Anna

They can keep it, thanks ?. I'm with Queen Esther on this one. I think it's silly. It's like the 5 year old riding on the back of an orca whale.....there will be some very disappointed 5 year olds.

Ooooh! Makes me feel so old! I used to call everyone auntie or uncle, and then I myself got called auntie by the younger ones...that was 20 years ago.....I guess times change...

I thought it was because of farting cows....

Hahaha, when I ask "what's so and so's second name?", here in America, they look at me funny. Here it's called "the last name" . I guess because so many have middle names, so they get confused . Yes, that's sooo British

Yes, because unfortunately so far one has been finding out things from 3rd parties, and most are false, but just to complicate things, some turn out to be true. So in my humble opinion it would be better if we were informed directly in the first place, so that we could happily ignore information from those 3rd parties......transparency is the word.

This is not really a response to you @JW Insider but to the quote. Although Jesus was supposed to have entrusted the Slave with spiritually feeding his flock, there is no guarantee this will always be done in a perfect way. Our first and foremost loyalty is to Jehovah and Jesus. So if the GB do or say something that is out of whack with Bible principles then we are under no obligation to obey, or believe. (Acts 5:29). So even if the GB were found to be doing those things then it shouldn't make any difference to us. As for being arrested and falsely accused, well that wouldn't be the first time. Perhaps this is the reason Br. Jackson mentioned it. To let everyone know those are false accusations. But even if they were true, why should that affect us. No one can take our personal relationship with Jehovah away, regardless of what the GB do or don't do.

Well yes. But we still don't know for what purpose these properties were purchased. Opposers would have us know that these properties are for the private use of the GB, in other words they live in them. However, I don't think so. I believe they have apartments at HQ as they have always done in the past. I think if they did live there, and travel to work at the HQ, it would become common knowledge, and I have not heard anything. Real estate is good investment. Perhaps that's the reason why WT has acquired these properties. Or perhaps they want to turn them into apartments (one of those properties is actually an apartment block) for those who are visiting....perhaps they were donated.....who knows. I won't be too concerned about it until each member of the GB lives in their own sprawling mansion with ocean view, helipad, and yacht in the harbor, all paid for by donated funds....

This might be another topic, but yes, I noticed that, therefor after the meeting I immediately asked an elder who was sitting in front of me. I said it was odd, why mention two questions and then only talk about one. (At that point my husband fled). He said because the second question would be off topic, since the discussion was about dedication to Jehovah. So I said sure, but without answering yes to the second question you couldn't get baptised. He said the second question would probably get discussed in the next lesson. I told him no, I looked. So he said not to worry, it will come up sometime....

That is a good point. Considering what Jehovah has to work with....can only mean it's only because of him we've come this far. I always say that.

So basically renting it from the society. My friend in a central European country that I had visited recently was telling me of a rather upsetting case of where a KH was put on the market without the friends even being aware of it. What made it doubly bitter was the fact that this KH was completely financed by the congregation, the land being donated by a brother for that purpose, and the building built by the brothers themselves. Apparently it was a really beautiful building and in a prime spot. My friend was mostly upset at the way this whole matter transpired as no one knew about it until one day the announcement was made from the platform that "the society approved of the sale of the building". No one had even been aware....Now, the elders have to figure out how to transport all the elderly publishers, who now have to travel nearly an hour further to another congregation as opposed to 10 minutes to the KH that is being sold. I guess one has to look after the money regardless of whether it is acquired through donations or some other way. It seems like they weren't doing a very good job though. Or is it really (?) because of the unexpected lawsuits? I wish there was more transparency. How many brothers and sisters are even aware of this financial problem to date?

I haven't had time to look at all the videos yet but from the vantage point of the ordinary publisher, the rumors that the organization is in financial trouble, hence the cutting down on printed material and sales of Kingdom Halls etc. is true then.

That's the beauty of interpretation. It depends on how you look at it How I am looking at it is from the drivers point of view. I am assuming the backseat driver is mostly useless, because he can't see properly (it's a lot easier to be useless than useful), but he may have the odd useful remark or reminder. But when he is not even in the car, how useful can he be then. He is totally useless and it's easy for him to be that way.

