David Normand

Sad but true. Most people have scars or something from life that they are dealing with. Some cope better than others. Sometimes we simply don't know what to say. Well, that is something all of us can work on while we are practicing our presentation for Saturday also practice our presentation for Sunday when somebody is in need of a friendly smile and kind word. 

Well, to be honest the Watchtower Bible and Tract society and attendant corporations are pretty large as well. Granted, most of the wealth is in real estate and is regularly used as opposed to the Roman Catholic Church where they too have large real estate holding as well as art, stocks, bonds, etc. The real question is not how much wealth religious corporations have, but how it is used. Is it used to honour God (Jehovah) or is is used to sustain a lavish lifestyle for the leaders of the organization. 

I fondly recall when my family went to a circuit assembly many years ago and were staying in a hotel that one was a bit worn out. The Circuit Oversee met us one morning as we were leaving for the meeting. He was staying in the same hotel. I commented to him about it and stated that I though he would have been in better accommodations and his rejoinder was that what is good enough for the friends was good enough for him. He exemplified somebody who was not trying to get rich off doing God's work as some seem to be.

Why would you even post this? It says plainly to all Bodies of Elders. Granted, there is nothing here that is controversial. Just instructions for contributions to the annual meeting. Slight change from last time. It is like you are just trying to stir up controversy where none exist? Reminded of one of the things that Jehovah hates mentioned at Proverbs 6:19  . . .  And anyone sowing contentions among brothers.
 

This sort of case could have been brought by anybody. Interesting that it took a Jehovah's Witnesses to make a case for that. One would have thought that there would have been other religious minded folks who wanted to take some time off on Sunday to worship. 

We can expect more like this as this system heats up with political fervor. Government likes freedom of expression as long as those expressions support the government or favorite religion. 

This was filed in Canada and organization has 20 day s to respond. Just have to wait and see how things play out in court. If the law says the Elders or other leaders in the organization should report suspected cases of child abuse then they should have reported it. In any case, the parents of underage abuse victims and if the victims are adults themselves really should have gone to the authorities. They never needed permission to report crimes to the authorities. 

I too would have fired him. He was without authority to divulge such information to anybody as he had no right to the information in the first place. 

On 9/22/2017 at 4:12 PM, Alzasior Lutor said:

"One particular concern is the Church's policy of dismissing an allegation if it fails its two-witness policy, which states two people need to have seen the abuse for the Church to proceed with a full investigation. "

If two différents peoples are visctimes, they are two-witness.

 

This is true. In fact the guidebook for elders even states that if two people witness the save type of event, but at different times that that satisfies the two witness rule. However, all of this is operating within the confines of the congregation. There is nothing that prevents the victim or their parents from going to the authorities even if the elders do not act. 

I don't see what the big deal is. All it appears to be saying is that if you don't have a special identity card you cannot be in a responsible position with minors. I would think this would be a welcome relief a before the brothers did not run any sort of a legal background check on appointments. It was basically on the honour system. Since some people act in a less than honourable fashion then this would take the burden off the brothers to worry about this aspect of any appointment. I can see where they might see this as intruding on what they view is a sole ecclesiastical matter, but this is the point where society has come to since organizations really don't seem to be able to police themselves the government is doing what the majority of citizens want and expect government to do to protect children. 

Regardless of the religions affiliation this is a very tragic situation. Mental illness can affect anybody and indeed affects everybody involved with the principal individual. Until God's Kingdom rids the world of such things we are left to cope the best we can in this world controlled by Satan and his minions. Sometimes the loving care and counseling from the elders in the congregation can assist and sometimes professional assistance may be needed and even prescribed medication in some instances. Sometimes all that is needed is a listening ear. Other times perhaps a pertinent article from the Watchtower organization may assist. But what ever, Jehovah has not left us in the lurch, so to speak, but has made provisions for us. 

Does this apply only to Jehovah's Witnesses or are other groups also having to go through this process? Makes sense that it would apply to all adults who are in a position of trust that would allow them the opportunity to abuse that trust. 

Expect no less from the world in Satan's control. This is the world that he wants us to have and live in and that world which people have for the most part chosen. Only God's Kingdom can correct all of these deficiencies and in addition bring about an end to sickness and death. Though our prayers will not hasten the great day, it will let our Heavenly Father know that there are some on earth who yearn for an end to Satan's rule and the restoration of the world as he wants it. 

