Srecko Sostar

7 hours ago, TrueTomHarley said:

amazing accomplishment of those eight

 they had hard time while defending "The Truth" of JW church. They must be very worried about expenses of the trip/voyage) and Court and if they fail to free Russian WT org/corp.

I had also some expenses while before Military Court in 1980 in Belgrade (ex Yugoslavia) because of "neutrality" issue. They gave me lawyer (attorney ex officio) but i stand by my self in fact. In those time first man of Yugoslavia Bethel  (in Belgrade) told me to not tell that i refuse military service because i am JW, but because my "bible trained conscience", ---that switch on little lamp inside me, but hey, who am I to question things??:))))))

All at all to make long story short, I get 3 years prison time, and have to pay all expenses from my pocket. Not from WT black days funds ahahahaa.        

1 hour ago, Rosalie Barry said:

 

The Bible says the wages sin pays is death therefore if a person dies they have paid the price

 

If you or anyone else insist on this bible verse from OT as doctrinal explanation on human and sin, then we have very big problem.

Is/are Death of imperfect human really pays price for sin OR Jesus blood and death pays price for sins of every human????????

If your or mine death in car accident pays all my sinful state of body and mind and heart,  if that pays all sins of mine, then what is the purpose  of Jesus  death?? if not to take all sins from humans and pays price before God???   

Story (and many similar) about Isa and Aunti and all that what this story want to tell to reader (given conclusion, message) is not according to Jesus teaching  and grace!! 

44 minutes ago, TrueTomHarley said:

...slammed for doing the right thing...

No, they (WT)  been disciplined from Court because they done/doing wrong and even bad things to own members.

47 minutes ago, TrueTomHarley said:

It's no concern of yours as the pastor.

Sorry, but this is error constantation. We all know very well what is expected of single member and what is prime obligation for every single elders in cong.

For members is to report every bad conduct they witnessed (life experience are various and some members are stick to that (bible) rule with more or less enthusiasm and with some personal perception on procedure, steps how to do that, when to obey all rules or choose to pick some of them in practical situation. So, officially, it is of concern for every JW member.    

For elders it is required to "shepherd" aka protect, discipline, counsel or disfellowship everyone who are not inside rules.

About records and informations about paedophile inside elders bodies and various congregations. That is problematic field (for organization) because their handling on issue have too much "holes", failures, purposely hiding informations. Have in mind that in fact all instructions was orchestrated from Legal Department and  Official Desk (Service Committee) in Bethel. By that in some situations elders are "puppet on the stream", but that is their choice and i not need to have "niceness" for their errors, wrong decisions and sometimes stupidity when they "obey" unrighteous and wrong instructions from GB.    

In several Courts subjects, WT are disobeyed Court decision to give, produce documents for case. Is that what honest and truthful and righteous elders would do?? From top elders of GB to lower elders in congregations??  In my world there is no Fear Obligation Guilt to openly say about things how they really are in the WT that was part of own or other people experience and insight.

17 hours ago, Anna said:

View the 2017 Child Safeguarding policy

Sorry, but must reacted to first nonsense i saw on page 2.

They wrote: "This Policy is in harmony with the long- standing and widely published religious principles of JW, ...

What "long standing and widely published religious principles"???If those NEW policy are long standing???? why change old Policy??? to New one that is long standing and widely known???

What "Widely published"?? Policy and Elders book are not widely published for JW members and non JW public. So, it is known only to elders and to few one if some informations was leaked to outside.  

sorry Anna but i am upset with first few sentences of Policy, what expect me if i continue to read all 73 pages :)))))))

16 hours ago, Anna said:

...off topic...

Hi Anna. If i may be let to say, again, video picture made that first impression on my mind, so that was the reason  for put such comment in post. Apologize for made people upset :). 

If things about elders and victims are in progress of change, ok. If that change is for better, very good. If this will be really for victims benefit, excellent.  

