*** w85 12/15 p. 7 How You Can Show Gratitude for What Jesus Did ***
Christian meetings are a way by which we can maintain proper esteem. Since Jehovah and Jesus are present invisibly at these gatherings, grateful Christians will not snub them, as the apostates do, but rather do all they reasonably can to attend regularly.
However, according to Watchtower doctrine, God is not omnipresent:
ka chap. 6 p. 98 par. 39 Priests for Ten Centuries with No Scheming Priestcraft
The Most High God has always had a place of residence in heaven. He is not an all-pervasive spirit that is omnipresent, present everywhere at the same time. Being an intelligent Person, he has his location, his place of residence where he can be approached.
This begs the question that since doctrine holds that Jehovah is NOT omnipresent, and Jesus is of course just a lowly angel who doesn't even have "holy spirit" at his disposal let alone omnipresence, how can it be said they are "present invisibly" at all the meetings? This simply shows that they make up this stuff as they go along.
Tuesday, December 30, 2008
Ironies and Idiocies of Jehovah's Witnesses
Windowless Kingdom Halls filled by men who make their living washing windows.
Thousands of Kingdom Halls with security systems,but the systems are all set to 1914.
Jehovah's Witnesses arrive uninvited and unannounced at a stranger's door, would be visibly upset if a friend stopped by their house before calling first.
Jehovah's Witnesses in field service, going door to door, hoping no one is at home.
Saying they are a Bible-based religion and being anti-Catholic, failing to note that the Bible was canonized and codified by the Catholic Church. If God hadn't "used" the Catholic Church as His "approved channel" to formulate and disseminate the Bible, the Witnesses would have nothing to mistranslate and misinterpret.
Holding "Bible studies" with people but studying Watchtower books, not the Bible.
Refusing to associate with wordly relatives because they are "bad association", then going door to door looking for worldly people who will talk to them.
Witnesses claim that they dob't celebrate Thanksgiving but still having a turkey for Thanksgiving dinner and invite some of the friends to dinner that day.
Witnesses tell everyone they don't celebrate Christmas but accept gifts and cash from their employer when Christmas comes around.
Witnesses are totally against celebrating the anniversary of a person's birth, but all for celebrating the anniversary of a marriage, even with a cake and gifts.
Witnesses claim that they do not participate in "pagan rituals and customs" and yet they wear a wedding ring (which is a pagan custom).
Witnesses don't accept blood transfusions. However, if you break the blood up into separate parts, then it's okay,
Jehovah's Witnesses profess not to have have a "clergy class" but when they are in court being sued because of their instructions not to go to the authorities about child abuse, then invoke "clergy/penitent priveledge."
Jehovah's Witnesses don't have a "clergy class" but the elders are worthy of "double honor" for their position.
Jehovah's Witnesses are told that love is the identifying mark of the true Christian congregation, yet "mark" those who don't attend meetings on a regular basis so as not to associate with them.
Jehovah's Witnesses claim that their literature is life saving. But then why is it copyrighted? Don't they want everybody to have it? Why do they hire lawyers to prosecute those who make their literature available without permission or if they don't like the context any quotes are made in?
Why do the Witnesses print only a half a million copies of a worldwide message about religion designed to reach six billion people?!
You need to read MY literature, but I won't read yours.
You must let me pray for you, but I will not let you pray for me.
There are no collection plates, but plenty of collection boxes.
Jehovah's Witnesses brag about "teaching" people God's name and yet the name they use is a mis-translation of the name of the Hebrew God.
Jehovah's Witnesses tell people to examine and question their own religions in every detail and research it fully. But don't even DARE to examine or question or research my religion, though, or Jehovah will execute you."
The Watchtower study and the Book Study are "Question" and "Answer" sessions, which doesn't actually mean you get to ask meaningful questions, it means that you get to repeat back, word for word, what the magazine or book just told you.
Thousands of Kingdom Halls with security systems,but the systems are all set to 1914.
Jehovah's Witnesses arrive uninvited and unannounced at a stranger's door, would be visibly upset if a friend stopped by their house before calling first.
Jehovah's Witnesses in field service, going door to door, hoping no one is at home.
Saying they are a Bible-based religion and being anti-Catholic, failing to note that the Bible was canonized and codified by the Catholic Church. If God hadn't "used" the Catholic Church as His "approved channel" to formulate and disseminate the Bible, the Witnesses would have nothing to mistranslate and misinterpret.
Holding "Bible studies" with people but studying Watchtower books, not the Bible.
Refusing to associate with wordly relatives because they are "bad association", then going door to door looking for worldly people who will talk to them.
Witnesses claim that they dob't celebrate Thanksgiving but still having a turkey for Thanksgiving dinner and invite some of the friends to dinner that day.
Witnesses tell everyone they don't celebrate Christmas but accept gifts and cash from their employer when Christmas comes around.
Witnesses are totally against celebrating the anniversary of a person's birth, but all for celebrating the anniversary of a marriage, even with a cake and gifts.
Witnesses claim that they do not participate in "pagan rituals and customs" and yet they wear a wedding ring (which is a pagan custom).
Witnesses don't accept blood transfusions. However, if you break the blood up into separate parts, then it's okay,
Jehovah's Witnesses profess not to have have a "clergy class" but when they are in court being sued because of their instructions not to go to the authorities about child abuse, then invoke "clergy/penitent priveledge."
Jehovah's Witnesses don't have a "clergy class" but the elders are worthy of "double honor" for their position.
Jehovah's Witnesses are told that love is the identifying mark of the true Christian congregation, yet "mark" those who don't attend meetings on a regular basis so as not to associate with them.
Jehovah's Witnesses claim that their literature is life saving. But then why is it copyrighted? Don't they want everybody to have it? Why do they hire lawyers to prosecute those who make their literature available without permission or if they don't like the context any quotes are made in?
Why do the Witnesses print only a half a million copies of a worldwide message about religion designed to reach six billion people?!
You need to read MY literature, but I won't read yours.
You must let me pray for you, but I will not let you pray for me.
There are no collection plates, but plenty of collection boxes.
Jehovah's Witnesses brag about "teaching" people God's name and yet the name they use is a mis-translation of the name of the Hebrew God.
Jehovah's Witnesses tell people to examine and question their own religions in every detail and research it fully. But don't even DARE to examine or question or research my religion, though, or Jehovah will execute you."
The Watchtower study and the Book Study are "Question" and "Answer" sessions, which doesn't actually mean you get to ask meaningful questions, it means that you get to repeat back, word for word, what the magazine or book just told you.
Saturday, December 27, 2008
Guide To Becoming A Jehovah's Witness
In reflecting on my time as a JW, one thing that elders and Circuit Overseers would frequently say is: "We aren't like other religions. You can walk into Catholic or Baptist Church and become a member pretty quickly. But for us (JW's) you have to study first and get the accurate knowledge of John 17:3"
This is another attempt to put on a great front to a dubious method of Jehovah's Witness recruitment. Indoctrination.
Since I resigned my membership as a JW, I find it funny how so not true it is that you can walk into any church and become a member. JW's would like for you to believe that most churches are the Dollar General store equivalent of religion, cheap and easy. That simply isn't true. I will allow that there are many religions that simply ask if one has accepted Christ and are born again, but there are just as many churches, if not more, that would like for you to know a little something about them before you join.
JW's have a more cynical goal though. Because they have such amazing beliefs regarding the prophetic value of the bible, (i.e. most prophetic characters from Noah to Abraham to David to Solomon and Hezekiah all point to the modern day structure and hierarchy of Jehovah's Witnesses), it is necessary to prep the prospective JW with the soft stuff first.
JW's have books designated for study with new prospects. Here is a list
1969: The Truth That Leads to Eternal Life
1982: You Can Live Forever in Paradise on Earth
1995: Knowledge That Leads to Everlasting Life
2005: What Does the Bible Really Teach?
These books contain nothing of the very controversial prophetic view of JW's. It skims over and gives the greatest, one sided impression of such controversial teachings as blood based medicine and disfellowshipping/excommunication. It starts almost immediately with the thought that friends and family will be against you for studying the bible. (even though you aren't studying the bible, you are studying JW theology with cherry picked scriptures to back up the theology.)
During this "study" (i.e. Indoctrination!) the prospect is encouraged to attend all the meetings of JW's, where they are trained to basically "love bomb" new ones. New ones are impressed with how much attention they get, and just as equally miffed when, after baptism, interest in them and their problems fade. But it feels good in the mean time.
