Foreigner

The experience file he mentioned contained approximately the following headings at the time:

I have many, many times shared Bro. Swingle's opinion that " ..if the lives of actual people were brought more into the write-up" it would carry more power.
Intellectual integrity naturally intrinsically generates good journalism, and answers the questions "who, what, when, where, and how much" .... and sometimes "why", which is the most important.
For me, "Bob and Alice, pioneers in a city in Estonia  ..... " .... just does not cut it for me.
If it cannot be independently checked ... it didn't happen ... is bad journalism ... and lacks intellectual integrity ... AND IS NOT WORTHY OF BEING BELIEVED!!
... and should NOT be believed at face value.
... The stuff Novels are made of.
I find it completely amazing that adults putting out a publication of global scope .... ignore principles that I was taught in the 7th grade English class, and are still true and valid today.
 
 
..... sigh ....
 
 

Very well. Bob and Alice Goodenov, pioneers in a city in Estonia, caught the two Russian journalists, actually named people, so you know they are credible, recording a congregation meeting to see if there was any way they could rearrange things to make JWs look nuts, and blew them into Estonian intelligence, who banned them for five years.
https://www.theworldnewsmedia.org/forums/topic/78948-estonia-cancels-visas-of-russian-television-journalists-over-a-discriminatory-film-about-jehovah-witnesses/
Another way to look at it is that it is the play that the HQ brothers are following, not the actors in the play. You don’t have to know the names of the actors to follow the play. It can even be a distraction if you do.
Best regards,
One person who writes in the United States 

I have it on good authority that the two Russian Journalists were Boris and Natasha Badenov, working under the direction of those notorious American rascals, Moose and Squirrel.
When you see a flying squirrel, and a moose pulling a rabbit out of a hat ... always suspect there may actually be a Russian Bear in the hat.

These historic letters are very interesting ... please share more.
I especially enjoyed the first one ... excellent, balanced advice re alternative health treatments.
Many in the congregation today are not following this council ... esp those into herbal and
holistic medicine!
WCL
Chloe
 

A good reminder, especially in view of the assembly theme.
 
 
 

Nice reply ... however remember "love is not easily provoked"! (1 Cor 13:5).
WCL
Chloe
 

LOL. I'm always happy to address a challenge. In this case you have claimed that I stole unauthorized material, perhaps hoping to use it against the Watchtower, somehow.
I did not steal anything. And I'm not sure what would make certain material "unauthorized." I suppose you could argue that only material that was published in our publications was authorized. But does that mean that everything else that any Bethelite saved or collected must be destroyed? Really?
Also, this first letter I shared actually went out to a sister and was therefore "published" (with only minor alterations) and the material was reused for future letters on the topic. I have three letters from Governing Body members that were written to me personally. Should I destroy them? One was a letter of recommendation to help me get a secular job after I left Bethel. Do you really think we should be ashamed of or hide anything that goes on behind the scenes at Bethel? You think that we shouldn't talk about any of these things, or that we shouldn't share anything that was written?
You appear to be afraid that this material I saved could be used against the Watchtower, somehow. Anything that I kept, I saved out of a spirit of appreciation for the experience I had at Bethel, which was a wonderful experience. I wanted to remember it and I kept things that would help me remember it. If I had wanted to find a way to use them against the Watchtower, I don't think I would have waited about 40 years to share them.
I admit that I have also shared experiences from Bethel that we could (and should) learn from. Even a negative experience could be profitable to others. I find that most people hold back on this count because they think that certain types of negative experiences cannot be profitable to anyone. This flies in face of scripture. Did Paul hold back from telling the Galatians and Corinthians about negative experiences? Did Jesus hold back? Did not Paul say we should be imitators of Paul himself?
(Acts 20:20) while I did not hold back from telling you any of the things that were profitable . . .
(1 Corinthians 10:6-12) . . .Now these things became examples for us, in order for us not to desire injurious things, as they desired them. 7 Neither become idolaters, as some of them did; just as it is written: “The people sat down to eat and drink. Then they got up to have a good time.” 8 Neither let us practice sexual immorality, as some of them committed sexual immorality, . . .  11 Now these things happened to them as examples, and they were written for a warning to us upon whom the ends of the systems of things have come. 12 So let the one who thinks he is standing beware that he does not fall.
(1 Corinthians 4:14-5:6) 14 I am writing these things, not to put you to shame, but to admonish you as my beloved children. . . .  16 I urge you, therefore, become imitators of me. . . . 18 Some are puffed up with pride,. . . 5 Actually sexual immorality is reported among you, and such immorality as is not even found among the nations. . . 6 Your boasting is not good. Do you not know that a little leaven ferments the whole batch of dough?
Neither Jesus nor Paul held back from sharing things that were profitable, both old and new.
(Matthew 13:51, 52) . . .” 52 Then he said to them: “That being the case, every public instructor who is taught about the Kingdom of the heavens is like a man, the master of the house, who brings out of his treasure store things both new and old.”
(Mark 4:22) . . .For there is nothing hidden that will not be exposed; nothing is carefully concealed that will not come out in the open.

