James Thomas Rook Jr.

10 hours ago, Anna said:

Might sound archaic in America, but not long ago I heard someone (non JW) in England describe a frivolous woman as a "brazen hussy". Usually this term is used in jest.

Definitions vary from time to time, and place to place ....... and whether or not an otherwise very fine Elder has a Post Traumatic Stress Syndrome Flashback, of when he was humiliated in Mrs. Grundy's Math Class in the 7th grade, and made him sit in the corner wearing a dunce cap, and he cried, and everybody laughed at him, and he wet his pants, and they had to call his mother to pick him up from school ..... at the same time you are bouncing off of him this new idea you just had about something-or-another theological in nature, and you used unapproved words, and previously Society unapproved concepts.

The next thing you know, you are in "Room 101" defending yourself from a Tribunal of Judges who accuse you of brazenly apostatizing to an Elder.

THAT's why we need to have a complete and direct and comprehensive definition as to how the Society sees the word BRAZEN ... it looks like they have run out of material, anyway.

A LONG time ago, but more particularly since they are not making up stuff about Armageddon's timetable, and types/anti-types, anymore.

A whole Watchtower, or perhaps just 18 paragraphs, if the explanation does not try to recount the history of every other word that also starts with a "B", to fill up all 18 paragraphs.

11 hours ago, Witness said:

Russell:  “While it is true that the white race exhibits some qualities of superiority over any other, we are to remember that there are wide differences in the same Caucasian (Semitic and Aryan) family; and also we should remember that some of the qualities which have given this branch of the human family its preeminence in the world are not such as can be pointed to as in all respects admirable...
The secret of the greater intelligence and aptitude of the Caucasian undoubtedly in great measure is to be attributed to the commingling of blood amongst its various branches; and this was evidently forced in large measure by circumstances under divine control. Zion's Watch Tower (July 15, 1902), pp. 215-216

Genetics works EXACTLY the same way for all living things.  The wider and deeper the gene pool, the better the quality of ALL DNA based life forms.

What CTR said is certainly politically incorrect by today's Snowflake Standards,  but I, after carefully reading these words, would have to totally agree with them, as being incontrovertibly true.

My first wife and her sister and a brother were born with Cystic Fibrosis, a truly awful death guaranteed, where every day, you die a little bit at a time, until you can no longer breathe, and after years of painful torment, are released , usually with a heart attack from the struggle, before age 30.

I have my own set of problems, but she died in 1982. ( ...LOoooong story ...).

We decided to NOT have children.    Too high of a risk to future generations.

Genetically, with my "problems". I was of inferior genetic stock, and she was of inferior genetic stock,    Like soup stock, you get out of it what you out into it, and neither one of us wanted those genes continued.

I am ONLY talking about genetics ... not intrinsic value, here.

By the way ... this disease, Cystic Fibrosis is EXCLUSIVE to marshmallow white Caucasians.

So I thought about this a great deal, and learned basic genetics, as all I knew was from reading Robert A. Heinlein books, such as "Methuselah's Children", and "Time Enough for Love" .... and went searching for a woman that had a little bit of EVERYTHING in her genetic makeup.

I found one in Peru ..... Caucasian, Spanish, Peruvian Indian, Negro, etc.

It worked EXACTLY as I anticipated, and my three children are POWERHOUSES, any way you want to measure it. Also as an added plus!, they have a "built in", year around permanent tan, that I have tried to get, but with fading results.

I suspect they are embarrassed to be seen with me, as I cannot compete.

Genetics works EXACTLY the same way for horses, mosquitoes, vegetables, fruits, dogs and cats .... AND HUMANS.

It is ARROGANCE to think that past genetic "encounters" do not affect peoples, nations, and races in a progressive manner with multiplying effects.

WHAT DOES THAT MEAN?

IT MEANS OVER TIME, IT'S CUMULATIVE

....sigh ..... if only the stupid would JUST be smart enough to not breed.

Jehovah gave a LOT of attention and instruction to the Jews ...  even ordered them to go far afield to Assemblies of HIS people (not any others),, where presumably young men and women would meet others from a widely diverse gene pool.

