SuzA

*** w02 6/15 pp. 30-31 Questions From Readers *** Questions From Readers ... Any future prospect for the dead is in the hands of Jehovah, and no one is in a position to say whether the deceased will be resurrected or not.

According to Gods word the Bible, through one man, Adam, sin entered into the world and death through sin,
and thus death spread to all men because they had all sinned Romans 5:12. Romans 6:23 also says For the wages
sin pays is death, but the gift God gives is everlasting life by Christ Jesus our Lord. Jesus died for all mankind, opening
up a chance of everlasting life here on earth, by means of a resurrection. I believe that Jehovah reads our hearts, he nows 
the pain people feel to end there life, it is a sin to take your own life, but Jehovah is the judge of all circumstances.

@Diakonos
I visited the Warwick property in the early summer, and I visited (and stayed at) the Patterson facilities two years ago. Warwick was still in a kind of torn up mess, and it was rainy/muddy, so it was hard to call it luxury at the time. Patterson, however, is gorgeous! I love the property, and I think it leaves a pretty good impression in the surrounding neighborhood. It both blends with and improves on the landscape. 
If all of it had been for the purpose of building up new buildings to live and work in "luxury" this might have been more questionable, but I think the point was to make a beautiful and comfortable environment for the working brothers and sisters, and also visitors and those who stay for training or temporary assignments. I believe that the basic idea is to create something that is practical but also gives "homage" to the goals of the earthly hope. It was rather incongruous to run a worldwide religious organization from an upscale urban neighborhood when that organization emphasizes the idealized pastoral setting as an eternal goal. A setting that emphasizes the beauties of Jehovah's earthly creation is more appropriate than factories in the shadow of the Manhattan skyline. (Although I think that can be beautiful in its own way, too, and I loved my 10th floor corner apartment in the Towers Hotel.)
So I have no complaint about the appearance of "luxury," as long as the costs were kept down as low as possible by volunteer labor and volunteer donations. Quality workmanship, quality design, and constant maintenance and cleaning sometimes gives the appearance of luxury when that isn't the real goal. Also, a lot of the cost and expenditures of these new buildings was based on the anticipated sell-off of prime Brooklyn real estate, and could have been, in effect, zero cost.
I can defend it in another way, too, where I see the Organization as a practical business that operates efficiently in the world through its ability to gain economies of scale in purchasing power, and gaining respectability from governments as a legal and business entity through its size and appearance and "clout." In the world, this kind of respect is gained through sheer size, expenditures, purchasing arrangements, lawyers, property, etc.
(Luke 16:8,9) And his master commended the steward, though unrighteous, because he acted with practical wisdom; for the sons of this system of things are wiser in a practical way toward their own generation than the sons of the light are . . . 9 “Also, I say to you: Make friends for yourselves by means of the unrighteous riches. . . ."
So, it's not that I think any of this building activity is "necessary" in a Christian sense (the stones could cry out) but it is sometimes "wiser in a practical way" to use unrighteous riches in ways that will not always get all of these funds out to the poor.
(Matthew 26:8-11) 8 On seeing this, the disciples became indignant and said: “Why this waste? 9 For this could have been sold for a great deal of money and given to the poor.” 10 Aware of this, Jesus said to them: “Why do you try to make trouble for the woman? She did a fine deed toward me. 11 For you always have the poor with you, but you will not always have me.
I'm not one of those people who confuses the Governing Body with Jesus himself, although I've met and conversed with some who apparently do make that mistake, and you might even meet one or two of them here on this forum. The reason I bring up the verse just quoted isn't to tie it to Matthew 25:40 (‘Truly I say to you, to the extent that you did it to one of the least of these my brothers, you did it to me.’) It's to point out that "voluntary" giving can go to whatever projects we "volunteer" to give it to. If we volunteer it to a building project during the time that we are aware of what's going on in Warwick, we know that's where it's going. Not even Ananias would have been judged for how he contributed his money, or how much he held back from contributing:
(Acts 5:4) 4 As long as it remained with you, did it not remain yours? And after it was sold, was it not in your control?. . .
Most who are giving at this time actually want to see it used for something "almost luxurious" or jewel-like in Warwick or at various other current Branch projects in the UK, etc.
Beyond these points just made however, I have also been disappointed that there have not been more opportunities for voluntary giving to specific areas where there is hardship that needs to be alleviated. There are places where Witnesses are undergoing extreme hardship, suffering, hunger, relocation, exile, etc., and I don't like to learn how bad it was a year later in the Yearbook. There are many things we can do locally with our funds and resources, or when we travel to "third world" lands and donate directly, but we also know that an international religious society could organize this more efficiently and find ways to directly provide what's needed to the right people. (The WTS often does this, too.) If too much is given for one relief project, then what's remaining can go to the next, and less is wasted. Rather than 1,000 haphazard donations which can be hit and miss and overlapping, each relief effort can be turned into a project that efficiently cares for everyone in need (and especially those related to us in the faith, so I don't think there is anything wrong with a focus on just JWs first, if the money came from JW donations).
(Galatians 6:10) 10 So, then, as long as we have the opportunity, let us work what is good toward all, but especially toward those related to us in the faith.
I agree with the sentiment that the primary "good works" that most early Christians were involved in referred to charitable works not spriitual work. It was fine and appropriate for a specific small group to be more concerned with "doctrine" than the work of "waiting on tables."
(Acts 6:2-4) 2 So the Twelve called the multitude of the disciples together and said: “It is not right for us to leave the word of God to distribute food to tables. 3 So, brothers, select for yourselves seven reputable men from among you, full of spirit and wisdom, that we may appoint them over this necessary matter; 4 but we will devote ourselves to prayer and to the ministry of the word.”
The work of the ministerial servants here was the physical distribution of charity, and therefore the reason we do not forsake meetings is so that we can all know where to participate in the needed "good works" of charity.
(Hebrews 10:24, 25) 24 And let us consider one another so as to incite to love and fine works, 25 not forsaking our meeting together, as some have the custom, but encouraging one another, and all the more so as you see the day drawing near.
Those taking the lead in the congregational context, the ones we "obey," are the ones who help us to prioritize and coordinate charitable relief efforts helping us to make the most of our "gifts" and our "ministry." We do better when we work together and encourage one another in this way. Our spirituality, our very religion, should be defined by love and fine works. Those "fine works" include ministering to the sick, the hungry, those who lack sufficient clothing. Naturally, not all the ministries are about charitable relief, but these are the most important ones for most of us:
(James 1:27) The form of worship that is clean and undefiled from the standpoint of our God and Father is this: to look after orphans and widows in their tribulation, and to keep oneself without spot from the world.
 