Not sure if this would satisfy the courts that the Russian Orthodox Church is an extremist organization, but in the mind of many this would help solidify the impression that the ROC is not only part of the world, but specifically part of the arms industry. 

Sweden of all places. Usually so low key there it is rare to hear about them in the news like this. I wonder if what religion the man belongs to will come out in the investigation?

Well, in America it generally means a minor conflict of some sort. Hubbub is another good word choice. I could have also used imbroglio. Point is, there is no context to the altercation. But, the brother should have kept his cool. 

James, It cannot be a good thing. Sooner or later it will be abused and as an organization we will suffer. It will be used as a mean to shame and harass the friends. 

A number of brothers have been admonished not to wear apparel that has logos on it for theocratic activities. Kingdom Hall builds, group maintenance activities, etc. Would the JW.ORG logo be included in this as well?

Is JW.ORG becoming an idol? I have seen it on lapel pens. Tie tacks. Automobile decals and license plates. 

It would be interesting to know what the brouhaha was about. But any rate sometimes is is difficult to keep one's cool when dealing with offensive people. 

On 9/13/2017 at 4:43 PM, Witness said:

"Now when He was asked by the Pharisees when the kingdom of God would come, He answered them and said, “The kingdom of God does not come with observation;  nor will they say, ‘See here!’ or ‘See there!’ For indeed, the kingdom of God is within you.”  Luke 17:20-21

 

 

 

(Luke 17:20, 21) 20 On being asked by the Pharisees when the Kingdom of God was coming, he answered them: “The Kingdom of God is not coming with striking observableness; 21 nor will people say, ‘See here!’ or, ‘There!’ For look! the Kingdom of God is in your midst.”
 

There is a difference between within you and in your midst. The former has led to the belief that the Kingdom of God is a heart condition whereas the latter that Jesus being the King of that Kingdom as the foremost representative was in their midst. 

So, basically the government does not want to have an alternative service program in place. They are probably concerned that too many folks would take advantage of the program and that might undermine their national defense program. Of course, it seems unlikely that in the case of an invasion by North Korea the small number of people who actually take advantage of any alternative service program (hence not learning the business end of a rifle) would not be enough to really effect the outcome when you consider that North Korea has one of the worlds largest standing armies. 

Basically North Korea exist to serve two groups. 1. To provide support to the Kims and their dynasty and 2. The military whose sole purpose is to keep in power the Kims and their dynasty. 

Only Jehovah's government has the ability to end this situation to the benefit of everybody concerned. 

In hindsight everything is clear. The Kings mentioned in Daniel's prophecy are clear to us now. After Armageddon any who are blessed to live through it will certainly say, "Well now it makes sense", but up till that time even some of God's faithful servants may be unsure of what is happening. The key is to remain faithful and be there to see the manifestation of of all these things and how it all turns out. 

I suppose there is some facts missing in the translation,. It appears vacuum cleaner and drink cabinet are mentioned. Usually unwise to mix vacuum cleaner and liquids. Cannot tell if he was shocked or killed. Safety first always. 

Irma is heading toward Florida and then probably on to the Carolinas. More opportunities to practice loving kindness and showing that we are more than just talkers about the word, but doers as well. 

On 8/21/2017 at 4:40 PM, John Houston said:

RJ, Hi, the information given in the Organized book should have sufficed. I'm a pioneer, father of 5 at one time. Now think, your children are with you the majority or the time. The precept set out in Deut. 6:6-8, we could carry out 24/7, correct? How much time if we were "time mangers" could be amassed monthly? The Society keeps up with our ministry 'time' to gauge where in congregations, and circuit territories there is a need for help, why we keep such records. I could conflate my monthly hours of service just with my children, right? But teaching them, my children is a God-given command as a parent, something I should carry out as a spiritual guide of my household. So no matter how small or large my family, the Society will only allow to be counted on record the max you read about. The time and effort we put in we should desire to do as loving parents anyway. So record the max, and reap the max, the family serving Jehovah whole souled, that is the goal, correct?

Well said John. If you are feeding your family just because of the hours you can record and that is your goal, then that is the reward you will receive. If you are feeding them spiritually because you want them to inherit everlasting life and this is your goal, then that is the reward.