Good observation Designer Stubble. I was discussing the graphic icons at the foot of page 5 with my wife - especially the 2n icon derived from Psalm 72:12. The icon states that "The poor will be rescued". For examples of such presently, I had to refer to the Church of England (food banks) and the Salvation Army (soup kitchens, day centres, homeless persons' hostels). However, neither of us could cite examples of WT works in imitation of Jesus (feeding odf thousands for exxample). No not one example. So again, your observation(s) are spot on!
Nicholaus Kopernicus
JoinedPosts by Nicholaus Kopernicus
-
5
CLAM & MWB - July 2016
by Nicholaus Kopernicus infollowing cited on page six: of ps 75:4, 5, 10—what is signified by the term “horn”?
the horns of an animal are a powerful weapon.
hence, the term “horn” figuratively denotes power, or strength.
-
-
-
5
CLAM & MWB - July 2016
by Nicholaus Kopernicus infollowing cited on page six: of ps 75:4, 5, 10—what is signified by the term “horn”?
the horns of an animal are a powerful weapon.
hence, the term “horn” figuratively denotes power, or strength.
-
-
Nicholaus Kopernicus
Following cited on page six: of Ps 75:4, 5, 10—What is signified by the term “horn”? The horns of an animal are a powerful weapon. Hence, the term “horn” figuratively denotes power, or strength. Jehovah raises up the horns of his people, causing them to be exalted, whereas he ‘cuts down the horns of the wicked ones.’ We are warned against ‘exalting our horn on high’ in that we should not take on a proud or arrogant attitude. Since Jehovah does the exalting, assignments of responsibility in the congregation are to be viewed as coming from him.—Psalm 75:7.
WT 7/15 11 para 2 (in MWB 7/16 page 6)
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
6 For exaltation does not come
From the east or the west or the south.
7 For God is Judge.
He puts one man down and exalts another.
Psalm 75:6,7
Appointed men in the congregation – We should be submissive to those whom Jehovah appoints to take the lead.
(7/16 MWB page 6)
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Change of emphasis in reinforcing/protecting BoE. Hitherto, we have been saturated with the Hebrews 13:17obey dogma and repeatedly been told that elders are appointed by the Holy Spirit. Now the language is getting more direct in that the July MWB on page 6 says that “Jehovah’s works include appointing humble men to care for his congregation” and “We should be submissive to those whom Jehovah appoints to take the lead.”
This has the duality of reinforcing the status of the GB in that they are the ones who draft the policies and protocols regarding the appointment of elders. Increasingly, I am beginning to see the writing committee’s use of Almighty God’s name as nom de plume for the GB. I would opine that they are actually abusing God’s name rather than keeping it “hallowed” as Jesus exemplified (Matt 6:9). It is also using God’s name to legitimize JW’s being unwitting men pleasers (Eph 6:6; Col 3:22)
How can one be a JW elder who is appointed by Jehovah if that same elder holds WT teaching in primacy rather than making sure he is “holding firmly to the faithful word as respects his [art of] teaching....”? (Titus 1:9)
Truly, the GB and it’s writing/teaching committee are making it very difficult to attend the midweek meetings. Helps me understand why there has always tended to be a trough in the midweek meeting attendance compared with the weekend meetings. Whilst there are almost certainly other issues (work & tiredness), yet the appalling quality of MWB penmanship is such that it may be making a bad situation worse. So I think I’ll be giving the July midweek meetings a miss! MWB contents not at all motivating. Not something I want to listen to nor watch. Video's are ghastly. So little time is given to the Bible at JW meetings nowadays! Time would be better spent at home with only God’s Word in front of me. -
9
CLAM - 24th March 2016 (Video Vignette)
by Nicholaus Kopernicus invideo - "use insight when comforting others"this was a wt contrived video of a sister who was widowed a year ago, and turns to members of the boe after a meeting in the kingdom hall in a distraught emotional state accompanied by suicidal thoughts.
two members of the boe saw her in her own home later that day.she conveyed that she wanted her life back - that her heart had been ripped out.
the elder acknowledges that "you and dan had a wonderful relationship".
-
-
Nicholaus Kopernicus
Good evening millie210
You mention overworked and stresssed out elders. A good point. For an individual to be able to help another such as the sister in the video vignette, that elder would need to be aware of the magnitude of the role he is about to engage in. That elder also needs to be self-aware. If he is overworked and stressed out he is at risk of polluting the interface with the sister by inadvertently off loading his own problems, or by missing vital cues. Even although the elders in the vignette did not look at all overworked or stressed out, nevertheless they did not attend to some of the issues the sister raised. But, they're not mental health professionals and on the one hand they might be excused for their omission. On the other hand they might not be excused as they're supposed to be models of modesty, which also includes knowing their limitations! If elders don't know their limitations, then it would be good if congregation members came to be aware of same and avoided approaching the elders if possible. One last point is that health professionals are bound to confidentiality codes which elders are not! I personally would share nothing with BoEs!
