Posts by Nicholaus Kopernicus

4

The shackles of personal choice.

by Darkknight757 in

one of the things that woke me up was a post on this board about a person who spliced a portion of the song "no god's, no masters" by arch enemy into a kingdom song at their hall.

this small bit opened up a world long forgotten from my youth.. before becoming a witness i was huge into death metal and some heavy metal ( loved metalica until they sold out with their black album) and as we know the wts forbids us to have freedom of choice when it comes to music, movies and many other things.

so now i full on love me some good old metal again!!

Nicholaus Kopernicus

I started researching about freedom and liberty. Early writers such as John S. Mills on individualism were of great interest to me. I downloaded some MP3 documentaries from the BBC and listened to them several times while making notes. I looked at the Open University online. On both the BBC and OU I discovered the works of Sir Isaiah Berlin - a philosopher and historian who emigrated from Latvia and settled here in England. His essays about freedom fascinated me. He categorised the subject into positive and negative freedom. He discussed autonomy vs heteronomy - fascinating for a JW who is mentally departing from the Watchtower Banality and Trash Society. Based on the comment of a blogger on this site (another thread) I bought Sir Isaiah's book - "The Proper Study of Mankind". This book is full of deep riches. As a JW, such "independence" of mind is deprecated. Reading the works of a modern philospher is outragious. See if I care!

I also purchased a book called "Against The Flow - The Inspiration of Daniel In An Age of Relativism" by Professor John Lennox. This is a very interesting book and has many parts which would shame the WTBTS authors. Whether one agrees with Prof Lennox or not is irrelevant - it a genuinely interesting read.

I've also got Steven Hassan's text - "Combating Cult Mind Control" and the two texts authored by Ray Franz. Hitherto, I would not have dared to consider reading such texts as the above.

The behaviour of the WTBTS leadership and local elders is such that I cannot contribute money and have not done for some time. So paradoxically, my liberation also involves voluntary restrictions. I am no longer a regular attender of WTBTS meetings.

30

Quality of JW teaching from elders

by sir82 in

jw
friends

there was a recent thread on the "quality" of converts to jws in recent years.

it wasn't a pretty picture, based on the thread contents.. well, the lack of depth isn't restricted to new converts.. in our clam this week, one of the principal points for review was this:.

ne 1:1; 2:1—why can we conclude that “the 20thyear” mentioned at nehemiah 1:1 and 2:1 is countedfrom the same starting point?

Nicholaus Kopernicus

In my congregation, there was a Min Servant who was quite conscious of the fact that local elders were on the whole burned out, stressed, miserable, and projected such a paradigm in their talks. The MS knew that the audience was badly in need of encouragement. This is precisely what he gave the audience. No corporate productivity paradigm with him. Just nice warm, encouraging talks with the authority of scripture. Folks genuinely enjoyed it and let him know it too.

However, the fondness for his talks was not universal. You see, when someone does well, it can sometimes have the effect of showing up a gulf between that very one doing well and others who project their stress, insecurity, and misery onto the audience. This was what happened. The elders started to find fault with the MS. He was unable to meet their contrived expectations as far as their productivity paradigm was concerned (min hrs, leading in min etc) and so he stepped down in revulsion at their approach. The elders showed themselves to be quite practiced bullies. Their teaching continues to be quite awful.

One of the reasons for this sad state of affairs is the environment to which elders' minds is regularly subject to and integrated with. For example, the broadcasts from the GBoJW and their holy helpers is widely disdained on this forum and many in congregations are increasingly embarrassed. Elders are on the whole, stakeholders in a dysfunctional corporate entity which has considerable hegemony. Thus, how can anything genuinely stimulating and refreshing come out of such an entity? It can't. Even the local needs (Britain) video last week in which Paul Gillies featured significantly, was an exercise in sophistry and mendacity - truly ghastly!

If individuals such as elders are stressed, miserable, insecure, how can they be effective teachers? In that what is expected of them is now much more structured and centralised, where is the scope for individuality and creativity? The recipe is wrong - the food is distasteful!

