Posts by Roddy

21

this could make you laugh or be really angry !

by looloo in

i recently bumped into a jw i know that told me that her watch had been pinched at an assembly , she then went on to tell me that a lot of worldly people go to assemblys ,so she should have been more carfull !!!!!!!

this is someone that knows im "worldly" i was gobsmacked when i had recovered from my shock i informed her that i would not dream of stealing something despite being "worldly".

i dont even think she realised how offensive it sounded and she is not usually a judgemental person , so it must be all that self righteous association she has been mixing with lol

Roddy

i recently bumped into a jw i know that told me that her watch had been pinched at an assembly , she then went on to tell me that a lot of worldly people go to assemblys ,so she should have been more carfull !!!!!!! this is someone that knows im "worldly" i was gobsmacked when i had recovered from my shock i informed her that i would not dream of stealing something despite being "worldly". i dont even think she realised how offensive it sounded and she is not usually a judgemental person , so it must be all that self righteous association she has been mixing with lol

My mom was robbed by a JW's brat kid. The kid put on a baby face and cryingly denied doing it, saying she was mistaken. No witnesses in an assembly full of JWs, so they believed the brat. Now my mom doesn't bring anything she can't carry in her purse and she doesn't leave her purse unattended at a seat anymore. My consolation is that I'm sure the brat is stealing from his own parents and that his parents will pray the price eventually. Because what goes around comes around!

94

I think the noose just tightened a bit.

by 5go in

we had an interesting local needs.. first it clearly stated if you are not making all the meetings you will not make it in to the new system period no exceptions.

they twisted the story of the red sea to make an example.

saying you can not disobey once, or else you be left stuck in the bottom of the red sea.. from now on the elders will be making shepherding calls on those that are not attending regularly.. also, it was stated that if you know of any not attending regularly.

Roddy

From now on the elders will be making shepherding calls on those that are not attending regularly.
Also, it was stated that if you know of any not attending regularly. You are to report them to the book study overseer. So that they may receive a shepherding call.

That's going to backfire. And there goes all the talks and denials that the elders are not the policemen of the congregation. And everyone is now a potential informant to the elders. Now you can't really trust anyone.

Oh, yeah. I smell big backfire in the works. And a rise in the usual paranoia level.

Anyone remember when the elders had the unsavory job of being the "bedroom police" to every married couple in the congregation about two decades ago? What a fiasco that was!

(Sorry for the red font. I wanted to change a word but I ended up changing all my words and I can't restore it back. I still don't know the ins and outs of this forum software. LOL!)

5

Looking for a website monitor

by Roddy in

can anyone recommend a good website monitor program that will alert me when changes are made?

has to work on microsoft windows xp.

i think i too would like to watch and play "gotcha!

Roddy

Just letting you know that I am still looking into this for you. I am curious too to see if this is not only possible but legal as well.

Thanks, Bite me. I was away for a bit. If you find anything, let me know. Or thanks for trying! I see that a couple here have shared some websites I should check out.

Thanks in advance to all!

17

WT Sues 2005; Blames Puerto Rico's Controlled Access Law For Lack Of Growth

by Justitia Themis in

the watchtower brought suit in puerto rico claiming that the controlled access law is the reason their growth rate has stalled.

i lost some formating trying to get it to post, but here are some excerpts:.

watchtower bible and tract society of new york, et al., plaintiffs vs. roberto sanchez ramos, et al., defendants no.

Roddy

Interesting.
The WBTS fights for their first amendment rights of free speech in the preaching work but denies free speech to it's own adherents. That might be an arguement I may use sometime.
They would never alter their evangelizing say to help the community and thereby spreading a Christian method that way. Instead they insist a neighborhood conform to their "rights."

And they shouldn't complain if "apostates" should decide free speech to "preach" in their gated community in Patterson, NY.

What's fair is fair, right?

18

Pray silently?!? What the heck is this about?

by A-Team in

i was just reading memphisbelle's account, and she mentions that the wt says that one is suppose to pray silently so satan wouldn't be able to mess up god's plans.

um, correct me if i am wrong, since i have never been, or will never be a jw....but what the heck kind of logic is this?!?

(especially if you read what the bible says about prayer.

Roddy

Ok, this is the only related quote I could find. Nothing more specific...