-
9
CLAM - 24th March 2016 (Video Vignette)
by Nicholaus Kopernicus invideo - "use insight when comforting others"this was a wt contrived video of a sister who was widowed a year ago, and turns to members of the boe after a meeting in the kingdom hall in a distraught emotional state accompanied by suicidal thoughts.
two members of the boe saw her in her own home later that day.she conveyed that she wanted her life back - that her heart had been ripped out.
the elder acknowledges that "you and dan had a wonderful relationship".
-
-
Nicholaus Kopernicus
Good evening LostGeneration:
I read your link to your OP. I was quite surprised (but I know I shouldn't have been) to see that the advice to BoEs in cases of suicide/threatened/attempted is to make contact with their legal desk. Such advice is the hallmark of a cold fish. This further augments my opinion that it is best for distressed individuals to obtain help from other than BoEs. As you say - they just don't get it. Both then at the time of your OP, and now! They are not learning anything!
-
9
CLAM - 24th March 2016 (Video Vignette)
by Nicholaus Kopernicus invideo - "use insight when comforting others"this was a wt contrived video of a sister who was widowed a year ago, and turns to members of the boe after a meeting in the kingdom hall in a distraught emotional state accompanied by suicidal thoughts.
two members of the boe saw her in her own home later that day.she conveyed that she wanted her life back - that her heart had been ripped out.
the elder acknowledges that "you and dan had a wonderful relationship".
-
-
Nicholaus Kopernicus
Video - "Use Insight When Comforting Others"
This was a WT contrived video of a sister who was widowed a year ago, and turns to members of the BoE after a meeting in the kingdom hall in a distraught emotional state accompanied by suicidal thoughts. Two members of the BoE saw her in her own home later that day.
She conveyed that she wanted her life back - that her heart had been ripped out. The elder acknowledges that "You and Dan had a wonderful relationship". The elder went on to describe how Joseph's father continued weeping for his son. He then added that Jehovah would ocntinue to support the sister, and one way this support is manifest is by means of the BoE! For the purpose of this video vignette, the elder was named Bro Shephard! The video showed two of the BoE seeking verses and a magazine preparatory to the home visit, to strengthen the distraught sister to be an integrity keeper.
When meeting at the sister's home, she disclosed that she had troubles with the house, and that she didn't want to go on any more. She stated that she was minded to turn on the car ignition in the garage and end it all. The elder briefly acknowledged her depression and related how Job was a target of Satan. The sister stated that Job was not as messed up as I am. The elder then read Job 6:2,3. He highlighted Job's "wild talk". Elder comparing this "wild talk" to the sister's disclosure of self harm via the car in the garage. The elder stated that an integrity keeper doesn't give in to "wild thoughts". He appealed to the sister to treat such a pattern as an immoral thought. He advised the sister to repeatedly recite that she is an integrity keeper.
The elder then moved on to sciptural verses for grief, and referred to Jeremiah 29:11,12. He stressed that the focus should be on future hopes and not calamity. He gave the sister an asignment to memorise and repeat the two verses out loud. The sister then rose up to get cookies to accompany the elders' coffee.
OPINION:
The CLAM brochure under the heading "Living as Christians" gave the following instructions... "...invite comments on how the two brothers were good examples of how to give encouragement when someone expresses anguish over the death of a loved one." The purpose of the video vignette therefore seems to be another in the example of the GBoJW endeavouring to augment the hegemony of BoE's with the implicit message of distressed individuals approaching the BoE solely. In the brochure, and in the video, there is no mention whatever of what point a distressed individual may need to arrive at in then obtaining professional help. No guidance for BoE about the application of modesty on their part and thus offering the sister practical help in approaching professional services, rather than seeking to manage the situation themselves. The visiting elders did not explore with the sister, her disclosure of wanting her life back and that her heart had been ripped out. No catharsis whatever! A significant omission.
The sister in the vignette, not only had suicidal thoughts, but also a plan to carry out the thought (indication of intent). That the BoE then respond in the realm of morality only serves to magnify any feelings of guilt held by the sister and could enhance risk rather than mitigate it. The sister briefly mentioned problems with her house - this was not responded to at all. Another omission. The elders entering into the realms of morality is an act of judgementalism and cruelty. This sister is living on her own, lost her husband a year previously and is in a situation where her mental state is deteriorating due to issues not being assuaged or otherwise being in receipt of help. The approach of the two elders was a missed opportunity. That the video does not contextualise the risk (distress, loss, isolation) to show that the risk of self harm is significant, is an indication of incompetence to put it mildly.
