Was the true faith taught by the apostles lost or corrupted within the first generation after the apostles? If so, then the true faith was not successfully transmitted anywhere in the evangelized world of the first and second centuries — including churches established by the apostles, with leadership appointed personally by them. A "great apostasy" would require an extraordinary event: the simultaneous loss of faith by an entire generation of Christians throughout the civilized world. Included in this apostasy would be disciples of the apostles themselves, as well as those who witnessed the thousands of martyrs who, just a short time previously, refused to deny Christ, either explicitly or by worshiping pagan gods.
A great apostasy, wherein the doctrines of Greek pagan philosophy replaced apostolic teaching, would most likely have begun in areas where the church was accepting a large number of converts with backgrounds in Greek religion and philosophy, such as Alexandria, Egypt. The prominent western churches established directly by the apostles, such as those in Rome and Antioch, would likely have fallen into heresy more slowly. But the historical facts do not support this (or any other) scenario of a "great apostasy." Had a great apostasy begun immediately after the death of the apostles, as the Watchtower claims, a mixture of "true Christianity" (i.e., Watchtower–type teachings) and "pagan heresy" (i.e., orthodox Christian teachings) would be discernible in the literature of the early church, which was widespread in its geographical points of origin.
Is it possible that all the writings of the followers of the "true faith" were completely destroyed by the paganized church? Such a view is highly improbable. Many manuscripts have survived from Gnosticism (a widespread religious movement of this period which combined elements of Greek paganism and eastern mystery religions), despite several centuries of concerted attack and condemnation by the church. Yet not a single document exists pointing to a group who believed as the Jehovah’s Witnesses do today.
The absence of such early "Watchtower" literature causes one to doubt the existence of the so-called "faithful and discrete servant class." After all, the stated purpose of these 144,000 anointed servants in Jehovah’s plan is to provide "meat in due season" — that is, literature that imparts "accurate knowledge" about the Bible. If these early Jehovah’s Witnesses were true to the kingdom gospel, handed down to them by the apostles, they would have written sufficiently to provide the faithful with an understanding of the Scriptures. Keep in mind that the Watchtower Society teaches that the Scriptures cannot be properly understood without such aids. Yet where is the Watchtower literature of the first and second centuries — or for that matter, of any century prior to the 1870s? Its absence is most telling, and highly damaging to the claim of a general apostasy with just a few of the dedicated faithful surviving.
Perhaps the most compelling argument against a universal early apostasy may be found in the commissioning and empowering of the apostles themselves. If a universal apostasy occurred immediately after the death of the apostles, we would have to judge the apostles as incompetent or negligent evangelists who utterly failed to accomplish Jesus’ commission to make disciples. Such an apostasy would reflect poorly on Jehovah God as well, whose "holy spirit" was unable to preserve His followers for even a single generation.
There is, therefore, no reason to believe that a great apostasy occurred following the death of the apostles, with the resulting loss of the "true" Christian faith for over 1800 years. This conclusion seems undeniable in view of the Great Commission, the power of the Holy Spirit, the absence of literary evidence for an alternative group of believers with a gospel similar to that preached by Jehovah’s Witnesses, and the implausibility of the required simultaneous loss of faith by an entire generation of geographically dispersed Christians.
Tuesday, December 28, 2010
Monday, December 27, 2010
What's Wrong With The Teachings of Jehovah's Witnesses?
1. Teaching that true Christianity is an organization instead of a way of life.
2. Claiming salvation is dependent upon belonging to the JW denomination.
3. Claiming that the organization speaks for and is controlled by Jehovah, thereby equating the organization with God himself.
4. Centralizing authority in an organization instead of letting Christ be the head of each Christian.
5. Claiming that the “faithful and discreet slave” is the “anointed class” rather than each individual Christian who shows himself or herself to be responsible and obedient to Christ.
6. Teaching that the early Christians were led by a governing body.
7. Teaching that Jesus appointed the “anointed remnant” as his true church in 1919.
8. Viewing the so-called “anointed” class (actually, the governing body) as God’s channel and prophet.
9. Placing WT literature above the Bible.
10. Frequently taking Bible texts out of context in order to build support for the organization’s man-made teachings and procedures.
11. Teaching that Jesus returned in 1914 and is “invisibly present” since then.
12. Teaching that Jerusalem was destroyed in 607 BCE when no historical records confirm this and the actual date is believed by nearly all historians to be 587 BCE.
13. Falsifying the fact that Charles Russell predicted for 1914 the end of the world, not Christ’s return.
14. Lying about a so-called “increase” in earthquakes, warfare, famines, persecution, etc., since 1914.
15. Contradictorily condemning military organizations and frowning upon JWs who choose alternative service in lieu of military service while the headquarters organization at the same time owns stock in a military product organization (REGI).
16. Taking a conflicting stand with regard to the United Nations, claiming that it is the “wild beast” of Revelation that leads all nations in a fight against God and Christ at Armageddon, but signing on as an NGO member and publishing articles that present the UN in a favorable light.
17. Teaching that it’s wrong to celebrate birthdays and all holidays.
18. Teaching that Abraham and the faithful men and women of old are not among the holy ones who will rule with Christ in his Kingdom.
19. Interpreting Jewish restoration prophecies as fulfilled in “the anointed remnant”.
20. Teaching that the Scriptures are directly addressed only to “the remnant of anointed ones”.
21. Teaching that only the “anointed” must be born again.
22. Teaching that the “great crowd” are not begotten or anointed by the Holy Spirit.
23. Teaching that the “great crowd” are God’s grandchildren and not his sons and daughters.
24. Teaching that the “great crowd” are not members of the bride of Christ.
25. Teaching that Jesus is not the mediator between God and the “great crowd” of Revelation chapter 7.
26. Teaching that the resurrection of the “anointed” precedes the resurrection of the “other sheep” and that it has already begun.
27. Teaching that only “anointed” JWs will receive immortality in the resurrection
28. Inviting only the “anointed” to partake at the memorial.
29. Claiming that spiritual food comes from the “anointed” class whereas nearly all the writers of WT publications are members of the “other sheep” class.
30. Creating a climate of fear by authoritarianism.
31. Controlling what individual JWs may read of Bible-related publications that are not produced by the WT Society.
32. Arrogantly pretending that the JW organization maintains higher standards than any other religion and proclaiming publicly that all other churches are members of Babylon the Great.
33. Forbidding attendance and participation at other churches.
34. Class distinctions such as “governing body,” “anointed remnant” and “great crowd of other sheep”.
35. Class distinctions such as publishers, auxiliary pioneers, regular pioneers, special pioneers, circuit overseers, district overseers, Bethelites, Governing Body, etc.
36. Prohibiting women from serving in any meaningful role in the congregation while expecting them to do the bulk of the work in “field service”.
37. Constantly prodding the membership by means of literature, meetings and conventions to do ever more and more in the service of the organization, promoting an atmosphere where many feel their best is never good enough.
38. Setting dates for Armageddon and thereby urging the membership to abandon normal living, this often resulting in the ruination of health and family life, as well as creating employment and financial hardships.
39. Teachings that lead the members to believe righteousness and salvation can be earned by devoted and loyal support of the organization’s slavish programs
40. Keeping meeting attendance and field service records as a gauge of an individual’s spirituality.
41. Organizationally requiring no blood transfusions instead of letting it be a matter of conscience, thereby cruelly informing all members that they will be shunned by the organization if they accept a transfusion that might restore health following a life-threatening accident or illness.
42. Allowing their own infants and children to die instead of allowing doctors to give them necessary blood transfusions.
43. Teaching that the “congregation” of Matthew 18:17 is the body of elders.
44. Holding heresy trials and disciplinary hearings in secrecy from the rest of the congregation.
45. Withholding information that would be helpful to persons who have been accused of wrongdoing.
46. Conducting heresy trials of members who have doubts or who think differently upon the Scriptures.
47. Defining apostasy as against the organization instead of against God.
48. Being quick to disfellowship instead of making efforts to restore persons who have done something wrong.
49. Unnecessarily and abusively shunning members even for minor infractions such as smoking or not complying with the whimsical directives of elders, thereby causing personal and family turmoil that often results in immense guilt, shame, fear, depression, bitterness, hatred, murder and suicide.
50. Prohibiting fellowship with disassociated persons who show no inclination toward causing dissension.
51. Showing favoritism by advising innocent victims to “leave it to Jehovah” instead of the elders taking decisive action to deal with some members who have been accused of harmful wrongdoing.
52. Ignoring or minimizing clear evidence of child molestation and other abuses simply because only one witness is available to testify against the member accused of such serious wrongdoing.
53. Covering over and hiding damaging facts about the JW organization.
54. In many cases, neglecting the care of their own sick and elderly members who no longer have the strength and energy to attend all the meetings and to be regular in “field service” as they did for most of their lives.
55. Blatantly lying to the public by declaring to news media that members may leave the organization at any time, of their own free will and without any repercussions from the organization.
2. Claiming salvation is dependent upon belonging to the JW denomination.
3. Claiming that the organization speaks for and is controlled by Jehovah, thereby equating the organization with God himself.
4. Centralizing authority in an organization instead of letting Christ be the head of each Christian.
5. Claiming that the “faithful and discreet slave” is the “anointed class” rather than each individual Christian who shows himself or herself to be responsible and obedient to Christ.
6. Teaching that the early Christians were led by a governing body.
7. Teaching that Jesus appointed the “anointed remnant” as his true church in 1919.
8. Viewing the so-called “anointed” class (actually, the governing body) as God’s channel and prophet.
9. Placing WT literature above the Bible.
10. Frequently taking Bible texts out of context in order to build support for the organization’s man-made teachings and procedures.
11. Teaching that Jesus returned in 1914 and is “invisibly present” since then.
12. Teaching that Jerusalem was destroyed in 607 BCE when no historical records confirm this and the actual date is believed by nearly all historians to be 587 BCE.
13. Falsifying the fact that Charles Russell predicted for 1914 the end of the world, not Christ’s return.
14. Lying about a so-called “increase” in earthquakes, warfare, famines, persecution, etc., since 1914.
15. Contradictorily condemning military organizations and frowning upon JWs who choose alternative service in lieu of military service while the headquarters organization at the same time owns stock in a military product organization (REGI).
16. Taking a conflicting stand with regard to the United Nations, claiming that it is the “wild beast” of Revelation that leads all nations in a fight against God and Christ at Armageddon, but signing on as an NGO member and publishing articles that present the UN in a favorable light.
17. Teaching that it’s wrong to celebrate birthdays and all holidays.
18. Teaching that Abraham and the faithful men and women of old are not among the holy ones who will rule with Christ in his Kingdom.
19. Interpreting Jewish restoration prophecies as fulfilled in “the anointed remnant”.
20. Teaching that the Scriptures are directly addressed only to “the remnant of anointed ones”.
21. Teaching that only the “anointed” must be born again.
22. Teaching that the “great crowd” are not begotten or anointed by the Holy Spirit.
23. Teaching that the “great crowd” are God’s grandchildren and not his sons and daughters.
24. Teaching that the “great crowd” are not members of the bride of Christ.
25. Teaching that Jesus is not the mediator between God and the “great crowd” of Revelation chapter 7.
26. Teaching that the resurrection of the “anointed” precedes the resurrection of the “other sheep” and that it has already begun.
27. Teaching that only “anointed” JWs will receive immortality in the resurrection
28. Inviting only the “anointed” to partake at the memorial.
29. Claiming that spiritual food comes from the “anointed” class whereas nearly all the writers of WT publications are members of the “other sheep” class.
30. Creating a climate of fear by authoritarianism.
31. Controlling what individual JWs may read of Bible-related publications that are not produced by the WT Society.
32. Arrogantly pretending that the JW organization maintains higher standards than any other religion and proclaiming publicly that all other churches are members of Babylon the Great.
33. Forbidding attendance and participation at other churches.
34. Class distinctions such as “governing body,” “anointed remnant” and “great crowd of other sheep”.
35. Class distinctions such as publishers, auxiliary pioneers, regular pioneers, special pioneers, circuit overseers, district overseers, Bethelites, Governing Body, etc.
36. Prohibiting women from serving in any meaningful role in the congregation while expecting them to do the bulk of the work in “field service”.
37. Constantly prodding the membership by means of literature, meetings and conventions to do ever more and more in the service of the organization, promoting an atmosphere where many feel their best is never good enough.
38. Setting dates for Armageddon and thereby urging the membership to abandon normal living, this often resulting in the ruination of health and family life, as well as creating employment and financial hardships.
39. Teachings that lead the members to believe righteousness and salvation can be earned by devoted and loyal support of the organization’s slavish programs
40. Keeping meeting attendance and field service records as a gauge of an individual’s spirituality.
41. Organizationally requiring no blood transfusions instead of letting it be a matter of conscience, thereby cruelly informing all members that they will be shunned by the organization if they accept a transfusion that might restore health following a life-threatening accident or illness.
42. Allowing their own infants and children to die instead of allowing doctors to give them necessary blood transfusions.
43. Teaching that the “congregation” of Matthew 18:17 is the body of elders.
44. Holding heresy trials and disciplinary hearings in secrecy from the rest of the congregation.
45. Withholding information that would be helpful to persons who have been accused of wrongdoing.
46. Conducting heresy trials of members who have doubts or who think differently upon the Scriptures.
47. Defining apostasy as against the organization instead of against God.
48. Being quick to disfellowship instead of making efforts to restore persons who have done something wrong.
49. Unnecessarily and abusively shunning members even for minor infractions such as smoking or not complying with the whimsical directives of elders, thereby causing personal and family turmoil that often results in immense guilt, shame, fear, depression, bitterness, hatred, murder and suicide.
50. Prohibiting fellowship with disassociated persons who show no inclination toward causing dissension.
51. Showing favoritism by advising innocent victims to “leave it to Jehovah” instead of the elders taking decisive action to deal with some members who have been accused of harmful wrongdoing.
52. Ignoring or minimizing clear evidence of child molestation and other abuses simply because only one witness is available to testify against the member accused of such serious wrongdoing.
53. Covering over and hiding damaging facts about the JW organization.
54. In many cases, neglecting the care of their own sick and elderly members who no longer have the strength and energy to attend all the meetings and to be regular in “field service” as they did for most of their lives.
55. Blatantly lying to the public by declaring to news media that members may leave the organization at any time, of their own free will and without any repercussions from the organization.
Sunday, December 26, 2010
Saturday, December 25, 2010
Is The Organization Directed By Holy Spirit?
The Organization operates under the confusing concept of 'Provisional Infallibility'.
On the one hand, information contained in the Watchtower is from God's Holy Spirit and and so should be accepted without question; on the other hand, the Watchtower admittedly contains significant mistakes.
The Organization uses the irrational concept that Holy Spirit directs them but they are not inspired. This is illogical - inspired means to be directed by Holy Spirit. The concepts of infallibility and inspiration are simple, yet discussing them in line with Watchtower teachings becomes complicated because by definition it is impossible to have direction of Holy Spirit but not be inspired.
According to The American Heritage® Dictionary of the English Language, Fourth Edition:
Infallible; "Incapable of erring" (therefore to be infallible means to be perfect)
Inspire; "to affect, guide, or arouse by divine influence" (or in other words inspired means to be directed by Holy Spirit)
Therefore, if the Organization claims the direction of Holy Spirit it is by definition claiming to be inspired. In this case, it cannot make mistakes, by definition, it should be infallible in the same way the Bible is infallible.
On the one hand, information contained in the Watchtower is from God's Holy Spirit and and so should be accepted without question; on the other hand, the Watchtower admittedly contains significant mistakes.
The Organization uses the irrational concept that Holy Spirit directs them but they are not inspired. This is illogical - inspired means to be directed by Holy Spirit. The concepts of infallibility and inspiration are simple, yet discussing them in line with Watchtower teachings becomes complicated because by definition it is impossible to have direction of Holy Spirit but not be inspired.
According to The American Heritage® Dictionary of the English Language, Fourth Edition:
Infallible; "Incapable of erring" (therefore to be infallible means to be perfect)
Inspire; "to affect, guide, or arouse by divine influence" (or in other words inspired means to be directed by Holy Spirit)
Therefore, if the Organization claims the direction of Holy Spirit it is by definition claiming to be inspired. In this case, it cannot make mistakes, by definition, it should be infallible in the same way the Bible is infallible.
Do Jehovah's Witnesses Have A Correct Understanding of the Faithful and Discreet Slave?
The reason it so crucial for the average witnesses to have a "correct" understanding of the "faithful and discreet slave" is because he has been taught that his very salvation depends on it! He must identify this "slave" and faithfully follow its teachings. Concerning the "slave", the Society had this to say....
"The fact is, many things are needed to be a real Christian....a Christian has to recognize the AUTHORITY of the "faithful and discreet slave." (The Watchtower, October 1, 1991, pg. 20). In the AWAKE! (October 8, 1991, pg. 13), we read the following: "Thus, we are enlightened by God's answers to present-day problems, answers that reveal where we are in the stream of time and how we can successfully plan for the future. Those answers come to us through the channel of "the faithful and discreet anointed slave" class, WHICH USES THE WATCHTOWER SOCIETY AS ITS PUBLISHING AGENCY." (So now Jehovah needs a publishing company!)