"Apparently" is a subjective term, and rightly so.
Actually, what Jehovah minds and what Jehovah allows are two very different things are they not?. Compare Rom.9:22.

Well........ this is a classic example of why Jehovah has seen to it that real "spiritual food at the proper time" is provided only by "the faithful and discreet slave" in these last days. Matt 24:45.

Oh I see, so you are one of these vigilante brothers/sisters who thinks that no one else can see or understand anything as well as they can. Well you are actually completely wrong about Eoin. Please get your facts right before you judge someone adversely. I can private message you a list of who are the apostates or have apostate leanings on this forum, and Eoin Joyce isn't one of them.
Proverbs 13:18

It will be looked at strangely at first, but people will get used to it. One has to also wonder what it is about a beard that is so stubbling, I mean stumbling? We know Jesus most likely had one. It's a kind of prejudice really. Also, anything that is new, people usually react in a defensive way, it's just imperfect human nature, since whether we are conscious of it or not, we are always judging and usually in a critical way. Mostly those who are stumbled by things like this are spiritually immature.The main thing I think that will be the deciding factor locally, is how a beard is perceived in the ministry. But I doubt any householder is going to think, "My, that person had a beard!!" Worldly people tend to be a lot more tolerant than we think. If they are accepting of homosexuals, surely they won't mind a little facial growth?

