Posts by Magnum

44

New video release at district convention. Do Jws live like this?

by solomon in

i just got back from the district convention and watched the new video.

can't remember what it is called but the main family live in a million dollar home and there teenage daughter drives a red convertable sports car.

probably worth about 50000$.

Magnum

insdetheKH: there is nothing wrong with being a millionaire, i know several of them in my congregation and circuit

You totally missed the point. The OP didn't say there was anything wrong with it. His point is that JWs who lived as the org said to in the past usually can't live that way. If they're like me, they thought the sky was falling and lived accordingly - giving up education, jobs, etc.

BU2B & sir82 - I noticed the same thing about the "prodigal returns" video. I have done that kind of work, and believe me, it doesn't work out as portrayed in the video.

XBEHERE - They might be well off where you're from, but not where I'm from. I have only known two or three families that were middle class or above, and they didn't pioneer, etc. like I did. They went to meetings and did their few hours a month in service. That's not the way we were told to live in the 70's, 80's, & 90's when the sky was supposed to fall.

It does seem that there's some kind of major image/message overhaul going on. It pisses me off considering how they told me to live. I did what they said; I've been virtually homeless & transportationless at times while slaving for them. And now they show JWs living like this. Anybody who doesn't see something wrong with it was either not around in the 70's, 80's, 90's or was there and just didn't comprehend. I'm not saying there's something with that lifestyle; I'm saying there's something with JWs preaching against it for decades and then showing JWs living that way as if it's the norm among them. I remember being told that even if we could afford a higher lifestyle to be careful living such because it could set a bad example for others.

ambersun -

17

Question About the Governing Body

by Wild_Thing in

does anyone know if any of the current governing body members became a jw as an adult, or were all of them raised and bred a jw from childhood?.

i have a theory that the jws that are "born in" and stay in tend to be more extreme and less reasonable because that is all they have ever known, especially if they are sheltered and groomed to be a good little jw.. and i was just looking at what i could find about the newest and youngest member, mark sanderson.

he was born on february 4, 1965, and he was baptized on february 9, 1975 ... a few days shy of turning 10 years old!

Magnum

I think Anthony Morris came in as an adult. Isn't he supposedly a war veteran?

87

How is the org really run? What goes on behind the scenes?

by Magnum in

how is the org really run?

what goes on behind the scenes?.

i just read an older post on this site that was recently bumped (http://www.jehovahs-witness.net/jw/friends/6600/1/don-adams-biography) the post mentioned the adams brothers don, karl, & joel and how influential they are/were at headquarters.

Magnum

How is the org really run? What goes on behind the scenes?

I just read an older post on this site that was recently bumped (http://www.jehovahs-witness.net/jw/friends/6600/1/DON-ADAMS-BIOGRAPHY) The post mentioned the Adams brothers – Don, Karl, & Joel – and how influential they are/were at headquarters. I think they’ve been at Bethel like, forever. I am so curious to know what really goes on in their heads. Do they ever have doubts? Do they believe it’s all real? Or do they know it’s all baloney but just go along with it because it gives them power and a good life and without it, they’d be zeros? I wonder about Fred Rusk, too. All those old-timers have seen a lot of stuff. They’ve got to know something’s wrong bigtime… haven’t they?

Are the GB members just puppets or figureheads? How does it work? Some of the old-timer non-GBers like the Adams brothers and Rusk are much older than Mark Sanderson. They probably have much more knowledge than he does – of the Scriptures and the org. They definitely have more experience. They probably know stuff he’s never even heard of. For example, Rusk dealt with Carl Olof Jonsson (author of “The Gentile Times Reconsidered”). Rusk corresponded with him before he was disfellowshipped. Does Sanderson even know who Jonsson is and that he wrote a book? If so, how would he know?

The above –mentioned post contains this: “Joel - worked in the Service Dept -once again THE MASTER MIND behind many of the funky policies that elders enforce.” So, if Joel was the mastermind behind many of the policies, where does the GB fit in? Is Joel more powerful than the GB?