Of course, the goal for this indoctrination is for you to be able to parrot the basics of JW theology, agree that you want to be a JW, and get baptized. This takes several months or more. It changes after that, because now that you are baptized, you have them as the authority. You can no longer research their bible exegesis, you can no longer even have the private thought that you disagree with JW's on any subject, under pain of disfellowshipping and shunning.
For many, the more you learn, the less you like, but if you get baptized, its a little late to call them out on it and avoid the heartache that frequently occurs for associating with and promoting this group.
So if you want to be a Jehovah's Witness, be sure to study thoroughly, and on your own terms. If they have the truth as they claim, then the truth will stand on its own merits, and not on the merits of propaganda designed to bait and switch you into a lifelong, mafia like commitment.
This is another attempt to put on a great front to a dubious method of Jehovah's Witness recruitment. Indoctrination.
Since I resigned my membership as a JW, I find it funny how so not true it is that you can walk into any church and become a member. JW's would like for you to believe that most churches are the Dollar General store equivalent of religion, cheap and easy. That simply isn't true. I will allow that there are many religions that simply ask if one has accepted Christ and are born again, but there are just as many churches, if not more, that would like for you to know a little something about them before you join.
JW's have a more cynical goal though. Because they have such amazing beliefs regarding the prophetic value of the bible, (i.e. most prophetic characters from Noah to Abraham to David to Solomon and Hezekiah all point to the modern day structure and hierarchy of Jehovah's Witnesses), it is necessary to prep the prospective JW with the soft stuff first.
JW's have books designated for study with new prospects. Here is a list
1969: The Truth That Leads to Eternal Life
1982: You Can Live Forever in Paradise on Earth
1995: Knowledge That Leads to Everlasting Life
2005: What Does the Bible Really Teach?
These books contain nothing of the very controversial prophetic view of JW's. It skims over and gives the greatest, one sided impression of such controversial teachings as blood based medicine and disfellowshipping/excommunication. It starts almost immediately with the thought that friends and family will be against you for studying the bible. (even though you aren't studying the bible, you are studying JW theology with cherry picked scriptures to back up the theology.)
During this "study" (i.e. Indoctrination!) the prospect is encouraged to attend all the meetings of JW's, where they are trained to basically "love bomb" new ones. New ones are impressed with how much attention they get, and just as equally miffed when, after baptism, interest in them and their problems fade. But it feels good in the mean time.
Of course, the goal for this indoctrination is for you to be able to parrot the basics of JW theology, agree that you want to be a JW, and get baptized. This takes several months or more. It changes after that, because now that you are baptized, you have them as the authority. You can no longer research their bible exegesis, you can no longer even have the private thought that you disagree with JW's on any subject, under pain of disfellowshipping and shunning.
For many, the more you learn, the less you like, but if you get baptized, its a little late to call them out on it and avoid the heartache that frequently occurs for associating with and promoting this group.
So if you want to be a Jehovah's Witness, be sure to study thoroughly, and on your own terms. If they have the truth as they claim, then the truth will stand on its own merits, and not on the merits of propaganda designed to bait and switch you into a lifelong, mafia like commitment.
Friday, December 26, 2008
Anyone Can Give A Public Talk
It's easy!
Every public talk ever given goes like this:
Pick a subject, whether it's "God's Government or Man's?" or whatever...
Open by talking about how bad world conditions are,
Go on about how bad morals today are,
Run down Christendom and the governments for a while,
Then be sure and brag on the organization so that the witnesses will feel special and that they know something no one else does,
Read some scriptures about how God's kingdom is the answer, and finally...
Talk about how important it is to study, get baptized and preach because the end is near.
Be sure to use key Watchtower phrases like
Use key phrases, like ...
"Does it not warm your heart ..." (Tell your audience how they should feel)
"It is only logical ..." (We don't really know. We are just guessing)
"It is only reasonable ..." (We don't know. We are just guessing)
"Time is running out ..." (Be afraid. Be very afraid.)
Every article/talk has them.
Bang!
That's every public talk you will ever hear.
Now you don't have to drag your butt out of bed on Sunday.
Every public talk ever given goes like this:
Pick a subject, whether it's "God's Government or Man's?" or whatever...
Open by talking about how bad world conditions are,
Go on about how bad morals today are,
Run down Christendom and the governments for a while,
Then be sure and brag on the organization so that the witnesses will feel special and that they know something no one else does,
Read some scriptures about how God's kingdom is the answer, and finally...
Talk about how important it is to study, get baptized and preach because the end is near.
Be sure to use key Watchtower phrases like
Use key phrases, like ...
"Does it not warm your heart ..." (Tell your audience how they should feel)
"It is only logical ..." (We don't really know. We are just guessing)
"It is only reasonable ..." (We don't know. We are just guessing)
"Time is running out ..." (Be afraid. Be very afraid.)
Every article/talk has them.
Bang!
That's every public talk you will ever hear.
Now you don't have to drag your butt out of bed on Sunday.
Tuesday, December 23, 2008
Jehovah's Witness Ham Sandwich Approach To Blood
The "ham sandwich" is an apt simile for the JW policy of allowing blood fractions but not whole blood. Click on image to enlarge it.
How ridiculous is this? Whole blood is not allowed but all the fractions that make up whole blood are.
Sunday, December 21, 2008
Stained Glass Windows
The Watchtower started to back off it's condemnation of 'stain-glassed' after restoring the Stanley with it's piece of stained glass.
***w53 5/1 p. 260 Why Maturity Is Lacking***
To help fill in the spiritual vacuum imposing cathedrals are built, lavishly furnished with pipe organs, stained-glass windows and other works of art, and choirs are trained. Is it any wonder, then, that churchgoers are not mature when the goal of the worship they attend is entertainment and appeal to the senses instead of edification and appeal to the reason and conscience of man?
***w69 10/15 p. 632 When You First Go to a Kingdom Hall***
In this vein, you will also observe that there are no stained-glass windows, as in many churches, to help create a hushed aura of artificial sanctity. Instead, the spiritual atmosphere at the Kingdom Hall is genuine, springing from a real interest in true worship and Biblical instruction. And the light, natural surroundings in the hall encourage those present to be outgoing and friendly, not inhibited by a mysterious imposed solemnity.
***g82 3/8 p. 6 The Catholic Church’s Past Attitude Toward the Bible***
Instead of favoring education among the masses and translations of the Bible in the local languages, the Catholic Church encouraged the production of ‘books of the ignorant’: picture Bibles (such as the Bibliapauperum, or Bible of the poor), Bible histories, miracle plays, statues and carvings, church wall paintings and stained-glass windows on Bible themes. Such were the crumbs that the Catholic clergy let drop from the rich spiritual table of Bible knowledge, which they kept for themselves and for a few privileged kings and nobles.
***w89 4/15 p. 13 par. 8 The Infamous Harlot — HerDestruction***
Oh, how beautifully she decks herself out! She is famed for her stately cathedrals with their imposing architecture and stained-glass windows, her bejeweled pagodas and wats, her time-honored temples and shrines. True to the stylized fashions set by the great harlot, her priests and monks are arrayed in costly robes of scarlet, purple, and saffron.
BY 1991 the opinion had changed fullly.....with ***g 91 3/8 p. 22 Stained Glass — From Medieval to Modern***
In the midst of their myriad of rules and regulations they can't get even simple things right.
***w53 5/1 p. 260 Why Maturity Is Lacking***
To help fill in the spiritual vacuum imposing cathedrals are built, lavishly furnished with pipe organs, stained-glass windows and other works of art, and choirs are trained. Is it any wonder, then, that churchgoers are not mature when the goal of the worship they attend is entertainment and appeal to the senses instead of edification and appeal to the reason and conscience of man?
***w69 10/15 p. 632 When You First Go to a Kingdom Hall***
In this vein, you will also observe that there are no stained-glass windows, as in many churches, to help create a hushed aura of artificial sanctity. Instead, the spiritual atmosphere at the Kingdom Hall is genuine, springing from a real interest in true worship and Biblical instruction. And the light, natural surroundings in the hall encourage those present to be outgoing and friendly, not inhibited by a mysterious imposed solemnity.
***g82 3/8 p. 6 The Catholic Church’s Past Attitude Toward the Bible***
Instead of favoring education among the masses and translations of the Bible in the local languages, the Catholic Church encouraged the production of ‘books of the ignorant’: picture Bibles (such as the Bibliapauperum, or Bible of the poor), Bible histories, miracle plays, statues and carvings, church wall paintings and stained-glass windows on Bible themes. Such were the crumbs that the Catholic clergy let drop from the rich spiritual table of Bible knowledge, which they kept for themselves and for a few privileged kings and nobles.
