Posts by Pete Zahut

14

Fudging The Numbers JW Style

by pale.emperor in

i know most of us have probably figured this out already, but remember the good old days where you could only count full hours in the ministry?.

then one of the gb get some "new light" from their ass and proclaim that they lovingly will allow people to report 30mins, then even 15mins of time.

this was, supposedly, so that the old and infirm could have a joy in the ministry and report what little they could do.

Pete Zahut

JW`s would be happy to count hours preaching to their dogs..

IT WOULDN`T SURPRISE ME,IF SOME DO..

And why shouldn't they?? After all, God is Dog spelled backwards

42

Learn To Speak Like A Jehovah's Witness

by pale.emperor in

for those who were never a jw, here's a fun guide to passing yourself as one:.

privilege [priv-lij] - a duty nobody would volunteer to do which is assigned to you without your say so.

such as cleaning the toilets, picking up other brats candy wrappers in the back row and being stuck on locking up duty for the 7th time in a row.. df'd [dee-eff'd] - disfellowshipped.

Pete Zahut

Behooves [ you'd better do it...or else]

Spiritual Edification [ information that didn't make sense so it must be really important and intellectually deep ]

Paying more than the usual attention [ any mental alertness above and beyond ones usual near comatose state]

Spiritual refreshment [ often used to feel less guilty about being overjoyed that the meeting is finally over ]

Enduring/Endurance [ The world is often blamed as the reason this quality is needed, when in reality, ones JW induced unrealistic demands and high expectations of life, of oneself and of others, is the true source.]

14

Fudging The Numbers JW Style

by pale.emperor in

i know most of us have probably figured this out already, but remember the good old days where you could only count full hours in the ministry?.

then one of the gb get some "new light" from their ass and proclaim that they lovingly will allow people to report 30mins, then even 15mins of time.

this was, supposedly, so that the old and infirm could have a joy in the ministry and report what little they could do.

Pete Zahut

Yes, the yearly report will show more hours in the "Ministry" but I'm guessing if anyone does the math, they will see that the already high ratio of service hours to new baptisms, will now be even higher.

Since JW's are "footstep followers" I wonder how the Apostles and early Christians kept track of their time and literature placements and if this new loving arrangement falls in line with what they did ?

21

My Story

by SamTheGinge in

jw
friends

so, i joined just yesterday after coming across this forum looking at beth sarim, and i though that i would share my story with you.

it will no doubt be very similar to a lot of others, but it's a way of getting to know me at least.. i was brought up as witness from the age of 4 years old, my dad picked up the 'truth' from one of his friends in the pub and it seemed to go from there, he would quickly get baptised and progress to becoming a ministerial servant and then an elder.

from a young age i wanted to be like my dad and become a pioneer, a ministerial servant and then an elder... perhaps even becoming a co. the world, spiritually speaking, was my oyster.

Pete Zahut

Welcome STG,

A a father, it saddened me to read that you've gone from being a young boy who wanted to be like his father to one who has been shunned by him for the last decade or so. Other than for being axe murders or similar, I just cant imagine shunning either one of my 2 grown sons and I especially can't imaging shunning them for (supposedly) "scriptural" reasons yet keeping in contact with a girlfriend who is Wiccan. How much sense would that make?

Unfortunately you are one of millions who've had their lives and family lineage forever altered because of this religion. All the best to you as you navigate and triangulate your way around all of this, just as the rest of us are.

80

Major Doctrinal Changes Must Be On The Way

by notsurewheretogo in

the statement in the article "who is leading gods people today?

" in the feb 17th study edition of the wt is very interesting.. it states: ""the g.b.

is neither inspired nor infallible" ..we can err .in doctrinal matters....".

Pete Zahut

To me, it's the same old double speak....
"We're imperfect...we make mistakes yet we are being directed by Jehovah ... we are his mouthpiece....we are being blessed....we are his faithful and discrete slave and he's chosen us to direct you, so even though we may misdirect you....you still need to obey us if you want to make it ".

What I want to know is why the February 2017 issue has been out since late October 2016 !

I can't remember, but is this earlier than normal ?

Did they need to get this statement out there earlier than normal as a reminder because something is pending?

If not, what's the purpose of putting the issues out, so far in advance?

29

If the GB changed a major teaching, would all witnesses just go along with it?

by stuckinarut2 in

so if the gb changed its "bible based beliefs" on some teaching, would witnesses all of a sudden change their individual beliefs too?.

witnesses like to claim that "their bible trained hearts and minds" make them believe as they do, but we know that the reality is that all witnesses hold their "deep seated beliefs" according to what they have been told to believe.. so what would cause the average witness to question those that dictate their "personal convictions"??.

thoughts?.

Pete Zahut

So I am wondering what it would REALLY take for a witness to wake up and question the authority?

On the whole, JW's will accept anything the Governing Body say's does or changes. Even when presented with the most feeble of reasonings, they are able to do an about face on just about any doctrine.

