little cousins and friends.
she was looking at prices of a tent for the backyard party in case it rains.
she asked the hardware store how much and they said 90 dollars for the day.
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KiddingMe
Rent it from the hardware store...that way if something happens to it, it will likely be covered by insurance. I can only imagine how much it may cost you if something happens to your in-laws tent while it's in your possession.
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Snare & Racket's Graduation Picture
by cofty inafter years of hard work and study, former bethel boy snare & racket is now officially a medical doctor.. his story is an inspiration that there can be life after the watchtower.
he has given me permission to post his graduation picture.. .
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KiddingMe
Congratulations S&R!! Very inspiring!!
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I Escaped A Cult National Geographics
by frankiespeakin inhttp://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kc7_032drwc.
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KiddingMe
This documentary is now available on Netflix.
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Writing campaign to Washington DC papers in view of International Convention
by Londo111 inive heard from a credible source that the landover (dc) international convention is important to the society in view of the 100 year anniversary of "kingdom rule" and the location being near the capital of the "seventh world power".
perhaps they hope this particular international sends a message.
we know that come convention time usually there is some feel good fluff piece in the newspapers about the watchtower religion.
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KiddingMe
Just trying to get some thoughts and ideas flowing. Searched the washingtonpost.com to get an idea of the kinds of recent stories mentioning Jehovah's Witnesses.
there's a few in re to the hobby lobby case. (Not touching those)
Here's a book review (not specifically about JWs but mentions it and religion):
this story talks about communal living but the JW moves out when halloween decorations are put up.
This story is over a year old but interesting. Maybe this columnist would be open to something.
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Watchtower Approved Blood Transfusions
by Lee Elder inwe have just published a new article at ajwrb entitled:.
watchtower approved blood transfusions.
http://ajwrb.org/watchtower-approved-blood-transfusions.
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KiddingMe
marked. Thanks!
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Beards......the CO allowed this one!
by punkofnice ina minny man in a local congregation has a beard...he was bullied by the elders to remove it.. then the co came along and told the elders to allow him to keep his beard.
(not as the result of any skin condition or anything).. i kid you not!!!.
what do you make of that?.
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KiddingMe
Wouldn't it be wise for Br.'s (and Sr.'s) to invest in laser beard removal? Maybe not... just in case there is new light.