Posts by Nicholaus Kopernicus

47

What is the most insensitive thing an Overseer or Elder has ever said and done to you?

by RULES & REGULATIONS in

what is the most insensitive thing an overseer or elder has ever said and done to you?

i have had many insensitive things said to me by some elders, but for some reason one self-righteous elder was always on my case.

he didn't like the fact that i missed meetings, didn't like that i never went out in field service, that i didn't answer at the weekly meetings and he didn't like that i carried my books and magazines in my hands and not a service/book bag.

Nicholaus Kopernicus

TRUE STORY - RUDE ELDER GET'S IT BACK:

Elderly Sister - unbaptised publisher. Astute, assertive, decisive.

Elder: anger issues, tends to be avoided, poor reputation among sisters, single, probably personality disorder.

One day both approaching inner twin door to main KH auditorium. The elder did not exercise courtesy & give way to the elderly sister. Thus, their shoulders clashed as they approached the doors simultaneously.

Elderly sister's reaction: turned to the elder and said sternly - "pearls before swine!"

Elder's reaction: red faced, went to Bro's on mag and lit desk and asked - "Is that any way to speak to an elder?"

JOY!

47

What is the most insensitive thing an Overseer or Elder has ever said and done to you?

by RULES & REGULATIONS in

what is the most insensitive thing an overseer or elder has ever said and done to you?

i have had many insensitive things said to me by some elders, but for some reason one self-righteous elder was always on my case.

he didn't like the fact that i missed meetings, didn't like that i never went out in field service, that i didn't answer at the weekly meetings and he didn't like that i carried my books and magazines in my hands and not a service/book bag.

Nicholaus Kopernicus

Fadeaway 1962
Can't blame you for refusing their offer of a study. BoE lack the education, EQ and soft skills necessary in a situation such as you were in. Indeed, the org paraded its incompetence when it showed to congs, the video of BoE supposedly helping a suicidal sister. They got her to say the statement - "I must be an integrity keeper" repeatedly. No mention of seeking engagement with mental health services. Nope! The WT and its BoE have all the answers!

47

What is the most insensitive thing an Overseer or Elder has ever said and done to you?

by RULES & REGULATIONS in

what is the most insensitive thing an overseer or elder has ever said and done to you?

i have had many insensitive things said to me by some elders, but for some reason one self-righteous elder was always on my case.

he didn't like the fact that i missed meetings, didn't like that i never went out in field service, that i didn't answer at the weekly meetings and he didn't like that i carried my books and magazines in my hands and not a service/book bag.

Nicholaus Kopernicus

I was told by the CoBoE that many in the congregation were concerned about my answers. He wouldn't elaborate on numbers, status, demographics of those concerned about my answers. I told him that I was really surprised in that I quoted the society's literature on the matter (the unannounced and sudden requirement in cong for Bros to wear a suit behind the lectern) and quoted scripture. Literature stated dress was a personal matter. Anyway, he told me that my answers were diatribe. Told me that if it didn't stop there would need to be a shepherding visit in the context of Galatians 6:1. I told him that I was sorry that many were concerned and that they wouldn't hear me again. They didn't either as that was my last meeting. That was several years ago now. So on this occassion the direct arrogance of the BoE was responsible for a reduction in attendance numbers. I was contacted a year later and a shepherding visit was suggested to me. I quoted Psalm 23:1 and said that in the unlikely event of me needing such I'd contact them and they needn't contact me again. Since then I heard nothing until a week ago - memorial invitation. No congregation letter heading. They're being careful to present a personal invitation, avoiding cong / WT formally - perhaps to avoid falling foul of the GDPR in UK & Europe. I suspect the WT is behind an enhanced effort to bring back individuals who departed the organisation - hence memorial invites this year and not other years. The reduction in numbers nationally may be getting to them.

65

Would You Ever Go Back To The Witnesses??

by minimus in

jw
friends

every once in a while you hear people say they actually “miss” their old witness friends and or family.

some would have even stayed in the organization if they became a bit more liberal and open minded.

.

