a local favorite...the "apostates" (anyone who disagrees in any way with their interpretations...
proandcon
JoinedPosts by proandcon
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The friends, the truth and loaded language
by detective inas many people already know, using the term "the truth" to describe an organization's teachings is a brilliant way to constantly reaffirm it's validity subconsciously.
it's a great use of repetition to establish as fact that which is only opinion.. i keep hearing the phrase "the friends".
aside from the fact that i really don't like the terminology, i couldn't help but wonder if this isn't just another use of repetition and loaded language to enforce the belief that all of the people who share the same religion actually are your friends.. in some ways, i think it would be beneficial for some folks to drop "the truth" and "the friends" from their vocabulary so that they aren't continuing to immerse themselves in group-lingo that's intended to elicit certain emotional responses and associations.. what other loaded language can you come up with that is quasi-specific to jehovah's witnesses?
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Comments...re Malawi Bethel Complex
by proandcon inexperience from malawi:.
we just received this wonderful experience and thought that you would.
enjoy.
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proandcon
EXPERIENCE FROM MALAWI:
We just received this wonderful experience and thought that you would
enjoy
it as much as we did. Wouldn't it have been wonderful to be there?
Thought
we would share a few things with you from the dedication programme here in
Malawi of the new Bethel complex.It was held May 19, 20 & certainly was a weekend never to be forgotten.
2500 were invited to the actual dedication programme on the Saturday,
including Malawians who had been baptized 40 years +. It was an amazing
sight on the morning of the programme as all the old timers filed into the
Bethel complex. We were making packed lunches for all the delegates when
we
were suddenly aware of faces peering through the glass doors at us - when
we
waved & greeted them in Chichewa huge smiles spread across these well worn
beautiful black faces, next thing we knew these faithful brothers were
singing kingdom songs (many of them from the old green song book) in 4
part
African harmony. The whole facility was soon full of singing, waving old
timers, many of them didn't have shoes, some were blind & were being led,
others were amputees & some just plain old - one brother being 100 years
of
age, others in their 90's. Their joy at seeing these incredible buildings
was overwhelming - there were few dry eyes & unlumpy throats as we stood &
watched them swarm around us.The actual programme was held under a huge specially erected grass shade.
Spontaneous rounds of applause were the order of the afternoon. There were
many highlights, but one of the special moments was when bro Jack
Johannson
asked all those who had fled to refugee camps to stand up, a mass of bro &
sis rose, it seemed as if the only ones seated were foreigners, who
applauded long & hard this evident demonstration of faith. Another part we
found very special was during the part where foreign delegates from other
branches brought greetings & reports from their home countries. The bro
representing Mozambique began his report with these words "news from
Home".
He of course then explained how Mozambique had been "home" for these
Malawian bros for many desperate years. More rapturous applause, after
which
the bro went on to say how the chimanga (maize) these bros had planted
back
then was long gone as were their make shift homes - but the seeds of truth
which our bros so zelaously sowed under dire circumstances were
flourishing
- this same week a Kingdom Hall was being dedicated in the very village
where our brothers had lived & preached - a magnificent monument to their
love for the truth & desire to share it with others no matter what. On
hearing this news there was a wave of nodding heads, & more thunderous
applause.The programme went way over time but no one cared, though as the sun
started
to set we did wonder how we would sing the final song - but there was no
need to fear, as planned the final song was to be sung in typical Malawian
style, unaccompanied by music, so as we struggled along with our torches
the
Malawian brothers lifted the roof off - no song book needed - they knew
every word from the days when there was only one to share round everyone.
