under_believer

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Posts by under_believer

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  100

  What do you think is behind the watchtower change in 2008 ?

  by 5go in

  1. watchtower
  2. scandals

  i think it's an atempt to catch faders or atleast make active dubs feel special.

  it also could be a cost cutting measure to though.

  getting rid of the km's and even up awakes and watchtowers would save some trees.

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  under_believer

  > Actually for the last several years, there is a Worldwide Kingdom Hall Building Fund for areas that can't afford it.
  
  But Fred, where does the money in that fund come from?
  
  That's right. Donations from mostly wealthy 1st-world congregations in the US and Europe. The flock is still paying.
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  37

  The Governing Body and the Anointed

  by greendawn in

  1. watchtower
  2. scandals

  according to jw theory all those taking the memorial emblems are part of the body of christ and therefore should participate in the status and functions of the anointed.

  if we are to say that some of these "anointed" are just fruitcakes or spiritually immature, what about all the rest?

  why are they so invisible, nowhere heard or seen contributing to these anointed functions?

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  under_believer

  5go: "Read animal farm by Orwell."
  
  That is exactly my thought on the matter as well. 1984 is also instructive.
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  100

  What do you think is behind the watchtower change in 2008 ?

  by 5go in

  1. watchtower
  2. scandals

  i think it's an atempt to catch faders or atleast make active dubs feel special.

  it also could be a cost cutting measure to though.

  getting rid of the km's and even up awakes and watchtowers would save some trees.

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  under_believer

  I agree, Qcmbr. I think it's a very sensible, reasonable move for them to make.
  
  On the other hand, I do like what it implies--that they are losing money, that they need to cut back. I think it's a hopeful sign.
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  14

  Making you nervous?

  by avidbiblereader in

  1. jw
  2. friends

  did giving talks, parts on the meetings or even answering make you nervous and how did you handle or deal with it?.

  did you ever lie to get out of giving a assignment because of nerves?.

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  under_believer

  Nope. I have few talents or skills, but public speaking is one of them.
  
  That being said, if they somehow induced me into giving a talk now, the hypocrisy this would entail would make me as nervous as hell.
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  100

  What do you think is behind the watchtower change in 2008 ?

  by 5go in

  1. watchtower
  2. scandals

  i think it's an atempt to catch faders or atleast make active dubs feel special.

  it also could be a cost cutting measure to though.

  getting rid of the km's and even up awakes and watchtowers would save some trees.

  1. 
  2. 
  3. 
• 

  under_believer

  Echoing everyone else: This is all about cost savings.
  
  With the Watchtower, there is only, EVER, one motivation for any change in policy, any action they take. The answer to any "why" question regarding the Watchtower ALWAYS comes back to money.
  
  This was not always the case, but with our current, modern-day WTS, it is 100% always true.
  
  There are, of course, other ancillary benefits, all of which have already been covered in this thread: simplification (some would say dumbing down) of the field ministry, marketing, etc... though I absolutely disagree that information control has anything at all to do with it.
  
  But none of those reasons would have been enough. It's the money. With the Society, always follow the money.
  
  ALSO: I heard the letter from the Society about this read in person, so I can speak authoritatively on one question that's been floating in this thread: The Study Watchtower is available to all baptized Witnesses, publishers, and interested ones. "Interested ones" was specifically mentioned in the letter. In practical terms, I imagine this means that anybody who shows up for a Watchtower study will be provided with copy the Study Watchtower--it is still a public meeting, after all.
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  52

  What is the youngest age you've seen someone df'd or Da'd?

  by avishai in

  1. watchtower
  2. child-abuse

  ?

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  under_believer

  Nope! Someone from my wife's side of things.
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  11

  Back After a Much Needed Time Out

  by XJW4EVR in

  1. jw
  2. friends

  the last time i posted was to advise you all of the shenannigans of my ex.

  she disappeared with my kids.

  it ended up she needed to move in with her mother for financial and personal safety issues.

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  under_believer

  We haven't always agreed politically (hehe that is putting it mildly) but my heart really goes out to you in your situation, I'm sorry you had to go through that. I am glad everything seems to be working out.
  
  There's a chance that I might be going through something similar in the future (though I still have my fingers crossed), so your experiences are valuable for me to read.
  
  One question. My kids are younger than yours, so the experience might be different, but I'm afraid of the effect a breakup will have on them. Do you have any advice in that department?
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  84

  OH, THE IRONY OF IT ALL.............Global Warming

  by Warlock in

  1. social
  2. current

  "blizzard targets northeast".

  "record snow falls for date in chicago".

  "hearing on 'warming of planet' cancelled because of ice storms".

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  under_believer

  Can one of you science deniers explain to me why you deny science, especially vis-à-vis global warming? Cuke alluded to it when he talked about "coming wave of environmnetal [sic] taxation and constraint on people's freedom", but I'd like someone to spell it out for me.
  
  What is wrong with reducing pollution? What is wrong with finding alternative fuel sources? What is wrong with reducing carbon emissions? Why are these bad things? Even if you disagree with the climate experts on human-caused climate change, what reason can you possibly produce for being FOR POLLUTION?
  
  Warlock, Qcmbr, et al.? Why do you support pollution? Why are you opposed to cleaner energy and cleaner air? Why? I just don't get it.
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  16

  "Must We Always Tell The Truth?" WT Feb.1

  by Cellist in

  1. jw
  2. friends

  if this has been brought up already, i apologize.

  but, we just received the latest magazine with the title, "must we always tell the truth?".

  i was curious to see how they handled this topic, with their "theocratic warfare" (aka lying) in mind.

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  under_believer

  Oh, I think they're right, there is a time and place where lying is not immoral.
  
  It's the double standard they employ that gets me.
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  35

  Last Night Greys Anatomy *******Warning Spoiler*********

  by BlackSwan of Memphis in

  1. social
  2. entertainment

  ok well if you haven't seen it, i'm giving you one last chance to click the close button, or back button, whichever you prefer........ .

  ok, wtf?!

  how does anyone stay under water for that long and live without brain damage?

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  under_believer

  IMDB. Go to imdb.com, and search for "Grey's Anatomy". Then there are links to the various seasons on the main Grey's page. I clicked to season 2, found the episode in question, "It's The End Of The World", and clicked on it to see the cast list.