Posts by Doubting Bro

46

Halls closing

by iknowthetruth in

jw
friends

in my city philadelphia they closed many kingdom halls.

my hall was desolved and most of the publishers were added to a congregation that only had 50 publishers.

.

I was at a "gathering" (ugh) the other week with folks from a variety of different congregations in the area (eastern US) and the combining of congregations was a major topic of discussion. Nearly everyone was impacted in one way or another. My parents live in a rural area and their hall is getting shut down and sold and they will now have at a minimum 40 minute drive each way. They are getting up in age and are concerned about driving at night in the winter. I told them they should dial into those mid-week meetings but my dad is an elder and has a part every week.

Seeing the impact on them first hand makes me change my mind about how much this bothers folks. I guess because I'm not really connected anymore, I could care less what hall I have to attend. Of course, I don't go to that many meetings anymore so its not a bother to me. But to faithful old ones, they feel like they are being abandoned. Thing is, my parents even express it but just shrug their shoulders and follow direction. Yet, you can see the discouragement in their faces.

Nice job GB. Keep kicking the only people who care about you.

85

''Special Letter'' to be Read In Canada Week of Feb 3,2019

by Beth Sarim in

i have just been informed that there is a 'special letter' to be read at the meetings week of feb 3,2019 in canada.

anybody heard of this!!

just a heads-up!

Doubting Bro

Sorry but I'm not buying the whole watching if you don't have a lapel card. There definitely is an increase in attendants but saying there are more attendants than attendees is complete hyperbole. I find it a little weird that they open the doors for you in the morning and greet most people walking in but it's pretty easy to simile and return a greeting. And, I would imagine they are doing that to see if someone is acting suspiciously. Keep in mind that for RCs, there is a campaign to invite the public. Now, I can't recall a time seeing someone from the public actually come in from an invitation but I guess it's happened. So, it's really hard to say you have to have a badge then turn around and invite the public.

The only time I EVER wore a badge was when I had an assignment and was forced to. Never once have I had anyone say anything to me. Of course, I looked like I belonged in terms of dress, having a bag, etc. But still.....

55

2019 Elders Manual and a Whole Lot More!

by Atlantis in

single zipped folderhttps://we.tl/t-uiqj87wimd.

2019-02-02-musical preludeshttps://we.tl/t-zyfpnodizd.

s-21-e congregation's publisher record (2018-12).pdfhttps://we.tl/t-i9qamx3s0q.

Doubting Bro

Thanks to whoever leaked this! Well done Atlantis and the underground!!

32

How Would You Help A JW. Recognize They Do Not Have The Truth?

by minimus in

jw
friends

every witness says they are “ in the truth”.

that expression implies that what they say is the “truth “.

how could you help a witness understand that they clearly do not have “the truth “?.

Doubting Bro

When the student is ready, the teacher will appear. Until someone is willing to seriously consider that the WTS is not who they say they are, no argument will help.

58

THIS IS IT Tony Morris Identifies King of Norht

by scotoma in

jw
friends

this is the announcement we have heard “about” but now it has been released to the whole world.

its in the 2nd of a three part serries about the jw annual meeting (oct 2018).

to minute 52. .

Doubting Bro

See the new KOTN, same as the old KOTN.....

I have an super dub relative that is going nuts with this.

31

Something I had never thought about re: the Borg's nonprofit status

by dubstepped in

jw
friends

i am actually looking into the possibility of starting my own nonprofit for ex-jws with specific goals and i've learned more about the process.

i was interviewing someone for the podcast that is familiar with nonprofits and she told me something that i had never considered.

maybe everyone else has but i don't remember seeing anything about it here.

Doubting Bro

The purpose of time slips is to measure one's level of dedication to the cult. It has nothing to do with charitable status (at least in the US) as is pointed out. A recognized religion has automatic tax exemption in the US. No charitable work is required for them since providing religious instruction is one of the criteria.

The measurement of time is the SINGLE most important criteria to gaining additional "privileges" for JW males. That's the first thing the elders look at in appointing men and you can exhibit every other "quality" needed as a MS/Elder but if you don't have 10 hours a month and usually show RVs and good placement history, then it doesn't matter. It's an easy way to measure "spirituality".

194

Is Being a “Manly Man” a Bad Thing?

by minimus in

jw
friends

so much is said regarding men , in a negative way.

shaving commercials are now lecturing us as to how bad we really are.

men should be less masculine.

Doubting Bro

Wow - who cares what a stupid commercial says? Seriously, if you guys are triggered by it I think that's pretty wimpy.

49

Dilemma of Shunning Policy

by Drearyweather in

apologies if this topic has been discussed earlier.. i was thinking of whether demanding for a ban on shunning policy would be beneficial for the larger society.

following are some things that we need to remember while advocating the issue:.

1. shunning is not limited to jw's and for many americans, it is not that controversial as it seems.. 2. jw shunning is not a dark secret policy.

Doubting Bro

But shunning is literally the only tool they have to really force people to comply. If not for that, how would they enforce their crazy rules? That would be the single largest fundamental change they've had in a very long time. Sure, it would be great if they dropped organizationally mandated shunning although it would take at least a generation to change the behavior.

To drop a scripture, Jeremiah 13:23 - can a leopard change its spots? Or can a cult not be a cult? (or high control religion if you prefer more politically correct language).

If they morphed to a mainstream religion, they likely could grow it but only after suffering major losses and totally rebuilding. Not saying it can't happen but wouldn't wager anything on it.

49

Dilemma of Shunning Policy

by Drearyweather in

apologies if this topic has been discussed earlier.. i was thinking of whether demanding for a ban on shunning policy would be beneficial for the larger society.

following are some things that we need to remember while advocating the issue:.

1. shunning is not limited to jw's and for many americans, it is not that controversial as it seems.. 2. jw shunning is not a dark secret policy.

Doubting Bro

While I agree with Slim, I don't think that solution would pass constitutional muster in the US. You can't treat one religion differently from another religion based on their practices unless such practices are against the law. Shunning could never be against the law. To me, you should remove tax exemption from all religious organizations unless such organizations can prove they are providing charitable work which would not include religious instruction (as it currently does). And then, only provide exemption for the portion of the organizations revenue that is devoted to charitable causes.

25

You Don't Have to Tell the Elders Anything!

by minimus in

jw
friends

if you were ever brought before a judicial committee, and were about to be interrogated by the elders, just remember...you owe them nothing.

they are mere men and no better than you!

even if it wasn’t a judicial interrogation , you should never feel obligated to them.

Doubting Bro

Remember the two witness rule and use it to your favor. Never admit to anything, deny, deny and deny.