Richard_I

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Posts by Richard_I

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  17

  Canada Zone Visit - April 2013

  by Richard_I in

  1. jw
  2. friends

  just got word of a zone visit for canada in april 2013, think it was april 8 to 14. sounds like its just 2 members of the u.s. branch comittee, no gb.

  however, they plan on showing a talk on april 13/14 to all congregations in canada, not just a select few as has always been the case.. it'll be the same old stuff, but maybe this is why they the watchtower is purchasing all those projectors, like that "confidential" document mentions?

  to broadcast things like this in all congregations?.

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  Richard_I

  @TheOldHippie: I honestly couldn't concentrate, ADD and stuff. The first talk was basically about how wealthy Abraham was and something about Nabal, basically I guess it was "make sure you donate to the organization". The second one was just a typical "imitate Jesus" talk. prologos seemed to get the same out of it, there really wasn't anything special about the visit, it was a long 3 hours. Plus I had to work afterwards so I was thinking about that too.

  Also I just remembered Thomas mentioned almost all schools will also be held in Canada now, so Canadians don't have to travel to the States anymore for the School for Single Brothers, School for CO's and their Wives, etc. Previously most of these schools were only in the U.S. I think now the only one still only in the states is Gilead.
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  1

  What is a zone visit like from the inside?

  by hoser in

  1. jw
  2. friends

  while i was sitting through the zone talks yesterday, i couldn't help but think what it would be like to be at bethel when the company reps come around.

  it must be a stressful time for everyone at the branch to be scrutinized by headquarters..

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  Richard_I

  I was never around for one, but I recall reading antoher thread about how our buddy Teddy Jaracz went to visit a Bethel, presumably as part of a zone visit, and asked every single volunteer what they do. Shortly after he left, many of the people he talked to were let go. So i assume it must be a nervous/apprehensive atmosphere especially for the purchasing and service departments.

  I assume its still the same, get rid of the excess baggage and lower costs, exactly like when a CEO inspects a branch. Because think, why else would the U.S. send a rep to a branch other than to cut costs? Also probably to grill the branch committee over how the progress in that country is slowing down.
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  17

  Canada Zone Visit - April 2013

  by Richard_I in

  1. jw
  2. friends

  just got word of a zone visit for canada in april 2013, think it was april 8 to 14. sounds like its just 2 members of the u.s. branch comittee, no gb.

  however, they plan on showing a talk on april 13/14 to all congregations in canada, not just a select few as has always been the case.. it'll be the same old stuff, but maybe this is why they the watchtower is purchasing all those projectors, like that "confidential" document mentions?

  to broadcast things like this in all congregations?.

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  Richard_I

  This just happened this morning. Brother Ramseyer (forget his first name and how to spell his last name, he's on the branch committee) was the chairman, coordinator of the branch committee Ken Little gave opening prayer, member of branch committee Walter Trubeyk (forget how to spell his last name) gave the summary of the Watchtower, then Clive Thomas (printery overseer) gave "highlights" of whats being done in Canada. Specifically, Thomas mentioned the "Manhattan project" is being expanded in Canada under a more formal name, he said it but I forget what it was. Anyway it will be in major cities across Canada and will feature that box with the shelves holding a bunch of Bible Teach books. Also, Canada's active publisher peaked in March at over 115,000 and there are over 11,000 pioneers, (they've been setting peaks every few months recently) while memorial attendance was almost exactly the same as last year (haha). Canada branch is also printning books and brochures again alongside the mags, so they made the announcment they need more single brothers to waste their lives at bethel.

  Then Daniel Molchan, a helper to the GB, gave a talk which I completely forget was about. After him Daniel Molchan of the US Branch Committee gave a talk on Jesus and stuff. Both were pretty tame talks, there wasn't any "post-secondary education is the devil!!!" or extreme statements like that (guess you need to the GB to do that). Also one of the guys wives works in purchasing while the other is on the computer department.

  Anyway it was a long, boring 3 hours to sit thru. And i already forgot most of it.
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  11

  What Is Security Like At The Bethel Compound ?

  by frankiespeakin in

  1. watchtower
  2. beliefs

  just currious, when i was there you could sneak in but now security is a lot tighter..