Nicholaus Kopernicus

I was approached by two different JWs on two occasions while abroad. Both knew me from my elder days when I gave talks in their congregations. Both invited me to their meetings. I explained to them that I hadn't been to a JW meeting in years and that I can't even open a WT magazine. One responded that it wasn't her place to delve further and went on to explain Jehovah's many blessings on her. The other asked why, and I told him of the situation of x3 elders in Eire who reported child abuse to the police. Consequently, their eminances in the Britain branch assigned a JC and two of the three elders were deleted having been found to not be of sound mind for not having first called tbe branch's legal desk. He was shocked at this disclosure.

I haven't been to a JW meeting for over 4 years now. After 6 months of abscence had lapsed I was called by an elder who wanted to arrange a shepherding call. I thanked him and explained that "Jehovah is my shepherd, I shall lack nothing." Went on to add that should I discern the need for help I might approach them. I have had no further attempted contact. I suspect they know that if they were to force the issue there would be a significant response cost. The GDPR also protects me.

There is nothing that would make me return. Nothing! A significant factor behind my departure was being shunned following my use (on two occasions) of JW literature quotations and bible references during meetings to publicly admonish the local BoE for requiring bros to wear a suit when behind the lectern. When I was subsequently approached by two elders and informed that many were "concerned" about my answers I told them that they (the "many") would not be concerned about my answers ever again. Problem solved! Simple!

10

JW trolleys - London

by HB in

thought you might like to know that during a visit to london yesterday, the jw's were conspicuous by their complete absence.

admittedly it was a tuesday in february, but myself and my ex jw friend thought we would see at least one or two trolleys in their usual haunts, but nothing.

we checked out the area around westminster station where we have talked to jws before, but there was no sign.

Nicholaus Kopernicus

I too have noticed a paucity of witnesses with their trollies in London. Previously noted them regularly at Oxford Circus, Marble Arch, Egware Road, and Victoria Street. I also noted that they tended to funnel - that is stand at side of trolley with arms extended holding out literature. This means that pedestrians' space on pavements was reduced. I am reasonably sure complaints were made to Westminster City Council and that the municipality's response has meant that the Britain Branch has had to cool down their "Metropolitan Witnessing" as they call it. I'm pleased to note their substantial absence - see them as mere litter!

3

Perspective which the GBoJW should implement.

by Nicholaus Kopernicus in

on 30th january 2019, the rt hon jeremy hunt mp (foreign & commonwealth office) launched an independent review into the persecution of christians world wide to be chaired by philip mountstephen - bushop of truro.

in his address to the audience, jeremeyhunt stated... .

"... freedom of worship is a fundamental human right... freedom of worship is the invisible line between open societies and closed societies.. where freedom of worship is hampered or prevented, then usually that’s a sign of lots of other things going wrong, and we wanted to make sure that the uk is doing everything to champion the values that we all believe in.".

Nicholaus Kopernicus

DoC:

The WT tendency to shun, give "the cold shoulder" is deeply engrained. In my last three years attending meetings of JWs, I twice challenged an unannounced decision made by the local BoE which affected Bros having assignments behind the lectern. I cited and quoted WT literature and scripture forcefully. After the 2nd challenge I was approached by the CBoE who engaged in an ad hominem attack and didn't respond to the points I raised. My "friends" stopped talking to me. Despite reaching out to talk to them, they were visibly uncomfortable with my approaches. So I simply stopped attending. Stopped contributing money. Some months later I received a telephone call in the hope of the BoE paying a shepherding visit. I told him that "Jehovah is my Shepherd. I shall lack nothing".

I mention this as empirical evidence of what you say in terms of their shunning practice being intrinsic to their worship. However, their shunning preference(s) and the ease with which they use it is demonstrative of a propensity to scatter rather than gather. Scatttering, is not a feature of Christianity. This, and other nihilistic behaviours are contributing to the shrinkage of the org in the developed world. GOOD!

