Yes it was the Britain box left blank. I have no recollection of this previously being left blank in the Britain stats. Blank columns too, for several other countries this time.
Nicholaus Kopernicus
JoinedPosts by Nicholaus Kopernicus
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18
What was your local needs this week?
by dbq407 inours was on making use of phone witnessing and letter writing.
both ineffective and wastes of time.
another local cong.
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Some thoughts on the new midweek meeting
by Saltheart Foamfollower inthe 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.
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Nicholaus Kopernicus
I attended my first CLAM this week - principally because I was curious about the local needs item as info about it was leaked on another thread.
On the whole, there is no accommodation for any individuality / creativity. I found it all rather banal. If the GB is hoping to positively address the often reported trough in midweek meetings, then they may well be disapppointed.
I noted that the item about ministry involved three short videos. The brother taking the item in my congregation was a young MS. He seemed uncomfortable with the item. After the 2nd video he placated the audience with the assurance - - "Don't worry, there's only one more".
None of the Bro's giving items seemed there usual enthused selves. I may not have noticed but for being sparse in my attendance.
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What was your local needs this week?
by dbq407 inours was on making use of phone witnessing and letter writing.
both ineffective and wastes of time.
another local cong.
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Nicholaus Kopernicus
Under the former system of things which has now passed away, local needs were scheduled in the OKM every 2/12 @ 10 minute allocations.
Under the new system of things, it appears that local needs are scheduled 1/12....
Jan MWB. - 8 mins
Feb MWB. - 10 mins
Mar MWB. - 5 mins
Apr MWB. - 7 mins
Time will tell what the significance of this change is.
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18
What was your local needs this week?
by dbq407 inours was on making use of phone witnessing and letter writing.
both ineffective and wastes of time.
another local cong.
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Nicholaus Kopernicus
Further information re Britain Local Needs
Item titled: "Unless Jehovah Builds It..." based on Psalm 127:1. The video featured Paul Gillies several times - tall Scot whom I believe was the branch representative who tried and failed to give a riposte to the Guardian re the UN NGO scandal. I have a feint memory of him being on a video for elders and coming across as a real toughie on "apostates".
The video claimed that the UK work is "speeding up" and hence more KH's are needed. They showed a few minutes of a build in Corby and stated that 157 KH's were needed in Britain as a whole and 213 needed to be renovated.
When I heard this, I then realised that perhaps this is why they left the % increase box blank in the annual report. How can they claim the work is speeding up with all those KH builds and renovations needed if the % increase box was either nil or negative!
The other thing I noted is that hitherto, "Local Needs" meant needs specific to the congregation and determined by the local BoE. Now "local" is subject to semantic shift and can mean national (branch) needs! Perhaps this direct influence over / ingress to congregations explains the motivation for directing BoE to spend money on screens and projectors!
They didn't ask for money as such, but Paul Gillies did thank bros for their "continued support". They get NOTHING FROM ME!
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Another Galling Meeting!
by Nicholaus Kopernicus inyesterday's meeting was again, quite soporific.
however, i felt indignation when it came to paragraph 16 of the watchtower catechism.
it reads..."the remarkable growth that we see today is the result of our faith in god and full acceptance of the bible..."i won't deal with the first part of that sentence here, but the claim at the end - this is just an outright and most egregious lie!
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Nicholaus Kopernicus
Yesterday's meeting was again, quite soporific. However, I felt indignation when it came to paragraph 16 of the Watchtower catechism. It reads...
"The remarkable growth that we see today is the result of our faith in God and full acceptance of the Bible..."
I won't deal with the first part of that sentence here, but the claim at the end - this is just an outright and most egregious lie! In January 2013, the statement of purpose of the Watchtower catechism was removed from the inside front cover. It read...."THE PURPOSE OF THIS MAGAZINE, The Watchtower, is to honor Jehovah God, the Supreme Ruler of the universe. Just as watchtowers in ancient times enabled a person to observe developments from afar, so this magazine shows us the significance of world events in the light of Bible prophecies. It comforts people with the good news that God’s Kingdom, which is a real government in heaven, will soon bring an end to all wickedness and transform the earth into a paradise. It promotes faith in Jesus Christ, who died so that we might gain everlasting life and who is now ruling as King of God’s Kingdom. This magazine has been published by Jehovah’s Witnesses continuously since1879 and is nonpolitical. It adheres to the Bible as its authority." (Bold mine)
The claim of "remarkable growth" is wanton hyperbole, but to claim "full acceptance of the Bible" is a downright lie. Why did they withdraw the statement of purpose in Jan 2013 rather than simply amend it? Why has notice of its withdrawal never been given or explained? They (the GBoJW) know that in actual fact, it does not adhere to the Bible as its authority! To then claim "full acceptance of the Bible" nearly three years later is an act of the utmost deceit and hypocrisy.