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  Richard_I

  The American bethels all have ID cards with chips in them that can open doors. Here's what mine looked like (the blurred text is just the addresses for Wallkill, Paterson, and Brookyln), it displays your picture and your name. The card works at all three sites and is also used to access the locked parking lots nearby Brooklyn Bethel. You have to turn it in to the Home Office when you leave as well, that's just a pic I took of it when I had it.

  @Anony Mous: I was thinking of this the other day, but I am pretty sure its impossible. When you enter the lobby, a tour guide/front desk person has to unlock the doors to enter the facility. There's no way an outsider can enter without a card. Its the same way in the Canada Bethel, the front desk people push a button to unlock the doors to enter the facility. There's a slim chance you could get in through the doors by the residences in Wallkill if you walk in with someone else, but its way too risky IMO.

  There were a few cameras in Wallkill, and I think there are some around Canada Bethel. And yes they do have guard dogs, at least I know Canada Bethel has 1 or 2 now, think they were both German Shepherds. Also, security often has a truck or two (or more now) driving around the property. Some guys get called in to do a "walkabout" during nights where they have to walk around the facility during the night, it was pretty boring from what I hear and I remember one guy saying he got in trouble because he stayed in the printery too long during his walkabout (you have to carry a radio/walkie talkie with you too).
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  11

  Who is the Zone Overseer that is coming to Canada in a few weeks.

  by Quarterback in

  1. jw
  2. friends

  time to get in the zone, in canada.

  what will the new zone overseer tell us canadians?.

  last year we had anthony morris.

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  Richard_I

  Harold Corkern and Daniel Molchan, never heard of them before.

  
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  2

  Why Did Jesus Address His Apostles As A Little Flock? Addition

  by wannabe in

  1. watchtower
  2. beliefs

  [revelation 5:9,10;20:4].

  " [ephesians 2:19-22] so, from that we see, that it was only the twelve apostles that jesus referred to as a little flock, as it says about other members of the heavenly calling; ''you are fellow citizens of the holy ones and members of the household of god' 'you too have been built upon the foundation of the apostles, and prophets... together into a place for god to inhabit by spirit.

  ' [ephesians 2:19-22. this is why paul could say the following, about the heavenly calling: "what!

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  Richard_I

  
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  11

  Who is the Zone Overseer that is coming to Canada in a few weeks.

  by Quarterback in

  1. jw
  2. friends

  time to get in the zone, in canada.

  what will the new zone overseer tell us canadians?.

  last year we had anthony morris.

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  Richard_I

  It's two guys, forget their names, not part of the gb. I'll know sunday.

  p.s. ALL of canada is listening in/watching this zone visit, this has never happened before, normally only select congregations would be "invited" to watch a stream or listen to the talk by phone. happens the 13 & 14... or was it just the 13th? i forget.

  ill be going, unfortunately. dont expect anything new but instead the old "don't go to school, pioneer and work as a janitor or window washer for the rest of your life!"
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  22

  Canada Yearbook Stats [1973-2012]

  by Richard_I in

  1. jw
  2. friends

  after seeing the uk yearbook stats thread i decided to compile canada's yearbook stats.

  i was able to get the stats from 1973 to 2012. so here they are in a table below along with some colourful graphs.

  note that the avg.

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  Richard_I

  After seeing the UK yearbook stats thread I decided to compile Canada's yearbook stats. I was able to get the stats from 1973 to 2012. So here they are in a table below along with some colourful graphs. Note that the Avg. Aux. Pio. figure was included in the Avg. Pio. Pubs. figure until 2005.

