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.
Nicholaus Kopernicus
JoinedPosts by Nicholaus Kopernicus
-
22
Daily Mirror article about JWs destroying evidence
by Tornintwo ini 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.
-
-
-
55
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.
-
-
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!) -
123
An Open letter to the Governing Body of Jehovah's Witnesses (Elders/ Ex-Elders)
by stuckinamovement inif you are an elder or an ex-elder please add a comment.
i hope that the governing body will see this.
it is too bad it has to be on an anonymous forum.
-
-
Nicholaus Kopernicus
A most eloguent letter and riposte in one. Describes much of what is wrong and therefore troubling to Bro's and Sis' with a conscience.
However, being an elder is very risky. One example is being required to destroy some categories of documents / letters annd which is likely to be illegal in a significant number of countries. Another example is one's mind being closely influenced by a pharisaical paradigm - very unhealthy. Then, there is the endemic competition for an elder's time to the detriment of family - this despite the pseudo pious platitudes of balance and reasonableness.
This Bro is to be congratulated for taking a stand and withdrawing from a position which is inimical to good mental / physical health and is far removed from the "mind of Christ".
-
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.
-
-
Nicholaus Kopernicus
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.
-
55
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.
-
-
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.
-
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.
-
-
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.
-
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.
-
-
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!
-
13
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!
-
-
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 -
40
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?.
-
-
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....
-
30
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?
-
-
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!