xjwsforChrist

This is actually funny to read. Its written by a Journalist who visited the New Orleans Convention. There is a picture of a South African couple who are delegates at the assembly. What on earth are they wearing??

http://www.vice.com/en_uk/read/the-jehovas-witnesses-annual-convention-was-so-organized-it-was-creepy

Ha ha, that was funny!

I get to go to the International Convention in Seattle next weekend (yay me!!!! )
Just found out the parking lot is over a mile away, so it's gonna be a long walk to and from each day. I have a minor foot condition, so this is going to be a painful weekend. Ugh.

You wouldn't believe how whacked out the IC event is. Our cong. was chosen to host a busload of international folks after the convention for a morning of field service and an afternoon of entertainment. The cong has been having rehearsals for months for the entertainment portion. I'm sure it will be fun (I'm opting out as I actually have a job to do during the week), but my observation of the whole thing is that these JWs just don't really know how to show hospitality to people. It's all too organized and too forced. It's as if the congregation has gone giddy for no real reason. I don't know how to explain the weirdness of it all.

LOLOL! Try to tell THEM that, though, dear LQ (peace to you, luv!) - LOLOLOL! Unfortunately, while the WTBTS preaches a LOT about showing hospitality... to "traveling overseers" and the like, they give their members little tools to show it as to one another. Some may recall me commenting on the "weird" dichotomy between English-speaking and Spanish-speaking congregations. How many times I observed the, well, lack of ANY kind of "brotherly" greeting, if not outright silence/ignoring of one another... when one group leaves the KH and the other comes in. It's as if the language difference is a valid excuse NOT to acknowledge one another. How can that BE, though, when supposedly BOTH speak "the pure language"?? You don't have to know Spanish to know "Hola!" or "Paz!" or even "Hola, HERMANO/A!" Coming from a neighborhood mixed Latino/a-African American... it was something I couldn't reconcile with my "spirituality." Same with, say, English/Vietnamese congos, etc.

To JWs, "hospitality," is having your FRIENDS (from the Congo)... or the sundry overseer... over and attempting to impress them with... well, whatever one is attempting to impress them with. Which could be a number of things. It is rarely, if EVER, about SERVING one's guests. And good lordy... one must NOT invite one who they DON'T consider a friend... or two who don't get along ("Who's coming?" - that question has always chapped my hide - why do you CARE? Either accept the invitation and come... or stay your butt at home. With your problems w/Brother-Sister So and So. And if you DO come... CHECK your problems with whoever at the door! I digress.).

Isn't it a shame that a large organization has members who claim to possess "brotherly love"... but have to REHEARSE as to how to EXHIBIT that "love"?

(Shaking head)...

And, yes, dear, dear Zoe (peace, dear lady!)... it was totally creepy. Reading about it... and remembering it. I mean, these are "christians," are they NOT? What in the WORLD does a CHRISTIAN need with their own "Praetorian Guard"? That, too, always concerned me: the "attendants" placed around the platform, at doors, etc.

Yes, I am SURE some of these folks have received death threats. But... so did Christ! And when Peter tried to "protect" HIM... what did he tell that one??

Every time I "look" at these folks I see less and less... and less... of any even remote resemblance to my dear Lord. In place, I see "IMPOSTERS"... the word almost screaming at me.

Too bad... too bad...

But, yeah... cree... py. Especially for so-called "christians".

Oh, and I think those folks from South African have on some kind of tribal apparel... possibly from the tribe that is most prominent in their congregation there. Y'know, like kilts... what's that word... tartan?

Peace!

Your servant and a slave of Christ,

Shellamar

I don't recall you saying that, but YES, that totally exists. I'm even guilty of it to some degree. I do greet some of them whom I know, but not all of them. I'm working on things like this for myself. It's hard to undo a lifetime of bad habits.


It's even worse than that. Let me share a quote from today's WT study:

Really? We need an opportunity to show love?!?!?!? Correct me if I'm wrong, but I don't recall our Lord ever caveating when we should be showing love.

I was thinking about this earlier today. In talks and sometimes in the mags, we would hear/read: "Some say, 'But worldly people are nicer than the brothers and sisters at the Kingdom Hall.'... blah blah blah" I got to thinking: If some are saying that, then what does that say about the brothers and sisters at the Kingdom Hall? And if that's a widely known point of view, then that just shows that those at the KH are not Christ's TRUE disciples. After all, his TRUE disciples would be KNOWN because of their love for one another, right?

Boo-yow, dear LQ. As to all.

Peace to you!

YSSFS of Christ,

Shel

Because of the lack of love, the coldness, the hypocrisy of the congregations I attended I left the religion. They were judgemental and had cliques. They did me a favor.

When my parents first got the truth in 1952 the congregation they were in was very warm and loving. They were always having fellowship and get togethers. I remember how happy everyone was. But that changed in the 60's. Looking back I am wondering if its because of all the rules that were made about what you could or could not do when socializing. About not stumbling your brother. As the religion grew they had to stifle people.

When my parents first got the truth in 1952 the congregation they were in was very warm and loving. They were always having fellowship and get togethers. I remember how happy everyone was. But that changed in the 60's. Looking back I am wondering if its because of all the rules that were made about what you could or could not do when socializing. About not stumbling your brother. As the religion grew they had to stifle people.


Good morning and peace to you dear ZOE...

Your wondering my dear has nothing to do with the fact of any growth or organizational changes. It is because of one simple truth!

This organization IS NOT and has NEVER been " the Truth". So when your parents found it ( the WTBS...NOT the truth)in 1952, it looked and smelled and sorta acted like ' truth' because our adversary disguises himself as an " angel of light" or as " truth" seeking to mislead and devour ANYONE he possibly can.

Our Lord and savior Jaheshua MischaJah IS the ONLY Truth out there, always has been and STILL is!
As Peter says, " whom shall we turn away to Lord...YOU have the sayings of everlasting life."

Truth is a WHOM not a PLACE ( building temple/ Kingdom Hall/ church/). But I think you realize this by now dear ZOE as to some of your comments you have shared and particularly one to your daughter when you mentioned you didn't feel one needs a religion to have a relationship or to be approved by God.


Love and peace to you this day, your sister and fellow servant of CHRIST, Kim

@justMom
You are so right, it seemed like the truth but it was disguised then. Now TTATT is being unveiled.

LOL when I said the truth I meant "the truth" as to what they call it. I should have said when they became Jehovah's Witnesses. Of course I do not believe they have the truth, no religion does. If you are going to look for truth about God and the purpose of our lives go to the source.

((Smile)) Yes, ZOE it " seemed" like the truth. Of course it did or our parents would not have been attracted to it. They do have some " truths" and we are to remember and take with us what our Lord reminds us..." to DO as they SAY, not as they Do." That is when it comes to mercy, love, forgiveness, compassion, listening TO and obeying Jah and the one he sent forth and we were told to listen to and obey now. They taught us we were to be slaves of CHRIST and not to yoke ourselves under man in slavery ever again. They just didn't mean it applied TO THEM as well.

Hope you have a lovely week, peace and love to you again, your sister and fellow slave of Christ, Kim