ozzie - yea it's scriptural - refer to the eg. of the Pharisees

I-CHING

Ozzie, great topic!

What you have outlined shows that 'private reproof' does not really exist. Goodness, even before the elders meet with you word gets around. I mean, if the "friends" see 2 or 3 brothers going with you into that dreaded conference room, how long before people talk about you? 15 seconds or so?

That part about DF'd people not having the 'privilege' to read the KM was one thing that really made me re-evaluate, was all this humiliation worth it? I guess this is some sort of TEST. If you can withstand all the humiliation for some extended time period, then you can rejoin the group with all its 'privileges'.

Of course, none of these practices will change. It would be too loving!

Gopher, who only learns about the recent KM's from this Discussion Board

Lets face it folks there is no LOVE at the Kingdoom Hall. One elder with his lies can turn the whole Hall against you and you have no redress. You are told "we'll have to leave it in Jehovahs hand"

Better be prepared for a long wait.

All these restrictions, marking, dfing, are PUNISHMENT for daring to speak up against the elders. Love has nothing to do it. How are you loving your neighbour as yourself when you treat them like sh!t?

Boy am I glad I escaped from that phycological prison.

Ozzie,

These restrictions used to be called probation.

As one who found himself "on probation" (for loving my neighbour too well) I had every so called privilege removed including opening and closing prayers.

Nobody told the WT study conductor of my lowly state, so I was frequently called upon to do the honours. I had a pal who used to jump in on my behalf when this happened, and guess what? Nobody EVER noticed the substitution!

Englishman.

Edited by - Englishman on 24 March 2001 7:9:56

Ozzie,

I seem to remeber the WT society issuing an edict that DF`d ones could resume servants privileges after their 10th year back in harness. Prior to that once DF`d meant no privileges EVER.

Englishman.

Ami reaching out?

No! Just retching at popmpous dubbisms!!! UUUUUURRRGGGHHH!!!

Englishman.

ozzie - off the subject here - you mentioned you still go to meetings or have up until recently?

whats the latest regulations on jw's & the internet?

I-CHING

Been there done that!!! Very humiliating. And counter productive. Cause' look where I am now.
TW

zev - hi - don't think we've spoken before - i read the click through to your post on internet danger - GREAT!!

i can't imagine the situation not getting to the point (though this may take a few years - when home computer/internet connection is as commonplace as a telephone or tv) - as was mentioned in the thread - jw's knock on someones door - person may be a "sheep like one" - they have a chat - place mags and so on - after the jw's have split - the "sheep like one" goes on line to research the JW's - finds all the dirty laundry on them - the permutations of possible outcomes is limitless but whichever way you look at it - it aint looking good for the wtbts -

i just think it's such beautiful poetic justice - the evolution of a technology that they cannot control - that poses a very real threat to their existance - as demonstrated by their pissweak efforts to counter it in the articles you posted -

not only that - i love the way the internet is taking them apart externally - (whose gonna convert after researching online?)
and internally - all the fascist views about the internet the wtbts publish within their own literature serves to foster curiosity amongst the faithful as well.

as a JW you are isolated - especially isolated within your fears and doubts - as you are not permitted to express these under threat of expulsion ( read: death at armageddon) as we are all only to well aware

(in the utilisation of this isolation technique to maintain control the wtbts is truly diabolical)

it's easy to think you're alone - BUT NOT ANYMORE

if the wtbts cannot keep the faithful isolated (impossible now with the advent of the internet ) it's essentially all over bar the shouting for them - it really is just a matter of time now i think

i cannot see how the situation will not evolve where the irrefutable evidence against the wtbts (online evidence) becomes so overwhelming - they just won't be able to bullshit their way out of it any longer
especially because the bulk of that evidence against them is courtesy of themselves.

this is so good because it makes them look so dumb -

i'm only speculating now but i reckon they've probably sat around in smug complacency there at crooklyn (to borrow a tallyman phrase) for the last decade or so waiting for this internet fad to fade into obscurity like the hula hoop or pet rocks etc.

WRONG!

judging by the articles you've posted reality is starting to set in

- way too little - far too late

i thought these guys were manning the watchtower - staying alert - keeping on guard - they must off been getting a very long manicure when the internet poked it's head over the horizon and then rode in at breakneck speed to completely surround them

with who nows how many new people connecting to the internet going online globally - daily

the demise of the wtbts is a beautiful scenario to watch unfold

THANK YOU SATAN FOR INVENTING THE INTERNET - (i mean he has to be responsible for it doesn't he?)

and who knows what blows the next phase of online technology will deal the wtbts - if they haven't sunk by then?

i'm predicting individual web tv - where individuals can essentially become online broadcasters programming their own content - much like a video conference situation -

and soon and so on

thanks zev

I-CHING

My restrictions were anounced from the platform. Everything that they could restrict was restricted - publicly. But hey Who Cares. Dont gives at rats arse about saying the closing prayer. "Thank you Santa for all the Bull$hit we have just digested". And as for answering they wouldnt like my answers much!