TrueTomHarley

“Why do people here go to such extreme lengths to falsify their theories by overriding a locked post?”
I have often wondered about this.

There are quite a few Gospel accounts, and in general, the more removed they are from the dates of actual events, the more ‘far out’ they are. The four in the the Bible (Matthew, Mark, Luke, John). though there is squabbling over details, even to the point of who wrote them, are universally considered as closest to the actual events they depict.
There appear to be some apocryphal passages that have been inserted into the original four—the ending of Mark, for example, about handling snakes and drinking poison. Though included in the King James Version, almost all modern transactions have either removed them or footnoted them as found in only much-later manuscripts.
Another such passage, believe it or not, is the in which Jesus says, ‘Let he who is without sin cast the first stone’ in the Gospel of John. It isn’t there in the oldest versions.
Not to be outdone with all these newly discovered gospels, I went down to the dessert and presently discovered my own, ‘The Gospel of Howard:’
https://www.tomsheepandgoats.com/2006/05/the_gospel_of_j.html

“Why do you Jehovah’s Witnesses always have to say that conditions are getting worse? What does that belief do for you?”
It helps me to explain why the Doomsday Clock is set at 90 seconds to midnight and not 10:30 AM.

“Why do you Jehovah’s Witnesses always have to say that conditions are getting worse? What does that belief do for you?”
It helps me to explain why the Doomsday Clock is set at 90 seconds to midnight and not 10:30 AM.

I dunno. The trick would be to persuade them they really are assets and not just the next UN NGO bright idea.

Guests on this month’s Bitcoin Brainstorm include:
Rod Roudi - Co-Founder, Bitcoin Park Paul Itoi – CEO, Stakwork Laolu (Roasbeef) Osuntokun - CTO and Co-founder, Lighting Labs Kody Low - Head of Developer and Product Support, Fedi Cathie Wood – CEO, CIO and Founder, ARK Invest Yassine Elmandjra – Crypto Lead, ARK Invest Frank Downing – Nex Gen Internet Director of Research, ARK Invest Key Points From This Episode:
00:00:00 Intro to the Bitcoin Brainstorm with Yassine and Rod 00:02:39 Introduction to this month’s guests 00:04:10 Cathie Wood explains the impact and importance of the convergence between and among technologies 00:12:32 Paul discusses how AI has revolutionized coding and computer engineering 00:19:40 Kody applies the coding revolution to Bitcoin and explores how Bitcoin and AI are converging 00:26:42 Cathie and Laulu discuss Lightning HTTP 402 Protocol (L402) and internet payment flow generally 00:30:24 Frank and Paul explain that Bitcoin could be useful as money because it cuts out traditional intermediaries in payment processing and could decrease counter-party risk 00:39:00 What are some of the use cases of micro-payments and how do they compare to larger payments like monthly subscriptions 00:51:27 Kody explains why the first rendition of L402 used special cookies know as macarons 00:53:16 Frank and Laolu discuss the constraints of ChatGPT and what the potential of AI agents can be outside the walls of a chat window, if given a budget and proper integration points 01:01:30 Through the example of a web development project, Paul describes how Bitcoin and generative artificial intelligence are converging today 01:06:55 What does the next generation of knowledge workers look like with micro-payments allowing for more efficient payment allocation? 01:14:48 Closing thoughts and remarks on Bitcoin’s unique impact on artificial intelligence today Important Links Mentioned in This Episode:
- AI4ALL Hackathon website: https://bolt.fun/tournaments/ai4all/o... - AI for All: Powering APIs and Large Language Models with Lightning: https://lightning.engineering/posts/2... - How (Actually) Open AI Wins: https://hivemind.vc/ai/ - AI & Bitcoin: https://ten31.vc/content/ai - Nostr: https://nostr.com - LangChain: https://www.langchain.com/ - AI4ALL Hackathon website: https://bolt.fun/tournaments/ai4all/o... - AI for All: Powering APIs and Large Language Models with Lightning: https://lightning.engineering/posts/2... - How (Actually) Open AI Wins: https://hivemind.vc/ai/ - AI & Bitcoin: https://ten31.vc/content/ai - L402: https://docs.lightning.engineering/th... - Lightning Network: https://lightning.network/ - Stakwork: https://www.stakwork.com/ - Replit: https://replit.com/ - Fedi: https://www.fedi.xyz - Bitcoin Park: https://bitcoinpark.com - ARK Bitcoin Brainstorms: https://ark-invest.com/podcasts/?foll...  