  Year	Pop.	Peak Pubs.	Ratio, 1 Pub. to	Avg. Pubs.	% Inc. Over Prev.	Baptized	Avg. Aux. Pio.	Avg. Pio. Pubs.	Congs.	Hours	Bible Studies	Mem. Attend.
  2012	33,476,688	114,792	292	112,710	1	1,940	6,526	10,667	1,373	22,335,732	50,538	187,704
  2011	34,017,000	113,989	298	111,970	1	1,897	7,596	10,330	1,358	22,211,362	48,863	192,006
  2010	34,018,957	113,603	299	111,193	1	2,111	4,138	9,885	1,354	21,273,057	46,841	187,982
  2009	33,592,686	112,705	298	110,467	1	1,947	4,702	9,520	1,345	21,155,159	44,790	186,581
  2008	33,223,840	112,092	296	109,086	0	2,232	4,826	8,791	1,330	20,272,620	42,107	184,692
  2007	32,852,849	111,963	293	108,974	1	2,548	4,984	8,128	1,328	20,181,628	39,445	184,446
  2006	32,470,078	110,298	294	107,618	0	1,982	4,068	7,655	1,325	19,060,967	40,220	184,401
  2005	32,115,270	109,604	293	107,534	0	2,028	3,453	7,436	1,318	18,412,405	38,579	181,810
  2004	31,793,904	110,221	288	108,012	0	2,210	–	11,320	1,325	18,849,112	40,157	187,649
  2003	31,530,092	111,781	282	108,409	0	2,255	–	11,149	1,332	18,735,663	39,207	187,418
  2002	31,230,836	110,810	282	108,217	1	2,144	–	10,909	1,340	18,759,871	36,147	183,676
  2001	30,919,839	110,818	279	107,217	0	2,030	–	10,922	1,343	18,544,473	32,672	184,846
  2000	30,576,316	111,173	275	107,742	-1	2,316	–	11,594	1,362	18,979,385	33,129	185,389
  1999	30,452,144	111,032	274	108,437	-1	2,467	–	10,666	1,384	18,694,308	31,821	182,327
  1998	30,457,701	113,136	269	109,664	0	2,986	–	10,062	1,383	19,834,685	31,595	184,787
  1997	30,104,319	113,763	265	109,880	0	3,671	–	10,571	1,388	20,270,252	35,757	187,940
  1996	29,826,262	114,727	261	110,235	1	4,025	–	10,048	1,379	20,541,189	43,737	185,702
  1995	29,380,000	112,960	260	109,168	2	4,249	–	11,043	1,366	21,841,381	47,460	190,697
  1994	29,034,700	110,659	262	106,664	1	3,877	–	10,844	1,351	21,120,198	50,225	188,293
  1993	27,269,062	109,303	249	105,201	2	4,226	–	11,123	1,336	21,048,402	51,505	187,666
  1992	27,306,500	106,052	257	103,412	2	4,320	–	11,229	1,312	21,084,086	51,658	187,089
  1991	26,964,700	105,064	257	100,991	3	4,408	–	11,133	1,292	20,497,168	50,272	181,632
  1990	26,584,000	101,713	261	97,752	4	5,062	–	11,111	1,270	19,856,674	47,997	179,102
  1989	26,164,000	97,808	268	94,176	4	4,792	–	10,174	1,249	18,654,017	46,910	173,006
  1988	25,330,000	94,605	268	90,846	4	5,008	–	9,371	1,238	17,648,541	45,647	169,921
  1987	25,309,300	90,080	281	87,459	4	4,329	–	9,135	1,210	16,790,200	44,729	168,303
  1986	25,123,600	88,130	285	84,343	5	4,431	–	8,881	1,189	16,175,023	42,875	161,820
  1985	25,295,200	84,241	300	80,614	5	4,085	–	7,522	1,165	14,524,600	40,037	157,236
  1984	24,994,200	80,939	309	76,866	5	4,407	–	6,398	1,153	12,983,116	37,198	154,213
  1983	24,716,200	77,003	321	73,139	7	3,670	–	5,395	1,131	11,831,289	35,093	148,625
  1982	23,848,300	73,812	323	68,410	4	3,678	–	4,334	1,104	10,319,955	30,743	139,733
  1981	23,405,100	67,328	348	64,803	3	2,785	–	3,675	1,063	9,389,569	27,754	133,145
  1980	23,142,800	66,395	349	62,938	3	2,753	–	3,564	1,044	9,200,903	26,810	128,506
  1979	23,002,900	63,995	359	61,281	1	2,733	–	3,477	1,041	8,882,885	25,438	125,293
  1978	23,388,100	61,836	378	60,540	-1	2,501	–	3,076	1,035	8,523,719	24,839	120,060
  1977	22,660,000	63,090	359	60,940	1	2,307	–	3,156	1,033	8,819,565	25,016	120,958
  1976	22,487,000	62,880	358	60,573	4	3,662	–	2,825	1,011	9,297,068	24,649	120,533
  1975	22,093,000	60,759	364	58,380	4	5,110	–	3,380	979	9,743,193	25,260	114,744
  1974	21,647,000	58,452	370	56,108	11	6,612	–	3,904	919	10,582,927	26,571	110,847
  1973	21,302,000	52,773	404	50,650	3	6,305	–	2,882	863	8,766,958	24,733	104,707