What do all these guys do all day long? They definitely don’t seem to be studying the Bible or anything else for that matter. There’s no scholarship coming from the org, the writing is awful, etc. They can’t be as smart as a lot of people say they are. I can tell that by looking at the literature. I see writing that I wouldn’t let pass if they were only in the seventh grade (literally). Their grammar, logic, etc. are bad.

Also, do you think some of the non-GB old-timers are resentful and jealous of the GB members? I heard or maybe read on this site that Max Larsen started partaking later in life. I have no idea whether that’s true, but if he did, I wonder whether he started feeling left out since younger, less experienced guys were being appointed to the GB, and so he started partaking so he might be appointed.

I know there are a lot of questions in the above, but I’m very curious. Any insight, thoughts, guesses, anecdotes, inside info, etc. on any part of the above would be appreciated.

25

Ensure that you dont appear to be Negative , Unhappy or Bitter

by stuckinarut2 in

just a quick thought.... we know that the org loves to paint all those who fade or leave as "negative, bitter and unhappy"...because of course "the truth is the happiest way to live".

so, never allow ourselves to be that way when talking with witnesses, or family members still in.. show them that we are happy, our lives are fulfilled and positive.. then they have no ammunition.

also, it helps other doubters to see that there is life in the world beyond the org..

Magnum

I won't try to appear to be anything; I shall be myself from now on - whatever that may be. Now that I look back, I was far more real than most JWs (and many told me they appreciated that), but still, I played along at times and wasn't totally real.

Show them that we are happy, our lives are fulfilled and positive.

If we aren't happy, though, then we are being fake to try to appear that way. I actually could be a very happy person, but I will never be truly happy and satisfied as long as long as others are suffering. I think a lot of people are not aware of the extent of suffering in the world among humans and animals. I won't go into the details of that now because that would veer this topic off course. But the point is, I myself am a very good-natured, emotionally stable person, but I think everyday of the horrors of this world. Just knowing there's a set of starving kittens somewhere in the world disturbs me. I've seen it before; it's horrible... heartbreaking.

So I will never 'show them that I am happy'. I 'sigh and groan' (Eze 9:4) over the horrors of this world. I fault JWs for appearing so happy as in the 2014 Atlanta International Convention video. I feel that they should be more concerned about suffering and should be doing more about it rather than building fancy buildings and being concerned about 'having the times of their lives'.

Even though I won't try to appear happy before JWs, I will never give them the impression that I drifted because I'm weak and that I need them in anyway; I don't. If they say they miss me, I can honestly say I haven't missed the meetings, etc. one bit. If they offer help, I can honestly say "Don't offer me your help. You always let me do all the dirty work and wouldn't help when I asked for it over and over, so don't offer me help now." They will never get from me the impression that my life is empty because of leaving them, that I somehow need them, but they will also not get from me the impression that I'm totally happy because, as described above, I'm not.

They ruined the prime of my life. I want them to know that. My life is hard now because of my believing and acting upon their false prophecy. I want them to know that. If they want to call me bitter for that, then so be it. If they do, I sure hope they say it to my face because I'd relish the opportunity to argue the point with them. I'm a very logical arguer, and I would not let them change the subject or use any of their diversionary tactics. I would bury them.

So, stuckinarut2, I appreciate the spirit of what you're saying, but that method ain't for me. I left the phoniness behind with the JWs. They're getting the real deal with me.

44

This week's WT study...made me so sick.....

by stuckinarut2 in

this week's study april 15th 2014 was called "do you see the one who is invisible?".

it was perhaps one of the most depressing, controlling, fear-mongering, stress inducing, doctrinally incorrect, hate-inspiring, judgemental, cult-like, irrational, hyped-up, critical, crazy, stretched out, fanciful, illogical, burdensome, inflated, coersive, manipulative, and brain-snappingly weird stuff i have read for some time.... (but i'm sure it was just a rehash and repeat of previous stuff...for the new masses....).

i had to keep up a sane appearance while in the hall, and even answer some garbage while this was being 'studied'... my cognitive disonance must be so strong now, because i found this one of the hardest ones to endure....now that i am home, i have poured a stiff drink and am trying to clear my head...... one paragraph was classic:.