Next week's Watchtower catechism is called: "One Hundred Years Under Kingdom Rulership!". This article and its forerunners are far from honouring God, certainly don't promote faith in Christ, and devoid of comfort. Well I just cannot bear it. I will have to absent myself! The appaling quality of output from the writing committee is driving me away! I'll go to the cinema and watch Starwars or something!
http://www.jehovahs-witness.com/topic/99310003/watchtower-magazine-statement-purpose -
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How do you feel about the expression "The Truth"?
by stuckinarut2 init's amazing how the expression "the truth" has become such an ingrained term used by witnesses.. "we have 'the truth'".
"is he 'in the truth'?".
most here have found out so many facts about the organisation, and felt the effects of being "gut-punched" as we realised these facts.. so how do you feel about the expression "the truth" now?.
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Nicholaus Kopernicus
I no longer use the term. "The truth" as JW's put it, as it is a capricious entity. I discussed it more in depth on the following thread....
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How the Bible disproves the JWs' 1914 invisible presence doctrine.
by Island Man inwatchtower teaches jws that christ's presence began invisibly in 1914. they also teach that the start of christ's presence coincides with the start of the last days.
whether you believe in the bible or not, watchtower claims these teachings come from the bible.
so does the bible actually agree with them?
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Nicholaus Kopernicus
A very interesting summary / analysis.
I have noted a little retiscence on the part of the WTBTS / GBoJW since we reached and passed the 100 year point. This is seen in that they no longer flaunt Rev 12:12..... "...the Devil has come down to you, having great anger, knowing that he has a short period of time."
By no stretch.of the imagination is 100 years + a "short period of time"! It's as if Rev 12:12 is being boycotted by WTBTS / GBoJW in their publications!
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The Retractable Dangling Carrot
by TMS insome scattered thoughts about the granting or denial of privileges of service as a control mechanism:.
this method of persuasion involving reward or punishment is so deeply ingrained in watchtower function, it is second nature.
although sometimes subtle, sometimes blatant, everyone from new bible study to traveling overseer is subconsciously aware of the possible limiting of his official opportunities to serve god and his brothers.. .
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Nicholaus Kopernicus
This link details the original meaning of "privilege" and evidences that the WT use of it reveals their arrogance (among other things......
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How far will they go?
by careful ini've been drawing back lately and looking at the big picture going on in the org, somewhat like slimboyfat has also been doing, but i am wondering about different possibilities.
so the current gb has modernized recently in various ways.
they have done a strong and sudden about-face regarding the electronic world, from viewing the whole thing suspiciously and condemning bros. use tablets from the platform to suddenly embracing them and causing the r&f to do so to such a degree that old ones are spending hundreds of dollars to buy devices that they have no clue how to use; they have heavily embraced this media for their message, very much like the churches have been doing for years, especially with their jw broadcasting and their caleb and sophia animations.
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Nicholaus Kopernicus
I was thinking about the technology scenario. Budgeting for such falls to the congregation and individual. The changes strongly suggest downward pressure on costs as does elimination of DO's SP's and reduction of Bethelites.
My congregation was visited by a relatively new and young CO. However, he sounds so institutionalised, bland, repetitive. He was very disparaging of higher education and use of web dating services. He drives a nice new car. Were I in his shoes, I might be somewhat anxious re the security of the CO role bearing in mind the retraction in other personnel grades. After all, CO's do represent a significant cost. Maybe their elimination could be the next cost saving feature. If so, no tears on my part!
I recollect this possibility on another thread with speculation that the role msy be filled by "loyal" and "capable" elders.
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Nicholaus Kopernicus
My favourite is the Voice Bible by the Ecclesia Bible Society.