One could not help but think of Jehovah & his spirit family looking down
on
that spot on the globe right at that moment. On this little band of
incredibly faithful servants, who had been the focus of attention for so
many years as had Job & our bros in Nazi Germany - what a reply to the one
who taunts.The following day all bros in Malawi were invited to a second programme in
a
local stadium, the attendance was announced as over 17,000, though it
looked
much more as the stadium filled holds 30,000 & we not only filled it but
they were sitting on the grass pitch as well. Greetings came from all over
the world, & wonderful talks from the two guest speakers (Bro Sebastian
Johnson from Congo & Bro Guy Pierce of the Governing Body) served to
encourage all in attendance. The finale was another Malawi style song -
words fail to convey the atmosphere, sights & sounds of those few minutes,
but they are etched in our hearts, & we felt incredibly undeserving to be
there.As the bros left the stadium some of them with 10 hour journeys ahead of
them, crammed into open back trucks & heaving minibuses, they were full of
joy. We watched as they chugged out, waving dedication programmes aloft &
singing at the top of their voices beautiful, sweet tones to Jehovahs
praise. -
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Current JW Urban Legend about Dateline
by bboyneko inapparantly it has been circulating that barabara anderson was wearing a cross in her interview :) (not true).
any others been going around?
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proandcon
Local elder here in Mass said " Barbara probably broke into the office without authorization"...and people actually believe him !
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new massachusetts law
by troucul inanyone have any opinions on what effect the new massachusetts law will have on dubba's?
(priests have 30 days to report any sexual abuse-or they will face criminal charges).
if you ask me, i foresee the borg's defense as:'we don't have priests, therefore the law does not apply to us'(by altering their terminology they can create loopholes).
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proandcon
very good question...also, if I were an elder I would be particularly concerned for the potential personal liability I may very well incur because of the lack of full support from the WTS and the ineptness of fellow elders...this will prove to be very interesting...be real interesting to see if the WTS write a letter to the local Mass congregations...
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The Elders are coming!!!
by lv4fer inelder concerned called me last night.
we talked about a few of my concerns and why i haven't been to meetings/service in the last few months.
he has set up an appointment with my husband and i for next monday.
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proandcon
lv4fer...I would suggest you don't rush into anything or do anything rash...as you know, there are some onerous ramifications with getting DF or in DAing yourself...why do it?, unless you've fully thought it out and do so on your time schedule...suggest you delay their visit for any number of reasons (sick, tired, depressed, working, travelling, etc)...in a short time, they'll tire of trying to meet with you and leave you alone...then you have the option of fading if you like...don't let them limit your options...they'll not persist and soon forget about you...happens all the time, all over, with "Jah's loving shepards"
been there...done that..
best to you...
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The Watchtower's Achilles Heel
by metatron inrecent events strongly suggest that the watchtower has a. severe, if not fatal, weakness.. lack of education - and intelligent management.. over the past several years, the governing body has emphasized.
a program of 'simplification' - a plain response to the demands.
of an international organization that lacks enough money and.
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proandcon
Interesting post...in 1995 I was serving as an elder in a congregation near WT Farms...at the time the WT article on "Education with a Purpose" was released, I had a conversation with a bethel farm "heavy" (since deceased - and an absolutely great, caring and loving man) who told me why the society had written the article. He had had a conversation with Mr Hentschel (Fred F was still alive)about this very matter. He said the society (even then in 1995)was having a very difficult time attracting qualified help to run the ever more sophisticated equipment. As a matter of fact, the WTS basically felt that with the state of most high schools, the education and knowledge level of the newbies was very deficient. Basic skills were missing in many instances. So, they decided to open the doors to higher education - "with a purpose". (ie get a college education locally with the goal of pioneering or maintaining the pioneer spirit).
It was so bad at bethel at that time, that brothers who were teachers in the local schools would come in to WT farms and teach basic math and reading skills to those many in need. It was real bad at the entry level for sure. This still may be ongoing...although they have greatly reduced the number of new workers of late. Money is definitely an issue. So also is streamlining and better efficiency. (Despite what the visitors saw, the farm was quite inefficient in its processes and procedures. There was the "right way; the wrong way and the bethel way" - as the bethelites would say! They shut farm #2 around 1996 (cattle)and later stopped growing much food. Local temporary workers were sent packing. They built a large refrigerated storage facility. They found it was cheaper to buy food on the wholesale market to feed the thousands 5000 at the farm, Brooklyn and Patterson. Further changes will come inevitably. the fixed expenses are huge...the full time qualified resources dwindling. I believe they think they are just downsizing in time for the end. Question is: What end? -
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2002 District Convention Schedule
by proandcon in1050 song 151 and announcements.
205 song 92.
205 song 158.