And all this time I thought reading the Bible, God's Word, would provide the answers we need! Not so, at least according to the Watchtower. Consider this amazing statement....
"It is unlikely that someone who simply reads the Bible WITHOUT TAKING ADVANTAGE OF DIVINELY PROVIDED AIDS could discern the light. That is why Jehovah God has provided "the faithful and discreet slave", foretold at Matthew 24:45-47. Today, that "slave" is represented by the Governing Body of Jehovah's Witnesses." (The Watchtower, May 1, 1992, pg. 31).
Just what are these so-called "divinely provided aids" that are necessary for us? Why, the Society's publications, of course! According to them, God's INSPIRED Word isn't sufficient to help us see "the light". We need man's UNINSPIRED books and magazines for that! The Bible disagrees, however. In 2 Timothy 3:15, we are told that the Scriptures "are able to make thee wise unto salvation through faith which is in Christ Jesus." (Most of the books published by the watchtower cannot even be used today because all the doctrines have been changed. They are simply a waste of time and paper.)
It is incredible to me how anyone could believe anything that these men say! Yet people keep following them, defending them.
"The fact is, many things are needed to be a real Christian....a Christian has to recognize the AUTHORITY of the "faithful and discreet slave." (The Watchtower, October 1, 1991, pg. 20). In the AWAKE! (October 8, 1991, pg. 13), we read the following: "Thus, we are enlightened by God's answers to present-day problems, answers that reveal where we are in the stream of time and how we can successfully plan for the future. Those answers come to us through the channel of "the faithful and discreet anointed slave" class, WHICH USES THE WATCHTOWER SOCIETY AS ITS PUBLISHING AGENCY." (So now Jehovah needs a publishing company!)
And all this time I thought reading the Bible, God's Word, would provide the answers we need! Not so, at least according to the Watchtower. Consider this amazing statement....
"It is unlikely that someone who simply reads the Bible WITHOUT TAKING ADVANTAGE OF DIVINELY PROVIDED AIDS could discern the light. That is why Jehovah God has provided "the faithful and discreet slave", foretold at Matthew 24:45-47. Today, that "slave" is represented by the Governing Body of Jehovah's Witnesses." (The Watchtower, May 1, 1992, pg. 31).
Just what are these so-called "divinely provided aids" that are necessary for us? Why, the Society's publications, of course! According to them, God's INSPIRED Word isn't sufficient to help us see "the light". We need man's UNINSPIRED books and magazines for that! The Bible disagrees, however. In 2 Timothy 3:15, we are told that the Scriptures "are able to make thee wise unto salvation through faith which is in Christ Jesus." (Most of the books published by the watchtower cannot even be used today because all the doctrines have been changed. They are simply a waste of time and paper.)
It is incredible to me how anyone could believe anything that these men say! Yet people keep following them, defending them.
Friday, December 24, 2010
Is Jehovah Using an Earthly Organization?
As the word "organization" does not appear in the Bible, the Watchtower uses 1 Corinthians 14:33 - "God is a God, not of disorder, but of peace" - to indicate that an Organization is necessary. However, the existence of an organization does not guarantee order, nor is an organization a prerequisite for orderliness.
In an attempt to enforce the authority of the Watchtower Society, articles claim God has always operated though a single organization.
"The Bible shows that Jehovah has always guided his servants in an organized way. The nation of Israel was called "Jehovah's congregation." (Numbers 20:4; 1 Chronicles 28:8) If you were a true worshiper of Jehovah back then, you had to be part of that congregation of worshipers, not separate from it. Did Jehovah ever use more than one organization during any period of time? In Noah's day only Noah and those with him inside the ark had God's protection and survived the floodwaters. (1 Peter 3:20) Also, in the first century there were not two or more Christian organizations. God dealt with just the one. There was just the "one Lord, one faith, one baptism." (Ephesians 4:5) Likewise in our day Jesus Christ foretold that there would be only one source of spiritual instruction for God's people." You Can Live Forever in Paradise on Earth p.192
Bible history proves that this is not the case. For the majority of history God has not used any organization. He predominantly has operated through individuals, and has regularly dealt with more than one group at a time. Originally God dealt directly with Adam and Eve. He continued to deal directly with Abel, and also directly with the unrighteous man Cain. (Gen 4:15) For the next 2000 years there is no mention of any organization or intervention by God, except for when God deal with two individuals; Enoch and Noah. After the flood Jehovah continued to deal with individuals rather than with an organization. He concurrently dealt separately with individuals such as Lot and Abraham.
Though an organization is never mentioned by Jesus, Jehovah's Witnesses believe that all other Christian religions will be destroyed by God because they do not follow Watchtower defined truth. Jesus said "He that believes has everlasting life"(John 6:47) and "I know my sheep and my sheep know me"(John 10:14). When a Jehovah's Witness reads passages like these they are trained to understand "whoever believes what the Watchtower says about Jesus may have everlasting life", and "the sheep know me, only by means of the Watchtower Society". This is not unique; it is common that "the cult and its beliefs become the only true path to salvation." (Combating Cult Mind Control, Hassan, p.202).
It is apparent that for most of the history of the Bible, Jehovah did not have a visible organization. Even during the short period that he used the Nation of Israel he regularly dealt with individuals in preference to the leaders of that organization, as was also the case during early Christian times.
In an attempt to enforce the authority of the Watchtower Society, articles claim God has always operated though a single organization.
"The Bible shows that Jehovah has always guided his servants in an organized way. The nation of Israel was called "Jehovah's congregation." (Numbers 20:4; 1 Chronicles 28:8) If you were a true worshiper of Jehovah back then, you had to be part of that congregation of worshipers, not separate from it. Did Jehovah ever use more than one organization during any period of time? In Noah's day only Noah and those with him inside the ark had God's protection and survived the floodwaters. (1 Peter 3:20) Also, in the first century there were not two or more Christian organizations. God dealt with just the one. There was just the "one Lord, one faith, one baptism." (Ephesians 4:5) Likewise in our day Jesus Christ foretold that there would be only one source of spiritual instruction for God's people." You Can Live Forever in Paradise on Earth p.192
Bible history proves that this is not the case. For the majority of history God has not used any organization. He predominantly has operated through individuals, and has regularly dealt with more than one group at a time. Originally God dealt directly with Adam and Eve. He continued to deal directly with Abel, and also directly with the unrighteous man Cain. (Gen 4:15) For the next 2000 years there is no mention of any organization or intervention by God, except for when God deal with two individuals; Enoch and Noah. After the flood Jehovah continued to deal with individuals rather than with an organization. He concurrently dealt separately with individuals such as Lot and Abraham.
Though an organization is never mentioned by Jesus, Jehovah's Witnesses believe that all other Christian religions will be destroyed by God because they do not follow Watchtower defined truth. Jesus said "He that believes has everlasting life"(John 6:47) and "I know my sheep and my sheep know me"(John 10:14). When a Jehovah's Witness reads passages like these they are trained to understand "whoever believes what the Watchtower says about Jesus may have everlasting life", and "the sheep know me, only by means of the Watchtower Society". This is not unique; it is common that "the cult and its beliefs become the only true path to salvation." (Combating Cult Mind Control, Hassan, p.202).
It is apparent that for most of the history of the Bible, Jehovah did not have a visible organization. Even during the short period that he used the Nation of Israel he regularly dealt with individuals in preference to the leaders of that organization, as was also the case during early Christian times.
Two New Governing Body Members
The Governing Body for Jehovah's Witnesses has approved the addition of two additional members to the U.S. Branch Committee.
These are: John Ekrann and Robert Raines.
These are: John Ekrann and Robert Raines.
Wednesday, December 22, 2010
Tuesday, December 21, 2010
1985 New Bethelities Are Treated To This Rare Video
New Bethel Entrants Introduction to the Governing Body circa 1985. Two new Bethel boys at Watchtower headquarters somehow managed to videotape this introduction to the Brooklyn Bethel headquarters of the Governing Body off of the Bethel TV screen. It shows all the main players in the scandal and dismissal of Raymond Franz and several others that were disfellowshipped from the Watchtower headquarters in 1979-1980. Notice their REAL qualifications for leadership as God's only true organization out of their own mouths! At about the 4:30 minute point, Karl Klein says, "I've done a better job cleaning toilets than I did presiding at the Governing Body." I wholeheartedly agree. None of these men had any trained qualifications for leadership in a worldwide organization of millions.
Sunday, December 19, 2010
Saturday, December 18, 2010
Kingdom Ministry February 11. 2011
According to the above Kingdom Ministry, the daily text will no longer be highlighted before field service. Jehovah has once again given his organization new light.
Friday, December 17, 2010
Thursday, December 16, 2010
Number of Partakers at the 2010 Memorial Service
2009 - 10857
2010 - 11202
As you can see, the numbers of partakers is increasing.
For information purposes only:
1935 52465
1936 24850
1937
1938 39225
1939 29385
1940 27711
1941 23989
1942 24035
1943 23577
1944 22648
1945 22328
1946 27587
1947 26449
1948 25395
1949 24312
1950 22723
1951 21619
1952 20221
1953 19183
1954 17884
1955 16815
1956 16302
1957 15628
1958 15037
1959 14511
1960 13911
1961 13284
1962 12714
1963 12292
1964 11953
1965 11550
1966 11266
1967 1098
11968 10619
1969 10368
1970 10500
1971 10384
1972 10350
1973 10523
1974 10723
1975 10550
1976 10187
1977 10080
1978 9762
1979 9727
1980 9564
1981 9601
1982 9529
1983 9292
1984 9081
1985 9051
1986 8927
1987 8808
1988 8685
1989 8734
1990 8869
1991 8850
1992 8683
1993 8693
1994 8617
1995 8645
1996 8757
1997 8795
1998 8756
1999 8755
2000 8661
2001 8730
2002 8760
2003 8565
2004 8570
2005 8524
2006 8758
2007 9105
2008 9986
2009 10857
2010 11202
Remember years ago when we were only suppose to invite bible studies and interested ones to the memorial? Then it changed. More New Light, I guess. I never understood why though. Jesus only had his very close followers---the apostles. Now we're supposed to get as many people to attend as we can. The organization likes big numbers they can brag about.
I chuckle every time someone tells me how closely the witnesses adhere to first century christianity. Because in reality they don't follow first century christianity at all.
2010 - 11202
As you can see, the numbers of partakers is increasing.
For information purposes only:
1935 52465
1936 24850
1937
1938 39225
1939 29385
1940 27711
1941 23989
1942 24035
1943 23577
1944 22648
1945 22328
1946 27587
1947 26449
1948 25395
1949 24312
1950 22723
1951 21619
1952 20221
1953 19183
1954 17884
1955 16815
1956 16302
1957 15628
1958 15037
1959 14511
1960 13911
1961 13284
1962 12714
1963 12292
1964 11953
1965 11550
1966 11266
1967 1098
11968 10619
1969 10368
1970 10500
1971 10384
1972 10350
1973 10523
1974 10723
1975 10550
1976 10187
1977 10080
1978 9762
1979 9727
1980 9564
1981 9601
1982 9529
1983 9292
1984 9081
1985 9051
1986 8927
1987 8808
1988 8685
1989 8734
1990 8869
1991 8850
1992 8683
1993 8693
1994 8617
1995 8645
1996 8757
1997 8795
1998 8756
1999 8755
2000 8661
2001 8730
2002 8760
2003 8565
2004 8570
2005 8524
2006 8758
2007 9105
2008 9986
2009 10857
2010 11202
Remember years ago when we were only suppose to invite bible studies and interested ones to the memorial? Then it changed. More New Light, I guess. I never understood why though. Jesus only had his very close followers---the apostles. Now we're supposed to get as many people to attend as we can. The organization likes big numbers they can brag about.
I chuckle every time someone tells me how closely the witnesses adhere to first century christianity. Because in reality they don't follow first century christianity at all.
Wednesday, December 15, 2010
With the latest Australian Special Talk, we now have a complete picture of the Organizational Plan
There was a special talk on Sunday relayed to all the Aussie congs from Sydney. Apparently the speaker had an American accent, but was stationed in a latin American country. He was really pushing field service and pulled out the old one that: If you do not witness you are not one of Jehovah's Witnesses. Then he said: "Just as tithing was compulsory for the Jews, field service is now for JW's."
Ah yes........The Governing Body is now starting to show their hand, to begin to show their future plans for this false-religion-cult of fear and oppression.
It has been said on here for the last few years now, that with the elimination/combination of the Book Study at the Kingdom Halls instead of at homes, the introduction of new rule books (Keep Yourself in God's Love) and the new Elder Manual that a "tightening of the reigns" was beginning.
And so, just as the "Apostates" have predicted, so it shall be done by the Governing Body OverLords. Anyone not out actively preaching in the field ministry is now officially out of the congregation, INACTIVE. This also goes along quite nicely with the assembly talks, etc that we've been hearing about this past summer condemning active ones from associating with inactive ones. Basically, if you are not going door-to-door in the field ministry, you are disassociating yourself and will be considered bad association, and subject to shunning. Welcome to the religion of Jehovah's Witnesses in the 21st century!! Can you just feel the loooooooove, Brother Poor and Sister Depressed?
While they are at it, they are actively selling off oodles of their NYC real estate at a huge prophet....errr.....PROFIT, so that they can move all operations up to Canada and upper New York state, out in the wilderness somewhere, basically going to create their own little "Jonestown" if you will. I can see it now.....like Brooklyn Bethel, except 1,000 times worse and even more isolated. The dinner bells (Povlov's dogs, anyone?) will ring over the loudspeakers, Big Brother Governing Body OverLord will appear on a nearby LCD screen in your barren room, corridor, or work station, and you will receive your Spiritual Food. After all, Big Brother.....errr......The Governing Body OverLords know what is best for YOU!!! Unbelievable!!!
We are now starting to see the direction of the new and improved smaller Governing Body, and it ain't pretty!!! Any hopes or dreams of a softer, more loveable or merciful Governing Body have now been crushed into oblivion, for their plans for the minions are of even more tight-fisted pharasitical oppression all in the name of serving Jehovah God, with Jesus supposedly have given THEM the keys to the Kingdom (possessions) to do what they want.
Truly, the beatings will continue until morale improves. There will be no more fence-sitters, lurkers, faders. The groundwork has been laid; you are either a "die-hard" Witness for Jehovah, putting forth all time and effort to do His....errr....the Governing Body's will of mindless, repetitive, un-effective door-knocking, or you will be out on your ass!!! To hell with your college-educated children or their futures, they are merely Satan-influenced independant thinkers, the Witnesses are your REAL family, so starting shunning any "worldly acting" children now, or else loose your priviledges, Brother Elder SoftOnRules!
Any active JW's reading this better take note; tough times are ahead, better polish up the G.E.D. pull up the Carhartt janitorial uniform, and start putting in longer hours at the window washing/janitorial job, because the New Order isn't anywhere in sight just yet, no matter how many times they claim it is "imminent, just around the corner!"
Ah yes........The Governing Body is now starting to show their hand, to begin to show their future plans for this false-religion-cult of fear and oppression.
It has been said on here for the last few years now, that with the elimination/combination of the Book Study at the Kingdom Halls instead of at homes, the introduction of new rule books (Keep Yourself in God's Love) and the new Elder Manual that a "tightening of the reigns" was beginning.
And so, just as the "Apostates" have predicted, so it shall be done by the Governing Body OverLords. Anyone not out actively preaching in the field ministry is now officially out of the congregation, INACTIVE. This also goes along quite nicely with the assembly talks, etc that we've been hearing about this past summer condemning active ones from associating with inactive ones. Basically, if you are not going door-to-door in the field ministry, you are disassociating yourself and will be considered bad association, and subject to shunning. Welcome to the religion of Jehovah's Witnesses in the 21st century!! Can you just feel the loooooooove, Brother Poor and Sister Depressed?
While they are at it, they are actively selling off oodles of their NYC real estate at a huge prophet....errr.....PROFIT, so that they can move all operations up to Canada and upper New York state, out in the wilderness somewhere, basically going to create their own little "Jonestown" if you will. I can see it now.....like Brooklyn Bethel, except 1,000 times worse and even more isolated. The dinner bells (Povlov's dogs, anyone?) will ring over the loudspeakers, Big Brother Governing Body OverLord will appear on a nearby LCD screen in your barren room, corridor, or work station, and you will receive your Spiritual Food. After all, Big Brother.....errr......The Governing Body OverLords know what is best for YOU!!! Unbelievable!!!
We are now starting to see the direction of the new and improved smaller Governing Body, and it ain't pretty!!! Any hopes or dreams of a softer, more loveable or merciful Governing Body have now been crushed into oblivion, for their plans for the minions are of even more tight-fisted pharasitical oppression all in the name of serving Jehovah God, with Jesus supposedly have given THEM the keys to the Kingdom (possessions) to do what they want.
