He was among those encircling the JWs, weilding a stick and inexplicably sporting a headband.
I think I see him in the back...
respectful_observer
JoinedPosts by respectful_observer
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51
I just watched the final video from this years convention. OMG!!!
by NikL ini am shaking all over right now.
i think it's worse that the bunker video.. i used to think there was no way that these people would actually "drink the cool aid" if you get my drift, but seeing this video i am now not sure it could never happen.. having a wife who i love dearly trapped in this cult is really freaking me out right now...
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respectful_observer
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Impact of GDPR on WT HQ and EU branches?
by respectful_observer incurious if any of our eu-based members (especially those still in) have heard anything from official wt channels on how the organisation plans to be in compliance with gdpr ("general data protection regulations") by may 2018?
it's my understanding that religious organisations must comply, and that religious data is treated a "protected" and therefore subject to some enhance requirements.. specifically, how will they comply with the following requirements:.
you must disclose to the individual: what data you collect on them, why, and what you do with the data (including what other parties receive the data and what they do with it).
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respectful_observer
We’ve had 3 families in our hall not sign anything despite the elders naming and shaming them amongst themselves and then having all their privileges removed.
Next up... a marking talk about "the dangers of not showing complete trust in the
Governing Body'Faithful and Discreet Slave'"? -
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Scary Effectiveness of Assembly Videos
by Captain Schmideo2 inwell, i got to see the final day of this years regional convention.and i saw something that disturbs me.. the final, "summing up review" video.
it disturbs me because it was so well done.
(i wish i could remember the title of the song), to the strains of a solo vocalist singing in a fine "irish tenor", we see the actors from the previous videos of the last few days all assembling together in a clearing.
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respectful_observer
I'm a little disappointed they didn't have any rebellious headband-wearing hippies harassing them in the field...
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CO asked for everyone 20 years old & younger for a group photo
by LevelThePlayingField inthere was a co visit in ohio a couple weeks ago.
when he was finishing up his sunday talk he said that he would like if "all the children that are from this congregation, not if you're just visiting, but from this congregation to come on up on the stage right after the meeting because i want to get a picture of you.".
i thought to myself, why?
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respectful_observer
I've heard the COs are told to keep their eyes open for photogenic kids that might be used by the WT art/video dept later. This is prob just a subtle way to do that, and then it gets sent into the branch with his congregation report.
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Evening gala/ball
by Researchedandenlightened incan anyone tell me when, and why jehovahs witnesses hold evening gala,s / ball with full tuxedo,s and evening gowns ?
is it uk only as i have heard family throughout the uk attend these events (jw only) of course !.
what is the purpose of these events and how long have the dubs being doing so ?
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respectful_observer
There were quite a few of these in my later teen years through early 30s.
In my view, there were a few of likely reasons.
1. Most/many witnesses never participated in typical "rites of passage"-- school dances, junior/senior proms, homecoming dances, etc. These formals allow them to experience something similar.
2. They tend to be a good opportunity to expand your dating pool. Look your best and meet prospective boyfriends/girlfriends.
3. My personal feeling is JWs dressing more formally than the average person on the street for events like church, these "formals", etc., is rooted in an inherent inferiority complex. Deep in their brains, they realize their general lack of college education excludes them from many of the career choices "The World" sees as prestigious, or at least upper middle class. As a result, they try (albeit misguided) to "dress the part"-- silk pocket handkerchiefs (please, that is so 1990s Men's Wearhouse...along with dark colored dress shirts...pretty sure JWs are the only ones who still buy/wear those), pinkie signet rings, etc. Attending a formal, black tie affair is just another manifestation of that, for many. Of course, hosting said Black Tie Affair at the local public rental hall instead of the St. Regis, Ritz, private club, rather takes away the grandeur.
4. As @just fine says, it's "just fun to get dressed up"
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Do any of the JWs go out door to door with a territory any more?
by Spiral ini actually had a neighbor ask me that the other day (she knows i'm an "ex" jw) and i didn't really know the answer.
i know there's a bit of cart witnessing going on (small town) and a lot of driving around to return visits.. but are they actually doing territory, not-at-homes, all of that?
the neighbor said that eight years ago, when she bought her house, the jws were by "all the time".
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respectful_observer
Our last house was in another congregation’s territory (so no local JWs would have known to skip it). In almost four years, we never got a knock on the door or a tract, Memorial invitation, etc.
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How to "turn the tables" on still-in witness who pry about our status.
by stuckinarut2 inso many of us have had (perhaps well-meaning) jws ask us questions about our inactivity, or lack of attendance at meetings.
they may pry about why..... how is this for a simple, yet straight to the point response?
to a sincere person, it may play on their mind and make them ask more questions.
