Posts by thedepressedsoul

32

I think the WT believed their own "growth" statements - Financial Trouble Thoughts

by thedepressedsoul in

we've all read, heard and have seen in the videos where jw's and their leaders talk about the "huge" growth that is taking place.

they've talked about how many kh they needed, branches etc... .

our co last visit he mentioned how quickly the organization is speeding up and the huge growth they are seeing.

thedepressedsoul

I dont think the top of the org believes the growth is real.

You may be right but they believe their other crap. If they don't they sure did a great job making everyone else believe it.

32

I think the WT believed their own "growth" statements - Financial Trouble Thoughts

by thedepressedsoul in

we've all read, heard and have seen in the videos where jw's and their leaders talk about the "huge" growth that is taking place.

they've talked about how many kh they needed, branches etc... .

our co last visit he mentioned how quickly the organization is speeding up and the huge growth they are seeing.

thedepressedsoul

Like what?
I've got my own ideas, but I'm curious what others think.

There are honestly so many options. It all depends on how desperate they get. I could really seem them doing another donation slip except asking you to link your card so it's pulled monthly. You can already do that on JW.org but I feel this could be something that once you agree, they add it to JW.org and it's tracked.

32

I think the WT believed their own "growth" statements - Financial Trouble Thoughts

by thedepressedsoul in

we've all read, heard and have seen in the videos where jw's and their leaders talk about the "huge" growth that is taking place.

they've talked about how many kh they needed, branches etc... .

our co last visit he mentioned how quickly the organization is speeding up and the huge growth they are seeing.

thedepressedsoul

We've all read, heard and have seen in the videos where JW's and their leaders talk about the "huge" growth that is taking place. They've talked about how many KH they needed, branches etc...

Our CO last visit he mentioned how quickly the organization is speeding up and the huge growth they are seeing.

We however, know the truth about that. It's hardly seeing a 2% growth. People are leaving extremely fast and it seems to be more of the people with wealth that are leaving. Any growth is from born in's or undeveloped countries. There have been many articles people have written on that subject alone.

I think they almost believed their own hype of growth. They started putting up KH like crazy, building branches all over, buying up properties and so on. They are now seeing first hand that this growth they have hyped up isn't actually there and have found themselves holding the financial bag.

I also think within the last 6 months they have killed their own donations. The GB making themselves more prominent and in your face all the time has let people see their true colors. I also think their "branch meeting" killed a lot of donations. I don't know too many people, even hardcore witnesses that weren't offended by tight pants Tony's statements. They also have the child abuse cases. I know for a fact people stopped donating for that alone. Mix in people knowing you got a pay day on your property sales while your average JW can barely make rent, it's the perfect storm.

Now, on a more local level. In my congregation we had 2 people baptized in the last year. We'll say a little shy of a 2% growth. BUT, we had 2 JW die, 1 completely leave, 3 DF and I can speculate on a few going inactive but I have no proof for that. For the 2 that were baptized, we lost 6. Most halls are close to the same in the US.

Our donations have completely dried up. We had to lower the amount we send to the branch each month by $1,000.00 just to try to stay afloat. Not to mention we just had a hall remodel right before the the arrangement changed. Our hall should be donating a lot more as per the direction. We have not had a positive financial month in the last 2 1/2 years. I have proof of that from the congregation statements.

That is just one hall. I think things have gotten pretty bad for these PROUD men to start asking for money. We're going to see bigger downsizing or a collapse. They will be forced to really downsize in the future if this last year is anything to go by.

I wonder how much longer they can keep this artificial "growth" going for. I can't imagine they can be down sizing and saying how much growth their is. They're trying to keep it up even after closing down branches and KH but eventually it will get too obvious.

Them asking for money is also hurting them. Only so man JW are really hardcore. I suspect that 1/3 if not more of JW want out or just do enough to get by. If they were donating and now have the GB saying they're in trouble I could see it making them completely stop for a chance to get out.

I feel them asking for money will cause people to donate less on a large scale basis.

What I worry about is how hard they will start tightening their grip if they don't get the needed donations to keep up with their current life style. They've already started asking, I can see them going to even more extreme measures.

8

JWTALK - They never asked them to take it down? Do they allow it?

by thedepressedsoul in

i recently came across jwtalk and realized it is a huge place that very "prominent" jw post and talk on.. the wt never contacted them and asked them to take it down because it wasn't "official"?

i thought people were only supposed to go to jw.org for religious matters?.

does anyone have any information on if/why this website is allowed to be up and have so many higher up jw posting on it without the wt contacting or writing in publications on how we shouldn't be on websites such as that?.

thedepressedsoul

They have "higher up" JWs posting there? Like who?

As in elders, MS etc... It's not your average Joe publisher only on there.

8

JWTALK - They never asked them to take it down? Do they allow it?

by thedepressedsoul in

i recently came across jwtalk and realized it is a huge place that very "prominent" jw post and talk on.. the wt never contacted them and asked them to take it down because it wasn't "official"?

i thought people were only supposed to go to jw.org for religious matters?.

does anyone have any information on if/why this website is allowed to be up and have so many higher up jw posting on it without the wt contacting or writing in publications on how we shouldn't be on websites such as that?.

thedepressedsoul

I recently came across JWTalk and realized it is a huge place that very "prominent" JW post and talk on.

The WT never contacted them and asked them to take it down because it wasn't "official"?

I thought people were only supposed to go to JW.org for religious matters?

Does anyone have any information on if/why this website is allowed to be up and have so many higher up JW posting on it without the WT contacting or writing in publications on how we shouldn't be on websites such as that?

