carlos

You can call the branch and ask for the Computer Department, or send a letter directly with your suggestion. The brothers appreciate the suggestions they receive and implement some of them when possible.

I seriously doubt any of them actually exist. The only reason they are suggested is because the calculations of physicists do not match the observations. So rather than assuming their whole model is wrong, they made up dark matter and dark energy to justify their numbers. "Dark" here means impossible to detect. When you suggest there is some matter that is attracted by gravity but is impossible to detect or measure by any means, to me that is not a scientific theory, it's just speculation. I used to love Physics, but lately I no longer read much about it because it's all nonsense. Dark matter, string theory, multiverses... A lot of silly speculation and nothing of science.

In 2003 we had an international convention here in Madrid, and we hosted two delegates from Venezuela in our home. At the time, Hugo Chávez, Maduro’s predecessor, had only been in power for a few months and many Venezuelans were excited because it seemed someone was finally paying attention to the poor. We were stunned when these sisters told us that quite a few brothers had been swept up in the general enthusiasm and were getting involved in politics. Back then, it felt almost impossible to imagine a Christian taking sides politically. More than twenty years later we now see that trend everywhere. A few years ago, when a region in Spain attempted to declare independence, the branch had to send a very firm letter to all congregations because many were making comments that were far from neutral. Even here in the forums, we see some who passionately defend or criticize Trump or other political leaders. They think they’re being neutral, but in reality they’re being influenced by the news sources they follow. This week’s Treasures talk is a good reminder of how vital it is to remain strictly neutral. Otherwise, when the real test arrives we could be caught off guard. All world leaders are simply puppets in Satan’s hands, so it makes little difference when one puppet is replaced by another.

Just a couple comments, without any reference to the neutrality issue: - Jehovah’s Witnesses are not being persecuted in Venezuela. They can still hold their meetings and participate in the ministry. The shortages of food, medicine, and basic goods affect the entire population, and of course our brothers and sisters are included in that hardship. But they are not banned, nor is the government targeting them. - Nothing has really changed in Venezuela, and there’s no indication that anything will change in the near future. The U.S. army captured President Maduro and plans to try him on various charges, but his regime wasn’t overthrown. The vice president, Maduro’s second-in-command, will simply take his place, and the same system will continue with a different figurehead. Same people, same ideology, same corruption. In the end, a dictator may be judged and possibly punished for his crimes, but that’s as far as it goes. It won’t have any real impact on Venezuelans in general or on Jehovah’s Witnesses in the country.

The article you link explains it very well. Particles and antiparticles are identical, except they have opposite electrical charges. An electron has negative electrical charge. An antielectron has the same structure but with positive charge. Yet gravity doesn't have anything to do with electromagnetism and is not affected by it. Gravity makes mass attract other mass, indifferently of its electrical charge. Since antiparticles have the same mass as particles, they are affected the same by gravity. No particles have ever been found that have negative mass, and if you think about it that's a very weird concept. While it can be theorized about, it doesn't seem our universe is built to feature antigravity. As for dark energy, we don't have the slightest idea of what it is, or even if it really exists. Dark energy is a speculation to explain why galaxies don't behave in the way physicists expected, but it has never been detected or measured. Maybe it exists, or maybe it doesn't and there is another explanation for the discrepancy. Or maybe their calculations are flawed and there are other factors we don't have any idea about.

Of course it depends on circumstances. If you really cannot attend in person, then Zoom is better than nothing. But definitely you need to attend meetings in person if you want to be able to encourage others and receive encouragement, work for the congregation and feel part of it. Zoom is like the IV fluids they put you on at hospital when you cannot eat. It feeds you and keeps you alive, but it can't compare with eating real food. in most cases, as soon as the meeting ends most Zoom participants disappear, so they receive the spiritual food but none of the association. Often when many in a congregation are constantly on Zoom, that means the congregation has a problem. On the other hand, if most of those on Zoom are very sick or house-bound or have other compelling reasons that prevent them from attending in person, then they are probably doing all they can.

That's a very good point. It's interesting that next week's meeting quotes an article from 2016 which contains the following comments. Although written ten years ago, it could have been written this morning: We need to be careful with what we express and what we feel. Sometimes it's so difficult to stay neutral when we see big injustices. However, if we look at things from Jehovah's viewpoint, all political leaders are actually Satan's tools, and the only real solution for any problem is the Kingdom.

Sure, false religion and business have always gone hand in hand. Although I think this is a bit different. Those flasks were not intended to be idols, just a souvenir from the holy land. Maybe some people treated them as holy, but it seems that was not the idea. In any case, it's interesting that even in those ancient times they were producing these souvenirs in large scale.

Archaeologists Discover 1,400-Year-Old Souvenir Mold, Exposing the Rise of Christian Pilgrimage Tourism https://arkeonews.net/archaeologists-discover-1400-year-old-souvenir-mold-exposing-the-rise-of-christian-pilgrimage-tourism/ I found this article interesting. Pilgrims from all of Europe and North Africa who visited Palestine in the Middle Ages used to bring home souvenirs: small earthen vessels, named ampullae, filled with water, oil or earth from the "holy places". Many of these have been found throughout Europe. Now for the first time archeologists excavating the ruins of a monastery named Hyrcania have found a mold used to manufacture those flasks almost in industrial scale. The mold has a cross (this is from the 6th or 7th centuries) and the inscription: “Lord’s blessing from the holy places.” It's clear that tourism and souvenirs are not a recent invention.

At Warwick you won't see much of the facilities themselves, they are just offices. Your guide will use some panels to explain what they do there. Yet there are three wonderful exhibitions: one about Jehovah's name, another about the story of the Bible, and a third one, very impressive, about the story of our organization. Those three are a must-see. I visited Patterson years ago and was not very impressed by the building itself. Offices and classrooms. However, now they have a whole town from Bible times. That must be fascinating to visit. At Wallkill you will visit the printing house and see how the publications are printed. I don't remember any exhibition when I last visited, but that was in 2019, there might be some now. I agree that one Bethel a day would be ideal. Two can be visited in one day, but you will be in a rush and will end the day exhausted. We stayed close to Wallkill at the Harvest Inn at Pine Bush, a very nice hotel run by Witnesses: https://www.harvest-inn.com/

I respect your view but I feel very differently. Marriage has some advantages and some disadvantages. When both partners apply Bible principles, it can be really enriching and helpful, despite the hardships. It's ok to wait to marry in the new world, and it's ok not to wait and get married now if you find the right person.

Thanks! This is wonderful news!

That depends on the browser you are using. Is that Chrome on Android?

If you mark someone by mistake as the group overseer or assistant, or if the group overseer or assistant changes, that "no" serves to unmark the previous brother. Selecting a new overseer doesn't unmark the previous one.

Jadon, I have no idea of what kind of plans you have in mind. For many Americans, visiting Europe is a nice cultural shock while at the same time not so extreme as visiting Africa or Asia or South America. There are many fascinating places to visit around here. Portugal, Spain, Italy and Greece are great destinations, with a rich history, nice people and weather and great food. They are quite affordable too from an American point of view. France, Ireland or the UK are very interesting and enjoyable too. These are some of my favorite countries, not meaning others are not worth visiting too. Distances here are not long, all of Europe being within at most three hours by plane. And tickets are cheap. So depending on the time you have available, maybe it would be possible to visit more than one place. If you are interested, there are many European friends in the forums, as well as many Americans who recently traveled here and can offer some suggestions. There are branches in most countries and you are welcome to tour them, but don't forget to make reservations in advance. When you have a more concrete idea of where you will be visiting, I'm sure there are friends here who will be happy to meet you and show you around.