To read and find out the experiences of other people have great value.
However, this may become a problem if the solution to some of the life situations, that somebody has achieved, wishes to imitate in full or in full imagined detail (details that are not known to anyone who read the article).

Another issue, even bigger, arises when publisher's article tries to direct his readers to the idea how this is the way. And how that process of attempts to act, in similar or the same  way, would be blessed by God.
And as more dangerous is idea, how exactly this way is the only right way.

Here's one that Brother Swingle wrote to the whole department:

 

Religious leader teaches children to donate their "ice cream money" to him for God. Same religious leader gets caught buying $1000 of top shelf scotch.
This guy presents videos to teach children they should give up their "ice cream money" to donate it to the organization instead. He's literally training children to give up any enjoyable things they might want to buy, to give to him and his buddies instead.
Then he gets caught here, on a Sunday morning when he's supposed to be at a meeting or ministering, buying almost $1000 of top shelf scotch instead.
The issue is not buying or drinking alcohol. It's the hypocrisy of it. Plus the fact that it was probably paid for with donations from his followers. But that cannot be proven.

He snuck out on Sunday morning to go to a liquor store (bypassing many others stores close by) out of state to spend almost $1000 bucks on whiskey. He should have been doing 'pastoral' duties that Sunday morning in the Headquarters where he lives and runs the place.
Instead he dressed up in disguise; a trenchcoat, tennis shoes, and a low billed hat to go out of state at a special 'spiritual' time to get his liquor instead of dressing up in a suit with other brothers and going like normal, or having those under him purchase it.
Many critical thinkers here believe that it belies a dishonesty. He could have picked a better time and place, and manner of dress to get his 12 bottles of high end scotch, at the least. Also, the manner of his purchase suggests a bigger problem, not only with him, but within the compound itself, if this is allowed, while they preach the opposite to the masses.

Perhaps we can mention another important aspect. Self-sacrifice.
The Bible, a book WTJWORG so passionately wants to promote in the lives of people, a believer, gives examples when an individual gives up on something he has the right to use or have.
Little Sophia, in a cartoon, has the all right to consume ice cream on Sunday after the meeting, BUT, "mature Christians" aka GB at JWTV, learns her and all other, she has to give up of ice cream that costs $ 1.
TM the III has the freedom to drink what he wants. But can he to give up of buying and drinking his " Sunday ice cream", on Sunday or on any day of the week. Does TM want to donate his personal sacrifice to the "Interests of the Kingdom"?
It is all about/ to show SELF-SACRIFICE to the/towards people (and to the God).

Billy the Kid:  "I won’t be impressed by Liyod Evans attempt to demonize the GB just like Butler and witness. Until I see something on the news as a headline. This topic had no value, to begin with."
As Billy points the finger to the Catholic religion, which shows he is comparing the Watchtower to all other religious organizations and their sins....and which pretty much proves that the Watchtower does not belong to God....
...has any JW wondered what the world of “Christendom” thinks of what Anthony Morris did that Sunday?  JWs are to portray themselves as a “clean people”, and moderate in all things and in all habits.  Here is the perspective of someone who has never been a JW as you can tell by some of his beliefs. 
But, he has made some very important points for all JWs to consider. 
The world appears to be watching the Watchtower organization.
 
 

So if a person gives a warning about something they are an activist in your opinion ?
Wow all the prophets must have been activists then. Was Jesus an activist ? Um, maybe the Jewish religious leaders thought so ? 
Why would it be convenient for me ? And what do you think I fear ? 
And Try giving some sensible answers for a change. 
As for agreeing with Tom, well you did deliberately try to put him down when he had made a perfectly sensible comment. 
I have no friends on here, but i do agree with a person's comment if it makes sense and is true. 

The Kid must be on something quite strong that gives him hallucinations. Poor Kid.
I think TTH was referring to how Paul collected information by using all the people's viewpoints. I don't think TTH was in any way comparing himself to the Apostle Paul as the Kid seems to imply. But the Kid is getting desperate and needs to hang on to any little bit of grit that he can. 
Keep it up Kid, you make yourself looks more foolish by  the day. 
Oh yes and we all seem to be totally off topic too  

Could it be that John is going to be my pal today? Yes! He picked up on the gist of the remark completely. We’re allies!
Tomorrow it may be a different story.