This organisation has got to be one of the best in the world in exemplifying Peter Principle (individuals promoted to their level of incompetence). This is seen in their approach to safeguarding children (a huge response cost coming their way as a result), in their child video productions (guilt tripping children into being attentive at meetings and not falling asleep), in their monthly videos (would be better if they'd cease and desist!). Their written output is also quite apalling in that it is on the whole, quite specious.

For erudition, avoid the WTBTS, IBSA etc.

24

Exactly where is the expansion?

by NeverKnew in

jw
friends

there is a thread that i'm really enjoying discussing the consolidation of congregations into existing kingdom halls.

i'm realizing that the only threads that have spoken of building were related to branch offices.

we know the wts's consolidations and reopening a are a shell game of sorts but i'm wondering... is anyone seeing an increase in kingdom halls in their part of the world?

Nicholaus Kopernicus

Steve2:

There is that possibility but he (Paul Gillies) did not even allude to such a context. I am very suspicious in that there is this sudden announcement gone out nationally via video using "local needs" and where there is a significant ommission without explanation in the annual statistics printed in the yearbook.

Most of the KH's I know of are in good decorative and structural order. Certainly, financing the number of new KH's and refurbs mentioned will be very problematic in today's economic environment / JW income profile / family finance demands.

2

WTBTS Capriciousness & Damaging Advice

by Nicholaus Kopernicus in

november 15th 2015 wt study article: "do you 'love your neighbour as yourself'" said in paragraph 16.... "the remarkable growth that we see today is the result of our faith in god and full acceptance of the bible—jehovah’s miraculously inspired word.".

just a short time later this assertion was betrayed, for in the examining the scriptures daily of february 2nd 2016 we are advised to.... " meditate on the future of unrepentant sinners.".

the bible which they claim to fully accept advises..... "finally, brothers, whatever things are true, whatever things are of serious concern, whatever things are righteous, whatever things are chaste, whatever things are lovable, whatever things are well-spoken-of, whatever things are virtuous, and whatever things are praiseworthy, continue considering these things.

Nicholaus Kopernicus

November 15th 2015 WT study article: "Do You 'Love Your Neighbour As Yourself'" said in paragraph 16...

"The remarkable growth that we see today is the result of our faith in God and full acceptance of the Bible—Jehovah’s miraculously inspired Word."

Just a short time later this assertion was betrayed, for in the Examining the Scriptures Daily of February 2nd 2016 we are advised to...

" Meditate on the future of unrepentant sinners."

The Bible which they claim to fully accept advises....

"Finally, brothers, whatever things are true, whatever things are of serious concern, whatever things are righteous, whatever things are chaste, whatever things are lovable, whatever things are well-spoken-of, whatever things are virtuous, and whatever things are praiseworthy, continue considering these things."

24

Exactly where is the expansion?

by NeverKnew in

jw
friends

there is a thread that i'm really enjoying discussing the consolidation of congregations into existing kingdom halls.

i'm realizing that the only threads that have spoken of building were related to branch offices.

we know the wts's consolidations and reopening a are a shell game of sorts but i'm wondering... is anyone seeing an increase in kingdom halls in their part of the world?

Nicholaus Kopernicus

The expansion is certainly not in Britain. The % increase box in the annual report was left blank in the recent yearbook. Last week, a video produced by the Britain branch was shown to congs in the local needs slot. Paul Gillies claimed there is a need for 157 new KH's and 213 refurbs. I believe this is either mendacity or sophistry, or both. It was stated that the "work is speeding up" but no actual evidence to augment his surprising figures! No reasoning was presented, not even specious reasoning! Quite shameless!

126

FEB 2016 broadcast

by Grey Goose in

jw
friends

it might be the craziest one yet..