Individually however, if they are affected enough personally by a change or by an injustice done to them....that's when they'll wake up.

14

Lost and Sad, Then He Found Me...

by Sorry in

well, i got myself in a dilemma.

i'm currently 18, being baptised for a year.

i had my doubts, but due to a variety of reasons (getting subtle flack for not baptised, not having a support system even if i wanted to leave).

Pete Zahut

Hi Sorry,

I understand your feelings and can see the dilemma here but honestly I have to say that 18 is a bit young yet to be ready to send your family packing, over a boyfriend. I know you wouldn't be the one cutting ties but by choosing the boyfriend and knowing the consequence of that, you'd be choosing him, over them, in a sense.

It may be that some day if they don't soften toward you in regard to your not wanting to be a JW. you may have to make a difficult choice. Right now, insomuch as you're so young and haven't known this guy all that long, as well as the fact that you're quite torn as to what to do, I'd say you should give this more time. This isn't an emergency although at you're age, it might feel more like it is, than it would if you were 21 for instance.

A year ago you were in a place where you thought getting baptized was a good idea even though you had a hunch that things weren't all they seemed to be with the religion. You mentioned that your boyfriend isn't in the best place right now and given the fact that you've (wisely) come here for advice, I'm guessing you also may have a hunch that doing anything too drastic until you've known him a good long time, wouldn't be a good move.

Why not take a wait and see attitude....let this play out a little before you go all in with your boyfriend? I'm sure his Mother is quite fond of you but to think that she loves you dearly this quickly, might be a sign that you could putting a rosy romantic glow on this new relationship. People can love you dearly, then not love you dearly, just as quickly. I don't know the situation but the mother may well see you as the answer to her son's problems and a way to get him off her hands.Your parents for all their faults have been there for you from the beginning and it sounds like you love them very much. As JW's they have learned to be terrified of the idea of a child not remaining in their faith. It would almost be like a death to them to have you leave.

Perhaps if you get to know this guy within the framework of your existing situation and ease your parents into the realization that their little girl has a mind of her own, you can spare them much grief. It will take patience and maturity but things would be some much better if you could avoid a dramatic scene where voices are raised, doors are slammed and the sound of horses hooves over the frozen ground as someone gallops off into the night on horseback.

7

Watch Tower Farms ?

by Lostandfound in

may have missed this somewhere, but if bethel not providing meals anymore , what is point of the farms?.

or are meals still provided with simple self service now, without the waiter service of decades?.

seem to recall uk farm disposed of years ago as it cheaper to purchase requirements rather than sustain farm and its workers, was that the case?.

Pete Zahut

Seem to recall UK farm disposed of years ago as it cheaper to purchase requirements rather than sustain farm and its workers, was that the case?

Even as a 19 year old Bethelite, I couldn't understand why they had such a lavish set up at Bethel. (uniformed waiters, tailor shop, barber, etc)

I thought the same about the literature....it seemed to me they could streamline the whole organization by hiring the printing out to a printing company and save themselves the need to house and feed people who could be "spreading the urgent message" not to mention eliminate the need to purchase and maintain factories and machinery.

My relatives in Bethel have a kitchen and Bethel provides certain prepared dishes that can be picked up at meal time and brought back to the room. Most if not all rooms now have kitchens and certain "staples" and ingredients for meals are provided so Bethelites can cook in their rooms.

As far as Watchtower Farms...I believe it's still in existence but has been reduced greatly from what it was. I think the dairy is gone.

14

A sister at my door today

by careful in

i suppose it was just a matter of time till it happened.

i've faded, not been dfed or daed, for years now.

once they tracked me down and tried to reactivate me, but then i moved, and hopefully lost them.

Pete Zahut

Hi Careful,

Am I assuming correctly that since you've moved into a new area the "sister" that called on you didn't realize you were a former JW ? If she didn't know and if you didn't show any interest, you may not hear from them until the next go-round through your neighborhood.

We have a KH only about 3 miles from here and have only seen JW's in the neighborhood about 3 times in the last 8 years. We have a Mormon church about the same distance away and we get called on quite often by them.

13

Memorial observance screwery.

by Darkknight757 in

had a thought about the memorial observance that is held at the kingdumb hall every year.

there are a few youtube videos of people partaking of the bread and the wine and then making some grand speech before being escorted off the premises.

instead of that, has anyone tried getting a group of buddies together and when receiving the bread or the wine, just eat or drink it all?

Pete Zahut

Instead of that, has anyone tried getting a group of buddies together and when receiving the bread or the wine, just eat or drink it all?

Or just sit quietly in the middle of a row and sneeze on the bread and lick the rim of the wine glass as it passes buy.

But seriously...even after all I've been through as a result of being a JW, I'm not a big fan of entering into a place of "worship" and showing disrespect for someone else's occasion. Seems like they should be able to say and do what they please within their own walls.

Having said that...once they approach me, come to my home or are in a public place and ask me a question or try to interfere with my family.....it's go time.