But i would like to say this too. It is very shameful that progress in this, child molestation issue, was began to happen because "Worldly Court" initiative, investigations, judging. Those people who was involved in whole process of ARC or somewhere else, are people of this "satan" world (atheist or belonging to false religion, or to some other philosophy that not take JHVH in consideration when speaking about life), so it is very devastating that "only true religion" with its leaders aka GB or FDS are not been taught and guided by Holy Spirit, JHVH or Jesus in this very important thing. Are GB do not received proper food in proper time from Master???

Or They,  GB, Disobeyed their Leader Jesus instructions??? and He put WTJWorg in hands of "Egypt, Babylon and Medo Persia"  to give them a lesson?? Just my imagination and interpretation. But hey, history gave examples that support my idea :))).

16 hours ago, Anna said:

(however sisters will never be able to take part in a JC committee because of its “official” nature).

I do not know your reason why you to put word "official" in apostrophe. Does that mean for you how sister's role are nature inside JWorg, or you wish change and think that such "Official nature" is not nature in fact??

Let me give one biblical example on Women's "role and nature" in time of Judges. Debora was Judge for all sons of Israel. And her words have to been obeyed. And no one characters, like G. Jackson, or A. Morris or any other GB member or "Helper" or elder  have no right to tell opposite and put woman on lower level. Yes, women are made on god's image and have all qualifications to participate in all life matters. Not only investigations but judging also!!!

If somebody thing different, he/she have that right to think and act according to his perception. But for me NO! Woman and man are equal besides their differences.   

*the starting picture of the video - causes transmitted meaning, allegory

Some day in the future Judicial Committees in JW congregations will be consist of male and female members. Sisters role for "peace and security aka safety"  for the children that have been molested, from JW members inside families or congregation or anyone else, will be of crucial, important meaning. Children, female children particularly, perhaps would found to feel more comfortable to answer on intimate questions in front of compassionate woman then before man. Not ask me why? You can imagine why? (JC elders asking very inappropriate questions, interrogation to children (and adults too) about sexual experience and what and how all that have happened) causing more trauma because elders have  not proper education (in every way) to deal with such sensitive issue.

quote under the picture of Dragan Covic: "We appreciate the decisive role of women in all process (of investigation and judging)

message from UN poster: "Together for Peace. Respect, Safety@Dignity For All (victims of injustice that was caused by man) 

6 hours ago, James Thomas Rook Jr. said:

paying attention to details, and missing many

:))) universal, unbeatable truth/conclusion .  ohhh how many we missed .... 

2 hours ago, Anna said:

being serious

All sorts of hedge funds, money and stock funds. Trust entities. Building, buying and selling real estates. That all produce money for spending.

Money from members, from kid who "sold chicken" and gave half money to society or from kid who change her mind and not going to "ice-cream after Sunday morning KH meeting" :((((.

Choose whatever source. All come to Money Department where managers and bookkeeping stuff take orders from "above" and share and spend somebody else's money.

Nothing is free in "Spiritual Paradise", not even a free of charge magazine. You pay all that. With money, with emotions, with intellect, with freedom, with soul, with psyche, with free labour. With life. 

5 hours ago, Gone Fishing said:

Are there any suggestions as to what it actually is? 

 "Generation"

You can go to Index or Concordance of Bible words. Search word "generation" or synonyms of the same word. Than put all that together on paper with hand writings, like in good old days :)))), or using Words and Excel , and after few months will be able to derive some sort of conclusion and interpretation.

But will be of not special help. Why? Because, first you need to answer on question, Why you want to know What Word Generation means?? What particular meaning you want to give to this word, and what is your expectations about meaning?

When in fact we use that expression in everyday vocabulary without any special confusion, doubts  about  the meaning  :)))))   

6 hours ago, Anna said:

I was wondering what do legal fees, such as lawsuits, fall under?