Attendants are schooled in exactly what they can and can't do legally when dealing with disruptive intruders. They may not lay their hands on an intruder when ousting him, but force may be used when it comes to self protection. These are the rules now, obviously was different in the 30's. We had an intruder in our hall a few months back and the brothers pretty much dealt with him the same way as the video. Once they got him outside one brother said firmly "and don't come back" to which the intruder replied moping "now that's not very Christian is it?" lol. They then locked the front door.

My parents congregation has been picked for live streaming, hence they have their meetings on Saturday, so people can watch it on Sunday, and the midweek meeting they have on Monday, so people can watch it during the week.

There can be false alarms of course, where the mother to be ends up in hospital, only to be sent home again. I wonder how that scenario could fit into Jesus' illustration.

As a woman, who has given birth, I am not sure I would say that "birth pangs" or going into labour, is a surprise. In fact a pregnant woman in her last few weeks is expecting to go into labour soon. The only time she will be surprised and not expecting it is if she goes into labour prematurely, at an unaturaly early date in her pregnancy. However, the surprise element could be in that she could go into labour while out shopping and her waters break in the middle of the shop floor (or in the middle of a field in Jesus' day). So although she may be expecting to go into labour at any time, she could be caught at a rather inconvenient moment. So in view of that, what was Jesus saying?

Good point

Well that solved a mystery then! There's always a simple answer ?

Correct me if I am wrong, but it seems that despite this informative document recently made available to download in several languages on the JW website, there is not too much of a mention of it by any of the opposers and "campaigners" against child abuse in the JW organization. Here is the entire document: JEHOVAH’S WITNESSES’ SCRIPTURALLY BASED POSITION ON CHILD PROTECTION Definitions: Child abuse may include neglect, physical abuse, sexual abuse, or emotional abuse. Child sexual abuse is a perversion and generally includes one or more of the following: sexual inter-course with a child; oral or anal sex with a child; fondling the genitals, breasts, or buttocks of a child; voyeurism of a child; indecent exposure to a child; or soliciting a child for sexual conduct. It may include sexting with a minor or showing pornography to a minor. In this document, references to parents apply equally to legal guardians or other persons who hold pa-rental responsibility for a minor. 1. Children are a sacred trust, “an inheritance from Jehovah.”—Psalm 127:3. 2. The protection of children is of utmost concern and importance to all Jehovah’s Witnesses. This is in harmony with the long-standing and widely published Scripturally based position of Jehovah’s Witnesses, as reflected in the references at the end of this document, which are all published on jw.org. 3. Jehovah’s Witnesses abhor child abuse and view it as a crime. (Romans 12:9) We recognize that the authorities are responsible for addressing such crimes. (Romans 13:1-4) The elders do not shield any perpetrator of child abuse from the authorities. 4. In all cases, victims and their parents have the right to report an accusation of child abuse to the authorities. Therefore, victims, their parents, or anyone else who reports such an accusation to the elders are clearly informed by the elders that they have the right to report the matter to the authorities. Elders do not criticize anyone who chooses to make such a report.—Galatians 6:5. 5. When elders learn of an accusation of child abuse, they immediately consult with the branch office of Jehovah’s Witnesses to ensure compliance with child abuse reporting laws. (Romans 13:1) Even if the elders have no legal duty to report an accusation to the authorities, the branch office of Jehovah’s Witnesses will instruct the elders to report the matter if a minor is still in danger of abuse or there is some other valid reason. Elders also ensure that the victim’s parents are informed of an accusation of child abuse. If the alleged abuser is one of the victim’s parents, the elders will inform the other parent. 6. Parents have the primary responsibility for the protection, safety, and instruction of their children. Therefore, parents who are members of the congregation are encouraged to be vigilant in exercising their responsibility at all times and to do the following: • Have direct and active involvement in their children’s lives. • Educate themselves and their children about child abuse. • Encourage, promote, and maintain regular communication with their children. —Deuteronomy 6:6, 7; Proverbs 22:3. Jehovah’s Witnesses publish an abundance of Bible-based information to assist parents to fulfill their responsibility to protect and instruct their children.—See the references at the end of this document. 7. Congregations of Jehovah’s Witnesses do not separate children from their parents for the purpose of instruction or other activities. (Ephesians 6:4) For example, our congregations do not provide or sponsor orphanages, Sunday schools, sports clubs, day-care centers, youth groups, or other activi-ties that separate children from their parents. 8. Elders strive to treat victims of child abuse with compassion, understanding, and kindness. (Colossians 3:12) As spiritual counselors, the elders endeavor to listen carefully and empathetically to victims and to console them. (Proverbs 21:13; Isaiah 32:1, 2; 1 Thessalonians 5:14; James 1:19) Victims and their families may decide to consult a mental-health professional. This is a personal decision. 9. Elders never require victims of child abuse to present their accusation in the presence of the alleged abuser. However, victims who are now adults may do so, if they wish. In addition, victims can be accompanied by a confidant of either gender for moral support when presenting their accusation to the elders. If a victim prefers, the accusation can be submitted in the form of a written statement. 10. Child abuse is a serious sin. If an alleged abuser is a member of the congregation, the elders conduct a Scriptural investigation. This is a purely religious proceeding handled by elders according to Scriptural instructions and is limited to the issue of membership as one of Jehovah’s Witnesses. A member of the congregation who is an unrepentant child abuser is expelled from the congregation and is no longer considered one of Jehovah’s Witnesses. (1 Corinthians 5:13) The elders’ handling of an accusation of child abuse is not a replacement for the authorities’ handling of the matter.—Romans 13:1-4. 11. If it is determined that one guilty of child sexual abuse is repentant and will remain in the congregation, restrictions are imposed on the individual’s congregation activities. The individual will be specifically admonished by the elders not to be alone in the company of children, not to cultivate friendships with children, or display any affection for children. In addition, elders will inform parents of minors within the congregation of the need to monitor their children’s interaction with the individ-ual. 12. A person who has engaged in child sexual abuse does not qualify to receive any congregation privileges or to serve in a position of responsibility in the congregation for decades, if ever. —1 Timothy 3:1-7, 10; 5:22; Titus 1:7. 13. This document is available upon request to members of the congregation. It is reviewed at least once every three years. Source: https://www.jw.org/en/news/legal/legal-resources/information/packet-jw-scripturally-based-position-child-protection/#?insight[search_id]=4022773a-67c8-48a8-ba04-eac2f426147e&insight[search_result_index]=0