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proandcon
Start you planning ...if you haven't already...looks like tons of new material wil be covered inunique and interesting ways (LOL)...would be interesting to see some here develop sample outlines to the individual topics...
____________________________
2002-2003 ZEALOUS KINGDOM PROCLAIMERS
District Convention of Jehovah's WitnessesFriday
Imitate The Zeal of Our Lord, Jesus - Joel 2:17
Morning
930 Music
940 Song 193 and Prayer
950 Rejoice In Coming Together as Kingdom Proclaimers
1020 Hearing from Fellow Kingdom Proclaimers
1050 Song 151 and Announcements
1100 Take Exquisite Delight in Jehovah Himself
1120 Show Yourselves Thankful
1150 Keynote Address: Kingdom Proclaimers Fired with Zeal
1220 Song 31 and IntermissionAfternoon
200 Music
205 Song 92
210 Be Fearless in Knowing That Jehovah is With Us
230 Symposium: Micah's Prophecy Strengthens Us to Walk
in Jehovah's Name
Jehovah's Servants Have True Hope
We Will Walk in Jehovah's Name Forever!
What Does Jehovah Expect of Us?
330 Song 80 and Announcements
340 Maintain Chastity by Safeguarding Your Heart
400 Guard Against Deception
425 Worship the Only True God
455 Song 6 and Closing PrayerSaturday
Be Zealous For What Is Good - 1Pe3:13
Morning
930 Music
940 Song 133 and Prayer
950 Examining the Scripts Daily Builds Zeal
1000 Symposium: Kingdom Proclaimers Who Glorify Their Ministry
Handle the Word of God Aright
Help Others to Accept the Kingdom Message
Focus on Starting Bible Studies
1100 Song 161 and Announcements
1110 Why "Pray Incessantly"
1130 Spiritual Conversation Builds Up
1150 How Dedication and Baptism Lead to Salvation
1220 Song 55 and IntermissionAfternoon
200 Music
205 Song 158
210 Be Modest, and Keep Your Eye Simple
240 Trust Jehovah Completely in Times of Distress
310 Song 47 and Announcements
320 Symposium: The Quality of Our Faith Tested by Various Trials
Suffering Persecution for the Sake of Righteousness
Meeting the Issue of Neutrality
Faithfully Enduring Trials Brings Praise to Jehovah
420 Draw Close to Jehovah
450 Song 97 and Closing PrayerSunday
A People Zealous For Fine Works-Tit 2:14
Morning
990 Music
940 Song 30 and Prayer
950 Examining the Scriptures Daily Promotes Fine Works
1000 Is Your Confidence in Jehovah?
1040 Youths-Build for the Future with Jehovah's Organization
1100 Song 183 and Announcements
1110 DRAMA: Stand Firm in Troubled Times
1140 Be Like Jeremiah-Fearlessly Proclaim the Word of God
1200 Song 70 and IntermissionAfternoon
130 Music
140 Song 129 and Prayer
150 Public Discourse: "The Scene of This World Is Changing"
235 Song 181 and Announcements
240 Summary of the Watchtower
310 Abound in Fine Works as Zealous Kingdom Proclaimers
355 Song 96 and Closing Prayer -
4
You never know
by proandcon inhow many of these experiences have you heard over the years?
jw's always seem to think it can only happen to them as the 'chosen ones"...interesting...what's your take?.
experience from a circuit assembly in ft. worth texas:.
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proandcon
How many of these experiences have you heard over the years? JW's always seem to think it can only happen to them as the 'chosen ones"...interesting...what's your take?
_________
Experience from a circuit assembly in Ft. Worth Texas:
This brother interviewed 4 people. An older sister and 3 brothers. He asked
the sister if she'd had joy in service (pioneer 21 yrs). She said
> > >yes, although there had been some sadness.
Her oldest son left home without accepting the truth but the rest of the
> > >kids came into the truth. So he asked her what was a joyful
experience? She said she was calling on this woman and met the woman's
husband
> > >and started a study with him. Then pointing to the brother next to her
this is him, Brother ______".
He's now an elder and pioneer. Now he gets asked a little background info
then asked if he had found joy. Yes he said I studied with (pointing to
> > >brother next in line) Brother_____.