Truly, the beatings will continue until morale improves. There will be no more fence-sitters, lurkers, faders. The groundwork has been laid; you are either a "die-hard" Witness for Jehovah, putting forth all time and effort to do His....errr....the Governing Body's will of mindless, repetitive, un-effective door-knocking, or you will be out on your ass!!! To hell with your college-educated children or their futures, they are merely Satan-influenced independant thinkers, the Witnesses are your REAL family, so starting shunning any "worldly acting" children now, or else loose your priviledges, Brother Elder SoftOnRules!
Any active JW's reading this better take note; tough times are ahead, better polish up the G.E.D. pull up the Carhartt janitorial uniform, and start putting in longer hours at the window washing/janitorial job, because the New Order isn't anywhere in sight just yet, no matter how many times they claim it is "imminent, just around the corner!"
Monday, December 13, 2010
Tuesday, December 7, 2010
Highlights from The Elder's School
Besides the usual drivel there were a couple interesting things.
1. An entire 1 hour discourse on helping our children become little innocent martyrs for the Watchtower via their flawed and unreasonable blood doctrine. They really hit this hard, emphasizing that we should prepare your children to respect the sanctity of blood by coaching them on the scriptures that "prove" we shouldn't have transfusions. Crossing out verbage on hospital admission forms before signing them. The speaker went on and on. I mean really, are they serious with this??
2. Bashing college (higher education) every chance they got. Even to the point of listing for a series of questions that the other elders would ask if a child of an appointed man were to have children go to college. They did a total 180 on their "policy" and are 100% against higher education in any form.
The Watchtower is really pushing it with that blood doctrine. A tutorial on how to allow your children to die.... lol. come on!
I think In Search of Christian Freedom said it the best(paraphrasing): The Watchtower teaches that God wants us to santify the representation of life ( blood) more than life itself. In other words your child's picture is more important than your actual child and you are to honor it above the child. Now that's logical isnt it??
This religion is becoming more and more dangerous.
Also, The the school's second to last talk on Saturday is..."trust in the faithful and discreet slave" The speaker really emphasized how there is a problem with some elders who do not trust or obey the Governing Body as the representative of God on earth (I wonder why). It was 1/2 hr of "following the the GB and their direction is the only way we will get from here to paradise." True quote.
1. An entire 1 hour discourse on helping our children become little innocent martyrs for the Watchtower via their flawed and unreasonable blood doctrine. They really hit this hard, emphasizing that we should prepare your children to respect the sanctity of blood by coaching them on the scriptures that "prove" we shouldn't have transfusions. Crossing out verbage on hospital admission forms before signing them. The speaker went on and on. I mean really, are they serious with this??
2. Bashing college (higher education) every chance they got. Even to the point of listing for a series of questions that the other elders would ask if a child of an appointed man were to have children go to college. They did a total 180 on their "policy" and are 100% against higher education in any form.
The Watchtower is really pushing it with that blood doctrine. A tutorial on how to allow your children to die.... lol. come on!
I think In Search of Christian Freedom said it the best(paraphrasing): The Watchtower teaches that God wants us to santify the representation of life ( blood) more than life itself. In other words your child's picture is more important than your actual child and you are to honor it above the child. Now that's logical isnt it??
This religion is becoming more and more dangerous.
Also, The the school's second to last talk on Saturday is..."trust in the faithful and discreet slave" The speaker really emphasized how there is a problem with some elders who do not trust or obey the Governing Body as the representative of God on earth (I wonder why). It was 1/2 hr of "following the the GB and their direction is the only way we will get from here to paradise." True quote.
Saturday, December 4, 2010
John E. Barr Died Today
Governing Body Member, John E. Barr, died today. He was 97 years old. He became a member of the Governing Body in 1977.
Friday, December 3, 2010
The One Mistake We All Made and the January 15, 2008 Watchtower
On Page 24 of the January 15, 2008 Watchtower, the Governing Body makes the following statement:
"When Christ inspected’ the faithful and discreet slave’ in 1918, he found those anointed ones on earth (Joseph Rutherford and his associates) to be faithful in providing spiritual ‘food at the proper time.’ Hence, Jesus was pleased thereafter to appoint them ‘over all his belongings.’ (Read Matthew 24:45-47)"
Question: If Jesus did inspect the Society in 1918 would he have found that the Society had been faithful in providing the right spiritual food at the right time’? The only way to know if the Society could have passed a food-at-the-proper-time examination by Jesus Christ in 1918 is to make the same examination they say Jesus made.
The one mistake that all former Witnesses and all present Witnesses have made, and the one mistake all future Witnesses will make is the failure to make that examination before deciding to get baptized. As essential as passing that exam is to the Society’s claim to being Jesus’ "faithful and discreet slave organization," nobody checks for themselves to see if the Society could have passed it.
Even Raymond Franz made this mistake for some 60 years before he finally corrected it in "the late 1970s’" when he began to examine for himself what they Society had been teaching down till 1919.-Crisis of Conscience, p.138, paragraph 7
After completing his examination he concluded the following: "It would be an insult to Christ Jesus to say that he selected this organization on the basis of what it was teaching as of 1919." - - In Search of Christian Freedom, p. 145
It is much easier to correct this mistake today then it was in the 1970’s. Much of the Society’s pre-1919 teachings are now plastered all over the Internet for the whole world to see. But the source of information I like the best is their most up-to-date history book, "JEHOVAH’S WITNESSES: Proclaimers of God’s Kingdom." Although it contains thousands of details that don’t matter, it contains several that do. It’s just a matter of knowing what to look for and where to find them.
For example, the first surprising thing the book taught me is that the Society’s first three presidents never realized that Jesus’ returned in 1914 to begin his "invisible presence" (assuming that he did return in that year). How faithful could those men have been when God never allowed them to understand when His Son returned? And how discreet could they have been since they all announced the wrong date of 1874 for almost seven decades (67 years)?
The more the "Proclaimers" book taught me the more I could understand why Ray Franz said what he said. I too cannot understand how anyone could know what the Society had been teaching down till 1919 and still conclude that ‘Jesus would have been pleased thereafter to appoint them ‘over all his belongings' as the January 15, 2008 Watchtower asserts.
The point being that without the above appointment the Society cannot be God's organization today no matter what they are teaching today.
"When Christ inspected’ the faithful and discreet slave’ in 1918, he found those anointed ones on earth (Joseph Rutherford and his associates) to be faithful in providing spiritual ‘food at the proper time.’ Hence, Jesus was pleased thereafter to appoint them ‘over all his belongings.’ (Read Matthew 24:45-47)"
Question: If Jesus did inspect the Society in 1918 would he have found that the Society had been faithful in providing the right spiritual food at the right time’? The only way to know if the Society could have passed a food-at-the-proper-time examination by Jesus Christ in 1918 is to make the same examination they say Jesus made.
The one mistake that all former Witnesses and all present Witnesses have made, and the one mistake all future Witnesses will make is the failure to make that examination before deciding to get baptized. As essential as passing that exam is to the Society’s claim to being Jesus’ "faithful and discreet slave organization," nobody checks for themselves to see if the Society could have passed it.
Even Raymond Franz made this mistake for some 60 years before he finally corrected it in "the late 1970s’" when he began to examine for himself what they Society had been teaching down till 1919.-Crisis of Conscience, p.138, paragraph 7
After completing his examination he concluded the following: "It would be an insult to Christ Jesus to say that he selected this organization on the basis of what it was teaching as of 1919." - - In Search of Christian Freedom, p. 145
It is much easier to correct this mistake today then it was in the 1970’s. Much of the Society’s pre-1919 teachings are now plastered all over the Internet for the whole world to see. But the source of information I like the best is their most up-to-date history book, "JEHOVAH’S WITNESSES: Proclaimers of God’s Kingdom." Although it contains thousands of details that don’t matter, it contains several that do. It’s just a matter of knowing what to look for and where to find them.
For example, the first surprising thing the book taught me is that the Society’s first three presidents never realized that Jesus’ returned in 1914 to begin his "invisible presence" (assuming that he did return in that year). How faithful could those men have been when God never allowed them to understand when His Son returned? And how discreet could they have been since they all announced the wrong date of 1874 for almost seven decades (67 years)?
The more the "Proclaimers" book taught me the more I could understand why Ray Franz said what he said. I too cannot understand how anyone could know what the Society had been teaching down till 1919 and still conclude that ‘Jesus would have been pleased thereafter to appoint them ‘over all his belongings' as the January 15, 2008 Watchtower asserts.
The point being that without the above appointment the Society cannot be God's organization today no matter what they are teaching today.
Thursday, December 2, 2010
Monday, November 29, 2010
9/15/2010 Watchtower, article entitled 'Our Active Leader Today'
It seems as though at least one article in every issue of the study Watchtower is devoted to reinforcing the Governing Body's authority. This from pargraph 10:
10 Christ provides loving oversight of his congregations on earth by means of appointed elders. (Eph. 4:8, 11, 12) In the first century, all the overseers were spiritbegotten. They were depicted in Revelation as stars in Christ’s right hand. (Rev.1:16, 20). Today, most congregation elders are of the other sheep. They are appointed after prayer and under the guidance of the holy spirit, so they too can be regarded as under Christ’s direction, or guiding hand (that's a laugh, epecially when you know some really shady men have been appointed elders) . (Acts 20:28). They recognize, however, that Christ is using a small group of anointed Christian men as a Governing Body to lead and direct his disciples on earth.—Read Acts 15:6, 28-30.
I counted the number of times the term 'Govening Body' was used in the current study Watchtower (5 articles in all). It occurred a total of 8 times.
Also, did you notice that they are now capitalizing Governing Body? What arrogrance.
Of course, the teaching that Jesus is using a group of anointed Christians as a Governing Body has been always taught by the Witnesess based on the various NT descriptions of the 1st century Christian congregation.
However, the point is that this teaching is reinforced almost weekly now.
This was not the case 20, 15, or even 10 years ago.
The scriptural citation of Matt. 24:45-47, one of 2 verses in the entire Bible that mentions a "faithful & discreet slave" or equivalent, is included in at least 1/2 of of all study articles in the Watchtower.
It is also emphasized quite frequently in the Kingdom Ministry, Theocratic Ministry School, and every assembly and convention.
A couple dozen new songs in the latest songbook either outright praise the Governing Body, or at least mention "how wonderful and happifying it is to obey those taking the lead".
All of which begs the question: Since when does a slave have authority?
10 Christ provides loving oversight of his congregations on earth by means of appointed elders. (Eph. 4:8, 11, 12) In the first century, all the overseers were spiritbegotten. They were depicted in Revelation as stars in Christ’s right hand. (Rev.1:16, 20). Today, most congregation elders are of the other sheep. They are appointed after prayer and under the guidance of the holy spirit, so they too can be regarded as under Christ’s direction, or guiding hand (that's a laugh, epecially when you know some really shady men have been appointed elders) . (Acts 20:28). They recognize, however, that Christ is using a small group of anointed Christian men as a Governing Body to lead and direct his disciples on earth.—Read Acts 15:6, 28-30.
I counted the number of times the term 'Govening Body' was used in the current study Watchtower (5 articles in all). It occurred a total of 8 times.
Also, did you notice that they are now capitalizing Governing Body? What arrogrance.
Of course, the teaching that Jesus is using a group of anointed Christians as a Governing Body has been always taught by the Witnesess based on the various NT descriptions of the 1st century Christian congregation.
However, the point is that this teaching is reinforced almost weekly now.
This was not the case 20, 15, or even 10 years ago.
The scriptural citation of Matt. 24:45-47, one of 2 verses in the entire Bible that mentions a "faithful & discreet slave" or equivalent, is included in at least 1/2 of of all study articles in the Watchtower.
It is also emphasized quite frequently in the Kingdom Ministry, Theocratic Ministry School, and every assembly and convention.
A couple dozen new songs in the latest songbook either outright praise the Governing Body, or at least mention "how wonderful and happifying it is to obey those taking the lead".
All of which begs the question: Since when does a slave have authority?
Sunday, November 28, 2010
News From Spanish Bethel in Spain
The Branch Office staff in Spain has been decreasing year after year since 1998. In that year they dismissed 13 members at once. The biggest reduction took place at the begining of 2010. Around 75 members were dismissed. The majority of them got the chance to be sent as Special Pioneers to the cities they came from many years ago. Many of them spent two and three decades in Bethel and they are in their 50's. It is sad for these older brothers to be turned out of their home. Now, the Spanish branch has only around 125 workers. This is the half the amount they had in the 80's and 90's.
In the late 90's the branch undertook a big construction job to expand the Spanish Bethel. Where they previously had only accommodation for 98 workers (48 rooms in six small buildings) they now built accommodation for 600 people. This expansion has been a big fiasco for the witnesses in Spain, and specialy for the Branch commitee. The vast majority of the new facilities haven't been used. They are empty. Obviously it cost a lot of money and they need to save money now more than ever.
How long they will carry on like now? Who knows.
The Spanish brothers are expecting two big decisions from the branch commitee soon:
1, A reduction in the amount of the special pioneers in Spain because Special Pioneers cost money.
2, Putting the whole Branch up for sale and they moving to an smaller site nearby.
Also, some of the Spanish brothers sued the Watchtower organization for Social Security Benefits. I do not know if they won their case or not, but I hope that they did.
In the late 90's the branch undertook a big construction job to expand the Spanish Bethel. Where they previously had only accommodation for 98 workers (48 rooms in six small buildings) they now built accommodation for 600 people. This expansion has been a big fiasco for the witnesses in Spain, and specialy for the Branch commitee. The vast majority of the new facilities haven't been used. They are empty. Obviously it cost a lot of money and they need to save money now more than ever.
How long they will carry on like now? Who knows.
The Spanish brothers are expecting two big decisions from the branch commitee soon:
1, A reduction in the amount of the special pioneers in Spain because Special Pioneers cost money.
2, Putting the whole Branch up for sale and they moving to an smaller site nearby.
Also, some of the Spanish brothers sued the Watchtower organization for Social Security Benefits. I do not know if they won their case or not, but I hope that they did.
Secret Elder's Meeting At The End of December
All elders are meeeting together at the end of December 2010 for a special meeting. Elders are instructed to read certain chapters in the new elder's book. One of the topics being duscussed is allowing a disfellowshipped relative back into your home if an emergency arises. I'll let you know more about the meeting when I get more news.
Saturday, November 27, 2010
Vindication of God's Name vs. Santification of God's Name
Just exactly when did the Watch Tower Society launch the use of the doctrinal expression, “The vindication of Jehovah’s name”? The term was first traced to the December 15, 1921 Watchtower. After that it’s found a few more times in various Watchtowers until the use expanded, beginning with the August 15, 1929 Watchtower article, “VINDICATION OF HIS NAME.”
Subsequently, during the year 1930, this expression is found scattered nearly 25 times throughout Watchtowers until, for the first time, it is found on the back of the inside cover of the November 15, 1930 issue of the Watchtower wheresomething new was added to the “Mission” page.
Under the title, “TO US THE SCRIPTURES CLEARLY TEACH,” is a list of the Watch Tower Society’s major teachings and the following was added to that list:
THAT THE GREAT ISSUE before all creation now is the vindication of Jehovah’s word and name…
These words were included in every issue until the October 15, 1931 Watchtower when the “Mission” page featured a new layout.
How important was the belief that God’s name would be vindicated? Note these words in the Watchtower of October 15, 1931, p. 310, par. 24:
…the greatest of all doctrines is the vindication of God’s word and name by and through his kingdom.
Greatest doctrine ousted
Nearly sixty-four years later, the May 15, 1995, Watchtower, p. 25, par. 17-18, explains that “…for a long time, Witnesses spoke of the vindication of Jehovah’s name” and then the anonymous author pointed to Matthew 6:9, “Let your name be sanctified,” and explained this is “…why recent publications do not speak of Jehovah’s name as being vindicated.”
That same article pointed out that the replacements, the vindication of Jehovah’s sovereignty instead of the vindication of Jehovah’s name, and, Jehovah sanctifies his name, not vindicates it began to appear in the early 1970s in Watch Tower literature although the changes wasn’t specifically called to the reader’s attention.
For example: In the 1971 Witness publication, The Nations Shall Know That I am Jehovah—How?, notice the following statement:
Jesus Christ fights… for the vindication of Jehovah’s universal Sovereignty.”
And in 1973, another Witness publication, God’s Kingdom of a Thousand Years has Approached, remarked:
The coming ‘great tribulation’ is the time for Almighty God Jehovah to vindicate his universal sovereignty and to sanctify his worthy name.
Then the 1975 book, Man’s Salvation Out Of World Distress at Hand!, states:
The greatest event of universal history will then have been accomplished, the vindication of Jehovah’s universal sovereignty and the sanctification of his sacred name.” See Watchtower, May 15, 1995.