The commentator may also be attempting to obscure the fact that if you want the same proportional ‘catch’ among Jehovah’s Witnesses that exists among the leaders of some faiths, you must widen the net to include everybody in the faith. Imagine if NCR decided to report on the abuse reported among any Catholics.
 
 

The commentator may also be attempting to obscure the fact that if you want the same proportional ‘catch’ among Jehovah’s Witnesses that exists among the leaders of some faiths, you must widen the net to include everybody in the faith. Imagine if NCR decided to report on the abuse reported among any Catholics.
 
 

A lot of yachts in jeopardy if what this fellow is saying comes to pass.

Large banks would be required to maintain a minimum amount of eligible long-term debt equal to the greater of 6 percent of risk weighted assets, 3.5 percent of average total consolidated assets, and for banks subject to the supplementary leverage ratio, 2.5 percent of total leverage exposure under the supplementary leverage ratio.  Additionally, the proposal would: 
Prohibit large banks from engaging in certain activities that could complicate their resolution; and Disincentivize banks from holding long-term debt issued by other banks to reduce interconnectedness. Because large banks generally pose less risk than the largest and most complex banks, the proposed requirement would be calibrated at a lower level relative to existing requirements for the eight largest and most complex banks.  Under existing rules, the largest and most complex banks are subject to total loss-absorbing capacity (TLAC) requirements, including minimum and buffer requirements, as well as a long-term debt requirement.  Under the proposal, a large bank with total assets of $100 billion or more that is not one of the largest and most complex banks would not be subject to TLAC requirements. 
https://www.fdic.gov/news/fact-sheets/ltd-resolution-8-29-23.html

I would not call it “dumb” if I were you.
The four windows reminds us of the four angels on the four corners of the earth holding tight the four winds of the earth. The carpet covering the dirt of the floor reminds up of the love that is to cover the sins of others. The blue reminds us of heaven where those 4 angels hang out on a nice day.
”You were running well. Who hindered you from keeping on obeying the truth?”
 

Of course. All other ‘explanations’ are just too stupid.
Everything is ‘hypocritical’ to those who don’t like you, just as your opponents are always ‘arrogant’—otherwise, they wouldn’t oppose you. As for ‘sloppiness’—well, hmm—it could be painted that way in retrospect.

No. Nothing but brilliance there.

For some, I think it must be like the reason they tie C.T.Russell somehow to Freemasonry. There is absolutely no reason to think that CTR was a Freemason just because he was familiar with some of their terminology and dabbled in silly pyramidology. But to a lot of people, Freemasonry means "demon" and "demon-control" and therefore it means something much worse than it would have meant, if Russell had been an actual Freemason. 
The same goes for those anti-JWs with a 'no-better-than-average' sense of pareidolia (people who see people and faces in everyday objects). When they look at pictures in the Watchtower of clouds or trees or bushes or patterns on cloth or in woodwork or this or that or the other, they see deformed faces and think of demons. I think these same people are a bit paranoid, too, so that when a real cloud in the sky looks like a puppy they wait for the cloud to grow and change and shift and distort and only notice it when it looks like a werewolf to them. 
I have a sense that they want to dismiss the success of JWs and assign it to demonic forces and this somehow rationalizes it for them. (Seeing Jehovah's obvious blessing in something and then trying to say it was from Satan and his demons is, in my mind, the primary definition of 'sinning against the holy spirit.')
I say this because the answer is yes, they often do posit a reason. I just got sucked down a reddit-hole last night looking for the answer to the same question. And it's sometimes related to the idea that if the UN really is a [demon-inspired] beast of Revelation, then the Witnesses are sucking up to the beast for whatever favors the beast would grant them. 
For the most part, however, it's just mentioned as a show of hypocrisy and sloppiness (as opposed to faithfulness and "discreetness"). I saw a comparison of the directive by the WTS that Malawians not buy a 25 cent national ID card over which Witnesses were killed, and the nonchalant sign-up to a 1991 NGO application that said the NGO participant would 'support the mission' of the UN. 
Some posited that it was for free international flights to troublespots (I highly doubt it), higher visibility when getting involved in humanitarian aid, a way of highlighting support for UNICEF (for children) at the same time that trouble began brewing over child protection in congregations. 
Ciro Aulicino is the guy who signed up for it along with GB member Lloyd Barry. Several on the forum know these brothers and know that Ciro, at least, was prone to lapses in judgment, but always with a good heart and for a good reason. When he first moved from the Service Dept to the Writing Dept he immediately began setting up a regular schedule where he was at one of the major libraries for nearly a whole day at least once a week. He had no qualms about taking material for his public talks directly from 18th and 19th century authors and commentaries. His Awake! and Watchtower material would often start out with statistics from outside sources. He must have thought that the UN had the best statistics about various nations and international data. 
Personally, I absolutely believe the WTS's explanation that it was all about access to the library. Any non-profit organization could already have standard access to the UN library, but the library was also a pre-Internet source of information about past, present and future UN backed seminars and reports, and therefore the advantages of becoming an NGO would have been seen as tempting. Those seminars are related to world health, world crime, natural disasters, religious persecution, holocaust memorials, etc., and are attended by writers, researchers, journalists and other religious and political organizations, too. In fact, the WTS still attends seminars that are backed by UN NGO's because it can help highlight the WTS's own involvement with some of these same issues. 