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respectful_observer
Here are few related threads (but don't think any are the one I was thinking of)...will keep looking:
https://www.jehovahs-witness.com/topic/246661/wake-up-your-family-through-family-worship-night
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GDPR: help for PIMOs
by Fay Dehr inwe urgently need to offer "resistance strategy" help to pimos who are likely to be harassed by elders seeking their consent for wtbt$ to leech their data.
what questions could pimos ask elders, that elders would be unable to answer?
(thus buying time, because elder would need to "check with branch").
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respectful_observer
Linking to earlier discussion: https://www.jehovahs-witness.com/topic/4903326916280320/impact-gdpr-on-wt-hq-eu-branches
Perhaps someone can frame it this way:
"Thanks for the form. I've actually been asked to sign several of these lately (which may likely be true given the newness of the regulation). In fact my employer had a info sessions on the issue. They recommended that before we ever sign these, we have IN WRITING, the answers to the following 6 requirements of GDPR, and that if that organization refuses, we should refuse to sign (these points are extracted directly from GDPR requirements). I've reviewed the Global Data Protection Policy on jdub.org, but those points did not provide clear answers to these points:
- You must disclose to the individual: what data you collect on them, why, and what you do with the data (including what other parties receive the data and what they do with it)
- The individual must provide their written explicit consent that they agree to have the entity retain their data in the manner disclosed. Any changes to the terms require new consent from the individual
- Data collection must be proportional (i.e., only necessary data may be collected and can only be used for what you've previously disclosed to the individual)
- You can only keep the data as long as absolutely necessary, and must delete afterward. (e.g., even if a person demands deletion of their data, the organisation may be required to retain certain data points such as financial/tax data attached to a contribution)
- The individual must have: rights of access to all their data, the ability to correct it, and object to it
- The individual must have the "Right to be Forgotten" (i.e., they must be able to dictate that all their data be permanently erased
Can you please provide that before I sign?"
No doubt they'll freak out since you've asked for something "IN WRITING", which the Service Dept with be loathe to comply with. Of course it will be up to you how to navigate these waters afterward.
Perhaps ask, "so what are the consequences of not signing?" After they're response: "Hmmm....that seems like there's quite a lot of pressure for me to sign. Not having specific answers to my questions in writing, and this pressure to comply is making me feel very uncomfortable."
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Will the Watchtower Company in the near future start asking for a tithe?
by Sour Grapes init appears that the borg has some financial issues and i would think they are related to the hush money being paid out for the child molestation lawsuits to protect the guilty cult members and the fine untarnished reputation of the jdubs.. we have seen how much the borg refers to the hebrew scriptures for their guiding principles whenever it suits the borg's needs.
tithing certainly is laced throughout the old testament.
under the mosaic law, there were three tithes.
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respectful_observer
Morpheus that is a good point. JDubs don't need to pass the plate they just pass another resolution.
My thoughts exactly.
They'll eventually (in the next 5 years, is my guess) institute "tithing-lite" at the congregation level. First phase will be the COs telling the elder body that it's important that the congregation contribute a minimum per publisher amount each month so the Branch knows how to anticipate cash flow for expenses, etc., because our God is a god of order. Then the whole arrangement will be formalized through letters and each congregation will adopt a resolution agreeing to commit to a monthly congregation donation of at least "$X" per publisher. The letter will reference how we "already do this" for annual donations to the self-insurance program, CO expenses, etc. ("See publishers? Nothing has really changed!")
The amount per published expected will be calculated and
dictatedsuggested by the Branch (similar to what they already do for Circuit Assembly expenses ("See elders? Nothing has really changed!"). Each congregation will adopt thedictatedsuggested amount by resolution, and the COs will track that metric on all visits moving forward.Done and dusted.
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Why Did JWs Abandon Brooklyn for the Sticks?
by Room 215 ini may have missed this, but can anyone tell me what was the pretext the gb concocted to justify their abandonment of a perfectly suitable, high-profile, high-visibility complex in what is arguably the world's greatest metropolis for the bucolic isolation of upstate new york.
any how does the move square with their purported belief in the imminence of armageddon?
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respectful_observer
What I really don't get is why they didn't just build the new complex at Patterson OR Wallkill which both have a ton of space for all that.
Link Dislike LikeI've wondered the same thing. I actually raised the question to several family members who have lived at the various US Bethels. Each time, they look back with a puzzled look on their faces which then quickly shifts to a dismissive look. They typically respond with something along the lines of: "I don't understand your question. Obviously they had good reasons for needing a separate location."
On a side note, I don't think it's THE motivating reason, but I find it curious that now ALL THREE US Bethel campuses are in areas where there is next to zero cell signal coverage. (Come on, how many places within 1 hour of NYC don't have full coverage these days??) As a result, hot spotting on your phone, or surfing the web on your phone is next to impossible unless you're on the (heavily filtered WT WIFI). It's a great side benefit knowing those young brothers can look at naughty things online or surf apostate sites.
