Posts by Londo111

17

Watchtower myth: God’s will discerned through committees, not individual leaders

by Londo111 in

be it the governing body, or the a judicial committee of the local elder body, when a two-thirds majority vote is reached, it is viewed as god’s will, as the action of holy spirit, of jesus nudging the stars in his right hand.

[and if i’m not mistaken, the minority is encouraged to change their vote, so that is “unanimous”.

anthony morris alluded to this when he unsuccessfully tried to explain why the governing body is not dogmatic.

Londo111

Be it the Governing Body, or a judicial committee of the local elder body, when a two-thirds majority vote is reached, it is viewed as God’s will, as the action of holy spirit, of Jesus nudging the stars in his right hand. [And if I’m not mistaken, the minority is encouraged to change their vote, so that is “unanimous”.]

Anthony Morris alluded to this when he unsuccessfully tried to explain why the Governing Body is not dogmatic. “The decisions that are made by the Faithful Slave today, are made collectively. So no one man's making these decisions. These decisions, if you want to call them a decree, are made collectively . . . This is a theocracy, ruled by God. Not a collection of manmade decisions. This is governed from heaven.”

A relative who was an elder felt sort of the same way on the elder body, explaining it as a miraculous shift that would occur in reaching a consensus. God’s will mystically becomes known through a small body of men.

This mythos greases the wheels of the Watchtower chariot.

I wonder about the psychological dynamics of committee leadership from whence this feeling of awe is derived.

17

The Law of Unintended Consequences

by Londo111 in

the governing body/watchtower unduly influences millions into extreme beliefs and behaviors.

and i suspect folks like anthony morris thinks his flock is not obedient or strict enough and there are many rules and teachings the governing body would love to enact but do not have the votes, or even they have the sense enough to know it would go too far.

however, i can’t help how by the time their edicts filter down to the rank and file jw, it causes unintended consequences.

Londo111

Talesin:
I agree. Disfellowshipping is a great anti-witness. Many who thought JWs were just some nice people and didn't see beyond the carefully crafted image now know the real truth.

17

The Law of Unintended Consequences

by Londo111 in

the governing body/watchtower unduly influences millions into extreme beliefs and behaviors.

and i suspect folks like anthony morris thinks his flock is not obedient or strict enough and there are many rules and teachings the governing body would love to enact but do not have the votes, or even they have the sense enough to know it would go too far.

however, i can’t help how by the time their edicts filter down to the rank and file jw, it causes unintended consequences.

Londo111

Very true. Less education=less donations.

17

The Law of Unintended Consequences

by Londo111 in

the governing body/watchtower unduly influences millions into extreme beliefs and behaviors.

and i suspect folks like anthony morris thinks his flock is not obedient or strict enough and there are many rules and teachings the governing body would love to enact but do not have the votes, or even they have the sense enough to know it would go too far.

however, i can’t help how by the time their edicts filter down to the rank and file jw, it causes unintended consequences.

Londo111

The Governing Body/Watchtower unduly influences millions into extreme beliefs and behaviors. And I suspect folks like Anthony Morris thinks his flock is not obedient or strict enough and there are many rules and teachings the Governing Body would love to enact but do not have the votes, or even they have the sense enough to know it would go too far.

However, I can’t help thinking how by the time their edicts filter down to the rank and file JW, it causes unintended consequences. The flock picks up the belief system and runs with it in directions or to a degree Watchtower never intended. It’s almost as if there is the JW official religion, found in the pages of Watchtower publications, and then there is an unofficial JW folk religion. The ‘peasants’ can easily get whipped into a hysteria.

For instance, while finally dropping the charade and declaring that only the Governing Body is the Faithful Slave, they increased their prestige. Now they have more crazed fans than ever. Likely, they did not intend to become rock stars.

What other things do you think are a result of unintended consequences?

26

Start your own Prince rumour!

by purrpurr in

i see the jw rumour mill is going into mad overdrive about prince.

the stories seem to be more and more unlikely.

so i thought as a bit of fun how about us here try to make up our own rumours?

Londo111

Prince gave Rolex watched and pinkie rings to the Governing Body as gifts.

I swear it on Russell's pyramid!

19

Everyone is Equal in God's Loving Organization

by new boy in

jw
friends

they said we are all the same in god’s eyes.

that everyone is equal.

to prove this they call everyone “brother and sister.” sadly, this really isn’t the case.

Londo111

Very true.

And it's made me aware of the changes that have occurred in the organization:

Auxiliary pioneer requirements are now 50 hour (expect for special months where it is 30).

Regular pioneer requirements are 70 hours.

Special pioneers for the most part of have given the boot.

District overseers have been eliminated.

Not sure if Zone overseers are still around???

The Gilead school no longer produces missionaries.

10

Hulu’s ‘The Path’ portrays family life inside a cult

by freemindfade in

this looks great for people who are both cult survivors and aaron paul fans!

https://www.washingtonpost.com/entertainment/tv/slow-but-emotionally-creepy-hulus-the-path-portrays-family-life-inside-a-cult/2016/03/29/43840c46-f2c5-11e5-a61f-e9c95c06edca_story.html.

slow but emotionally creepy, hulu’s ‘the path’ portrays family life inside a cult.

Londo111

I've been enjoying the show.

What is interesting is how it shows cult members being normal in their authentic selves. They are not such some sort of "zombie" that the public thinks of. Rather than all good or all bad, they are complicated individuals.

I find Hawk's story arc most relatable as he tries to balance cult life with school life, trying to be faithful to the cult, distancing himself from non-cult schoolmates, yet falling in love.

Last week's episode reminded me so much of how the JW cult admonition: "Worldly people may seem nice, but they don't love Jehovah."

22

FUNERAL OUTLINE

by freeatlast36 in

i knew it.

march 28, 2014 at 9:57pm.

nobody seemed to notice that i wasn't sitting with my immediate family.

Londo111

Just in time for Prince...

10

JW drives car through Kingdom Hall

by LevelThePlayingField in

a 78-year-old female driver escaped with cuts and bruises after crashing into the kingdom hall of jehovah’s witnesses in berrimah.

picture: nt policea parishioner arriving at the kingdom hall of jehovah’s witnesses in berrimah crashed through two church walls, missing occupants waiting for a service to start.. the 78-year-old female driver was taken to hospital with cuts and bruises.

police believed she may also be suffering from shock.. the kingdom hall of jehovah’s witnesses suffered significant damage when a female parishioner crashed through two walls in her car.

Londo111

Persecution!

26

A troubling visit with a satisfying end.

by Bonsai in

so, i've been out for 2 years now.

just picked up and walked away from the wacky religion that tried to control every part of my life through fear and guilt.

i've been wondering as the months go by what would happen when an elder finally showed up at my door and pressed the issue as to why i ceased all activity and then tried to reactivate me.

Londo111

You are in Japan?

The cult seems to be in a slow decline there.