Or maybe it wasn’t ousted
In spite of that, six years later, in 1981 the use of the outdated expression, “vindication of Jehovah’s name”was still being used. From a doctrinal standpoint, why in the world did the Society continue to use an expression that they thought wasn’t correct?
Read the paragraph for yourself from the December 1, 1981 Watchtower, “The Path of the Righteous Does Keep Getting Brighter”
However, the Bible shows that there is something far more important than our personal salvation. It is the great issue involving Jehovah’s universal sovereignty, which Satan called in question at the time of the rebellion in Eden. It calls for the vindication of Jehovah’s name. Indeed, the entire theme of the Bible, from Genesis to Revelation, is the Messianic kingdom whereby that glorious Name is vindicated. Exalted for all time!
If the “path of the righteous” was supposedly “getting brighter” in 1981, why still use an expression “from a doctrinal standpoint” that was outdated?
And note in the 1988 book, Insight on the Scriptures, Vol. 1, p. 311 another instance:
This Kingdom under Christ the Promised Seed is the means by which the vindication of Jehovah’s name will be accomplished.
Probably, just to be on the safe side, the author in that same paragraph decided to do it both ways because he wasn’t sure which way the light was beaming:
We would not know the Creator’s name, the great issue raised by the Edenic rebellion involving this name, or God’s purpose to sanctify and vindicatethat namebefore all creation…
Even by 1990, recipients of “flashing light” were having a difficult time figuring out which expression to use. This can be seen when the author of the book, All Scripture Is Inspired of God and Beneficial (revised), pp. 11-12, didn’t write either “name” or “sovereignty” after the words, “vindication of Jehovah…”
Outstandingly, it sets the theme for the entire Bible, namely, the vindication of Jehovah through the Kingdom ruled by the promised “seed.”
Karl Klein(Governing Body Member) to the rescue
Did “flashing light” finally straighten out the confusion? Around 1990, enter Governing Body member, Karl Klein into the picture, a doddering old fellow that lacked good sense or judgment at this point in his life. In the past, I wrote this about him:
One time at morning worship, Karl Klein talked to the Bethel family about an idea he came up with even before he told the other Governing Body members about it. He explained to us how we shouldn’t speak of Jehovah’s name being vindicated, but that Jehovah’s name will be sanctified. I remember Karl was so excited about “his” brainchild that when he arrived at work that morning it was as if he had been given his youth back. He was kind of hopping and jumping around and running his idea by anybody who would listen, including me. And, what do you know, lickity-split, that idea became “new light.”
From my personal encounters with Karl, he most often sat idle at his desk trying to look busy whenever he wasn’t reading draft copies of Watch Tower literature. It was common knowledge that Karl was so mentally feeble that often errors escaped his notice. However, in the 1970s he was a very active participant in the affairs of the Writing Department, even writing articles. (It was Karl Klein who wrote that sour-note “tacking” Watchtower article to try to justify the 1975 end-of-the-world fiasco.)
In my opinion, I believe it’s likely that Karl knew about the “vindication” vs. sanctification” issue in the early 1970s and how staff writers meandered between both terms. Twenty years later, in the early 1990s, in Karl’s befuddled mental state, he must have believed he just then came up with something original to discuss with the Bethel family by introducing this “vindication” vs. “sanctification” idea that he actually told me he had recently come up with.
Finally, “Vindication” was out, “Sanctification” was In
By 1993, the book, Jehovah’s Witnesses, Proclaimers Of God’s Kingdom, page 124, discontinued using the old “vindication of Jehovah’s name” term by substituting “sanctification of Jehovah’s name,” yet, did not point out the switch in the publication.
But it took until the publishing of the May 15, 1995 Watchtower for the Society to call attention to this change. On page 24, under the sub-heading, “Increased Light on Terminology” is the reason for discontinuing the use of “vindication of Jehovah’s name” that even they admitted began to be phased out in the early 1970s. However, the article claimed that “light” caused the term to be “adjusted” beginning with “recent publications.” Of course, I know it wasn’t “increased light” that caused the change, but it started with Karl Klein’s announcement of his “discovery” and that happened in the early 1990s.
When the new songbook was released in 2009, the Watch Tower Society said in the December 15, 2010 Watchtower that the previous one, Sing Praises to Jehovah, was in use for twenty-five years. That means it was published in 1984. As already shown, it was in 1971, 1973 and 1975 that the expression, “vindication of God’s name” was being replaced by “vindication of God’s sovereignty.” Why did “increased light” not penetrate lyric-writers to use updated “doctrinal” terminology in their songs published in the 1984 songbook? And where was Watch Tower’s Writing Department’s editing staff in 1984? Why didn’t they get the message that “increased light leads to adjustments” and this old term under discussion had already been adjusted?
Subsequently, during the year 1930, this expression is found scattered nearly 25 times throughout Watchtowers until, for the first time, it is found on the back of the inside cover of the November 15, 1930 issue of the Watchtower wheresomething new was added to the “Mission” page.
Under the title, “TO US THE SCRIPTURES CLEARLY TEACH,” is a list of the Watch Tower Society’s major teachings and the following was added to that list:
THAT THE GREAT ISSUE before all creation now is the vindication of Jehovah’s word and name…
These words were included in every issue until the October 15, 1931 Watchtower when the “Mission” page featured a new layout.
How important was the belief that God’s name would be vindicated? Note these words in the Watchtower of October 15, 1931, p. 310, par. 24:
…the greatest of all doctrines is the vindication of God’s word and name by and through his kingdom.
Greatest doctrine ousted
Nearly sixty-four years later, the May 15, 1995, Watchtower, p. 25, par. 17-18, explains that “…for a long time, Witnesses spoke of the vindication of Jehovah’s name” and then the anonymous author pointed to Matthew 6:9, “Let your name be sanctified,” and explained this is “…why recent publications do not speak of Jehovah’s name as being vindicated.”
That same article pointed out that the replacements, the vindication of Jehovah’s sovereignty instead of the vindication of Jehovah’s name, and, Jehovah sanctifies his name, not vindicates it began to appear in the early 1970s in Watch Tower literature although the changes wasn’t specifically called to the reader’s attention.
For example: In the 1971 Witness publication, The Nations Shall Know That I am Jehovah—How?, notice the following statement:
Jesus Christ fights… for the vindication of Jehovah’s universal Sovereignty.”
And in 1973, another Witness publication, God’s Kingdom of a Thousand Years has Approached, remarked:
The coming ‘great tribulation’ is the time for Almighty God Jehovah to vindicate his universal sovereignty and to sanctify his worthy name.
Then the 1975 book, Man’s Salvation Out Of World Distress at Hand!, states:
The greatest event of universal history will then have been accomplished, the vindication of Jehovah’s universal sovereignty and the sanctification of his sacred name.” See Watchtower, May 15, 1995.
Or maybe it wasn’t ousted
In spite of that, six years later, in 1981 the use of the outdated expression, “vindication of Jehovah’s name”was still being used. From a doctrinal standpoint, why in the world did the Society continue to use an expression that they thought wasn’t correct?
Read the paragraph for yourself from the December 1, 1981 Watchtower, “The Path of the Righteous Does Keep Getting Brighter”
However, the Bible shows that there is something far more important than our personal salvation. It is the great issue involving Jehovah’s universal sovereignty, which Satan called in question at the time of the rebellion in Eden. It calls for the vindication of Jehovah’s name. Indeed, the entire theme of the Bible, from Genesis to Revelation, is the Messianic kingdom whereby that glorious Name is vindicated. Exalted for all time!
If the “path of the righteous” was supposedly “getting brighter” in 1981, why still use an expression “from a doctrinal standpoint” that was outdated?
And note in the 1988 book, Insight on the Scriptures, Vol. 1, p. 311 another instance:
This Kingdom under Christ the Promised Seed is the means by which the vindication of Jehovah’s name will be accomplished.
Probably, just to be on the safe side, the author in that same paragraph decided to do it both ways because he wasn’t sure which way the light was beaming:
We would not know the Creator’s name, the great issue raised by the Edenic rebellion involving this name, or God’s purpose to sanctify and vindicatethat namebefore all creation…
Even by 1990, recipients of “flashing light” were having a difficult time figuring out which expression to use. This can be seen when the author of the book, All Scripture Is Inspired of God and Beneficial (revised), pp. 11-12, didn’t write either “name” or “sovereignty” after the words, “vindication of Jehovah…”
Outstandingly, it sets the theme for the entire Bible, namely, the vindication of Jehovah through the Kingdom ruled by the promised “seed.”
Karl Klein(Governing Body Member) to the rescue
Did “flashing light” finally straighten out the confusion? Around 1990, enter Governing Body member, Karl Klein into the picture, a doddering old fellow that lacked good sense or judgment at this point in his life. In the past, I wrote this about him:
One time at morning worship, Karl Klein talked to the Bethel family about an idea he came up with even before he told the other Governing Body members about it. He explained to us how we shouldn’t speak of Jehovah’s name being vindicated, but that Jehovah’s name will be sanctified. I remember Karl was so excited about “his” brainchild that when he arrived at work that morning it was as if he had been given his youth back. He was kind of hopping and jumping around and running his idea by anybody who would listen, including me. And, what do you know, lickity-split, that idea became “new light.”
From my personal encounters with Karl, he most often sat idle at his desk trying to look busy whenever he wasn’t reading draft copies of Watch Tower literature. It was common knowledge that Karl was so mentally feeble that often errors escaped his notice. However, in the 1970s he was a very active participant in the affairs of the Writing Department, even writing articles. (It was Karl Klein who wrote that sour-note “tacking” Watchtower article to try to justify the 1975 end-of-the-world fiasco.)
In my opinion, I believe it’s likely that Karl knew about the “vindication” vs. sanctification” issue in the early 1970s and how staff writers meandered between both terms. Twenty years later, in the early 1990s, in Karl’s befuddled mental state, he must have believed he just then came up with something original to discuss with the Bethel family by introducing this “vindication” vs. “sanctification” idea that he actually told me he had recently come up with.
Finally, “Vindication” was out, “Sanctification” was In
By 1993, the book, Jehovah’s Witnesses, Proclaimers Of God’s Kingdom, page 124, discontinued using the old “vindication of Jehovah’s name” term by substituting “sanctification of Jehovah’s name,” yet, did not point out the switch in the publication.
But it took until the publishing of the May 15, 1995 Watchtower for the Society to call attention to this change. On page 24, under the sub-heading, “Increased Light on Terminology” is the reason for discontinuing the use of “vindication of Jehovah’s name” that even they admitted began to be phased out in the early 1970s. However, the article claimed that “light” caused the term to be “adjusted” beginning with “recent publications.” Of course, I know it wasn’t “increased light” that caused the change, but it started with Karl Klein’s announcement of his “discovery” and that happened in the early 1990s.
When the new songbook was released in 2009, the Watch Tower Society said in the December 15, 2010 Watchtower that the previous one, Sing Praises to Jehovah, was in use for twenty-five years. That means it was published in 1984. As already shown, it was in 1971, 1973 and 1975 that the expression, “vindication of God’s name” was being replaced by “vindication of God’s sovereignty.” Why did “increased light” not penetrate lyric-writers to use updated “doctrinal” terminology in their songs published in the 1984 songbook? And where was Watch Tower’s Writing Department’s editing staff in 1984? Why didn’t they get the message that “increased light leads to adjustments” and this old term under discussion had already been adjusted?
Friday, November 26, 2010
Associated Jehovah's Witness for Reform on Blood
For those of you who do not know, there is an underground group of practising Jehovah's Witnesses who are seeking to change current blood doctrine. They call themselves the Associated Jehovah's Witnesses for Reform on Blood, or the AJWRB. Their website is ajwrb.org. Check them out.
This organization consists of dissenters within the WTBTS who are elders, ex-elders and publishers (and ex-jws) who are risking being disfellowshipped if discovered but who, if they are successful, will help to loosen the grip of the Governing Body on the rank and file as regards the blood doctrine. They have been in existence for a while now and their aim is to get the Watchtower organization to change their unbiblical stance on blood and save the lives of men, women and children.
This organization consists of dissenters within the WTBTS who are elders, ex-elders and publishers (and ex-jws) who are risking being disfellowshipped if discovered but who, if they are successful, will help to loosen the grip of the Governing Body on the rank and file as regards the blood doctrine. They have been in existence for a while now and their aim is to get the Watchtower organization to change their unbiblical stance on blood and save the lives of men, women and children.
"New Light" Songbook
In 2009, the Watch Tower Society published a songbook to replace the one that was in use for twenty-five years. Along with new songs, many of the old ones were adjusted because “increased light” during that time caused many Witness doctrines to change and “some of the expressions used in the old songbook have become outdated.” That’s the explanation given in the December 15, 2010 Watchtower article, SING TO JEHOVAH, p. 23, par. 15:
As time passes, refinements are made in our understanding of the Scripture. Proverbs 4:19 says: "The path of the righteous ones is like the bright light that is getting lighter and lighter until the day is firmly established." Increased light inevitably leads to adjustments in the way in which we 'sing the truth'. For the past 25 years, Jehovah's Witnesses in many lands have enjoyed using the songbook entitled Sing Praises to Jehovah. In the years since that book was first published, the light has been getting brighter on a number of topics, and some of the expressions used in that songbook have become outdated. For example, we no longer speak of "the new order" but of "the new world". And we now state that Jehovah's name will be "sanctified, not "vindicated." Clearly, from a doctrinal standpoint, there has been a need to bring our songbook up-to-date.
Updating any book is not unusual. It’s done all the time and for different reasons. The Watch Tower Society explained their reason—updating was needed because of doctrinal change. No big deal—religions frequently update beliefs and doctrines. However, the doctrinal expressions, “the new order,” and, “Jehovah’s name will be vindicated,” were removed from Witness vocabulary during the period of time I was in Bethel, and I know the removal was not because of direction from some mystical “increased light” from God, but for other reasons.
Removal of the expression, “The New Order”
When I was working in Bethel’s Writing Department, I was told that the term “the new order” was totally a Fred Franz thing, for it was Freddie who was responsible for adopting in the early 1960s the words, “the new order,” instead of continuing to use the words, “the new world.”
The term, “the new order” is historically very old. It is associated with extremist totalitarianism and nationalism; radical organizations; or political leftist and also far right movements. Further, the words are connected with a so-called “one world government” or a “new world order” that secret societies are planning to create.
However, the honest-to-God reason leaders of the Watch Tower Society stopped in the late 1980s using the words, "the new order," was because of the association this term had with Nazism. There were complaints about the use, especially from Witnesses in Germany, but as long as Freddie was in control, nothing could be done about it. The use of that term was discontinued after he became blind and completely incapacitated both mentally and physically.
Nevertheless, according to the current Watchtower, there was a need “from a doctrinal standpoint” for updating this outdated expression because the “light is growing brighter.” To give this impression in the case of “the new order” is just plain ridiculous when the expression was discarded over twenty years ago because the Watch Tower Governing Body and Watch Tower writers were aware and concerned about the Nazi link.
As time passes, refinements are made in our understanding of the Scripture. Proverbs 4:19 says: "The path of the righteous ones is like the bright light that is getting lighter and lighter until the day is firmly established." Increased light inevitably leads to adjustments in the way in which we 'sing the truth'. For the past 25 years, Jehovah's Witnesses in many lands have enjoyed using the songbook entitled Sing Praises to Jehovah. In the years since that book was first published, the light has been getting brighter on a number of topics, and some of the expressions used in that songbook have become outdated. For example, we no longer speak of "the new order" but of "the new world". And we now state that Jehovah's name will be "sanctified, not "vindicated." Clearly, from a doctrinal standpoint, there has been a need to bring our songbook up-to-date.
Updating any book is not unusual. It’s done all the time and for different reasons. The Watch Tower Society explained their reason—updating was needed because of doctrinal change. No big deal—religions frequently update beliefs and doctrines. However, the doctrinal expressions, “the new order,” and, “Jehovah’s name will be vindicated,” were removed from Witness vocabulary during the period of time I was in Bethel, and I know the removal was not because of direction from some mystical “increased light” from God, but for other reasons.
Removal of the expression, “The New Order”
When I was working in Bethel’s Writing Department, I was told that the term “the new order” was totally a Fred Franz thing, for it was Freddie who was responsible for adopting in the early 1960s the words, “the new order,” instead of continuing to use the words, “the new world.”
The term, “the new order” is historically very old. It is associated with extremist totalitarianism and nationalism; radical organizations; or political leftist and also far right movements. Further, the words are connected with a so-called “one world government” or a “new world order” that secret societies are planning to create.
However, the honest-to-God reason leaders of the Watch Tower Society stopped in the late 1980s using the words, "the new order," was because of the association this term had with Nazism. There were complaints about the use, especially from Witnesses in Germany, but as long as Freddie was in control, nothing could be done about it. The use of that term was discontinued after he became blind and completely incapacitated both mentally and physically.