To be honest I don't think I could wear that. It would be like I was expecting to be transfused at any moment. It's like someone allergic to peanuts wearing a "no peanuts" bracelet. Plus, how would it be understood? Like you don't have blood or what? I think JWinsider is onto something. No, it's too in your face, and ugly at that.

You are welcome!

https://www.jw.org/en/news/legal/legal-resources/information/packet-jw-scripturally-based-position-child-protection/

Yes of course, I worded it wrong, I was referring to what Jesus said to the little flock. They will of course not only gain everlasting life but immortality, straight after they are transformed. We will have to wait until after the 1000 years, and then we will still not be immortal, but will have everlasting life.,,, .I have no interest because it does not seem significant to me. We live or die for Jehovah, regardless of when the end comes. It wouldn't be the first time, would it? (1914, 1925, 1975) I will quote the view of one of the Governing Body (Sam Herd) "we are just looking, we are just learning, we are just touching things....." in other words with their own admission the GB have incomplete knowledge, are fallible and do err. With this being the case, I feel there is nothing wrong with a "wait and see attitude" rather that taking everything they say as being infallible and making it a basis for how I live my life, whether I have a sense of urgency or not. We should live our life as if Armageddon was to come tomorrow, regardless of whether someone says so or not. The Bible says so. It says we should be ready. "Therefore, beloved ones, since you are awaiting these things, do your utmost to be found finally by him spotless and unblemished and in peace" (2 Peter 3:14). No generation explanation needed there. Or do you, Tom, need a generation time limit as an incentive? It is understandable that some who are aging or sick or suffering in some way cannot wait for the end to come soon. And then there are others who have family members that are not in yet, and they wish for more time.....It is Jehovah's time table and we can speculate generation or no generation all we like but it will come when he sees fit. The Bible says so.

I would say it is comforting to know that our enduring FAITHFUL till the end (whether that be Armageddon or death in old age or sickness) means we are guaranteed everlasting life. Why should we care about an overlapping generation? It is merely speculative, whereas on the other hand the promise of a bright future (whether that be through surviving Armageddon or being resurrected) isn't. It is a clear Biblical teaching easy to understand. The generation that Jesus spoke about was a literal generation in Jesus's day, for our day, the meaning is ambiguous (obviously).

@AllenSmith what were you trying to say with the Spartacus clip? Have you seen the movie?