Thanks for the update. I think if the WT loses, the flood of lawsuits could be problematic for them. That's why they are fighting tooth and nail. The 2m fine is nothing compared to what could happen.
Doubting Bro
JoinedPosts by Doubting Bro
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23
Update on the $4000 day fine - Padron v Watchtower
by berrygerry infrom reddit:.
this was an oral argument to dismiss the $4000/day fine.
both sides presented their arguments and now the judges will write an opinion (30 to 90 days).
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AGM - Are they now teaching predestination?
by Doubting Bro inanother agm thought.
in tight pants tony's part, he mentioned several times that jehovah draws those he chooses and only those rightly disposed would come in.
and individuals that liked the literature but made no progress towards becoming jw were a "waste of time".. was he setting the stage for them introducing the thought of predestination?
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Doubting Bro
Of course none of it really makes sense. And, I know before they've had instructions to only study with folks 6 months and if no progress, cut the study. But, he seemed to go on about how JWs shouldn't spend time on calls that don't lead anywhere. I glanced around at the pioneers and they seemed less than amused. Who could blame them? Without those coffee clutch calls, their days become even that much more dreary.
The reality is that many people choose their religion based on where on this planet they were born and what religion their parents were born into. JWs used to be a bit different (talking about Western nations here) in that you had many adult converts. That hasn't been the case for sometime now. I would venture to say the overwhelming majority of JWs under 50 are born-ins at least in Western countries.Immigrants are likely the only exception to this rule.
I did think it was funny how during his announcement of how they were going to cut the mags down to 6 a year say in the same breathe how their literature was the most wonderful on earth or some such nonsense. So, let me get this straight, you are producing the most important message the world has ever seen and you decide that you should reduce publication drastically and then not produce anything new after 2 years (potentially). Talk about making no sense.
As others have mentioned, this seems to be but one step towards moving to an all digital religion. And, I know they will always have some aspect of "preaching" but I do think it will continue to morph.
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AGM - Are they now teaching predestination?
by Doubting Bro inanother agm thought.
in tight pants tony's part, he mentioned several times that jehovah draws those he chooses and only those rightly disposed would come in.
and individuals that liked the literature but made no progress towards becoming jw were a "waste of time".. was he setting the stage for them introducing the thought of predestination?
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Doubting Bro
Another AGM thought. In Tight Pants Tony's part, he mentioned several times that Jehovah draws those he chooses and only those rightly disposed would come in. And individuals that liked the literature but made no progress towards becoming JW were a "waste of time".
Was he setting the stage for them introducing the thought of predestination? Before, they were against it saying that individuals acted on "accurate knowledge" and that individual JWs teaching abilities were directly linked to whether a person would accept JWism and that you could be "bloodguilty" if you didn't put forth enough effort in preaching.
Now, its really whether the person has been chosen by God to become a JW and has nothing to do with seeking out "sheep".
This could be a first step in a change to how they evangelize. They could easily keep the carts but discontinue the door to door which would be another way to cut down on literature printing needs.
What do you think? At the same time, drop the annual report then discontinue reporting time. Of course, the only reason they ask for a time count is to measure how committed a person is to the cult so they likely wouldn't do that.
Just struck me as different as I guess.
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Trivial stuff about the AGM
by sir82 inlots of good comments already about the content of saturday's agm broadcast.. i just thought i'd add my (trivial!
) comments about the magnificent 7:.
-- loesch - was he intentionally trying to be boring?
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Doubting Bro
I had to look away when Lett was on the screen for fear of bursting into hysterical laughter. That was such a boring program. Jackson came off the best as the host err chairman of this snore fest.
Also, that culty choir before it started was really weird. I know lots of religions have a choir and that's fine. But, I guess the expressions on their faces were so creepy with forced smiles and why were they holding the largest songbooks I've ever seen. Its one crappy song, can't you memorize it? It's a surreal experience being PIMO. Stuff that you never see when you are a true believer makes you very uncomfortable.
One last thing, the "interview" with the boys on the project committee. Of course, it was all BS, but I thought overall that came off fairly well. But, the story about the wife that was hit by a car while her husband was changing a tire on the way to the airport to work on the project was over the top. Let me get this straight, Jehovah's hand was all over this project to build some buildings but he couldn't be bothered to have this poor lady take 5 steps away from the highway or the driver to get off their cell phone or whatever caused them to drift over to keep her alive? GTFOH. Yet, the husband deciding to come to Warwick despite his wife getting killed was a blessing to him? Jesus, he was probably in such shock and yeah maybe doing something like that took his mind off what just happened, but that was such an insensitive and callous remark that it really pissed me off.
