Simon Templar

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Posts by Simon Templar

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  29

  What's next?

  by Grey Goose in

  1. jw
  2. friends

  hi everyone.. thanks for the welcome a few days ago, it was nice to hear your support.. this is a pure speculation thread, but what do you think the next changes are going to be?.

  will we see tything come into play?.

  more evangelical style meetings?.

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  Simon Templar

  Here is what I can speculate on happening in the next five years. This is only for the developed world. I cant comment on the third world (where all the growth is). The developing world will get most of the attention.

  1. Because of the apparent lack of qualified men, and that condition not improving, merge several congregations together. Sell any extra KHs and send the money to the Organisation.

  2. Revamp the weekly meetings so that there is only a bible study meeting. It is for one hour and there is alternating Brothers doing it. The reader doesn't matter. This meeting is held on the first, third and fifth week. A canned video of one hour is presented on the second and fourth week. For areas where there is limited internet availability, they will be sent a DVD. The Congregation would have to pay for the DVD the same as they would pay for and ISP.

  3. Revamp the Sunday meeting to a one hour public talk given by any Brother in good standing that can follow and outline and talk for an hour. This is given on the first, third and fifth week. A canned video talk is presented on weeks two and four. There will be no regular Watchtower study. If there is a special doctrinal matter that needs to be introduced or revised and the congregation needs to hear and understand it through the study method, a special publication will be on the website for downloading and a special meeting will be held. If the matter doesn't need to be studied, then a special video talk will be presented with a brief explanation/commentary provided by a local Brother.

  3. There will be a special series of articles in the Watchtower which illustrates that Jesus spoke to people he met in the normal course of his life, not just formal door to door. This will usher in a new method of field service for the rank and file of just speaking to people that they meet using a tablet or smart phone. This will dispose of the door to door work as being a staple. You can go door to door if you want, but you only have to talk to people that you meet in your daily life. That's it. This will be done to make it easier for people to stay in the religion and do something in Field Service with all the not at homes that are experienced. No minimum hours or placements will be required. Just do it as you can.

  4. The requirements for receiving an appointment will be greatly relaxed. No more minimum Field Service requirements, unbelieving children living at home are now okay, brownnosing not required, etc. The BOE will ask you if you want to serve, and if you do, they will appoint you at the next meeting. Minimum time and procedure involved.

  That's about the end of my five year speculation for the moment.
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  57

  Elder Mentioning an "Apostate Problem"

  by Simon Templar in

  1. jw
  2. experiences

  i bumped into a sister that i have known for at least 40 years or so.

  we were catching up.

  she and her husband have been in the truth for decades.

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  Simon Templar

  Hello Closed. I am sorry to hear what happened to you. Several years ago the CO singled out our Son and wanted to "get him" as I was told. I still don't know why. The CO came after me too and we had our discussion. The CO did not prevail. The CO traveled to other Congos and told various ones there that our Son was a bad associate and to avoid him. Everyone did. Our Son was not charged with anything, no committee formed, etc. Just the CO working covertly. Our Son was effected greatly by the actions of the CO. He left the religion on his own shortly thereafter. He has been out for years.
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  57

  Elder Mentioning an "Apostate Problem"

  by Simon Templar in

  1. jw
  2. experiences

  i bumped into a sister that i have known for at least 40 years or so.

  we were catching up.

  she and her husband have been in the truth for decades.

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  Simon Templar

  I bumped into a Sister that I have known for at least 40 years or so. We were catching up. She and her husband have been in the truth for decades. Her husband was an Elder for most of those years. He is a good and reasonable person. Everyone liked him. The couple moved to a new area. She told me that he came with a good letter recommending him. He refused to be reappointed. He said his health wouldn't allow it. The Elders in the new Congo refuse to talk to him. One told her that her husband has no regard for "spiritual things". The couple have been in that new Congo now for 8-10 years, or something like that. He is completely ignored and almost "shunned" unless they want him to do something (less work for them) for them. I believe her, but find the behavior unbelievable, that they would ignore a brother for many years like this.

  Anyhow, She told me that an Elder who she knows (I know him too) told her that in his circuit there is a Congregation where seven women partake of the emblems. Somehow the situation is considered either apostasy or borderline apostasy. Needless to say, I don't know the details, just what I was told. Now I understand that the CO is aware of it. I didn't know that partaking could constitute anything wrong. I guess that this is something new because of the growing numbers of partakers.
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  21

  A Sister Stops the CO's Bullying

  by Simon Templar in

  1. jw
  2. experiences

  we had the co a few weeks ago.

  i waited a few weeks for time to pass to post.

  we now have a new co. he started in september and his first visit to our congo was a little while ago.

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  Simon Templar

  We had the CO a few weeks ago. I waited a few weeks for time to pass to post. We now have a new CO. He started in September and his first visit to our Congo was a little while ago. By the way, he is smaller than average in height and has a Napoleon Complex.

