Are JWs in America back on the 'door to door' work now ?

[Arauna]

14 hours ago, Patiently waiting for Truth said:

Thousands of pedophiles earthwide in the JW Org

You have no proof of that number - it is merely an accusation. since 1957 until the Australian commission there were slightly more than ONE thousand names...... cases where there were accusations made. So yes, there may be more but not to the extend you are wildly accusing of.... in your mind every JW is a criminal ready to commit a ' porneia' act.

Also, in your accusative frame of mind you try to pretend that porneia is accepted as part of JW teachings - which is a blatant lie!  

Who is the fibber here ?   Does your false accusations make you righteous before god? Does your false teachings make you more righteous with god?  or are you just a hateful person taking out your gall on JWs here, with NO hope of eternal life yourself.  Many people choose to become opposers instead of showing repentance. 

[Arauna]

On 4/14/2022 at 9:08 AM, Arauna said:

Prove the 15 percent and show the other 95% that you deem unfit to contemplate.

Now that is SA humor!

[xero]

17 hours ago, TrueTomHarley said:

Yes, I know, Pudg, but it appears that’s the way it is and always has been, even in the first century, and you should try to get your head around it. Pray to God for intervention and he says, “I’ve got people who handle that stuff.” Point out to him that some of those people are pieces of work, and he says, ‘Well—you’re no cream puff yourself. Do you have any idea how much you try me? You’ll just have to work it out.”

I say ‘always has been’ because the Bible does not celebrate the ‘free speech’ that is axiomatic in the West. Sometimes it celebrates shutting people up. Certain ones have to be muzzled because they are stumbling entire households. The tongue is even more damaging than actions since ‘see—how little a member can set the whole forest ablaze.’ Few actions you could do will have that effect. Even if you chased after the lithe and tantalizing young prostitutes of Thailand like Lloyd it would not have that effect.

So you do well to practice self-control, and chalk certain things up to discipline, even if they weren’t meant that way. Sort of like the kid Mark Twain wrote about who complained to his dad about getting punished for something he didn’t do. Well, the old man replied, in that case its for something you did do for which you should have got punished but didn’t.

Strictly speaking, the statement is not even true, though it certainly is true by Western standards where people argue their grievance to the nth degree and don’t give up until the other side is bludgeoned submission, and since that doesn’t happen, they don’t give up. You get to blow off steam but little more is accomplished. Come come. We must not be like the obstinate politician who just prior to hanging is asked if he has any last words. “Yes! This is unacceptable!” he cries, as the trap door swings open and the rope snaps taut.

I suspect there’s a small local consortium of those who know you personally who hold you in high regard as they should—upholder of justice, defender of the widow, the downtrodden, and so forth. But online it takes some time to realize you’re not a spiritual terrorist. You might be better striving to be one of those ‘watchtower brothers’ you once said your life would have turned out better had you been one of them. Strive to be ‘one of the boys’ and from that position influence them to be better. You piss away your talents making common cause with ones who are resolutely opposed to the 15% you cherish. I mean, the day one of these characters likes a post of mine, I will take it as time to do a swan dive off the Golden Gate Bridge.

 

I just rope-a-dope and ignore any counsel I don't think applies or is unscriptural and keep the aforementioned reaction  to myself. I had young brothers coming to me to confess that they'd seen a boob on the internet, I asked one "So what do you want me to do about it? Just stop doing that. Maybe meditate on where staring at boobs got King David and realize going down that path leads to nothing good."

[TrueTomHarley]

2 hours ago, Arauna said:

Now that is SA humor!

It is much like a spat of Polish jokes that made the rounds years ago. 