***w89 4/15 p. 13 par. 8 The Infamous Harlot — HerDestruction***
Oh, how beautifully she decks herself out! She is famed for her stately cathedrals with their imposing architecture and stained-glass windows, her bejeweled pagodas and wats, her time-honored temples and shrines. True to the stylized fashions set by the great harlot, her priests and monks are arrayed in costly robes of scarlet, purple, and saffron.
BY 1991 the opinion had changed fullly.....with ***g 91 3/8 p. 22 Stained Glass — From Medieval to Modern***
In the midst of their myriad of rules and regulations they can't get even simple things right.
Jehovah's Answer To A Heartfelt Prayer, Watchtower Study, 12/21/08
Ah, today's Watchtower study. Nothing like an Old Testament war story! Boy can the Watchtower twist and twist and twist...
Para. 8 was ironic:
They coveted Israel's land and boasted: "Let us take possession of the abiding places of God for ourselves." (Ps. 83: 12) Has something similar been true in our day? Yes!
When you actually look at the Jehovah's Witness message and the individual attitudes, isn't it the Jehovah's Witnesses that covet and boast of taking possession of the abiding places of "the goats" when Jehovah destroys them all at Har-Mageddon? "Ooh, I want that big house on the hill when Jehovah slits all their throats at the Armageddon."
I mean really, what "spiritual paradise" is there that "worldly people" are coveting and boasting about taking away from Jehovah's Witnesses. The Witnesses don't have anything that anyone else wants. So they cite persecution by the Nazis and the communists? How does the fact that they were persecuted make them the truth? The communists were persecuted by the Nazis, and the Nazis were persecuted by the communists. Today there is persecution all around the world in the name of religion. So which group are God's people since they were all persecuted by somebody?
What persecution do Witnesses face today? I can only think of the self-inflicted persecution. Quiting your job if the boss won't let you have a certain meeting night off, that isn't Satanic persecution, that's a personal choice. Someone wishing you "Merry Christmas" isn't persecution, it's a loving gesture. I actually have these "worldly people" come back later and apologize when they remember that I don't celebrate. Sheesh, I've met so many "worldly people" that are so kind and considerate, that I'd rather die with them at Har-Mageddon than watch them be destroyed by "the God of Love" and then have to spend an eternity with the judgmental dubs.
Back on para. 5 is another oddity:
Whatever the case, it is evident that Jehovah God inspired the writing of this prayerful song at a time when his nation was in danger.
I guess this brings up one of those questions that I always fought to ignore when I was a believer. If God was the real author of the Bible, and the humans were merely acting as secretaries, why are so many parts written as plaintive cries from a human in an effort to get God to listen? Like the start of the Psalm supposedly under consideration in the Botchtower:
(Psalm 83:1-3) 83 O God, let there be no silence on your part; Do not keep speechless, and do not stay quiet, O Divine One. 2 For, look! your very enemies are in an uproar; And the very ones intensely hating you have raised [their] head. 3 Against your people they cunningly carry on their confidential talk; And they conspire against your concealed ones. So, God "inspired" the psalmist to write this? Well, I suppose if you read this message, you could equally conclude that Jehovah "wrote" the message and "inspired" me to record it...
"This is Henry, I need help. I'm miserable and poor, lonely and overworked. People who are supposedly my friends are using and abusing me. I think that the course that I've chosen thusfar was based on false hopes set forth by the Watch Tower Bible and Tract Society. Please Jehovah, hear my prayer. Please Jehovah, protect me, help me, and show me the truth."
Ironically, sort of, Jehovah showed me the way... out because it is all a load of crap.
Para. 8 was ironic:
They coveted Israel's land and boasted: "Let us take possession of the abiding places of God for ourselves." (Ps. 83: 12) Has something similar been true in our day? Yes!
When you actually look at the Jehovah's Witness message and the individual attitudes, isn't it the Jehovah's Witnesses that covet and boast of taking possession of the abiding places of "the goats" when Jehovah destroys them all at Har-Mageddon? "Ooh, I want that big house on the hill when Jehovah slits all their throats at the Armageddon."
I mean really, what "spiritual paradise" is there that "worldly people" are coveting and boasting about taking away from Jehovah's Witnesses. The Witnesses don't have anything that anyone else wants. So they cite persecution by the Nazis and the communists? How does the fact that they were persecuted make them the truth? The communists were persecuted by the Nazis, and the Nazis were persecuted by the communists. Today there is persecution all around the world in the name of religion. So which group are God's people since they were all persecuted by somebody?
What persecution do Witnesses face today? I can only think of the self-inflicted persecution. Quiting your job if the boss won't let you have a certain meeting night off, that isn't Satanic persecution, that's a personal choice. Someone wishing you "Merry Christmas" isn't persecution, it's a loving gesture. I actually have these "worldly people" come back later and apologize when they remember that I don't celebrate. Sheesh, I've met so many "worldly people" that are so kind and considerate, that I'd rather die with them at Har-Mageddon than watch them be destroyed by "the God of Love" and then have to spend an eternity with the judgmental dubs.
Back on para. 5 is another oddity:
Whatever the case, it is evident that Jehovah God inspired the writing of this prayerful song at a time when his nation was in danger.
I guess this brings up one of those questions that I always fought to ignore when I was a believer. If God was the real author of the Bible, and the humans were merely acting as secretaries, why are so many parts written as plaintive cries from a human in an effort to get God to listen? Like the start of the Psalm supposedly under consideration in the Botchtower:
(Psalm 83:1-3) 83 O God, let there be no silence on your part; Do not keep speechless, and do not stay quiet, O Divine One. 2 For, look! your very enemies are in an uproar; And the very ones intensely hating you have raised [their] head. 3 Against your people they cunningly carry on their confidential talk; And they conspire against your concealed ones. So, God "inspired" the psalmist to write this? Well, I suppose if you read this message, you could equally conclude that Jehovah "wrote" the message and "inspired" me to record it...
"This is Henry, I need help. I'm miserable and poor, lonely and overworked. People who are supposedly my friends are using and abusing me. I think that the course that I've chosen thusfar was based on false hopes set forth by the Watch Tower Bible and Tract Society. Please Jehovah, hear my prayer. Please Jehovah, protect me, help me, and show me the truth."
Ironically, sort of, Jehovah showed me the way... out because it is all a load of crap.
Saturday, December 20, 2008
The Last Book Study Group This Week
Many groups are preparing a party afterwards.
Many Witnesses fear this change and do not understand it, especially the elderly. I think it is the nostalgia factor.
Many of the elderly attend a morning book study because they fear driving at night. There is so much sadness. For decades the Watchtower taught that this meeting was necessary in order to save their lives. All of a sudden, it is not necessary at all.
I really love some of Jehovah's Witnesses. Those who truly believe all the drivel and who feel that they are really serving God.
I deeply loathe the Watchtower Bible and Tract Society who deceives people with its constant changing rules and obligations.
Those who say that they are just imperfect men and that Jehovah used imperfect men in the past are just not getting it. Jehovah is not using the Governing Body and there is no evidence to prove the contrary. Just because they say that Jehovah is using them, does not make it so.
In fact, the evidence points to the fact that he is not using them for anything at all and the Bible condemns their actions!
Many Witnesses fear this change and do not understand it, especially the elderly. I think it is the nostalgia factor.
Many of the elderly attend a morning book study because they fear driving at night. There is so much sadness. For decades the Watchtower taught that this meeting was necessary in order to save their lives. All of a sudden, it is not necessary at all.
I really love some of Jehovah's Witnesses. Those who truly believe all the drivel and who feel that they are really serving God.
I deeply loathe the Watchtower Bible and Tract Society who deceives people with its constant changing rules and obligations.
Those who say that they are just imperfect men and that Jehovah used imperfect men in the past are just not getting it. Jehovah is not using the Governing Body and there is no evidence to prove the contrary. Just because they say that Jehovah is using them, does not make it so.
In fact, the evidence points to the fact that he is not using them for anything at all and the Bible condemns their actions!
Friday, December 19, 2008
From A Former Gilead Graduate
I feel an obligation to tell what I can and be supportive. Of course, my Jehovah's Witness experience, especially the last 3 years of it leading up to Gilead, going to Africa, coming back and resigning from the group, has absolutely drained me to the point that I contribute when I can, but it isn't very much. It is very tiring for me, but also cathartic at the same time to come here and share what I can.