*** w62 7/1 p. 415 Questions From Readers ***
? Can Satan and his demons read our minds?—M. C., United States.
There is nothing in the Scriptures to indicate that Satan and his demons can read our minds or thoughts. Rather, the implication of the Scriptures is that only God can read the mind of man: “Mere man sees what appears to the eyes; but as for Jehovah, he sees what the heart is.” Further we are told regarding God: “There is not a creation that is not manifest to his sight, but all things are naked and openly exposed to the eyes of him with whom we have an accounting.”—1 Sam. 16:7; Heb. 4:13.
However, most likely the demons can, because of higher intelligence and better powers of observation, note what is in the mind of man because of his actions and facial expressions. Thus when a man goes contrary to Matthew 5:28 it may be apparent on his face, and so one could tell what is in his mind even though being unable to read it. So they may take advantage of weaknesses that one makes evident and tempt him to sin.
This underscores the importance of right thinking and dependence upon Jehovah. When wrong thoughts enter the mind they should be rejected at once; they should not be entertained, opening the way to sin. (Jas. 1:14, 15) Rather, draw close to God through prayer and meditation on his Word, because in this will be found protection against wrong desires and against the temptations of the Devil and his demons.—Jas. 4:7, 8; Phil. 4:8, 9.

Great find, Inkling. This certainly explains a few JW superstitions.

Do you think the writer of this article had too much time on his hands when he was putting this article together?

18

Pray silently?!? What the heck is this about?

by A-Team in

i was just reading memphisbelle's account, and she mentions that the wt says that one is suppose to pray silently so satan wouldn't be able to mess up god's plans.

um, correct me if i am wrong, since i have never been, or will never be a jw....but what the heck kind of logic is this?!?

(especially if you read what the bible says about prayer.

Roddy

I was just reading MemphisBelle's account, and she mentions that the WT says that one is suppose to pray silently so Satan wouldn't be able to mess up God's plans. Um, correct me if I am wrong, since I have never been, or will never be a JW....but what the heck kind of logic is this?!? (especially if you read what the Bible says about prayer.)

I've heard about this too. I heard it from a brother - not from any publication or public meeting. The brother said that if you pray out loud about what's bothering you or what's in your heart or stuff like that you are allowing Satan and his demons to evesdrop on your most secret thoughts and feelings. And they could use that against you.

11

JWs still do Phone 'callin' - instead of door-knockin...

by Jim_TX in

i just got a phone call from my wife.

she said that the phone rang a few minutes ago (about 11am local time), and when she looked at the caller-id, it said 'jehovah's witnesses'... or somesuch.

so - she answered the phone.

Roddy

My take is that it's a messy day today, and they were at the local KH making phone calls - to get their 'time' in for the day.

I'll bet that right next to the KH telephone there is a "donation" box where the publisher puts in the "suggested" 30 cents for making each phone call. Most will make three calls, donate a dollar, and give the 10 cents change away for free.

(Used to be you did telephone witnessing from your own home. Shut-ins and handicapped that are in good standing still do it this way, I believe.)

Still pains me how they extract so much free labor and money from really good people who really don't know what's going on.

For example: How many of them don't know that all the money they contributed for the kingdom hall does not belong to their congregation? In every congregation all the elders of the kingdom hall have a secret meeting which transfers ownership of the land and building of the kingdom hall directly to the WTS without pre nor post congregation notice of what they have done!

When I heard and confirmed this "truth", I stopped contributing. I didn't consent to it and I figured the WTS can pay for their own mortgage and maintenence for this under-the-table action for a kingdom hall we were fooled to believe is ours but that is secretly their's paid with our money.

26

Reinstated 5 yrs ago

by Treebe in

i am just trying to understand what my choices are.

i have been reinstated for just over 5 yrs and still have not had my privileges back.

i am a single mom and have been to all the meeting that we can, doing our best outside of kids colds and flu's, not to mention car trouble, but i have always turned in my time each month and study reports, but still i can not answer.

