Posts by Nicholaus Kopernicus

25

Another Galling WT Study

by Nicholaus Kopernicus in

january 2016 watchtower (study edition).

be determined to “let your brotherly love continue”!.

this article was easy to read.

Just had another (disappointing) thought concerning this magazine. Whilst it is the first 2016 edition, yet the pseudo sages of the writing committee have not wasted any time in getting their oar in re Heb. 13:17. They're frequent use of it is becoming frightfully boring. The writing committee is perhaps experiencing a lack of resilience, versatility, imagination. Time the Heb 13:17 dripping tap was tended to! So repetitive!

25

Another Galling WT Study

by Nicholaus Kopernicus in

january 2016 watchtower (study edition).

be determined to “let your brotherly love continue”!.

this article was easy to read.

Nicholaus Kopernicus

January 2016 Watchtower (Study Edition)

Be Determined to “Let Your Brotherly Love Continue”!

This article was easy to read. Lot's of good counsel from the scriptures cited. However, in the context of my experience of the WTBTS/IBSA here in Britain, it was remote from my experience. I sailed on until it came to paragraph 18.

18. How can we strengthen our brotherly love for our elders? 18 “Remember those who are taking the lead.” (Read Hebrews 13:7, 17.) When we think about the hard work that our elders do for us—all without financial reward—our brotherly love and feelings of appreciation for them are strengthened. Never would we want them to lose their joy or to sigh because of something we do. Rather, by our obedience and submission, we “give them extraordinary consideration in love because of their work.”—1 Thess. 5:13.

For me, this paragraph engendered considerable pique. I accept that in my congregation the BoE do "hard work" and "without financial reward". However, their efforts do not engender the "brotherly love and feelings of appreciation" which the authors of this article hope for. Rather, my local BoE's behavoural profile is kindred to that of the Saudi Muttawa. They have - on more than a few occasions - exempted themselves from the counsel of 1 Thess 4:11 (lead a quiet life and mind your own business) and 1 Peter 4:15 (don't be a busybody in other peoples' affairs). So much so that several (including seniors) have experienced a range of emotions from outrage to distress. That this particular BoE feel enabled to arrogate such a role reveals (among other things) the environment in which their minds are exposed to (hardly one which exemplifies the mind of Christ). Two members of my local BoE are especially problematic.

One is the CBoE. He treats the congregation as his own personal property and play thing, and reacts with apoplexy to any perceived divergent viewpoint or perceived challenge. A very insecure individual who is also quite insitutionalised. He makes copious use of the "Organisation" book and his "Shepherding the Flock" book, and minimal use of scripture. He proscribes males from any platform assignments if they are not wearing a suit He ensures that any brothers naive enough to want to reach out understand that in doing so, they must please him and therefore become followers of men. They will wait for a painfully long time before gaining their appointment!

The other of the two is a sociopath (formerly referred to as psychopath). This is not a pejorative but seriously and carefully chosen vocabulary. He is "a cold fish" as one senior social worker said of a risky client several years ago. That is, lacking in feeling for others, lacking in empathy, fails to learn from experience and thus repeats mal-experiences. In a manner of speaking he is socially handicapped, and any compassion I had for him quickly evaporates when I learn of the hurt and tears of others in the wake of this brute's invasiveness. His behavioural profile goes back to the formative years of his adolescence. His brother is a charming fellow who is innocuous and widely liked. This psychopath's behavioural profile in the congregation is such that I have had to give advice to several (sisters) in how to cope with him. The advice is as follows from (Psych Central) ....

Be on your guard at all times. Know what you can and cannot expect from the sociopath.
Avoid going to this person for emotional support or advice. Being vulnerable in this way opens you up to being hurt.
Imagine a boundary between yourself and the sociopath. Form a picture of it in your mind. Build a wall that you can see in your imagination that protects you. Everything the sociopath says or that is hurtful bounces off this imaginary wall.
Don’t make excuses for the sociopath. Instead, hold him accountable for his actions. The stronger and more direct you are, the less the sociopath will try to take advantage of you.

