Posts by jonahstourguide

49

Some thoughts on the message of doom

by JeffT in

jw
friends

one of the recent threads on the talk about the hailstone message got me to thinking.

the problem with putting out a message like that is what to do when nothing happens.

i have to think that somebody will be asking that question.

jonahstourguide

I was thinking along similar lines when I heard of this "hailstone" message.

If suddenly the 'end' comes and they haven't 'officially' given the "hailstone" message they could always claim they have because, in my view, their message is "join us or you are carrion food"....

And yes JeffT, I agree regarding the 'mainstreaming' aspect. The International conventions for 2019 will have the singing and dancing and gift giving to international delegates as per the last one... all very mainstream.

jtg

p.s. and anyhow, if no man knows the hour, how are the fallible eight gonna know ??

18

Update after attending one day of a regional. au.

by jonahstourguide in

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.

jonahstourguide

@smiddy3,,,It is for a regional saturday. Sunday could draw a few more. The circuit one day assembly usually gets about 900 to1100.

And yes,,,pounding the pavement is a waste of time.

@NeedToKnow,,,either coffee or the "FLEECE' for a coupla coldies and watch the footy.

jtg

18

Update after attending one day of a regional. au.

by jonahstourguide in

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.

jonahstourguide

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

37

Why are they announcing 2019 conventions so early?

by Richard_I in

jw
friends

i was just told there will be international conventions in canada in 2019. .

so i looked at jw.org and i see that there's a whole bunch of conventions now listed on the site for 2019.. isn't this odd?

normally we were told the location of conventions during the first week of january.. did they realize there was less in attendance in the 2018 conventions, and want to give ppl more time to make travel arrangements??

jonahstourguide

@ smiddy3, at this time I understand Qld and WA are not. As time moves on I'll keep you posted.

Oh, apparently all the carry on of gift giving will be on the menu as will the 'party in the kh'

jtg.

p.s. As I heard, the same guy that organised the last one has got the guernsey again.

37

Why are they announcing 2019 conventions so early?

by Richard_I in

jw
friends

i was just told there will be international conventions in canada in 2019. .

so i looked at jw.org and i see that there's a whole bunch of conventions now listed on the site for 2019.. isn't this odd?

normally we were told the location of conventions during the first week of january.. did they realize there was less in attendance in the 2018 conventions, and want to give ppl more time to make travel arrangements??

jonahstourguide

Interestingly, here in Australia, not all states are invited to the 'international' convention at Etihad stadium soon to be re-named, due to sponsorship deals, Marvel Stadium ( Melbourne Victoria). Only 50,000 are expected compared to the last one when 70,000 attended from all over Oz. There will be no seating on the stadium playing field this year hence the ability to only cater for 50,000. States not invited to the Melbourne convention will hold regional conventions at various venues in their states.

jtg

30

Little Gems From the November 2018 Study Watchtower

by The Fall Guy in

quickly glanced through it and noticed these bits of "food at the proper time.

i'll leave the lap-dancing comment on page 25, par.

12 and the "how to give us more money" item on pages 28,29,30,31,32 for others to pick up on... page 16, par.

jonahstourguide

Lap dancing !? ?!

Ha ha. Are Bethel boys going to strip joints??

The only places here in Melbourne Australia you get a lap dance is in a strip club. Or have I missed something.

What dribble,drivel.

jtg

68

Cart work faces headwinds.

by lastmanstanding in

my little bethel bird has whispered in my ear some encouraging news.

it has been reported to the canadian branch that some witnesses doing cart work had police stop them from carting in public parks.

the direction sent to the southern ontario congregations is to cease carting until further notice.. this is no joke.. have a jw-free day..

jonahstourguide

There have been similar situations here in Melbourne Australia. Local councils and transport centres,i.e.Rail and Bus stations have refused permission for carts on the properties they control unless permission is officially sought and appropriate insurances are in place. So far the witnesses in some areas have not sought that and are standing around without carts just holding up mags etc etc.

jitg

19

Leaked video- Watchtower's Preaching Initiative SIFT

by Newly Enlightened in

watchtower's leaked video.... watchtower's preaching initiative sift.

jonahstourguide

Or the elder is pissed off the others didn't like his suggestions and so he put it out there.

It did look a little like a home rehearsal to me. No coughing, no interjections ( which would be the norm at eldubs meetings) and the background doesn't resemble any areas of the Niddrie hall as i recall it.

I'm still trying to track down if any of this was implemented. Although I will say,,,, something like this would travel quickly through the jw rumour mill.

I do lean toward Stucks idea. Perhaps that's why he moved from another cong to this one !?

jtg

29

Are YOU Shunned By JW Family or Friends?

by minimus in

jw
friends

some who are not disfellowshipped are still shunned i also know there’ are disfellowshipped ones that family still associate with..

jonahstourguide

Well, for my part,,,,,, My family didn't shun me which led to my return after 38 years. Now that I have fully researched the religion with the aid of this site jwfacts and my own efforts and experienced the hypocrasy,,,,,, I wish they had shunned me.

Different story I realise but thats how I view it now. So, its pimo for now till I go fully pomo.

jtg

19

Leaked video- Watchtower's Preaching Initiative SIFT

by Newly Enlightened in

watchtower's leaked video.... watchtower's preaching initiative sift.

jonahstourguide

Stuck and sir82 have it correct.

The presenter is an married uber elder regular pioneer who moved into the Niddrie cong some time ago.

Some friends recognised his voice.

So far there is no evidence that this proposal to the elder body saw the light of day....

The guy is renowned for being 'up himself' ,,,, full of his own importance

jtg

Edit to add,,,,, on the western side of melbourne, morning door knocking during the week yields around 6% of doors answered.... no one is home or they refuse to answer when they see the field circus arrive.