Posts by Simon Templar

33

To DA myself or to go to JC meeting, that is the question

by Crazyguy in

jw
friends

i just got done with another visit at my home with two elders and even though i tried to say very little they took anything they could as a disagreement with them as enough to say they may call a jc meeting after they talk to the rest of the elder body.

so since they are planning on dfing me any way, i'm wondering if i should just write a letter or go through with their meeting?.

Simon Templar

I don't know what this matter is about. Assuming that you have been falsely accused, I would do the following:

Have an Attorney write them a letter stating; A) Henceforth the Lawyer is representing you. You wish all future communication to be done through the Lawyer and you want the Lawyer present at all times. B) you have previously met with them and answered all questions that you were asked. You demand to know who the two witnesses are who have provided testimony in this matter. C) in the event that this matter is not dropped immediately, you intend to follow all legal remedies against the individuals who are pursuing you in this matter and those providing false testimony (Liable).

if you have willfully done something wrong that you know to be in violation of a commandment contained in the scriptures and got caught, thats a different matter. You signed up for all of their policies and consequences when you got baptised and answered the questions aloud at the assembly/convention. If that's the case, you may decide to take yourself out and save yourself the hassles.

2

Does anyone know when Anthony Morris III started partaking?

by gbrn in

i suppose that it is a long shot, but i was curious if anyone knew the answer to this question.

i had heard that morris became a jw in the 1970s and that he also had children who were raised witnesses.

it seems odd that someone that new "in the truth" would partake, and with children mind you.

Simon Templar

We had him as a CO in the late 1990s. He was partaking then. I always liked him and thought both he and his wife were very nice people. He mentioned that he came into the truth in the 1970s.

105

New Article on BEARDS and Attire of Jehovah's Witnesses

by jwfacts in

i have had requests to add an article about beards and jehovah's witnesses.

it is interesting that there is virtually no statement that says a witness cannot have a beard, yet universally they do not have beards.

i have scoured quotes from all the threads on jwn, all references to beard on the cd watchtower library, and copies of elders letters that i have.

Simon Templar

What I know of this subject was covered at the Circuit Assembly Elder's Meetings. It was stated verbally that if a Brother wanted to have a beard (some grew them to cover scars or birthmarks) it was okay for FS, but the Brother could not be used or be allowed on the Platform (this included the school). The thinking grew out of the 1960's in the USA when the hippie movement began to grow the WTS wanted a distinct visual separation. The policy continues to today. Beards were equated (in some one's mind) with radicalism like Karl Marx, Rasputin, etc.

23

Are Most of the Witnesses That You Know Of Die Hard JWs?

by minimus in

jw
friends

i think the remaining ones left are kool-aid drinkers and virtually brain dead..

Simon Templar

I haven't seen a "die hard" witness in the past 8-10 years in my area. I see a few "robots" around, but most of the members are just good people who are hanging on by a thread. I sense that the vast majority of them know whats going on and are fed up to some extent. Quite a few Sisters have told me of their displeasure. They just keep hanging on for various reasons. Quite a few of the men refuse to serve, and a rising percentage aren't in the school anylonger. The women seem to put up with it better and longer.

97

First post

by thedog1 in

jw
friends

this is a very strange thing for me to do.

i have been an active witness for over 25 years.

i currently serve as an elder and i conduct the watchtower study.

Simon Templar

Hi thedog1. I understand how you feel and the thoughts going through your mind. Just a suggestion, when a study article comes along that you have problems with or the comfort factor is very low, why not have another Brother do it for you instead? Just be careful not to divulge any personal information or identify where you are from on a regional basis. Your anonymity should hold up. BTW, my personal view is that the WTS knows about this site, and that many, many of the "friends" are having problems with them and are disenchanted. The result is that the WTS is leaving people alone unless they actively speak to people directly in the Congo. They know they can't do anything about the internet and therefore, monitor it but leave it be. Just my thoughts. I may be wrong. Feel better.

178

Honest survey question on effectiveness of 'apostacy'

by Simon in

jw
friends

it seems like lots of people have big dreams of 'destroying the watchtower'.

it's usually linked to a story of how they were wronged and want some revenge.

do these 'in your face' attempts to convince people that the truth isn't the truth really have an effect?.

Simon Templar

I agree with almost all of the comments. My thought is that a person leaves when:

1. They are ready, and not a minute before.

2. They need a personal reason which is external to them such as, a Nazi in the BOE who is too demanding of them and pushes them too hard, or a CO who does the same thing-heavy handed unloving demanding pushing/watching/scruteny,etc or, when their kids have been maligned or marked inappropriately in some quasi-inquisition, or people realize that the end hasn't come and they have been waiting for decades (I know some waiting for 55-60 years) this is linked to 1914+100 years-how long do you wait? or actually how stupid are you?

3. The embarassment of the door-to-door work. Going door-to-door for decades with little result in the past 20 years or so. In the developed world the growth is practically nill. Any expansion of the religion is happening in the third world. Go back to the same neighborhoods with the latest Kingdom News Tract and tell the same householder that "the end is coming, but this time we mean it!"

4. The demonization of formal education. How can anyone be expected in the 21st Century to earn an average living in the US/Canada/Europe without a formal University Education or some specialized training in something? Forget about getting rich through an education. Just earning a living. If you live in Borneo you may be okay.

The control system used by the WTS has constructed a platform to launch people out of the religion. If its not corrected, eventually the Organization will collapse by attrition. Apostate former members have little or nothing to do with it. The main causes of disenchantment and exodus are internally created and self-inflicted.

35

Why doesn't the GB come out with specific rules on counting time

by trujw in

i think we all know the reason millions of less hours.

when i was in we went to a rv by the kingdom hall then drove 30 minutes out to the country to knock on a door then back to the city for one more door.

god must be so proud!

Simon Templar

I see that today the publishers go out in the door-to-door work for an hour, go to Dunkin Donuts or Panera Bread and sit there for 1/2 hour or so (Elders and MS present) then leave and make a call or two and are counting 2 hours. Things are relaxing over the years.

23

Are YOU Paying More or Less or the Same $$$ For Insurance Since Obamacare?

by minimus in

jw
friends

just curious.

Simon Templar

Paying much more. Our Group Policy was cancelled. The new Policy's that are available will be much more expensive. Premiums up approx. 80%. Deductables 400% higher. We are required to have coverage that I don't want or need.

28

Is everyone required to be enrolled in the theocratic ministry school?

by hoser in

jw
friends

can a publisher "drop out" and still be in good standing?.

Simon Templar

The TMS is voluntary. There is no problem not joining or quitting it. Today (not years ago) the school overseer will just smile and accept it. I even know an Elder who was appointed and was not in the school.

17

who left the BORG after finding out about "Conspiracy Theories" ???

by crossquestions6995 in

im new here on the forum.

i been "dissasociated" for about a year n a half.

i left after reading the bible cover to cover and discovering the truth about 9/11, illuminati, masons, witchcraft, new world order, paranormal activity, ufos, etc.

Simon Templar

My issues are with changing doctrines (too many), arbitrary rules and regulations (I have no problem with justified rules and regulations. It is an Organisation by the way), members that have been left high-and-dry in the back end of their life by being told "Armagedon is right around the corner" and are unprepared for retirement, the demonisation of university education, too many meetings/assemblies/conventions, Circuit Overseers prying into peoples lives, incompetant Elders mishandling too many things, and many, many psycho members. That about sums it up.