Topics Started by TMS
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13
I Still Don't Get It
by TMS inposters on several recent threads have waxed eloquent about reforming, reorganizing, reinventing, mainstreaming jehovah's witnesses.. the comparative efficacy of internal or external pressure has been one of the subthemes.. as a former 50 year "true believer", this seems like such an exercize in futility.
if this is really an organization sponsored by the god of the universe, why dare steady the ark.
if not, why bother?.
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10
Is Hatred Really Just "Loving Less"?
by TMS inthe bible says the jacob hated leah, the gal he was tricked into marrying after seven years of hard work at minimum wage.
for many years watchtower publications have tried to take the sting out of jacob's disdain for wife #1 by saying that he really didn't hate leah, just "loved her less".. i think he hated her.. its not that hard to understand.
if a man works seven long years, each night going to sleep with visions of a certain bright-eyed girl and then gets stuck with her dull-eyed plain sister, resentment could build.
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7
Tale of a Black Congregation Part III
by TMS inthe contrast between the two genetic brothers who were elders was not unnoticed by the congregation.
one old sister told me: "i would trust ob with my life, but i wouldn't trust roy with my lawnmower.
" yet, roy was easily more likable, more approachable, although defensive.
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6
Selecting Judicial Committees
by TMS inseveral threads on this board have contained comments about elders with axes to grind "volunteering" to serve on judicial committees.. the society's intructions have always indicated that only the best qualified brothers should be used.
skill, years of service and familiarity with the type of problem at hand would be factors in the selection.. close friendship or indications of animosity might disqualify one if other qualified ones were available.. the elder body was entrusted to name the best trio of brothers for the particular situation.. .
in actual practice, it usually worked this way.
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17
Marrying "Only in the Lord"
by TMS inthe wt definition of "only in the lord" meaning only dedicated witnesses of jehovah in good standing greatly narrows the field of eligible mates.
this has brought about some unusual unions because of the circumstances, involving people who would ordinarily not meet, let alone marry, if it were not for a shared belief system.. what unusual couplings have you seen in your jw days?
how large was your personal field of possibilities and did it include some unusual options?
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29
Will You Make Room for Pioneering?
by TMS inregardless of scriptural implications, creating special categories of service such as colporteur, pioneer, special pioneer, etc.
was a brilliant move.. the prestige, status and few little perks associated with those committing to being full-time workers is miniscule compensation for their sacrifice of time, lifestyle, income and educational opportunities.. yes, the hour requirements have dropped on several occasions.
how many on the board know that the regular pioneer requirement was once 150 hours a month, then 1200 hours a year, than 1000, now 90-vacation/assembly time?.
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10
Who Are the Wicked?
by TMS inlyrics that float through my head at idle moments accompanied by my off-key singing:.
"they know such won't get life eternal.
but will like green grass fade and die".
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5
Creative Circumvention of DF Rules
by TMS inwhen an organization makes myriad rules regulating every aspect of living, fertile minds devise side-steps, technically non-violations.
as with the complicated u.s. tax code, "loopholes" are found.. two cases in point most can identify with:.
1. no need to sit, if already standing, for a national .
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7
"Sky Pilot"
by TMS insky pilot.....sky pilot .
youll never, never, never reach the sky .
sky pilot.....sky pilot .