Anna you have answer before eyes :))))

6 hours ago, Anna said:

DISASTER RELIEF

6 hours ago, Anna said:

 

How many generations?

 

 we have 2in1, 3in1(as picture show), 4in1 .... 

Hi! All of you who are or have been member of JW church for longer period are  very well aware of fact that every explanation on "the generation" issue through long decades that passed, was been "logic" and supported with "logical reasoning", "reasonable explanation", and in some of them, as in this last one, WT GB told people that "Jesus referred", "Jesus was thought". So by such sort of claiming in using Jesus authority, as GB often doing using JHVH name too, when want to strengthen, to boost, to support own idea,  ordinary, uninspired, imperfect and error human, earthly ideas and theories from WT "bible scholars" - nothing good can come from that. Only another seduction and deception.        

1 hour ago, James Thomas Rook Jr. said:

Anybody remember how long Joseph, Mary, and Jesus had to hide out in Egypt ... before THEY could come back?

This question is strong nail in WT coffin.  

9 hours ago, John Houston said:

...why this one word is of such import?...

Hi! Perhaps somebody can do that better than me. But character of entity define their tax status, and by that obligation or free of paying taxes for money that circulate inside company (and millions circulate in WT) .

Second thing is in a  contents of activity of particular charity society. All kind of work for helping people is good. Needs of people are various in different circumstances. But one of first help you can provide to poor or hungry or thirsty or injured or naked person is to satisfy his/her need. Point in helping is need of person, not our thinking, our goal what that person Must receive and take from us to make us feel satisfy and happy and self-assurance how we made good deeds and/or our thinking that what we offer is the best for them. 

If you have no "interest", then you will give people what they need without expecting from them  to take magazines or bible study or to become JW member.

Last year i was in town with one bro who want to meet with me on coffee despite the fact i was dissociated my self. One man collecting money for sick kids on the street. I gave him few kuna (Croatian money) and bro give him tractate pointing on web JWorg. How funny!     

12 hours ago, James Thomas Rook Jr. said:

...once a year.

thanks for photos. i have seen them before 2 years and video too. Yeah, if you must sin against god, do not  do that more then once a year :))

On 9/22/2017 at 21:33, Gone Fishing said:

"...representatives of the 14 religious communities recognized in Austria in a joint dialogue on social cohesion in Austria..."

Imagine how many meetings and joint dialogue have done (and still doing) through decades by WT representatives (elders) with "beast" and "Babylon the Great" out of rank and file members eyes who are "untitled" to hear "privilege informations".

But ok, members would not understand the reasons and subjects for conversations??!!  :)))) On other side, greater sin for average JW member is to paint walls in a church than for WT elder who sit (and drink or eat) on the same table with "satan servants". Hehe, hypocrisy? or just demagogy and practical move in modern time.   

nice real estate, but where is the Chilean flag

Once a man tastes well-being and wealth, he does not want to lose it.

He will do everything to keep status and position.

And he will do that In the name of .... in the name of anything and everything.

On 9/22/2017 at 04:39, Anna said:

You have very unrealistic perceptions. This is not the 1st Century.

Dear Anna. Than what is the purpose of Great title, calling (2015 Convention) like this: "Imitate Jesus"??

But you said well, this is not 1st Century :)) 

14 hours ago, Bible Speaks said:

...they had received "superior education"... because it comes from our Creator."

Do you really believe in that?

I can believe that they believe in that :)))

23 hours ago, Nicole said:

...served the longest time in Korea for conscientious objection, seven years...

conscientious objection is by Merriam-Webster Dictionary = "governed by or conforming to the dictates of conscience."

And as JW members usually say, "bible-trained conscience". Here we can talk about two sort of "conscience". One is Original conscience, God giving, "natural". And other one is "trained". Trained by what, by whom? By doctrines, instructions, fear, society, family, group....

