Glossary of American English Hacker Theocratese

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objection

An opposing argument raised by one being preached to. <<We were able to overcome the householder's objection with references to the Reasoning book.>>

offer

1. As a verb, to attempt to interest someone in accepting a piece of {Bible literature}. <<When I learned our new secretary recently re-entered the work force because her husband died, I offered her the brochure When Someone You Love Dies.>> 2. As a noun, synonymous with {current offer}. <<I need to stop by the literature counter and get a few copies of the offer.>>

offertory

The presentation of the offerings of the congregation at public church services. I call it the extortionary. The usual routine is to pass around collection plates for people to drop in money. In making a public matter out of it, viewable by others sitting in the area, people are embarrassed to pass the plate on without forking over anything, or if their offering goes clink in the plate. The Bible says that all contributions to support true worship should be entirely voluntary and essentially anonymous.^[137] Therefore, the practice of soliciting donations in this way from attendees has never been a part of the meetings of Jehovah's Witnesses.

[137] It is not considered ostentatious for persons to contribute signed checks, as a matter of convenience or for the sake of tax records. The contents of {contribution boxes} are seen only by mature brothers assigned to empty them, who keep no record of who contributed how much, but only write down the totals, and do not publicize to others the information their eyes take in.

OHO

AMOOFL for ``obviously hiding out'', as in a case where we knock on a door and can hear people scurrying off to back bedrooms so it will appear as though no one is at home. A reader in Colorado wrote to say that people in his area use this in preference to {HBH} because the acronym when pronounced is similar to ``Aha!''

OKM

AMOOFL for {Our Kingdom Ministry}.

old people's music

A term young people use to describe any music their parents will still let them listen to after reading an article about music in one of the current magazines. <<Aw, Dad, all I've got left to listen to is ooold people's music!>> Followed by a great {heaving of sighs}.^[138] The reaction is symptomatic of the general condition of musical ignorance described in the entry {music}.

[138] Heard on a circuit assembly demonstration recently. Grumble grumble. If only they knew.

old school

People use this phrase to mean old fashioned, usually as a criticism, and in comparison to themselves. It suggests that the one described as such acts in a way that was appropriate at one time, but is no longer current. <<Their CO is really old school.>> The speaker may have been motivated to say this upon receiving some counsel from the CO that was not appreciated. But all circuit overseers, and district overseers and elders in general, receive the same training for their responsibilities, on approximately the same schedule, so no one goes out of date. Overseers who are unable or unwilling to move with Jehovah's chariot^[139] are removed from office. (Eze 1:20, 21; Psa 109:8; Act 1:20)

[139] See [w94 8/1 10 par. 3], which illustrates how perfectly adaptable Jehovah's celestial chariot is, and shows how we should likewise remain adaptable.

Old Testament [obs], New Testament [obs]

These terms are used by Christendom to designate the two major sections of the Bible, but are not a part of theocratic speech. We use the more precise terminology {Hebrew Scriptures} and {Christian Greek Scriptures} respectively. Appendix 7E of the {Reference Bible} [Rbi8-E] contains an interesting explanation.

old timer

Someone who has been {around the Truth} and faithful for a long time. A person does not necessary have to be elderly to be considered an old timer. <<My in-laws, who are old-timers, suggested this Glossary entry.>> That's what's known in computer lingo as a recursive example.

older man

The scriptural term for what is more commonly called an {elder}. It is used many times in the Hebrew Scriptures, and is first found in connection with men appointed to serve the Christian congregation at Acts 11:30. (See also {overseer}.) Though one needn't be literally old to be considered a spiritually older man, spiritual maturity implies years of experience in life. And no one yet has figured out a way to get any younger after being appointed as an elder.

STORY: The impact of the literal meaning of the term older men is never more evident than when standing in a room where a large gathering of elders is about to take place, as at a {Kingdom Ministry School}. As I look around and note all the paunches, the wrinkles, the gray and missing hair, the croaking voices, the faltering gaits, the bent backs, the thick glasses, and the hearing aids, I think to myself: ``What a pitiful sight! It's a good thing Jehovah loves us.'' (Pro 16:31)

oldster

A {fuddy-duddy} term that designates a person of advanced age. I personally feel it has a folksy but condescending flavor to it and could therefore be construed as {politically incorrect} if spoken indiscreetly. However, it is used in the {Society's} publications, always with implied affection and without intent of malice. <<We should try to learn from the greater years of experience the oldsters among us have acquired.>>