However, getting back to the Watchtower study. I made up my mind that I just could not sit there and listen to this. So just before the paragraph was read, I vacated the auditorium and went outside. Just couldn't bear to hear the reading or the sycophantic responses.

There were additional difficulties for me at this Watchtower study however. The concluding song was so objectionable. The song states among other things....

"Our meetings refresh us and brighten our hope" (Not my experience I'm afraid)
"Wholesome instruction from God fearing men" (No - not that either)
"Our meetings instuct us in ways that are right" (Nope!)

In any case, I feel uncomfortable singing a song which extolls WT meetings or meetings of any kind. So during the concluding song, I just put my songbook away in my bag and stood there silent. Some noticed. But I'm past caring anymore!

I've noticed the gradual changes which I see in myself in response to the growing ingress of the GBoJW into the congregations. I am repelled and no longer regard myself as a Jehovah's Witness. I continue to strive to be a Christian.

Winston Churchill put it rather well when he wrote...."Now this is not the end. It is not even the beginning of the end. But it is, perhaps, the end of the beginning." It is perhas the end of the beginning of my being solely mentally out of this organisation. My stepping out during a paragraph and abstention from a song is perhaps, the beginning of another type of egress!

20

ADVANCED WARNING - April 18th to 24th WT Study

by Nicholaus Kopernicus in

february 2016 study watchtower"prove yourself loyal to jehovah" - week of april 18th to 24th"15. if a brother treats us unfairly, how should we react?

15 in congregations of jehovah’s people today, it is very unlikely that we would be treated unjustly.

however, those taking the lead among us are imperfect men and could misinterpret our actions.

Nicholaus Kopernicus

The Jeremiah Book - Chapter 11

"Shepherds in Agreement With My Heart" - para 4

"Woe to any who neglect or lord it over their brothers or who adopt a harsh or arrogant attitude toward them!"

The above quotation is a very short but also rare warning from the GBoJW's to it's temple police officers. The small paragraph from the Feb 2016 study WT is also very short, but radically different in approach. The book above was published about 6 years ago. Since then, how individuals are treated continues to worsen, and with not even a cursery glance on the matter with those who could influence things for the better. Today's GBoJW's knows that it has a problem with the retention and recruitment of temple police officers. The decent one's depart from the role (mentally) or actually resign such is their disdain for the gulf between what they thought was a shepherding role, and the actual policing/bullying role which it really is. So the GBoJW's today has to tread carefully for fear of offending its officers.

Not to worry however as I can see things positively. Both I, the individuals whom I mentioned earlier who were brought to tears by the temple police, and other families who have been bullied and harassed for sponsoring their children for higher education, all these folks have closed their wallets to their local congregations and to the WTBTS. This is so gratifying to learn and encourage. So to the extent to which individuals similarly close their wallets is to the extent that the GBoJW's weeping and gnashing of teeth will be. These remote, insular, self-absorbed fellows don't know the value of GOOD WILL, nor how easily they are destroying it. Truly in denial they are!

20

ADVANCED WARNING - April 18th to 24th WT Study

by Nicholaus Kopernicus in

february 2016 study watchtower"prove yourself loyal to jehovah" - week of april 18th to 24th"15. if a brother treats us unfairly, how should we react?

15 in congregations of jehovah’s people today, it is very unlikely that we would be treated unjustly.

however, those taking the lead among us are imperfect men and could misinterpret our actions.

Nicholaus Kopernicus

FEBRUARY 2016 STUDY WATCHTOWER"Prove Yourself Loyal to Jehovah" - Week of April 18th to 24th
"15. If a brother treats us unfairly, how should we react?
15 In congregations of Jehovah’s people today, it is very unlikely that we would be treated unjustly. However, those taking the lead among us are imperfect men and could misinterpret our actions. (1 Sam. 1:13-17) If we are ever misjudged or misunderstood, let us remain loyal to Jehovah."