Roddy

TMS said : One of my lowest points as an elder: I encouraged a young married sister to consider auxiliary pioneering. She looked at me quizzically. "You've never restored my privileges! I can't pioneer or even comment yet." I felt about an inch high. It was a terrible injustice. There is no real system in place to monitor the restoration of privileges for reinstated persons. It totally depends on the alertness of the elders and the aggressiveness of the one reinstated.
This is 100% spot on. Even when we were trying to be alert, things fell through the cracks. There are no forms, no formal review, no process to ensure that people don't languish in a state of despair over their privileges being restored. I saw what TMS describes many times during my service as an elder... and honestly, it wasn't malicious, there was just more process, procedures, and forms built around ensuring the KH was maintained properly than there was around making sure the people were cared for, especially those that were struggling to return post-discipline.

Yet they keep all sorts of paperwork both in the congregation's files and at the branch office or Bethel office of every detail of your judicial committee meetings and disfellowshipping. Permanent record too!

Forget for a copy of anything they write about you that's on file - just to check for accuracy. Such files "doesn't exist".

Rather sick when you think about it!

I think the only way to counter all the negative files they have against you is to sell your house, give all the money to the WTS, and enter missionary work to wherever country they send you.

Then maybe you can return to the congregation after five years, be invited to come up to the stage duing the Service Meeting, and share some of your personal field service experiences!

26

Reinstated 5 yrs ago

by Treebe in

i am just trying to understand what my choices are.

i have been reinstated for just over 5 yrs and still have not had my privileges back.

i am a single mom and have been to all the meeting that we can, doing our best outside of kids colds and flu's, not to mention car trouble, but i have always turned in my time each month and study reports, but still i can not answer.

Roddy

I am just trying to understand what my choices are. I have been reinstated for just over 5 yrs and still have not had my privileges back. I am a single mom and have been to all the meeting that we can, doing our best outside of kids colds and flu's, not to mention car trouble, but I have always turned in my time each month and study reports, but still I can not answer.

Maybe wherever you did was really "bad"? Do you know if you are being "punished" for bad reputation or something?

I find it inconsistant that for five years they will allow you to go door-to-door representing the congregation yet not allow you personal expression in the kingdom hall. I wonder if you are allowed personal expression at the book study? I wonder if shepherding calls were ever made to you in these five years? I wonder if anyone has encouraged you for your efforts as a single mom - a kind word, something for the gas for your car, help with the kids, invite you over for tea and a little adult conversation, little things like that? Do they reject your financial support too?

You have an unloving congregation.

I know this seems hard but you need to find another congregation or find another religion.

If the PO or CO has seen nothing "wrong" with the congregation's consideration of you for five years, it is not going to get fixed now just for you. Sadly, this is so unlike the illustration of Jesus' about the good shepherd who left behind 99 sheep to find the one lost sheep.

You got some prayerful thinking to do! May Jehovah give you insight.

2

SMOKING GUNS?

by BEROEAN in

i've visited this board often looking for hard evidence of a major story, but most of what's reported here is misdeamenor type stuff.

other reports are heresay or rumored.

does anyone have some real smoking gun facts?

Roddy

I've visited this board often looking for hard evidence of a major story, but most of what's reported here is misdeamenor type stuff. Other reports are heresay or rumored. Does anyone have some real smoking gun facts? For example, several people have alluded to the Gov. Body members being pedophiles. Can't someone hide a camera up their tookis during one of these orgies? Also, there's been reports of lavsih lifestyles and expensive suares. Can't someone take pictures of Gov. Body members having "all white" parties? Come on people! This section is called 'Scandals & Coverups'! I want mug shots, love children, and sex tapes!

Unless you want to entrap the person or you are conducting a sting operation, usually such things happen in the moment, by consent, or the victim was too powerless to do anything about it at the time.

The victim or witness has to come forward and the police has to do their crime scene invesitation and interrogation - and the police are quite good at it. They know how to get information from liars.

I've always maintaind, even when I was in the JWs, that the elders are totally unqualified to act as police. I think these kinds of matters should be given to the authorities immediately and let the authorities get to the bottom of it. Then let the elders deal with the spiritual rebuilding of the guilty and innocent parties, after, of course, professional services were consulted. (Yes, I've known too many elders that are complete idiots and made matters worse for the people they were supposed to help. The sad thing is that they refuse to admit to their damage and blame the person for not having a "good attitude".)

Oh well! We'll all get through this somehow!