.
the spin on downsizing is apparently "go out into the field" yet when the gb initially considered this it must have been presented as a practical problem - too much surplus hr capacity/ too expensive to maintain - or whatever and yet they turned it into a positive matter by stressing the return to the field - all those in such discussions are clearly able to deceive themselves as much as they try and deceive the "flock" - what do you think - did a discussion on a practical problem have to have a positive outcome and how did they twist their minds so as to sell it as such - for years they begged people to stay in bethel service (make it your home for life) and now they cast them out into the world with the thin veneer of "speedin g up the preaching work .. etc".
all those at the top must have been involved in turning this huge embarrasment (jehovah will provide etc) into a positive spin - they should try out for a marketing award "downsizing - the only way to grow!
Much of the behind the scenes IT work is furthered by a dub from Florida - Haniph Latchman, an Oxford educated Phd. His work has most notably been the Bethel WAN and inter-branch communication via the internet.
See this for his bio http://www.list.ufl.edu/latchman.htm
our congregation has really gone down in recent months.
the friends don't talk to each other, there have been many disfellowshippings and jc's.. an elder i was talking to in the kh after the meeting says that "he and the other elders would like to have a congregation picnic but can't because bethel disapproves of large social gatherings.".
i looked at this elder and felt sorry for him - it was like hearing a child cry because mother wouldn't let him outside to play baseball.. the cong.
This is one of the things that always irritated me as a "loyal" dub. Why do they think that the "congregtion has the right or authority to dictate one personal; affairs?
I remember many years ago some meddlesome elders at my sisters wedding reception (for which I was footing the bill) attempting to dictate what we could or couldn't do. I politely informed them that I was an elder too, that this was my party, and to keep their opinions to themselves. One elder was politely informed that he had three seconds to vacate my party or he would be very embarrased when the police came to remove him. Oh what a stink that caused, but we survived anyway.
Control, control, control. That's what it's all about.
our good friend dan sydlik died today about 2 pm eastern time.
he was the last of the moderating forces on the gb.
lately he has had little influence among the ted (aka the boss) jaracz (head of the bethel cia - the service department) henchmen and loyalists.
I have it on good authority that Dan Sydlik did not believe most or all of Watchtower doctrines
I remember him saying that we need to throw everything we teach out and start over.
Yes he's guilty of not doing many things, or doing many things. I think perhaps he felt trapped with no where to run after all these years. No means of support, poor health, etc. I mak no excuses for him. But he like many here was my friend. I will remember him fondly along with those many discussions we had about today's Watchtower Society.
Dan, wherever you are, I raise my Glenlivet filled glass to you one last time.
our good friend dan sydlik died today about 2 pm eastern time.
he was the last of the moderating forces on the gb.
lately he has had little influence among the ted (aka the boss) jaracz (head of the bethel cia - the service department) henchmen and loyalists.
Our good friend Dan Sydlik died today about 2 PM eastern time. He was the last of the moderating forces on the GB. Lately he has had little influence among the Ted (aka The Boss) Jaracz (head of the Bethel CIA - The Service Department) henchmen and loyalists.
fred franz was known to have some knowledge of the greek and hebrew languages, and made use of that knowledge when he worked on the new world translation of the holy scriptures.
but he died in 1992. is there anyone at bethel today who has a knowledge of these biblicl languages?.
it would be strange if a religious book publishing organization turned out to have no one at all who could read the bible in its original languages.. does anyone know what people are currently on the watchtower's bible translation committee, and if they know the languages?.
I think all their training is now in pig-latin.
i talked about this on gophers post about you cannot live forever on paradise earth, but thought i would start a separate one as i need an old timer who can remember attending a witness wedding in the 1950s.
gopher asked
: what happens if the earth (in such a paradise) reaches the point of overpopulation, meaning there are not enough food and other resources available for continued growth?
Actually this statement still exists in the 'approved' outline for Dub weddings. BTW a letter to elders instructs speakers to adhere strictly to the vows as written. No deviation, no personalization is permitted. I know of one case where the couple memorized the vows word for word and said them, another elder had a fit because they did not repeat them after the 'robot' oops elder giving the talk stated them. They actually went in back of the hall and repeated the vows to satisfy the Pharisee.
See (w84 4/15 p.14)
"I ____ take you ____ to be my wedded wife, to love and to cherish in accordance with the divine law as set forth in the Holy Scriptures for Christian husbands, for as long as we both shall live together on earth according to God's marital arrangement."
will you walk with god?
walk.
walk with god?
BTW Blondie remember when the "quota" was 12 hours?
Anybody aroiund that remembers what they called literature placements in the 30's and 40's?
have been gone from the board for a month or so, but i have read with great interest some of the stories about very recent "elder" schools from actual attendees.
i thought some might like to know about my experience in one of these in the very early 70's.
i was pioneering where the need was great (clinton, okla.) and was made assistant cong.
Originally these schools were only for what was then called the Congregation Servant. They were held at Watchtower Farm, I think...The class ran for a full month, so those who quit their jobs or endured some other alleged hardship in order to attend the school were held in estimable honor before all the other slackers in attendance who might be wealthy enough to pay their own way. Later Assistant Congregation Servants were invited to the two week schools. After the elders arrangement went in effect, similar two week schools were held throughout the country. The schools were long on intimidation and some who were then elders came away from the school no longer serving as one. There were a number of pompous twits that I remember who were instructors, most old time CO's or DO's. One was Bruce Giffin a really rude man who didn't have much use for people.
The Davis you mention was most likely Randall Davis. He really thought a lot of himself in those days. Last I heard he left Bethel,but I don't know for certain.
will you walk with god?
walk.
walk with god?
Blondie, this happens to be my favorite scripture. They've missed the point by taking a snippet of the verse for their platform pablum of a sound bite.
"He has told you, O earthling man, what is good. And what is Jehovah asking back from you but to exercise justice and to love kindness and to be modest in walking with your God?" NWTor this slant from another:
"But he's already made it plain how to live, what to do, what GOD is looking for in men and women. It's quite simple: Do what is fair and just to your neighbor, be compassionate and loyal in your love, And don't take yourself too seriously-- take God seriously." (The Message)
This one verse if practiced in one's daily life is the embodiment of what Christ taught. The Borg continues to proffer more rules, followed by interpretations of the rules, and then secret rules told only to elders for enforcement of the rules. Is it any wonder that the sheep wander about in sadness instead of with joyous hearts?
It's this uncaring attitude that led first to my resigantion as an elder and then my fade.
in the spring of 1967 district overseer charles sunutko gave in sheboygan, wisconsin, the talk, "serving with everlasting life in view"
a recording of that talk is available on the internet at several places, easily found by a google search.. but who is (was?
) charles sunutko?.
Try this again.
Chuck Sinutko was a CO and then a DO. We ran in to him in
Some may remember his singing the song From House to House at the special meeting held in when Harold King returned to the . Word has it that Nathan “the beak” Knorr was not impressed. In recent times his singing reappeared in the ill received, and poorly produced CD, “Singing Kingdom Songs”. In concept this CD was to have been a nice representation of some of the better Kingdom songs. Karl Klein and his lackey Joe Spinelli pushed through the final and awful rendition that was finally released.
