Posts by StarTrekAngel

posted

28
CO just confirmed worldwide construction halt and possible JW.ORG news of it
by LevelThePlayingField in
1. watchtower
2. scandals
just had the co visit tonight.

i asked him if he had heard about the worldwide halt of construction besides warwick and to my surprise he said he heard the same thing.

then he went on and add that also some branches are closing and some bethelites going into pioneering but, "all because of the preaching work now.
StarTrekAngel

Don't spread it. Wait until it comes out on JW news
That is the line for "keep your shit to yourself". I seriously doubt they will ever announce such a thing officially. Unofficial rumors will be quashed in the same fashion as above. If the rumor grows too big to the point that they have to do damage control, they will spin it somehow.
As it is, a JW broadcast was put together to clarify that even when the loans were forgiven, donations were still necessary, what do you think would happen if they officially announced the halting of construction?
94
What other Shenanigans can we expect to see in the next 2 years?
by John Aquila in
1. watchtower
2. beliefs
its been a little over 2 years since i left the watchtower.

in that time the magazines have been cut, the birth of jwtv, jw-org.

carts for preaching, removed district overseers, cut assemblies, demand all the money from the congregations, stop construction and layoff bethelites, change the format of the tmschool .
StarTrekAngel

lol. I know. It seems impossible at times. I just had a conversation with my wife during lunch. This is the first time I straight out tell her I believe JWs are a cult. I have hinted it to her but never had used the word cult and JW in the same phrase when talking to her.
225
Cult or Religion
by Richard C B in
1. watchtower
2. beliefs
what is a cult and what is a religion?

its open to debate.

who has the authority to say for certain what is a cult and what is a religion?
StarTrekAngel

Is true but I think the name change (from cult to high control group) is an attempt to political correctness that undermines the effort to save people from cults. Such change may have an influence from the cults themselves. Softening or changing the name or definition of a word when the common understanding of the old name is well understood is a tactic of cults.
225
Cult or Religion
by Richard C B in
1. watchtower
2. beliefs
what is a cult and what is a religion?

its open to debate.

who has the authority to say for certain what is a cult and what is a religion?
StarTrekAngel

Agree with Londo111. The level of danger of a cult can not be measured in the absolute. At least ISIS tells you up front they hate you and they want to kill you. It should be no surprise when and if you see them come towards you with a sword.
In the other hand, a cult that appeals to your better nature to potentially set you up in a trap like this, is much more heinous of a crime. Much more especially when they delight themselves on children (child baptism)
94
What other Shenanigans can we expect to see in the next 2 years?
by John Aquila in
1. watchtower
2. beliefs
its been a little over 2 years since i left the watchtower.

in that time the magazines have been cut, the birth of jwtv, jw-org.

carts for preaching, removed district overseers, cut assemblies, demand all the money from the congregations, stop construction and layoff bethelites, change the format of the tmschool .
StarTrekAngel

Wishfully thinking here... I do believe what you say, but I wish there was a way to show JWs the evidence that this is what goes on.
I agree with OnTheWayOut as far as cramming people into assemblies. However, in some areas it may be the contrary. I think that being the business people that they are, they know where they need to do that. In our circuit, we actually just got divided further and our assemblies are now smaller. This just happened in 2015. I think the reason for that is the opposite to what you are saying, while the goal is the same. Less people means more assemblies. More assemblies mean more money. If they fielded it and think they can actually squeeze more money out of the brothers, then they will divide.
225
Cult or Religion
by Richard C B in
1. watchtower
2. beliefs
what is a cult and what is a religion?

its open to debate.

who has the authority to say for certain what is a cult and what is a religion?
StarTrekAngel

I thought you said the "cult" status was just our ex-member resentful perception, not something that could be substantiated thru research.
225
Cult or Religion
by Richard C B in
1. watchtower
2. beliefs
what is a cult and what is a religion?

its open to debate.

who has the authority to say for certain what is a cult and what is a religion?
StarTrekAngel

Richard,
I am all for playing devil's advocate as a way of learning. However, rather than triaging the subject using the definitions of the WT (the very source of the information you are testing) you need to go look for other sources as well.
225
Cult or Religion
by Richard C B in
1. watchtower
2. beliefs
what is a cult and what is a religion?

its open to debate.

who has the authority to say for certain what is a cult and what is a religion?
StarTrekAngel

Fishermen had a lucrative business? Is that why Jesus picked them?
Things make a lot more sense now.. I guess then it must have been inflation that pushed the GB to choose real state over fishing. Not enough fish in the water to survive in this time and age.
94
What other Shenanigans can we expect to see in the next 2 years?
by John Aquila in
1. watchtower
2. beliefs
its been a little over 2 years since i left the watchtower.

in that time the magazines have been cut, the birth of jwtv, jw-org.

carts for preaching, removed district overseers, cut assemblies, demand all the money from the congregations, stop construction and layoff bethelites, change the format of the tmschool .
StarTrekAngel

Yeah... I once ranted in JW-archive about how Sister Rocha (thats how they call her) was a bad example. Everyone hated on me for judging sister Rocha. How could I criticize her for "dressing in a worldly manner and promoting a lifestyle that is contrary to Jehovahs high moral standards"
94
What other Shenanigans can we expect to see in the next 2 years?
by John Aquila in
1. watchtower
2. beliefs
its been a little over 2 years since i left the watchtower.

in that time the magazines have been cut, the birth of jwtv, jw-org.

carts for preaching, removed district overseers, cut assemblies, demand all the money from the congregations, stop construction and layoff bethelites, change the format of the tmschool .
StarTrekAngel

Oh by the way, the recurring donation was announced last year in a letter read to all congregations. I believe there was always some website where you could make credit card donations but now you can create an account in jw-org and setup a one time or recurrent monthly donation via credit card.
Another tidbit that was new in our last assembly. Debit card machines used to seat at each side of the auditorium. This last time they announced there was another two additional machines. One in the lockers area (where you change before and after the plunge) and another one behind the platform, where all the elders and MS with assignments seat and wait their turn.
To me the above screams "Don't forget to thank Jehovah for your privileges and he will give you more"