In the above paragraph, it is "those taking the lead" who are gently alluded to as being the perpetrators. There is no admonition for "those taking the lead" to acknowledge their wrong doing and apologise to their victims. No. The answer is for the victims to "remain loyal to Jehovah" (code for sticking with the organisation). That the perpetrators' unjust treatment of others is discounted to that of misjudged or misunderstood is evasion to put it mildly. I have experience of direct bullying on the part of BoE members, and I have knowledge of others being brought to tears such has been the truly wanton and egregious conduct of some on the BoE. This behaviour is tolerated by others on the BoE who do not challenge the situation and thus enable continuance. CO visits are useless in terms of correcting or assuaging the situation. What I and others have experienced cannot be explained away by their misjudging or misunderstanding. These ones taking the lead have behaved like Annas in having Jesus persecuted. Would the writing committee of the GBoJW seek to mitigate what Annas perpetrated by saying that he had merely misjudged or misunderstood Jesus? Annas' actions were carefully planned and contrived. He was in a position of authority in a hierarchy focussed on itself and preserving it's own authority. Annas was a thug. Additionally, the paragraph states that it is "very unlikely that we would be treated unjustly"! I just wonder how many on this forum can agree with such a claim. I for one cannot. Too many bad experiences over the years evidencing that abuse and bullying is now intrinsic to life in "Jehovah's Organisation"!
When this study comes along in April, I will either have to abstain from attending regardless of what family think, or simply egress during that paragraph being read/discussed. It's a small paragraph, but one which seriously irritates.

3

👑 He Who Is Least In The Kingdom of Heaven....

by Cold Steel in

jesus said that of all those born of women, none were greater than john the baptist.

nevertheless, he added, he who is least in the kingdom of heaven is greater than he.

universally nearly all scholars have taken this to mean that because jesus had taken upon himself the sins of the world, he had the last claim upon the kingdom of heaven.

Nicholaus Kopernicus

Your succinct summary is demonstrative of the strongly entrenched eisegetical thinking of the GBoJW.

That's why much of what they publish is about themselves - their perceived status and standing, their role in disseminating "truth", and the "privelege" others have in supporting them.

Very little of what they publish is focussed on Jesus. Their output is increasingly banal. Their "spiritual estate" is undergoing a process of desertification such that there is "a famine in the land" for Christian teaching and encouragement. They have become the "dirty lollipop" depicted in their "Bible Really Teach" book.

35

Best pills meds or other to take before meeting?

by Crazyguy in

thought it would be good to share what ones take to deal with the meetings.

Nicholaus Kopernicus

Ativan (Lorazepam) and Xanax (Alprazolam) are both benzodiazepines. They are indicated for short term management of anxiety/emotional crisis states. Benzodiazepines can lead to dependence and can engender paradoxical side effects ranging from talkativeness and excitement to aggressive and antisocial acts. Abrupt withdrawal may produce confusion, toxic psychosis, convulsions. Benzodiazepine withdrawal syndrome may develop at any time up to 3 weeks after stopping a long-acting benzodiazepine, but may occur within a day in the case of a short-acting one. Withdrawal should therefore take place following established protocols.

It is such a pity to have to take the above (bearing in mind the risks) to go to JW meetings.

19

Talk on "Reaching Out"-Only What BOE Thinks Matters

by Simon Templar in

for the “living as christians” section of the workbook, “are you reaching out?” talk (15 min), the bethelite gave this talk at the meeting.

he totally departed from the subject matter which is the watchtower of september 15, 2014, pages 3-6. he was so far off the reservation, it wasn't funny.

here are a few highlights of what was said: 1) if any brother asked why they haven’t been appointed, and wants to know if there is a problem or condition that exists, that brother is too “presumptuous” and therefore, can’t be used.

Nicholaus Kopernicus

If any Brother asked why they haven’t been appointed, and wants to know if there is a problem or condition that exists, that Brother is too “presumptuous” and therefore, can’t be used. 2) No Brother should ask about this, but just wait on the body to act.

The bethelite's statement is further evidence of how judgemental and pyramidal this organisation is. His statement is cold, unfeeling, distant from humanity. Light years away from the mind of Christ. He also seems to be deeply insecure in that he conveys a deep seated antipathy towards questioning / challenge.