It is in that spirit that I write this now, a desire to demystify Jehovah's Witnesses, those who leave, and the current doctrine that this group teaches, especially for those who are newly investigating this group for their own reasons.
I was in the 119th class of Gilead in 2005. From the time I graduated, it was another year or so before I resigned. In that time, all the pieces came together.
Jehovah's Witnesses are taught and conditioned to respect their visible leaders, even though they pay lip service to Jesus as their leader. I got to see the 'pecking' order, and after I graduated, briefly joined it. My status shot up to an all time high. I was respected, even loved, because I went to Gilead and went to Africa. I thought that would be nice, although when I actually went through it, it really offended me.
Sorry for the above rambling/prelude. The whole point of this is how Jehovah's Witnesses use and understand the bible. You see, on a very fundamental, foundational level, the Governing Body of Jehovah's Witnesses don't use the bible the way Jehovah's Witnesses teach it at the door. I learned at Gilead that for the "mature" ones who "dine on solid spiritual food" (i.e. the highly indoctrinated zealots), the bible is all about "Christs brothers". Please note that when the Watchtower says "Christs brothers" they mean the Governing Body. They mean the leadership. They mean, be obediant to us, or you will be diobediant to Jehovah... and his son, whats his name?? Jesus!
It is little wonder that this is the last thing one learns as they start studying with Jehovah's Witnesses. It starts with paradise, living forever, Jehovah, Jesus, living a moral life, loving the congregation, replacing your family with the congregation, THEN, after you have developed some level of infatuation with this group and have undergone a sufficient amount of love bombing, you are introduced to the highly doubtable concepts of congregation authority, how Jehovah mysteriously rules through Jesus and this group of men Jesus inspected in 1918 and found them superior to every other Christian group on the planet.
If you buy it, you want in, you get baptized. But remember, you are still new, still a babe, still "immature". All of this is code for: One who is not ready to really study and accept how the leadership of Jehovah's Witnesses use the bible to their own self serving means.
It means you are still a babe to the fact that Jehovah's Witnesses really teach that practically ALL "faithful" Old Testament charecters from Noah and Abraham through Elijah and Elishah and David to Hezekiah are prophetic of the Presidents of the Watch Tower Bible and Tract Society. The one I refer to the most is as an answer to one of the questions on a Gilead test, Elijah prophetically pointed to Judge Rutherford, Elisha pointed to N H Knorr. That is my favorite, that is when I realized I was mislead. But to be fair, Jehovah's Witnesses teach that most all of these characters refer to the leadership of Jehovah's Witnesses, the Governing Body. )
"Mature" Jehovah's Witnesses is a misnomer. It has nothing to do with maturity. That is code for "willingness to believe whatever you are taught, and to follow whatever the Governing Body says, even if they change back and forth on doctrine in a god-dishonering fasion." Mature ones are impatient with the immature for questioning what they are taught. "Mature" ones become elders, ministerial servants and pioneers more quickly because they blindly obey. To question, especially after any period of time elapsing after baptism, means you are "immature".
Of course, this is all so self serving within the group. Another layer of indoctrination and peer pressure to keep everyone in line. Gilead "taught" me this. I learned that within the Governing Body world view, it is scriptural to simply accept about anything the Watchtower says, but to leave your brother cold and miserable and naked if they disagree with a teaching or doctrine.
I know that there are some who don't and won't believe what I just said. That is their right. There will always be some people who are susceptible to high control groups and cults. But to those who were raised as Jehovah's Witnesses, to those who for some reason accepted and bought a bill of goods that they found wasn't real, they should know the truth about "the truth". They should know how cynically the Bible is used by the leadership of this group to their own ends.
They should know that to the Governing Body of Jehovah's Witnesses, the Bible isn't about you. It isn't about Jehovah. It isn't about Jesus. Its all about them, the Governing Body, "Christs brothers", the Faithful and Discreet Slave. It's all about them, for them, and it is a sham. They are as prophetic as dead skin. THAT is what I learned at Gilead. THAT is what the Bible is all about to the leadership of Jehovah's Witnesses.
It is in that spirit that I write this now, a desire to demystify Jehovah's Witnesses, those who leave, and the current doctrine that this group teaches, especially for those who are newly investigating this group for their own reasons.
I was in the 119th class of Gilead in 2005. From the time I graduated, it was another year or so before I resigned. In that time, all the pieces came together.
Jehovah's Witnesses are taught and conditioned to respect their visible leaders, even though they pay lip service to Jesus as their leader. I got to see the 'pecking' order, and after I graduated, briefly joined it. My status shot up to an all time high. I was respected, even loved, because I went to Gilead and went to Africa. I thought that would be nice, although when I actually went through it, it really offended me.
Sorry for the above rambling/prelude. The whole point of this is how Jehovah's Witnesses use and understand the bible. You see, on a very fundamental, foundational level, the Governing Body of Jehovah's Witnesses don't use the bible the way Jehovah's Witnesses teach it at the door. I learned at Gilead that for the "mature" ones who "dine on solid spiritual food" (i.e. the highly indoctrinated zealots), the bible is all about "Christs brothers". Please note that when the Watchtower says "Christs brothers" they mean the Governing Body. They mean the leadership. They mean, be obediant to us, or you will be diobediant to Jehovah... and his son, whats his name?? Jesus!
It is little wonder that this is the last thing one learns as they start studying with Jehovah's Witnesses. It starts with paradise, living forever, Jehovah, Jesus, living a moral life, loving the congregation, replacing your family with the congregation, THEN, after you have developed some level of infatuation with this group and have undergone a sufficient amount of love bombing, you are introduced to the highly doubtable concepts of congregation authority, how Jehovah mysteriously rules through Jesus and this group of men Jesus inspected in 1918 and found them superior to every other Christian group on the planet.
If you buy it, you want in, you get baptized. But remember, you are still new, still a babe, still "immature". All of this is code for: One who is not ready to really study and accept how the leadership of Jehovah's Witnesses use the bible to their own self serving means.
It means you are still a babe to the fact that Jehovah's Witnesses really teach that practically ALL "faithful" Old Testament charecters from Noah and Abraham through Elijah and Elishah and David to Hezekiah are prophetic of the Presidents of the Watch Tower Bible and Tract Society. The one I refer to the most is as an answer to one of the questions on a Gilead test, Elijah prophetically pointed to Judge Rutherford, Elisha pointed to N H Knorr. That is my favorite, that is when I realized I was mislead. But to be fair, Jehovah's Witnesses teach that most all of these characters refer to the leadership of Jehovah's Witnesses, the Governing Body. )
"Mature" Jehovah's Witnesses is a misnomer. It has nothing to do with maturity. That is code for "willingness to believe whatever you are taught, and to follow whatever the Governing Body says, even if they change back and forth on doctrine in a god-dishonering fasion." Mature ones are impatient with the immature for questioning what they are taught. "Mature" ones become elders, ministerial servants and pioneers more quickly because they blindly obey. To question, especially after any period of time elapsing after baptism, means you are "immature".
Of course, this is all so self serving within the group. Another layer of indoctrination and peer pressure to keep everyone in line. Gilead "taught" me this. I learned that within the Governing Body world view, it is scriptural to simply accept about anything the Watchtower says, but to leave your brother cold and miserable and naked if they disagree with a teaching or doctrine.
I know that there are some who don't and won't believe what I just said. That is their right. There will always be some people who are susceptible to high control groups and cults. But to those who were raised as Jehovah's Witnesses, to those who for some reason accepted and bought a bill of goods that they found wasn't real, they should know the truth about "the truth". They should know how cynically the Bible is used by the leadership of this group to their own ends.
They should know that to the Governing Body of Jehovah's Witnesses, the Bible isn't about you. It isn't about Jehovah. It isn't about Jesus. Its all about them, the Governing Body, "Christs brothers", the Faithful and Discreet Slave. It's all about them, for them, and it is a sham. They are as prophetic as dead skin. THAT is what I learned at Gilead. THAT is what the Bible is all about to the leadership of Jehovah's Witnesses.
Thursday, December 18, 2008
Field Service Reports
Starting jan 2009, the field service report can be sent until the day 20th of the month, instead of the 6th of each month as it is now. But, like the letter says: "It is not necessary to announce this change to the congregation". Keep the rank and file thinking they are late. LOL.