I KNOW THAT !  PLEASE STOP THESE  WRONG  THINKING....
EOIN IS OK !!

A  well  groomed  beared  can  looking  so  nice !  Our  young  anointed  Sinti - Brother  has  a  very  short,  small  and  well  groomed  beard...  Its  so  nice,  like  a  small  chain  by  a  younger  Sister ;-)

I agree it's not necessarily a Custom to have a beard. But in today's society a beard isn't frowned upon among men or something that sets them apart as rebellious or something else as was in the past. But if a brothers conscious allows him to wear a neatly groomed beard then I see no reason to fault him for it or hold it against him in thinking he is not trying to remain modest. I prefer a beard and look better with one. Shaving also causes me to break out and face to burn. So I prefer not to. But I don't want to stand out as someone rebelling against the congregation so I'm stuck in guess. Hopefully the brothers will be accepting of beards soon 

Thank you, Brother Pul. You were working on counsel point #235, parking. We appreciate the progress you have made.
The Benefit book says on page 647: "Poor parking can detract from the ministry. If your householder thinks you don't know how to park, he may also think you don't know anything else. Or he may worry you will wipe out his lawn ornaments driving away."
Brother Pul, you are making very fine progress. Much of your car was squarely in the parking spot. Good job! But we want you to work on this point one more time. Notice again what the Benefit book says: "How can a minister gauge his parking before exiting the car? One brother said 'I always look out the windows to see if there are yellow lines all around.' You may find this point difficult to master at first, but with full confidence in God's spirit, you can succeed."
Thank you again, Brother Pul, and we look forward to your next try. Warn us if we are on the sidewalk before you try.

The September 2013 Awake article on this matter was addressed to people in this way , "you may not believe in supernatural spirits".
2 Cor. 4:4
Satan blinds peoples minds to the truth through false propoganda in many areas, religious, scientific, political etc. They construct all kinds of mental buildings based on these false foundations.
When some people hear the truth on a matter however, it can move their thinking on other issues. Bit like seismic activity in one area causes building collapse somewhere miles away. 
I had a study once with a Trotskyist revolutionary. He was active in a radical political party. It was impossible to discuss world conditions or religion in general without getting into a political debate.  After a year, I gave up and switched to talking in detail about the Bible's teaching on life after death, something he had expressed no interest in. However, this was new to him and he listened with some interest intellectually, as he did not know that mainstream church thinking differed from what the Bible taught.
Nothing happened for several months until he attended a funeral service for a close relative. He realised that the funeral discourse contradicted what he now knew was taught in the Bible. He was outraged by this. Within weeks he started attending all the meetings at the Kingdom Hall and soon dedicated his life to Jehovah. His zeal was now redirected into the preaching and teaching work and he pioneered for many years. 
So in the spirit of Ecclesiastes 11:5, I would encourage @Queen Esther to keep publishing the truth on matters. Who knows where it will have success?
Just one thing, It is good to provide a link to jw.org when quoting articles in this manner. Like this: Sep 2013 Awake

I can understand - and enjoy seeing - delegates wearing their national dress at conventions when that attire is still typical in their country, eg Africa, India.  What I have found weird is the donning of antiquated folk costumes such as lederhosen and that shown above, especially if it's not even an international assembly.  The westerners aren't turning up in pre WWI fashions.  
A few years ago at a District Assembly I was bemused to see a sister from my own congregation in Australia dressed in a sari when she doesn't have a drop of Indian blood in her.  
Since when have our conventions become a costume party?
So, yes, I'm with you Librarian.

I can understand - and enjoy seeing - delegates wearing their national dress at conventions when that attire is still typical in their country, eg Africa, India.  What I have found weird is the donning of antiquated folk costumes such as lederhosen and that shown above, especially if it's not even an international assembly.  The westerners aren't turning up in pre WWI fashions.  
A few years ago at a District Assembly I was bemused to see a sister from my own congregation in Australia dressed in a sari when she doesn't have a drop of Indian blood in her.  
Since when have our conventions become a costume party?
So, yes, I'm with you Librarian.