Nevertheless, according to the current Watchtower, there was a need “from a doctrinal standpoint” for updating this outdated expression because the “light is growing brighter.” To give this impression in the case of “the new order” is just plain ridiculous when the expression was discarded over twenty years ago because the Watch Tower Governing Body and Watch Tower writers were aware and concerned about the Nazi link.
Tuesday, November 23, 2010
Watchtower Annual Meeting October 2010
NEWS regarding the October 2010 ANNUAL WATCHTOWER MEETING:
Four members of the Governing Body were present. The Governing Body determined that in 2011 those with children who quit Watchtower (or really anyone including dad’s ...and mom’s who quit Watchtower) are not to be socialized with under the provision of doing “necessary family business,” so as to better get them to want to return to Watchtower. Anointed Jehovah's Witnesses had recommended that active Jehovah Witnesses be moderate as to shunning, but as you know the Governing Body opposes regular Jehovah's Witnesses listening to non-Governing Body anointed ones.
Here is what the Shepherding Book has to say.......(Pg 116, Ch. 10, vs 6)
(*, **, *** were added by me for quicker reference)
6. If members of the congregation are known tohave undue association with disfellowsbippedor disassociated relatives who are not in thehousehold elders should counsel and reason withthose members of the congregation from the Scriptures.
Review with them information from the"God's Love book, pages 207-208 (*); The Watchtowerof April 15 1988, pages 26-30 (**); or the article "DisplayChristian Loyalty When a Relative Is Disfellowshipped"in the August 2002 Our Kingdom Ministry(***).
If it is clear that a Christian is violating the spirit of the disfellowshipping decree in this regard and does not respond to counsel, it may be that he would not qualify for congregation privileges, which requireone to be exemplary. He would not be dealt with judiciallyunless there is persistent spiritual association orhe openly criticizes the disfellowshipping decision.
The ironic thing is that witnesses are always declaring that they value the family. However, they actually show that they have little respect for families and that they can legislate how and under what circumstances a family can relate to one another.
Is this Biblical?
Four members of the Governing Body were present. The Governing Body determined that in 2011 those with children who quit Watchtower (or really anyone including dad’s ...and mom’s who quit Watchtower) are not to be socialized with under the provision of doing “necessary family business,” so as to better get them to want to return to Watchtower. Anointed Jehovah's Witnesses had recommended that active Jehovah Witnesses be moderate as to shunning, but as you know the Governing Body opposes regular Jehovah's Witnesses listening to non-Governing Body anointed ones.
Here is what the Shepherding Book has to say.......(Pg 116, Ch. 10, vs 6)
(*, **, *** were added by me for quicker reference)
6. If members of the congregation are known tohave undue association with disfellowsbippedor disassociated relatives who are not in thehousehold elders should counsel and reason withthose members of the congregation from the Scriptures.
Review with them information from the"God's Love book, pages 207-208 (*); The Watchtowerof April 15 1988, pages 26-30 (**); or the article "DisplayChristian Loyalty When a Relative Is Disfellowshipped"in the August 2002 Our Kingdom Ministry(***).
If it is clear that a Christian is violating the spirit of the disfellowshipping decree in this regard and does not respond to counsel, it may be that he would not qualify for congregation privileges, which requireone to be exemplary. He would not be dealt with judiciallyunless there is persistent spiritual association orhe openly criticizes the disfellowshipping decision.
The ironic thing is that witnesses are always declaring that they value the family. However, they actually show that they have little respect for families and that they can legislate how and under what circumstances a family can relate to one another.
Is this Biblical?
Monday, November 22, 2010
Watchtower February 15, 2011 Extends Length of Creative Day
New Light -
Page 7-8 paragraph 9,10:
Jehovah has, however, revealed essential details about his works. For instance, the Scriptures inform us that God's spirit was active on the earth aeons ago. (Read Genesis 1:2) At that time, there was no dry land, no light, and apparently no breathable air at the earth's surface. The Bible goes on to describe what God did during a series of creative days. These are not 24-hour days but are epochs.
Page 9 paragraph 13:
After aeons had passed and God had produced innumerable animate and in-animate works, the earth was no longer "formless and waste". Yet, Jehovah had not finiished using his spirit for creative purposes. He was about to produce his highest earthly creation. Toward the end of the sixth creative day, God created man...
According to these two paragraphs the earth had existed for aeons...which the WTS has allluded to before. Now, though, they're implying that the entire creative process took aeons, not just 7,000 years a day.
What's an aeon?
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Aeon
Although the term aeon may be used in reference to a period of a billion years (especially in geology or astronomy), its more common usage is for any long, indefinite, period of time.
http://www.thefreedictionary.com/aeon
1. an immeasurably long period of time; age
2. (Astronomy) a period of one thousand million years
http://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/aeon
1: an immeasurably or indefinitely long period of time :age
2: a very large division of geologic time usually longer than an era b : a unit of geologic time equal to one billion years
I think we get the point...
The WTS has taken to subscribing the time period of aeons to the creative days...an immeasurable amount of time. The 7,000 year creative day is now defunct.
Page 7-8 paragraph 9,10:
Jehovah has, however, revealed essential details about his works. For instance, the Scriptures inform us that God's spirit was active on the earth aeons ago. (Read Genesis 1:2) At that time, there was no dry land, no light, and apparently no breathable air at the earth's surface. The Bible goes on to describe what God did during a series of creative days. These are not 24-hour days but are epochs.
Page 9 paragraph 13:
After aeons had passed and God had produced innumerable animate and in-animate works, the earth was no longer "formless and waste". Yet, Jehovah had not finiished using his spirit for creative purposes. He was about to produce his highest earthly creation. Toward the end of the sixth creative day, God created man...
According to these two paragraphs the earth had existed for aeons...which the WTS has allluded to before. Now, though, they're implying that the entire creative process took aeons, not just 7,000 years a day.
What's an aeon?
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Aeon
Although the term aeon may be used in reference to a period of a billion years (especially in geology or astronomy), its more common usage is for any long, indefinite, period of time.
http://www.thefreedictionary.com/aeon
1. an immeasurably long period of time; age
2. (Astronomy) a period of one thousand million years
http://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/aeon
1: an immeasurably or indefinitely long period of time :age
2: a very large division of geologic time usually longer than an era b : a unit of geologic time equal to one billion years
I think we get the point...
The WTS has taken to subscribing the time period of aeons to the creative days...an immeasurable amount of time. The 7,000 year creative day is now defunct.
Sunday, November 21, 2010
Armenian Witness Kills Parents Because Jehovah Told Him To
By Gayane MkrtchyanArmeniaNow reporter
The murder of two parents by their own son, who is a member of Jehovah's Witnesses sect, caused heated public discussions in Armenia. Arman Torosyan, 23, killed his parents – 64-year-old Khachik Torosyan and 57-year-old Marietta Torosyan in their apartment in Sevan, as he says, "fulfilling the commandment of Jehovah.”
A criminal case was filed according to the Article of the Criminal Code of Armenia (“murder of two or more people”) in Sevan. The murderer must undergo a psychiatric examination; meanwhile a new wave of complaints against sects and the negative impact of their activities upon people rose in Yerevan. ‘Yerevan-Moscow-Tbilisi-Kiev’ teleconference, held on Wednesday, discussed the issue of the real threats sects carry, and the means of struggle against them. According to Alexander Amaryan, head of Center for Rehabilitation and Assistance to Victims of Destructive Cults, the number of people involved in sects in Armenia reaches 368,000. “The main goal of sectarian organizations is the ‘reprocessing’ of people. There are no corresponding specialists in Armenia; there are no independent centers, which may carry out a struggle against preachers,” Amaryan says.Psychiatrist Aram Hovsepyan, technical coordinator of the Armenian Psychiatric Association, says that murder and suicide cases, committed under the influence of sects, increases (even though there are no official data). “Such patients develop a kind of disorder of mental dependency upon other people,” Hovsepyan says. “We have acute psychotic disorders, which lead people to unconscious aggressive actions.”
source: http://armenianow.com/social/human_rights/25784/jehovah_witnesss_killed_parents
The murder of two parents by their own son, who is a member of Jehovah's Witnesses sect, caused heated public discussions in Armenia. Arman Torosyan, 23, killed his parents – 64-year-old Khachik Torosyan and 57-year-old Marietta Torosyan in their apartment in Sevan, as he says, "fulfilling the commandment of Jehovah.”
A criminal case was filed according to the Article of the Criminal Code of Armenia (“murder of two or more people”) in Sevan. The murderer must undergo a psychiatric examination; meanwhile a new wave of complaints against sects and the negative impact of their activities upon people rose in Yerevan. ‘Yerevan-Moscow-Tbilisi-Kiev’ teleconference, held on Wednesday, discussed the issue of the real threats sects carry, and the means of struggle against them. According to Alexander Amaryan, head of Center for Rehabilitation and Assistance to Victims of Destructive Cults, the number of people involved in sects in Armenia reaches 368,000. “The main goal of sectarian organizations is the ‘reprocessing’ of people. There are no corresponding specialists in Armenia; there are no independent centers, which may carry out a struggle against preachers,” Amaryan says.Psychiatrist Aram Hovsepyan, technical coordinator of the Armenian Psychiatric Association, says that murder and suicide cases, committed under the influence of sects, increases (even though there are no official data). “Such patients develop a kind of disorder of mental dependency upon other people,” Hovsepyan says. “We have acute psychotic disorders, which lead people to unconscious aggressive actions.”
source: http://armenianow.com/social/human_rights/25784/jehovah_witnesss_killed_parents
Watchtower Study November 21, 2010
1. Whom do Jehovah’s Witnesses recognize as Leader, and why?
Christendom’s churches have human leaders, such as the pope of Rome, the patriarchs and metropolitans of the Eastern Orthodox churches, and the heads of other religions. Jehovah’s Witnesses recognize no human as their leader. They are not disciples or followers of any man. This is in line with Jehovah’s prophetic utterance concerning his Son: “Look! As a witness to the national groups I have given him, as a leader and commander to the national groups.” (Isa. 55:4) The international congregation of anointed Christians and their “other sheep” companions want no leader other than the one Jehovah has given them. (John 10:16) They subscribe to Jesus’ statement: “Your Leader is one, the Christ.”—Matt. 23:10.
But is this true? Do Jehovah's Witnesses have leaders that are mere men? Take a look at these comments direct from the Watchtower publications:
(Hebrews 13:7) . . .Remember those who are taking the lead among YOU, who have spoken the word of God to YOU, and as YOU contemplate how [their] conduct turns out imitate [their] faith.
(Hebrews 13:17) . . .Be obedient to those who are taking the lead among YOU and be submissive, for they are keeping watch over YOUR souls as those who will render an account; that they may do this with joy and not with sighing, for this would be damaging to YOU.
(Hebrews 13:24) . . .Give my greetings to all those who are taking the lead among YOU and to all the holy ones. Those in Italy send YOU their greetings.
***w09 2/15 p. 28 par. 17 They “Keep Following the Lamb”***The members of the Governing Body are experienced, spirit-anointed elders. They in particular can be described as “those who are taking the lead” among us. (Heb. 13:7)
***w09 11/15 p. 14 par. 5 We need to guard against developing a spirit of independence. By word or action, may we never challenge the channel of communication that Jehovah is using today. (Num. 16:1-3) On the contrary, we should cherish our privilege to cooperate with the slave class. And should we not strive to be obedient and submissive to those taking the lead in our local congregation?—ReadHebrews13:7, 17.
***w08 1/15 p. 26 par. 6 In a symbolic way, Christians with an earthly hope today walk behind the anointed slave class and its Governing Body, following their leadership.
***w08 5/15 p. 29 The Head, Jesus Christ, supplies the body members with what is needed for good cooperation, coordination, and spiritual nourishment. (Eph. 4:15, 16; Col. 2:19) In such respects, the Governing Body is organized to take the lead as Jehovah directs them by holy spirit.
So, in essence, the Watchtower lied. They do have human leaders and there are men that the Witnesses look up to.
Christendom’s churches have human leaders, such as the pope of Rome, the patriarchs and metropolitans of the Eastern Orthodox churches, and the heads of other religions. Jehovah’s Witnesses recognize no human as their leader. They are not disciples or followers of any man. This is in line with Jehovah’s prophetic utterance concerning his Son: “Look! As a witness to the national groups I have given him, as a leader and commander to the national groups.” (Isa. 55:4) The international congregation of anointed Christians and their “other sheep” companions want no leader other than the one Jehovah has given them. (John 10:16) They subscribe to Jesus’ statement: “Your Leader is one, the Christ.”—Matt. 23:10.
But is this true? Do Jehovah's Witnesses have leaders that are mere men? Take a look at these comments direct from the Watchtower publications:
(Hebrews 13:7) . . .Remember those who are taking the lead among YOU, who have spoken the word of God to YOU, and as YOU contemplate how [their] conduct turns out imitate [their] faith.
(Hebrews 13:17) . . .Be obedient to those who are taking the lead among YOU and be submissive, for they are keeping watch over YOUR souls as those who will render an account; that they may do this with joy and not with sighing, for this would be damaging to YOU.
(Hebrews 13:24) . . .Give my greetings to all those who are taking the lead among YOU and to all the holy ones. Those in Italy send YOU their greetings.
***w09 2/15 p. 28 par. 17 They “Keep Following the Lamb”***The members of the Governing Body are experienced, spirit-anointed elders. They in particular can be described as “those who are taking the lead” among us. (Heb. 13:7)
***w09 11/15 p. 14 par. 5 We need to guard against developing a spirit of independence. By word or action, may we never challenge the channel of communication that Jehovah is using today. (Num. 16:1-3) On the contrary, we should cherish our privilege to cooperate with the slave class. And should we not strive to be obedient and submissive to those taking the lead in our local congregation?—ReadHebrews13:7, 17.
***w08 1/15 p. 26 par. 6 In a symbolic way, Christians with an earthly hope today walk behind the anointed slave class and its Governing Body, following their leadership.
***w08 5/15 p. 29 The Head, Jesus Christ, supplies the body members with what is needed for good cooperation, coordination, and spiritual nourishment. (Eph. 4:15, 16; Col. 2:19) In such respects, the Governing Body is organized to take the lead as Jehovah directs them by holy spirit.
So, in essence, the Watchtower lied. They do have human leaders and there are men that the Witnesses look up to.
Wednesday, November 17, 2010
Watchtower Says That It Speaks For Jehovah
In the Sept 15, 2010 Watchtower, page 13 para 8 it says "Thus, what is taught [in the Watchtower] is not from men, but Jehovah".
If this is true then why does the Watchtower makes so many mistakes.
The bible teaches that Jesus is the mediator between God and men. It does not mention the Watchtower at all.
How does the Watchtower get the information from Jehovah? Does he speak to them? Do they hear voices? Do they channel Jehovah in some way? How exactly do the words in a magazine come from God?
It is ridiculous that they make such a claim.
If this is true then why does the Watchtower makes so many mistakes.
The bible teaches that Jesus is the mediator between God and men. It does not mention the Watchtower at all.
How does the Watchtower get the information from Jehovah? Does he speak to them? Do they hear voices? Do they channel Jehovah in some way? How exactly do the words in a magazine come from God?
It is ridiculous that they make such a claim.
Thursday, November 11, 2010
Elders Can Hide Their Sins And Get Away With It!
I was shocked ( though I probably shouldn't have been ) when reading the new elders manual concerning whether elders have to confess up about former sins from a few years earlier. Notice this on pg. 38 of the new book, paragraph 19 : It states, " If it comes to light or an appointed brother confesses that he has committed a disfellowshipping offense years in the past : The body of elders may determine HE CAN CONTINUE TO SERVE if the following is true : The immorality or other serious wrongdoing occured more than a few years ago, and he is genuinely repentant, recognizing that he SHOULD HAVE come forward immediately when he sinned. ( Perhaps he has even confessed to his sin, seeking help with his guilty conscience . ) He has been serving faithfully for many years, HAS EVIDENCE of God's blessing, and has the respect of the congregation. "
Wait a minute, wait a minute. Time out here. What's all that talk about stifling Jehovah's holy spirit then about ? If an elder DID NOT confess or hid his sin and dishonestly continued as an elder while he knowingly committed sin - how in the HELL would he have EVIDENCE OF GOD"S BLESSING ? As the Watchtower society has mentioned before - if holy spirit is appointing these elders - wouldn't holy spirit have NOT BLESSED him and had him removed if he had been sinning ?
The information continues in paragraph 20 : " If the sin occured BEFORE he was appointed as an elder or a ministerial servant, the elders will need to take into consideration the fact that he should have mentioned this possible IMPEDIMENT to his being qualified when elders interviewed him just prior to announcing his appointment. ( duh, yeah- you think ? ) Moreover, the nature of the sin MAY REFLECT greatly on his qualifications to serve. (No, really ?) For example, the sin may involve past child abuse, and this would LIKELY disqualify him for many years. " ( how about forever Watchtower society ? )
The fact the WT society even states a child molester would LIKELY be disqualified leaves an opening that maybe in SOME circumstances a former child molester MAY serve again as an elder or MS. Disgusting.
