You're right - I think gas has absolutely nothing to do with it - it's one giant smokescreen. The REAL REASON, imho, is to hide the name change of the meeting. There was not one meeting that had the word Bible in it, and that will probably be some kind of prerequisite to obtain funding as a religious organization once changes are made to charitable/religious organization funding guidelines...now you have a 'Bible' study in name at least....the top guns couldn't care less about anybody's perceived gas problems, especially since they're counting on you continuing to fork out for the next eight months at least....
Meeting Junkie No More
JoinedPosts by Meeting Junkie No More
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Gas my A$$
by writerpen inthey only reason they have put this big change on the cost of fuel is so that they can easily come back in a year or two - just when they think this wasn't such a good idea and they're losing even more control - and say that, "well, fuel isn't as expensive now, so let's start meeting again for the book study.
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"Congregation Bible Study" - Name Change probably money motivated
by Meeting Junkie No More inok, just to beat this topic to death, i think the real reason for the book study amalgamation is actually the name change to congregation bible study.. there's got to be a gazillion catholic, protestant, presbyterian, anglican, methodist, united etc.
churches that have alpha courses and bible study nights.
and some light bulb has gone off in brooklyn so that the so-called governing body has finally caught on that they are the only religion without an actual 'bible' study meeting.
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Meeting Junkie No More
Ok, just to beat this topic to death, I think the real reason for the Book Study amalgamation is actually the name change to Congregation Bible Study.
There's got to be a gazillion Catholic, Protestant, Presbyterian, Anglican, Methodist, United etc. churches that have Alpha courses and Bible study nights. And some light bulb has gone off in Brooklyn so that the so-called Governing Body has finally caught on that they are the only religion without an actual 'Bible' study meeting. There is the Watchtower study, the Theocraptic Misery school, the Serve Us meeting, but nothing actually called a 'Bible' study. With the amalgamation slated to take effect in 2009, they will probably qualify for some government handout to any religion promoting 'Bible' anything - whether that be education or whatever...but without any meeting actually called 'Bible' something, they would be hard-pressed to qualify for any of the cash. Gas, my ass!
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The Watchtower's "Half Way Covenant" Decline
by metatron ini've mentioned this before but recent events make it's repetition relevant: what we are witnessing in the organization is a world-wide repeat.
of history, specifically, the story of the "half way covenant".
you see, once upon a time, you had a bunch of obnoxious religious fanatics who ate turkey with the 'injuns' , wore funny hats with buckles.
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Meeting Junkie No More
It's just like 9/11 - the Tower is starting to implode! Slowly at first, but the momentum is gaining...GOOD POST!
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Copy of New Bookstudy Arrangement Letter
by grassyknoll07 inthis site has a copy of the letter.
it's in spanish.
http://www.extj.com/foro/view_topic.php?id=3679&forum_id=1
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Meeting Junkie No More
Change of name from Congregation Book Study to Congregation Bible Study is all optics. Enough of the CO's that visited our hall emphasized that JWs as a whole were not known for offering Bible studies and that we had better start doing that when out in the field misery. I guess they have finally caught on that the name of the actual meeting was a little too revealing of the indoctrination process so that calling it a Bible study would obfuscate the reality of what it really is - another indoctrination session. Somebody in Brooklyn is waking up and smelling the coffee. Too little, too late though, imho.
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What will you do when the Great Tribulation Begins?
by Malkiel ini've always wanted to ask this question to those that have decided to leave the organization.. what will you do when the great tribulation begins?.
right now folks, a lot is happening in the political world.. gordon brown (prime miniter of england) last week gave a speech to the un stating that it is time for the un to step in and solve the world's problems, (specifically mentioning the economy and hunger crisis worldwide.).
barrack obama is shaping up to be the next president, a fellow who sure knows how to persuade and lead great crowds.
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Meeting Junkie No More
Malkiel:
From your posts, one could almost believe you had a crystal ball. What will you do when your scenario totally fails to unfold as you believe it will?
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If the Bible was written more clearly, would there be a need to preach?
by easyreader1970 inpart of the reason there are so many divisions and opinions and versions of the bible is because, quite honestly, alot of it just doesn't make any sense.
it's full of symbolism, metaphors, allegories, parables, and even some of the narratives conflict with themselves.
the book of revelation makes no sense at all.
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Meeting Junkie No More
The 'command' to preach was ostensibly given by Jesus post his resurrection (Matthew 24:14, 19, 20) - Seeing that Matthew was written at the very least 40 years after Jesus death, there is a very good chance this was actually an early Church directive, including the baptismal formula being 'in the name of the Father, the Son and the Holy Spirit'.
I agree, IF the Bible were written more clearly, there would be no need to preach...
As always, good points!
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Illegal Immigrants in Congregations
by joelbear69 inon a recent trip home to valdosta ga, my father stated that 1/2 of the local .
spanish congregation were illegal immigrants.
a friend this morning whose mother is a witness has heard similar things .
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Meeting Junkie No More
This is a problem in my area also (unfortunately, not free to divulge) from what I have heard from some congregation elders.
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New Guardian Campaign
by Eyes Open inhave a look at the new guardian campaign.. worthy messages, eh?.
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Meeting Junkie No More
Eyes Open:
Just saw this now. It is brilliant!
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Why did Abel offer "fatty pieces" to Yahweh?
by easyreader1970 infrom my understanding--at least from my instruction from the wbts--humans were not permitted to eat meat by yahweh until after the flood.
if that is true, then why would abel offer tasty, delicious "fatty pieces" to yahweh?
how would abel even know how to cut up an animal for food and know which parts were the best for eating?.
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Meeting Junkie No More
Great thread! Good questions I've never thought to ask. I think the Society's take on the whole vegetarian/meat eating question is one of those "Evidently" doctrines, where they extrapolate something out of thin air, to be recalled and re-presented later, when something else is more 'evident'.
I remember back in the '60's (ok, giving away my age here!) when we were aghast at the Catholic Church coming out with the view that the first 11 chapters of Genesis were not to be taken literally. Blasphemy! according to the WTS. But after all my research, I tend to agree. All allegorical....
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What will you do when the Great Tribulation Begins?
by Malkiel ini've always wanted to ask this question to those that have decided to leave the organization.. what will you do when the great tribulation begins?.
right now folks, a lot is happening in the political world.. gordon brown (prime miniter of england) last week gave a speech to the un stating that it is time for the un to step in and solve the world's problems, (specifically mentioning the economy and hunger crisis worldwide.).
barrack obama is shaping up to be the next president, a fellow who sure knows how to persuade and lead great crowds.
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Meeting Junkie No More
Malkiel:
Also, remember the scripture where Jesus urged us not to fear those who can kill the body, but CANNOT destroy the soul! So, there must be a discernable difference between the body and the soul, one could be destroyed, but the other could not. Without the mental gymnastics that the Society wants us to do when we read these scriptures, they are so straight-forward as to be instantly understandable.
Do I know exactly how or when I will 'see' my loved ones again? No, but I am content to leave it in my Creator's hands. I no longer take the Bible literally - but it does have a profound message. I do believe that we see the Father in his Son, Jesus, who came to make him manifest to us. Each and every one of us are God's children, and His Spirit bears witness with ours that we are such - that is the peace of God that excels all thought. I never felt that peace with the dry 'taking in of knowledge that leads to everlasting life....' Knowledge can lead us, but as the Kingdom Interlinear points out, it is those who 'know God' that have everlasting life, not the mere act of 'taking in knowledge'.
Somehow, I think the Holy Spirit is especially busy these days amongst so many who are 'awakening' to real truth.