Hahaha, hilarious discussion going on here
I know the point you were trying to make, and of course you are right because one has to consider every possible aspect so that one does not give a cause for any kind of reproach or stumbling of anyone.  I "love" the artwork where everyone goes swimming fully dressed  so as not to offend others sensibilities regarding modesty. This was solved by dressing everyone in white robes in the latest video shown at the convention. I thought it looked a little creepy and reminded me fof Mormon baptisms . We have become too obsessed with that kind of thing I think. Thankfully we are not all like that in real life. In the 30's our books contained illustrations of full frontal views of Eve, nipples and all. It just shows how innocent society was in comparison to now. The porn industry is flourishing on the one hand, and on the other hand people are uber sensitive to showing any kind of flesh....
Anyway, as an artist myself, I couldn't help thinking that this looked like a patchwork of various poses put together in one. At first I thought the sister in the middle with the hat was modeled on a picture of Catherine Zeta Jones.....Then I recognized the signature and was able to check the brother's Instagram account, and sure enough, he was commissioned by a family to paint them in a paradise setting using several different photographs.... So this painting is not going to get anywhere near Bethel, but hangs in a living room.....

Hello Dolly(s).................
Novel idea. S'pose you think this applies to Jesus as well??
Doesn't this statement contradict the definition of the word CLONE?
There's nothing new about folks having difficulty with the Bilble's teaching on the resurrection.  And nothing new about certain of those folks holding that teaching up to ridicule as a result. 
Jesus summed up their problem better than anyone could do today when he said:
“You are mistaken, because you know neither the Scriptures nor the power of God."  Matt.22:29
 

Actually when I first saw your question I thought of the birth of the kingdom in heaven and I also thought about the great tribulation which Jesus said nothing would be like it in the future and nothing would have been like it in the past, but I still answered as I did. So as Pilate said, "What I have written I have written". The organization have also written lots of things that they no longer believe, or had to make adjustments on, so let's not start an Inquisition. Let's allow these things to digest. Just as we have no quarrel with the organization when they see something different and eventually all come to realize the truth of it, let others believe what they are convinced about. The early Christians took about 30 years to accept the truth surrounding the circumcision, for example, but God still used them. So be careful.

Why are you posting this every couple of months. Saw it more than once.  The heading is incorrect. It was not Pope Francis. 
This is what it said:  "The Catholic Church raised a "cry of alarm", according to La Repubblica, because every year ten thousand thousand Catholics  become Jehovah's Witnesses.
The Jesuit Giusseppe De Rosa said that "from a religious point of view the most dangerous are Jehovah's Witneses.  They come fully trained; they always have the Bible in their hand."
In an editorial dealing specifically with Jehovah's Witnesses, the Jesuit magazine La Civilta Cattolica of February 18, 1984, wrote:  "The first reason for the spread of the movement lies in the propaganda techniques [that is, in the preaching work]. The work on the one hand is painstaking, carried out from door to door by people who are scrupulously trained in this work and strongly convinced ... " etc etc
Why are we so hungry for the plaudits of worldly men?
 

I agree with much of what you have said in your post. The areas where we disagree the most have been discussed earlier and I have no need to discuss them with you any further until you have tried to answer the scriptural reasons that were brought up at the time. Besides, those discussions mostly touch on subjects that are not of much concern in this current topic.
Consider:
*** w95 6/15 pp. 21-22 “Sacred Service With Your Power of Reason” ***
Slaves of God and Christ, Not of Men
13 Elders have to allow those under their care to use their power of reason. The members of the congregation are not slaves of men. “If I were yet pleasing men,” wrote Paul, “I would not be Christ’s slave.” (Galatians 1:10; Colossians 3:23, 24) In contrast, the Pharisees wanted people to believe that it was more important to gain the approval of men than that of God. (Matthew 23:2-7; John 12:42, 43) The Pharisees took it upon themselves to become moral dictators who formed their own rules and then judged others by how well they measured up. Those who followed the Pharisees were weakened in the use of their Bible-trained conscience, in effect becoming slaves of men.
14 Christian elders today know that the flock is not principally accountable to them. Each Christian must carry his or her own load. (Romans 14:4; 2 Corinthians 1:24; Galatians 6:5) This is as it should be. Indeed, if members of the flock were to be slaves of men, obeying simply because of being monitored, what would they do when those men were not around? Paul had reason for joy over the Philippians: “In the way that you have always obeyed, not during my presence only, but now much more readily during my absence, keep working out your own salvation with fear and trembling.” They were truly slaves of Christ, and not of Paul.—Philippians 2:12.
 