OM

1. AMOOFL for {older man}, i.e., an elder. It ties in well with amateur radio lingo, which uses OM for ``old man'', to refer to any male radio operator. Because of the techno-electronic nature of both computers and the hobby of amateur radio, many hackers are also amateur radio operators, called ``hams'' in the USA and most other places. 2. AMOOFL for ``old magazine''; a notation often found on house-to-house record slips to indicate that a {back issue} was left at the door of a {not-at-home}.

one-sentence sermon

An ultrashort presentation. We should always be ready to speak about the Kingdom message with little or no advance warning. Some persons have facilitated this objective by preparing a short probe that can be used to give a witness in a variety of situations, such as when someone utters the oft heard semi-rhetorical plaint ``What is this world coming to, anyhow?'' One brother's response to such queries, which he calls his one-sentence sermon, is: <<If you really want to know, it happens that I'm a member of an organization of over five million people who are willing, fully trained, and ready to take over when this world's institutions collapse. Would you like to hear about it?>>^[140]

[140] Yes, I know that's two sentences.

online

1. Residing on a computer. <<I have NW and about 30 megabytes of the Society's literature online in ASCII format.>> 2. Connected by computers, especially by means of a network. <<Thousands of brothers are able to carry on running dialogues by coming online via the Internet or BBSs.>> 3. Metaphorically connected, with all faculties operating properly. <<It takes a couple of cups of coffee in the morning for most pioneers to come completely online.>>

opening prayer

The prayer offered at the beginning of a meeting. At most meetings it follows an initial song. Brothers are encouraged to make opening prayers succinct and to the point. These prayers might include thanks to Jehovah for the meeting, and requests for his spirit on the speakers to deliver their parts well, and on all attending that they may concentrate and benefit from what is said. (Compare {closing prayer}.)

opinion

A personal view about some matter. Everyone has opinions, and this is not in itself wrong. (Compare 1Co 7:25.) But some persons have difficulty distinguishing their personal opinions from revealed truth. (1Ti 6:3-5) Once a brother unloaded his written heartfelt opinions about some matters that were troubling him on me. He asked if I thought he had expressed himself too strongly. I replied that perhaps he ought to put the title ``95 Theses'' across the top and nail his manifesto to the Kingdom Hall door.^[141]

[141] The brother had some legitimate concerns and expressed them well. Sometimes the opportunity to speak one's mind to a trusted listener can be cathartic. (Compare Psa 4:4.)

opportune time

Suitable for the moment. Twice Paul encouraged Christians to ``buy out the opportune time'' to pursue a course of wisdom. (Eph 5:16; Col 4:5) Now that we are in the {time of the end}, we have a never to be repeated and highly urgent work to do, so now is the opportune time to be busy doing it; later it will be impossible. Thus the Society repeatedly exhorts us to make the best use of our time, sacrificing time-consuming personal pursuits in order to make more room for spiritual activities, especially participation in the preaching work. I found the expression opportune time 85 times in my online literature collection. <<Young Witnesses should certainly buy out the opportune time to become knowledgeable and capable servants of Jehovah.>> [w92 11/1]

opposer

One who is not merely indifferent to the {Kingdom message}, but who proactively speaks against it and who criticizes or cruelly persecutes Jehovah's people. Some take this stand due to ignorance. Others are just plain hard-hearted or possibly even influenced by Satanic forces. Still others are just plain {stupid}. <<There is never any reason to fear opposers of the Kingdom work, knowing that Jesus will assist us in speaking to them.>> (Luk 21:15)

order

Short for the current order of literature from the {Society}. <<The order came in, so I should pick up my {bound volumes}.>>

Order of Special Full-Time Servants

A ``religious order'' that includes Bethelites as well as circuit and district overseers. It was established as a formality strictly for tax purposes, and is mentioned periodically in one of the publications for that reason only. [yb95 5] It has nothing to do with persons distinguishing themselves from ordinary people by taking solemn vows and living lives of poverty in seclusion, as is practiced by some religious orders.

ordination, ordained minister

Christendom has a much different view than the Bible about what constitutes an ordained minister. In order to cooperate with governmental requirements, for instance, where an elder needs a license to perform a wedding, the congregation regards elders as being ``ordained'' in a special sense. In most places the governments accept this. (See {elder who performs weddings}.) <<{Baptismal candidates} are always told to write down the date of their baptism, because it marks the date of their ordination as God's ministers.>>

organ

A musical instrument so expensive and bulky that they are often designed and custom built for a particular building. Organs are the primary musical instrument used to accompany religious services in Christendom's churches. The primary musical instrument used in Kingdom Halls is the {CD} or cassette player. The accompaniments to songs for meetings are all recorded on piano. When live music is provided, it is always by means of piano accompaniment.^[142] Halls with respectable pianos and musicians who can play them well enough are becoming increasingly rare.

