Posts by janusfulcrum

26

United States baptism stats 1969-2015

by the comet in

whenever the new yearbooks come out, we all look at the figures and see the publisher increase never really matches up with the baptism figures.

it never should match up as all newly baptized ones are already publishers, and may have been for many years.

i, as an example, became an unbaptized publisher at age 11. i didn't get baptized until i was 17. .

janusfulcrum

The yearbook publishes the stats for the previous year. So 2016 yearbook stats are for 2015 service year, which runs from September to August.

What struck me is that more were baptized in 1970 than 2015. So,again, why does the US need 100's of new KH's? (taking into consideration D&D, death and disfellowshipping)

I guess the Org just finally realized this, and has shut down a number of LDC's across the country. I can't confirm the number. I heard 7-9, also 6. Apparently their survey revealed many existing halls only 40% full. Anyone else hear about the big LDC meeting in CA last Saturday?

Sorry Comet if this derails your post, not meaning to....

1

This Week's Catastrophic Tornadoes

by janusfulcrum in

jw
friends

there have been many numerous and destructive weather events in the last week in the us.

holly springs, ms was basically leveled, and a check reveals a congo there.

dallas and garland tx suffered greatly also.

janusfulcrum

There have been many numerous and destructive weather events in the last week in the US. Holly Springs, MS was basically leveled, and a check reveals a congo there. Dallas and Garland TX suffered greatly also. Any news of how the dubs were affected?

Also, anyone want to speculate on the Org's response? They used to brag about being the first on the scene of any disaster. Now that the RBC has been fired, and the LDC is in suspended animation, do they even have the infrastructure to respond? Or, even more telling, do they have the money to mount a meaningful response? Might this be the reveal of the org's true financial status?

22

"For sale: baby shoes, never worn"

by Simon in

if you've never come across the above title before, it's considered to be the shortest novel possible.

a story, possibly a moving one, in just 6 words attributed to earnest hemingway.. it started a genre called "flash fiction" which is a memoir in six-words.. what would yours be?.

indoctrinated child found freedom, love, family.

janusfulcrum

LOST: Vine, fig tree, near Dreamland.

16

Searching for those who "know" TTAT

by EyesOpenHeartBroken in

jw
friends

does anybody have any tips for conversation starters to covertly feel out someone in the cong that you suspect is a "knower" about ttat?.

any success or experiences to share?.

janusfulcrum

Hey, I've been meaning to ask you, Do you know Simon? Later, followed by "oops, I meant Sandy (or another S name)" if the person doesn't respond or says Simon who? Dang autocorrect....

22

Mass Resignations In Mormon Cult

by cofty in

thousands of mormons have simultaneously tendered their resignation from the cult following secret changes to the handbook that further discriminated against gay members and the children of gay couples.. "last week secret revisions to the handbook for the church of jesus christ of latter-day saints was leaked to the public, sparking a furious backlash and ultimately resulting in the mass resignations.

" source....

janusfulcrum

Agreed, Steve. As he says, the church doesn't have to worry about alienating the greater part of its membership with the current stance. They continue to grow regardless of being anti an openly gay life.

22

Mass Resignations In Mormon Cult

by cofty in

thousands of mormons have simultaneously tendered their resignation from the cult following secret changes to the handbook that further discriminated against gay members and the children of gay couples.. "last week secret revisions to the handbook for the church of jesus christ of latter-day saints was leaked to the public, sparking a furious backlash and ultimately resulting in the mass resignations.

" source....

janusfulcrum

Interesting op ed piece by Bloomberg View columnist on this subject, Signs of hope for gay LDS faithful, who writes "..the prospects for future tolerance. ...are stronger in a faith that believes in continuing revelation than they are in one ....that cleaves to traditional teachings..." He goes on "the phenomenon of continuing revelation means that no element of LDS doctrine is totally unchangeable" citing their changes to plural marriage and the racial issue. He attributes the possibility of change more to LDS obedience to U.S.law and constitution than to compassion, etc. but still an interesting thought that the church may still change in the future their current stance, more so in obedience to law.

Partially mirrors JWism in the changing doctrine, but tolerance for gays? Not so much. Not holding my breath on that one.

137

Something interesting!

by John Aquila in

i was invited to a small get-together by a long time friend.

we both served as elders for years.

he is in his late 70s.

janusfulcrum

My apologies cappytan. I wasn't aware of the demographics of the border congos. Much different in the midwest.

I'm still skeptical.

137

Something interesting!

by John Aquila in

i was invited to a small get-together by a long time friend.

we both served as elders for years.

he is in his late 70s.

janusfulcrum

I'm confused. First you say these ones are all from English congregations, later that they cross the border freely. So are they Hispanic but in english? Highly unlikely on several points.

Older Hispanic don't go to English
Hispanics in general are highly loyal to the org and rule oriented rather than principle driven. They don't argue doctrine in my experience.

9

RE: Appropriate attire for graduation ceremony

by Lied2NoMore in

will the branch send out a letter to address appropriate attire for the worldwide graduation from .

"the school that no one ever graduates from"?.

i have been thinking of the endless ways this new direction for the tms termination screams for criticism.. i am sure a quick publication search will reveal several references gushing at how great of an invention the tms was, how it has benefitted jw's, you know, gush, gush, greatest thing since sliced bread, blah, blah, blah.... i'm not interesting in looking at the moment, but wasn't knorr credited with its invention and rollout?.

janusfulcrum

So why did they use the word student in the letter? Could these parts still be considered talks for which the students might receive some sort of council after the meeting? Thus still a school but without the title as such?

135

Latest Leaked BOE letter to Elders Oct. 4th

by Watchtower-Free in

october 4, 2015. to all congregations.

re: new provisions announced atannual meeting.

dear brothers:.

janusfulcrum

Doesn't using the term "students" indicate there might still be a school? What isn't addressed is whether there will be "council" after each talk. I guess there could still be a second school also, just not on first month's meeting. But only one bible reading by a brother, not student. Does that mean no more five year olds reading about fornication, death and dismemberment? That might actually be the best outcome of this mess of a change.