4 hours ago, The Librarian said:

This can happen if a title of a topic is changed even slightly. (Because the URL changes and the service tracks via the URL)

Thanks for response, but i don't recall that  i have done any changes in title. But on other hand we all are imperfect ... and technology too :)))

1 hour ago, JW Insider said:

They see themselves trying to organize the ......

I can understand and even accept how "they see themselves" in such role, position, call ....some sort of  leadership is needed for coordinate the work of many people.

1 hour ago, JW Insider said:

When those laws are not in our favor they have pushed to have them changed 

Such statement reveals hypocrisy of sort (on GB side, not Your's) . Namely, WT  literature explained how is  Strongly Unacceptable that JW members engages in any social change of this Old World, who was alienated and condemned by God. They illustrate this with picture of "sinking ship", and with; Why to try save or improve system that will soon be destroyed by god.

GB Involving in change of Legislative and Law of some Country is more then just looking for "social change", for example; solving medical problems, charity kitchen for poor, shelters for homeless people (or animal) ...etc. GB instructions say NO, for such activity of their members.  

WT qoutes:  When Jesus gave his preaching commission, he did not instruct his followers to preach social or political reforms, union of Church and State, or any other secular ideology. https://wol.jw.org/en/wol/d/r1/lp-e/2012324#h=10  We do not lobby, https://wol.jw.org/en/wol/d/r1/lp-e/2016288#h=36   Reformers try to get society to rethink its approach on issues. They do not just protest; they have ideas about how to improve things...                                                                                                    Yet, Christ did not initiate a campaign ... https://wol.jw.org/en/wol/d/r1/lp-e/102004202#h=28    

As You said GB "HAVE PUSHED to have them changed". How they Pushed them? Asking for Law Changes. Who can making Law changes? Politicians? I believe how they are involved very much in this process.    

...to be continue

10 hours ago, Arauna said:

I left this discussion last year because the fight over semantics was so stupid. Anyone who believes the universe came from nothing or believes that something comes from nothing - one cannot argue with people like that - not worth the effort. It is a totally unscientific statement and even if you say you are a scientist 1000 times, it does not make you a scientist who bases your conclusion on evidence if you really "believe" that statement. To say that a cell "appears" to be designed proves the simplicity of the mind or proves incomprehension or lack of study of the complexity of the cell itself. Nano-biotechnology has proven the complexity. IN any case there are now many papers which prove that collagen, blood vessels and more than 10 proteins have been found together with Carbon 14 in fossils. These samples have been taken on numerous different fossils and every time there is the same result (repeated tests) without contamination.... This proves the fossils are only thousands of years old and not millions.

Dear Arauna and other readers.

quote: "Anyone who believes the universe came from nothing or believes that something comes from nothing ..."

Concept of "Nothing" is somehow unclear, indistinctive. About What one thinking when talk about existence of "nothing" and how "from nothing can not come to something" ? Who promote idea that universe came from nothing? Does "science and scientist"  promote this idea? Or, people who have faith in Bible came to this question/logic  as respond to some "scientific" explanation about life origin on Earth and origin of Universe that they found as not reasonable or possible. I do not know if theory about Big Bang is still in play, but as i can see Bib Bang thesis not promote idea of "nothing". Because for such Big Explosion is need existence of "something" to explode. 

quote:  "It is a totally unscientific statement and even if you say you are a scientist 1000 times, it does not make you a scientist..."

If i am not "scientist" do I have  "credential"  to discuss about "science", or just to have and express my opinion, critical thinking, criticism, feelings about subject, etc? To be in rank of "scientist" one need to have Higher Education. JW members are not , in general, scientists. Few of them are Highly educated and GB discourage members to look for such education, even to such measure to "marking" those JW who would like to go to University.

If you are not carpenter, you have nothing  to tell/teach about carpentry those people who are carpenters. Just my level of "unscientific" logic :)))  

quote:  "IN any case there are now many papers which prove that..."

What papers? "Scientific" magazines or some Sport magazines, or WTJWorg publications  that made quotes from some "scientific" editions, books, magazines? 

On 1/2/2019 at 11:15 PM, Witness said:

I noticed 46 "shares" of this comment, Srecko.  Seems to me that people are recognizing GB's hypocrisy enough to pass it on.