Paragraph 21 continues : " If the wrongdoing occurred WITHIN THE PAST FEW YEARS WHILE HE WAS SERVING as an elder or a ministerial servant, he is disqualified from serving as such, not being " free from accusation ". Depending on the circumstances, the situation MAY also need to be handled by a judicial committee. " O.K. then. So if it is a RECENT offense by an elder he is not " free from accusation " , but if it hapened a long time ago - oh well, let's bury the hatchet boys and girls. Once again this shows that the WT society is only concerned about how things appear outwardly RIGHT NOW - and that they tend to get amnesia regarding travesty's of justice in the past, elders committing them or otherwise.
I ask you, if a rank & file publisher came out and confessed a disfellowshipping offense they committed years ago - would THEY be shown the same leniency as the Governing Body and elders show themselves? I highly doubt it. Once again it shows how many double standards exist in the Jehovah's Witness organization.
Wait a minute, wait a minute. Time out here. What's all that talk about stifling Jehovah's holy spirit then about ? If an elder DID NOT confess or hid his sin and dishonestly continued as an elder while he knowingly committed sin - how in the HELL would he have EVIDENCE OF GOD"S BLESSING ? As the Watchtower society has mentioned before - if holy spirit is appointing these elders - wouldn't holy spirit have NOT BLESSED him and had him removed if he had been sinning ?
The information continues in paragraph 20 : " If the sin occured BEFORE he was appointed as an elder or a ministerial servant, the elders will need to take into consideration the fact that he should have mentioned this possible IMPEDIMENT to his being qualified when elders interviewed him just prior to announcing his appointment. ( duh, yeah- you think ? ) Moreover, the nature of the sin MAY REFLECT greatly on his qualifications to serve. (No, really ?) For example, the sin may involve past child abuse, and this would LIKELY disqualify him for many years. " ( how about forever Watchtower society ? )
The fact the WT society even states a child molester would LIKELY be disqualified leaves an opening that maybe in SOME circumstances a former child molester MAY serve again as an elder or MS. Disgusting.
Paragraph 21 continues : " If the wrongdoing occurred WITHIN THE PAST FEW YEARS WHILE HE WAS SERVING as an elder or a ministerial servant, he is disqualified from serving as such, not being " free from accusation ". Depending on the circumstances, the situation MAY also need to be handled by a judicial committee. " O.K. then. So if it is a RECENT offense by an elder he is not " free from accusation " , but if it hapened a long time ago - oh well, let's bury the hatchet boys and girls. Once again this shows that the WT society is only concerned about how things appear outwardly RIGHT NOW - and that they tend to get amnesia regarding travesty's of justice in the past, elders committing them or otherwise.
I ask you, if a rank & file publisher came out and confessed a disfellowshipping offense they committed years ago - would THEY be shown the same leniency as the Governing Body and elders show themselves? I highly doubt it. Once again it shows how many double standards exist in the Jehovah's Witness organization.
Friday, November 5, 2010
2011 Special Talk: Bible Principles-Can They Help Us to Cope With Today's Problems?
2011 Special Talk!
Outline number 76 (yes this is a 'replacement' of the previous 'jealousy' outline)
Outline number 76 (yes this is a 'replacement' of the previous 'jealousy' outline)
You can download a clear copy of the new Special Talk here:
TO DOWNLOAD A PDF COPY: http://www.msucity.ru/upload/file/3867
Wednesday, November 3, 2010
EXCITING NEWS FROM BRAZIL
Fortaleza, November 3, 2010Dear friend, very good afternoon!My name is Sebastian Ramos, I am a complainant, who did pioneer in the prosecution of Ceará against religious discrimination perpetrated by the Church of Jehovah's Witnesses, a kind of excommunication which is practiced against former members who are expelled or against those who voluntarily disconnect themselves from their ranks. My case had nationwide repercussions, because it is a new type of atypical religious discrimination in Brazil, but precisely. There are Brazilians suffering family and social rejection and psychiatric treatment because of application of this monstrous discipline.In August last year opened proceedings in the PM, and from then on, reports began to appear on TV aired the Legislative Assembly of Ceará, TV Union and other media outlets in the country, apart from articles published by journalists and commentators in refereed journals.The MP had set up police investigation to establish all the facts, and then denounced members of that religion for the crimes of religious discrimination. The judge in the 6th Criminal Prosecutor accepted the complaint was substantiated in the law because of racism, No. 7716, art 14. However, the pastors' lawyers filed a habeas corpus petition before the ECJ and managed to lock the process. However, on 28 October 2010 to the Ombudsman of Ceará appealed the decision to the court and believe that injustice will be fully repaired by this court. To better understand the case, leave links to news articles, and published articles, including the newspaper Extra in Rio, one of the vehicles affiliated Globe Editions.
http://youtube.com/v/QKFYti7o4-E- Forum in Defense of Religious Diversity
http://youtube.com/v/wrfOCQQD2UY- A report on TV the opening day of billboards on the Avenue judge Moreira.
http://youtube.com/v/N7lHRkmwo1g- A report on the complaint that the prosecutor made to Justice - Case - Sebastian Ramos
http://youtube.com/v/SvVo9xdm8Hg- Reporting day for the Commemoration of the Abolition of Slavery in Brazil. against disassociationhttp://www.otempo.com.br/otempo/colunas/?IdColunaEdicao=12661 Unpairing is approached by the largest Mining Journal - TIMEhttp://www.jusbrasil.com.br/noticias/2354922/justica-extingue-acao-penal-contra-membros-da-congregacao-das-testemunhas-de-jeova - Decision of the ECJ - the locking actionhttp://extestemunhasdejeova.blogspot.com/ Office of Human Rights says it is misguided to the ECJ rulinghttp://extra.globo.com/geral/religiaoefe/rosianerodrigues/ - An article published recently by journalist Rosiane Rodrigues.Given the above, if appropriate, I would appreciate that this material and then contact me again.
http://youtube.com/v/QKFYti7o4-E- Forum in Defense of Religious Diversity
http://youtube.com/v/wrfOCQQD2UY- A report on TV the opening day of billboards on the Avenue judge Moreira.
http://youtube.com/v/N7lHRkmwo1g- A report on the complaint that the prosecutor made to Justice - Case - Sebastian Ramos
http://youtube.com/v/SvVo9xdm8Hg- Reporting day for the Commemoration of the Abolition of Slavery in Brazil. against disassociationhttp://www.otempo.com.br/otempo/colunas/?IdColunaEdicao=12661 Unpairing is approached by the largest Mining Journal - TIMEhttp://www.jusbrasil.com.br/noticias/2354922/justica-extingue-acao-penal-contra-membros-da-congregacao-das-testemunhas-de-jeova - Decision of the ECJ - the locking actionhttp://extestemunhasdejeova.blogspot.com/ Office of Human Rights says it is misguided to the ECJ rulinghttp://extra.globo.com/geral/religiaoefe/rosianerodrigues/ - An article published recently by journalist Rosiane Rodrigues.Given the above, if appropriate, I would appreciate that this material and then contact me again.
Tuesday, November 2, 2010
Saturday, October 30, 2010
SHEPHERD THE FLOCK OF GOD, THE NEW 2010 ELDER'S BOOK
The new 2010 elder's book has just been released.
For an animated discussion of this new book, please see the blog here:
http://shepherdtheflockofgod.blogspot.com/
For an animated discussion of this new book, please see the blog here:
http://shepherdtheflockofgod.blogspot.com/
A Life Wasted Due To Belief That The Governing Body Was Actually Channeling Jehovah God and Just Not Making This Up As They Go Along
Brother -----------:
I am a long time servant of Jehovah, babtized in late teens. Being a spiritualy minded young man I applied to Bethel and was accepted. I served faithfully for 20 years in a variety of assignenments and meet many wonderfull people and had, what I thought, was the privilidge of supporting Christs Brothers. I developed a health problem that precluded me from carrying out my work assignments and left me physically weak. My condition persisted and it was timely recomended that I leave Bethel Service. I understood and was grateful for my time there. I was kindly taken by friends and over the course of several years recovered my health.
My situation though was difficult. I was in my late 40's and had no real world experience in the work force, no training to speak of, but I trusted in Jehovah. As my health improved I strongly desired to support myself as I felt I had already been a burden on the couple who had taken me in. I found employment as a janitor with a local brother. The physical work was tirering, given my condition, but satisfying. Over the course of the next ten years I regained much of my strength and continued to devote myself to serving Kingdom Interests. I was ultimatly able to serve as an Elder, a privledge I have enjoyed for almost 30 years. Despite the difficulties of old age and infirmities brought on by a life of physical labor I told myself it was all for Jehovahs Glory! But much has changed....
In the last few years I have begun to question much. In 1935 when I was born it was thought the end was imminent*. My parents believed I would never go to school in this System of Things. I reached out for organizational goals. Both of my parents died in this System, faithful to what they believed was the Jehovah God's Organization. I served twenty years at head quarters under the same ideal. Now I too have grown old, and have begun to doubt how near the end really is. Recent adjustments to our understanding of Jesus prophcey of 'this generation' ** have convinced me that my parents served, not Christ, but men and that I too have been deceived. It stretches the bounds of reason that Jesus was speaking of "overlapping" groups of anointed followers of Christ. Further, from my own experiences and personal interactions with former Presidents of the WTS I know they held no such understanding.
However the final blow, and what has prompted me into action, was the Annual Meeting this year. I was invited to attend, as I frequently have had the privledge to do so. In one of the talks it was put forth, those who have grown old in this system and begun to question the wisdom of Kingdom sService and forgoing secular jobs and opportunties were compared to the Isrealites who murmured in the wilderness.. Tears of bitterness welled up in my eyes at that! A life spent in whole souled service compared to those who were punished by Jehovah God for unfaithfulness! How dare they devalue the sacrifice of so many, including my parents, and so many dear friends who sacrificed the chance to have children or as in my case to even marry, all for the Kingdom..... Even now I struggle to maintain my composure. A life of sacrifice and denial reduced to regret and bitterness...
My nephew tells me that many former brothers and sisters long ago came to understand what I have only learned too late and are working to help others. He indicated that it may be useful to you and other to have copy of the new Kingdom Ministry School textbook. I am glad to provide mine to you. I can only hope the information will help others to avoid wasting their life in Service to unappreciative men rather the loving Jehovah God I still believe exsists and cares!
Thank you for taking the time to listen the incoherent ramblings of an old man. I trust you will do your utmost to make sure it is shared with all.
Your Brother in Christ
I am a long time servant of Jehovah, babtized in late teens. Being a spiritualy minded young man I applied to Bethel and was accepted. I served faithfully for 20 years in a variety of assignenments and meet many wonderfull people and had, what I thought, was the privilidge of supporting Christs Brothers. I developed a health problem that precluded me from carrying out my work assignments and left me physically weak. My condition persisted and it was timely recomended that I leave Bethel Service. I understood and was grateful for my time there. I was kindly taken by friends and over the course of several years recovered my health.
My situation though was difficult. I was in my late 40's and had no real world experience in the work force, no training to speak of, but I trusted in Jehovah. As my health improved I strongly desired to support myself as I felt I had already been a burden on the couple who had taken me in. I found employment as a janitor with a local brother. The physical work was tirering, given my condition, but satisfying. Over the course of the next ten years I regained much of my strength and continued to devote myself to serving Kingdom Interests. I was ultimatly able to serve as an Elder, a privledge I have enjoyed for almost 30 years. Despite the difficulties of old age and infirmities brought on by a life of physical labor I told myself it was all for Jehovahs Glory! But much has changed....
In the last few years I have begun to question much. In 1935 when I was born it was thought the end was imminent*. My parents believed I would never go to school in this System of Things. I reached out for organizational goals. Both of my parents died in this System, faithful to what they believed was the Jehovah God's Organization. I served twenty years at head quarters under the same ideal. Now I too have grown old, and have begun to doubt how near the end really is. Recent adjustments to our understanding of Jesus prophcey of 'this generation' ** have convinced me that my parents served, not Christ, but men and that I too have been deceived. It stretches the bounds of reason that Jesus was speaking of "overlapping" groups of anointed followers of Christ. Further, from my own experiences and personal interactions with former Presidents of the WTS I know they held no such understanding.
However the final blow, and what has prompted me into action, was the Annual Meeting this year. I was invited to attend, as I frequently have had the privledge to do so. In one of the talks it was put forth, those who have grown old in this system and begun to question the wisdom of Kingdom sService and forgoing secular jobs and opportunties were compared to the Isrealites who murmured in the wilderness.. Tears of bitterness welled up in my eyes at that! A life spent in whole souled service compared to those who were punished by Jehovah God for unfaithfulness! How dare they devalue the sacrifice of so many, including my parents, and so many dear friends who sacrificed the chance to have children or as in my case to even marry, all for the Kingdom..... Even now I struggle to maintain my composure. A life of sacrifice and denial reduced to regret and bitterness...
My nephew tells me that many former brothers and sisters long ago came to understand what I have only learned too late and are working to help others. He indicated that it may be useful to you and other to have copy of the new Kingdom Ministry School textbook. I am glad to provide mine to you. I can only hope the information will help others to avoid wasting their life in Service to unappreciative men rather the loving Jehovah God I still believe exsists and cares!
Thank you for taking the time to listen the incoherent ramblings of an old man. I trust you will do your utmost to make sure it is shared with all.
Your Brother in Christ
Friday, October 29, 2010
18 Unnecessary Deaths in Russia Because of Watchtower Erroneous Interpretation of The Bible
The refusal of medically indicated blood transfusions by Jehovah’s Witnesses sectarians resulted in the death of 18 patients, including eight children, according to an article on Thursday in Komsomolskaya Pravda (KP) citing examples of such deaths. Two criminal cases were opened concerning the deaths of children in such cases, the first was filed in Kogalym (in the Khanty-Mansi Autonomous Okrug in Western Siberia), and a second was opened in October in Moscow. The mother of the child who died in Kogalym refuses to recognise any criminal responsibility in her action. “I wanted the best treatment for him! I told the doctors, ‘Blood isn’t medicine! Blood can be infected!’” KP quoted the mother as saying. After the institution of criminal proceedings in Kogalym, investigators from prokuratura raided the premises of the local JWs, they seized prohibited books, as the courts previously recognised some Jehovah’s Witnesses literature as extremist material for its attacks against other religions. The child’s mother tried to impose her rules on her eldest son, who is in school, citing her “parental rights”, but his teachers stood up for him against her, he’s a well-mannered boy, good at sports. As a result, his mother didn’t drag him to JW affairs and didn’t impose any of their religious taboos upon him. Under the article of the Criminal Code that she’s charged under, the mother could face a year in prison, but, more likely, she shall face a fine, instead.
28 October 2010
Interfax-Religion
source (in Russian): http://www.interfax-religion.ru/?act=news&div=37994
28 October 2010
Interfax-Religion
source (in Russian): http://www.interfax-religion.ru/?act=news&div=37994
The Faithful and Discrete Slave "Class" Has Been Fired By The Governing Body
Yes, that is right, they fired the Faithful Slave "Class". Who makes up the Faithful and Discrete Slave "Class"? Why the anointed do, of course. What has the Watchtower told the Jehovah's Witnesses about the anointed? That they have no special spiritual insight over and above the elders or any other Jehovah Witness. Yes, they are out of work. The Governing Body has all the insight they need right in Bethel- no outside ideas from the anointed are requested or accepted- even if you claim to be one of the Faithful and Discreet Slave "Class".
Heartbreaking Account Showing the Watchtower Breaks Up Families
http://www3.cantonrep.com/printable.php?ID=251095
Family splits over sons' military service; war conflicts with their beliefs
By CHARITA GOSHAY
CANTON - The Marine Corps Reserve 3rd Battalion, 25th Marines returned home from Iraq to the open arms of grateful family members.
Jason and Johel Woodliff had only each other.
The brothers say they were not greeted by their family upon their return on Oct. 6, because of religion.
The Woodliffs' parents are devout Jehovah's Witnesses, who oppose war and military service.
Graduates of Washington High School in Massillon, the Woodliffs said they had a strict upbringing based on their parents' faith, and that the real trouble began when they announced their intentions to become Marines.
"When they found out I wanted to join, they were very upset about it," said Johel, 20, who turned down a college scholarship to join the Marines in 2003.
"I let them know that as I grew older, I had done some research on the religion, and that it didn't abide with my beliefs."
Jason, 23, claims that when he informed his parents in 2004 that he too intended to join the Marines, he was asked to leave the house.
"I was 18 years old, living by myself in a trailer," he said. "I haven't had a conversation with my dad in five years. For him, it's 100 percent about the religion."
Though the Bible is filled with accounts of battles and war imagery, J.R. Brown, director of public information for the Watchtower Bible Tract Society, confirmed that Jehovah's Witnesses don't participate in military service based on their interpretation of Scripture, and that the actions of the Woodliffs' parents are consistent with the faith.