If you have the opportunity to swim in the gene pool .... you get better results if you do not swim in the shallow end ... or more to the point ... your PARENTS did not.

6 hours ago, Outta Here said:

The incontinence is more about uncontrolled immoral behaviour than an actual bodily function, hence the translation earlier as "loose conduct".

THAT ... passes the "smell test".  It makes good common sense.

Still, I would like the Society to expound and codify it.

To protect the innocent from being caught in the Dragnet of a witch hunt for foggery and mopery, with smoke and mirrors. 

The G.B., and Elders almost always have the very best of motives, but not always.

Also, motives, and competence are two entirely different things.

Just WANTING to do what is right is not enough ...

Ever read the book "The Peter Principle"?

EVERYONE eventually can get promoted, based on merit to a level where they are no longer competent.

A stellar Ministerial Servant becoming an Elder, can become a Beserker, through incompetence, with the very best of heart condition and motivation. Occasionally, you will find one as dumb as a stick, who understands NOTHING, not written in stone.

...that's why God used to write things in stone!

The issue has been ignored for almost ten years now.

2 hours ago, JOHN BUTLER said:

To me it looks like 8 million people that are trying to do right, being Governed by 8 men and other hierarchy that enjoy doing wrong. 

I don't think they "enjoy" doing wrong ... it's just that they have fallen into the trap that EVERY shamen, witch doctor, priest, or respected religious leader falls into when they start accumulating money, real estate, and camera time.

That's what that job does to people.

In the entire history of the human existence of directly created Man, in over six thousand years, and from sea to shining sea, there has only been ONE exception.

Africa Inland Mission tie, eh?

Perhaps that is what the scripture meant when the Greek word for "brazen" which literally means "in-continent" (per Outta Here) was used.

Either peeing without self control, or being inside a continent, such as Inland Africa.

.... Depends!

29 minutes ago, Outta Here said:

More importantly, what actually does the word "brazen" mean?

It is a translation of the Greek word  "ἀσέλγεια  - aslegia" which literally appears to mean:  in-continent. (ἀ-σέλγεια)

Just as the word "Gay" means something COMPLETELY different than when you and I were growing up ... perhaps the word back then meant something like urinating in public, or dressing in such a way that was immodest if one was incontinent.

With our track record of being right about such things, it may have originally meant anything at all EXCEPT what the Society officially tells us is the case.

22 minutes ago, Outta Here said:

Is there really a problem in understanding how the word "brazen" should be understood in the context of human behaviour?

We seem to have world class problems understanding the simplest common sense things .... like what a "Generation" is. Everyone else on the planet uses ONE definition, and always has ... except us.

I cannot even imagine the Apostles understanding what Jesus said the way we are told to.

That's why I want the GB "OFFICIAL" explanation, which may or may not have anything at all with standard definitions, common sense, or reality. 

They really ought to tell us what definitions we are actually using to make determinations of what is, and what is not "brazen conduct", so that the excesses that all humans are subject to do not cause irreparable harm when being applied ... because we are being governed BY AND WITH those definitions.

This is NOT a new issue ... and REMAINS unresolved, since 2010, almost a decade ago.

Historically, the record of "straight shooting", and accountability has been terrible.

Well, as Charles Taze Russell said (heavily paraphrased) in the first issue of the Watchtower, which had his byline "C.T.R.", as the author .. "The Truth is the Truth, no matter what the source... If Satan told you the Truth, it would still be the Truth".

A similar thought was expressed in the Dr. Seuss book, "Horton Hears A Who".

The way things are progressing, I wonder when they select a new member of the Governing Body, the "Helpers" will have white smoke come out of that Watchtower at the main entrance of Warwick Bethel ?.....

22 minutes ago, BillyTheKid46 said:

It wouldn't matter since I do think you, an idiot! With your actions and behavior as a fake Christian. Your mental state is beyond help!😀

There is more "projection" going on here than a Drive-In Theater for Brontosaurs !

... ever think about chasing garbage trucks as a hobby?