[142] By Society direction. Years ago, little ensembles were sometimes used. (Usually squeaky.)

organization

By itself ``the organization'' is short for ``Jehovah's visible Christian organization''. (1Co 14:33) <<We should attempt to introduce newly interested persons to the organization as early in their study as possible.>>

organized religion

Although Jehovah's {organization} is the premiere example of orderliness in matters of religion, to many the term organized religion suggests the mainstream religions of Christendom. <<I gave my written notice to organized religion before becoming a Witness.>> (Compare {religion}.)

Orthodox

1. A member of a sect of Christendom that originally broke away from the Roman Catholic church. The two main branches of Orthodoxy are Greek and Russian. These sects claim to be conservative and therefore original in their views, though they are every bit as apostate as Roman Catholicism. Their main differences have to do with who is leader and where he lives. They have disregarded the Bible teaching that Jesus Christ is leader of the true Christian congregation, and that he lives in heaven. 2. There are branches of Judaism that claim to be orthodox, i.e., conservative, notably the Hassidic Jews, easily distinguished on the streets of New York and other places where they are found in concentration by the black clothing, beards and long forelocks of the men. 3. The word in lower case can be used in a general sense to mean conventional, and conforming to established doctrine. <<His orthodox views on raising children have not helped him to be a success in raising his own.>>

other sheep

Scriptural term for Christians who entertain prospects of everlasting life in an earthly Paradise. (Joh 10:16) <<The Bible shows there are two {classes} of Christians, which Jesus described as the little flock and the other sheep.>>

OTOH

Hacker AMOOFL for ``on the other hand''.

Our Father prayer

See {model prayer}.

Our Kingdom Ministry

A newsletter containing instructions for {field ministry} published monthly by each {branch office}, and covered at the weekly {Service Meeting}.

Our Kingdom Service [obs]

The most recent old name for {Our Kingdom Ministry}. Before then it was known as Informant, Director, and Bulletin.

ouster

Expulsion as a result of a judgment. I rarely ever see the word outside the Society's literature, except in reference to an occasional deposed dictator. Of the 26 times it is found in my online literature base, once it refers to <<man's ouster from the garden of Eden>>, once to <<the demons' entering the swine manifesting their ouster forcefully>>, and all the rest to <<the ouster of Satan the Devil and his demons from heaven and down to earth.>>

outline, outline talk

A written representation of material to be covered in a talk, noting only the main ideas, often written in an indented or itemized style. The material for the entire series of {public talks} is supplied by the Society in outline form. There are advantages to working from an outline. The speaker may adapt it for local circumstances, inserting illustrations, and experiences, and is free to phrase things according to his own manner of speaking. Also, talks given from an outline sound much more spontaneous than {manuscript talks} because an outline helps the speaker to think about ideas rather than words. For these reasons beginning speakers are encouraged to begin using an outline as early in their training as possible. <<Giving an outline talk is a little like playing mainstream jazz. Though the basic ideas and direction are predetermined, the precise manner of execution is saved for the moment of presentation.>>

overcomer

One who overcomes [something]. I was surprised to find this word in the dictionary, having thought it to be a neologism of some Society writer. I found it 17 times in my online literature collection. In every single case it appears standalone, never saying `overcomers of this or that'. The object they overcome is always explained in the preceding sentences. <<We can be overcomers by relying firmly on the ransom.>> [w90 12/15] In every instance the context seems to be related to Christians' having faithfully ``conquered the world''. (1Jo 5:4)

overseer

1. Another scriptural term for {elder}. This one focuses more on the man's appointment of responsibility than his age. 2. Anyone who has authority to organize and direct some assignment, whether an appointed brother in his congregation or not, is in a sense an overseer. <<Brother Willing and Brother Able will oversee the distribution of contribution boxes in this area.>>

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