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?
Monday, November 29, 2010
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
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