Heh.... but now,today, is 0 shares, confused i am now :))))

16 hours ago, Witness said:

I noticed 46 "shares" of this comment, Srecko.  Seems to me that people are recognizing GB's hypocrisy enough to pass it on.

Yes, i noticed too that thing Witness. And i'm glad that some people have "that something" to see more and above that what WT offer to members. 

Witness, is it possible to see who or where people sharing articles?

Greetings, wish you all best!

hi "Frederik" ! :)))

On 10/6/2018 at 11:33 PM, Jack Ryan said:

Everyone with the same talk, worldwide, will be working on same counsel point, as found in the weekly meeting

This is clear prove, evidence about worldwide unity .....or uniformity? :))

.............,

What is an advantage, and what is a flaw in unity and what in uniformity?

On 11/23/2018 at 4:20 PM, Jack Ryan said:

Clinical Psychologist Discusses Jehovah's Witnesses

“Fear tactics and the promotion of hate...” So much for the religion of love. It really is the religion of fear and hate, I’ve known this for years. Glad to see a psychotherapist state it!

1:16 min ....WT 7/15/2011 quotes  that Only if you have strong friendship with JHVH you will be happy and only JHVH will solve all your problems."

"So it is only when we have a strong friendship with Jehovah that we can really be happy and safe. Only Jehovah can help us with all our problems." - simplified edition

"Only in a strong relationship with him can we find genuine security." - normal, complicated edition

 Compare it and you will see how with term "genuine security", reader in fact can not understand fully  what this include. It seems how simplified edition is not only for people who are weak in English language, but it is for all other too. Because author of article with term "genuine security" building special meanings in 3 area of human life, that is: 1) Life Happiness, 2) Life Safety, 3) Life Problems. 

Does term "genuine security" including also:   justice, economic welfare, job for all, safety place for children, no domestic violence, medical care for all, education for poor people too, etc? In simplified edition Writing Department explained how "genuine security" means/comprises how your religious belongings to JW religion and worshiping JHVH as your Friend, inside WT Company, will provide you all blessings about "happy, safe and problems" issue. But still, despite such claims in article, JW members are not sure that they are happy and safe, and they have not all problems solved despite their friendship with JHVH.     

And not to forget one small detail that JW member will achieved all this goals ONLY IF OBEY ALL GB directives. :))  

GB famous phrases are: "we are not inspired but we are guided, motivated"... and... with self invented/claims: "JHVH trusts us, Jesus trust us".....they ask YOU to trust THEM.  And JW members, in general,  not see trap and snare by what GB try to enslave human minds.

2. (a) Who is “the faithful and discreet slave,” or “the faithful steward”? (b) How has the slave established a fine record of “following the Lamb”?

² What can be said about the anointed Christians in modern times? In his prophecy about “the sign of [his] presence and of the conclusion of the system of things,” Jesus referred to the composite body of his spirit-anointed followers on earth as “the faithful and discreet slave,” or “the faithful steward.” (Matt. 24:3, 45; Luke 12:42) As a group, the slave class has established an excellent record of “following the Lamb no matter where he goes.” (Read Revelation 14:4, 5.) Its members remain virgins in a spiritual sense by not defiling themselves with the beliefs and practices of “Babylon the Great,” the world empire of false religion. (Rev. 17:5) No doctrinal falsehood is “found in their mouths,” and they remain “without blemish” from Satan’s world. (John 15:19) In the future, the remaining anointed ones on earth “will follow” the Lamb right into heaven.—John 13:36.

3. Why is it important for us to trust the slave class?

³ Jesus has appointed the faithful and discreet slave “over his domestics,” that is, the individual members of the slave class, “to give them their food at the proper time.” He has also appointed the slave “over all his belongings.” (Matt. 24:45-47) These “belongings” include the growing “great crowd” of “other sheep.” (Rev. 7:9; John 10:16) Should not individual members of the anointed and the “other sheep” trust the slave appointed over them? There are many reasons why the slave class deserves our trust. Two outstanding reasons are: (1) Jehovah trusts the slave class. (2) Jesus also trusts the slave. Let us examine the evidence that both Jehovah God and Jesus Christ have complete confidence in the faithful and discreet slave.