6 hours ago, BillyTheKid46 said:

Another reason why it's a dense assumption by Srecko to think he has to be D'fd here where it doesn't matter since he has done that to himself before God. Now he is just another useless mouthpiece and tool for the devil, like John.

EXCELLENT:

Even if you are afraid of spiders, or

... you are terrified by a sudden complete lack of spiders!

The Society never apologizes for anything they totally screw up ....  and to the best of my knowledge, NEVER has apologized for anything in ruining peoples' lives, historically,  .... because they can just change the definitions of what words mean ("new light"), or where it is to their advantage to do so to push the agenda,  keep them so ambiguous, they can mean ANYTHING.

Here is the test (and perhaps I am wrong because I missed it somewhere along the line ... please correct me if I am wrong ....):

How EXACTLY does the Society define "Brazen Conduct"?

What is included?

What is excluded?

How about ten or so REAL WORLD, CONTEMPORARY unambiguous examples?

To the best of my knowledge ... currently it can include anything the Elders don't like.

If I am wrong, please point it out to me, and I will change my viewpoint, and embarrassed, beg your humble pardon.

I think we need an 18 paragraph unambiguous, non touchy-freely and non scripturally recursive,  direct and comprehensive Watchtower Article on this ONE topic only .... instead of the usual circular logic topics reiterated, over, and over, and over, and over ...

...and over and over and over and over.

I am sure I would stay Awake!, for THAT one.

12 hours ago, JOHN BUTLER said:

If anyone questions or criticises the GB they are accused of 'causing a division in the congregation' and can be disfellowshipped. 

I did not agree with all of your post, where I quoted from you the above comment ... but I "upvoted" it anyway, because I know your quoted cringeworthy statement is true.

... just any JW try it at the next Watchtower Study.

.... raise your hand and ask a tough question, using unapproved words.

.... after the meeting, you would have to get back to the parking lot through infamous "ROOM 101".

This was first "legally" established in the not-so Super Secret 2010 Elders' Handbook, with the  term "Brazen" conduct, which was a catch-all that could include ANYTHING ..... and when it hit the fan that there was no Biblical backup for this,  three years later the 2013 "Silver Sword" NWT came out with the word "Brazen" several times ... WITH THE WHOLE BIBLE PARAPHRASED, of all things ... THE WHOLE BIBLE "SIMPLIFIED" ... to back up  the direction given three years earlier.

... ever notice that the Popes all look all worn out and hunched over, threatening to fall and impale themselves on their bejeweled  gold sheep catcher sticks ?

... makes me tired just watching !

It's the 30 pounds of clothes, the 8 pound gold crosses, and 15 pound two-story hats glued on with denture cream..

...  a lot for ANY 82 year olds.

Seven more pounds  .. same as a bag of concrete!

I never thought of the WTB&TS as having a hierarchy ... the thought never crossed my mind ... perhaps because they did not have the clown suits that the Catholic Church, Russian Orthodox Church, and many others have .... until:

1.) In several court transcripts where the Society was confiscating real estate from local congregations, and the congregations sued the Society, the Watchtower Lawyers declared and asserted under oath that no individual person owned the Kingdom Halls, and that they had the right to appoint and remove trustees in whose positions the Kingdom Halls were titled, BECAUSE, the Organization WAS a hierarchy, EXACTLY like the Catholic Church, and that the "Church" owned all Jehovah's Witnesses'  property, everywhere,  no matter whose name it was in, or how it was titled, and,

2.)  In child sexual abuse cases, the Society in many places, many times has asserted in secular courts, under oath, that the Elders are Clergy, and are entitled to "Clergy-Penitent Privilege" of confidentiality, and as such were not legally obligated to report the crimes.

I had never EVER heard these things asserted at the Kingdom Halls, and in paying attention since 1962, was frankly stunned by these sworn testimony (under oath)  assertions, declarations and/or admissions in the secular civil courts.

That is why I read full transcripts of the Society's court cases, when I find them ... as what is said at the Kingdom Halls, and what is said in court ( ... under oath ... ) is quite often  two (or more ...) dramatically different things.