"As Christians, we're neutral with respect to the conflicts that nations have," he said. "Our neutrality is just in regards to conflicts of men. This doesn't mean we're adversaries. We try to (convey) that to the person as best we can, but because they're usually partisan, they think we're against them. That's not the case. We're truly neutral."
Brown noted that numerous U.S. court decisions have recognized members' right to neutrality.
"We're not be feared," Brown said, adding that the church is merely adhering to Jesus' admonition to, "Render unto Caesar the things that are Caesar's and unto God, the things that are God's."
disassociation
Brown acknowledged that family members who enter the military voluntarily, risk "disassociation."
"We as an organization or local congregation do not initiate this action," he explained. "Rather than 'disfellowship,' we use 'disassociation' as a term. That means the individual made a conscientious decision that he or she would no longer ascribe to the principles that we do. He or she has decided to take a side; the individual has left the position of 'neutral.' We look at disassociation as accepting the person's decision to take a side."
Given that the faith places a great deal of emphasis on the family, Brown concedes that others might see the policy as contradictory.
"It depends on how you look at your Christian responsibility," he said. "We look at our responsibility before God as our first and foremost responsibility. As our creator, he comes first. We feel our position of neutrality is based on our love for him. If a family member does not accept the same decision, we feel they have to bear the consequences. It pains us. We're human too."
Brown said members must prioritize their allegiances.
"You have to decide who's first in your life, is it God more than any human?" he said. "The fact is, we do not even put ourselves and our own interests ahead of God. He's our creator. Our allegiance is first to him. In making that decision, it does at times create problems within the family. Husbands, wives, parents can be torn; there's love there. But the apostle said we must obey God as ruler rather than man."
The brothers said that although they no longer embrace a particular faith, they believe in God and the Bible, adding that many Marines are deeply religious.
"There are Scriptures written all over Iraq," Johel said. "My favorite is John 15:13."
Attached to Johel's dog tags is a worn medallion of St. Michael, the warrior angel. He also carries a camouflage-paperback Bible.
"War shouldn't be necessary, but war has existed since the beginning of man," he said. "The Bible speaks of war constantly. King David was one of the greatest warriors. It shouldn't be a necessity, but it's a reality."
moral conflict?
The Rev. Wendy Bausman, a retired Navy chaplain and an associate pastor at Christ Presbyterian Church, ministered to Marines and sailors for 14 years.
"I didn't have a conflict serving in the military," she said. "But I was a non-combatant, which put me in different category. It would have been really challenging for me (in uniform), simply because of handling a weapon. I'm not comfortable with that."
Bausman said she did encounter service people who became conscientious objectors.
"The first person they go to outside their chain of command, is the chaplain," she explained. "A chaplain listens, counsels and writes a recommendation. They also must discern if the person is just trying to get out of the military, or it's something sincere."
She recalled one Marine who became an objector after joining a Mennonite church.
"It was really an honest introspection," she said. "He was struggling with the military once he became a Mennonite." unconditional love
The Woodliff brothers said they really didn't expect their parents to attend their homecoming.
"I begged my mother to come, but I knew she wouldn't," Johel said. "Several families know our situation and have taken us under their wing. My mom knows I'll always have love for her. I believe love is unconditional."
His brother is less forgiving.
"What's the most important thing in the Bible? Love and family," Jason asked.
"It's not like I blasphemed God or worshipped the devil. It's just ridiculous to me."
parents' reply
In a written statement, Thomas and Mia Woodliff respond: "We love our sons and are saddened that they have expressed public disappointment regarding what should be a private, family matter, that is, our choice not to attend the recent homecoming party for the 3rd Battalion, 25th Marines. As you know, we are Jehovah's Witnesses and are neutral as to the political and military affairs of the world. We base our beliefs on Scriptures such as John 17:14, 16, Matthew 5:43, 44 and Matthew 26:52 among others. This means we are neither for nor against the political involvements of the 200-plus nations that we can be found in. This does not mean that we do not love the land in which we live, or that we disrespect the government or those in authority. We recognize that each nations ruling authority has the right to enact and enforce laws, make foreign policy and to purse its own sovereign interests. We simply choose not to participate.
"However, we are generally known as exemplary taxpayers and citizens and we try to follow the laws of the land to the extent that our Bible-trained conscience will individually permit. Which leads us to the main point of our statement. Our two sons were taught to be peace-loving followers of Jesus Christ. Instead, they have chosen a different path. We respect their right to chose whatever lifestyle they wish. And we hope one day for reconciliation so that we can be a united family again. We have many fond memories of the abundant good times we shared together. In the meantime, please be assured that the current difference in point of view, and the separation in ties that has occurred as a result, does not mean that we love our children less." (Love? They are willing to forsake their children because of some man's interpretation of scripture.)
These poor people are deluded into thinking that their stance is neutral. If it were neutral they would not care one way or the other. No, they have taken a stand. A stand that is against war. Because of this sick religion they will not aloow their childreen the same freedom without repercussions set down by old men in Brooklyn.
Family splits over sons' military service; war conflicts with their beliefs
By CHARITA GOSHAY
CANTON - The Marine Corps Reserve 3rd Battalion, 25th Marines returned home from Iraq to the open arms of grateful family members.
Jason and Johel Woodliff had only each other.
The brothers say they were not greeted by their family upon their return on Oct. 6, because of religion.
The Woodliffs' parents are devout Jehovah's Witnesses, who oppose war and military service.
Graduates of Washington High School in Massillon, the Woodliffs said they had a strict upbringing based on their parents' faith, and that the real trouble began when they announced their intentions to become Marines.
"When they found out I wanted to join, they were very upset about it," said Johel, 20, who turned down a college scholarship to join the Marines in 2003.
"I let them know that as I grew older, I had done some research on the religion, and that it didn't abide with my beliefs."
Jason, 23, claims that when he informed his parents in 2004 that he too intended to join the Marines, he was asked to leave the house.
"I was 18 years old, living by myself in a trailer," he said. "I haven't had a conversation with my dad in five years. For him, it's 100 percent about the religion."
Though the Bible is filled with accounts of battles and war imagery, J.R. Brown, director of public information for the Watchtower Bible Tract Society, confirmed that Jehovah's Witnesses don't participate in military service based on their interpretation of Scripture, and that the actions of the Woodliffs' parents are consistent with the faith.
"As Christians, we're neutral with respect to the conflicts that nations have," he said. "Our neutrality is just in regards to conflicts of men. This doesn't mean we're adversaries. We try to (convey) that to the person as best we can, but because they're usually partisan, they think we're against them. That's not the case. We're truly neutral."
Brown noted that numerous U.S. court decisions have recognized members' right to neutrality.
"We're not be feared," Brown said, adding that the church is merely adhering to Jesus' admonition to, "Render unto Caesar the things that are Caesar's and unto God, the things that are God's."
disassociation
Brown acknowledged that family members who enter the military voluntarily, risk "disassociation."
"We as an organization or local congregation do not initiate this action," he explained. "Rather than 'disfellowship,' we use 'disassociation' as a term. That means the individual made a conscientious decision that he or she would no longer ascribe to the principles that we do. He or she has decided to take a side; the individual has left the position of 'neutral.' We look at disassociation as accepting the person's decision to take a side."
Given that the faith places a great deal of emphasis on the family, Brown concedes that others might see the policy as contradictory.
"It depends on how you look at your Christian responsibility," he said. "We look at our responsibility before God as our first and foremost responsibility. As our creator, he comes first. We feel our position of neutrality is based on our love for him. If a family member does not accept the same decision, we feel they have to bear the consequences. It pains us. We're human too."
Brown said members must prioritize their allegiances.
"You have to decide who's first in your life, is it God more than any human?" he said. "The fact is, we do not even put ourselves and our own interests ahead of God. He's our creator. Our allegiance is first to him. In making that decision, it does at times create problems within the family. Husbands, wives, parents can be torn; there's love there. But the apostle said we must obey God as ruler rather than man."
The brothers said that although they no longer embrace a particular faith, they believe in God and the Bible, adding that many Marines are deeply religious.
"There are Scriptures written all over Iraq," Johel said. "My favorite is John 15:13."
Attached to Johel's dog tags is a worn medallion of St. Michael, the warrior angel. He also carries a camouflage-paperback Bible.
"War shouldn't be necessary, but war has existed since the beginning of man," he said. "The Bible speaks of war constantly. King David was one of the greatest warriors. It shouldn't be a necessity, but it's a reality."
moral conflict?
The Rev. Wendy Bausman, a retired Navy chaplain and an associate pastor at Christ Presbyterian Church, ministered to Marines and sailors for 14 years.
"I didn't have a conflict serving in the military," she said. "But I was a non-combatant, which put me in different category. It would have been really challenging for me (in uniform), simply because of handling a weapon. I'm not comfortable with that."
Bausman said she did encounter service people who became conscientious objectors.
"The first person they go to outside their chain of command, is the chaplain," she explained. "A chaplain listens, counsels and writes a recommendation. They also must discern if the person is just trying to get out of the military, or it's something sincere."
She recalled one Marine who became an objector after joining a Mennonite church.
"It was really an honest introspection," she said. "He was struggling with the military once he became a Mennonite." unconditional love
The Woodliff brothers said they really didn't expect their parents to attend their homecoming.
"I begged my mother to come, but I knew she wouldn't," Johel said. "Several families know our situation and have taken us under their wing. My mom knows I'll always have love for her. I believe love is unconditional."
His brother is less forgiving.
"What's the most important thing in the Bible? Love and family," Jason asked.
"It's not like I blasphemed God or worshipped the devil. It's just ridiculous to me."
parents' reply
In a written statement, Thomas and Mia Woodliff respond: "We love our sons and are saddened that they have expressed public disappointment regarding what should be a private, family matter, that is, our choice not to attend the recent homecoming party for the 3rd Battalion, 25th Marines. As you know, we are Jehovah's Witnesses and are neutral as to the political and military affairs of the world. We base our beliefs on Scriptures such as John 17:14, 16, Matthew 5:43, 44 and Matthew 26:52 among others. This means we are neither for nor against the political involvements of the 200-plus nations that we can be found in. This does not mean that we do not love the land in which we live, or that we disrespect the government or those in authority. We recognize that each nations ruling authority has the right to enact and enforce laws, make foreign policy and to purse its own sovereign interests. We simply choose not to participate.
"However, we are generally known as exemplary taxpayers and citizens and we try to follow the laws of the land to the extent that our Bible-trained conscience will individually permit. Which leads us to the main point of our statement. Our two sons were taught to be peace-loving followers of Jesus Christ. Instead, they have chosen a different path. We respect their right to chose whatever lifestyle they wish. And we hope one day for reconciliation so that we can be a united family again. We have many fond memories of the abundant good times we shared together. In the meantime, please be assured that the current difference in point of view, and the separation in ties that has occurred as a result, does not mean that we love our children less." (Love? They are willing to forsake their children because of some man's interpretation of scripture.)
These poor people are deluded into thinking that their stance is neutral. If it were neutral they would not care one way or the other. No, they have taken a stand. A stand that is against war. Because of this sick religion they will not aloow their childreen the same freedom without repercussions set down by old men in Brooklyn.
Sunday, September 12, 2010
Oct. 15th Watchtower Tells The Witnesses Not To Trust your Own Viewpoint.
In this magazine you'll observe the society REALLY making Jehovah's Witnesses question themselves, doubt themselves. Even if they are observing the organization doing something questionable, they are NOT to doubt Jehovah or the organization, but their own imperfect human judgments. In other words : " Don't trust your own mind - it's skewed ".
Under the article titled, " Keep on Seeking first his Righteousness " on pg.8 it lays the groundwork in stating, " Seeking His righteousness includes trying to live according to His values, and perfect standards, NOT OUR OWN. It is not a matter of obeying His laws out of FEAR of punishment. (Yeah right) Rather, our love for God motivates us to endeavor to please Him by upholding His standards, NOT establishing our own . " What they are really saying is that we should obey without question whatever the organization tells us to do. After all, they have taken the role of Jesus Christ in the lives of the witnesses.
It continues in paragraph 8,9 : " We need to remember, though, that if we question the fairness or rightness of Jehovah's decisions (substitute the society's decisions) , we are, in effect, starting to put OUR standard of righteousness above Jehovah's (Watchtower society's) standard. It is as if we put Jehovah (society) on trial and judged Him by our own standards of right and wrong. Jehovah (society) is the one who has the right to set the standard for righteousness, not us ! " It continues, "Our IMPERFECT nature can lead us down this path. This can easily happen when we see something that WE view as unfair or if we PERSONALLY suffer hardship. " Translation : If you suffer hardships it's only YOUR OWN fault - not the organization or Jehovah.
The next part is really weird. In the midst of an ensuing paragraph JUSTIFYING Jehovah forgiving King David & Bath Sheba's adulltery & David 's murdering her husband check THIS quote out, Under the subheading : " Our viewpoint May be Distorted or Limited " it states, " The second factor to remember when we are faced with a situation that APPEARS to be unfair is that OUR VIEWPOINT MAY BE DISTORTED OR LIMITED. It can be distorted by imperfection, prejudice, or cultural background. It is also limited by our inability to discern motives and to know what is really in people's hearts. In contrast, both Jehovah and Jesus have no such limitations. " Translation : You are imperfect , stupid idiots who allow prejudice sin, and your varied backgrounds to distort you. You are dirt. As dumb as rocks. Trust us the WT society and God- you can NEVER trust yourself !
It concludes by stating, " So if at times we see something that WE FEEL is unfair on Jehovah's part ( WT society's part ) whether we read it in the Bible account or experience it in OUR PERSONAL life - let us NEVER judge God ( WT society ) by our own standards of righteousness. Remember that we do NOT always have all the facts and that our viewpoint may be DISTORTED or LIMITED. " I want to get sick.
Once again the society makes it's members feel they CANNOT trust their own minds, heart, or judgment on ANYTHING that differs or seems unjust within the organization. It is a way to make members feel GUILTY and in FEAR if, in fact, they DO find themselves having doubts. If there is any doubt by anybody that this isn't a dangerous mind control organization, I think this article removes that doubt.
So even though the organization has been wrong so many times and has had to revised their publications many times to correct their mistakes, we have to trust everything they say without question because they are supposed to be spealing for God. How presumptuous. How frightening.
Under the article titled, " Keep on Seeking first his Righteousness " on pg.8 it lays the groundwork in stating, " Seeking His righteousness includes trying to live according to His values, and perfect standards, NOT OUR OWN. It is not a matter of obeying His laws out of FEAR of punishment. (Yeah right) Rather, our love for God motivates us to endeavor to please Him by upholding His standards, NOT establishing our own . " What they are really saying is that we should obey without question whatever the organization tells us to do. After all, they have taken the role of Jesus Christ in the lives of the witnesses.
It continues in paragraph 8,9 : " We need to remember, though, that if we question the fairness or rightness of Jehovah's decisions (substitute the society's decisions) , we are, in effect, starting to put OUR standard of righteousness above Jehovah's (Watchtower society's) standard. It is as if we put Jehovah (society) on trial and judged Him by our own standards of right and wrong. Jehovah (society) is the one who has the right to set the standard for righteousness, not us ! " It continues, "Our IMPERFECT nature can lead us down this path. This can easily happen when we see something that WE view as unfair or if we PERSONALLY suffer hardship. " Translation : If you suffer hardships it's only YOUR OWN fault - not the organization or Jehovah.
The next part is really weird. In the midst of an ensuing paragraph JUSTIFYING Jehovah forgiving King David & Bath Sheba's adulltery & David 's murdering her husband check THIS quote out, Under the subheading : " Our viewpoint May be Distorted or Limited " it states, " The second factor to remember when we are faced with a situation that APPEARS to be unfair is that OUR VIEWPOINT MAY BE DISTORTED OR LIMITED. It can be distorted by imperfection, prejudice, or cultural background. It is also limited by our inability to discern motives and to know what is really in people's hearts. In contrast, both Jehovah and Jesus have no such limitations. " Translation : You are imperfect , stupid idiots who allow prejudice sin, and your varied backgrounds to distort you. You are dirt. As dumb as rocks. Trust us the WT society and God- you can NEVER trust yourself !
It concludes by stating, " So if at times we see something that WE FEEL is unfair on Jehovah's part ( WT society's part ) whether we read it in the Bible account or experience it in OUR PERSONAL life - let us NEVER judge God ( WT society ) by our own standards of righteousness. Remember that we do NOT always have all the facts and that our viewpoint may be DISTORTED or LIMITED. " I want to get sick.
Once again the society makes it's members feel they CANNOT trust their own minds, heart, or judgment on ANYTHING that differs or seems unjust within the organization. It is a way to make members feel GUILTY and in FEAR if, in fact, they DO find themselves having doubts. If there is any doubt by anybody that this isn't a dangerous mind control organization, I think this article removes that doubt.
So even though the organization has been wrong so many times and has had to revised their publications many times to correct their mistakes, we have to trust everything they say without question because they are supposed to be spealing for God. How presumptuous. How frightening.