  I showed up at the meetings for Field Service on Wednesday. No big deal. I showed up for the meeting for Field Service on Thursday morning. No big deal. On Thursday afternoon, at the meeting for Field Service, the CO was up there doing his thing. He was speaking extemporaneously and picking out people like me and said "this guy has a bad attitude. We will have to change that". He doesn't even know me! Then he picked on someone else and made a remark and then another person. Once he got this out of his system, he started assigning people to work together. An Older Sister in our Congo was there (she is in the religion for 60+ years and speaks to me regularly. She has been worn out and cares very little about most JW things). She had a small back and forth with him on assignments because she didn't hear him too well. I was surprised, but thought it was over. Then the CO said something (I don't remember) and she said to him, "Brother, I'm not afraid of you". I was totally amazed and partially shocked.

  After the prayer and dismissal to the field, the CO noticeably changed from a bully to a lamb. He went over to the Sister, spoke nicely to her. It seemed like "old home week" there for a few minutes. He smiled and spoke nicely to me. A complete change. You can't make it up.

  Many of the people in my Congo are coming unhinged. Its a sign of the times I guess, and a series of stories for another day.
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  10

  Can an inactive family member hold back a MS appointment?

  by Simon Templar in

  1. jw
  2. friends

  a friend asked me if a man can be appointed a ms if he has an inactive (inactive for 15-20 years) baptized adult child living in his home.

  the child lives by the rules and doesn't do anything wrong (jw-wise), as i am told.

  i know the child (adult) and is a good kid as far as i know.

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  Simon Templar

  Thanks to everyone for the information and the points. I am particularly grateful to commiteechairman for the ks book references. I will share with the person who asked me. With an adult child, it seems subjective. Well, the whole thing is subjective to start with.
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  10

  Can an inactive family member hold back a MS appointment?

  by Simon Templar in

  1. jw
  2. friends

  a friend asked me if a man can be appointed a ms if he has an inactive (inactive for 15-20 years) baptized adult child living in his home.

  the child lives by the rules and doesn't do anything wrong (jw-wise), as i am told.

  i know the child (adult) and is a good kid as far as i know.

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  Simon Templar

  A friend asked me if a man can be appointed a MS if he has an inactive (inactive for 15-20 years) baptized adult child living in his home. The child lives by the rules and doesn't do anything wrong (JW-wise), as I am told. I know the child (adult) and is a good kid as far as I know. I told my friend that I am out of touch with the official elder stuff to be much help. Dose anyone know? Any current elders or COs out there who can tell us what the current thinking is as of present?

  I do recall a brother being appointed a MS and then an elder who had a disfellowshipped wife living at home. The BOE and CO said that the man couldn't be held back forever because of the wife. That was many years ago though. I really don't know. I also don't know why anyone would want to be appointed, but thats another story. I am sure the rules have softened over the years because of the great need for men.
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  11

  can a substitute Co appoint elders and servants

  by poopie in

  1. jw
  2. friends

  yes or no

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  Simon Templar

  No
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  55

  "High" education

  by Esmeralda001 in

  1. jw
  2. experiences

  did any of you guys disregard the wt recommendations and pursue a career.

  if you answer "yes": was your journey easy?

  are you happy with the end result?

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  Simon Templar

  I went to College in the 1970s when it was demonized. If a person went to College they couldn't "handle the utensils". That was a reason for many not to go.

  I never told anyone including my family. I just did it because I thought it was a good thing for me, and wasn't a DF offense. I have had a good job, career and now a business. No problems in that area. My Mother died without knowing. My only sibling doesn't know (officially from me anyhow). I am now out of College for forty years.

  People in the KH know because they ask me directly. The education comes out when I answer at the meetings and give talks, read aloud, etc. I encouraged all of our kids to get an education beyond HS. My wife dose too. I never told them what to do or study. Its their choice. If they asked for help, I was there. I was an appointed person for many years. I deleted myself. Serving was too much of a problem for me. My education never was mentioned (that I know of) by the BOE. When people in the KH ask me details of my education I change the subject. None of their business really. I keep people out of my personal life as much as possible. So far, so good.
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  13

  Wilmington Delaware Media report in another Topic

  by truthlover in

  1. watchtower
  2. scandals

  sexual abuse by a female member of a 14 year old in the congregation and elders being sued by the county --- now that co's are liable for the elders only - does that mean the elders will lose everything if fines are levelled against them, since the society has washed their hands and separated themselves by setting the co in place??

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  Simon Templar

  My understanding of this and the general common law which is mainly the same in all states of the USA is that with new appointments, the WTB&TS can no longer be tied to them. They don't appoint anyone anymore and accept the decision of the local BOE and the associated CO. This is a protection for the WTB&TS being dragged into either a criminal or civil litigation based on the actions of an Elder. If a congregant is harmed by an Elder the only thing the congregant can do is sue in a civil law suit. If its criminal, such as a sex crime, the state has to prosecute the Elder. In most cases (not everyone) the Elders do not have enough personal assets to make a litigation worth while. If their alleged crime is criminal, the state takes over after you involve the police or go to the DA. In almost all cases the WTB&TS is no longer directly involved. They are removed from the appointment process and direct knowledge of what's going on.
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  155

  Survey: How long were you in the cult vs what year you were baptized

  by ILoveTTATT2 in

  1. jw
  2. friends

  hi people,.

  i want as much data as possible on the effect of the internet on the time captured by the cult.. please answer the three following questions about yourself or about someone you know (for example, if your parents or grandparents were jw's and left).

  1) were you raised as a jw, or did you convert?.

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  Simon Templar

  1) raised
  2) 1967
  3) Still in, But not for long.

  Time in: 48 years