Regarding to the theme of post, this JW brother and as many similar to him who refuse to go to army, military service. I believe how in his explanation in front secular authorities about reasons for such act, for sure he mentioned that he refuse it because his "bible-trained conscience". But, reason that is more stronger than conscience lay in subconscious part of mind. And that is true, prime reason for JW members in general. Fear of God, fear of WT organization and fear that he will be rejected from JW society if go to military service.  

In fact JW elders trained brothers who are confronted with this issue to tell how reason for refuse serving army is not their belonging to JW organization, but bible-trained conscience. But as we all know very well that is half-true, not all true. Because will he, Jeong and others refuse military service if they would not belonged to JW church?  Would they refuse to serve if they did not belonged to JW? Why elders giving such instruction? Because of fear of persecution and sanction to legal entities aka WT society in same country. 

JW members are not the only one who refuse military service. There is others who do that same also for reason of "conscience" and religious belonging.

Other issue is problems that GB caused to many brothers by instructions on  what civil service instead of military is accepted and what is not.

On 9/16/2017 at 13:28, James Thomas Rook Jr. said:

Melody's Interview at 2017 "Don't Give Up" Regional Convention

"Train up a child in the way he should go, and when he is old he will not depart from it." Proverbs 22:6

But some of us do not follow this "good example" and have not confirmed this rule ....thanks god! Or should we blame parents because they have not trained us enough? hehe

 

9 hours ago, Bible Speaks said:

The Pagan Catholic Sect, gets into Politics in Spain

The Bishops, hundreds of priests and some "Christian" entities ask the central government to respect the self-government of catalonia and to allow the vote

https://politica.elpais.com/politica/2017/09/22/actualidad/1506110851_740141.html

if I'm freely commenting, I think that link between religion and politics has existed since ancient times and it is not strange or forbidden. If you are reading Bible reports, like events related to Saul, David, and the priests and prophets, you will see that even then there were links and interests between spiritual and secular. There were spiritual leaders of the people and political leaders of the people. (priests and kings) They sometimes worked harmoniously and sometimes were on opposite sides.
Priests and prophets had the authority to set up a king, but the people could have set the king too, more precisely to say, the elders of the people. That is very clear from 2. Samuel 5:3.
The duty and obligation of the prophet, the priest is to care for the interests of the people, to be their shepherd. A similar role exists for the king. Therefore, it is not possible to completely separate religion from politics. If some bible verses can be interpreted how god forbid or condemn  relationship, bonds between church and state  other bible reports gave us other view on the same issue.  
After all, does not the Book of Revelation describe the rulers of the heavenly kingdom with two opposing titles in one - kings and priests?

On 1/9/2017 at 02:05, Jay Witness said:

I was going through some research I had done a few years ago and came across something that referenced ROJW Healthcare Support and a note to myself to take a look at ROJW when I had the time. So I did a search for ROJW (an acronym for Religious Order of Jehovah's Witnesses).

The search turned up some interesting bits of information.

According to Dun & Bradstreet, ROJW was founded in 2011:

Since 2011, Rojw has been providing Nonclassifiable Establishments from Wallkill.

For a list of persons who have worked for ROJW:

https://bizstanding.com/p/rojw-24645954

Some of the people listed above have worked for ROJW since 1999 (the year that the Religious Order of Jehovah's Witnesses was established)

Several of the positions that are listed are professional and it appears, according to this website, that these are paid positions:

The average Base Salary for rojw is $89K per year, ranging from $74.5K to $104K.

It appears as though there are several paid positions within the ROJW. This is not unusual for a non-profit. It is entirely acceptable to pay people who work for non-profits. Not everyone who works for the WTS is a volunteer.

But, if you are a volunteer for ROJW, there are resources available for training through linkedin:

https://www.linkedin.com/title/volunteer-at-rojw

Note the courses available:

Social Media for Non-Profits

Public Speaking Fundamentals

How to Rock Social Media

Information Literacy

Grant Writing for Education

etc...