5. What shows that God’s spirit is empowering the slave class?

⁵ Jehovah also blesses the slave class with his holy spirit. While Jehovah’s spirit is invisible, what it produces in those upon whom it operates is not. Think of what the faithful and discreet slave has been able to accomplish in giving a worldwide witness about Jehovah God, his Son, and the Kingdom. Jehovah’s worshippers are actively proclaiming the Kingdom message in over 230 lands and island groups. Does that not give undeniable evidence that God’s spirit is empowering the slave? (Read Acts 1:8.) In providing timely spiritual food for Jehovah’s people the world over, the slave class must make vital decisions. In making them and putting them into effect, the slave exhibits love, mildness, and other aspects of the spirit’s fruitage.—Gal. 5:22, 23.

source; https://wol.jw.org/en/wol/d/r1/lp-e/2009123#h=7

Now we have some work (read Critical Thinking, not criticism :))) ) to do about claims in paragraphs. 

First, if you, as JW and student, regularly reading this sort of spiritual foods, you already noticed that many important doctrinal changes are occurred since 2009 and this Study Material in your congregation.  

For example:

1) "Jesus referred to the composite body of his spirit-anointed followers on earth as “the faithful and discreet slave,” or “the faithful steward.” NOT "TRUTH" ANY MORE

2) "He has also appointed the slave “over all his belongings.” NOT "TRUTH" ANY MORE

When Author of WT article described FDS by said: "No doctrinal falsehood is “found in their mouths,” then he made false statement despite, must to have knowledge, about previous changes on doctrines and interpretations. But most of all, it is of crucial importance to readers of such articles to recognize and see what falsehood and manipulation coming from magazine's Writing Department (The original text is prepared in English. The Governing Body oversees the activity of the Writing Department at our world headquarters. This department coordinates the assignments of the writers who serve at headquarters and at certain branch offices. Having a diversified writing staff allows us to address multicultural subjects that give our publications an international appeal. (source: https://wol.jw.org/en/wol/d/r1/lp-e/1102012164 ) 

How can be said, without any shame, that there is no "doctrinal falsehood" in FDS aka GB mouths, when they changes teachings on a regular basis?  

3) "Jehovah also blesses the slave class with his holy spirit". QUESTIONABLE IDEA

4) "While Jehovah’s spirit is invisible, what it produces in those upon whom it operates is not." QUESTIONABLE IDEA

5) "Does that not give undeniable evidence that God’s spirit is empowering the slave?" QUESTIONABLE IDEA

What makes points 3,4, and 5 as questionable idea? Few times GB and some of those before them, FDS composite, made clear statement how they are NOT INSPIRED (not always negate this possibility, but recently they did it in clear and sound words). About what they are not inspired? They explained:

1. GB are not inspired

2. WT publications are not inspired.

So, .... in one moment they CLAIM how they have Blesses, Produces, Empowering with -God's Spirit- in sharing spiritual food, doctrines, teachings, instructions, global work, but ...  in another moment they DENIED how they are Inspired by this same -God's Spirit-? 

6)  Two outstanding reasons are: (1) Jehovah trusts the slave class. (2) Jesus also trusts the slave.

Really  ? :)))) Self-praise and self-deceiving.... with clear intention to deceive you. THINK about! Who have REASON  (reasoning and sound mind) TO PUBLICLY CLAIM  how JHVH and Jesus TRUST ME/US/THEM ??!! 

DO You ever say in comment on meetings, from platform in public talk, in preaching service to people THAT God and Jesus TRUST YOU/ME, so you have to trust all words I told you. 

Well please, who speaking "falsehood" to whom?    :))))

On 12/5/2018 at 7:28 PM, Witness said:

The video shows Jesus falling backward off the temple wall

I went now on video you mentioned. It is strange. In first, stone issue and in last issue about worshiping act they are not made illustrated imagining, possible outcome as they have done with fall from the wall. They all are messed up. And the maker of video too is messed up :)))

This with A and THE ..... must go to English grammar   

It may sound inhumane for some, but why should one wonder, questioning that one nation (Russia) wants to have its dominant religion and culture above others. If that is the reason what is happening there.