Nicholaus Kopernicus

I didn't realise this chap was a teaching committee helper. Based on their output, his help is quite insufficient. Maybe he was involved in drafting that ghastly Watchtower study on Sunday 31st Jan about 100 years of kingdom rule. So bad I just had to give it a miss and visited cinema (Star Wars) instead. So Bro Flodin, your output is of a nature which deters me from attending meetings. Not quite what you intended I'm sure, but that's life old boy!

I learned on this forum that Bro Flodin is coming to the Britain Branch at end of April. 3hr programme available from 1300 hrs on Sat 30th April! Will give that a miss too. Enduring such appalling output is TOO MUCH TO ASK!

55

Some thoughts on the new midweek meeting

by Saltheart Foamfollower in

the new midweek meeting has been running for a month now.

here are my thoughts on how it is going so far:.

1) elders are looking frazzled from being on virtually every meeting and having to prepare unfamiliar formats for items.

Nicholaus Kopernicus

Hi Listener:

When the videos were used here in Britain last week, the voices were of an American accent. With less personel in Bethels, I don't expect to hear British accents or any other foirm of cultural sensitivities. Economy is probably now key as alluded to by Ivanatahan.

The choice of vocabulary didn't sit well in my congregation. For example, the question "Do you text?" got a response of laughter from the audience. Just not used to this direct USA Bethel ingress to UK congregation!

55

Some thoughts on the new midweek meeting

by Saltheart Foamfollower in

the new midweek meeting has been running for a month now.

here are my thoughts on how it is going so far:.

1) elders are looking frazzled from being on virtually every meeting and having to prepare unfamiliar formats for items.

Nicholaus Kopernicus

The Awake of June 2010 in an article about "Keeping Stress Under Control" had this sage advice....

"God expects us humbly to acknowledge that we have physical, mental, and emotional limits and that we cannot do everything we would like to do. As difficult as this can be, we may need to learn when and how to say no to demands that exceed what we realistically can handle."

A scripture which I shared with the worried father of an elder who was being over worked by the WTBTS / IBSA and had a nasty coronary is...

Micah 6:8 - "He has told you, O man, what is good. And what is Jehovah requiring of you? Only to exercise justice, to cherish loyalty, And to walk in modesty with your God!"

So the WTBTS's demands on your dad and many Bro's may be seen as quite unreasonbable when compared with that Awake and scripture!.

22

Daily Mirror article about JWs destroying evidence

by Tornintwo in

i can't see another thread but maybe i missed it:.

http://www.mirror.co.uk/news/uk-news/jehovahs-witnesses-paedophile-sex-abuse-7278824#comments-section.

Nicholaus Kopernicus

The information in this article is good reason for elders (especially Secretary and CoBE) to relinquish their positions. That they are directed to destroy documents and thus frustrate due legal process puts them in jeopardy. That they were recipients of "direction" to destroy documents is not a defence. In addition to being in positions of trust as elders, they are also charity trustees (unless they have opted out) and the charity in which they are trustees is a different legal entity to the WTBTS / IBSA. So they will be held directly responsible for the destruction of the documents. If it is too difficult for any with such an appointment to relinquish their positions as elders, then they should seriously start searching for third party liability insurance.

55

Some thoughts on the new midweek meeting

by Saltheart Foamfollower in

the new midweek meeting has been running for a month now.

here are my thoughts on how it is going so far:.

1) elders are looking frazzled from being on virtually every meeting and having to prepare unfamiliar formats for items.

Nicholaus Kopernicus

Oh yes - he really said it from the platform. Quite spontaneous too. Got some giggles from the audience in response. His statement reminded me of the cliché - "Half in fun, whole in earnest!". It's also a little indication of the deep down incredulity with which some people receive condescending video's put together by individuals who are essentially institutionalised and divorced from any consideration of a real life. It would have been much better if it were left to local Bro's to deal with the matter in a way which is culturally appropriate and sensitive rather than this highly centralised and "one size fits all" approach. Then again, their emanencies of the GB and their Holy Helpers know best! (Oops! Sarcasm creeping in!)