We have a soccer team? Hm, I guess one learns something everyday.
LOL. Just kidding, but soccer in the US is about as popular as JWs coming to your door.
When I think of you Aussies, three things come to mind. One, those koala bears, two, Mad Max and three Paul Hogan. Just kidding. Actually, if you ask most American down under is almost always on the top of the list of places that we'd like to visit.
roybatty
JoinedPosts by roybatty
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roybatty
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Will they turn on religions soon?
by Seeker ini was talking with a jw a few days ago, and he said that current events (natch) convinced him more than ever that soon the nations will turn on religion, and the great tribulation will begin.
he said that the current hatred felt toward islamic extremists, plus columnists pointing out christian extremists (i.e.
abortion clinic bombers) are also dangerous, mean that soon the tide will turn and all religion will be viewed as bad.. i responded that although extremists are hated, i've been amazed at how carefully the governments have differentiated between extremists and muslims in general.
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roybatty
I agree with your observations. Extremists (as well as cults) are being condemned but religion as a whole is being held in high regard. I’m not sure if this is true in Europe but here in the States it is, especially after the September 11th attack. Even before that, the majority of my friends and co-workers either attend church regularly or wish stated that they need to. I think what has pasted is the “my-religion-is-better-then-your-religion” attitude. And many religious leaders know this. People today want tolerance and religions are serving this need. Personally I think it’s because of the large influx of non-Christian people here in the States. Added to this is people leaving “traditional” Christian churches and going to non-denominational ones. Anyway, all of this has led to the governments to cater to this block of voters. Heck, look at what President Bush is promoting. He wants churches who have non-profit programs that help the public to receive government funds. There was some grumbling about it but just the fact that he publicly supported this idea shows you how today’s federal government views religion.
One side note. A few years ago the local JW congregation built a new Hall next to an existing church. The church was a small one and the KH looked somewhat impressive next to it. Of course there was all kinds of fan-fare about the “quick build” blah..blah..blah. Anyway, over the last two or three years the KH has seen a steady decline while this little ol’ non-denominational church has seen an explosion in attendance. And just this year the church built an addition but it might as well have been a whole new church because it is at least four time larger then what they had before. Just cracks me up when I recall all the talks on how this new KH is an indication of Jehovah’s blessing. I wonder what the rank and file think each time they pull into the KH parking lot and see this enormous church next door. Oh, and top it off, they also used volunteers to built their church. LOL.
Yup, the WT loves to point out the decline of “false religion.” It must make them so mad when they see these other churches and religions doing much better then themselves.
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The LATEST JW Worldwide report on line
by bj inyou can check the worldwide 2001 report at:.
http://observer.org/apps/pbcs.dll/article?site=wo&date=20011119&category=jwandsociety3&artno=111200001.
joe
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roybatty
Too bad they don't break down the annual reports by ethnic groups. Here in the USA, the only congregations that I ever saw growing were the Spanish speaking ones. I wonder what the numbers would be like if they weren't included. And how much longer before before they begin to wise-up.
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1st time post
by Infrared inhello all, first time post, long time observer.
i have been free from the wtbts for a couple of years now, and am excited to meet some new people who have been there and done that like i have.
the big bad "world" dosent seem so bad anymore.
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roybatty
Welcome to the board and the real life.
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Is There A KO Punch?
by ISP inyou know the situation...a fighter can be in the ascendency...well ahead...have his opponent on the ropes.
but can he put his opponent away?
does he have the ko punch?
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roybatty
When I left the JWs two years ago, I believed that they’d always be around. Maybe little or no growth but always around. However my view is starting to change. While I don’t think that there is a KO punch (expect maybe for another GB to leave and let some REALLY damaging info out) I do believe that the Internet is the Achilles heel of the Society. Just look at the UN scandal. Definitely not a KO punch but without the Internet this information wouldn’t have been discovered let alone become known by so many people. Everyone knows that there are hundreds, if not thousands of lurkers here reading this information. I’m sure that the UN scandal didn’t “knock” them out of the “truth” but I’m sure it knocked the wind out of them.
Over the next five to ten years there is going to be a big backlash against the boys in Crooklyn. Today’s young JWs are growing up with the Internet and have accessed sites like this one. While many won’t leave, most won’t view the GB or whoever else is in charge with the kind of “aw” that JWs in the past did. Either the Society will “lighten up” on topics like b-days and blood transfusions or the flood gates will open and droves of JWs will leave. I’m hoping for the latter. -
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EUROPEAN JW VERSUS USA JW
by beroea ineuropean jw versus usa jw.
this board is very dominant by experience from us about the jw lives.
we are only a few from others parts of the world participate.
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roybatty
I agree with your comments about US JWs vs European JWs. I was born and raised in the US but my parents are from the Netherlands so I spent many summer vacations in western Europe. I was amazed at what the Dutch JWs were allowed to do. For example, seeing an "R" rated movie here in the States, such as Braveheart, was a big no-no. If one made it a habit, it would lead to removal of any priviledges. But it seemed that every JW I met in Holland had seen it. And you're also right about college. I took a LOT of grief for going whereas my Dutch JW friends all went and looked confused when I told them that I was getting a lot of nasty remarks from JWs back home.
European JWs have it easier I think because the Society saw a long time ago the numbers declining so they are given more elbow room in order to stop the bleeding. -
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Senior al Qaeda Official Killed
by dubla infor anyone following the events in afghanistan, a link to the most recent news >>> http://www.cnn.com/2001/us/11/16/gen.war.against.terror/index.html.
aa
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roybatty
I'm hoping that him and Judge Rutherford are roomies down in the basement.
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Old Kingdom Melodies
by muslima ineven after a bit of time has gone by - do lyrics to "kingdom melodies" still drift in anyone's head?.
it is over 6 years now -- yesterday and even still now - for whatever reason the song with the lyrics "the way of the truth is the best way of living" -- just that line kept going through my head!
it's driving me crazy!.
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roybatty
LOL! "from house to house, from door to door" and "we're Jehovah's Witnesses.." keeps popping into my head from time to time.
"..men make gods of wood and stone, but the true God they don't know.." Somebody help me!!!!!!!!!! lol
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Any Former Elders?
by ItsJustMe inwould any former elders like to share their experiences serving on judicial committees?
were your decisions subjective?
do you feel that the "system" works?
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roybatty
I was only an elder for 4 years so I didn't sit on a lot of committees but i had my share. I leaned more toward not df'ing people. Let's see, here are the ones I can recall..
Once was involved with df'ing a 16 year old for smoking. Jeez, makes me sick that I was involed with that.
A whole bunch of sex jc. Most of them were JWs who were not scriptually divored but who had done the horizontal dance with someone.Most of those weren't df'd.
And of course there were a few just wild sex ones. Mostly single sisters, going out and jumping in bed. Was torture sitting there listening to the older elders as detail questions "how many times, where at...blah.."
Does df'g work? I guess you have to ask, for what purpose. I think it's very cruel and was one reason why I stepped down and left. But it is a VERY effective weapon that the Society has for keeping the rank and file in line.
My advice to any JW, do not ever meet with a JC.
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Who here likes U2?
by ashitaka ini just went to a recent concert and they were really moving..they did an acoustic version of please, off of pop.
bono's voice was perfect.. i went to the philly november 2nd show.
ashi
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roybatty
U2 is the best. Period. Here in the States we're a little slow getting the good stuff so I didn't hear about them until the Boy album came out. Unbelieveble! I've seen them 3 or 4 times live. I never get sick of their music.
And whoever said that they jumped shark after the Joshua Tree album....PLEEEEEASEE!!! Achtung Baby is awesome...and their latest CD is great.