Actually, JW should understand that situation more than the Russians themselves. The JW accept the reality that there was one nation (Jews) in the past. It was not an "ordinary" people, but God's chosen people, which became a nation. There were laws in that nation. The most important law was to worship only a Jewish god. Every other form of religion brought death to a child, a woman, a man, or a family who served another god.

Today, we supposedly live in a different time, so-called advanced time. In which we can have and live different and even opposite views, beliefs. The WT supports a "struggle, fight" for equality and freedom for everyone to believe and speak and freely adore their god. Every JW member of the church also believes in such a "democratic" right. But, the JW member forgets a very uncomfortable fact. His present freedom to practice his religion is not a product of the Jewish god of the Bible, but of "secular" laws.

In the "future JW world" there will not be place for freedom of religion and worship. Any deviation from the "true" JW religion will be in the 3P formula, = prosecuted, persecuted and punished.

Does JW members not see how they alone generate same kind of 3P formula for decades?! How? By their rules and laws about disfellowshiping, shunning, ignoring, avoiding of those JW who changed their views on doctrinal matters and Bible interpretations of WT !!  JW members have own "little Russia" inside boarders of their Spiritual Paradise. :))

6 hours ago, James Thomas Rook Jr. said:

this Sunday night, December 30, 2018.

Here is still Saturday 10:36 AM 

:))))

greetings

Most people are ordinary "sheep", which are "cut off/haircut" by people who are experts in financial transactions/machinations.
In what group of people are you, S.M.? I guess and hope, you are not in those greedy one.

Let me to say opinion and ask. Your knowledge of how the banking and financial system works is a great thing. But what I'm more interested in is this: Do you personally support and justify the existence of rich and powerful monetary systems and principles on which their existence is based? With knowledge, which is not unknown to you; a few rich and powerful people, and most of the poor and oppressed people - all that with the "little help" of the money.

In their Application Letter, WT said this, I quote: 

2) Witness literature often carried sharp criticism of flagrant human rights violations in Nazi Germany. his was true of Witness literature produced and distributed clandestinely within Nazi-occupied Europe, as well as Witness literature published internationally. The Gestapo was well aware of the critical and revealing content of the literature, and thus they expended extraordinary effort to expose and destroy the secret printing facilities. They confiscated printing equipment, burned stocks of literature whenever it was found, and hunted down and executed many of those involved with the underground work. Thus, the nonviolent resistance offered by the Witnesses increased in financial, material, and physical losses they sustained.

How about Sharp Criticism in WT literature about other religious, political and, economical systems in the world? Yes, WT criticism going to the point to declare how all will be destroyed because rejecting JHVH and opposing to His WT-JW Organization.  

UN Organization is also under WT criticism. WT literature is full of description how this worldly organization is bad, wild beast. But, despite such standpoint WT has been part of UN as non-governmental  organization for one decade (1992-2001) In that period of time WT publication praised UN and how they try to make earth better place for living for all human.

In example of Rutherford Letter to Hitler we see how he/they try to pleased him and even say how they have similar or the same principles as Reich. What if millions of JW's Letters to Putin is not enough and WT GB decide to send a Private Letter to President Putin? Will GB say the same things as Rutherford? 

The Holocaust Victim Assets Litigation (Swiss Banks) CV-96-4849 is a fund to compensate people suffering from the Holocaust. As stated at swissbankclaims.com/index.asp (3 Mar 2006);

"This is the official information website for the Holocaust Victim Assets Litigation against Swiss Banks and other Swiss Entities. You may have important rights under a proposed $1.25 billion (U.S.) Settlement of a class action lawsuit against private Swiss Banks and other Swiss Entities for their alleged conduct related to World War II and the Holocaust."

What WT has done in this purpose?

In a letter dated 7th December 1999, Watchtower applied for compensation, payable to a nonprofit corporation called Jehovah's Witness Holocaust-era Survivors Fund, Inc., which was incorporated 27th October 2000.

Watchtower applied for compensation? Yes. See Link below.

watchtower-nazi-swiss-application (1).pdf

Why? Hear the reason.

"Some Witnesses died prematurely and left no heirs to make a claim to the Swiss Bank Settlement Fund. However, the legacy of spiritual resistance that they left behind is of great value in the education of future generations about the importance of standing up for the dignity and value of human life. Representing these individuals, the Watch Tower would be pleased devote any allocated moneys solely to the interests of Holocaust education and the remembrance of the prisoners who bore the purple triangle, according as the court might stipulate."

