Spiral

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Posts by Spiral

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  81

  How Long Before They Introduce Tithing?

  by pale.emperor in

  1. watchtower
  2. beliefs

  when i was a full-on believing jw i had an obsessive fascination with mormonism.

  i read, studied and watched their propaganda with strange interest as well as their apostate mormon books.

  i have to say, they have a good scam going claiming that "the lord reintroduced tithing" in the modern age.

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  Spiral

  Pale, the sad thing is I think some of the poorer ones would do it too, just to get status and privileges.

  Sad.
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  62

  TO ALL BODIES OF ELDERS "Handling Cases of Drug Abuse" September 1, 2018

  by Not_Culty in

  1. watchtower
  2. beliefs

  https://jwglossary.blogspot.com/2018/09/to-all-bodies-of-elders-handling-cases.html.

  to all bodies of elders "handling cases of drug abuse".

  september 1, 2018. to all bodies of elders re: handling cases of drug abusedear brothers: as noted below, the procedure for handling the misuse of marijuana and the abuse of medi- cal, illicit, or addictive drugs has been adjusted to harmonize with the procedure for handling the misuse of tobacco.

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  Spiral

  They just can't stay out of anyone's business, can they? If you have cancer and use marijuana as a pain med (much better choice than the opioids the doctor could legally give you) you MIGHT not be considered "exemplary".

  Blech!
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  81

  How Long Before They Introduce Tithing?

  by pale.emperor in

  1. watchtower
  2. beliefs

  when i was a full-on believing jw i had an obsessive fascination with mormonism.

  i read, studied and watched their propaganda with strange interest as well as their apostate mormon books.

  i have to say, they have a good scam going claiming that "the lord reintroduced tithing" in the modern age.

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  Spiral

  Well, it's complicated, isn't it.

  For years the bOrg preached anonymous, voluntary giving (not a reality in some situations, but they always tried to paint it that way) ....... but now, having bitten off way more than they can chew financially (and before you add in all the legal costs) a way is needed to tithe. They have to do it, somehow.

  
  

  "Sir82: I don't know that they would do it for everyone, but I can easily imagine that it would become a requirement for being appointed as an elder, MS, or pioneer.

  I.e., only those who tithe get "special privileges".

  Sadly, I think this is where it is all heading. You can't get anything extra these days (cart duty, permission to go to the International Convention, work on the KH builds, etc.) unless you "qualify", so why not sell these privileges for a tidy profit? Take a page out of the pope's playbook --- wait --- If they could sell guaranteed entry into paradise THAT would really be a money maker.

  Otherwise, just going with straight tithing is problematical when all the JWs (here, at least) are poor AND rely on unreported cash income just to get by.
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  29

  Not viewed as a JW if not reported for 6 months?

  by kramer in

  1. watchtower
  2. beliefs

  hi, i seem to remember that the society have said that you are not viewed as a witness if you have not reported for 6 months.. does this ring any bells?

  someone i know has been called for a judicial, even though she has said she doesn’t believe and is not not attending meetings and hasn’t for 6 months.what she did was 12 months ago when she was a witness.. she is not sure whether she should turn up or not, as turning up shows she thinks she answers to elders still.

  but also doesn’t want to be automatically disfellowshipped which may happen if she doesn’t turn up.. if there is an article to quote saying someone inactive isn’t seen as a witness, this would be helpful.. any thoughts?.

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  Spiral

  TD: JW's are legally organized in the U.S. as a congregational church, which means your relationship is with your congregation and only with your congregation.

  Elders from a congregation you have not voluntarily affiliated yourself with do not have a legitimate claim to pastoral interest and/or ecclesiastical authority.

  Personally, I think she should just threaten them with an attorney. Hire one to write a nasty letter threatening to take action against the elders personally who are bringing this up; it would be worth the money. After six months she is officially inactive.

  BUT: What TD said previously (quoted above) ..... this might seem to be an unimportant point, but I think it's very significant. If all three elders asking the questions didn't know you from before, and/or you have moved, or congregations have changed, then the elders can't "counsel" and then DF you? And if you move, or move back after a period of time, and don't "re-affiliate" yourself with that congregation, there is no "bond" between you and them?