Magnum

"Under angelic direction, Jehovahs people are conveying an important message: "fear god and give him glory because the hour of judgement by him has arrived"

Wow those angels must be some poor directors. Under their direction, "Jehovah's people" are standing mute by literature carts with poorly written literature that has corny pictures on the cover. They pack in mini vans and work their territory conveying their important message in the most inefficent manner. For every 10 hours reported, there are about 0.3 actual hours. They start counting time at 8:45a by reading the daily text to an unbaptized infant. They then count the time for the trip to the field service meeting place and the time spent for the meeting for service. They actually start in the territory (getting out of the mini van one at a time) at 9:45. They stop at 10:15 so they can meet at McDonald's at 10:30. They sit at McDonald's until 11:00 (still counting time). They (all in the mini van) then go do a (single) return visit on an individual who has no life other than to sit around and allow JWs to come around and drop off the latest mags. They finisth the return visit at 11:30, at which time they head back to the meeting place and arrive at 12:00. Wow! They each got 3'15" in the ministry. What a productive day.

The far majority of the messengers can't defend their God, the Bible, or their own religion. They don't know their own history. They don't know Bible history (couldn't tell you who came first - David or Ezekiel). They don't know the history of the book called the Bible (how the various books that make it up were chosen, etc.).

They wouldn't stand a chance reasoning with the average person on this site. They're skipping along to international conventions preparing to have 'the times of their lives' even though "the hour of judgement" has arrived. Shouldn't they be, like, marching around Jericho, or something - with serious & sober attitudes?

173

Atlanta Int Convention 2014:The Big Party. Does this look like WT believes Armageddon is coming "soon"?

by AndDontCallMeShirley in

http://www.youtube.com/watch?feature=player_detailpage&v=potrr2qxhue.

.. if armageddon is "imminent", why is wt focused on sight-seeing, entertainment, travel, etc.

instead of preaching and saving people??.

Magnum

Separation of Powers: Don't know what all the fuss is. I got to say, after reading all these comments about how "cultish" the video was, I was expecting something really outrageous

All the fuss is about the fact that in the video reference is made to 'having the time of your life'. Secular attractions and parts of "Satan's world" are emphasized. A big deal is made of entertainment. High dollar homes are shown as being JW homes. As the title to this thread asks, does this seem like an org that believes that the end of the world might come in a few months??? Something's wrong.

Think about it. JWs supposedly believe that over 7 billion people are about to be destroyed and that they (JWs) are the only ones entrusted with the warning. Should they be conducting themselves as frivolously and lightheartedly as depicted in the video? Should they be talking about 'having the times of their lives"??? That's what the fuss is about.

Anybody who's been closely associated with the org for several decades would have to, I believe, admit that the org we see today is radically different from what it was a few years ago. It is selling out, commercializing, Mormonizing, trying to become hip and cool. Before, JWs prided themselves on being different, being looked down on, etc. But now it seems they're trying to go with the flow.

Please tell me you see what the fuss is about.

P.S. Also, the "listen, obey, and be blessed" stuff is cultish. I'm sick of hearing it. I listened and obeyed for many years and I was cursed.

55

Jehovah's Witnesses: Hypocrisy on steroids

by Watchtower-Free in

found this on youtube.

.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eot8sac9-no.

Magnum

I agree with baltar447. To me, they were all jerks. The guy with the camera can't even say "Jehovah's Witness". Anybody who says "Jehovah Witness" doesn't know enough about JWs or have enough intelligence to even have an opinion. His kind don't do the opposition any help. If he wants to help, he should dress better and carry himself in a dignified, respectful manner and attempt to appeal to reason (though that's difficult with JWs).

The JWs were jerks, too. They should have just left the guy alone as long as he wasn't hurting anybody or causing a distraction. I'm glad the old fart claiming some connection with the sheriff was shown to be wrong.