So the next brother tells his story. He was a Catholic but his boss brother
before) started pioneering and needed bible studies, so he
> > >thought he would help him out and be a bible study. Of course he came
> into the truth too. So he was asked if he'd found joy in ministry. Yes,
(and
> > >pointing to last brother) I studied with Brother _____ and he came into
the truth. So the next brother is interviewed. He had been trying to tell a
> workmate that there was no hell fire (knew from some family in the truth)
but didn't know how to show the man from the bible and decided he needed to
> > >study the bible. Shortly after the brother called on him and started a
study with him and he came into the truth.
Then the speaker/interviewer goes back to the first sister and asked her
> > >even though she'd had some sadness did any of these brothers bring her
a
> > >particular joy? "Yes, (and she starts walking toward the last brother
> > >interviewed). This is my son that almost got away." And they are
crying by the time she gets to him and he hugged her. Needless to say there
wasn't a dry eye in the building. Even the speaker got choked up. It was so
heartwarming. To think her son came into the truth from a bible study she
started and on down the line he was contacted. You just never know -
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The sick mind of the JW
by JT inyou got to love these folks.
james.
>>interesting remarks at morning worship from tom & esther chin:.
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proandcon
I'm a JW who regularly pioneers in the WTC plaza area...on 9/11 I was tired from being out late the on the night of 9/10 with my worldly friends; so I slept in on 9/11...thanks to Jehovah - my life was spared...How come my story wasn't in the WT article about JW's and the WTC tragedy? What a joke !!!
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WTS...news from Publishing Committee re need for m
by proandcon insent: thursday, december 13, 2001 10:09 am.
interesting letter from the wts publishing committee recently.
funds for kh expansion and perhaps other activities now seem to be harder to come by.. .
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proandcon
Sent: Thursday, December 13, 2001 10:09 AM
Interesting letter from the WTS Publishing Committee recently. Funds for KH expansion and perhaps other activities now seem to be harder to come by.
A report from the Publishing Committee on making the best use of
contributed funds.
Five years ago because of construction in the United States and throughout
the world on K. H. and A. H. and branches the needs were greater than the
available funds putting quite a strain on the resources.
The design build committee limited any building projects to only those
absolutely necessary. This resulted in saving millions of dollars just the
first year.
The operations committee with the help of a new integrated computer system
was able to make some significant changes. Formerly there were 6 purchasing
departments, 13 receiving departments and 262 inventory
locations at Brooklyn, Patterson and Wallkill. Now there is 1 purchasing
department, and just 7 service centers handling the receiving and
inventories. The inventory has been drastically reduced and millions of
dollars have been
saved.
New energy efficient boilers located in the Towers residential building are
now also supplying all the heat and hot water for not that building only but
also the other main buildings on Columbia Heights.
An integrated financial reporting system has enabled them to consolidate
funds. These have been used for K.Hs, Branches, etc in other countries
such as Eastern Europe, Asia, Africa and some of the Pacific Islands.
Places that do not have the necessary materials, resources, funds or
experience to engage in such projects
on their own.
Since November 1999 a new program was instituted for
building some 2000 K.H.s in the above areas. Local
volunteers who were able to work full time on such
projects are being provided with food and lodging. By
the end of this past service year 1,750 K. H.s have been
completed. In Rwanda for instance 90 K.H. were built
for less than $9,000 each in the 2001 service year.
Tanzania built 177 K.H. for less than $10,000 each. And
Malawi saw 195 K.H. for $6,000 each. By the end of August 2002 they expect
to complete a total of 350 K.H.
in that one country alone.
Donations unfortunately have not kept pace, but have
decreased even prior to September 11. Now we see
severe economic conditions resulting in even less funds
available for expansion.
The Bethel family of 20,000+ worldwide is being urged to
help conserve resources. As an illustration if each of the
20,000 Bethelites turned off a 100-watt bulb for one hour
each day, at the end of the year there would be a savings
of $25,000.
Well, we live in exciting times and we will have to wait on
Jehovah as to what the future holds for all of us and up
here at Bethel as well.*********************************
Wonder if Jehovah can make a loan to help out?
Why are they worried about "what the future will hold"..I thought they knew the future with no doubt?
ProandCon