  That would help a lot of people out if the elders can't even claim "pastoral interest" (much less "ecclesiastical authority") about you. The individual elders might not even understand this, but I bet the bOrg legal department back in New York does.
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  14

  The "abused" becomes the "abuser"

  by stuckinarut2 in

  1. watchtower
  2. beliefs

  a thought occurred to me about the perpetuation of jw abusive culture.. (i do not mean sexual abuse - i am referring to emotional, or behavioural abuses).

  most jws are raised in the oppressive and abusive culture of jw life.

  they have been raised with low self esteem.

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  Spiral

  @stuckinarut, you are absolutely right.

  Hubby and I have been faded for a long time, but being able to sit at the sidelines the last few years and watching what goes on..... I am just amazed at this pattern that I also see.

  The idea of a godly, religious life has gotten intertwined with crazy abuse that goes from generation to generation. If you're not an abuser, you are complicit in the cover up (often while being a victim with low self-esteem) if you stay with the bOrg.

  As Vidiot mentioned, I believe this dysfunction has spread to all areas, including sexual abuse. And covering up is seen as normal.

  Another area I've seen recently - financial abuse. The JWs take advantage of each other all the time financially - poor business deals, bosses paying employees poorly, JWs not paying their bills, JWs not even helping parents (financially and otherwise) when they need help.

  This abuse has become a way of life. Easily justified by crazy religious thinking.
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  40

  DECEMBER 2018 WATCHTOWER STUDY ARTICLE...Many loyal Christians have remained with an unbelieving mate under very trying circumstances.

  by RULES & REGULATIONS in

  1. watchtower
  2. bible

  december 2018 study article :.

  honor “what god has yoked together”.

  17 admittedly, there have been instances where an “unbelieving husband” seems to prove that he is not “agreeable to staying with her.” he might be extremely physically abusive, even to the point that she feels that her health or life is in danger.

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  Spiral

  I can't believe they are still dishing out this sh*t (by way of the "apostle" Paul of course, a man known not to value women) and seeming to reference a woman putting up abuse by a man.

  I thought that was crazy when I was a teenager, and I now know that it is beyond crazy - it's criminal.

  Any person who stays with an abusive mate because they might convert is crazy. Any organization that requires such behaviour is criminal.
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  31

  Jehovah’s Witnesses Really Have No Power Over You Unless YOU Let It Happen!

  by minimus in

  1. jw
  2. friends

  should i go to a judicial committee and perhaps get disfellowshipped?

  should i talk to the elders just because they say they want to talk to me?

  should i simply disassociate myself and have nothing to do with the organization?.

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  Spiral

  This is really the essence of the whole situation. If more were able to embrace this idea, the iron fisted control would dissolve.
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  13

  FYI- Some KH Annoucements Aug 2018

  by stumbledbyothers in

  1. watchtower
  2. beliefs

  some of these kh letters may have been mentioned already:.

  starting sept - $14 per publisher toward taking care of the needs of the co in us.. love never fails 2019 regional conventions.. memorial april 19, 2019.. there will be jw contact cards with blank space to write notes..

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  Spiral

  Sir82: Even so, that's over $15 million / year in the US to pay for CO health expenses and medical reimbursements for accidents on KH property.

  
  

  To be given by so many people in the US who don't have health insurance, because they are in unskilled jobs or self employed and can't afford insurance. Unfair much?
  
  
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  18

  Update after attending one day of a regional. au.

  by jonahstourguide in

  1. jw
  2. experiences

  hi all.. personal experience.

  attended a regional convention in melbourne australia.. saturday attendance,, 1,500 approx.. baptism,, 11. about 8 born ins ,,, all 8 under 20yo and 5 under 17.. 3 of the 11 appeared to be over 20 and are not born ins.. sounds about .8% increase ,,, kind of.. the outstanding part of the day was the continual reference to ' are you, can you do more'.

  ha ha fear obligation guilt.. jtg.

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  Spiral

  THAT is just horrible! It displays true desperation on the part of the GB, but the sad thing is the adult parent drones will take this serious.

  Disgusting.
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  4

  Apostasy’s continued good run at the box office

  by steve2 in

  1. social
  2. entertainment

  daniel kokotajlo’s movie continues its good run at the uk box office.

  although the takings dropped in its second week, from 11 to 15, it has still brought in nearly £170, 000 - which is a fantastic result for a limited release independent film.

  the budget was £500,000.

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  Spiral

  Can't wait to see it!