I blogged about this reaching out item in another thread. The GB is quite mistaken that this item, its WT of 2014 and its earlier major work on reaching out (Nov 2011 WT) will lead to it's elder deficit being assuaged any. Rather, the bethelite's statement reveals the deep down conceit which pervades much of the leadership in the organisation. To the extent that many are repelled by the organisation's supercillious paradigm, well and good.

Their attempts at recruiting more for appointments as MS and elders will be undermined by the malexperiences of those in post and who seek to egress as a result.

105

Does anyone think Jehovah is protecting the org. despite all the talk about THE ARC ?

by tor1500 in

jw
friends

i've been thinking this for a while.

even before the arc scandal.

it seems no matter what, the org.

Nicholaus Kopernicus

As far as I am concerned, it is inconceivable that Almighty God is protecting the organisation of Jehovah's Witneses. The following two scriptures come to mind immediately....

2 Thess. 2:11 - "So that is why God lets an operation of error go to them, that they may get to believing the lie"

Gal 6:7 - "Do not be misled: God is not one to be mocked. For whatever a man is sowing, this he will also reap"

Rather, the WTBTS has become the dirty lollipop depicted in its main indocrination text, "What Does the Bible Really Teach". It is better for one's physical and mental health to distance oneself from that dirty lollipop!

17

CLAM (Feb 8-14) - Are You "Reaching Out"? (15mins)

by Nicholaus Kopernicus in

the brief outline for this item makes reference to the most recent wt on the subject of "reaching out" (sept 15 2014 - pages 3-6) if you are a jehovah's witness and thinking about becoming a ministerial servant or elder, then please consider the following information prior to attending the kh for this weeks clam.

first - if you hope to become an elder, in the uk you will also become a charitable trustee.

you will not be given any training for this part of your role.

Nicholaus Kopernicus

Video about reaching out was shown at my KH's midweek meeting. Consisted of the characters Ryan and Andrew with the former giving the narrative. Ryan focussed on his physical prowess, and recreation. Andrew good in ministry and helpful to others in the congregation. Andrew recently appointed as a MS. Ryan felt he should have been a MS by this time too. "It's all about being a spiritual man" the video conveyed. Infers that if you're not reaching out then you're not a spiritual person. Video was a simple duality between two individuals with one's lifestyle conducive to gaining an appointment and the other's being non-conducive. Rather boring and soporific I'm afraid.

Item was chaired by the CoBE. He echoed the thought that reaching out is evidentiary of being a spiritual man! He stated that "It's not a good idea to go around dropping hints" about getting an appointment! Rather, "It takes humility to serve your brothers" he added. He stated that it may take "many years" but then again Abraham had to wait many years before seeing God's promise re a son being fulfilled, andd thus had to learn patience. He cited 1 Cor 4:4 with the application that "others may have reason to hold a less favourable view of you" and advised humilty and working on the counsel given. He repeated the emphasis on ministry and return visits. This CoBE stated that "with the great increase, there is a need for more and more brothers to reach out"! He concluded by saying again that "reaching out means being a spiritual man"!

This was said by a CoBE who has at least six former appointed men in his congregation, and has learned nothing about his mal treatment of others being a significant contribution to egress. He is also a CoBE who sees those who get appointments as potentially threatening to his position. This psyche governs how he interacts with them over a period of time and contributes to their relinquishing their positions. He is a hard liner on higher education and two brothers were deleted for sponsoring their children's higher education. Many in his congregation have got better things to do than endure his very lengthy timeline.

In terms of being a spiritual man or not - that's between the person and God and none of their business as I alluded to in the scripture quoted at the outset in this thread.

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Re: Quarterly Organizational Accomplishments Video Series

by pixel in

dear brothers:.

we are pleased to inform you that a new series of short videos will be produced to emphasize the acceleration of the worldwide work of jehovah’s witnesses.

(isa.

Nicholaus Kopernicus

I hope congs starve them of cash so that the clichè is true in their case wherein it is said: "They who expect nothing shall not be disappointed"!