Tuesday, September 7, 2010
Annointed Disassociates Himself After 33 Years As A Jehovah's Witness
Early this year I requested disassociation from the org and have been meaning to publish some sort of statement. I was a member for over 33 years and partook of the emblems. Being an older widow it took some deliberation and guts to make the move but am currently very happy with the change. My exit contemplation actually began in 2006 with the examination of WTS chronology and wonderment why they are about the only organization on planet earth that claims 607 was the historic date for the destruction and burning of Jerusalem. It is well proven that 587 or close to that date is the historic fact. In the process I developed my own chronology which was great fun and submitted it to the brothers in the Writing Committee. After about 2 months they responded with a very polite correspondence suggesting I should "wait on the Faithful and Discrete Slave" for any changes but they made no effort at rebuttal of my facts. Of course I knew all about Carl Olof Jonsson's efforts and that they were well informed of the truth already. In fact they have known since 1906 if I am to believe the old WT volumes - so waiting any longer obviously ridiculous. The other humorous factor is I am (or was) considered part of the "faithful and discrete slave class" per their definition. Of course we know it is "only" the Governing Body but they don't put that in print so I found the response even more humorous since I would be waiting upon "myself." Enough for that subject. I would love to share the chronology if anyone has an interest - the Bible itself proves the point quite adequately in my opinion.
But for now I thought you might enjoy a short composition I prepared to explain my reasons for leaving - and if you think it worthy you may share with others though I haven't decided whether it is best to remain anonymous for such a contribution or use my "real name" - probably just list as "contributed" like WTS does - LOL. I'm still showing their influence in my actions. But it is the subject and not the person that is of value here.
10 Reasons to Leave
(Based on the same reasoning as found in the famous poem)
Children Learn What They Live
1) If an organization focuses much of its attention
on condemnation of other groups
it is teaching its members
to become judgmental of one another
2) If an organization is hostile to those outside itself
with differing opinions
its members may become contentious
among themselves, forming cliques of their own
3) If an organization focuses on persecution as proof
of their genuineness
its members may develop self-pity,
the martyrdom complex
4) If an organization is inflexible, rigid, and dogmatic,
creating myriads of rules,
its members become stubborn, defiant, authoritarian
crossing "t's" and dotting "i's" but losing the Spirit
5) If an organization is domineering and controlling
its members themselves will lack
mercy and kindness, empathy and understanding.
In short they will lack love for one another.
6) If an organization continually prods, pushes, and goads
its members to increase their commitment and service,
its members are being taught
to focus on works and achievement
7) If an organization uses guilt as a motivator,
its members may withdraw into protective shells
and joyous participation disappears
8) If an organization claims itself to be the "faithful and wise servant"
its members become self-righteous,
hoping for glory and exaltation of men
9) If an organization elevates itself
claiming to be the sole channel of God and truth,
its members themselves
may become proud and arrogant.
10) If an organization practices deceit,
its members will become guilty themselves of spiritism
People are often attracted to an authoritarian religion
Because of a lack of inner security, a feeling of powerlessness
Their need for structure and dogmatic certainty may be very high.
Principle-centered living will elude them.
They will seek their identity in works and prestige.
They may feel insignificant and easily become vulnerable to depression.
It is not unusual to see them lose balance and good sense,
Putting family or other priorities aside, even personal health needs,
Assuming all will understand they must be about God's work.
Once their emotional worth comes from their group affiliation,
They become incapable of an objective search for truth.
They lose their freedom or capacity to make independent decisions,
Become enslaved, a form of idolatry,
Restricted by attitudes, behavior and actions of others,
Ruled by fear rather than love.
Cognitive dissonance may result,
Inner compulsiveness, even immorality functioning as relief valves,
On rare occasions even the development of insanity.
But for now I thought you might enjoy a short composition I prepared to explain my reasons for leaving - and if you think it worthy you may share with others though I haven't decided whether it is best to remain anonymous for such a contribution or use my "real name" - probably just list as "contributed" like WTS does - LOL. I'm still showing their influence in my actions. But it is the subject and not the person that is of value here.
10 Reasons to Leave
(Based on the same reasoning as found in the famous poem)
Children Learn What They Live
1) If an organization focuses much of its attention
on condemnation of other groups
it is teaching its members
to become judgmental of one another
2) If an organization is hostile to those outside itself
with differing opinions
its members may become contentious
among themselves, forming cliques of their own
3) If an organization focuses on persecution as proof
of their genuineness
its members may develop self-pity,
the martyrdom complex
4) If an organization is inflexible, rigid, and dogmatic,
creating myriads of rules,
its members become stubborn, defiant, authoritarian
crossing "t's" and dotting "i's" but losing the Spirit
5) If an organization is domineering and controlling
its members themselves will lack
mercy and kindness, empathy and understanding.
In short they will lack love for one another.
6) If an organization continually prods, pushes, and goads
its members to increase their commitment and service,
its members are being taught
to focus on works and achievement
7) If an organization uses guilt as a motivator,
its members may withdraw into protective shells
and joyous participation disappears
8) If an organization claims itself to be the "faithful and wise servant"
its members become self-righteous,
hoping for glory and exaltation of men
9) If an organization elevates itself
claiming to be the sole channel of God and truth,
its members themselves
may become proud and arrogant.
10) If an organization practices deceit,
its members will become guilty themselves of spiritism
People are often attracted to an authoritarian religion
Because of a lack of inner security, a feeling of powerlessness
Their need for structure and dogmatic certainty may be very high.
Principle-centered living will elude them.
They will seek their identity in works and prestige.
They may feel insignificant and easily become vulnerable to depression.
It is not unusual to see them lose balance and good sense,
Putting family or other priorities aside, even personal health needs,
Assuming all will understand they must be about God's work.
Once their emotional worth comes from their group affiliation,
They become incapable of an objective search for truth.
They lose their freedom or capacity to make independent decisions,
Become enslaved, a form of idolatry,
Restricted by attitudes, behavior and actions of others,
Ruled by fear rather than love.
Cognitive dissonance may result,
Inner compulsiveness, even immorality functioning as relief valves,
On rare occasions even the development of insanity.
Monday, September 6, 2010
The Jehovah's Witnesses Redefine Irony
http://www.jehovahs-witness.net/jw/friends/198477/1/PZ-Myers-mocks-Latest-Awake
Biologist and science blogger PZ Myers has commented on the upcoming Awake magazine in today's blog at Pharyngula.
You can now download the latest issue of Awake, the Jehovah's Witness's strange little magazine. The theme of this issue is those marching militant atheists, so it's a little bit personal.
"Unfortunately, I was only able to read as far as the second sentence before I was blinded by the irony." - PZ
A new group of atheists has arisen in society. Called the new atheists, they are not content to keep their views to themselves - Awake
A new group of atheists has arisen in society. Called the new atheists, they are not content to keep their views to themselves.
That's right. The door-knockin', rabidly proselytizing cult is rebuking atheists for not keeping their views to themselves.
I guess that's fair. Twice now I've watched in anticipation as the local JWs do their thing, working their way up the street, only to see them look at my house, check a piece of paper they carried with them, and turn around to leave. There was also a third time when a couple actually knocked on my door, started their little spiel, and I interrupted them to tell them I was an atheist, would they like to come in and talk about freedom from religion? And they ran away.
So it's true, I suppose, that they do have limits on the expression of their views.
Biologist and science blogger PZ Myers has commented on the upcoming Awake magazine in today's blog at Pharyngula.
You can now download the latest issue of Awake, the Jehovah's Witness's strange little magazine. The theme of this issue is those marching militant atheists, so it's a little bit personal.
"Unfortunately, I was only able to read as far as the second sentence before I was blinded by the irony." - PZ
A new group of atheists has arisen in society. Called the new atheists, they are not content to keep their views to themselves - Awake
A new group of atheists has arisen in society. Called the new atheists, they are not content to keep their views to themselves.
That's right. The door-knockin', rabidly proselytizing cult is rebuking atheists for not keeping their views to themselves.
I guess that's fair. Twice now I've watched in anticipation as the local JWs do their thing, working their way up the street, only to see them look at my house, check a piece of paper they carried with them, and turn around to leave. There was also a third time when a couple actually knocked on my door, started their little spiel, and I interrupted them to tell them I was an atheist, would they like to come in and talk about freedom from religion? And they ran away.
So it's true, I suppose, that they do have limits on the expression of their views.
Sunday, August 22, 2010
Sad Consequences To The Two Witness Rule
written by an "Apostate" August 21, 2010
I was a Witness for 25 years and one of my best friends was an elder in a neighboring congregation. I'll call him 'Woody'. He was a single brother that was loved and repected by all. He was given many talk assignments and was used extensively on judicial committees. He had a gift for offering counsel particularlly to young ones. Much to the shock of the congregation and friends, Woody was suddenly removed and disfellowshipped. A mutual friend revealed to me that our 'brother' Woody had confided in him that he was battling homosexuality and had an affinity for young boys. He had acted on his desires and touched several boys inappropiately, some while offering counsel. Two or more of the boys had come forth and revealed that they had been abused by my former friend. Thus the 'two witness' rule led to his being disfellowshipped. However no one else in the congregation knew why he was df'd since the disfellowshipping offense is not to be spoken of outside the judicial committee. The majority thought as is the norm, that he was df'd for heterosexual fornication. And although I live in a clergy reporting state, the elders in his congo refused to report it to the authorities for fear of 'bringing reproach on Jehovah's name'.
Sound familiar? After 'demonstrating works that befit repentance', in other words attending meetings regularly for nearly a year, Woody was reinstated and allowed to go out in service immediately, sometimes in the company of young boys. About six months later he went to Walmart and purchased a tarp and a shotgun. He called a mutual friend and asked him to come by his house while he was out in service because he had something in his garage that he wanted him to see. He then went out to his garage, wrapped himself up in the tarp with the shotgun and blew his head off. Our mutual friend found a suicide note confessing that Woody had backslid, abused again and feared that it would become public knowledge and he would be df'd again.
I often wonder if my former friend would still be alive if the elders had only reported the child abuse to the authorities. Perhaps he could have gotten the professional help he needed. Here's the kicker....Woody's funeral was held in the Kingdom Hall and his memorial service was given by the presiding overseer. In the talk the P.O. described Woody's death an an 'emotional accident'. What about the kids he abused? Where was their loving counsel? It was nonexistent. They were hung out to dry so to speak.
I hate that Woody killed himself. I wish that he could have gotten help. At one time we shared a wonderful friendship but... at least he is no longer around to ruin the lives of other children. This experience was the first time I realized that the WT positon on molestation was seriously flawed. I resigned my position in the congo in '03 after 25 years of dedicated service and drifted into inactivity. Now that I'm on the outside of the microcosm that is the Watchtower, I see things for what they really are...bottom line......bullsh*t.
I was a Witness for 25 years and one of my best friends was an elder in a neighboring congregation. I'll call him 'Woody'. He was a single brother that was loved and repected by all. He was given many talk assignments and was used extensively on judicial committees. He had a gift for offering counsel particularlly to young ones. Much to the shock of the congregation and friends, Woody was suddenly removed and disfellowshipped. A mutual friend revealed to me that our 'brother' Woody had confided in him that he was battling homosexuality and had an affinity for young boys. He had acted on his desires and touched several boys inappropiately, some while offering counsel. Two or more of the boys had come forth and revealed that they had been abused by my former friend. Thus the 'two witness' rule led to his being disfellowshipped. However no one else in the congregation knew why he was df'd since the disfellowshipping offense is not to be spoken of outside the judicial committee. The majority thought as is the norm, that he was df'd for heterosexual fornication. And although I live in a clergy reporting state, the elders in his congo refused to report it to the authorities for fear of 'bringing reproach on Jehovah's name'.
Sound familiar? After 'demonstrating works that befit repentance', in other words attending meetings regularly for nearly a year, Woody was reinstated and allowed to go out in service immediately, sometimes in the company of young boys. About six months later he went to Walmart and purchased a tarp and a shotgun. He called a mutual friend and asked him to come by his house while he was out in service because he had something in his garage that he wanted him to see. He then went out to his garage, wrapped himself up in the tarp with the shotgun and blew his head off. Our mutual friend found a suicide note confessing that Woody had backslid, abused again and feared that it would become public knowledge and he would be df'd again.
I often wonder if my former friend would still be alive if the elders had only reported the child abuse to the authorities. Perhaps he could have gotten the professional help he needed. Here's the kicker....Woody's funeral was held in the Kingdom Hall and his memorial service was given by the presiding overseer. In the talk the P.O. described Woody's death an an 'emotional accident'. What about the kids he abused? Where was their loving counsel? It was nonexistent. They were hung out to dry so to speak.
I hate that Woody killed himself. I wish that he could have gotten help. At one time we shared a wonderful friendship but... at least he is no longer around to ruin the lives of other children. This experience was the first time I realized that the WT positon on molestation was seriously flawed. I resigned my position in the congo in '03 after 25 years of dedicated service and drifted into inactivity. Now that I'm on the outside of the microcosm that is the Watchtower, I see things for what they really are...bottom line......bullsh*t.
Wednesday, August 4, 2010
A Change To The Way Attendance Is Taken At The Meetings
A recent letter to the Body of Elders:
Beginning September 1, there will be a change to the way attendance is recorded at congregation meetings.
Currently, attendance is counted at 4 of the 5 meeting (Public Talk, WT Study, Congregation "Bible" Study, and Service Meeting).
But after Sept. 1, meeting attendance will only be taken at 2 of the meetings - during the "first quarter" of the WT study, and also at the Congregation Bible Study.
No reason in given for the change in the letter, and I can't figure out why myself.
The numbers are not published anywhere - the only "official" record is a 6 month average the Circuit Overseer puts together during his visit.
Why request less information from the congregations, especially when it "costs" nothing to accumulate it in the first place? It just doesn't make sense.
Beginning September 1, there will be a change to the way attendance is recorded at congregation meetings.
Currently, attendance is counted at 4 of the 5 meeting (Public Talk, WT Study, Congregation "Bible" Study, and Service Meeting).
But after Sept. 1, meeting attendance will only be taken at 2 of the meetings - during the "first quarter" of the WT study, and also at the Congregation Bible Study.
No reason in given for the change in the letter, and I can't figure out why myself.
The numbers are not published anywhere - the only "official" record is a 6 month average the Circuit Overseer puts together during his visit.
Why request less information from the congregations, especially when it "costs" nothing to accumulate it in the first place? It just doesn't make sense.
Wednesday, July 28, 2010
More Watchtower Cutbacks
At our service meeting it was announced that there is a change in the manner in which magazines are now to be delivered to the congregations.
Up until now, magazines were sent to each Kingdom Hall via UPS. In years past magazines were sent to each congregation PO's home address via UPS.
Going forward, magazines will be sent only as far as the Assembly Hall. It is the responsibility of each Kingdom Hall to send brother(s) twice a month to drive out there, pick up the magazines, and return.
This of course saves a little bit of money for the Society - shipping larger packages to fewer addresses will cost less.
However, what about the expense to the local congregations?
A typical Assembly Hall probably has 20-25 circuits assigned to it. Each of those circuits has 20-25 congregations.
That's 400-600 congregations, maybe 200 or 250 Kingdom Halls shared among them. Each of those Kingdom Halls now has to send, twice a month, a van or truck to the assembly hall to pick up the magazines.
Our Kingdom Hall is only about 40 or so miles from the Assembly Hall - but what about congregations out in the sticks? Maybe they are 150, 200, 300 miles away from their assembly hall. Think of the expense - the gasoline alone could run into the hundreds of dollars per month. Multiply that by the hundreds of Kingdom Halls assigned to each assembly hall, then think of the dozens of assembly halls in use in the USA.
Didnt they discontinue the bookstudy "because of the cost of gas" to the "friends"?
Up until now, magazines were sent to each Kingdom Hall via UPS. In years past magazines were sent to each congregation PO's home address via UPS.
Going forward, magazines will be sent only as far as the Assembly Hall. It is the responsibility of each Kingdom Hall to send brother(s) twice a month to drive out there, pick up the magazines, and return.
This of course saves a little bit of money for the Society - shipping larger packages to fewer addresses will cost less.
However, what about the expense to the local congregations?
A typical Assembly Hall probably has 20-25 circuits assigned to it. Each of those circuits has 20-25 congregations.
That's 400-600 congregations, maybe 200 or 250 Kingdom Halls shared among them. Each of those Kingdom Halls now has to send, twice a month, a van or truck to the assembly hall to pick up the magazines.
Our Kingdom Hall is only about 40 or so miles from the Assembly Hall - but what about congregations out in the sticks? Maybe they are 150, 200, 300 miles away from their assembly hall. Think of the expense - the gasoline alone could run into the hundreds of dollars per month. Multiply that by the hundreds of Kingdom Halls assigned to each assembly hall, then think of the dozens of assembly halls in use in the USA.
Didnt they discontinue the bookstudy "because of the cost of gas" to the "friends"?
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