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Do not think the end will come?
by Akid48 inthats somthing i see thats asked in my kingdom hall if you want to go get more than 2 years in collage.thing in some one asking that to me or etc i cant say any thing or that would show that i dont believe.. i hate when some one askes me that when i try to plan ahead when it comes to what job i want.what job would help me hold my own but no god will give if you put him first.i dont believe in god even when i did i never buyed into that.. it seems you cant get away from the question im only 13 and i get that question theres no getting away from it..
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Doubting Bro
My advice is to just tell them what they want to hear and move on. While it's inappropriate for them to be asking such personal questions, some of these responses are just as inappropriate (in my opinion) for someone of your age in response to an adult. That type of disrespect would just get you into hot water.
You don't owe the folks at the KH a straight answer. Who really cares what they think? Make things easier on yourself and just deflect with something like "hopefully the end will come before I even have to worry about that".
Just my opinion.
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October 2, 2017 BOE US Re: Contributions Received at the 2017 Annual Meeting
by wifibandit inoctober 2, 2017 to all bodies of elders in the united states branch territory re: contributions received at the 2017 annual meeting.
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Doubting Bro
That's brilliant! LOL - you have to give them credit for letting no opportunity pass by without grabbing cash.
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New Song to be sung for Warwick Dedication on Oct 7
by Drearyweather ina place that will bring you praise.
https://tv.jw.org/#en/mediaitems/latestvideos/pub-jwb_201801_8_video.
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How Are Ex Elders Treated In The Congregation?
by minimus inare they pretty much left alone?
are they respected for their having been elders at one time?
are they treated like crap?.
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Doubting Bro
My experience:
The other elders definitely didn't want to have much to do with me. A few of the younger ones or ones that were appointed after I stepped down still chat with me and make occasional jokes about me being an elder again.
COs - I haven't spoken to a CO since I stepped down about 10 years or so ago. LOL - they literally don't even say hello and just walk right by!
Congregation - The folks that I used to be friendly with still speak with me. The biggest difference is the lack of social invitations. We maybe get invited to 1 or 2 things a year when I know there are folks getting together quite often. But, in their defense, often those impromptu plans are made at meetings and service which we really aren't at. So, out of sight out of mind. And once that pattern emerges, they don't even think about us anymore.
By the way, I haven't commented in years, don't sing, etc. I'm sure everyone notices and silence is the best result at this point. At some point, I will quit going altogether but there are some reasons why that doesn't work to my benefit at the moment.
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Doubting Bro
I've been to lots of sporting events with JWs. Basically, the strategy is to time your arrival at the seat so that you are standing in the hall outside. Whether you get to the seat and go to the bathroom, go to concessions or whatever just make sure you aren't there when they get ready to do it. I've actually seen the color guard on the side and quickly excused myself so that I'm on the steps when they come out. The rule is that if you are already standing, then you can stay standing but you should NOT take the action of rising for the anthem. Believe me, it's an odd JW that wants to call attention to themselves in this way. Maybe the old school ones, but the ones I grew up with would do anything not to make a scene. Born-ins learn to fit in even if we don't.
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Doubting Bro
I was thinking about this Sunday. So many years of going to the bathroom just prior to the national anthem or making sure I didn't get to my seat for it. I always felt it a bit disrespectful to not stand but honestly thought I was doing the right thing. Now, of course, I remove my cap and stand as does my son. I am usually moved when hearing it and think of what a great place I have the privilege to live.
I don't necessarily see the players taking a knee as being disrespectful. I think that if they turned their backs, that would be disrespectful. I have a bigger issue with the President getting involved as no law is being violated. And certainly calling individual private citizens SOBs for taking part in a peaceful protest is way over the line. We really have much bigger worries than whether a handful of professional athletes participate in a patriotic ceremony or if a basketball player comes to a photo op at the White House. To me, these are trivial distractions which is probably why the media loves them. How about we have a national discussion on what to do with North Korea or fix any of the real problems we as a society have to face?