 

Thanks for picture  - did not know there were problems in Belize... will read up more about what is going on.  One assumes that former Dutch speaking colonies will have more understanding of "freedom of religion" and choice."    The world is in a downward spiral with so many oppressive regimes suddenly rising up and freedom of speech/religion being controlled.  Soon they will control our thoughts.  London mayor has introduced a 'thought' police recently..... people who will prosecute people who say negative things about another religion.  Soon all freedom of thought will be gone in first world countries. 
In third world countries anarchy is taking over when the oppressive regimes fall.    We are really getting closer to Armageddon.... especially when I evaluate how respect for life is disappearing and how cheap life has become. We are becoming accustomed to mass killings, indiscriminate bombings of young children and seeing atrocities on TV every day.  It reminds me of the time before the flood - which was wicked, with dangerous conditions for those trying to serve Jehovah.....  The meaning of Nephilim is: fellers of men - if I remember correctly.
 

While the Watchtower may be the beneficiary of such investments currently, once the assets are TRANSFERRED TO the control of the Watchtower Bible and Tract Society of Pennsylvania (JW.org) they would be sold off and invested in large banks such as JP Morgan Chase Money Market funds in order to avoid the appearance of impropriety.
I think that is the correct thing to do and I'm sure they would do the same at HQ
Notice that Watchtower is not itself doing the actual investment only reaping the rewards of such investment.
This is not a new problem and has been handled for decades in this way I believe from my past readings.

(Micah 4:13) 13 Get up and thresh, O daughter of Zion; For I will change your horns into iron, And I will change your hooves into copper, And you will pulverize many peoples. You will devote their dishonest profit to Jehovah, And their resources to the true Lord of the whole earth.”
Any questions?

The "prison ministry" was always one of the most refreshing while I was pioneering. It is so different from most other types, yet you see the differences in people's lives. We worked with two major prisons. One was a high security prison and one was a minimum security prison. The high-security was a bit more scary because they let you in and they slammed the gate shut behind you. We had a Prison ID card where we also signed a waiver accepting risk in case we were caught up in violence. But the changes in people's lives was so evident from study to study -- and their questions are often deeper than the average householder. There is also a "competition" with other prison outreach ministries from other religions and a lot more questions about the Muslim religion. We often got questions we had to look up and get back the next week to answer. 
The minimum security prisons are quite different. The prisoners could literally escape and walk off the premises if they wanted to. (But they'd still have to serve their time all over again if caught.) We had a choice between using an "interfaith" building that was shared by other religions, but we often took over the interest of the other religious groups because we had interesting and lively discussions while some of the other groups often did no more than pray with them, sometimes silently. At first I wouldn't use the interfaith building, but the only other choice was the crowded visitors' room where the women/wives/girlfriends would visit other men in the room and try to get away with all kinds of activities that distracted greatly from the Bible study.

Personally I would never grab my jw.org button and pray to Jehovah with it. I would never wear it as a symbol of the Christ .  I would not hang it in my house or in my car for a form of protection. And I would only direct ones to it as a teaching tool that leads them to their bibles and the truth Jesus taught according to jehovahs direction. These are the last days and Jehovah is trying to reach every searching soul. Disciples of truth. Just my two scents?

Lovely to see such a self-sacrificing spirit but I'm puzzled as to why they wouldn't hitch their clothes up out of the water.