Posts by slimboyfat

On the politics, at least, among those who are willing to express an opinion, there is good evidence to show JWs are overwhelmingly supporters of the Democrats.

Given the high proportion of black and Hispanic JWs this shouldn't be too suprising.

Specifically: 75% "independent" or "other", 18% Democrat, and 7% Republican.

See the figures graphically depicted and compared with other religious groups here.

http://www.pewresearch.org/fact-tank/2016/02/23/u-s-religious-groups-and-their-political-leanings/

16

Why I constantly write letters to the Watchtower Society

by UnshackleTheChains in

hi all.. for many years now, i have been writing letters to bethel in new york and london.

i have also written to the charity commission, the bbc and more to highlight the harmful teachings and policies of the watchtower society.

i realise that some may view this as futile and understand why they might feel this way,; especially considering the pharisaical stonewall-like attitude displayed by the leadership of watchtower.. some reasons i do so is because i feel that constructive criticism is essential in helping to bring about change.

slimboyfat

Watchtower may possibly be more open to suggestions now that they are in a weak position financially and organisationally. Old attitudes die hard of course, but with new circumstances you never know.

I've sometimes wondered how an enquiry would be answered that included two questions: 1) I have some assets I want to know how to donate and 2) have you considered stopping shunning because it harms people and pushes people away rather than attracting them back. Cynical? I suppose. But why not? It's not as if they are immune from cynicism in their own dealings.

16

Why I constantly write letters to the Watchtower Society

by UnshackleTheChains in

hi all.. for many years now, i have been writing letters to bethel in new york and london.

i have also written to the charity commission, the bbc and more to highlight the harmful teachings and policies of the watchtower society.

i realise that some may view this as futile and understand why they might feel this way,; especially considering the pharisaical stonewall-like attitude displayed by the leadership of watchtower.. some reasons i do so is because i feel that constructive criticism is essential in helping to bring about change.

slimboyfat

Letters are powerful. You never know who will read them or what effect they will have. They take on a life of their own.

Plus we sometimes assume everyone knows what we do. Or that people high in the organisation have "heard it all before". It's not always true. Sometimes people can have astonishing blind spots. And Watchtower seems to be an organisation that particularly lacks introspection and self-criticism.

I agree with you completely that Watchtower can and must change. Especially shunning. The rest will follow if that one reform is made.

Good luck.

10

Woman threw Watchtower in my face so I voted yes to Australian gay marriage.

by Witness 007 in

years ago on one of my last witnessing trips i left two magazines with an intelligent looking woman with a lovely house.

she gave my a donation and we carried on.

after 45 minutes she tracked us down at another house and returned the mags to me saying we "hate homosexuals and are preaching hatred..." she looked very upset and i was shocked by this and because someone actually bothered to read the magazines i just left!

slimboyfat

Good for you. Homophobia is untenable in this day and age. JWs will need to reform on this issue, or rightly be shamed for their ignorance.

39

"Deficit" at JW Assembly

by cookiemaster in

i've recently been at an assembly here in romania and there was an announced they were running a 10,000 euro deficit and urging all attendees to donate more money besides the already 5k has was donated during that day.

i really don't understand these things.

it's their own assembly hall.

slimboyfat

Yes very interesting.

£120,000 contributions, £94,000 expenses and depreciation of £134,000. Seems like a loss. So much for assemblies generating huge income for Watchtower.

10

Excellent YouTube channel

by Are you serious in

a few days ago, thanks to someone's post on here (sorry i forgot who it was), i found an awesome youtube channel called theramintrees.

the videos this guy has made are amazing!

i'm sure others here have seen some of his videos.

slimboyfat

The content is good, but I find the voice and graphics downright creepy.

9

Blade Runner - the new movie

by days of future passed in

i went to see blade runner 2 because i liked the first one.

even tho the first one was i think rated r, i still saw it.

the whole atmosphere of the first one was bizarre and real to itself.. if you don't want to be spoiled, don't read on.. with high hopes, despite hearing that it tanked at the box office (are the critics crazy?

slimboyfat

Yes, plodding and ponderous, with not much to ponder. When they crushed the file making "Joi" underfoot, I thought so what. Harrison Ford looked as tired and weary as his audience about the whole thing.

21

All this speculation.....

by pontoon in

here's mine... wat corp is flush with money.

there product is a hope--obey us and god might let you live.

gb knows they can say and change beliefs,doctrine, twist scripture without losing more then they gain.

slimboyfat

A few facts that are not speculation:

1. Watchtower used to make millions of dollars a week selling books and magazines. That has completely dried up.

2. In 2015 the governing body made an appeal for more donations because they had a running deficit.

3. In 2015 they abandoned building projects and began laying off more than a quarter of their staff.

4. They have cut printing of books and magazines back to bare bones. Maybe will eliminate entirely.

5. Abuse claims are stacking up in many countries and membership figures are starting to decline.

A few things that are speculation:

1. Despite all appearances, the GB are really evil geniuses who will always have plenty of money no matter what.

2. Because JWs really believe in it the organisation can never go bust.

3. The GB may be dumb but the "money men" who "really run the religion" know what they are doing.

4. The GB just want to make it look like they are in financial trouble to build up a nest egg.

5. Maybe they get charity funding, maybe they have tons of money invested, maybe they have a plan to generate revenue for the website, or maybe from tithing... maybe, maybe, maybe.

7

Grounds for divorce and other questions

by new boy in

jw
friends

doing research for my book.

since i no longer have any of of the watchtower bible and truck society publications.

1. was it true (and believe it was) that in the nineteen sixties that even if one of the marriage mates was a homosexual that this was not concerned grounds for divorce?.

slimboyfat

Yes I remember something like that. Homosexual sex was not considered adultery, so therefore the other partner couldn't divorce and be free to marry. Don't ask me why, some convoluted reason no doubt.

JWs can separate and get a "legal" divorce for abuse, but they can't get a "scriptural" divorce.