18

Young baptism a double standard with marriage?

by thedepressedsoul in

i remember tons of young ones getting counseled for being too young to date and for marriage.

the elders said, "marriage is the 2nd biggest dedication of your life (baptism being 1st), at 20 you still don't know who you are or what you want.

you can't possibly make a decision like that, that young!

thedepressedsoul

They know young ones are leaving the "Truth" like crazy once they turn 18. Their solution? Baptize them as young as possible so it's even harder for them to leave when they're 18!

If they encouraged people to wait until 18 or older, no one would get baptized! They'd all be out or sit on the fence and enjoy life without consequences. They have no control over you when you don't get baptized. It's sick they want these kids to get baptized so young to control their lives and make it harder to leave!

Exact reason they are practically banning "higher education"!

Wait until that poor kid is DF, has their name announced and is shunned by everyone at the age of 12-14!

18

Young baptism a double standard with marriage?

by thedepressedsoul in

i remember tons of young ones getting counseled for being too young to date and for marriage.

the elders said, "marriage is the 2nd biggest dedication of your life (baptism being 1st), at 20 you still don't know who you are or what you want.

you can't possibly make a decision like that, that young!

thedepressedsoul

I remember tons of young ones getting counseled for being too young to date and for marriage. The elders said, "Marriage is the 2nd biggest dedication of your life (baptism being 1st), at 20 you still don't know who you are or what you want. You can't possibly make a decision like that, that young!" Not to mention, your feelings, likes and dislikes change.

One of the many Young People Ask quotes, "Marriage is a huge step. It’s important to know not only what you’re getting into but who you’re getting into it with" & there are many many more like that in publications.

Yet for the first "biggest" dedication of your life you can be 11? Double standards everywhere!

59

On the subject of Child Baptism - Video

by cappytan in

so, the latest "kids" kingdom melody video is out.. here are some screenshots:.

.

yep, that's right, they showed a kid with a teddy bear getting baptized.. here's the video in full for documentation, if you can stomach it.. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ellrtyj_maq.

thedepressedsoul

I remember tons of young ones getting counseled for being too young to date and for marriage. The elders said, "Marriage is the 2nd biggest dedication of your life (baptism being 1st), at 20 you still don't know who you are or what you want. You can't possibly make a decision like that, that young!"

Yet for the first "biggest" dedication you can be 11?

They know young ones are leaving the "Truth" like crazy once they turn 18. Their solution? Baptize them as young as possible so it's even harder for them to leave when they're 18!

If they encouraged people to wait until 18 or older, no one would get baptized! They'd all be out or sit on the fence and enjoy life without consequences. They have no control over you when you don't get baptized. It's sick they want these kids to get baptized so young to control their lives and make it harder to leave!

Exact reason they are practically banning "higher education"!

Wait until that poor kid is DF, has their name announced and is shunned by everyone at the age of 12-14!

14

Now believe in the Rapture, just DON'T call it that.

by Lemonp in

july study article confirms what the march study articles implied.

wt july 15, your deliverance is getting near, para 15. annointed will be raptured before armageddon.

i thought it was interesting the difference between the simplified version and the study version.

thedepressedsoul

It is these kinds of subtle "hair-splitting" interpretations that cause sects.

That's the point I never got. Does it really matter? Live a good life and if/when god comes he will tell you exactly what to believe. Why all of this hair splitting when it doesn't matter not to mention changes so often with the JW's.

19

Having a hard time holding my tongue...

by problemaddict 2 in

jw
friends

...recently.. i'm normally pretty calculated.

my fade is done, my wife is out, my family and friends know, i maintain quite abit of the friendships of those closest to me jw or not, my family isn't shunning, and the few people we have kept it from for other reasons we are calculating how to break it.

(elderly matriarch that we are simply not going to tell so she doesn't die).. but.....all these facebook meme's and stupid feeds about reliance on jehovah, distraction, staying close to his organization, persevering against satan.....its driving me nuts.

thedepressedsoul

"Oh Dear father Jehovah, thankyou for the wonderful meeting tonight! The way that you provide such clear and accurate truth through our only approved channel the governing body makes our hearts overflow with appreciation. We know that these most holy ones have your spirit apon them with all that they do and say, and with all of the information they approve to be written. NEVER have they been wrong, or led us astray!. We are greatful that they alone provide us with the TRUTH about the future...yes A FUTURE WE LOOK FORARD TO EAGERLY as we await the decisive destruction of every person, men, women and little children, as well as babies, who have not joined your organization. We look forward to the clean up after your LOVING day of destruction, and we thank the Governing body for being our mediator between us and you. We leave this prayer now in the name of ToMo3, AMEN"

Haha!

"Please allow us to resist the urge of wearing tight pants. We know the devil himself would like to see us in them but it's only through you that we can resist such urges. We pray for all of those who are over 21 and still not a MS. We know they are imperfect and have spiritual struggles. We pray though that you can be with them but also to help our dear sisters not to date them until they are an MS. Help us to get at least 10 hours each month, we know that any less means we are spiritually weak. Even though none of that is written in your word, we trust your only channel of communication that they can understand and grasp such precious nuggets and keep us clear of the gay fashion industry. Allow us to watch every broadcast as we know the importance and honor that your leaders of your earthly organization deserve. Help us not to get caught up on redefined words or changed meanings as we know the devil is entering our mind. We trust all you say and loyally trust all the GB say even if does not make sense from a human prospective since the devil is trying to mislead us and never our human organization.