The new Watchtower Library 2008 will have an additional version for PDAs. But just for Windows Mobile 2003 SE and Pocket PC. It won't work with Windows Mobile Smartphone. Yet, another reason to switch to Mac and iPhone!
PS: And of course I got another letter thanking for our money contributions and asking for more.
The new Watchtower Library 2008 will have an additional version for PDAs. But just for Windows Mobile 2003 SE and Pocket PC. It won't work with Windows Mobile Smartphone. Yet, another reason to switch to Mac and iPhone!
PS: And of course I got another letter thanking for our money contributions and asking for more.
Tuesday, December 16, 2008
Watchtower Ownership of Millions of Dollars In Property
Properties in brooklyn new york;
Facility near Walkill, NY;
Agricultural Farmland (3-6 Sections) near Walkill, NY;
Educational Center @ Patterson, NY
Branch office properties in Toronto Canada, England, Europe; some parts of Africa; Most of the countries of South America; New Zealand, Austrailia, Indonesia, the Philipines, Japan, and Tiawan.
The watchtower bible and tract society holds title to Notes secured by real estate on tens of thousands of properties as a result of "quick build" kingdom halls and renovations on other similar properties. (aggregate amount of notes estimated in 2004 to be in excess of $11,000,000,000 in the United States alone)
Current estimate of existing market prices would place the value of the notes held in the United States in the neighborhood of $30 to $40 Billion as of 5-13-08
World wide the estimate aggregate value of real estate and debentures held would be in the neighborhood of $300 to $600 Billion. This does not include Owned or subsidized commercial operations. Those would increase that value by 25% to 50% more.
The Watchtower ownership of these properties raises a very simple question. What purpose do these large properties around the world serve? The printing and distribution of literature. This is the main purpose and mission of the organization. It is the continuance of a tradition that started with C.T. Russell. Publishing literature was the sole reason as to why the WTBTS was founded in the first place.
I would have to say that after a century of publishing literature; a membership of six and a half million is paltry. How effective is this publishing and distribution model? Not very much. Think about what could be accomplished if that real estate wealth had been used to utilize television, radio, and internet witnessing. If this is the most important message in all of human history, why aren't more effective methods such as these being used? Because that does not fit into the organization's traditional model: door-to-door distribution of literature.
Ray Franz noted that this tradition of printing and distributing literature has become the benchmark by which the Governing Body measures success. The more printing; the better. The output of literature has been the standard which measures God's blessing on the organization. It is a badge of merit.
You see, most religionists are impressed and moved by what is appealing the eyes; whether it be large ornate temples, huge cathedrals, or the visual presence of the Vatican. Jehovah's Witnesses are no different. They are impressed and wooed by large printing operations and shipping depots. They are moved by large sprawling branch complexes which house the people who operate the printing equipment.
These real estate holdings serve more of a psychological need than a pragmatic one. Just ask yourself one question: if Jesus really did not appoint the Watchtower organization as his eartlhy agent in 1919; what does it mean for all of these billions of dollars worth of printeries and warehouses?
Facility near Walkill, NY;
Agricultural Farmland (3-6 Sections) near Walkill, NY;
Educational Center @ Patterson, NY
Branch office properties in Toronto Canada, England, Europe; some parts of Africa; Most of the countries of South America; New Zealand, Austrailia, Indonesia, the Philipines, Japan, and Tiawan.
The watchtower bible and tract society holds title to Notes secured by real estate on tens of thousands of properties as a result of "quick build" kingdom halls and renovations on other similar properties. (aggregate amount of notes estimated in 2004 to be in excess of $11,000,000,000 in the United States alone)
Current estimate of existing market prices would place the value of the notes held in the United States in the neighborhood of $30 to $40 Billion as of 5-13-08
World wide the estimate aggregate value of real estate and debentures held would be in the neighborhood of $300 to $600 Billion. This does not include Owned or subsidized commercial operations. Those would increase that value by 25% to 50% more.
The Watchtower ownership of these properties raises a very simple question. What purpose do these large properties around the world serve? The printing and distribution of literature. This is the main purpose and mission of the organization. It is the continuance of a tradition that started with C.T. Russell. Publishing literature was the sole reason as to why the WTBTS was founded in the first place.
I would have to say that after a century of publishing literature; a membership of six and a half million is paltry. How effective is this publishing and distribution model? Not very much. Think about what could be accomplished if that real estate wealth had been used to utilize television, radio, and internet witnessing. If this is the most important message in all of human history, why aren't more effective methods such as these being used? Because that does not fit into the organization's traditional model: door-to-door distribution of literature.
Ray Franz noted that this tradition of printing and distributing literature has become the benchmark by which the Governing Body measures success. The more printing; the better. The output of literature has been the standard which measures God's blessing on the organization. It is a badge of merit.
You see, most religionists are impressed and moved by what is appealing the eyes; whether it be large ornate temples, huge cathedrals, or the visual presence of the Vatican. Jehovah's Witnesses are no different. They are impressed and wooed by large printing operations and shipping depots. They are moved by large sprawling branch complexes which house the people who operate the printing equipment.
These real estate holdings serve more of a psychological need than a pragmatic one. Just ask yourself one question: if Jesus really did not appoint the Watchtower organization as his eartlhy agent in 1919; what does it mean for all of these billions of dollars worth of printeries and warehouses?
February 15, 2009 Watchtower
If you havee read the annual report of Jehovah's Witnesses, posted here below, you will see that the numbers of the annointed have been increasing and not decreasing. Then why does paragraph 14 of this article say that the numbers have been decreasing? This is clearly not the case.
Anyway, this entire article is why we should give praise and trust the Governing Body. One of their arguments is that since they have been in existence for over 130 years this means that Jehovah's blessings are with them. If that were true, the cockroach, who has been in existence for millions of years, should be worshipped.
The article is chock full of ridiculous claims that are supposed to make the reader believe that Jehovah God and Jesus trust the Governing Body and we should too. None of the reasons can be proved or even make sense. I can't believe I used to believe this crap, but I am certain that most witnesses will eat this up!
Anyway, this entire article is why we should give praise and trust the Governing Body. One of their arguments is that since they have been in existence for over 130 years this means that Jehovah's blessings are with them. If that were true, the cockroach, who has been in existence for millions of years, should be worshipped.
The article is chock full of ridiculous claims that are supposed to make the reader believe that Jehovah God and Jesus trust the Governing Body and we should too. None of the reasons can be proved or even make sense. I can't believe I used to believe this crap, but I am certain that most witnesses will eat this up!
Monday, December 15, 2008
Churches See Growth During Hard Times
In today's NY Times there is an article on this topic, and here are two quotes:
"Bad times are good for evangelical churches. 'It’s a wonderful time, a great evangelistic opportunity for us,' said the Rev. A. R. Bernard, founder and senior pastor of the Christian Cultural Center in Brooklyn, New York’s largest evangelical congregation, where regulars are arriving earlier to get a seat.
'When people are shaken to the core, it can open doors.'”
Some of these evangelical churches are seeing huge growth - 10 and 20 percent jumps in membership over the past year. Yet the Watchtower organization saw barely the same minimal rate of growth - 2% - that it has been suffering under for a decade or more, and no growth or negative numbers in the first world countries that are suffering the worst from this economic crisis.
I think that says a great deal about the waning appeal of the Witnesses. Even as we're facing the worst financial and business crisis in modern history, no one is seeking out answers or solace from the Watchtower organization, even though billions of hours are spent on recruitment.
"Bad times are good for evangelical churches. 'It’s a wonderful time, a great evangelistic opportunity for us,' said the Rev. A. R. Bernard, founder and senior pastor of the Christian Cultural Center in Brooklyn, New York’s largest evangelical congregation, where regulars are arriving earlier to get a seat.
'When people are shaken to the core, it can open doors.'”
Some of these evangelical churches are seeing huge growth - 10 and 20 percent jumps in membership over the past year. Yet the Watchtower organization saw barely the same minimal rate of growth - 2% - that it has been suffering under for a decade or more, and no growth or negative numbers in the first world countries that are suffering the worst from this economic crisis.
I think that says a great deal about the waning appeal of the Witnesses. Even as we're facing the worst financial and business crisis in modern history, no one is seeking out answers or solace from the Watchtower organization, even though billions of hours are spent on recruitment.
Saturday, December 13, 2008
Jehovah's Witnesses Believe In Communicating With The Dead
This is from the Jan 1st 2008 Watchtower - "The First Resurrection Now Under Way ?"