It is interesting formulation. Watch Tower consider themselves as YOUR REPRESENT?!  But on other hand Court Documents in one San Diego issue show very clear how WT Legal Department have position that Jehovah Witness's are merely members (literally, rank and file) and no one is to represent of WT and even not represent of own congregation where  he/she as JW go to meetings.  Only some elders can be represent of WT or Congregation. 

Distribution Stats.pdf

doc_74.6_hsp_4.pdf

Early in 1933, the Watchtower office in Berlin was closed and Jehovah's Witnesses were banned in many German states. This was due to the refusal of Jehovah's Witnesses to swear loyalty to the government or to serve in its armed forces.

In an attempt to appease Hitler into lifting the ban, Rutherford instigated a Declaration of Fact sand sent a Letter to Hitler discussing the Watchtower's support of the Nazi regime.

"Therefore, on June 25, 1933, a declaration regarding their ministry and its objectives was adopted by Jehovah's Witnesses at an assembly in Berlin. Copies were sent to all the high government officials, and millions more were distributed to the public. Nevertheless, in July 1933 the courts refused to grant a hearing for relief. Early the following year, a personal letter regarding the situation was written by J. F. Rutherford to Adolf Hitler and delivered to him by special messenger. Then the entire worldwide brotherhood went into action. 
On Sunday morning, October 7, 1934, at nine o'clock, every group of Witnesses in Germany assembled. They prayed for Jehovah's guidance and blessing. Then each group sent a letter to German government officials declaring their firm determination to keep on serving Jehovah." - Jehovah's Witnesses - Proclaimer's Of God's Kingdom p.693

"Dear Reichskanzler, 
… 
The Brooklyn headquarter of the Watchtower Society is pro German in an exemplary way and has been so for many years. For that reason, in 1918, the president of the Society and seven members of the board of directors were sentenced to 80 years in prison, because the president refused to use two of the magazines published in America under his direction for war propaganda against Germany. These two magazines, "The Watchtower" and "Bible Student" were the only magazines in America which refused to engage in anti-German propaganda and for that reason were prohibited and suppressed in America during the war. 

In the very same manner, in course of the recent months the board of directors of our Society not only refused to engage in propaganda against Germany, but has even taken a position against it. The enclosed declaration underlines this fact and emphasizes that the people leading in such propaganda (Jewish businessmen and Catholics) also are the most rigorous persecutors of the work of our Society and its board of directors. This and other statements of the declaration are meant to repudiate the slanderous accusation, that Bible Researchers are supported by the Jews. 

The conference of five thousand delegates also noted - as is expressed in the declaration - that the Bible Researchers of Germany are fighting for the very same high ethical goals and ideals which also the national government of the German Reich proclaimed respecting the relationship of humans to God, namely: honesty of the created being towards its creator. 

The conference came to the conclusion that there are no contradictions when it comes to the relationship between the Bible Researchers of Germany to the national government of the German Reich. To the contrary, referring to the purely religious and unpolitical goals and efforts of the Bible Researchers, it can be said that these are in full agreement with the identical goals of the national government of the German Reich. 

... 

We are looking forward to your kind approval, which we hope to receive soon, and want to assure our highest respect to you, honorable Mr. Reichskanzler. 

Yours faithfully, 
Watch Tower Bible and Tract Society Magdeburg"

FULL TEXT in German:

source: https://www.jwfacts.com/watchtower/hitler-nazi.php

2 hours ago, James Thomas Rook Jr. said:

EXACTLY.

One time in Western Virginia, circa 1966, there was a race riot and people filled the streets, blocking traffic ... and I came upon them unexpectedly.  They stopped my car and I could not pass. 

VERY angry people.

I just took out my revolver, and put it on the dashboard of my car... and BEHOLD! ... the crowd parted like Moses marching through the sea ... and I went on my way.

Very long ago I heard an anecdote about the gun.

An older man was driving the car in the streets of Zagreb. Suddenly he must stop the car. In front of him there were some young people who blocked the road with their motorcycles. He came out and asked them to move motors, so he could pass. The guys started laughing and they told him; "Come on, grandpa, count us and see how many of us there are.

