NotFormer

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Posts by NotFormer

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  65

  Did the Fred Franz style of writing cease after he died?

  by SydBarrett in

  1. jw
  2. friends

  i was completely out by 1991 and 1989 would have been the last time i had to attend regularly.

  that over the top franz writing style was still there in the 1980's although i've heard he wasn't actually doing much writing by then.

  but his style was definitely picked up and imitated for many years beyond its wacky, outlandish peak of the the 50's - 70's.

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  NotFormer

  This "new writer" is a fascinating concept. Why on Earth 🌍 would they pick a single writer to try and fill Franz's shoes. And why one who seems to have been so unlike him*? Was his dismissal the reason for the writing department, or did that already exist in some form? If it already existed, why find one golden haired boy to replace Fred?

  * My thumbnail projection would be the usual: he ticked the right boxes not related specifically to writing, and he sucked up to the right people in the right way.
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  13

  Loyalty to the Governing Body? Timeline to Change

  by blondie in

  1. jw
  2. friends

  https://jwfacts.com/watchtower/governing-body.php .

  here is an example how the wts has "adjusted" scripture.

  the governing body has gone as far as to change the text of micah 6:8 in their 2013 new world translation of the holy scriptures (nwt) in order to be able to demand loyalty.

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  NotFormer

  Remember that when you're tempted to think that the WT is pursuing a "kinder,gentler" approach. They've literally edited kindness* out of their bible in favour of loyalty. 🙄

  *In the NKJV, it's "mercy", with "or 'lovingkindness''" as a footnote. I thought I'd better do an "other translations" comparison before commenting.
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  19

  Space just got Girl-Bossed!!!!

  by DATA-DOG in

  1. social
  2. current

  the founding members of the:.

  advanced.

  taskforce.

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  NotFormer

  Im not sure if you are being serious here Vid"

  I'm thinking: "sarcasm".
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  19

  Space just got Girl-Bossed!!!!

  by DATA-DOG in

  1. social
  2. current

  the founding members of the:.

  advanced.

  taskforce.

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  NotFormer

  https://youtu.be/EU250JB4Xlk?si=ai_oj4V0C62S24Ax
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  12

  Seeking JW friend

  by Jujitz in

  1. watchtower
  2. beliefs

  hello: i'm currently not yet a jehovah's witness but i'm seeking a friend to help me to better understand their doctrine.

  thank you.

  david.

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  NotFormer

  David, most people here are not currently JWs.
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  88

  What does the Catholic church think of JW?

  by Halcon in

  1. watchtower
  2. beliefs

  on a trip to rome a few years ago i asked my friend (who is roman and jw) what the catholic faith thinks of jw.

  he simply stated that jw is tolerated by the church but that really not much thought is given to them.

  is there an official stance on jw by the catholics?

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  NotFormer

  'We have holy spirit, but you are the ones doing the work.’

  No Pentecostal would have said that*. It wouldn't have hurt the WT denial of the Trinity doctrine to accurately quote a purported conversation.

  *The first clause, that is
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  19

  Space just got Girl-Bossed!!!!

  by DATA-DOG in

  1. social
  2. current

  the founding members of the:.

  advanced.

  taskforce.

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  NotFormer

  I wonder what it did to their egos the second that the denial claims began to surface? 🤔😱
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  13

  JULY 2025 STUDY WT How to Give Advice

  by blondie in

  1. jw
  2. friends

  i scanned this article and i saw a theme throughout it.

  when info like this shows up in the study wt, you can be sure the elders are doing it wrong and the wts hits directly on what it is.

  older elders do it wrong and train by word and action the newer elders to do it wrong.

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  NotFormer

  It's been gone into in great detail here over the years, but I'll raise it again. A smart JW who knows the issues might decide that since all the fractions that make up whole blood are allowed in any combination, logically whole blood should be allowed. They might argue with themselves about it, saying that the spirit, if not the letter, of that law would allow the use of whole blood. Since which fractions in what quantities are up to the individual JW's conscience, he may decide that his conscience is clear and allow whole blood within his medical treatment. Of course, he'd have to be REALLY smart and not let the HLC get a whiff of what's going on. And no-one at all within his family or social circle. It would be wise as a JW to not ever talk about any medical issue except to one's doctor, etc,. I'm guessing. Perhaps with regards to all medical treatment, not just where blood is involved. We know just from the article that spawned this thread that elders and their advice/judgement can trespass into areas which even WT HQ is covertly admitting is above their (the elders' and JC's) pay grade.

  I doubt that any JW is going to go through the logical steps of reaching the conclusion: if Jehovah allows all the fractions of blood, in any combination, he must logically allow whole blood. They've been so exposed to and frightened by the blood issue that they wouldn't know how to follow the steps to that conclusion. Unless they lurk somewhere like here, of course, and do a lot of reading...
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  13

  JULY 2025 STUDY WT How to Give Advice

  by blondie in

  1. jw
  2. friends

  i scanned this article and i saw a theme throughout it.

  when info like this shows up in the study wt, you can be sure the elders are doing it wrong and the wts hits directly on what it is.

  older elders do it wrong and train by word and action the newer elders to do it wrong.

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  NotFormer

  Blondie, TL;DR version, what do you think their point is?

  The most prominent example in the article is of medical advice. Is the blood policy what is being obliquely referred to here?

  Then there seems to be a hint that elders are looking too hard for examples of sin. When a behaviour or attitude is less than desirable, but hasn't crossed the line into being "sinful", perhaps?

  At first glance it looks like they're encouraging kinder and gentler behaviour, but I've learned never to assume that to be the WT's motive. Is it about reducing the number of sins and crimes on the books (more secret files kept on the congregation?) so that governments don't become even more interested in the WT than they already are?

  I figure that the less times people are taken into the backroom and the less corresponding paperwork sent to Bethel, the less controlling Bethel looks.
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  19

  Space just got Girl-Bossed!!!!

  by DATA-DOG in

  1. social
  2. current

  the founding members of the:.

  advanced.

  taskforce.

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  NotFormer

  Katy Perry kissed the ground, and she liked it! 😳