10 Can we say more precisely when the first resurrection begins? An interesting clue is found at Revelation 7:9-15, where the apostle John describes his vision of "a great crowd, which no man was able to number." The identity of that great crowd is revealed to John by one of the 24 elders, and these elders represent the 144,000 joint heirs with Christ in their heavenly glory.* ( Luke 22:28-30; Revelation 4:4 ) John himself had a heavenly hope; but since he was still a man on earth when the elder spoke to him, in the vision John must represent anointed ones on earth who have not yet received their heavenly reward.11 What, then, can we deduce from the fact that one of the 24 elders identifies the great crowd to John? It seems that resurrected ones of the 24-elders group may be involved in the communicating of divine truths today. Why is that important? Because the correct identity of the great crowd was revealed to God's anointed servants on earth in 1935. If one of the 24 elders was used to convey that important truth, he would have had to be resurrected to heaven by 1935 at the latest. That would indicate that the first resurrection began sometime between 1914 and 1935. Can we be more precise?* For information on how we know that the 24 elders represent anointed Christians in their heavenly position, see Revelation—Its Grand Climax At Hand! page 77, published by Jehovah's Witnesses.
The real reason why this is important, is nothing to do with 1935 - it has to do with the demotion of the anointed to a group with "no special insight" and the promotion (or reaffirmation) of the Governing Body to having inside info from the dead!
Communication with the dead has always been a part of the Watchtower religion:
Clayton Woodworth claimed that Pastor Russell was still directing the Watchtower Society from beyond the grave:
"Pastor Russell was a man of unusual modesty. Great men usually are modest. The examination of the contents of this book will disclose the fact ... that the earthly creature made prominent therein above all others is the messenger of the Laodicean Church -- 'that wise and faithful servant of the Lord' -- CHARLES TAZE RUSSELL. ...[T]hough Pastor Russell has passed beyond the veil, he is still managing every feature of the Harvest work. 'The Watch Tower Bible and Tract Society is the greatest corporation in the world, because from the time of its organization until now the Lord has used it as His channel through which to make known the Glad Tidings' " (Finished Mystery, 1917, pp. 5, 144).
But after Rutherford died, Woodworth denied believing the same thing with respect to him:
"Q. Do you subscribe to the doctrine that Mr. Rutherford is still supervising this organization? A. That Mr. Rutherford is still supervising this organization? Q. Yes. May I just supplement that and ask you if you agree with this doctrine as put forth by the Society, and correct me if I misstate it, as to the resurrection. A. I believe that Mr. Rutherford has been resurrected, but as far as his having control over the Watch Tower Bible & Tract Society, that would be silly" (Moyle Trial Transcript, 5/21/1943, p. 963).
It's good to know that there were still a few things that Woodworth found too "silly" to believe, even if it happens to be something he had believed earlier.
10 Can we say more precisely when the first resurrection begins? An interesting clue is found at Revelation 7:9-15, where the apostle John describes his vision of "a great crowd, which no man was able to number." The identity of that great crowd is revealed to John by one of the 24 elders, and these elders represent the 144,000 joint heirs with Christ in their heavenly glory.* ( Luke 22:28-30; Revelation 4:4 ) John himself had a heavenly hope; but since he was still a man on earth when the elder spoke to him, in the vision John must represent anointed ones on earth who have not yet received their heavenly reward.11 What, then, can we deduce from the fact that one of the 24 elders identifies the great crowd to John? It seems that resurrected ones of the 24-elders group may be involved in the communicating of divine truths today. Why is that important? Because the correct identity of the great crowd was revealed to God's anointed servants on earth in 1935. If one of the 24 elders was used to convey that important truth, he would have had to be resurrected to heaven by 1935 at the latest. That would indicate that the first resurrection began sometime between 1914 and 1935. Can we be more precise?* For information on how we know that the 24 elders represent anointed Christians in their heavenly position, see Revelation—Its Grand Climax At Hand! page 77, published by Jehovah's Witnesses.
The real reason why this is important, is nothing to do with 1935 - it has to do with the demotion of the anointed to a group with "no special insight" and the promotion (or reaffirmation) of the Governing Body to having inside info from the dead!
Communication with the dead has always been a part of the Watchtower religion:
Clayton Woodworth claimed that Pastor Russell was still directing the Watchtower Society from beyond the grave:
"Pastor Russell was a man of unusual modesty. Great men usually are modest. The examination of the contents of this book will disclose the fact ... that the earthly creature made prominent therein above all others is the messenger of the Laodicean Church -- 'that wise and faithful servant of the Lord' -- CHARLES TAZE RUSSELL. ...[T]hough Pastor Russell has passed beyond the veil, he is still managing every feature of the Harvest work. 'The Watch Tower Bible and Tract Society is the greatest corporation in the world, because from the time of its organization until now the Lord has used it as His channel through which to make known the Glad Tidings' " (Finished Mystery, 1917, pp. 5, 144).
But after Rutherford died, Woodworth denied believing the same thing with respect to him:
"Q. Do you subscribe to the doctrine that Mr. Rutherford is still supervising this organization? A. That Mr. Rutherford is still supervising this organization? Q. Yes. May I just supplement that and ask you if you agree with this doctrine as put forth by the Society, and correct me if I misstate it, as to the resurrection. A. I believe that Mr. Rutherford has been resurrected, but as far as his having control over the Watch Tower Bible & Tract Society, that would be silly" (Moyle Trial Transcript, 5/21/1943, p. 963).
It's good to know that there were still a few things that Woodworth found too "silly" to believe, even if it happens to be something he had believed earlier.
Thursday, December 11, 2008
2008 Annual Report of Jehovah's Witnesses
For those who are interested, here is a link to the 2008 Annual Report.
http://www.4shared.com/file/75568905/6c852737/2008_Annual_Report.html
http://www.4shared.com/file/75568905/6c852737/2008_Annual_Report.html
Wednesday, December 10, 2008
A Letter From A Jehovah's Witness
A must read. http://newsblaze.com/story/20081209054218zzzz.nb/topstory.html
From a "non apostate" news board.
From a "non apostate" news board.
Monday, December 8, 2008
Announcement From Former Bethelites Regarding Abuse Cases
We're happy to announce that now all 5,000 pages of court records from the nine child sexual abuse lawsuits involving sixteen victims, settled by Watchtower in February 2007, are available for FREE download from our website, www.watchtowerdocuments.com.
There are a total of twelve files, besides a file containing a commentary explaining the lawsuits, and each file can be downloaded separately. Due to the fact that many people purchased the CD, "Secrets of Pedophilia in an American Religion," thus, reimbursing us for the expense to buy, compile and publish the court documents, there is now no reason to sell the material anymore. Thank you everybody who purchased the CD for you made it possible for these papers to be distributed throughout the world without any cost involved. We've left the CD for sale through Lulu for those who want to buy the professional-looking CD, but we expect the majority of people who are interested in this important information will probably download the files.
Never underestimate what some damning statement found in these court records will do to help some to think seriously about Watchtower's responsibility for making it possible that more children be molested by a JW pedophile because he was not reported to the police by Watchtower supervisors the first time he was accused.
For instance, in the TIM W. vs. Watchtower lawsuit, Watchtower records given to plaintiff's attorney during discovery show that between 1963 and 1993 (when elder/city overseer/pedophile, James Henderson's abuse of plaintiff Tim W. began), Watchtower had FIVE TIMES received reports from JW congregations that Henderson had committed sexual crimes. Merton Campbell, the Service Department's desk man in charge of California, who appointed elders and ministerial servants, appointed and reappointed Henderson again and again to positions of authority within Witness congregations after he would be removed for sexual abuse.
If any website owners want to advertise that these court records are available for free download, it would be greatly appreciated. Also, feel free to put all the lawsuit files and/or the commentary on your website.
Please pass the word that all court records from the "Secrets" CD can be downloaded for free from www.watchtowerdocuments.com
Barbara and Joe
Note: So now you can read for yourselves, to see what is true and what is not true.
There are a total of twelve files, besides a file containing a commentary explaining the lawsuits, and each file can be downloaded separately. Due to the fact that many people purchased the CD, "Secrets of Pedophilia in an American Religion," thus, reimbursing us for the expense to buy, compile and publish the court documents, there is now no reason to sell the material anymore. Thank you everybody who purchased the CD for you made it possible for these papers to be distributed throughout the world without any cost involved. We've left the CD for sale through Lulu for those who want to buy the professional-looking CD, but we expect the majority of people who are interested in this important information will probably download the files.