  

  

  

  

  

  

  
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  119

  How many of you followed the WTS direction on education years ago and have been screwed by it?

  by Julia Orwell in

  1. jw
  2. friends

  i'm really interested in this question because i've heard for years that if you forgo further education and go pioneering, when you have a family down the track you will get a good job because jehovah will provide for you because you pioneered.

  as long as i was a kool-aid drinker, even then, i thought, "how does pioneering pay your bills?

  surely education should come first.

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  Richard_I

  I'm almost 23 and I just started college recently, from 18 to 22 I was pioneering/bethel and I severely regret it. In fact, I was thinking of this very topic today at work (which is, surprise! janitorial work). What does the WTS really expect pioneers to support themselves by? Without a community college/university background, you're stuck with cleaning, construction, or McDonald's/Wal-mart type jobs. What if you don't want those jobs or don't like cleaning/construction? And in the case of construction, its only seasonal work you'll have, so you need to find anther job in the off-season or live on what you made during the summer.

  What if you don't want to be making minimum wage for the rest of your life? Is this what they expect, or do the GB figure because "they are putting Jehovah first" they'll be making $20+/hour cleaning toilets? It just doesn't make sense. They only way you can get a good job without an education is through networking, which is highly unlikely with witnesses.

  Anyway, I severely regret slacking off in my last year of high school and really wish I went to college right after graduation rather than wasting four years of my life pioneering. I am sick of cleaning and doing construction, I want an office job doing something I enjoy. Yep, people won't talk to me/won't talk to me as much anymore now that I am going to post-secondary schooling while they are stucking cleaning toilets/construction work in their 40's+, but I'm not wasting my life doing that shitty work.
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  Watchtower IPs and Wikipedia

  by Richard_I in

  1. jw
  2. friends

  i had some free time and decided to look up some of the watchtower's ip addresses on wikipedia, see if maybe someone from bethel is editing jw articles or blood-related articles, similar to how scientology ip addresses kept editing scientology-related articles.

  the only ip addresses i could find that belong to the watchtower are in the 208.74.140.0 to 208.74.143.255 range.. well, nothing really showed.

  the edits are likely by some young guys who just felt like fixing stuff on wikipedia related to their interests, and none of the edits were related to jws.

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  Richard_I

  I had some free time and decided to look up some of the Watchtower's IP addresses on wikipedia, see if maybe someone from Bethel is editing JW articles or blood-related articles, similar to how Scientology IP addresses kept editing Scientology-related articles. The only IP addresses I could find that belong to the Watchtower are in the 208.74.140.0 to 208.74.143.255 range.

  Well, nothing really showed. The edits are likely by some young guys who just felt like fixing stuff on Wikipedia related to their interests, and none of the edits were related to JWs. However, one did play around on a blood-related article, some editing Ruthorford's article, and another labelled some sports player "gay" and some edited articles related to The Hobbit and comic books (gasp! imagine if the GB found out???)

  Anyway here they are:

  208.74.140.36

  208.74.140.124
  208.74.140.221
  208.74.141.96
  208.74.141.98
  208.74.141.112
  208.74.141.113
  208.74.141.140
  208.74.141.141
  208.74.141.244
  208.74.142.36
  208.74.142.38
  208.74.142.197

  208.74.142.198

  208.74.142.221

  208.74.142.222

  Also, anyone know other Watchtower IPs? I dunno if these are only the U.S.-based IPs or if they're global bethel IPs, either.

  Also, circuitleasing.com's domain servers are in the Watchtower IP range.