Why on earth would you do that? If it is silliness to begin with, why dignify it by taking it seriously?
Now you’ve got it! 
You know, it just makes for a dull book when you do it that way.
Is it just me? What are the letters to the Corinthians? Did Paul just gather information for his next book? Clearly, he capitalized on what those Corinthians had said, or what had been said about them, rather than cook up some speech detached from their needs.
“For the disclosure was made to me about YOU, my brothers, by those of [the house of] Chloʹe, that dissensions exist among YOU. What I mean is this, that each one of YOU says...” (1 Corinthians 1:12)
“YOU men already have YOUR fill, do YOU? YOU are rich already, are YOU? YOU have begun ruling as kings without us, have YOU?” 4:8
“Now concerning the things about which YOU wrote....”  7:1
Most of the Greek scriptures consist of interactions with various congregations & we benefit by eavesdropping. That’s all I’m doing—imitating a pattern laid out by others.
 

@BillyTheKid46  Doing it here is not the same as having the guts to be vocal in front of the people you fear or feared.  Having the guts ? 
Well most of you are stateside i think and I'm not traveling over. The GB would be nigh on impossible to reach. My local Elders did get direct contact from me, but I was wise enough not to get myself disfe'd.  As for fear of man, well the Elders never frightened me, disappointed me yes. 
 However, in the same respect, don’t pretend by taking the higher moral ground, since you agree in most part with what Anna, James, and JWinsider offer as opinions to be factual when they are far from it.
I'm not pretending anything, I think the whole forum is funny. I thought I might actually learn something from it but there is no way. I haven't read one line about love and giving, or mercy and peace. But it's fun, better than watching the television. 
This I find funny, since you once asked, where else did I find you in another apostate site. You only needed to look at your own. Which in essence the FB is all about.😉
Well if you wish to call me an apostate it's your choice. I am only apostate to the GB ruled JW Org. I am not apostate to God or Christ, although I do realise I'm not close to them either, but then neither is anyone on here.
As for my Ex JW Facebook page, well it has 600 likes, so some folks seem to think I'm doing something right. 
 

If I did NOT have the sense of humor that I do Billius T. Pettifog 46, and had YOUR sense of humor (if any, which has not to date exposed itself to forum view ...) I might take your intended, malicious, and vulgar insult personally, and take appropriate action.
You have not identified who I am with your malicious, vulgar libel ... but with your own words ... you sure have identified  who YOU are.
The phrase for that is "Undressing yourself in public.", to which I have no objection.
In fact ... I encourage it.
.... always good for a laugh!
... and it does give all interested people  a perspective of how to view the REST of your alleged logic and reasoning.
 

Yes this like many others is just a forum. @Space Merchant  I don't mind being 'called out'. At least on here it is direct and can be seen, unlike in JW Org where no one is 'allowed' to talk to me now and probably talks about me behind my back. 
But all this talk about money in the streets etc is totally off topic and a bit boring as it has nothing to do with the scripture concerning money having no value. 
But let's be honest, this forum has very little to do with Christianity anymore. It seems to be about people trying to get one above the other. People accusing others about using more than one name and some people getting upset about their relatives being 'insulted'. The whole forum has gone downhill. Hence I suppose why they now have a 'Private club' for the 'special' ones.
Oh yes, if 'elsewhere' people are out for my head, I have no knowledge of it.  My Facebook page is quite open. My other FB page 'Ex Jehovah's Witnesses still wanting to serve God' is also quite open. I do nothing in secret. So where are these people that are 'out for my head' ? Why have they not shown themselves ? Do they also use more than one name on forums ?  Whatever i do online is open and honest and I use my own personal name. I'm easy to find if people are 'hunting' for me. Though they cannot be very 'christian' people to be after my head. 

Yes, that is true.

Quote "They have God to guide them for that, not some silly and insignificant person from the UK." 
That is so funny Billy. You still believe your little gods the GB are 'guided' by Almighty God. How blind you must be to spiritual matters. How much you must worship those 8 little men. It's true they hold some power over a few people and they dictate to the whole congregation of JW's, but they are totally without God's guidance and totally without God's holy spirit, so they are quite unfit for purpose. 
The GB are no better that the Catholic Pope or some Archbishop. They all have some worldly power but none of them have Almighty God's approval. 

I haven’t actually made any comment about this. However, since I am being drawn into it anyway, let me clarify this nonsense once and for all. 
This photo is not from Venezuela at all, but it is in one of the southern US states & is in fact a falled bank heist on the part of @Top Cat O'Malighan. His getaway car was hit broadside by @Vic Vomidog, flying at an unusual rate of speed because some Bethel hotshot and been spied with a can of beer, a special meeting of the Apostate Society had been called so as to see how to spin it, he was the Keynote speaker, and he was running late.

Thanks for the catch. The date would not format with the rest of the Twitter pictures and text so I retyped it myself with the now-obvious typo. It should have been Mar 12, 2019.