I never remember any Kingdom Hall assertions, that we were "Clergy", entitled to any special legal privileges ... only that we were "Ministers", and could assert that our commission as ministers was equal to clergy's "ordinations" ...  although I remember from circa 1974-82  that the ex-Bethelite Pioneer Brother that ran off with my first wife  liked to witness in the jails and prisons, as he would pull the "Minister Card", and they would give him clergy privileges to go in and out any time it suited him.

Perhaps the next step is start baptizing young children, and have some kind of special JW clown suits like Christendom has ..... perhaps with a Nautical theme.

I often wonder about the Catholics' Heirchy ... where do they get those 15 pound hats?

One thing I have said many times before .... with humans, there is truly ...

INFINITE VARIETY

38 minutes ago, BillyTheKid46 said:

However, not too many people knew about that reconstruction by this Scholar.

Not too many people know about the breakthroughs of the Klingon Language Institute, either, and THEY can spit and yell at the same time!

1 hour ago, BillyTheKid46 said:

If I’m a liar, I must have learned it from the “best” LIARS here, JAMES THOMAS ROOK JR and JWinsider.

You have already proved from your own words you are a habitual, compulsive liar, BTK46.  Your continuing to expound on that theme only lends great credence to the possibility that you are ALSO certifiably insane.

You are your own worst enemy BTK46.

If you want to stay out of a "nervous hospital", my advice is to change the subject to ANYTHING else!

1 hour ago, TrueTomHarley said:

3 hours ago, James Thomas Rook Jr. said:

I've had to scale it down a bit, eliminating the sliding boards, and helicopter pad for the chickens with choppers.

Great! Just great! And how am I supposed to knew whether the next comment from you is actually from you or from one of the 18 chickens?

Because I have a nose, and they have peckers?

3 hours ago, JOHN BUTLER said:

6 hours ago, James Thomas Rook Jr. said:

I am glad that JWI is here to do the heavy lifting .... I am building a chicken coop and run for 18 chickens, and I am pooped.

Haven't you finished that yet. Must be a big un. 

I've had to scale it down a bit, eliminating the sliding boards, and helicopter pad for the chickens with choppers.

I am glad that JWI is here to do the heavy lifting .... I am building a chicken coop and run for 18 chickens, and I am pooped.

... one step closer for Vladimir Putin to reverse the current Russian persecution by 2020.

.... If there is anything the Russians have learned .... you don't want the Germans to get ticked off at you!

6 hours ago, BillyTheKid46 said:

Oh! Dear, James. Psychology is not your strong suit. Especially when your statement agrees with what I mentioned. I won't respond. I just didn't want to discuss all your dirty laundry in an open forum. 🤨

Of course not, BTK46 ...... you are a proven habitual liar ...  your own words prove it.

Now, as documented here on this forum, firmly established with solid proof from your own words .... there is nothing you could possibly do as a response to disprove that established  fact.

Of COURSE you won't respond.

Every time you are caught in a lie, you don't respond, except to change the subject.

...  few things are as sad as a delusional scholar who does not have to lie ... but does, anyway, trying to elevate himself, hoisted aloft by agenda driven fantasy.

                                                     -------------------------------------------------------------------

ON AN UNRELATED NOTE ... Ever wonder why Caleb and Sophia never age, and presumably will never have cartoon children of their own?

The Software "FastStone Capture", captures LOOOOOOnnnnggg pages like we have here, and Sunday vertical cartoons, completely automatically.  Just set the cursor to the TOP of where you want to begin, and it automatically scrolls and captures all the way to the complete bottom of the web page.

CTL S  saves it to a new window.

RTN saves it to the hard drive

ALT X  exits that capture, ready for another, and

CTL PrtScn  starts a new capture box for rectangular capture windows, and

CTL ALT Prtscn captures a LONG window all the way to the bottom, automatically scrolling.

You can ALSO capture videos that cannot be downloaded .... like those Nuns who had their homes stolen from them, that they paid for, that I posted earlier.