Posts by Spudinator

17

WT Farm Graveyard

by IT Support in

if anyone's been to wt farm, they have their own graveyard.. because so many of the 'anointed' are buried there, it's known locally as "the launch pad.

ok, so it made me laugh!.

ken.

Spudinator

Funny...don't see any scorch marks around the headstones. Uh, oh...you know what that means!

18

The Defacto JW Manifesto

by Spudinator in

if a "critical mass" of witnesses started to observe the following, what kind of reaction to you think hq would have?

what percentage of witnesses would you consider to be a "critical mass?

" in other words, how many does it take to make behavior snowball?

Minimus, I understand that many here at JWD probably view reform as you do, a waste of time. However, for me and others with family and friends still extremely active and loyal to the Watchtower it is an admittedly slim hope for some changes down the road.

However, this thread has had some really fantastic responses, and I really appreciate all of your thoughts. Willyloman's and Rubadub's in particular.

It is a real shame that people with such thinking ability and vision feel that the religion is now a lost cause. If ever there was a time that Jehovah's Witnesses have needed people of this caliber, it is now.

18

The Defacto JW Manifesto

by Spudinator in

if a "critical mass" of witnesses started to observe the following, what kind of reaction to you think hq would have?

what percentage of witnesses would you consider to be a "critical mass?

" in other words, how many does it take to make behavior snowball?

Spudinator

Phantom, my comment meant that it would mean the advent of "kinder and gentler" JWs, which is pretty much what I'm about.

18

The Defacto JW Manifesto

by Spudinator in

if a "critical mass" of witnesses started to observe the following, what kind of reaction to you think hq would have?

what percentage of witnesses would you consider to be a "critical mass?

" in other words, how many does it take to make behavior snowball?

Spudinator

Willyloman, your report is impressive! Much better reasoned out than anything else I have ever heard of or seen in JW-land.

I am curious though about the GB member you know of. Did he change his opinions after rising to GB status? It seems like you must have thought him open to some new thought if you prepared a report of this kind of detail and high caliber thinking.

Too bad I'm not 12! These kind of changes would make all the difference. Sincere thanks for posting your thoughts.

18

The Defacto JW Manifesto

by Spudinator in

if a "critical mass" of witnesses started to observe the following, what kind of reaction to you think hq would have?

what percentage of witnesses would you consider to be a "critical mass?

" in other words, how many does it take to make behavior snowball?

Spudinator

If a "critical mass" of Witnesses started to observe the following, what kind of reaction to you think HQ would have? What percentage of Witnesses would you consider to be a "critical mass?" In other words, how many does it take to make behavior snowball? Could it lead to any lasting change? Your serious comments, criticisms and further suggestions are welcomed.

1. Support the Theocratic Ministry School. This is an invaluable class in public speaking.
2. Do not support the Service Meeting. In the current format it is usually just Watchtower Corporation self-trumpeting fanfare.
3. The Book Study format leaves a lot to be desired, but it is the closest thing to 1st Century Christianity that the organization promotes. If the book is OK, fine, otherwise give it a pass. It will help that the Isaiah Book Volume 2 study is (finally!) completed.
4. The Public Talk is probably worth supporting. Nothing is perfect, and there are talks that go on and on about the "Slave", but overall, it is OK.
5. Do not support the Watchtower Study. It is usually mind-control at its most confusing. Sometimes the brothers have no choice if they are assigned readers, so if you must, print out Blondie's weekly commentary to combat this weekly dose of corporate poison. Otherwise go home and mow your lawn.
6. Do not support field service. Why draw some other hapless unfortunate into this religous morass? Instead, play a game called "How low can you go" which refers to FS hours. The game is really fun if you have responsibilities in the congregation.
7. Support your local Kingdom Hall contributions, but never contribute to the Worldwide Work or anything having to pass through HQ's hands.
8. Do not attend District Conventions. If you do, you just empty your own pockets and simultaneously line the Society's. Why do that? Local Assembly Days are at your own discretion. If nothing else, they are great get together times for seeing old friends.
9. If asked to give a public prayer never ask for Jehovah's blessing on the "Slave." Never even mention the "Slave," keep it scriptural!
10. Stay upbeat and don't let the routine or nay-sayers wear you down. Take breaks when necessary.

32

SECRET INFO FROM ANNUAL MEETING.

by integ in

i received this e-mail from a friend of a friend of a friend who was at the secret annual meeting.

hi brothers and sisters,.

our 2004 year text, matt.

Spudinator

Excellent summary, Mizpah. When you observe the lackluster meetings, special assembly days, and district conventions the dry-rot from within is fairly obvious. It seems like a minimum of effort is put into any of these gatherings and it has started to be noticed by many even if it is still at a subliminal level.

36

Announcing that Elders are no longer Elders

by Spudinator in

in the past year or so a local congregation has had several announcements that "so-and-so is no longer serving as an elder.".

one of these elders has served in the watchtower organization since the 1940's.

one thing apparent is the "organization's" lack of recognition and/or appreciation for its own.

Spudinator

To clarify the point I am attempting to address, in both cases above there was no "wrong-doing" involved. The older brother has some fairly serious health issues, and the other brother needed more time for his own and extended family. To reiterate, both have been and still are exemplary brothers with no doubts about the Watchtower organization.

You can see why the organization would not be eager to say anything too flowery about those removed for "wrong-doing", but I was trying to address why in the case of exemplary brothers something more warm compassionate could be stated from the podium, than the standard, rather cold announcement.

36

Announcing that Elders are no longer Elders

by Spudinator in

in the past year or so a local congregation has had several announcements that "so-and-so is no longer serving as an elder.".

one of these elders has served in the watchtower organization since the 1940's.

one thing apparent is the "organization's" lack of recognition and/or appreciation for its own.

Spudinator

In the past year or so a local congregation has had several announcements that "So-and-So is no longer serving as an elder."

One of these elders has served in the Watchtower organization since the 1940's.

One thing apparent is the "organization's" lack of recognition and/or appreciation for its own. In any "worldly" enterprise this length of service is duly and heartily recognized. What would it hurt for the announcement to include something like this:

"We appreciate Brother So-and-So's faithful service as an elder, teacher, and mentor in the world wide work and especially within the [Insert local Congregation Name] Congregation of Jehovah's Witnesses. Let us all give a big hand for Brother So-and-So." [Applause.]

It is simple human kindness, and more importantly, it costs nothing!

Why then, is something like this not the current practice?

5

Could this be the website for "Scholar?"

by Spudinator in

http://www.stirinc.org/

Spudinator

Thank you for the additional information, Alan. I don't usually comment a bunch here, but in looking through Brother Carr's site noticed a certain similarity in style (and misspelling) with the "scholar" that posts here at JWD. You will notice the name of the website is Scholar Technological Institute of Research, Inc.

As you pointed out, Brother Carr seems to be a "different" sort of JW. Try reading his complaint against his fellow brothers at http://www.stirinc.org/qjwb.htm under Question and Answer #1.

5

Could this be the website for "Scholar?"

by Spudinator in

http://www.stirinc.org/

Spudinator

This is Dr. Firpo Carr's website:

"Welcome to the web site for Scholar Technological Institute of Research, Inc. (STIR Inc.) Our non-profit organization is dedicated to the fascinating preservation of deteriorating ancient biblical manuscripts by means of advanced computer technology. We also have an interest in general education, science, and sociology. Another one or our goals is to educate the public in the latest developments in biblical, scientific, and manuscript studies. STIR was founded by the internationally known scholar, Dr. Firpo W. Carr, in September, 1990."