Posts by Spudinator

38

Witness Costume Parties?

by shamus in

does anyone remember a watchtower saying that costume parties were inappropriate for christians?

i seem to remember that they were labeled in the "deamon" category, even if you had one and it had nothing to do with halloween.. is this true?

does anyone remember this crap?

Those of who are trying to get out of the Borg....

by Flowerpetal in

jw
friends

are you still going in service?

if so, how do you present your message?

i'm sure you disagree with a lot of wt teachings, so how are you handling this?

This is a real challenge sometimes. Did you hear the suggested presentation for the new Awake! dealing with the Oil Crisis? It is hilarious. You (read: all apostates) can't really use any of the suggested presntations with any hope of being taken seriously. <hypocrisy> Just offer the mags. I'm always amazed at how many people end up taking the mags when you just low-key it. </hypocrisy> Maybe they just feel sorry for me, but then, so do I!

41

Att: ex-Elders and Their Kids: Did You Really Have a Regular Family Study?

by Room 215 in

jw
friends

friends, this is a sort of poll, directed mainly at -- but not limited to --ex-elders, their wives and kids.

it was my impression that, with the possible exception of meaningful personal prayer, the other aspect of the idealized, exemplary jw lifestyle that was portrayed at the assemblies and at meetings-- the regular, weekly family bible study -- was the one most neglected.

it seemed to be something the ``other" spiritual family did and the one thing we constantly agreed we ``needed to work on.".

Spudinator

Do you think that the Society knows the truth about family studies? They are one of the best turn-offs for the religion that it has ever developed. How many kids determine that they will have no part of it when they grow up because of being subjected the the infamous weekly study?

21

Can a Spiritual Paradise Have 80+% Defection?

by metatron in

so, the society is still using the phrase "spiritual paradise" ?

( dec wt).

communist countries ( you remember, the ones that collapsed?

Spudinator

Here is a link to Maximus' thread on this situation, alluded to by Metatron. The entire thread is very enlightening.

JW Kids Leave the Organization: Facts

http://www.jehovahs-witness.com/6/10417/124694/post.ashx#124694

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?

Spudinator

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.