That many? That’s worth addressing.
1) Because the complainers against anything always outnumber and are more vocal than those satisfied. It is a basic law of human nature and is seen everywhere.
2) Because of the thought expressed at Psalm 130:3. “If errors were what you watch, O Jah, O Jehovah, who could stand?” Watching errors is the modus operendi of today’s culture, typified in its media. Nobody stands as their enemies magnify, enhance, and even concoct evil reports—see it play out on the internet with any public figure. Of course, in addition, to those of a different agenda, everything is an error.
3) Because of the sentiment expressed at John 15:18-19. “If the world hates you, you know that it has hated me before it hated you. If you were part of the world, the world would be fond of what is its own. Now because you are no part of the world … on this account the world hates you”.  (John 15:18-19) Of course, just because you are hated does not mean you as a group are Christ’s followers. However, any group NOT universally hated (and the list is not that long) is automatically disqualified from consideration.
‘No part of the world’ will sink you every time in the eyes of those who embrace the world.
Though I was once active in this open club, I have not been for some time, deferring to the GB’s wishes. (also because it does little good—I have never known any opponent to change) I can’t say I ‘watch’ the contents exJWs provide, for I am invariably put off by how pedantic and boring they are, but through reading I do try to keep up. This is along the lines of Anna, who had a teenaged son and didn’t want to find him one day stumbled by something he had come across and herself powerless to help him because she had no idea what he had come across.
Many observations of ex-Witnesses are valid, if not the conclusions they ultimately draw from them. I have incorporated into the latest book, ‘Things that drive you crazy about the faith and how to view them.’ Make no mistake. The book is loyal to Jehovah’s Witnesses and their earthly governing arrangement, but it does deal with some of the beefs the malcontents bring up:
The metadata at least, if not the entire book (digital or print), should be required reading:
https://mybook.to/IntheLastoftheLastDays
(The book is even dedicated to ‘the Old Hen, whoever he may be.’)
 

This is somewhat true, hence why I am not too keen of AI and or agendas, especially AI. But what I had noticed over the years, any organization that the Left sides with (this goes for Alt groups too), they are not has harsh with specific groups and or faiths when something bad happens, even a crime among members, this goes for the religious folks on their side, you wouldn't catch PBS bashing their own in this regard.
Now, if it is something that they are against, they are quick to attack, mock, and formulate narratives to try and cast doubt and crush one's hope and or faith, for example, Trump Followers, MAGA, of which they preach are all cultist and evil because they noted a few bad folks among them, but the same people will not say a single word about ANTIFA, of how, recently, they attacked parents who want to defend their kids from an already, for a long time now, corrupt Higher Education System.
Regarding Jehovah's Witnesses, the assumption on the Left is that JWs are Conservatives whereas disgruntled EXJWs will tell you JWs are Left-Wing, when in reality, they are neutral, or in this case, apolitical like other groups. Reasons why whenever there is News, anything breaking, Fox News (pre-Tucker Carlson) for example, are not as harsh with them because of views of religious freedom and the like, mainly when any member of the JW faith commits a crime, they focus the attention of the person who committed the crime, and will be in the middle in some things. Now you go to the Left or any Alt side, they go on full attack mode, hence why you see Left-Wing outlets like Atlantic, Guardian, CNN, etc. stick to one side. The reality is majority of EXJWs rely on Left Wing sources and speakers. Now current Jehovah's Witnesses, have among them who are gullible when it comes to the MSM, and although neutral, a few of them may bear some level of influence by the Agenda the MSM pushes, to a degree, some even succumb to conspiracy theory rather of what is true, this is the same with the EXJW counterpart who are far more quick to accept something (we see many examples of this here on the forums)
That being said, the Wild Beast, the UN making a move that will change the lives of many very soon, and I can tell you now, that what they have in store, will result in the same paradigm of one side vs the other, and people will get caught in the crossfire, among the people caught, many will be among the JWs and EXJWs collectively, if they do not tread carefully.

