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
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