Tracking down the origin of such joke, one prof of Eastern European history said they came from hostile neighbors trying to justify their aggression against Poland in the late 1700s. Poles were too stupid to rule themselves, was the slander, and so outside powers had no choice but to rule them. In the aftermath, some Polish nobility fought for the colonies in the American Revolutionary War. If they were driven out from their own country for wanting self-rule, might as well fight for someone else pursuing the same thing (much as some outsiders are fighting in Ukraine today). Casimir Pulaski was one of them, who organized and directed American calvary 

Fortunately, most ethnic jokes are freely interchangeable—simply change the ethnicity. Or they need not be ethnic jokes at all. Say how the scientists of PSomH’s family declared their intention to land a spacecraft on the sun. Fellow scientists mocked them for this. It’s too hot to land on the sun. The PSomH scientists replied that of course they had thought of that—they were not dodos! They planned to land at night.

Or why is so-and-so’s mother so strong as muscular? From raising all those dumbbells. 

Alas, only one ethnic joke does not work if the ethnicity is changed:

Scientists crossed a Cohoe Salmon with a Walleye and got a Cowal. But it wasn’t a fighter. So they crossed the Cowal with a Muskie to get a Cowalsky. But they had to teach it to swim.

I broke off ethnic jokes when I told one to a friend who happened to have that ethnicity in his background and took great offense. In today’s environment, I’m sure they come across as ‘spreading hate.’

[Thinking]

2 hours ago, Arauna said:

You have no proof of that number - it is merely an accusation. since 1957 until the Australian commission there were slightly more than ONE thousand names...... cases where there were accusations made. So yes, there may be more but not to the extend you are wildly accusing of.... in your mind every JW is a criminal ready to commit a ' porneia' act.

Also, in your accusative frame of mind you try to pretend that porneia is accepted as part of JW teachings - which is a blatant lie!  

Who is the fibber here ?   Does your false accusations make you righteous before god? Does your false teachings make you more righteous with god?  or are you just a hateful person taking out your gall on JWs here, with NO hope of eternal life yourself.  Many people choose to become opposers instead of showing repentance. 

Even Franz who wrote the book Crisis of conscience…stated clearly on a utube interview he did not think JWs had any more of a problem with this than  any other faith.

[xero]

In Texas we have Aggie jokes. I worked in an office w/a few Texas A&M grads and was always ripping them. "You know what you call this?", I asked one while holding up a black felt marker. "No", he replied. "It's an Aggie highlighter!", I responded. (yes I made that joke up allll by myself)

[Srecko Sostar]

42 minutes ago, Thinking said:

Even Franz who wrote the book Crisis of conscience…stated clearly on a utube interview he did not think JWs had any more of a problem with this than  any other faith.

This is indeed a comforting statement (made by so called apostate) for many JW members. Too bad it won’t be published in WTJWorg magazines.

[Thinking]

On 4/14/2022 at 11:15 PM, Pudgy said:

As you may or may not be aware TTH, in the Truth there is no means to address grievances. And until the last 8 years the Governing Body has acted as if it was infallible, inspired of God, and more.

This is no longer the 1950’s.

Even a dog does not like to be beaten, even by the persons that fed him.

 

There is…nobody should be beaten..not spiritually  or emotionally….but it does and has happened and if anyone says that not true then they are either lying or have genuinely never seen it or experienced it….beleive it or not but there really are some good congs who don’t ..and there are some appalling ones who do….

We are not door mats..tho many things can be excused as normal common human responses and we need to forgive or just not take notice of some things…as many many times I have experienced such forgiveness also from my brothers and sister.

Yet there are things that at times one must stand up like David did when facing Goliath…and it’s not pleasant…it’s not nice…and blood symbolically speaking may be shed…even doing it the right way ..the theocratic way…this will still happen.

1) You take your complaint and  lie it before the Court  of the God of Justice first…number one thing to do…

2) Make sure your written formal letters is addressed to Elders Co then the Branch and the GB…apparently then those who it is addressed are forced to read it. Write your letter well and only once…as Jehovah has it in his Justice  court.

3) Be respectful and not a smart….but be blunt and to the point…and do not skirt any emotional trauma…right from the heart…use only a few scriptures…( very important as they don’t have time to read novels ) lay it all out on the ground…the truth and even the ugly parts..and personal faults as well.

