slimboyfat

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Posts by slimboyfat

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  19

  New round of elders and MS schools going on, anyone have a inside scoop on any of the info being shared there?

  by optimisticskeptic in

  1. watchtower
  2. beliefs

  confidential items are of most interest of course, just curious what they're talking about there in general and what are the newest things everyone is being warned about, etc.

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  slimboyfat

  Adventists have activities for young people called the "pathfinders programme". It's a bit like the scouts or guides. They teach young people basic skills, get them to work in groups as young people, and with adults, and they learn personal, social and spiritual skills along the way.

  Christadelphians have a programme called the "isolation league". It sounds pretty sinister first! But actually it's an attempt to make sure no one in their community feels alone or isolated. So younger ones reach out by making visits, phoning or writing letters and emails.

  But as long as JW elders make sure they read the Bible clearly at the meetings that's the main thing.
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  19

  New round of elders and MS schools going on, anyone have a inside scoop on any of the info being shared there?

  by optimisticskeptic in

  1. watchtower
  2. beliefs

  confidential items are of most interest of course, just curious what they're talking about there in general and what are the newest things everyone is being warned about, etc.

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  slimboyfat

  What was the interesting part about being told to read well?

  I guess they had run out of things to say about looking after sick and elderly people, having strong families, and helping young people to thrive and grow up to be the best they can.

  They finally had to resort to telling grown men that if they read things properly then people will understand what is being read, just to fill up the time.
  
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  19

  New round of elders and MS schools going on, anyone have a inside scoop on any of the info being shared there?

  by optimisticskeptic in

  1. watchtower
  2. beliefs

  confidential items are of most interest of course, just curious what they're talking about there in general and what are the newest things everyone is being warned about, etc.

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  slimboyfat

  Elders are being taught how to read, is a major thing apparently.

  Also how to recommend others for elders.

  Compared to the level of training ministers in other religions get it's pretty pathetic. But local elders seem to think it's wonderful: "Jehovah's people are the best taught in the world". A demonstration of the Dunning-Kruger effect perhaps?

  Not much or anything on how to care for those in need in the congregation, never mind the wider community.
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  23

  Does a jw have to miss counting time for 6 months to be inactive

  by blondie in

  1. jw
  2. friends

  how many months consecutively does a jw have to miss turning in time to be inactive?.

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  slimboyfat

  Yes, irregular after one month, inactive after six.
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  6

  What's their game?

  by punkofnice in

  1. watchtower
  2. bible

  blimey o'reilly, what are those blokes up to?.

  the governing body seem to pull 'new light(tm)' out of their backsides when they can save money.

  then, out of the blue comes some weird crap that will lead to the jobos getting spat at.. what is the gov bods game?

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  slimboyfat

  What are you talking about?
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  78

  Pacifism is Morally Indefensible

  by cofty in

  1. watchtower
  2. beliefs

  i have been surprised recently to see so much support by ex-jws for the watchtower's refusal to fight and kill.

  in my opinion it is a vice masquerading as a virtue.

  of course war should always be a last resort but there are occasions that it has to be done.

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  slimboyfat

  JWs teach that lethal force can be used to protect themselves and their families. That they seek to avoid doing so unless absolutely necessary may be a fine distinction, but one many could understand.

  I think most pacifists defend that position on moral grounds. So I don't think it makes sense to say you can't defend it on moral grounds. If it's not defended on moral grounds, then how?

  Kant suggested that a key test for any ethical action is the question: what if everyone did the same? If we apply that test to pacifism, then the result is clear. If everyone acted as pacifists do, there would be no war. Would that be a good outcome? Realistically not everyone opposes war. Fascist intellectuals, such as they were, taught that wars are good for nations, and many businesses make good money from war. So not everyone would be pleased if there was no more war. But many ordinary people, the sort called on to fight, or their families, probably a majority of people, would consider the end of war to be a moral good.
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  78

  Pacifism is Morally Indefensible

  by cofty in

  1. watchtower
  2. beliefs

  i have been surprised recently to see so much support by ex-jws for the watchtower's refusal to fight and kill.

  in my opinion it is a vice masquerading as a virtue.

  of course war should always be a last resort but there are occasions that it has to be done.

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  slimboyfat

  JWs belive you can defend yourself or loved ones if their life is threatened. Where did you get the idea this was forbidden? I'm surprised no one else pointed this out.
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  8

  The soteriology of Revelation

  by Doug Mason in

  1. watchtower
  2. bible

  my draft chapters on the book of revelation is available at:.

  http://www.jwstudies.com/the_book_of_revelation_s_nature_and_its_soteriology.pdf.

  i am seriously seeking corrections, criticisms, and advice.. thanks,.

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  slimboyfat

  Two key issues I tried to understand in Revelation. What did the author mean by the "Lord's day" in Rev 1:10? Some, like JWs, believe it referred to a vision of the apocalypse. Others think that John simply had a vision on a Sunday. Which sets up the whole thing rather differently. I didn't see this discussed in the essay.

  Another is Rev 3:9. Who is John referring to as Jews here? Ethnic Jews or Christians as "spiritual Jews"? Does Revelation view the Jewish people as part of God's plan or as superseded by the Christian community of "spiritual" Jews?
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  9

  The Elephant in the room: ExJw disunity

  by Diogenesister in

  1. jw
  2. friends

  fantastic new video by the lovely susan gaskin and friend andrea discusses the huge variety of exjw opinions and why our supposed disunity is in reality our strength.

  the witnesses will claim we cannot agree and there are nothing but fights and a lack of harmony within our community whereas they are the most unified religion who believe the same things where ever you go.

  however andrea points out that this is just an illusion, there is no unity amoung jws.

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  slimboyfat

  I bought my brother an elephant for his room.

  He said thanks very much,

  I said don't mention it.
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  34

  Strange

  by Jrjw in

  1. watchtower
  2. beliefs

  a couple of times at the meetings this year we've been told that in the future we might get some strange directions from the society that might not make any sense to us.

  then they've said will we show our loyalty to jehovah by still obeying?

  seems a rather unusual thing to say.

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  slimboyfat

  Is it just to cover themselves, in case tight pants Tony goes off the reservation again?