Never underestimate what some damning statement found in these court records will do to help some to think seriously about Watchtower's responsibility for making it possible that more children be molested by a JW pedophile because he was not reported to the police by Watchtower supervisors the first time he was accused.
For instance, in the TIM W. vs. Watchtower lawsuit, Watchtower records given to plaintiff's attorney during discovery show that between 1963 and 1993 (when elder/city overseer/pedophile, James Henderson's abuse of plaintiff Tim W. began), Watchtower had FIVE TIMES received reports from JW congregations that Henderson had committed sexual crimes. Merton Campbell, the Service Department's desk man in charge of California, who appointed elders and ministerial servants, appointed and reappointed Henderson again and again to positions of authority within Witness congregations after he would be removed for sexual abuse.
If any website owners want to advertise that these court records are available for free download, it would be greatly appreciated. Also, feel free to put all the lawsuit files and/or the commentary on your website.
Please pass the word that all court records from the "Secrets" CD can be downloaded for free from www.watchtowerdocuments.com
Barbara and Joe
Note: So now you can read for yourselves, to see what is true and what is not true.
Sunday, December 7, 2008
Kingdom Ministry News
I just saw a copy of the January 2009 Kingdom Ministry. The whole look has been revamped and redesigned. It looks like an old Watchtower magazine.
Also, according to a report on the German XJW-board: http://forum.sektenausstieg.net/index.php?topic=13367.msg391400#msg391400 the German Kingdom Ministry for February 2009 does not contain a supplement with the publisher figures.
Furthermore, it does not contain the monthly report for the first month of the service year 2009 (Sep 08) as it used to for the past sixty years.
This may indicate that the Watchtower is not being transparent with their publishers numbers anymore. Maybe they just moved the figures to another month.
I don't know. I guess we will have to wait and see.
Also, according to a report on the German XJW-board: http://forum.sektenausstieg.net/index.php?topic=13367.msg391400#msg391400 the German Kingdom Ministry for February 2009 does not contain a supplement with the publisher figures.
Furthermore, it does not contain the monthly report for the first month of the service year 2009 (Sep 08) as it used to for the past sixty years.
This may indicate that the Watchtower is not being transparent with their publishers numbers anymore. Maybe they just moved the figures to another month.
I don't know. I guess we will have to wait and see.
Christmas Greetings From The Watchtower Buble and Tract Society
Here are scans of several pages from the Watch Tower and Golden Age magazines (1908-1926) for Christmas. These, of course, are from when the JWs celebrated Christmas and are very pro-Christmas. The file, about 4.5 MB, can be downloaded from:
http://www.filesend.net/download.php?f=8f7dae9a1077954b1728568a9dc71093
Christmas Greetings from the Watch Tower and the Golden Age!
I believe the last Bethel Christmas was 1926 and they stopped celebrating Christmas soon afterwards. How they passed the "spiritual inspection" in 1918 though they were still celebrating Christmas (and did so for many years afterwards) never made sense to me.
Two things in the file particularly stand out to me. The first is how the Bible Students (as JWs were called then) would personally deliver Christmas gifts back then. The ads from the Golden Age state that one could wire their Christmas order to Brooklyn and then headquarters would have the local congregation make the delivery of that order (one of their publications) as a Christmas present just in time. The second thing that stands out to me is the story of how the Christmas spirit overtook the Judge and the other Bible Students in the Atlanta penitentiary. The Feb 15, 1919 WT tells how the Bible Students showered JFR and the others Bible Students with many Christmas presents. There were several other inmates who did not have anything for Christmas, so the 8 Bible Students in prison distributed presents to those who had nothing for Christmas! A rather touching story, actually.
http://www.filesend.net/download.php?f=8f7dae9a1077954b1728568a9dc71093
Christmas Greetings from the Watch Tower and the Golden Age!
I believe the last Bethel Christmas was 1926 and they stopped celebrating Christmas soon afterwards. How they passed the "spiritual inspection" in 1918 though they were still celebrating Christmas (and did so for many years afterwards) never made sense to me.
Two things in the file particularly stand out to me. The first is how the Bible Students (as JWs were called then) would personally deliver Christmas gifts back then. The ads from the Golden Age state that one could wire their Christmas order to Brooklyn and then headquarters would have the local congregation make the delivery of that order (one of their publications) as a Christmas present just in time. The second thing that stands out to me is the story of how the Christmas spirit overtook the Judge and the other Bible Students in the Atlanta penitentiary. The Feb 15, 1919 WT tells how the Bible Students showered JFR and the others Bible Students with many Christmas presents. There were several other inmates who did not have anything for Christmas, so the 8 Bible Students in prison distributed presents to those who had nothing for Christmas! A rather touching story, actually.
The New York Times Reported That Charles Russell Had An Affair
http://query.nytimes.com/mem/archive-free/pdf?res=9D07E6DA1031E733A25752C0A9649C946897D6CF
A CHURCH FOR ALL CREEDS.; Man Called a "Jelly Fish" in Wife's Suit Starts New Movement.
February 1, 1909, Monday
Page 8, 799 words
The new undenominational religious movement, which "Pastor" Charles T. Russell explained last week in an open letter to ministers and Bible students of the city, began in Brooklyn yesterday afternoon in the old Plymouth-Bethel Church at 17 Hicks Street. This is the building where Henry Ward Beecher conducted missions.
A CHURCH FOR ALL CREEDS.; Man Called a "Jelly Fish" in Wife's Suit Starts New Movement.
February 1, 1909, Monday
Page 8, 799 words
The new undenominational religious movement, which "Pastor" Charles T. Russell explained last week in an open letter to ministers and Bible students of the city, began in Brooklyn yesterday afternoon in the old Plymouth-Bethel Church at 17 Hicks Street. This is the building where Henry Ward Beecher conducted missions.
Friday, December 5, 2008
The Watchtower And The Old Testament
Has anyone ever noticed how the Watchtower Society or individual Witnesses always use Old Testament / Old Covenant analogies in support of the modern day organizational authority structure? This is known as using a "false analogy".
It is not a coincidence that virtually every cult-like pseudo-Christian group uses them to enforce its man made authority structure.
First of all, the Old Covenant with its structure of authority and worship was done away with when Christ ushered in the New Covenant. The New Testament repeatedly refers to Jesus as the one and only high priest. It also states that there is only one head of the congregation - Christ Jesus; not a ruling body of ten men.
One thing that is absolutely clear and unambiguous in the New Testament, is that there is no longer any kind of temple / priesthood arrangement mediating between people and God. The Scriptures are crystal clear in referring to Jesus as the one and only mediator. There is only one mediator; not 144,000.
What was also done away with was the Talmud under which the Jews were subject. The system of Talmudic legalism (where the Pharisees tacked on countless additional "laws" and rulings to established Scripture) was rebuked by Jesus and the Apostles. This form of worship was referred to as "burdensome".
Legalism was a reoccurring problem in the newly formed Christian congregations in the first century. Men continuously attempted to go beyond the Scriptures and enforce their own human laws, standards, and rules under the guise of "pure worship". One only has to read the book of Galatians to see that Paul was quite blunt and forceful in his rebuking this kind of attitude.
We also see throughout the writings of Paul (most notably in the book of Galatians) that he invalidated the Watchtower’s modern day concept of a centralized Governing Body. Raymond Franz wrote an entire chapter in his book In Search of Christian Freedom explaining (Scripturally) the fallacy of centralized ruling bodies of men.
The Watchtower likes to continuously use Old Covenant analogies because on the surface, they seem logical and applicable, and Scriptural. But, Christians are no longer under that kind of arrangement. The Christian congregation is not under any kind of human mediatorship or priesthood.
When any group repeatedly uses Old Testament / Old Covenant analogies to promote or rationalize their authoritarian / legalistic power structure; they are guilty of using false analogies, logical fallacies, sophistry, and mind control. All of this rhetoric stems from intellectual dishonesty, delusions of grandeur, spiritual elitism, and arrogance.
It is not a coincidence that virtually every cult-like pseudo-Christian group uses them to enforce its man made authority structure.
First of all, the Old Covenant with its structure of authority and worship was done away with when Christ ushered in the New Covenant. The New Testament repeatedly refers to Jesus as the one and only high priest. It also states that there is only one head of the congregation - Christ Jesus; not a ruling body of ten men.