 

ROJW also has a clinical lab registered:

https://www.wadsworth.org/regulatory/clep/limited-service-labs/p523-0000

I found a fellow that works for ROJW Health Care Support who is a Referral Champion:

Referral Champions are members who have referred 10 or more colleagues to QuantiaMD. The more colleagues you refer, the more you earn.

If you love QuantiaMD and tell a fellow clinician, you can become a Referral Champion too, and earn Q-Points for doing so

This guy's photo is about a third down the page linked above:

Edward Thomas, RN-BC, OCN

Coordinator, Health Care Support, ROJW

Another ROJW enterprise is this one:

ROJW Interior Designers & Decorators

http://www.houzz.com/pro/hector-diaz87/rojw

I am not sure what the deal is with the above business, but Brother Hector sports a nice little blue lapel pin and a big smile.

- OrphanCrow

I thought i recognized the guy on the Houzz website.

He's a singer in the choir on the JW tv music videos.

He is in most of the JW choir videos.

Here again is his pic from Houzz its definitely him.

 

ROJW was officially formed in 2000, paperwork was probably prepared and started to go through the NY Secretary of State office in 1999. Prior to this, bethelietes and other special full time servants still took a vow of poverty and obedience just under a different Corporation. In 2000 there was setup 7 US corporations to handle matters in the US.

WTBTSPA- it is the parent corporation and publishes the material.

WTBTS-NY- they oversee operations such as printing the material.

CCJW- they are the corporation's that service department has control over, elders and co duties fall under this

Worldwide Order of Special Full-time Servants of Jehovah's Witnesses- is the corporation that oversees bethelietes and COs, construction volunteers and US BIFS. They oversee the actual person not the work.

Kingdom Support Services- oversaw the work at bethel, RBCs, transportation of literature and a few other stuff.

WTBTS-FL- they owned a orange grove at one time, but I think they got rid of it because ur became cheaper just to buy oranges.

WTBT-NJ- I am not sure what they do, I just know it exists. I believe all it does now is handle Stanley theater.

There is a corporation that handles the cemetery at wallkhill, but I forget it's name.

Recently there was added a new corporation to handle the US LDC operation

- Richard Oliver

Order, priests, clergy-laity distinction, classes, rank and file, all that is reality, something that was strange as i was been member.

But Jay, if i may tell, you missed one very important word in connection with central corporation and all sister companies, congregations and similar entities - "charity" is that word. And this word have interesting meanings,  legal aspects, privileges and obligations on Holder of that Title. :))

On 8/12/2017 at 19:28, UcyImd1 said:

We were told communication  with family  members was fine. Just not on spiritual matters

WT JWorg try hard to explain how, what, in which circumstances, who, why, why yes, why not .... all at all making rules on rules. But as James correctly said, you dear Ucylmd have to update information on that subject. :)) because it is not simple for JW member to be in line with instructions that can be changed very fast. Just part of text from JWorg official site;

 "We cannot here cover every situation that may arise, but let us focus on two basic ones....In some instances, the disfellowshipped family member may still be living in the same home as part of the immediate household. Since his being disfellowshipped does not sever the family ties, normal day-to-day family activities and dealings may continue. Yet, by his course, the individual has chosen to break the spiritual bond between him and his believing family. So loyal family members can no longer have spiritual fellowship with him..... In other cases, the disfellowshipped relative may be living outside the immediate family circle and home. Although there might be a need for limited contact on some rare occasion to care for a necessary family matter, any such contact should be kept to a minimum."

I have JW family out of my home/house. Last year, i meet my mother accidently (for first time after my living JWorg) on street and said, Hello Mum , she turn serious face/head and passed. My three brothers in blood and their families  also cut contacts (silence). But in fact i have no need for their society, no sorrow, no sad because of this. If it is "normal" to applause in congregation, convention to Melody role model, then it is quite normal to me also to not feel any regret and to applause myself for my courage to stand firm for my perception of the truth.