a very good friend of mine is convinced that the change in the book study arrangement.
is a sign that the end is so near and the jehovah made the change to emphasize the.
importance of the meetings.
Bring the Light:
*whip out bible, flip to page* As you can see here *read verse* a sign of the times is that Satan will step up his efforts to lead sheeple astray...... I'm here by biblical prophecy
That is just so damn funny! Too bad we couldn't all start doing that!
robert lanza has literally written the book on stem cell science and delves into the issue of consciousness, reality, and a biocentric view of the universe.. .
while i was sitting one night with a poet friend watching a great opera performed in a tent under arc lights, the poet took my arm and pointed silently.
why does the universe exist?
Burn the Ships:
PROFOUND!
Thanks for that.
LMAO!
i havn't been able to keep up with all the discussion in this forum as to why the gb has suddenly decided to implement these changes and perhaps someone has mentioned this already, but to me the most obvious reason has nothing to do with control, or money.
it has everything to do with the serious shortage of qualified brothers who can (or who are willing to) be used.
i have been involved in the organzation for 40 yrs and i have never seen the level of apathy and disillusionment among those serving in some capacity in this organization.
RIght on! The information highway has left them behind...and THEY NEVER SAW IT COMING!!
I have the feeling that a growing number of elders are becoming fully aware of how far-fetched a lot of the JW 'truths' really are, especially now that there are SO MANY Christian apologetics websites that lay out the blatant manipulation of scriptures for all to see on the Web - thousands and thousands of pages. That, combined with the flip-flops in the Society's own literature, together with the ever-increasing numbers of disgruntled ex-Witnesses of all stripes, posting on utube, facebo0k, etc.etc. laying out the 'dirty laundry' of typical congregation life as a JW leaves them in an increasingly vulnerable position.
They are in heavy DAMAGE CONTROL mode. Call the book study the BIBLE study so at least it looks more Christian. We are reaching the tipping point, methinks.
i havn't been able to keep up with all the discussion in this forum as to why the gb has suddenly decided to implement these changes and perhaps someone has mentioned this already, but to me the most obvious reason has nothing to do with control, or money.
it has everything to do with the serious shortage of qualified brothers who can (or who are willing to) be used.
i have been involved in the organzation for 40 yrs and i have never seen the level of apathy and disillusionment among those serving in some capacity in this organization.
Homerovah the Almighty:
I think you're right with the collapsing part. I've even wondered if this change has been announced 8 months in advance so that the Society can guage how many mere hangers-on are actually just keeping the seats warm at these meetings.
If attendance falls off sharply between now and January 1, 2009, which I believe is a given, they will realize in concrete terms just how few members are the actual dyed-in-the-wool diehards. Once the thinkers exit and move on, they will be in a better position to make the REAL changes that will be easily accepted by the robots that are left....
(from internal revenue service).
exempt purposes - internal revenue code section 501(c)(3).
the exempt purposes set forth in section 501(c)(3) are charitable, religious, educational, scientific, literary, testing for public safety, fostering national or international amateur sports competition, and preventing cruelty to children or animals.
Ok, not directly on topic but since you are into 'research' and this is in the scandals section:
It might be interesting to find out how many times this scenario plays out:
Brother marries widowed sister of means, they together make a 'conditional donation' to the Society's conditional donation arrangement (funds are all hers from previous marriage). Unbeknownst to wife, husband allows that in event of HIS death, funds go directly to Society. Sister only finds this out upon husband's death - TOO LATE! Society already has funds....
i havn't been able to keep up with all the discussion in this forum as to why the gb has suddenly decided to implement these changes and perhaps someone has mentioned this already, but to me the most obvious reason has nothing to do with control, or money.
it has everything to do with the serious shortage of qualified brothers who can (or who are willing to) be used.
i have been involved in the organzation for 40 yrs and i have never seen the level of apathy and disillusionment among those serving in some capacity in this organization.
I agree, it may not be tax related, more subsidy.
Here's my take: It makes no sense this change being announced now, but taking effect January 2009.
This is very likely similar to the conditional donation arrangement, announced in plenty of time BEFORE the actual government implementation of new laws took effect, so that the 'publishers' would not put 2 and 2 together and realize the change was not actually motivated by the scripture "You received free, give free".
There's something more to this, and I'm just not sure what it is, but it will become clear sometime in the next 8 months. We just have to keep our eyes and ears alert, so that we put 2 and 2 together at the right time! The GB and their lawyers want this to be totally off the radar when the real reason becomes clear...
i havn't been able to keep up with all the discussion in this forum as to why the gb has suddenly decided to implement these changes and perhaps someone has mentioned this already, but to me the most obvious reason has nothing to do with control, or money.
it has everything to do with the serious shortage of qualified brothers who can (or who are willing to) be used.
i have been involved in the organzation for 40 yrs and i have never seen the level of apathy and disillusionment among those serving in some capacity in this organization.
Jim_TX:
I'm with you on this one. I really think the whole amalgamation is an obfuscation to obscure the real reason, which is the name change. From the history of the changes this organization has implemented since 1995 of which I am aware, the overwhelming majority were propelled from a legal/tax directive, and the lawyers are well aware of upcoming tax/subsidy changes in the pipeline, even if we are, as yet, not. But within the next 8 months, those reasons will surely manifest themselves. And yes, I agree, it just has to be about the money, or some tax advantage or government subsidy for religions that promote monotheism (heard about that courtesy of Richard Dawkins).
Great thread and welcome to the board, bud2114!
this sermon by rutherfords was delivered to the n.y.bethel family when being transfered to train en route to atlanta georgia state penitantiary.. page 2:"the spring of 1918 came, and the evidence began to increase that the harvest was closing,".
to download the pdf:.
http://www.sendspace.com/file/a9hjnu.
Thanks for this.
when the watchtower society eventually folds and shuts up shop.
what will you wear at the celebration fancy dress party?
I'd go as Marie Antoinette in a very fancy dress. Will there be cake?