Give it directly to your CO…they then must then Handle it theocratically..keep a copy….then muster up your strength to go back to those meetings …DONT…DONT EVER Let them chase YOU away from amongst Gods people…YOU FIGHT your spiritual fight..just as you had to when in the world.

Give up any hope of ever hearing again from your letter….it will never happen….no apology…as if it was never written.
This is hard to take…but don’t let those guilty change your Personality…fight your own inclination to become resentful and bitter ..it took me two years and at times I still battle it.

Consider Joesph and  his battle In getting justice..8-10 yrs his cries went un heard..are you any better than him..I know I’m not.

one has to learn a new humility as Joesph did…unfair treatment…down right server injustice with blatant lies involved…lack of loyalty and a trusted friendship ruined…some dont like to hear this but it happens in the truth as well…

My experience took the greatest toll as a mother….and yes I’m still a bit cynical which I hate…as I was never like that before…it’s hard…but with Jehovah’s help it’s doeable….and most of the brothers and sisters are loving and kind …some are not..and I dont mix with them…my motto is..if you don’t build me up but tear me down stay the h…..away from me…and yes I slip back into the bitterness at times…it’s a hard fight they put on you…and then  Jehovah reminds me of my considerable errors..and I am shamed and humbled.

Did I  get justice…sort off… not what I wanted….elders were removed…( it took two long years ) three years latter a assembly the last talk was given by a bethel brother and it was absolutely scathing on the elders and those in positions of authority….he got the cat of nine tails out on them and beat them over and over……I was stunned.and had tears running down my face…..and at times I felt for them…I watched them as they sat thru that…..I don’t feel sorry for them anymore as you never get an apology….you never get  …do you want to talk over a coffee……you get grunts when you humbly say hello to the….well I tried all that lovey dovey stuff and it didnt work so I don t waste my time with them anymore…..even Jesus say you have to repent to be forgiven…

If you have been wronged and I’m talking severely wronged….after the shock wears off ….TAKE YOU STAND….and then leave it and try to let it go…or put it on the back burner or find another cong and move.

As to Bro Morris’s 111….he’s not my favourite speaker …but In Fairness he didn’t laugh over one’s dying his little laugh or smirk was the match acted like a little unexpected firecracker before it blew out….fairs fair…

I loved Dan Sydlick…..but he wasnt perfect…a little on the chauvinistic side…he gave great talks but one talk he introduced himself saying he never had children …but he’s got a wife…and I guess that’s like having a child…..I remembered I   cried out ..whoooooah..and so did the audience…you could hear them..but he was a genuinely warm loving brother and we easily forgot his blunder…not sure if his wife did tho…lol….. …

Just don’t let them make you angry and resentful….then Satan has got what he wants..Jehovah will deal with all of us eventually ….and kindness may even be shown to these ones….so don’t be a victim…be a soldier  of a Christ and stand up to the serious  wrongs…with out hatred and remember Jehovah know the full story.

Our whole cong changed but it too, two years of facing those men…I don’t call them brothers…I wouldn’t even look at them when they had their parts…and blocked my ears at their voices ….and read my Bible…I got anxiety at these times…my heart beat faster…and I felt sickly…it was like torture..and I would silently say to Jehovah in a heated voice,,,this isn’t fair, how much longer do you expect me to last!!!!

The truth is I really wanted to get up and smash them one….should I have been a brother…I would have been prepared for jail time and disfellowshippement  over that,….such was the pain and mental torture…but I had to not behave as I wanted and act before Jehovah in a judicial matter…

I don’t know what it was like in the 1950s….do tell more …

 

[Pudgy]

Good advice, each and every word … I am thankful ( somehow ) that most JWs have no idea what often happens.

…… sigh ……

 

 

[Thinking]

4 minutes ago, Pudgy said:

Good advice, each and every word … I am thankful ( somehow ) that most JWs have no idea what often happens.