16

Who Will the Circuit Overseers "Report" to Now???

by RubaDub in

jw
friends

i still do not understand the new structure at this point.. there has to be something between thousands of co's and the gb.

i know there were zone overseers that the do's reported to.. i have spoken to a couple of elders i can talk to frankly and they both said they have no idea.. rub a dub.

.

Magnum

I don't thing they ever really reported to DO's. I know that DO's would come around periodically and work with them, but I think they reported to the Service Dept.

34

"100 years of kingdom rule" so what?? what does it mean??

by stuckinarut2 in

i cant stop the nagging thoughts in relation to the hype about "100 years of kingdom rule" !.

what is the significance?

why make such a big deal about something like that?.

Magnum

I agree with Witness My Fury. I can't help but think of something that happened to Celine Dion. She was spoofed on Saturday Night Live and they really nailed her. However, Celine invited the comedien who spoofed her to come and do the act at one of her concerts. She embraced it because it was an emabarassment. She tried to make it look like something good, something she liked.

If you had told a JW in, for example, the eighties, that 100 years is gonna pass and the end still won't be here, they'd have looked at you as if you were of the devil. If you had persisted, you might have been disfellowshipped. But now, wow, it's great that the kingdom has been ruling 100 years.

stuckinrut2, I agree; there's no significance.

63

What is your biggest gripe with the WT and it's teachings?

by FL_Panthers in

jw
friends

as the title says, please list what you find annoying with the organization..

Magnum

1. Deliberate deception. The Creation book and the Trinity brochure are examples. Also, the Proclaimers book is deceptive in the way it is written. There's an example of blatant deception in the Reasoning book that I'm going to post soon.

2. Criticizing other organizations & individuals, but not allowing others to criticize them. They can pick you to pieces, but won't let you say anything negative about the org.

3. Speaking negatively of the history of other organizations, but hiding their own history. They won't include older pubs on the Watchtower Library because they know those pubs reveal their deception, false prophecy, craziness, etc. I know an elder who was warned because he was collecting and reading older JW publications.

4. Hypocrisy. They claim to be so noble with their disaster relief program, yet it's a big money-making scheme. They get free labor on the house repairs and then the insurance checks are turned over to them. They only do things that bring in money for them, yet they claim to be so loving and giving.

5. The smugness. They think they're right and everybody else is wrong, yet most JWs are severely lacking in knowledge and many, if not most, are not the sharpest tacks in the drawer. Notice the way parts for sisters are done on the Theocratic Ministry School. A JW might ask a coworker a question. Then, after the coworker answers, the JW always provides advice. The coworker is always wrong. The JW never learns anything from the coworker. JWs have all the answers. They couldn't care less what the others are saying; they just want to get to their answers, advice, counsel.

6. Meetings are boring.

7. Idolizing COs, bethelites, GB, etc.

8. Being outright wrong for over 100 years, yet expecting everybody to follow them because they're God's channel.

9. Arrogance. They won't apologize for their failures, mistakes, etc. They can lead people along for decades, and then, in two sentences in a Watchtower article, change a teaching that some have based their entire life courses on (example: "generation" teaching). They won't acknowledge that many of those people lived Spartan lives making no plans for the future. They went without medical and dental treatment. The org just says, in effect 'Oh, by the way, we've updated that teaching. Isn't that wonderful?' No acknowledgement of the ruined lives.

10. Putting so much emphasis on their fancy new headquarters, when the majority of JWs will never even lay eyes on them.

11. Concern with money.

12. Wasting time, etc. If the world really is going to end soon, and they are the ones entrusted with the responsbility to warn mankind, then they should be fired. The literature placed in the field has been filled with fluff (articles like "Let's Send a Greeting Card!"). Vast time is wasted as JWs cram into mini-vans and work the territory as inefficiently as they can so they can count time without having to work. They spend much time on breaks, during which most count time. They send out highly unqualified workers into a work that should require individuals who are bright and well-read.

13. Much more.