One thing that is absolutely clear and unambiguous in the New Testament, is that there is no longer any kind of temple / priesthood arrangement mediating between people and God. The Scriptures are crystal clear in referring to Jesus as the one and only mediator. There is only one mediator; not 144,000.
What was also done away with was the Talmud under which the Jews were subject. The system of Talmudic legalism (where the Pharisees tacked on countless additional "laws" and rulings to established Scripture) was rebuked by Jesus and the Apostles. This form of worship was referred to as "burdensome".
Legalism was a reoccurring problem in the newly formed Christian congregations in the first century. Men continuously attempted to go beyond the Scriptures and enforce their own human laws, standards, and rules under the guise of "pure worship". One only has to read the book of Galatians to see that Paul was quite blunt and forceful in his rebuking this kind of attitude.
We also see throughout the writings of Paul (most notably in the book of Galatians) that he invalidated the Watchtower’s modern day concept of a centralized Governing Body. Raymond Franz wrote an entire chapter in his book In Search of Christian Freedom explaining (Scripturally) the fallacy of centralized ruling bodies of men.
The Watchtower likes to continuously use Old Covenant analogies because on the surface, they seem logical and applicable, and Scriptural. But, Christians are no longer under that kind of arrangement. The Christian congregation is not under any kind of human mediatorship or priesthood.
When any group repeatedly uses Old Testament / Old Covenant analogies to promote or rationalize their authoritarian / legalistic power structure; they are guilty of using false analogies, logical fallacies, sophistry, and mind control. All of this rhetoric stems from intellectual dishonesty, delusions of grandeur, spiritual elitism, and arrogance.
Thursday, December 4, 2008
De Judge hated Christmas!
The whole Christmas season!
Now, please don't ask why. No one quite knows the reason.
It could be that his head wasn't screwed on quite right.
It could be, perhaps, that his underwear was to tight.
But I think that the most likely reason of all
May have been that his heart was two sizes too small.
But, whatever the reason,
His heart or the booze,
He stood there on Christmas Eve, hating more than the Jews,
Staring down from his thone with a sour, drunken frown
At the warm lighted windows were aglow in the town.
For he knew every Dub down in Dub-ville beneath
Was busy now, hanging a mistleoe wreath.
"And they're hanging their stockings!" he snarled with a sneer.
"Tomorrow is Christmas! It's practically here!"
Then he growled, with his fat fingers nervously drumming,
"I MUST find a way to keep Christmas from coming!"
The more de Judge thought, "I must stop this whole thing!
"Why for fifty-three years I've put up with it now!
I MUST stop Christmas from coming!
...But HOW?"
Then he got an idea! An awful idea!
THE JUDGE GOT A WONDERFUL, AWFUL IDEA!
"I know just what to do!" de Judge croaked like a pigeon;
'I'll make the whole Christmas season, from pagan origin!'
he chuckled, and clucked, "What a great nifty trick!
"With the bible and booze, I'll just look like a prick!"
"All I need is a scripture..."
de Judge looked in The Book.
But he couldn't find nothing, the senile old crook.
Did that stop the old goat?
NO! The Judge simply said,
"If I can't find a reason, I'll make one instead!"
So he wrote in the Watchtower
"Christmas is bad!
If you keep celebrating
You'll make Jesus mad!"
THEN
He went with his spies
To observe all their deeds
Or if everyone out there
Would now listen and heed.
Then de Judge said, "Let's go!"
And the limo started down
Toward the homes where the Dubs
Lay a-snooze in their town.
When he came to the first little house on the square.
"This is stop number one," the old bastard declared;
And he took out his camera in his fat little fist;
And a pen and a paper to start up his list.
And what sight did greet him
The grumpy jack ass?
Not a wreath, or a candle, only silence en mass.
He got out of the car; rather hard for a pudge.
But, if Adolf could do it, then so could de Judge.
He got stuck only once, for a moment or two.
But his driver, with glee, kicked his ass with his shoe.
Then he drank and plotted, with an air that he'd won,
And decided to ban every day that was fun.
Mother's Day! Father's Day, and also Thanksgivin'
Were now on the books as of pagan origin.
But he went by some new converted Dub's place;
And saw in the window, a little girl's face;
Alone and so sad now he took all their fun
But de Judge didn't see anything wrong that he'd done.
He figured he'd probably save them a ton;
By banning everything in life that was fun;
‘No toys, no bikes' he grinned with a hiss;
‘Now they can spend all their time
Out in Field Ser-vice.
He stayed there the night;
To see what they'd do
They're finding out now that no Christmas is coming!
"BOO-HOO-HOO!
But the Dubs woke up early;
And sang Christmas carolls;
With all of their children;
Ted, Larry and Daryll.
And de Judge, with his heart made of snow,
Stood puzzling and puzzling: "How could it be so?
"It came without ribbons! It came without tags!
"It came without packages, boxes or bags!"
Then he drank from his bottle, then drank even more.
Then the Judge thought of something he hadn't before.
"Maybe Christmas," he thought, "doesn't come from a store.
"Maybe Christmas...perhaps...means a little bit more!"
And what happened then...?
Well...in Dub-ville they say
That de Judge's small heart
Shrank three sizes that day!
He had them all axed
From the ones they loved most;
To their family and friends;
They were now just a ghost.
Yes, welcome, welcome
One and all;
To the nightmare that is
the Kingdom Hall.
Note: Dub = Witnesses
These Freaks Seem To Be Everywhere Nowadays
http://www.theage.com.au/national/jail-for-dj-caught-in-child-porn-sting-20081203-6qo7.html
A MELBOURNE disc jockey who downloaded 227,411 pornographic images of children, some as young as five, has been jailed after being caught up in an Interpol investigation.
The County Court heard that Andrew Van Rossum, 34, became "addicted to child pornography to escape reality'' and had formed a belief that real people were not involved.
Judge Caroline Douglas ordered that he serve 20 months in jail immediately and then be released on a good behaviour order for 16 months.
In passing sentence she said the massive collection of pornography "condoned the exploitation of children by adults, which is unacceptable in a civilised society''.
"I have no explanation why you were sexually aroused by the images of children, some as young as five,'' she said.
The court was told that Van Rossum, a father of two, had become depressed after the failure of business enterprises, had started drinking heavily and became addicted to child pornography. He came to the attention of the Australian Federal Police Online Child Exploitation Team in August 2007 when Interpol in Austria revealed that he was one of 78 Australians identified as downloading child pornography. More than 6000 were identified worldwide.
Australian investigations revealed that in October 2007, while in a chatroom and talking to "pedo11111'' he had sent 137 pornographic images of children and received 133 through a sharing program. He later sent 317 images to the same man and received 57.
Police discovered a list of exchanges with others, numbering in the thousands.
The Jehovah's Witness, who pleaded guilty to the child pornography charges sat stern-faced as Judge Douglas went through his crimes. Police investigators raided his Clayton South home in December 2007 discovering a stash of child pornography, which he had collected over three years.
Judge Douglas said he would have continued offending if not for the intervention of the federal police.
A MELBOURNE disc jockey who downloaded 227,411 pornographic images of children, some as young as five, has been jailed after being caught up in an Interpol investigation.
The County Court heard that Andrew Van Rossum, 34, became "addicted to child pornography to escape reality'' and had formed a belief that real people were not involved.
Judge Caroline Douglas ordered that he serve 20 months in jail immediately and then be released on a good behaviour order for 16 months.
In passing sentence she said the massive collection of pornography "condoned the exploitation of children by adults, which is unacceptable in a civilised society''.
"I have no explanation why you were sexually aroused by the images of children, some as young as five,'' she said.
The court was told that Van Rossum, a father of two, had become depressed after the failure of business enterprises, had started drinking heavily and became addicted to child pornography. He came to the attention of the Australian Federal Police Online Child Exploitation Team in August 2007 when Interpol in Austria revealed that he was one of 78 Australians identified as downloading child pornography. More than 6000 were identified worldwide.
Australian investigations revealed that in October 2007, while in a chatroom and talking to "pedo11111'' he had sent 137 pornographic images of children and received 133 through a sharing program. He later sent 317 images to the same man and received 57.
Police discovered a list of exchanges with others, numbering in the thousands.
The Jehovah's Witness, who pleaded guilty to the child pornography charges sat stern-faced as Judge Douglas went through his crimes. Police investigators raided his Clayton South home in December 2007 discovering a stash of child pornography, which he had collected over three years.
Judge Douglas said he would have continued offending if not for the intervention of the federal police.
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