3

Perspective which the GBoJW should implement.

by Nicholaus Kopernicus in

on 30th january 2019, the rt hon jeremy hunt mp (foreign & commonwealth office) launched an independent review into the persecution of christians world wide to be chaired by philip mountstephen - bushop of truro.

in his address to the audience, jeremeyhunt stated... .

"... freedom of worship is a fundamental human right... freedom of worship is the invisible line between open societies and closed societies.. where freedom of worship is hampered or prevented, then usually that’s a sign of lots of other things going wrong, and we wanted to make sure that the uk is doing everything to champion the values that we all believe in.".

Nicholaus Kopernicus

On 30th January 2019, the Rt Hon Jeremy Hunt MP (Foreign & Commonwealth Office) launched an independent review into the persecution of Christians world wide to be chaired by Philip Mountstephen - Bushop of Truro. In his address to the audience, JeremeyHunt stated...

"... freedom of worship is a fundamental human right... freedom of worship is the invisible line between open societies and closed societies.

Where freedom of worship is hampered or prevented, then usually that’s a sign of lots of other things going wrong, and we wanted to make sure that the UK is doing everything to champion the values that we all believe in."

Whilst JWs wear their invisible persecutory victim badge with pride, nevertheless they are perpetrators of heinous acts themselves. You need only disagree with them to fall victim to their coldness. They are a closed society in many respects. Indeed, within their org, lots of other things are going wrong.

I thought even this simple benchmark / paradigm of the FCO shows how wanton the GBoJW is.

13

Wimbledon Kingdom Hall

by truthseeker in

jw
friends

i just heard that wimbledon kingdom hall is being or about to be sold.

it is 60 years old and worth half a million pounds.. has anyone heard anything more about this?.

truthseeker.

Nicholaus Kopernicus

Oh yes! The KH on Haydon's Rd is the one with the CO flat (previously anyway). The other KH may have been the one in which a tall and concentric Morley was the coordinator. Hitherto the recipient of a lawsuit by a Bro Otto if I recollect properly. I was told that Morley ran the cong like a business - rich in protocol and poor in love. I was also told that 30% or more moved away such was his cold and conceited paradigm. So strange tbat the GB wants JWs to harvest recruits then BoEs like those in Wimbledon just haemorrhage recruits. What a paradox!

13

Wimbledon Kingdom Hall

by truthseeker in

jw
friends

i just heard that wimbledon kingdom hall is being or about to be sold.

it is 60 years old and worth half a million pounds.. has anyone heard anything more about this?.

truthseeker.

Nicholaus Kopernicus

I have passed this Wimbledon KH several times recently. It's the one with (or did have) a CO flat. It still seems to be in use. No for sale signs on display.

The KH in Kingston on Thames had a for sale sign and it's still for sale to the best of my knowledge. Looked a real eye sore a couple of months ago when I last checked.

2

Lesson in tolerance and inclusion for GBoJW

by Nicholaus Kopernicus in

on board his trip home from eire - the pope gave a 45 min on board press conference (26 aug 2018)..... "... the pope also highlighted the need for parents of gay children to have a dialogue with their offspring and not condemn them.

'your question is clear: what would i say to a father who sees that his son or daughter has that tendency?

i would say first to pray, don’t condemn, dialogue, understand, make space for them.

Nicholaus Kopernicus

On board his trip home from Eire - the Pope gave a 45 min on board press conference (26 Aug 2018)....

"... The Pope also highlighted the need for parents of gay children to have a dialogue with their offspring and not condemn them.

'Your question is clear: what would I say to a father who sees that his son or daughter has that tendency? I would say first to pray, don’t condemn, dialogue, understand, make space for them. Let them express themselves,' he said.

'.... Another thing is when it shows itself after 20 years of age or so. But I’ll never say that silence is a remedy. To ignore a son or daughter with homosexual tendencies is a lack of paternity and maternity. You are my son or daughter, as you are, I’m your father, mother, let’s talk…don’t throw them out of the family.'"

His humanity, versatility, understanding, and spirituality comes across. He is the beneficiary of higher education!

The GBoJW have a lot to learn from him. However, learning anything by the GBoJW is difficult to put it mildly!