He returned to the car, took the gun, came back to them and asked; "From whom do I start counting?"

Is it possible that The Beneficiary/ies also/in same time is owner of Trust Fund/s (stocks and bonds...)?

Or to ask this way: Is it possible that WT with so many entities and people who working for them constitute/establish Grantor/s who employ/making Trustee/s to working with money for Beneficiary/ies who is WT or some entity under WT. So, they can made nice, legal circle with JW donations money ?? :))  

All is proper an legal under the devil's Worldly Financial Laws. And why to question that? All people desire, want to have some money ....little or much ....that is not matter, we shall not be picky about few millions $ more or less :))

100and10% true or 110% if we want be precise in writing :))))

Take me for example in this ..... I had never went on public sports events. So, i had never been drunk in a mass of people, never get punch, never screaming and  cheering for a team ....and many more.

Why? Because i was always "somewhere else". :))))

17 hours ago, Outta Here said:

You're probably answering the wrong question.

:))))) one of best thing in our mutual conversation is this; that  we can make each other to have fun and laugh. 

Benefactor - someone who giving money to WTS. Clear and sound :))))

cca 8 mil JW is/are benefactors + unknown number of other benefactors

20 hours ago, Outta Here said:

???

Yes, Jack made correct claim. Structural change for baptismal candidate was made in June 1 1985 when they put into Question No 2  very  Corporative element, with actually asking  candidate to say, Yes, for membership in one of Watchtower inc. sister companies.

Today, i think how CCJW (formed in 2001 for US?) is in fact Organization where JW membership is legalized. In other countries exist other legal entities under different names. 

Second question before 1985 was this:

On the basis of this faith in God and in his provision for salvation, have you dedicated yourself unreservedly to God to do his will henceforth as he reveals it to you through Jesus Christ and through the Bible under the enlightening power of the holy spirit?

I hope, for you Quotta, that difference in question detail is more than clear! 

Hi Jack Ryan!

As we can notice Jworg has various types of current JW members. Also, exJws are sometimes product of some specific circumstances when they was inside org. To ask, why exJW are rude, is not good way of asking about what and why some exJw doing in prosess of living and after they are out of org. Because, from such question you releasing idea how exJw are in fact rude. Some are very active in opposing to WT and some are not. Where is the line when firm stand against WT going to "rude"  behavior is matter of perspective.

Thanks and greetings!   

The WT Doctrine (recently rejected, a few years ago?) is, that Rutherford and his associates were chosen by God in 1918/1919 to be FDS. Since then, to be part of FDS it meant to "sharing spiritual food" and taking care of every sort of "King's" property, possession here on Earth. By accumulating various material things they handled with it in a way to "multiple" it (money, real-estate and similar) according to some Bible verses aka illustrations/parables in Jesus teachings.  I guess how WT-GB and their bible scholars understand that very literal. So, they run or governing with/over  ALL things in spiritual and material realms/places.

Of course, it is BIG Question did Jesus want that one group of human leaders aka GB be involved in Material crowding, collecting, and to do all that in His Name??!!

As we know, so called New Light, gave NEW explanation how GB was Not Appointed in 1918/1919. According to this new moment, They - GB - have no reason and no right to be involved and to interfere, making influence at nothing at all what is in connection to King's Interest on Earth. BUT STILL, despite that self founded new doctrine and interpretation about Anointing Process, they still want to be involved in BOTH process:

1) TO RUN DOCTRINES

2) TO RUN BUSINESS

As already was given, by others participants here and on other places, how to be FDS doesn't, must not mean that you and/or some group of man have to "feed" others with doctrines and instructions because you and/or some group of man have special position before God. To be Faithful, can simply mean, to be faithful to Master in connection to your position in regard to Master. That is not about Your Position as Master over other Disciples and Followers (as it is common picture in all Churches and Leaders of all sort of religious organizations worldwide)  

Another picture came to me now. If FDS have to "feed" domestic, is that only including "spiritual food"? Too take care about others is also to give them material food and accommodation. Does GB provide material food for 8 m JW?

Well, all with GB and WT and with every old and new Interpretation is in deep fog, and can not be for benefit of those JW members who put all their trust in group of humans . 

News Update: Watchtower Caves on Latest Case, Shutting Down Their $4000 Per Day Fine