https://www.instagram.com/reel/CtjQJc6slp3/?utm_source=ig_web_copy_link&igshid=MzRlODBiNWFlZA==
Yep, only those doctors with integrity were willing to challenge the CDC/FDA, WHO, etc to keep the facts and truth alive.   Doctors like McCullough, Urso, Brian Cole,  Pierre Cory, Jay Battachurya, Gert Van Bosshe, etc. have challenged the FDA/CDC to a debate in a round table format to educate the public.  All government agencies declined to participate.  Speaks volumes!

Not at all.

https://www.instagram.com/reel/CtQ6J7wAqoO/?igshid=NzgyYTk0Y2YyNg%3D%3D

The reproach of the abuser falls on the abuser, not the congregation. It was indeed a timely attitudinal shift. It’s a chapter that was in TTvtA, and now will have to be included somewhere else.
https://www.tomsheepandgoats.com/2019/02/the-reproach-of-child-sexual-abuse-falls-on-the-abu.html

I'm not defending the text that ChatGPT derived, but it's still a true statement -- even without any reference to what the situation is in other countries. But you should keep in mind that the Witness organization also reaches out to prisons and to former criminals, and other persons who have issues. Jesus said that it was the "sick" that came to him, not those who considered themselves healthy. And then there is the fact that crimes, including rape and murder, come ultimately from human sinful nature.
(James 1:14, 15) . . .But each one is tried by being drawn out and enticed by his own desire. 15 Then the desire, when it has become fertile, gives birth to sin; in turn sin, when it has been carried out, brings forth death.
(James 2:11) . . .For the one who said, “You must not commit adultery,” also said, “You must not murder.” If, now, you do not commit adultery but you do murder, you have become a transgressor of law.
Imagine! A need to write to congregations to remind them that it is not OK to murder!
 

This pic was included in the June 7th WSJ article that broke the Instagram story:

Imagine. After a sober warning of the “extreme harm” such sexual imagery causes children, coupled with an appeal to visit the Help Center so as to “get resources,” still there is an option, if one wishes, to “See results anyway.”
Get caught with the stuff on your computer and you’re in serious hot water. In fact, that’s the first thing I-gram warns about, as though the ‘extreme harm to children’ is but an afterthought.
No wonder the next morning it was #Pedogram

This pic was included in the June 7th WSJ article that broke the Instagram story:

Imagine. After a sober warning of the “extreme harm” such sexual imagery causes children, coupled with an appeal to visit the Help Center so as to “get resources,” still there is an option, if one wishes, to “See results anyway.”
Get caught with the stuff on your computer and you’re in serious hot water. In fact, that’s the first thing I-gram warns about, as though the ‘extreme harm to children’ is but an afterthought.
No wonder the next morning it was #Pedogram

Well? Don't just sit there. Tell me if I can do it or not.
One brother said about such articles: "I read the question, then I skip to the end to see if I can do it or not."
Alright, alright, he was not being serious. He was kidding. But there were likely some who did it just that way. After all, it's not a joke unless there's a kernel of truth in it. People are people, inside God's organization or out.

Or possible the bombshell that is Facebook/Instagram (which was mentioned to Butler as a forwarning) that has recently taken place, and or some diabolical stuff regarding CSA that is associated with other media, even the schools; hence why I believe people such as Mel Gibson, will eventually be a media focus in the coming days or weeks.
Among other things, there is the Non-Institutional stuff that is taking place, which, compared to schools and churches, can often times be as complex to deal with like the social media stuff.