Posts by Doubting Bro

60

2017 Service Year Report Grand Totals

by Drearyweather in

jw
friends

2017 figures released to bethel families worldwide:.

peak publishers: 8,457,107. total baptized: 284,212 .

regular pioneers: 1,225,279 .

Doubting Bro

Agree sir82. That's why I actually believe the numbers they do put out. If they were making up the numbers, then they would report them all. By doing highlights, they can focus attention on anything that can be spun as positive.

I was at a circuit assembly within the last few weekends and with an attendance of 1900, there were 10 baptized. so .5% I suspect the growth is coming from the 3rd world countries and not from the industrialized lands which means that contributions aren't really growing.

If they are not reporting individual countries (or "lands") then I think that tells us growth in the important countries in terms of size (US, EU, Japan and Mexico - who have a lot of JWs but not all that wealthy) must not be very robust or may even be negative.

37

Should private citizens be allowed to video record law enforcement?

by Fisherman in

jw
friends

i saw an article in the news yesterday that laws are going to be passed subjecting the police to being recorded by anyone while performing their duty or enforcing the law and encourages citizens to sue if they interfere.

some law enforcement agents become angry and confiscate recording devices from people recording them while making an arrest, etc.. it does seem that the work that the police and other government agents do is public and not private or confidential so there should be nothing to hide from the cameras.

on the other hand, how can one distinguish being shot by a camera or by a weapon until one is hit?.

Doubting Bro

Of course they should. There are many fine members of law enforcement but as in any profession, there are also a few bad characters. These methods can help weed those folks out and protect both the citizen and the officer.

Morph - that was a great idea to have you on speaker when your son was stopped. I think that more parents should do that. If you get caught committing a traffic infraction, then a ticket and fine is in order. A bullet is not.

9

What is you 'red line'?

by no-zombie in

today we hear a lot about red lines in political commentaries these days.

but for those of us who are pimos, what be your red line?

what would be the doctrinal change or event that would tip you over the edge into leaving for good, regardless of the repercussions?

Doubting Bro

Tithing would be my red line. It's one thing to occasionally go and zone out for a few hours but there's no way I could justify giving them one red cent.

93

Higher Education

by Brian J in

just spent 8 hours in a 1 day elders school last weekend.

clarification given: "moving forward any elder, ms, or pioneer who themselves or someone under their roof enrolls in higher education, may no longer qualify for privileges in the congregation.

their qualifications will have to be reviewed by their boe.".

Doubting Bro

100% agree with Dozy. While the WTS has continued to demonize education in a variety of ways, the shortage of elders makes the implementation of this very difficult. You could easily end up with a war and multiple deletions or resignations and NO ONE on the typical BOE wants to see fewer elders because that means more work for everyone else.

I've seen the fights on BOEs over much less.

23

If Trump is Impeached...the alternative is Pence ...

by tor1500 in

jw
friends

it's me again...with the question, if trump is impeached, the alternative is pence....well, it's not really a question but your thoughts...... who is he ?

& where did they find him ?

thoughts..... tor.

Doubting Bro

Right, remember Clinton was impeached but found not guilty by the Senate.

26

gb, PLEASE, PLEASE UP THE ORGANIZATIONAL HARSHNESS IN 2018

by steve2 in

sometimes i have expressed a longing for jw organization to tone down its rhetoric and become, well, nicer and more loving.

i have not been alone in my hope.

some posters have even said that if a wave of kindness washed over jw organization and, say, the shunning doctrine was modified (e.g., left up to the individual's conscience without fear of retribution from elders), they'd go back.

Doubting Bro

Totally agree. The more they push, the more the reasonable ones start to question. I know many that have privately discussed their discomfort with the harshness with me. My wife said that the number one thing that convinced her that they don't have the "truth" is the hatred they show. Bring it boys

15

Hello Again

by everbrighterhal in

i'm sorry if this is in the wrong category!

i am formerly adimmedlight, or something close to that.

i have been lurking here a few years now and while i did make an account before, i used a fake email (i no longer remember it, since it was made only to log in the one time i posted.. )because i was so paranoid people in my home town would discover me and "out" me.

Doubting Bro

Hallie, remember the best revenge is a life well lived and you certainly seem to be doing that. Glad to hear that you are furthering your education as well! Look forward to your contributions.

28

The end of an era ......

by snare&racket in

jw
friends

i have written some time ago, about how the religion i grew up in no longer exists.

i was an 80’s jw kid who became a pioneer then a bethelite.

they have new meetings, new elder roles, new acronyms, new core teachings, new songs and even a new bible.

Doubting Bro

That is a happy sight to behold!

90

So my PIMO Younger Brother Tried To Kill Himself Today

by pale.emperor in

we all know that this cult will drive those trying to leave to desperate measures, and today by brother was very nearly one of those statistics.

he slashed his thigh with a kitchen knife and was bleeding out until he called the police.. i got a call on my way home from work from a police officer, coincidentally it was one of my old friends from school who's now a cop.

he told me my brother is in hospital after an attempted suicide and has lost some blood but will be ok. but i should get to the hospital as he's asking for me.