…… sigh ……

 

 

Some just never see it…maybye a good cong or such things are not obvious….believe me there are a lot of us survivors in my neck of the woods so take heart ..that you may be one of them….big victory brother ..bigger than you realise…

[Arauna]

36 minutes ago, Thinking said:

of us survivors in my neck

Believe me, I do not think there is not a person who has not had their feeling or ego hurt in the course if time.  But we are all stronger after it. We are all very imperfect after all. 

[TrueTomHarley]

18 minutes ago, Arauna said:

Believe me, I do not think there is not a person who has not had their feeling or ego hurt in the course if time.  But we are all stronger after it. We are all very imperfect after all. 

Yes. If you don’t forgive and put it behind you, you never heal. You are forever rehashing your injury. In close to 50 years with Jehovah’s earthly organization, the supportive benefits have far exceeded the abrasions that can come from working closely with people. But that does not mean that abrasions have never occurred. In No Fake News, I wrote: 

“After studying one book seemingly written for no other purpose other than to harp on dress and grooming and harangue about field service, the conductor said to me: “Tom, why don’t you comment? You know all these answers.” It was a turning point. He was right. I did know them all. It was time to stop sulking. From the circuit overseer on down, they had stirred up major chaos in the family. They had been heavy-handed and clumsy - but never malicious. And it had never been Jehovah.

I had read of ill-goings-on in the first-century record. Congregations described in Revelation chapters 2 and 3 were veritable basket cases, some of them, but that did not mean that they were not congregations. Eventually things smooth out. Eventually 1 Timothy 5:24 comes to pass: “The sins of some men are publicly known, leading directly to judgment, but those of other men will become evident later.” “Later” may take its sweet time in rolling around but it always does roll around. Should I stumble when it becomes my turn? I’d read whiner after whiner carrying on about some personal affront or other on the Internet. Was I going to be one of them?”

When a circuit overseer years later—he was a good guy—tried to soften matters – saying how God sends just the right personality at just the right time, I said “Look. I know the line. I’m perfectly willing to spin it and even view things that way - God works with people. I get that. But I also want to call a spade a spade. The guy was an unbalanced nut.” Later when my daughter asked the circuit overseer about his conversation with her dad, the latter replied: “He was…frank.”

21 hours ago, TrueTomHarley said:

Pray to God for intervention and he says, “I’ve got people who handle that stuff.” Point out to him that some of those people are pieces of work, and he says, ‘Well—you’re no cream puff yourself. Do you have any idea how much you try me? You’ll just have to work it out.”

Jesus makes exactly this point in his illustration of the slave not forgiving his fellow slave for a debt after his master had forgiven him for a huge one. It’s a matter of looking at things from his point of view, not our own.

“That is why the Kingdom of the heavens may be likened to a king who wanted to settle accounts with his slaves.  24 When he started to settle them, a man was brought in who owed him 10,000 talents.  25 But because he did not have the means to pay it back, his master ordered him and his wife and his children and all the things he owned to be sold and payment to be made.  26 So the slave fell down and did obeisance to him, saying, ‘Be patient with me, and I will pay back everything to you.’  27 Moved with pity at this, the master of that slave let him off and canceled his debt.  28 But that slave went out and found one of his fellow slaves, who owed him 100 de·narʹi·i, and grabbed him and began to choke him, saying, ‘Pay back whatever you owe.’  29 So his fellow slave fell down and began to beg him, saying, ‘Be patient with me, and I will pay you back.’  30 However, he was not willing, but he went and had him thrown into prison until he could pay back what he owed.  31 When his fellow slaves saw what had happened, they became greatly distressed, and they went and reported to their master all the things that had happened. 

Then his master summoned him and said to him: ‘Wicked slave, I canceled all that debt for you when you pleaded with me.  33 Should you not also have shown mercy to your fellow slave as I showed mercy to you?’  34 With that his master, provoked to wrath, handed him over to the jailers until he repaid all that he owed.  35 My heavenly Father will also deal with you in the same way if each of you does not forgive your brother from your heart.” (Matthew 18)