Were the sister to have been encouraged and supported to obtain professional help, she would have been offered a thorough assessment, crisis support, counselling, treatment, social support with the house difficulties alluded to, and bereavement counselling. She would have been in receipt of frequent and supportive visits by knowledgeable and trained persons. A plan would have been agreed to assuage her isolation. She may even have been offered several days supportive respite care by an organisation specialising in helping individuals in a state of suicidal crisis.
That the GBoJW has hitherto shown this video at the elders "school" as a template for adequate response is deeply worrying to all professionals who are mental health / psychiatric professionals. It mirrors the unspoken disdain which the GBoJW seems to have for public health and welfare services in that a victim of child abuse is never advised to seek help from child welfare departments. This vignette of a suicidal sister similarly seems to reinforce the idea that such crises be managed "in house" so to speak.
The vignette also assumes competence on the part of the BoE to deal with such a complex, traumatic, and risky situation. It assumes that the behavioural profile of the BoE is one in which individuals would have the confidence and trust to approach them in a distraught state. This is far far removed from my experience. It would be the course of wisdom for elders to acknowledge their limitiations and support individuals in gaining professional help rather than abandoning modesty and seeking to resolve issues themselves. After all, elders are not trained mental health / psychiatric professionals as a WT put it some years ago!
Lastly, when comments from the audience were invited at my congregation, I noted the paucity of hands and the brevity of those who did answer. Perhaps a statement of sorts was being made! -
8
CLAM - JUNE 2016
by Nicholaus Kopernicus infirst week focuses on utilizing videos in combination with tracts.
for the wtbts, this is a low cost approach to placements and prosyletising.. .
second week focuses on those who are ill. this is somewhat surprising in that the subject was discussed recently in the wt study (dec 15 2015 edition - "jehovah will sustain you") considered at the end of february this year.. .
-
-
Nicholaus Kopernicus
My OP did not accept the whole draft for some reason or other. This is the intended last paragraph......
Notice that there is no human intermediary or institution here. It is between you and Almighty God. This is something which no Pope, Cardinal, Bishop, Priest, Guardian of Doctrine, Circuit Overseer, or Elder can give you. Neither can they take it away. The WTBTS is therefore emanently dispensible! -
8
CLAM - JUNE 2016
by Nicholaus Kopernicus infirst week focuses on utilizing videos in combination with tracts.
for the wtbts, this is a low cost approach to placements and prosyletising.. .
second week focuses on those who are ill. this is somewhat surprising in that the subject was discussed recently in the wt study (dec 15 2015 edition - "jehovah will sustain you") considered at the end of february this year.. .
-
-
Nicholaus Kopernicus
First week focuses on utilizing videos in combination with tracts. For the WTBTS, this is a low cost approach to placements and prosyletising.
Second week focuses on those who are ill. This is somewhat surprising in that the subject was discussed recently in the WT study (Dec 15 2015 edition - "Jehovah Will Sustain You") considered at the end of February this year.
Third week focuses on Psalms 45-51 with the theme "Jehovah Will Not Reject a Broken Heart". This is a truly amazing theme for the teaching/writing committee to put forward for consideration. I say this because of the copious examples of the WTBTS and its congregation officers engaging in the very antithesis of the stated theme. How many times have we heard of individuals approaching their BoE's for help - especially in the case of a victim of a child abuser only for that victim to be deprecated, marginalised, and worse. How many times have we heard of individuals being victims of bullying BoE's and their broken heart demolished into splinters. This subject being highlighted is a jaw dropping surprise for me. If anyone has a broken heart, it is best not to disclose it to the BoE or agents of the WTBTS as they are trained to get you to repeat that you are an integrity keeper, and then furnish them with coffee and cookies.
This third week also has an item called "The Kingdom - 100 Years and Counting". The page confirms that the book God's Kingdom Rules! will be the study item at the CBS from Sept 19. This makes me glad that the CBS is now at the end of the meeting. I can just leave the meeting and escape this historical revisionism.
Fourth week focuses on Psalms 52-59 with the theme - "Throw Your Burden on Jehovah". That's more like it. This is consistent with Mark 12:28-30 - "Now one of the scribes that had come up and heard them disputing, knowing that he had answered them in a fine way, asked him: “Which commandment is first of all?” 29 Jesus answered: “The first is, ‘Hear, O Israel, Jehovah our God is one Jehovah, 30 and you must love Jehovah your God with your whole heart and with your whole soul and with your whole mind and with your whole strength.’ -
25
Another Galling WT Study
by Nicholaus Kopernicus injanuary 2016 watchtower (study edition).
be determined to “let your brotherly love continue”!.
this article was easy to read.
-
-
Nicholaus Kopernicus
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 injanuary 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 infebruary 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!