Posts by Nicholaus Kopernicus

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!

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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.

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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.

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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!

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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"!

CLAM Meetings - May 2016

by Nicholaus Kopernicus in

during may, there are three seperate slots allocated to jw library app.... may 2-8 "are you using jw library?

" jw's encourged to download app.

may16 & 23 "ways to use jw library" - parts i & ii.

Nicholaus Kopernicus

During May, there are three seperate slots allocated to JW Library App...

May 2-8 "Are You Using JW Library?" JW's encourged to download app
May16 & 23 "Ways to Use JW Library" - Parts I & II

Further evidence on the pressure to switch from printed literature to digital media and thus save costs for WTBTS.

Last CLAM of the month (WC May 30th) includes a 15 minute local needs item, with a suggestion as to what such might consist of! The GB have a unique understanding of what constitutes "local"!

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Leaked Elder's Video: How to deal with a suicidal sister

by cappytan in

this video will be played at one of the clam meetings in march 2016.. the content is kind of old news because it is a recut version of a previous video produced for the elder's school.

however, it's still significant because it shows that the organization still has dissenting brothers in positions of leadership.. my thanks to the leaker.

feel free to claim credit here.

Nicholaus Kopernicus

That this video is being shown at KH's exemplifies the lack of learning and incompetence of the GB and it's teaching committee. That there is no recommendation to the sister that she obtain professional help is truly reprehensible. The approach taken parallels to a degree, that taken in cases of child abuse - kept in house and away from professional services such as police and child protection departments of local authorities.

If a suicidal individual approaches a General Practitioner for help in the UK, that GP will in all likelihood seek to involve secondary services with haste. If a suicidal individual approaches a hospital's accident and emergency department, the A & E will involve the psychiatric liaison service. Regardless of the route chosen by the suffering individual therefore, the involvement of appropriate professional skills is usually recommended and actioned. Of course, this is evidence of the GP and the A & E department acting in the victims best interests. The same can hardly be said of the responses portrayed in the GB / teaching department's video. A key factor in assessing the sufferer, is whether or not s(he) has suicidal plans. This is an indication of the suicidal thinking progressing to INTENT. Help being given is urgent. Professionals will look at many factors in asssessing the individual including clinical factors such as....

depression
suicidal thoughts (ideation)
suicidal plans (intent)
hopelessness
marked restlessness
etreme lability of mood
hostility / aggression
perceptual disturbance - particularly auditory hallucinations instructing the person to harm self

Indications of high suicide risk following act(s) of self harm include...

evidence of pre-planning
has considered decision to choose a violent method
fuly expects or expected to die
signs of avoidance of discovery and/or intervention
consciously isolated at time of act
suicide note
regret at survival

None of the above pre/post self harm assessment steps even begins to be addressed in the case vignette portrayed in the video as teaching points. The video conveys the idea of elders dealing with the matter to be quite normative and with the situation being speedily assuaged - quite dangerous and unrealistic. Should elders adopt this portrayal as the way to approach such an individual, then they could be placing themselves at risk as their not recommending professional help is clearly deleterious to the individual and in my opinion, quite unchristian.